Struggling to Survive

Maila backs off. She looks up and spots the Shellos group. Because she is not part of the group, she runs off, not having to worry about the fight. Iwahine abandons Ulani in a bush. Luckily, the female pup stays there. Iwahine hears something. A cry. She looks around and spots Kal'Kaua, about 30 feet away, struggling to make it to the group. He is dragging his right back foot painfully, but for Iwahine that's not her problem. She sees a Martial Eagle about to capture the pup. Iwahine dashes forward, but the eagle is faster. Kal'Kaua is snatched...or is he? The eagle's talons are empty. Kal'Kaua gets up again. He layed down, his fur camouflaging him against the sand. That's what saved him. Iwahime manages to catch him, but the eagle is closing in on her. She makes a desperate dash back to Ulani and makes it there just in time. She sets down Kal'Kaua and sounds the alarm. The Hawaiis have retreated. The Shellos's are too large. Iwahine grabs Kal'Kaua and Inoa grabs Ulani. The Hawaiis make it home safely. Back at home, Gumba and Malama greet the Hawaiis. Kapepe bites Gumba's tailbase and shakes gently, a punishment for letting the pups go. Iwahine and Inoa set down the two pups. Kal'Kaua's leg is twisted back at a painful angle. Kapepe gently tries to nudge it into place. It heals some, but its clear that Kal'Kaua will be deformed for the rest of his life. While the group is caught in the struggles with the pups, Maila sneaks in on them slowly. She dashes down the burrow suddenly, but no one notices. In the burrow, Maila grabs one of her four pups and gets out a different exit. She sets it down in the entrance of a bolt hole. After doing this two more times, she comes back to get her last pup. But the Hawaiis are in the burrow and she's lost her chance with her last pup. Maila makes her way back to the bolt hole and brings her pups deeper into the tunnels. 2 weeks later, Maila has managed to keep herself fed and her pups alive, but she's still evicted. Her last pup is still living as well. Kapepe seems to realize that with one of their current pups deformed and the group relatively small, any number of members would help. But it seems as if she is not accepting Maila's other pups. The group has waited this long to allow Kal'Kaua to gain strength for the day ahead. Today, Ulani and Kal'Kaua will forage. The group emerges and lazily work on the burrow. Soon, Kapepe chirps and leads the whole group out. Without a babysitter looking after Maila's pup, Aolani, is serious trouble. When the group moves off, Maila approaches. She cautiously descends down the burrow and find Aolani. At the foraging party, the adults are making sure Ulani and especially Kal'Kaua are getting a good amount of food. Kal-Kaua's leg is making it harder for him to move, but he's just as pesky all the same. Soon, dominant male Mahalo, who's already eaten breakfast, spots danger. The Palaces, led by Pinky Pie. He chirps the alarm, and jumps off the stump he was watching from. Iwahine hides the pups under a bush, and twists Kal'Kaua's leg back so he cannot move. She can do nothing about Ulani. If she runs away, then she's in serious danger. The Hawaiis rush into the fight, pronking their legs high into the air. The Palaces see that they mean business, and Pinky Pie leads them into a hasty retreat. When the group gets back, Ulani and Kal'Kaua are still sitting under the bush. Malamalama twists Kal'Kaua's leg back into position, and the pups begin wandering around, harassing the adults for food. At home, Maila is keeping watch above the burrow. Its important for her to spot the Hawaiis quickly when they come back. In a few hours, the Hawaiis return home. Maila spots them coming and goes back to her little bolt hole. When she smells Maila all over the burrow, Kapepe is furious. She and Mahalo scent-mark the area. Dundy, the rebellious little teenager, goes into the burrow. She comes out in a minute, dragging Aolani with her. Kapepe attacks Dundy and Malamalama brings Aolani back into the depths of the burr0w. 1 week later, Maila has lost two of her pups and most of her weight. Her last remaining pup, Kaikala, is emerging today, as well as Aolani. Kapepe waits up at the entrance. Finally, Aolani pokes her tiny head into the sun. She is temorarily blinded, but gets over it quickly and crawls out. Kapepe leaves Kapu'a'notting at home to watch her. Then she sets off. Kaikala is late. Maila waits and waits. Finally, at noon, the pup creeps out of the burrow. Luckily, the shade keeps her eyes out of the sun. Maila cuddles her pup and looks around. She's made it this far, and she;s not about to back down now.