Disclaimer: I still don't own the characters to Black Panther. They belong to Marvel and Walt Disney and the great mind of Stan Lee!
AN: I want to send a special thank to Eysabelle Perfume Holmes- belle thank you for my well wishes after my surgery. And a huge welcome to newest reviewer: ZabuzasGirl! As always Please Read and Review!
"Don't Freeze"
To say that T'Challa took the news that Nakia went undercover calmly, was an understatement!
There had been a lot of yelling, pointing fingers and yelling again. Neither Okoye or Nehanda could be two words in before he would start in another tirade. It took Ramonda to rain in her oldest son.
Needless to say, both Okoye and Nehanda received the silent treatment the week that Nakia went away. Especially Nehanda. She knew this would happen. And Okoye had told her as much when she came up with the idea of sending Nakia in.
But she knew a little something of what T'Challa was going through.
To separated from your mate with little to no hope of ever seeing them again, caused your heart to rip out of your chest at the mere thoughts of it. To struggle to give the world a brave face when you were dying inside, could send you into temporary insanity.
And now watching the way T'Challa was reacting in only a week, she was sorry she even came up with the idea in the first place.
That was when Nehanda made up her mind. Unless it was crisis or emergency, she was going to stay far away from T'Challa's wrath.
Shuri and Okoye had become her messengers. They spoke for her in proxy at the Council meetings, delivered T'Challa the budget and inventory of past months and when dinner served, she sat at the other end of the long table, far enough away from T'Challa.
It was then that T'Challa realized his younger sister was walking on eggshells around him.
"You need to get over yourself Big Brother," Shuri said one day, finally having enough of the silent treatment that T'Challa and Nehanda were giving one another.
"I need to get over myself, Shuri, Nehanda had no business going to both Okoye and Nakia with this scheme," T'Challa exclaimed. "If she had an idea she should have come to me first before following through."
Shuri stared at her older brother with a furrowed brow. "So your pissed off!" She said. Shuri really didn't have a head to mouth filter. She said what she wanted to, even if you didn't want to hear it.
"Pissed off?!" T'Challa asked looking at his baby sister in shock at the use of such strong language. "What makes you think I'm pissed off?"
"Well it's two things; either you're pissed that Nehanda went to Nakia behind your back and asked her to go undercover, or the real person you're pissed at isn't Nehanda at all but at Nakia for leaving in the first place without saying goodbye to you."
At that moment T'Challa had felt the air leave his body. It truly felt like he had been punched in the gut.
He didn't say anything, he couldn't say anything. No words would form. The emotions running through him seemed to close off his throat. He was in near tears for how he treated Nehanda and it took his baby sister to point out what an ass he had been.
T'Challa pulled Shuri into a huge hug that lasted for 15 minutes just taking in what comfort she could give him. He pulled back and gave Shuri the first real smile she had seen in over a week. Then turned and made his way to royal stables.
The stables of the Royal palace held some of the most beautiful horses in the world with various different breeds. From the Royal Wakandan Drusian to Arabians to Andalusian's, and on and on. And the Royal family had prided themselves on their horses.
So it didn't seem strange that Ramonda would find her eldest child in the stables, saddling two horses: a black Wakandan Courser named- "Shadow Reign" and a chocolate brown Arabian Stallion with a sandy mane and tail named- "Mystic", for both him and Nehanda. If there was one way to get back on his sister's good side, it's was a horseback ride.
Ramonda allowed herself a soft smile and gave a small shake of her head at her son's antics.
"What are have you done? And who are apologizing to?" Ramonda asked as she stepped further into the stables causing T'Challa jump, startled to see his mother there.
"For being a condescending ass mother." He said with his bowed, feeling he every reason to look abashed.
"Oh my son," Ramonda began as she pulled T'Challa into a maternal hug. "Nehanda understands that you didn't mean to be short with her, she understands more than you know."
"That's still no excuse for how I treated her. And even Okoye as well." T'Challa proclaimed as he went back to fixing the saddles.
"Yes but my son, it's not Okoye that you are taking riding to apologize is it?" Ramonda stated with a grin.
And it was that grin that felt contagious. His mother just seemed to know when each of her children needed her.
"Well if you're taking her to the look off, you might as well take some lunch with you," Ramonda said as she produced a leather nap-sack from behind her and handed it to T'Challa so he could put it on Shadow Reign's saddle. "Because knowing the two of you like I do, the both of you have skipped lunch."
T'Challa gave his mother another grin and shook his. "Mother you never cease to amaze me." He said as he placed his hands on Ramonda's shoulders and gently kissed her forehead.
"Well someone has to keep you three on your toes. Now go makeup with your sister, Wakanda can survive for at least hour with you gone." Ramonda teased but there was a firm look in her soft brown eyes. "Your sister is more important."
"Yes, Ma'am," T'Challa said, having the decency to look abashed.
His mother had a way to make her children forgive each other for the least little thing. There were numerous times that he could count on one hand where his mother worked her magic to get either him, Nehanda or Shuri in the same room just to apologize.
And this time was no different. It was like he and Nehanda were children all over again.
Before he could say anything, Ramonda had turned to a stable boy and sent him to Nehanda's room requesting her presence at the royal stables. He grinned and shook his head. His mother, Really, thought of everything.
Nehanda sat at her desk in her room and stared at the blank piece of paper in front of her the half hour, drawing a blank.
She could only sigh and lean back into her chair with a huff. This walking on eggshells was tedious work. She knew that T'Challa would be piss or even angry that Nakia agreed to go undercover, on a plan that she created, but Nehanda never thought he lashed out at her for it.
Looking back, she could understand. Nakia was his mate! But to blame her for putting Nakia in a situation that she couldn't back out of, that was going too far. Those were fighting words in opinion.
She had come close a couple of times to pulling her swords of him but Okoye would stop her, not wanting to do something she would regret. But she was beginning to regret a lot of things. Like that stupid plan, she thought. It had caused her nothing but trouble.
So much trouble, that it was ruining her close relationship she had with her brother, her best friend.
This was one of those occasions where she would give anything to hear Okoye say: "I told you so"! But she knew Okoye would only do that when she deemed it necessary.
And when she least expected it. Knowing Okoye, she would save it for training and then close in for the kill.
BANG, BANG, BANG! Nehanda jumped out of her skin by the sound of her pounding door. Who would disturb her while she literary trying to avoid T'Challa? The angry Prince that he was.
Nehanda sighed and made her way towards the mahogany colored door and threw it open. The force of the swinging door caused the stable boy who became a wayward messenger, to be so startled that he jumped straight in the air and then landed on his ass.
"Jabari, why on earth are you on the floor?" Nehanda asked, slightly concerned.
Jabari looked at the ground, embarrassed. As picked himself off of the floor and dusted himself off, he could say the first thing that came to mind. "I fell, Your Grace!" Then he closed his eyes as soon as he said it.
Nehanda couldn't help but be amused at Jabari's antics. "Well, I'm sure the ground took the brunt of the fall of your dignity." She teased. "Who sent you here?"
"His Royal Highness requests the presence of her Grace at the Royal Stables," Jabari said regally.
"His Royal High..." Nehanda stopped short. "T'Challa requests my presents?" Nehanda asked watching as Jabari's nodded his head. "Has he been smoking mushrooms again?!" She exclaimed, spreading her arms to the sides and waving them about.
She didn't even hesitate. Nehanda shut the door to her room and began to make her way towards the stables but she stopped halfway down the hall and turned back towards her room. Jabari was just standing there in what could be described as something akin to shock.
Nehanda stuck her index finger and thumb in her mouth and let out a sharp high pitched whistle that got Jabari's attention. She nodded her head towards her and like a dutiful little puppy, Jabari followed after her. All the while, Nehanda wore a mischievous grin.
T'Challa waited anxiously for his sister. This apology could make their bond stronger or break it altogether. If it had, he wouldn't blame Nehanda for being pissed at him to the point that she probably started throwing punches at him. It was deserved in his opinion.
He had a lot to answer for and not to just his sisters: Nehanda and Shuri. There was also Okoye to consider.
A feeling of dread crawled up his spine, causing him to suppress a shiver that went up and down his body.
That woman knew how to get her revenge when you least expect it.
She was literary the embodiment of the Panther itself. She was silent, beautiful but also very deadly. And was not to be trifled when pissed. Especially at something that he did.
The women in his life knew how to wrap themselves around his baby finger. Nehanda and Shuri did it every chance they could get. Okoye did it when they trained. All Ramonda had to do was say sweet words and he was his mother's slave. And then there was Nakia. All she had to do was bat her gorgeous brown eyes and he was lost to her forever.
The mistakable sound of footsteps caused T'Challa to turned and watched with unrestrained amusement as his younger sister led his stable boy behind her.
When she finally stood in front of him, she placed her hands on her hips and gave him mild look. "Is there a reason I'm being summoned here, Your Grace?" Nehanda asked sardonically.
T'Challa had to wince at that remark. It was deserved.
"I was an ass," T'Challa said quietly. Trying to apologize to either Nehanda or Shuri was hard and difficult because they didn't make it easy on him.
"I'm sorry what was that big brother? I didn't quite catch that?" She said, putting her hand to her ear. Nehanda soaking this all in. Must to her amusement.
"I said I was an ass!" T'Challa exclaimed. "Would like me to get on the roof of the palace and shout it? Or perhaps you would like me to go to the top of the highest mountain and scream for all to hear that I was complete and utter ass?!" He wouldn't put it past her that was exactly what she wanted him to do.
Nehanda burst out laughing and then gave T'Challa a hug. "You don't have to go that far, big brother. I forgive you this time," She proclaimed and gave a heated glare. "Next time you won't be so lucky."
T'Challa had the wherewithal and the presence of mind to gulp at that. He wouldn't put it past her to drag Shuri and Okoye in on her revenge.
"I again apologize sister. I didn't mean to take my frustration out on you." T'Challa said with a sigh. "I wished Nakia had told me what she was going to do."
"If she had, she knew that you would try to stop her. That's why she told us to wait to tell you until after she left." She said with a shrug of her shoulders.
T'Challa sighed again as he moved his head to the side, asking her to silently follow him. Soon the two young Royals were galloping across the plains towards the look off. As they climbed the mountain face, Nehanda looked over her left shoulder and looked at the city below her.
She couldn't help but gasp at the sheer beauty of it. And she lived here most of her life.
When they found the perfect spot, they leaped off their horses and tied the reins to a bush. T'Challa then began to unfold the blanket. And then he opened the leather sack their mother packed for them just as Nehanda sat down.
The two Royal siblings sat in perfect silence. They were happy that they put their crisis at bay but unbeknownst two them and everyone around them, a new crisis was just beginning.
~Two weeks later~
While helping Shuri recalibrate the jet engine in Shuri's lab, Nehanda's kimoyo bracelet went off. As soon as she touched it Okoye's face appeared, looking grim.
"Okoye, did I miss training again?" Nehanda teased, even though her gut was telling her something was off.
Okoye couldn't help but chuckle even though the situation was dire. "No, your Grace. But you are needed in the throne room. We have a situation."
"A situation, how bad?" She said as she began to hand her instruments to Shuri and then grabbed her things as she started to leave the lab.
"I'll explain on the way," Okoye said as she blinked out.
All Nehanda could do was shake her and share a knowing look with Shuri as she left her baby sister's lab, T'Challa had done something!
The journey to the throne room was a hectic one. Nehanda's heart had moved from her chest towards her throat. Until she knew for certain what was going on, this was all T'Challa's fault.
No matter how much protesting and assisting that Okoye did on the way. She wouldn't say what happened but she made it clear that T'Challa wasn't responsible.
'Yeah right!' She thought to herself. Somehow, some way T'Challa always seemed to mess something up. It was why she and Shuri always gave their elder brother such a hard time and would always say they controlled his puppet strings. 9 times out of 10, T'Challa was to blame.
They had made it a point of saying that they would each make better Queens to T'Challa's King. But everyone found it amusing and maybe it was. But they would still rule better than their brother.
Nehanda schooled her features as she and Okoye made it to the large orient doors that led to the throne room. She grabbed the handles and with a mighty shove, pushed the doors open with such force that knocked against the wall on either side with a loud BANG.
Startled, T'Challa looked towards the doors and rolled his eyes at his sister's exuberant entrance.
"Little sister, do I treat the doors to your bedroom with the same overexertion and calamity as you treat the entrance to my throne room?" He asked with a sigh.
Nehanda not missing a beat walked right up to her brother and gave him a hard punch to his right shoulder that caused him to wince and clutch the injured limb. "Who said anything about this being your throne room big brother?" Nehanda said with a playful growl. "If anything, there is still time for Shuri and me to rule Wakanda before you screw it up."
T'Challa chuckled and rolled his eyes again. His little sister's, more like hellions if he could call them both that, we're always talking about taking over Wakanda on the off chance that he messed it up. He always found them to be all talk and no play. They wouldn't do it. Of course, that gave him a pause. At least he didn't think they would. So he decided to call her bluff.
"Very well little sister. If you want to rule Wakanda, you and Shuri will have to face me in a trail of combat, separately" T'Challa said with a smug grin, thinking that he finally one-upped his little sister this time.
Okoye shook her head amusingly. 'Oh, T'Challa had a lot to learn.' She thought. Then she shared a knowing grin with Nehanda.
"Oh please!" She exclaimed. "You have to do better then that big brother if you want to be a step ahead. " Nehanda said as she sympathetically tapped his shoulder. "You know as well as I do that I'm the only logical choice to face you in a trail of combat situation because: A.) you won't get Shuri up from her lab and B.) there is the little matter of her wearing a ceremonial dress with a corset. Shuri won't wear one unless she has to or is forced to." Nehanda finished with an amused grin.
T'Challa sent her a frustrated glare. Only his sisters would find a way to work around any coup against them. "Must you spoil my plans?" He asked with a pout.
"Yes. Especially when the odds are stacked against you." She cheekily. "You do realize that Shuri and I are your odds right!?" Nehanda hoped she would nail him with a trick question, which if she did.
The future rolled his eyes for a third time as he made his way towards the halo-graphic battle map.
Nehanda grinned and then turned to Zuri who shot her an amused wink behind T'Challa's back. When she stepped up to the table, all amusement left her face when she glanced at the map. It looked like a battleground. A battleground that had been started by Ulysses Klaue.
"Little sister, look and tell me what you see?" T'Challa asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"A symbol we know very well Big brother, Klaue." She growled as she stared at the halo-graphic table. "How did that bastard get back into Wakanda?"
Nehanda began to pace back and forth in pure agitation. It was the full and pure embodiment of her Panther. She was a sleek cat, just waiting to pounce. T'Challa was just as bad. But it was for an entirely different reason. One name came to mind, Nakia. He had no idea which village Nehanda and Okoye sent her.
"Your highness's," N'Gope began. "Word has reached us that Klaue himself hasn't set foot back into Wakanda but that he has sent a small group to try and infiltrate." The counselor continued, each word cause T'Challa's ire to grow. "My contact has told that they reached the village of Ubandi,"
"WHAT!" Nehanda exclaimed. She had never interrupted a counselor before but it couldn't be helped. She shared a look of sheer panic with Okoye. Their plan just went ass over-under.
T'Challa looked at his sister and his bodyguard/best friend and back again. "Is there something you want to tell me?" He asked.
"You?" Nehanda began and then look to Okoye and motioned to the guard if she wanted to do the honors. The elder woman shook her head and nodded for the young princess to continue.
The younger woman nodded with a sigh. She turned to her brother, took a deep breath and began to speak. "2 months ago I came up with a plan to embed a spy in one of the nearby villages to be our eyes and ears in case Klaue pulled a stunt like this. Nakia agreed to go. The village the Okoye and I implanted her in Ubandi." She said with a grim expression.
"There's something else Little sister tell me!" T'Challa order, his stomach churning as a single thought passed through his mind.
"We, Okoye and I, lost contact with Nakia two weeks ago. The intel that she was able to get came in steady and then nothing. Two weeks of silence." Nehanda bowed her head as she finished. "I'm sorry Big brother."
He shook his head and walked over to his sister and pulled her into a hug. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Little sister. Nothing at all! You did what you thought was right." T'Challa finished as he hugged her again and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
When he felt his shoulder become slightly damp, he pulled back on Nehanda's shoulders, placed his fingers on her chin and gently lifted her head. It broke his heart to see his sister's deep blue eyes so remorseful and full of tears.
"Nehanda, we will get her back. Klaue will not escape Wakandan justice again this time. He will pay." He proclaimed as placed his hands on either side of his sister's face and brought her forward so that their foreheads touched.
With Nehanda still his arms, he turned to Okoye and gave a furious and determined look. "Okoye prepare the Jet," T'Challa ordered. "We're going to Ubandi!"
After the order, there was a mad scramble to obey. By this time tomorrow Nakia would back home and safe in his arms. That was if of course, she would actually let him put his arms around her.
The flight from Wakanda to Ubandi was a silent one. While Jara flew, Okoye took the opportunity to pace back and forth.
Her thoughts were all over the place. She felt like she was somewhat responsible for the utter insane plan that Nehanda came up with to catch Klaue and for Nakia agreeing to it in the first place. Even though she thought it been a good plan, she should have stooped Nakia from going.
But then again, Okoye knew the woman was stubborn.
If she believed that there was a wrong or injustice that needed to fixed, Nakia was the first to raise her hand volunteer. She essentially put her life on the line when there was no need.
It was the job of Dora Milaje to protect Wakanda and the Royal family, not the future Queen of Wakanda. If the girl would settle down long enough for her and T'Challa to form a match.
All of a sudden the sound of the door sliding open as both T'Challa and Nehanda made their way from the bunk area dressed in their Panther suits. Their suits gleamed a shiny black ebony from the lights inside the Jet. Okoye furrowed her brow as she got a good look at Nehanda's suit.
Black wasn't a good color for Nehanda. Not to say didn't look good in it in everyday clothes, she did. But in terms of her suit, it didn't flatter her skin tone.
She made a note to talk to Shuri about that when he returned. Nehanda desperately needed a new suit.
From her vantage point at the battle map, she watched the two of the Royal siblings make their way over. Standing side by side both T'Challa and Nehanda made a very imposing pair.
Their all black Panther suits gave them a very intimidating look. They looked like they were spoiling for a fight.
"Your Highness's, we are two minutes from Ubandi," Jara said from the pilot's seat.
"Thank you, Jara," T'Challa replied as he set his Panther helm on the table looked at the map. "Keep pressing. Let us know when we have arrived." He ordered not looking up from the table.
"Yes your Grace," Jara said, continuing to concentrate on their destination.
Okoye looked at T'Challa for a moment before she shot Nehanda a look across the table. "Do you think it will be enough?" She asked quietly.
"It will have to be," T'Challa answered with a sigh. His gloved hands scrubbing his face in frustration. "The sooner we put a stop to Klaue and his tyranny, the Wakanda can heal."
The older woman gave the young prince a small and grateful smile. W'Kabi would have his revenge.
But the sound of the young princess clearing her throat on the other side of the table brought Okoye back to reality. This was going to be a difficult discussion to be had with T'Challa. He was stubborn. And Nakia was an even match to him.
"Your Grace, there is a delicate matter that needs to be cleared up in this situation," Okoye began.
"What is that Okoye?" T'Challa asked, not bothering to look up from the table.
"Well," The older bodyguard started and then stopped. How do you ask your Crown Prince, your best friend, not to let your feelings rule your head?
"What?" T'Challa said as he finally looked up and gazed steadily at his friend.
Okoye sighed and looked at Nehanda. She nodded her head which caused the Crown Princess to release a sigh of her own. She even added a growl under her breath for good measure. She hated it when Okoye used her authority.
"What Okoye is trying to say in her own sweet way Brother, is there is a small matter that concerns you," Nehanda said sweetly, it didn't hurt to practice her diplomatic voice.
"What small matter?" T'Challa asked confusion written all over his face. "What have I done now?"
Okoye sighed again and then shot Nehanda a mild glare. "What the princess means your Grace, the matter that we refer to could happen in a matter of minutes and it depends on how you react." She replied formally. Okoye wanted to nip this in the butt now before he saw Nakia again.
"My reaction?" T'Challa exclaimed as he pointed to himself in shock. Then he looked at his sister and his personal guard. "What have you two gossipy ninny's have to say about me now?"
With that T'Challa crossed his arms over his chest and shot the two women on either side of him a glare.
"Oh damn!" Nehanda exclaimed. "He's adapted father steely look. You best tell him about Nakia before he blows a gasket." She teased.
"What does Nakia have to do with this?" T'Challa demanded.
Okoye could see no way around it and she firmly believed in not beating around the bush. "Quite frankly your Grace, you have to this ability to freeze everytime she walks into a room," Okoye said. A great relief left her shoulders but she found herself on the receiving end of T'Challa's glare.
"I do not!" T'Challa exclaimed, which caused Nehanda to snort with laughter only to have her big brother glare at her as well.
"Yes, you do. It's really quite actually how you watch her when she enters." She shook her head in mock dismay. "The future King of Wakanda follows the one woman who as the strength enough to be future Queen, around the room with his eyes like a lost puppy." She teased with a mischievous grin.
"The two of you gossipy busybodies have lost your minds." T'Challa finally proclaimed.
After that profound statement, T'Challa silently ordered silence for the rest of the flight. It was his way of telling both Okoye and Nehanda they were not allowed to speak until they reached their destination.
Nehanda sat down in one of the many seats available on the Jet, rolled eyes and crossed her arms in annoyance.
"Your Grace," Jara announced. T'Challa's head shot up as she addressed him. "We have arrived."
He stood and made his way towards Jara's seat. He could see the truck convoy coming from the village in Ubandi. "Thank you, Jara. Keep it steady until we are in position."
"Of course Your Grace." Jara nodded.
T'Challa made his way back towards the battle table just as Nehanda was preparing her weapons for battle. They needed a surprise attack. Something that the convoy wouldn't see coming.
"We have reached our destination," T'Challa began as looked between his sister and best friend. "Ladies you know what to do."
Watching both ladies nod T'Challa continued. "I'll get Nakia out as I can."
That caused Nehanda to burst out laughing. "Oh Big brother, this I really have to see." She teased as she laughed again.
"Of course you would find this all amusing Little sister," T'Challa said miffed.
"That's because it is," Nehanda said between bouts of laughter.
Okoye shared a quick amused grin with Nehanda and then her face morphed into a serious expression. "Just don't freeze when you see her." Okoye sternly said.
T'Challa turned his miffed look on his friend for even suggesting such a thing. "What are you talking about? I never freeze." His shocked/miffed voice gave him away.
Nehanda couldn't help it, she tried but all of his protests caused her to burst out laughing again. T'Challa could only roll his eyes at his sister's antics.
Needless to say, Klaue's men didn't know what hit them.
Both Royal siblings struck with a force that could only be described as the God's blessing. Watching both brother and sister flip through the air was like poetry in motion.
While T'Challa detracted his silver vibranium claws, Nehanda pulled her golden vibranium twin blade swords from their sheath and went in for the attack. The two siblings worked as one. You didn't know where T'Challa stopped and Nehanda began.
Klaue's men were basically sitting ducks. That feeling only amplified when another female joined the foray.
Nehanda could only sigh. Looking around siege, her eyes met Okoye's and they shared an eye roll. This was going to be bad. Nakia had joined the battle. And if T'Challa spotted her, his timing would be off.
Of course, her thoughts spoke too soon as looked up again and saw T'Challa do just that.
"Men!" She exclaimed out loud as she continued her battle.
Time seemed to stop. The very moment T'Challa saw Nakia again, the world stopped turning. Of course, both Okoye and his younger sisters: Nehanda and Shuri, would not let him live this down.
"Nakia, hi," T'Challa said softly, not taking his eyes off his soulmate.
Nakia stopped and shot T'Challa a look which quickly changed when she saw a mercenary moved behind him.
"T'Challa move!" Nakia yelled.
Before T'Challa could react a spear came out of nowhere and embedded into the man that was going to attack him from behind. He turned towards his friend and winced at the look she shot him.
"You froze!" Okoye growled and the turned back to the fight.
T'Challa sighed. He was never going to live this down! His sisters were really going to use this against him. And he deserved it. But the most important thing was that Nakia was safe and he would have time to convince her to be his Queen.
