Episode 2 The Hunting of the White Ig-neb

This was taken from the experiences of Micaela torturing our dog Benji.

Tickle Ninja slowly moved through the bamboo forest. Her pupil, Kha Tee followed closely, but not as quietly. After the third cracking sound that came from behind her Tickle turned around and spoke in a whisper, “Kha Tee, you must be quiet. If the White Ij-neb knows we are here we will never capture him.” Kha Tee looked down in shame. “I am sorry my Master. I will try harder.”

 “To become a true Tickle Ninja you must master the art of hunting your prey. It requires three things. Focus, fearlessness, and you must become a phantom,” she said turning back to her task. They moved through the thick bamboo that finally opened up to a large pond. Kha Tee was about to enter the water when Tickle Ninja stopped her. “Don’t move,” she whispered. With her eyes she pointed to the right and to the other side of the pond. Kha Tee slowly turned her head and saw, for the first time, the legendary White Ij-neb. It was the purest white, like freshly fallen snow, and the size of large dog. Its yellow eyes seem to glow. The tip of its ears and tail were black. It lowered its head to drink from the pond. Kha Tee also noticed its large claws and as it finished drinking she could see its very large teeth. “Master how are we going to capture it,” asked Kha Tee fearfully. “Fearlessness,” Tickle urged, “or your mind will be cluttered. We will catch it with live bait,” Tickled replied.  “What bait we didn’t...,” she stopped as she realized where they would get the bait, “Me.” “You are learning quickly my young apprentice,” said Tickle. “I’m older than you are,” replied Kha Tee. “No time for particulars,” said Tickle reaching into her gi. She pulled out a piece of steak of wrapped in wax paper and handed it to Kha Tee. “You’re going to need this.” Kha Tee unwrapped it uncertain as to what it was. “Once the Ij-neb begins chasing you I want you to run in a large loop, but not too large or he will catch you,” said Tickle as she looked to make sure that their prey was still drinking from the pond. The animal seemed unaware of their presence. “As you come back around jump as far and as high as you can over those lilies and into the pond,” Tickle finished. “Wait where are you gonna be,” asked Kha Tee getting nervous. “Don’t weigh your steps down with more information than you need to know just trust me and go,” said Tickle who turned her focus on the beast. Kha Tee was not pleased as she headed to circle the pond carrying a fresh piece of meat. Silently she slipped around behind the Ij-neb. As she moved the bamboo aside revealing the pond she couldn’t see the beast. “Oh no,” she said realizing that she was the one being hunted. A low growl came from behind her as the Ij-neb’s fangs were bared and ready to make a meal out of her. She turned to face the animal as it sprang into the air. Without thinking Kha Tee grabbed its paws at the wrist, fell back, put her feet in its stomach and tossed it over her. The Ij-neb crashed to the ground. They both got their feet at the same time. As they stared into each other’s eyes Kha Tee realized she was still holding the steak. She heard the words of Tickle in her head, ‘Make a large loop.’ Nervously she let out a laugh and took off in the opposite direction with the Ij-neb in close pursuit. The pupil made a much smaller loop than she was instructed, but the beast was almost on her. “I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die!”

She broke through the forest in a full sprint and almost a full panic. Her gi was tattered and torn from the bamboo, she was running out of speed and Tickle was nowhere to be seen. The lilies were 20 feet away. ‘Jump as high and as far as you can,’ she remembered Tickle saying and that’s exactly what she did. Hurdling the lilies with ease she landed almost 8 feet into the pond. She turned to see the Ij-neb leap from the shore and as it crossed over the lilies Tickle came bolting out of the water with net in hand. Helpless to evade capture while in mid-air, the legendarily elusive animal, was easily entangled. Tickle was very proud of her exhausted, and somewhat shook up, student. “Well done Kha Tee,” complimented the smiling ninja. Still gasping for air Kha Tee’s anger was clearly visible on her face. “You almost got me eaten today!” “Stop whining like a mule. You’re still alive.”

 The Ij-neb began to whine. It got louder and faster. Boom, boom, boom was heard all around them and they knew exactly what was coming. Mother came from the kitchen and into the living room. “Why is the dog whining,” she asked then saw why. Micaela’s dog Benji was a prisoner, trapped under a small clothes basket. “Micaela let the dog out,” she said then noticed what Katie was holding in her hand. “Is that a piece of ham in your hand?” Katie started to answer, but Micaela chimed in first. “We had to have bait Mom. You can’t catch a dangerous animal without bait. Geez everybody knows that.” Micaela released poor Benji from his captivity. Mom looked at Katie, who gave a shrug and half smile then ate the piece of ham. “Hey that was for Benji,” yelled Micaela, “Katie YOU’RE FIRED!” “Fired from what,” asked Katie. “From being my sister,” finished Micaela as she stomped off to her quiet closet. Mom just sighed and went back in the kitchen.  

Author's Note

Hoping for some reviews. It helps.