Mel didn't feel good at all. The Jua was missing, the Mwezi was putting on a brave show for everyone...but miss Tarajia said that it was just a show. That the Mwezi was really hurting inside. And now the tummy ache. Of course...that last one was kind of her fault. She'd eaten just a little too much...Mel pouted as she lay on her side in the tall grasses. She'd been hungry! She and Kai had gone ALL over the pride's lands before dinner!
She sighed and wiggled a bit. Why did her tummy have to be so SMALL?
Kai felt bad for Moto. He did his best to make her smile, but he couldn't heal her heart the way he wanted to. So, after another attempt to cheer her up, he wandered over to Mel and nudged her side absently. "I wish we could cheer Miss Moto up..."
Mel winced a little at the nudging, but nodded. "Yeah...Sad makes her look pretty in a bad way." She looked to her brother sadly. "Why did the Jua disappear without tellin' anyone? I mean...the Mwezi says when she's going out of the pride lands. And the adults too! So...why didn't the Jua?" It just didn't make sense in the juvenile's head.
"I don't know Mel... I wish I did," Kaimel said sadly, his ears drooping as he moved to curl around his sister. "Maybe he meant to tell someone but forgot?"
"Maybe?" She nuzzled her brother. "I hope he comes back soon. Or...or that the Mwezi finds another way to be happy." She sighed. "I mean...she's still got all of us. And we're not goin' anywhere." Mel intended to STAY in the pride's lands. It was there she would be the most use.
"Maybe we need to remind her of that," Kaimel said absently, grinning and getting up to his feet. He kneaded the ground excitedly, his tail twitching slightly.
Mel grinned and nodded. "Yeah!" She moved to get up, only to wince and flop back down. "A little later though...my tummy hurts." The ear not to the ground drooped. "I ate to much at dinner..."
"You know you aren't supposed to eat too much Mel," Kaimel said, moving to absently nudge his sister's belly
Mel groaned. "I know...but I was REALLY hungry. And I thought since I was bigger, so was my tummy." She winced a little at the nudging, but didn't object. "I mean...we did go ALL over the place!" A sigh. "Guess my tummy just hadn't been as empty as I thought..."
"You should eat for a little bit, then take a break to give your tummy time to feel the food," Kaimel teased, snuggling Mel's tummy lovingly.
Mel giggled a bit. "Okay...and that tickles!" Her back legs moved a bit, though she didn't kick at her brother...just scraped some of the dirt. "I'll be more careful next time I'm really hungry."
"Good," Kaimel said happily, smiling and absently tickling Mel's tummy even more.
This time her front paws joined the semi-flailing as the little lioness laughed. "N-no fair!" It hurt a little, but it was more ticklish than hurting now! "I-I'll get y-you back!" Of course...at that moment, she was too indisposed with laughing.
"It's fair! You're the one sitting there with your tummy hanging out!" Kaimel laughed, continuing to tickle his sister's tummy. And when he was sure she could take it no more, he leapt backwards and out of her reach with a grin.
When he finally let up, Mel lay there catching her breath a moment before trying to get up. It took her a couple tries, but she did it and pouted at her brother. "It was so I wouldn't make it hurt worse, you doof." She grinned and started towards him. "And now...I'm gonna get you!" Hurt-ish belly or no, she was gonna have fun!
"You'll never get me alive!" Kaimel said dramatically before dashing off, laughing happily. At least he got Mel playing! It would take her mind off her achy tummy!
Mel laughed and started chasing after him. "Yes I will!" She would catch her brother...and then tickle him like he had her! Turnabout was fair play after all! "You can run Kai...but you cannot escape!" Sadly...her 'evil' voice left much to be desired.
