Tiger in the Sunset
Part One
Prologue
She would always feel comfort in the soothing rays of sun basking over her Caramel tanned skin. The salty scent of the water as the waves rolled over the alabaster sand. Her charcoal hair mopping down her shoulders and brown eyes to accommodate her beautiful complexion. She was just a young girl, but the age of fifteen. On the verge of the age in which she would be married off to another warrior in the Rakyat tribe.
Darkened Tattoos glistened in sweat over her surface, their curvy lengths, dips, and spirals molded into her neck and diving beneath the strap of her blue tank top. Shorts following with long slender legs from her wide hips and a flat stomach. Her mother always told her she would be a fine bride as always on the island it was the woman's responsibility to provide a child and care for them in every way possible to create better warriors for the oncoming age.
Lunetta Rodrigo, however was so much different from the other girls in the tribe. She was much smarter, more agile, and pugnacious. She had a free spirit, but not a free body and yet she dreamed of such physical freedom, she had none. Her father worked as a mechanic and her mother a nurse for the village warriors of Amanaki. She had a five year old brother named Barsul, he had similar features to her, but carried a very gruff look like her father; who sported a grey beard and mustache, along with a pot belly.
Her mother was the fairest woman in all the village and the island, she gave so willingly... But for many days Lunetta knew that her mother was not well. Her mother usually carried a fresh look and undeniable beauty that many had come to admire, but dark circle grew under her eyes, she sweated profusely on a daily basis, and her hands... They would tremble.
Her brother was too young to understand, but Lunetta knew that her mother took medication for the sickness she carried, whatever sickness that may be. She observed her mother's every move unlike her drunkard of a father and when her mother ever stumbled or called for help, she was the first to assist.
On those few days when Lunetta wasn't training to become a slave, she would come to the shore of the east and watch the sun go down. It was a sight she would never forget, a sight that would never grow old. Whence the sun disappeared, she would take leave before the depth of darkness consumed the island entirety. Through vines and jungle foliage she had made it home to Amanaki in time for dinner, but there was something wrong... A dullness to the usual lively village.
The long wooden table of assorted fruits and meat was untouched, but the lanterns still glowed brightly and the wind had picked up its speed. Carefully brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear, Lunetta strode forward towards her shanty. Keeping a cautious eyes out for unexpected dangers that lurked through the night.
Entering the small house, she was met with the sight of an empty kitchen and no food had taken its place in it. Her mother would usually have made the food already by the time she had gotten back. Anxiety met her and she froze at the sound of sobbing, coming directly from the open door across the desolate living room. Her parent's room.
Lunetta wasted no time running across the house to reach the living quarters, upon peaking around the door frame she panicked. There on the bed alone rested her mother, in a much worse condition than Lunetta had ever seen her. Her brother laid on one side of her, holding her hand firmly. There was no sight of her father. Her mother's milky hair spilled around the tainted pillow, she noticed Lunetta's presence, urging her forward with a weak hand gesture and slight simper.
Lunetta knew nothing about cowardice and instead of running for her father who might not even be around, she stepped forward. Cautious steps, sorrowful steps, she wasn't afraid because her mother was dying, because she would never hear her mother's sweet voice... She was crying because for a fact she knew not where her mother would be the moment her soul had left her body. It scared her greatly and all she hoped was that there was a greater place beyond this, whether there be god, or not... She hoped.
Taking her place alongside her mother she wove her fingers through hers. Her mother held that smile that seemed arduous for her exhausted features. Dark circles under her eyes and perspired skin, it killed her inside to know her mother would not die beautiful in spirit and body.
"Where is papa?"
"He is gone." Her mother muttered with a scratchy voice, but remained smiling. It was almost as if, she knew, she knew everything was gonna be okay... Even if it wasn't, it was because she knew it would be that made you somehow feel better.
"To where?"
"He left the Island Luna." Lunetta contained the pain she felt in her heart at those words, the idea that her father never cared was hard to accept, he never cared before, but to succumb to that truth was difficult. "But you are strong my little one and for this, I ask you to promise me something." Lunetta leaned forward. "Take care of your brother, do what you wish with your life... Leave this place, or stay it does not matter to me... As long as where you are you are happy and safe... For both... Of you..." He mother glanced over at her brother, who was still trying to understand the meaning his mother was trying to create. He didn't know what death was yet, it had not occurred to him, his mother would be gone forever. "I love you both." A small tear trailed down her cheek as her breath went ragged slowly and her hands grew less strong and soft as they had always been before. Lunetta saw the spirit leave her mother's eyes and the warmth drain from her hand, lids slowly closing over the once vibrant blue.
She made no expression in return, instead her instincts instantly kicked in. She knew not where to go, what to do, how to survive alone with only her five year old brother to care for. She simply did the unthinkable, she merely looked away, stood up and left the room. She was thinking more about plans than death and that is what created the woman she became... That is what made her a Tigress.