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(Nope, never I'll try, even though we don't have many holidays in our school. That sounds really nice )

Amali watched as Rafiki swung down the tree to stand in front of her.

"What is it that you want with old Rafiki?" he asked.

"Sergei's in great pain. He got bit by a spider this morning and started sweating and shaking a few hours ago. I'm worried." she told him.

She watched as the old baboon picked up his stick.

"Then we must hurry. Sergei's life could be on the line."

(Yeah, if you ever get the chance, go to Lapland, you'll be amazed, trust me! )

Sergei raised his head, and tried to get back on his trembling legs, but he was having trouble standing up, his head was dizzy and his vision was getting all blurry. Still, he fought it, and walked on wards, in order to find Amali because he was concerned for her and the unborn cubs.

(I'll try to do my best^^)

Amali came up to the den to see Sergei stumbling out of it, fighting the pain. Seeing that made her panic and scream out his name.

Before she knew it, she was at his side, hoisting him up with her nose. "You...stupid...lion!"

(Good^^)

Sergei saw Amali rushing up to him, and thanks to her he didn't fall down. He was panting heavily, and his vision was blurry, but he refused to give up.

- I... can't give up, Amali... because of you and our cubs, he panted, coughing a few times.

(I hope there are also a few wildlife sights to see^^)

Amali just shushed him and started leading him back to the cave.

"The cubs won't matter if they don't have a father to care for them."

(Oh, you bet! There's wolves, reindeer, bears, etc... of course you'd have to go to the deepest parts of the forests and be as quiet as you can if you wish to spot wolves or bears, they don't come too close to humans. But the reindeer might even walk on the side of the highway!)

Sergei still panted heavily, and looked at Amali, all though he couldn't see her very clear, and eventually there was just a blurry figure beside him.

- They... they need me... I must..... he sighed with a trembling voice, but then he couldn't take it anymore, he had to give in to all the pain in his body and lost conciousness, falling to the ground just before they could reach the den.

(WOW!!!)

Amali grasped his mane to prevent him from falling. Using all the strength she had, she dragged him back to the den and lay him down.

She turned back to Rafiki, who was standing nearby, watching. "Is it as bad as it looks?"

To her dismay, he nodded.

(I know! I think Lapland is where I truly feel like I'm in Finland^^)

Sergei's eyes were closed, he was sweating even more now, he could hear everything going on around him, but just didn't have the strength to open his eyes. He had never been in such pain before in his life, not even the time he got shot.

(You live near it?)

"Please tell me there's a cure," Amali said, trying to keep the shaking out of her voice.

"I am sorry, but there is no cure for this disease as of now." Rafiki said in a sorrowful voice.

"Can't you whip up one of your concoctions and cure him?" Amali said, desperate now.

"My potions can only do as much, but I will try."

(Actually I live in southern Finland, pretty far from it, takes half a say to drive there from here where I live. Lapland pretty much starts from the city of Kuusamo, if I remember correctly^^ Here, you can read more about FInland's Lapland! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapland_(Finland) There's also pictures)

Sergei now opened his eyes, but only just a little bit, and and coughed a few times.

- I'm sorry, Amali... I've let you down, he then whispered in a weak voice.

(I'm liking it more every minute^^)

Amali's ears twitched so that she heard the words he coughed out. The pain in her heart was literally stabbing her now more than ever. She turned and pressed her nose into his mane.

"Oh Sergei," she whispered, "You didn't let me down."

(Good, good^^ did ya look at the pictures?)

Sergei laid his head down on the ground, and was getting really tired after holding his head up for a while.

- Whatever happens, I just want you to know... I love you, he whispered, and then he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore.

(Yep^^ They're awesome! Can't wait to go there someday^^)

Amali lay against him, feeling his breathing steady after a while. She woke up at a sudden sound to see the old baboon with a coconut shell in his hand.

"This will quell the pain, but for how long, I am not sure," he told her, mournfully.

(That's the spirit! ^^)

Sergei was breathing quietly and could feel Amali laying beside him. But suddenly, his heart beat begin to get lower.

(Sorry I'm late, things have been going downhill for me lately. My grandmother died and I couldn't get time)

Amali started to feel panic rise up in her chest. She hurriedly turned to Rafiki.

"His breathing is slowing. Is there anything you can do?" Her heart fell at the sight of the sorrow on Rafiki's face.

"I am sorry, Amali. There is nothing I can do. His life lies in the paws of the Great Spirits now."