The Stranger

The group can't stay grieving for Iwahine long. Kapepe is reluctant to leave, though, and does not hurry. Suddenly, Mahalo stands more alert, watching a dot in the distance. The dot grows gradually closer and closer. Its a lone male, Hoahanau. Iwahine's mother's sister formed a group, thus making Hoahanau the cousin of the Hawaiis. Mahalo is still nervous, though. Hoahanau is the last remaining member of the Hawaii's cousins. The rest of the group died out. Hoahanau gets low on his belly, approaching the grieving Hawaiis around Iwahine's body. Kapepe bats an eyelid for a second, but doesn't pursue a chase. That's up for Mahalo to decide. Mahalo approahces Hoahanau nervously, then scent-marks him, giving him place in the mob. Hoahanau is grateful. He stands up, peeking over the grieving meerkats around Iwahine's body. He approaches it slowly. He sniffs the air and buries his nose into Iwahine's fur. It smells like his mother. He breathes the sweet scent for a few moments, the scent of love, the scent of pups, the scent of kindness, the scent of sacrifice. Hoahanau is suddenly alerted by a chirping, arising from Mahalo, Kapalo, Kapu'a'notting, Malamalama, and Malama. Marigha quickly has to decide who is third in charge. If she should die in this battle, then Kapepe would be left with a huge burden. She goes over and bows to Inoa, her last sister and the youngest of the Iwahine-Marigha-Inoa generation. Inoa is surprised, but regains herself quickly. Kapepe and Maila grab Iwahine's body and retreat to the burrow. The rest of the group launch an attack. Kal'Kaua, Ulani, and Aolani hide in nearby bushes. If the Hawaiis lose, then they could be killed. The fight drags on. Finally, the Shellos are defeated and sent running back to their territory. After the dust settles, the carnage is revealed. Neemi, Monee, Marigha, Omba, and Gumba are all dead. Hahela is seriously injured and seems about to die. Hoahanau is horrified. Behind a bush, the pups chirp. The group gravitates toward them. Another body is discovered. Kapu'a'notting. A brave warrior has been lost today, along with 4 other loyal Hawaiians. The group gathers up the bodies and the pups, dragging them on their way home. At home, Kapepe and Maila are horrified to see their friends, their mobmates, their family dead. The whole group, with Hoahanau, gather in a circle and grieve. Even the pups feel sober, and Kal'Kaua is in one of his truly calm moments. The group now contains:

Kapepe, dominant female
Mahalo, dominant male
Ke Ali, male
Malama, male
Malamalama, male
Kapalo, male
Inoa, female
Maila, female
Eikawaii, male
Hahela, female
Dundy, female
Hoahanau, male
Aolani, female
Kal'Kaua, male
Ulani, female

Only 15 members, three of them pups. They are now not gaining on Shellos, but falling back to Palace strength. There's another matter that has to be settled. With Marigha now gone, Inoa, placed upon such a huge responsiblity, now has to decide who is third in charge, as she is now second in charge. She considers for a moment. Minutes pass by, the group silent, awaiting her decision. Finally, she walks forward to a female.

Who has Inoa chosen? How will the Hawaiis get along without much-loved members? And will Hoahanau fit in? Find out next post!