Sun Rise Ch. 18

[The character Tombie does not belong to me. Tombie aminoapps.com/p/jaihi8
I do NOT own the characters Rookus, Eye, or Sly, they are owned by Rookus_Hyena384
aminoapps.com/p/vvpxua ]
Janja sat with his head held low. He never left the volcano much, not without either his friends or Jasiri. One of his favorite pass times had become watching the bubbling lava, or searching the volcano for something interesting. Today he was exploring the base of the volcano on another bright and hot day. He walked around by himself, looking around at the bright tan rock walls, making another mental map of his home. Nabii still owned most of the volcano, though she didn't quite like the idea of "territories" in the first place, always preaching that everyone should be willing to be friends. Mshale was another big supporter of that idea, but Striped Hyenas were never territorial in the first place. Janja was aloud to go in and out of areas as he pleased now, and no one ever came to the top of the volcano anymore, so he didn't have to worry about trespassers.
It had been a month and a halt since the Canal Digging had begun, and never once did he take part in it. It wasn't going to affect him either way, so he decided not to get caught up in all the trouble. Sevaga did try to make him feel bad for not joining though, but Janja didn't care. He felt bad all the time, and no one could make a difference. Except... no. He wasn't going to think about it. The dam keeping his emotions locked away was still standing, and he had blocked it up even more since last time. Janja was tough, and he was not going to let himself break. If he felt terrible, so be it.
Janja happened to come across a small body of water close to the volcano, in a secluded area away from any volcanic activity. It was so small it could be mistaken for a puddle, and Janja would not have even seen it if it hadn't been for the dandelions growing.
He walked over to them, and for some reason, he remembered something Fikiria had told him over a month prior.
"If it rubs off on your chin, that means you're in love."
What kind of a sentence was that? He chuckled a bit at how stupid it sounded. How was that supposed to mean he was in love? He turned around and began to walk off. Suddenly though, out of impulse, he stopped. He couldn't stop thinking about it. What if it did have some kind of deeper meaning to it? What if it did mean he was in love? Maybe he could just try.
No!
No he wasn't going to try. Why would he be in love? It was too early for love! He walked back towards the flower, and lifted his paw, ready to smash it and be done with it. He lowered his paw, but he didn't squish it. He picked it up instead.
He felt stupid...
Jasiri
That was the only thing he could think about. That was the only word he could think about. How did he feel about that name? What did she make him feel?
Maybe... maybe he could just try it...
He lifted the flower, and began to run it under his chin. What was he even doing?
Janja dropped the flower, and looked at his reflection in the puddle. Sure enough, some yellow pollen had rubbed off on the bottom of his chin. He felt hot and cold at the same time, frozen and molten. He felt rough yet soft, bright yet dark. He felt like he was going to start sweating, but was too cool to do it. His breathing was off and he didn't even known it.
It didn't mean anything. It didn't mean anything! He was not in love, he was not-
"Well look at that, not so stupid is it?" A voice had told him. It was Fikiria.
Janja turned around.
"What? Uh, n-no. I mean... yes it is!"
He quickly wiped the pollen off his chin after he noticed it was still there.
"It doesn't mean anything!"
Fikiria lifted an eyebrow.
"Yeah, it doesn't. It's just a fun little thing to think about though."
She came over by him and sat next to the puddle. She picked up a dandelion and rubbed it on her chin as well.
"I just thought it would help lighten your mood."
She looked into her reflection to see it rubbed off on her as well.
"Yup."
She stood up and wiped it off. She found Janja sitting alone up ahead on the trail.
"Hey, did you hear me?" She called out.
"Yeah I heard ya"
She came over and sat down beside him. They both didn't say anything.
They both starred at a lava flow. The volcano never let up with spilling the bubbling lava, never once.
"Why would you want to help me." Janja asked.
"Because, I see someone in pain, so I help them."
Janja held his head down and sighed.
"You people really need to just leave me alone. Can't you all see that I'm a lost cause?"
"That is not for you to decide, that is for the rest of us to decide. I know you don't care about what I think, but I know you care about what SHE thinks."
How the heck did she know? She didn't know anything!
"What the heck are you talking about?"
"Oh come on, don't try to hide it from me! I saw the way you act around her. If she was here right now you would be happy to talk with me!"
Janja wanted to get up and run, but that would only confirm her suspensions.
"I'm not gonna make you admit anything Janja. I just want to tell you, if you actually do like her, why not go for it?"
"Why not? It'll ruin everything! I don't want her to leave, I don't want to loose her! I want it, but at the same time I don't!"
"But Janja, if you don't make a move, she'll move on. Besides, Jasiri is a very nice girl. If she turns you down, she won't make a big deal out of it."
He lowered his head again.
"Well... I guess I have nothing to loose. What am I supposed to do?"
"You don't have to ask her our now, but just get to know her a bit more. You pop the question when you feel like it."
She patted his back.
"Thanks... I needed that..."
"Don't try to deny your feelings Janja, whether you like someone, or your happy or sad. Don't try to hide anything, it's not healthy. Admitting to yourself how you feel isn't always going to solve the problem, but it's a good first step."
A yellow bat flew by, and Janja could hear some very quiet squeaking coming from it.
"Uh... fine. Tell Sevaga I'll be there soon..."
The bat flew off.
"I have to go Janja, just remember what I said. Don't ever deny your feelings."
She got up and walked off.
He had waited until she left, then stood up. Janja looked around to make sure no one could see or hear him. He then closed his eyes, and took in a deep breath.
"I... like... Jasiri."
He let his breath out. He felt... strange. He hesitated to call it good or bad, but he felt different for admitting it. Janja knew what he had to do, but he really didn't want to do it.
You don't always get want you want though.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Today was Rookus's and Tombie's day to work. The Canal had been dug deeper into the Outlands by now, and they were about half way done with the next step. Eventually, they would split the path off and dig smaller canals to each of their territories. Nabii's clan calculated that it all should be done by the end of the year. Sevaga would come down every day with some of Nabii's clan members and watch over work production.
It was hard work, and everyone was hoping to get the canals dug before the dry season had ended. It didn't seem like that was going to happen though, so a lot of the work the Outlands had previously done in filling the place up with plantlife was ruined. The place was looking just as dead as it had before, with only the clan territories being able to sustain their local environments.
Rookus was toiling around in the dirt. She hated dry dirt. She much preferred mud over dry, course, grainy dirt every time. The heat was unbearable, but she made it this far. Normally, she would be skeptical of Nabii, and call her out on her methods. Who did she think she was? Everyone else out here in the dirt while she was off doing who knows what. However, this time, Rookus dared not question Nabii. Rookus's clan loved Nabii, and she didn't want to make her clan unhappy.
There was still one thing that bugged her to no end. She looked up, and turned around to see Sly, digging with the rest of the clan, and being friendly and greeting everyone who walked by. He looked up to see her staring at him, and he waved at her with a big cheerful smile on his face. She quickly looked away. Something about that was so terribly wrong. Nabii came to her one day, and Sly was accompanying her. Sly had been missing for a couple weeks after his failed attack. Nabii and Sevaga had promised not to hurt him, but that they needed him for a little bit for interrogation. They wanted to learn more about Where Thimba's, now Camazotz's, Army was hiding.
Eventually they were finished with him, and a couple more weeks ago they dropped him back off to Rookus. He was completely different, in fact she almost didn't believe it was Sly. She still didn't entirely believe it was Sly. Whatever Nabii did to him, it was unnatural. The once fierce and murderous hyena was reduced to a friendly, smiling, happy young soul. She somewhat hated how sudden it was. She had always hoped he would have a change of heart, but not like this.
Whatever though. He wasn't harming anyone anymore and the rest of the clan was relieved that Sly was back. She didn't mind as long as he wasn't gonna murder her in her sleep or anything. Nabii volunteered to keep a watch on Sly to make sure he didn't do anything bad. Rookus told her that she could have her own spies take that job, and Nabii agreed if Rookus promised to report back every week with how Sly was acting. It was all so strange, and Rookus wished she could get some answers, but she clearly wasn't going to be able to.
That's when she noticed that Eye was with Mshale again, and they were both walking over to this big wooden structure that she couldn't quite recognize. Eye seemed to be yelling at him about something. Rookus lifted one of her ears so she could listen better.
"Mshale you idiot, stay away from that thing!"
"I can't, you know I have to do this!"
"Why? Why are you so intent on doing this?"
"Come on, this is my passion! I told you from day one that this was what I did! I live for excitement!"
"Mshale stop! You're going to hurt yourself!"
"Why do you all of a suddenly care now? I've done this countless times before and you didn't care then!"
"It's because I love you!"
Mshale's ears raised. Eye could see that his eyes had teared up a bit.
In all of Mshale's years, he had never heard someone say that to him. He had convinced himself no one would ever tell him that, not even Eye. His old clan never told him that, nor did his partners he worked with today.
"Eye... I... I love you too."
They hugged each other, and Mshale smiled.
"I'm sorry about the yelling, but this is what I do. This kind of stuff gives me purpose."
"You have purpose to me, and I don't want you to hurt yourself. What if you don't come back one day? How am I supposed to feel about this?"
Mshale didn't ever believe someone would care about him that much. It seemed almost scary to him now, that he had lived most his life surrounded by people who didn't care if he never came back. Deep down, Mshale had been hoping to avoid this. In a twisted way, he liked what he did. Deep down within the darkest trench within him, an abyss that he himself even tried to deny, he didn't want to come back. Now however, someone did care, and that was enough to convince him to stay.
He looked her in the eye, and said, "Ok fine, I won't do."
Eye almost jumped and joy. It meant the world to her that Mshale would be safe.
Eye smiled and hugged him again.
"Oh my gosh thank you."
"I won't do it, myself. The show must go on however."
Mshale turned around once she let go.
"Alright, change of plan boys, I'm not going up there."
"You chickening out on us Mshale?" One of the spotted hyena henchmen yelled back. Mshale was friends with a group of daredevil hyenas that were similar to him.
"Yeah kinda. One of you volunteer instead?"
"You're a pansy Mshale. I'll do it." A hyena with a massive burn mark on his left side said.
"Alright, have fun."
Mshale patted the hyena on his back. The burned hyena was helped up into a giant cup like appendage to the wooden pile, and that's when Rookus had noticed it was a giant catapult. She got hooked on whatever was happening.
Mshale stepped up and yelled, "excuse me, may I have your attention."
A couple of workers had stopped to look up at him.
"You may all take a break if you wish, and please, enjoy the show during your time of leisure. Shame to you who aren't watching, because you're going to miss out on the stunt of your lifetime!"
One hyena broke off from the group, and began to climb up to a higher position and peer over a rock wall. The burnt hyena was loaded into the cup of catapult. A the other couple of hyenas started humming and whistling a tune to go along with Mshale's speech.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls. I, your incredibly handsome and charismatic striped friend, introduce to you the Outlands Catapult version 2.1!"
That got the attention of even more animals. Mshale's smile grew larger at this.
"I know last time it didn't quite work, resulting in the injury of Smalls... my he get better soon, but this time it's one thousand times improved! Burn mark over here will be sent flying over rubber head up there!"
The hyena standing on top of the naturally made rock wall waved to the crowd from afar. Burn Mark had begun putting on a specially made flight suit, fashioned out of leaves and vines.
"And will be shot over the all and to a small pit of water on the other side! If this works, it could revolutionize our way of life forever!"
The crowd began cheering and hollering. The rest of Mshale's workers grabbed the catapult on all sides by their jaws and pushed it around. They faced it to Rubber Head, who was now stepping out of the way for something. That's when Rookus noticed that the ground in front of the catapult was wet with something, none of them stepping in it. Mshale continued.
"Now, as a little added spark."
One work went around a corner and pulled out a small flaming stick. He carried over to the wet ground, and threw it down. A trail of red hot flames immediately erected from the ground and went all the way over the wall. Rubber Head just managed to jump out of the way.
"I am so confident in this design, that Burn Mark will once again be facing his worst enemy. Red, Hot, Fire! Once again he stares down the Jaws of Death!"
Burn Mark yelled, "And I leap right in!"
The crowd cheered again. Tombie had yelled something.
"Why can't you just launch a rock or something?"
Mshale turned to him.
"Because Comrade, that's not as exciting, now is it?"
Mshale laughed and turned around.
"Ready Burn Mark?"
"Ready as I'll ever be!"
Mshale bit a vine, holding the bowl of the catapult back. The vine immediately snapped, launching Burn Mark high into the sky. Everyone stared on in awe as the hyena became but a mere dot in the sky. Mshale looked over at Eye.
"He has too much of an arch. Close your eye, this could end badly."
She did.
Mshale didn't look away though, he could handle seeing an accident, he had been in accidents before.
The hyena plummeted down, and fell behind the rock wall. Everyone went dead silent, even the once crackling fire was dead silent in waiting for the results. A crash was not heard, and Mshale was getting worried.
Rubber Head turned to face the crowd.
"HE MADE IT!" He yelled down.
"He made it!" Mshale yelled in excitement.
The crowd began cheering. They went completely wild. A working long distance catapult! Their first working long distance catapult! Mshale and his partners accomplished what everyone thought was impossible! The crowd ran over to him as Mshale's partners tried to cut out the flames. He looked over at Eye.
"You don't know how big of an accomplishment this is to me!"
He hugged her again tightly.
Rookus was left dumbfounded. Sly had walked over to her.
"Wow, what a guy! I wish I could be like him!" He said.
"Shut up." She told him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Janja, this was incredibly nice of you to do!" The Astralian hyena declared.
Janja felt great, yet anxious at the same time. He had finally gotten up the courage to ask Jasiri out, kind of. He approached her one day, in the afternoon, and tried to talk to her. You may think that Janja was strong and confident and asked her out. No. He was shy and awkward and Jasiri asked him out.
They had decided that they would be heading to the Backlands spa and resort, founded by Jamal. Ever since Jasiri had heard of it, she always wanted to go. From what she heard, it was a beautiful place. Completely decorated and fashioned with color and life. The hot tub, which still remained a mystery on how it worked. The massages that were given Jasiri heard were divine. Stuff like that was exactly what she needed. All the stress of recent months had gotten to her, and Janja could even notice it.
She never got the opportunity to go however, until now. Barbatus volunteered to watch over the clan. She knew he would get a lot of work done in her absence, Barabtus being a strong supporter of the Water Canals and the work Nabii's clan was doing. Not only that, but it was Janja who offered to take her! Janja! She almost fainted when it was Janja who came up with the idea!
"It's no problem. I know how excited you are to go."
She chuckled.
"Thanks Janja. It means a lot that you cared enough to take me. Consider this our first date."
First? Was she implying she was interested in more?
...
Nah...
Janja was just stretching now.
Janja didn't care much for the Backlands Resort. He was used to being stressed. However, he knew Jasiri would love the place, and he wanted to make her happy. They had walked a ways to the Backlands though, avoiding any of the risky looking shortcuts.
"Uh, how much farther do we have to go?"
"Janja, you know we have to be as safe as possible. The Pridelands is having trouble with disappences close to the Backlands. Kion suspects that Camazotz army is attacking those who come to the Backlands. In fact it's a miracle that Jamal and his heard were able to build a Spa here."
That made sense to Janja. It was a tactic him and Scar attempted once. Camazotz seems to be executing it much better though. If anyone even dared to look at Jasiri in a funny way, he would rip  them to shreds, or die trying.
Did he really just think that?
They both eventually made it to where Jamal's herd was located.
"Ah visitors!" Jamal exclaimed.
"What is it you need?"
"We heard from a friend of ours about your herd and would like to check this place out."
"Oh, you must be Kion's friend, Jasiri! I heard about you!"
He looked at Janja.
"And you're?"
"Janja."
"Oh... ew..."
Janja was taken back by that. He couldn't do anything though before Jamal had wrapped his hoof around Jasiri's neck and guided her along.
"Come with me my dear."
Janja quickly ran after them, yelling "Hey!"
Jasiri brushed Jamal's leg off as they walked.
"I would prefer if you didn't do that."
"Ah, a very independant woman, that's very good!"
"Uh... actually, I'm kinda here on a date."
She walked to the other side of Jamal, who had tried to get between her and Janja. She reunited with her new friend.
"Oh I see! The bonds of young love have struck once again I see! It's always good to see love blossoming like this!"
"Yeah... it is."
Janja didn't want to jump in to the conversation, but there was just something off about Jamal. The way he talked seemed... unnatural. He was over charismatic, and his voice sounded like an angel. It was perfect, too perfect.
"I imagine that as a beautiful hyena like yourself a date wasn't too hard to scrap one up."
She smiled.
"You think I'm beautiful? Heh heh... thank you. Also, Janja here actually was pretty hard to get. It's a long story though."
"Oh I love stories. Plus, I could listen to you talk all day with that wonderful accent of yours."
Janja cut in before Jamal could make anymore moves.
"So, where do you want to go first Jasiri?"
"I've been dying to try out their pool. I've heard it does wonders."
Jamal smiled.
"Oh for you, I'm sure it will work miracles."
Janja hated Jamal. Jamal was literally perfect, the way he spoke, the seductive sound of his voice. His masculine features, plus his handsome face and sparkling blue eyes. There had to be something he was hiding.
"I'll join." Janja added. Jasiri turned to him and said, "Oh of course I want you to join."
The made it to the bubbling pool. It looked even more beautiful than Kion had described it. The sparkling cyan blue water was bubbling with warmth and life. Inside of its den, spotlights shined in from holes above bathing the water in heavenly light. The area was surrounded by a garden painted with a myriad of colorful plants and flowers. Magenta, indigo, blues, purples, reds, yellows, oranges, all laced with luscious green.
"It looks so pretty Janja! Oh I love it Jamal!"
Jamal smiled.
"I'm glad you do. Feel free to try it out if you like."
"Come on Janja!"
She wrapped her paw around his neck and drug him in.
The water was indeed bubbling, and felt very nice to the touch. He hesitated to step fully into the pool however. Something about it just didn't feel right. There was this tiny thing that was off about all of this. Janja turned around to see some Zebra starring at them. They had looks of worry on their faces. Their eyes were pleading for Janja and Jasiri to not get in. One of them shook their head "no" when Jamal had turned away.
"What ya lookin at Janja?"
He turned back to Jasiri, and back at the Zebra, who were now looking away from them.
"Uh... nothing."
"Well get in silly!"
Janja stepped into the bubbling water, and laid down on his stomach in the water. Jasiri laid next to him on her back and let out a loud sigh.
"Hhhhhhh. I've needed this for so long. You don't know how much stress has been on my back."
"I can only imagine." Janja responded.
Jamal had climbed in at this time.
"Oh? Stress you say? If you're stressed, I've got the perfect thing for you~<3"
He whistled for two Zebra to come over.
"You should try our special massages."
"Oh I would love that! Janja I heard they're massages are really good!"
"I don't know Jasiri..."
He thought about it some more. This place still didn't rub him the right way. There had to be something more.
"What would make you feel happy Jasiri?"
"What would make me happy, is for us to lay side by side, in the bubbling water, and to relax with one another while having our backs rubbed."
She scooted closer, and turned over to her stomach to join Janja. The truth was, the was Jasiri's first date, ever. She felt just as nervous as Janja was. She didn't know how was going to react, and she found herself to be quite flirty. She didn't know why however, and never of all hyenas did she expect Janja to be the one who claimed her first date. She didn't mind at all, in fact she had always hoped she could open him up some, but she never expected to get this far with him. The happiness it made her feel all bubbled up and was all expressed in that moment. Jamal in the background smiled.
"Oh? Well, you're going to love it."
The two zebra waded over to Janja and Jasiri, and began rubbing their backs as softly as they could. Surprisingly, their hooves didn't feel rough at all, and they were quite careful with what they were doing. Jasiri could feel her anxiety melt away and her fears subside. She closed her eyes and relaxed. Jamal smiled while climbing out of the water.
"I genuinely hope you enjoy it, a gorgeous girl like you deserves it."
Janja's anxieties had not subsided though. His gut was desperately trying to tell him something, and he wasn't going to ignore it this time. It all didn't quite add up. How was Jamal and his herd completely fine and even thriving, mean while everyone else who set foot in the Backlands went missing?
...
Unless...
Oh no...
"Jasiri!" He yelled.
"We've got to get out of here!"
The two zebra behind them held them both down. Boulders were shoved over each of the exits, blocking all ways of escape. Jamal walked back over to the two hyenas, watching them desperately trying to free themselves from the striped equines, but failing due to their powerful muscles.
"I hope you two don't take it personally. Especially you Jasiri~<3"
"You liar!" Jasiri yelled. She felt all kinds of emotions. She mostly felt betrayal. The one time she let her guard down and this happens. Janja felt hatred. He channeled his deep negative emotions that he had not used in years, and felt nothing but a burning desire for revenge.
Jamal spoke again.
"But I both need you two to just go to sleep for now, Thimba should be here shortly to pick up his new prizes."
The two zebra raised their hooves, and smacked both Janja and Jasiri in the backs of their heads hard enough to knock them out. Janja immediately caved to the ground, while Jasiri's vision blacked out more slowly. The last thing she heard before dreaming off was Jamal whispering,
"Good Girl."
Category:Sun Rise
Category:Chapters
Category:Fanfiction
Category:Jack Krueger