On the next day Kion and his friends returned to the forest, now with their knowledge of Widow's presence here they planned to hunt her down.
Simba: So what's the plan for today son?
Kion: I think we should check the traps Polina and Pasha were checking when they brother disapeard. I have a map where Feliks checked the traps.
Simba: Feliks?
Kion: That's his name.
Simba: Alright, then let's go.
They left the town, while they were walking Fuli noticed Azzad acting weird.
Fuli: Kion? I think is something wrong with Azzad.
Bunga: Like what exactly?
Fuli: It's hard to explain, but I have a feeling something is not right.
Kion: Hey Azzad! Everything alright?
Azzad: I can't forget that beautiful woman! Her face is all I see when I close my eyes.
At those words everyone stopped and looked at Azzad.
Kion: Azzad? What are you talking about?
Azzad: I spent all my money on a gift for her - surely, these precious gems will tell her how I feel about her.
Everyone: WHAT!?
Kion: Azzad, are you feeling alright?
Azzad: Am I all... No! No, I'm not all right! What's happening to me? This is maddening!
But before he could say anything else Makucha knocked him out.
Kion: Makucha!
Makucha: What! Didn't you see? Something is wrong with him, he looked like he was about to cut you to pieces.
Kiara: Something strange has happened, everything was normal untill...
Kion: Untill what?
Kiara: Untill that weird leopard showed up!
Kion: Widow. We can't take him to the town, who knows what will he do when he wakes up.
Kopa: So what are we doing?
Kion: We must take him with us. Beshte, you are gonna carry him.
Beshte: Sure thing.
Makucha: Alright, but first let me tie him up and take these. - He said taking Azzad's sabers.
Some time later they had a break near the river that swimmed there.
Fuli: Hey Kion?
Kion: Yes?
Fuli: How Varya took the message about that village?
Kion: She was shattered, she said there lived people she knew from the childhood.
Fuli: I feel sorry for her.
Kion: You know what she also said?
Fuli: What?
Kion: That there lives a ninja clan made only of women. - He said with anger in his voice.
Fuli: Kion.
Kion: Ninja's duty is to protect others, so why they left those people to die?
Fuli: I don't know, they must had a reason why they didn't helped.
Kion: I know, but they still should have help them.
Meanwhile Simba was talking with Kiara.
Simba: Everything alright sweetheart?
Kiara: Yeah dad, i'm fine.
Simba: It's about Kovu, right?
Kiara at this question looked away.
Kiara: What do you think dad? Is there hope to bring him back?
Simba: I don't know, but there must be a way to release him.
Meanwhile Makucha's ears twitched, he heard some rustling in the bushes behind them. He quickly looked there and saw the bushes slightly move.
Badili: Are you alright brother?
Makucha: Someone is watching us. - He said putting on his claws and slowly walking towards the bushes. He pounced on the person behind the bush raising his claws in the air to strike him down, but before he could he noticed who was below him. There was a female snow leopard with light-purple fur and icy blue eyes dressed in blue kimono around his age who was quivering from fear.
???: Please don't kill me, I was just passing i swear.
Makucha: Why were you spying on us?
???: Spying? I wasn't spying, I was just collecting berries.
Kion: She says truth Makucha, there is basket full of berries over here.
Makucha looked at Kion who was holding female's basket, he got of her and moved aside.
???: Thank you, if it wasn't for you that idiot would probably kill me.
Kion: No need to worry about Makucha, he just mistaken you for someone else.
???: It's alright, my name is Chulunn by the way.
Kion: Kion, and you already met Makucha.
Meanwhile Makucha was in his world, he was staring at Chulunn and didn't want to stop. Something was pulling him to her but he didn't know what. He was pulled out by the pain in back of his head.
Kion: Sorry Makucha but you weren't answering.
Makucha: Answering?
Kion: Anyway, don't you have something to say to Chulunn?
Makucha: Forgive me for my mistake. - He said bowing his head in shame.
Chulunn: It's alright, you are not the first that tried to attack me. Make some noise and a hunter thinks you are a prey. - she said with small smile.
That smile caused Makucha feel warmth inside him, he couldn't understand what was happening to him but, he didn't wanted it to stop.
Kion: Hey Chulunn, do you wanna meet the others?
Chulunn: Others?
Kion: We didn't came alone here.
Chulunn: I would like that.
Kion took Chulunn and introduced her to his friends, after getting to know everyone Chulunn wanted to invite them.
Chulunn: Maybe you would like to come with me? I have a cottage not far from here, it's pretty small but we should fit together.
Kion: We would like that but it's not safe here, also we have place to stay in nearby town.
Makucha: I'm afraid we have no choice Kion, the sun is setting and it will be harder to find the route in the night. Not to mention predators.
Makucha was right, Kion looked at the sun and knew before they reach the town the night will come.
Kion: Looks like we have no choice, lead us Chulunn.
Chulunn smiled and led the group, while they walked Fuli run up to Kion.
Fuli: You sure we can trust her?
Kion: We only gonna stay a night at her, tomorrow we are coming back.
SOME TIME LATER
Everyone was sitting in Chulunns cottage.
Kion: So Chulunn, what are you doing here all by alone?
Chulunn: I used to live here with my mom, then she passed away and, that's how I got here.
Ono: You never thought of moving into a town?
Chulunn: I did, but my family worked hard to build this house and, I didn't want to left it.
Ono: I see.
Fuli: Hey Chulunn, ever heard of "Ghost of the mountains"?
Chulunn: It's hard not to hear.
Kion: Have you seen anything strange lately?
Chulunn: No but I heard a group of hunters that disappeared not far from here. I can show you later the place.
Later that day everyone went to sleep, Makucha and Chulunn slept upstairs while the rest slept downstairs. Well, almost everyone. Makucha woken up on a strange sound, he turned around and noticed Chulunn shivering from cold, he felt sorry for her, she lives in the house her family build and pays for it with her health.
Makucha: Chulunn?
The snow leopard turned to him opening her eyes that shined like crystals in the night.
Makucha: (in mind) She has such beautiful eyes.
Chulunn: Yes Makucha?
Makucha: Are you alright?
Chulunn: Yes, just cold a little bit but I will live. Good night. - she said turning over and going back to sleep.
While she tried to sleep she felt something wrap around her and pull her in, when she turned her head she was shocked, Makucha got in her bed and pulled her to himself so she wouldn't shiver. She was suprised but then she was happy that Makucha started to fall for her.
Chulunn: Sleep well Makucha, who knows. Maybe when mother deals with Kion i can have you all to myself.
And with that she drifted of to sleep.
