Iluba had stayed with Mama Moo for almost two cycles of the moon, it had been a very long time since she left the baboon's side for more than a day to either hunt or find herbs. The lessons that were taught, however, would prove to be timeless and important later, who knew where her swift paws would take her.

"I be missin you already, chile." Mama Moo said as Iluba packed some vital ingredients into her own small satchel. A satchel she created herself, with the help of and direction of Mama Moo. She carried several herbs that could only be found in this forest for her trek -- roots for pains in case she was injured or was sore during her journey, leaves that, when eaten, help with fevers, and several other items.

Mama Moo lifted the satchel and placed it around the cheetah's neck, letting it hang about her shoulders loosely. "I will miss you, too, Mama Moo! I cannot thank you enough for the lessons you have taught me." She gave the baboon a little bow, lowering her front half toward the ground and leaving one leg out before her.

Mama Moo waved away the formality. "Stop dat now. You won' be gone too long, four legs." For some reason, after all this time, Mama Moo still didn't always respond to Iluba as "Iluba", still choosing to call her by her features. Maybe it was a baboon thing, Iluba didn't really understand it and didn't really mind anymore, either. "Dey always come back for more learnin'."

Iluba smiled at the gracious lady, "If I find myself in the area again, I will be sure to return to you for more knowledge. It was a pleasure!"

"Always." Mama Moo responded fondly.

Iluba turned away from the forest and took a deep breath, back to the wilds for her. The rogue lands were calling her name and her paws itched to be out in the open again. The forest was no place for a cheetah, but it made do while she healed and had her lessons.

She walked patiently toward the border of the forest, sunlight pouring in more heavily the closer she got to the savannah and the thinner the trees became. It became warmer, but less humid. As she stepped out into the unblocked sunlight for the first time in weeks, she felt a slight heaviness be lifted from her. This was more her home than the forest would ever be! She shook from nose to tail, almost physically making the heaviness of the moisture in the jungle leave her. She took in a deep breath and could smell the arid dirt beneath her feet, could feel the passing of a herd, and could hear the whinnies of zebras and smaller prey animals to her right. It was refreshing to be back in a place so familiar. And with her new found skills, she felt more confident than ever.

But at the same time, she felt more lonely. The weeks with Mama Moo, she had someone to talk to whenever she desired. She would wake up to the baboon tending a fire or organizing herbs, making small satchels or returning with fruits from the forest. It was comforting to have someone around like that. Mama Moo told her stories, spoke of a family that she had. Iluba never asked why the baboon was out on her own, and wondered if Mama Moo had someone to return "home" to, if that small forest grove wasn't her real home. It made Iluba somewhat upset, thinking about how she had none of those things. A permanent home, a family...

She was walking without a purpose as all these ideas flooded her mind. She wondered if her new skills could get her a home somewhere, a permanent one. Maybe she could meet someone who would need her aid and they would become friends and possibly start a family. She thought back to her past, a lot of roaming and a lot of encounters, a lot of stealing to make her ends meet. She had met injured felines in the past and was unable to help them, having to leave them behind. It was clear they would survive, she had never met anyone with grave wounds, but she wished now that she had the knowledge she currently has back then and could have formed bonds with these creatures, invaluable later perhaps.

As she walked, tail almost dragging behind her limply, she vowed to never leave an injured creature behind again if she could help it. Unless of course they were food, then they would be eaten. But felines... she would physically help any and every feline that she crossed paths with. Her curious side, though, that one would be harder to tame. She still had an urge to take things in her, it was almost conflicting, now. The desire to help and the shadow of chaos both brewed within her. It was strange and exciting. She wondered if she could use her healing to her advantage here, work her way onto the good side of others and then take things without their knowing.

A smile crept over her face. She would have to try this out. The first injured creature she found she would bury her way into their life, and try out her new technique to cause a little havoc. It was exciting and new to her, it gave her a new taste of life, a new desire to explore and find those in need. She would help and hurt at the same time, it could almost be like a payment for her services. It was only fitting that the those who needed her help returned the favor in some way, was it not?

The thing she didn't consider, however, was how Mama Moo would look at this action. It was so crude, so destructive, and the things Mama Moo had taught her were about reconstruction and healing. If Mama Moo could see her now, already, she would be upset. But Iluba pushed those thoughts out of her mind without a wink of consideration. She had a new agenda now that she was out of the jungle and she had a new means of completing it. It was only fair that she get what should be hers. It was what was meant to be.

((1063))