Mew Mew Power Strange Happenings: A New Beginning Reboot

Chapter 17

The gang decided to stay in the same campsite until Huey is fit enough to travel again. Rika hunts and fishes for him to get well. Lloyd tents his wound and helps him with some private matters. Rika was learning fast how to hunt. Nairi comes to Huey sometimes with some water or to tell him stories. Toshi was certain that Rika was doing all she can to help her friend. That afternoon, Mandy and Vivian were learning some sky hunting moves. Yumi joined them of course. Toshi and Lloyd watched them from below.

"That's very good," Sparky said, "You girls got the hang of it. Be like a falcon and speed up to grab your prey or an owl to sneak up on them."

"You know pretty much," Mandy replied, "for an electric type mew mew."

"I've seen them hunt," Sparky added.

Rika on the other hand was hunting for some rabbits and remembering what Sparky taught her. She saw a black one. Carefully and quietly she stalked and moved forward until she pounced on it. Gave it a clean quick kill with her claws. Diana was impressed with her stalking.

"I'm sure that one is healthy," she barked, "You've been very busy instead of moping around."

Rika knew she was right.

"Just helping out a friend," she mewed.

Diana took the catch and placed it in the bag. She was assisting Rika with her hunting skills and gathering food. Somewhere near them, Mandy, Vivian and Yumi returned with other prey they caught.

"You got a rabbit too?" Diana asked Yumi.

"Yeah," the Pidgey girl answered, "It was too easy, I acted like a falcon."

"You missed the first time," Vivian giggled, "I acted like an owl and kept my wings quiet to catch it for you."

"That doesn't matter," Mandy added, "What matters is we caught something."

Rika went in the healing tent and checked on Huey. He was asleep when she came. She decided to come by later and knew that she had to wash her hands. She went to a nearby stream to wash them. She was sure it's safe since the cougar hasn't returned for a rematch in quite a while since yesterday. She spotted a fish and she thought she could catch it. She caught it and knew it would be Huey's next meal to eat.

"That's my fish! I saw it first!"

Rika's Liepard ears perked up. It was Kenji again. Her ears were folded back and she started to look more freighting, but that didn't scare him away.

"First call, first serve!" she hissed.

"You got it wrong little girl," Kenji added, "It's first see, first serve. Hand it over and I'll maybe leave."

Rika didn't back down. She stood her ground, even she is smaller than the Stunky boy. He came closer and that was when Rika lashed out her set of claws on her right hand and scratched his left cheek.

"Back off!" she spat.

Still there was no surrender from the Stunky boy.

"Leave her alone!"

It was Diana who came to Rika's aid. She tackled Kenji with viscous bites and scratches. Kenji knew he can't take on the Rockruff girl. Diana used rock throw and sent him flying with one of the boulders.

"That was too close.." Diana added, catching her breath, "but I hope he didn't hurt you Rika."

"I'm fine," Rika mewed.

Diana helped her onto her feet.

"That's a big fish!" she said, "Maybe enough to feed at least four mew mews!"

Rika nodded and let Diana help her carry it back to camp.

Toshi saw the fish Rika and Diana are carrying.

"A big fish?!" he gasped, "You sure got lucky Rika."

"Yeah, and Kenji came," Diana added, "I sent him away with a boulder flying at him."

"You ought to be more careful," Sparky said to Rika, "He's not that easy to back down, he will try to hurt you in any way he can."

"She had help," Diana sighed, "That will keep him away from us, for now..."

Sparky got the fish and the rest of the prey cooking with Lloyd's help getting the fire started. When the food was all cooked,  Rika took some of the fish and brought it with her to give to Huey. He looked at the fish piece.

"Is that for me?" he asked.

Rika nodded.

"Thanks."

Huey sank his teeth into the fish fillet. Rika watched him as she eats her piece of rabbit meat. Lloyd got in and had some herbs in his healing pouch on his belt. They soon are full and ready for bed. Rika stayed with Huey and looked up at the stars. She hope her parents are proud of her and hope to return home soon.

"You miss your parents?" Huey asked.

"Yes.." Rika sighed, "I wasn't ready, but I guess I have to focus on getting you better. That cougar deserved those scars for hurting you.  For now on Huey, I'll keep you safe."

With that, Rika purred to him, a sign that they'll be together in the next five years. Huey knew he had no where else to go, so he will agree to live with Rika and her family in the base. Lloyd watched them, knowing that the bond Rika shares with Huey is starting to be a great friendship. He let Rika leave and he was ready to look at Huey's shoulder once more. He checked on it and he kept applying the recommended herbs on it. It didn't look as bad as before. He patched it back up.

"Huey, how come you were all by yourself?" Lloyd asked, "A boy your age shouldn't be all alone without his parents.."

"I was trying to get away from an Absol girl," Huey answered, "She was the one who killed my older brother."

"You mean Athena?" Lloyd mewed, "Well you don't have to worry about her anymore Huey. She's gone. She won't be tormenting you ever again."

"Oh.. That's good to hear," Huey sighed, still feeling a bit sad.

"I'm sorry about your older brother," Lloyd replied quietly, "It must of been very hard for you. You don't have to worry about anyone hurting you anymore. You can always stay with us when we go to the base. I'm sure Percy will find a place for you to be with the Shadow Hunters. My father is part of that group as a healer."

Huey was thrilled to have such an honor to be part of a group again.

"Get some rest now," Lloyd said after a few moments of silence, "I will tend to your wound again in the morning."

Huey nodded and fell asleep in his sleeping bag for the rest of the night.