X-Men: The Movie

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, own X-Men. It belongs to Marvel.

Title: Love Tale of the Past

Setting: Before Storm's time; before the meeting of her parents.

Genre: Comic/Romance/Drama

Author's Note: Any quotations surrounded by means that the said character is speaking Swahili.

I have a few African American names with translations to point out before beginning this chapter:

Ramla: Swahili name meaning 'fortune telling' or 'prophet'

Summary: David Munroe's photography job takes him to a tribe in Kenya where he finds the High Priestess, N'Dare. The two fall into a forbidden love which is frowned upon the tribe. (R&R)

Chapter Two

An African Goddess

Kenya, Africa

River Bank

The boat ride felt like it would take forever. It was like they were passing the same scenery over and over again. Shrub, bush, tree, grass. Shrub, bush tree grass. David even placed the camera back in the case. What was the point of taking what looked like the same picture twice? Finally, after what felt like hours, Cyni pulled the boat up into a sand bank. David was already half asleep, damn jet lag. He yawned heavily as he sat up straight, stretching his arms over his head. Rob took this opportunity to jab him in the ribs and then point towards the bank.

David grumbled slightly but followed the direction of his friend's pointing finger. Ah, there it was; the small village tribe that they would be staying at. Nodding, he pulled out the camera from the case once more and adjusted the focus. After a few moments, he took a snap shot of the village as a young woman approached them and judging by her outfit, she was most definitely someone with a high ranking.

Cyni was the first one of the three to jump off the boat. He walked up to the beach and bowed his head lightly at the woman, who barely even reacted. Her black hair was cropped short; her brown eyes narrowed at both David and Robert. Cyni followed her gaze towards the other two men and then back towards the woman. "They are with me." He stated. "Your High Priestess has been expecting them."

Robert leaned over to David to whisper into his ear, "They speak English?"

"You're asking me?" David remarked.

The woman nodded slightly beckoning the two outsiders with her hand. Both men looked at each other and hopped out of the boat. There was no backing down now. They mimicked exactly was Cyni had just done. They both bowed their head slightly and kept away from eye contact, which felt rather odd, especially to David. It was like they were forced to stare at their chests. Of course, Rob wasn't complaining, but he, himself, felt rather modest about it all.

"I am Ramla." The woman introduced herself. "I have been sent by the High Priestess herself to make sure that our… guests… have arrived." The way she had stated the word 'guest' seemed to be laced with some sort of hatred. Personally, she looked like she wanted to cast some sort of voodoo on them instead of greet them for her Priestess. "And to take them to their room."

Right of the bat, David could tell that this was one of those women who didn't want 'trespassers' in or around her homeland. She had to be under some pretty strict orders or, otherwise, she should have taken them out by now. Cyni nodded as Ramla turned around on her heel and walked towards the huts. Cyni was right behind her. Rob and David lingered behind to stare at each other doubtfully before continuing forward. This wasn't going to be an easy two weeks, was it?

David's and Rob's Hut

"We only stepped foot on the damn sand and that lady was ready to take us out!" Rob fussed as he laid back on the so called bed they have been given, which was just a bamboo-like matt. It was going to be two weeks filled with back pains. He gazed over towards his friend, who didn't seem to be listening. "Will you stop messing around with that stupid camera?"

David looked up, frowning lightly. He was sitting down on the dirt floor in the corner of the hut, adjusting the lenses on the camera. "Do you want these pictures or not?" He questioned. "It's not my fault your 'superiors' sent you off to a man-hating-women-ruling-tribe." He remarked. "What the hell did you do back in the office?"

"I didn't think it was going to be like this, alright?" Rob snapped. "Come on, I was expecting more of your typical tribe, whatever the hell that is now of days."

"You, just hopefully, Ramla is one of those women… who just… can't stand men." David slowly pieced together. "I mean, come on. This whole place can't, I mean… That's a bit ridiculous, isn't it?"

"At first when Cyni told us about this place, I seriously thought he was joking, but after meeting Ramla, I'm having my second thoughts." Robert admitted. "This is so different from back home."

David became very interested in the camera lenses once more, deciding not to comment this time. Of course this was different then back home. Back home, Robert didn't have to worry about racist comments. He didn't have to put up with all of the black jokes. He was a damn white man living in New York, it was a breeze compared to some of the things David had to deal with back home. "Cyni says there's a feast tonight. We're expected to show up, pay our respects. That sort of thing." He murmured.

"Where is Cyni anyways?" Rob asked, rolling over onto his side.

"He's off securing the boat or something…" David murmured, setting the camera aside as he laid back on the dirt floor; he honestly didn't care. A little dirt wouldn't hurt him. "And wandering the village, I guess. He's worked with these people before, right? Maybe he's visiting a few guys."

Peeking through the door of the hut were two small little boys, who seemed to be amused by the two outsiders who had stumbled onto their village. The door was barely even covered or anything. A dark blanket was just cast over it, hardly allowing any privacy what-so-ever. The two boys giggled. " Look at that man's skin. He's as white as the snow High Priestess lets us play in. "

He friend nodded slightly, " Their clothes are funny and they speak the silly language the adults know. "

Rob sat up slightly, "What are they talking about?" He questioned. Seeing that they were caught, the two little boys ran off, throwing fits of giggles.

"Your mother." David retorted. "I don't speak Swahili, Rob."

The dark blanket covering their door was removed, allowing the last moments of sun light to flow through before setting. Cyni stood at the doorway, "They are waiting for you, my friends."

Village Bonfire

He could never remember ever sitting cross legged for so long. Slowly, David could feel his feet starting to grow numb and all they had done was watch the sunset and the fire build as a few women dancers started, what they have been told, their traditional dance; one that praised the heritage of their High Priestess, who was still nowhere to be seen and darkness was closing in upon them. The flames of the burning fire wood was starting to draw insects, so of which you would probably never see back home.

"They are preparing a feast." Cyni informed them. He was sitting next to Robert, who was sitting on David's right. "They do not use the same fire as the spiritual flames; it would be like… bathing in Holy Water back at your home, correct? I am not sure of your religious ways. It has been a while since I've been to one of their rituals."

David just nodded along. Rob, on the other hand, kept staring into the fire, looking to be in a bit of a trance. "It's only a matter of time before the High Priestess shows." Cyni went on. Once more, David just nodded. God, his feet were killing him.

But Cyni was right. It was only a matter of time before the curtain of a rather large hut was drawn open. This hut was different from the others, and not just by size either, but by the way it was decorated; a sign that royalty had it's presences within. Suddenly, the music of the beating drums came to a stop and the dances stood up tall and straight. Two women stepped out of the hut, one of which they recognized as Ramla, but the other they did not know. Both David and Robert perked up slightly to try to get a better look.

Steps could by heard within the hut; a soft rattling noise caused by sea shells softly clashing into each other with every new step. A pair of slender feet stepped out of the shadows. Just an inch above the ankles were leather straps which had sea shells hanging from strands. Another step was taken, bringing forth the whole woman; a young woman with shockingly white long hair and brightly glowing pure blue eyes. It was such an odd combination, one that made her ten times more beautiful; more exotic then the other women of this tribe. Her facial features were down right perfect, so sooth; so soft… Her outfit was a snug fit on her curved body, a traditional strapless top with leather strands running from the hem. Each strand was decorated with many different beads. Her skirt was made of the same leather material has the rest of the outfit which stopped inches above her knees. A few strands of white hair were formed into a single braid which was held by colorful beads.

A small smile came upon her face as she instantly stopped the visitors to her village. Their clothing had given them away. "As High Priestess, I would like to welcome you on behalf of everyone in this tribe." She greeted. Her voice carried a soft accent, one that made the way she spoke the English language… special. "Now, I wish you to join us to feast in the name of our Goddess, Ashaki." At the end of her statement, a few of the men came around carrying wooden baskets filled with fresh fruit and meats.

"Dave." Robert hissed. "David." He elbowed his friend in the arm. "Don't just stand there, get a God damn picture or something."

David instantly snapped back into reality as he nodded, taking out his camera, "Right." He murmured, bringing the eyepiece up and taking focus of the Priestess. He took a shot and then lowered the camera back down, unable to take his eyes off her.

David's and Robert's Hut – Hours Later

Slowly, David tossed and turned on the mat. This was so uncomfortable for his back, for sure. He grunted lightly as he finally gave in. He sat right up, rubbing his eyes, adjusting to the dark. There was barely any light aside of the flowing full moon. Personally, he enjoyed it. You really couldn't see the moon's light back in New York, of course.

He stood up, stretching his back out for a few moments or two. Hell, he wasn't even tired anymore. Damn jet lag. This was going to take another day or two to get use to, wasn't it? He sighed, shaking his head as he pulled the curtain back from the door. He needed to take a small walk, or something… Perhaps down to the river bank to cool off? It didn't sound too bad.

River Bank

David stared at the sandy ground as he walked the path to the river that he had earlier taken this morning to get to the village. It was pretty late. He guessed… somewhere between three or four in the morning. The feast had lasted well past midnight. He had never eaten so much fruit ever. The meat didn't look too trusting, being that it was placed in a basket made of wood, who knew what little pests were really crawling all over it? He wasn't too big on meat anyways. He wasn't missing much.

He came to a quick stop behind a few bushes after hearing a firm statement being spoken in Swahili. He ducked slightly. Shit. Someone was actually out this late? He just wanted to enjoy a small walk! He waited for a moment or two. The voice spoke again, "Who goes there?" It was that same angelic voice he had heard tonight before the feast. The High Priestess?

David took a step out from his hiding place. Yup, he was right. The Priestess stood a few feet into the river. She was gazing over her shoulder, eyes narrowed, but quickly softened at the sight of him as she judged that he wasn't really any danger to her. In fact, he could have sworn he saw a flash of a smile.

"So comes forth the outsider named…?" She trailed on.

"David." He replied. "Named David, High Priestess, ma'am." He stated, keeping his eyes to the ground. He remembered Cyni saying to never look a woman in the eye unless they were instructed to do so and this was pretty much the highest class of woman this tribe had to offer.

"David." She repeated. "Cast your eyes up, David. I am… N'Dare." She replied turning around to face him.

"N'Dare…" He repeated. "I gotta say…" He murmured, trying his best not to offend her in any way. Heck, he wasn't even sure where to look at anymore. "You speak some pretty good English."

"We have many English speakers come to this tribe." N'Dare answered. "We have decided it would be… appropriate to learn the language as well. Nothing compares to our native Swahili."

Uncomfortable silence fell between them as they both stared at one another. N'Dare still stood in the cool waters of the river as David reminded on the sandy beach.

To Be Continued

Guh, I really didn't know how to end this chapter. I just knew that I want most of their first conversation to be in chapter three. I hope you guys are enjoying this. I'm having a fun time writing it. Seriously, this plot line is haunting me in Chemistry class. :P Haha, read and review.