Chapter 16: it's the small things that matter

It was 7 in the morning when Shuri and Ch'ah emerged from the water. Her husband wore a white and gold tunic with white pants. His jewelry shone in the morning sun.

Shuri on the other hand wore a simple blue sleeveless dress. A set of white pearls In her ears and pearl earrings. Her husband had taken them from the clam himself.

" mia amore? Where are we going?" he asked her.

Feeling refreshed from a good night's sleep, Shuri was full of energy and excitement.

" you have shown me your kingdom, Kukulkan. I wish to show you mine.."

Shuri and ch'ah walked in a comfortable silence before they came upon a quiet street.

"Welcome to Wakanda, mi amore.." she said the last part quietly.

Namor looked on in amazement at the now quiet city.

"it is so quiet."

"that's because the city is not quite awake yet. But we will wait thirty minutes. And you'll see the beauty that is Wakanda. While we are waiting for the vendors to open, I want to show you some of my favorite places." She told him.

Ch'ah smiled.

" I would love to see them. Show me, princess."

He then held his arm out for her to take. To a bystander, it simply looked like a strange man trying to be a gentleman. But shuri and ch'ah knew, it was the power of touch.

"Are you trying to corrupt me in the forest Princess?" ch'ah questioned.

They had been walking for about fifteen minutes. It was a slow leisurely pace, neither wanting to rush. Just enjoying the rare moment of privacy between the still newlywed couple.

"ch'ah..sshh, look.."

Namor followed Shuri's line of vision and gasped. Beyond the tree line, was a giant waterfall. At the bottom were a few animals. Anteloupe and elephants.

" we will have to climb to the top but that won't be a problem for you will it?" Suri asked him teasingly

Namor smiled at his wife and said " My queen, I think you are forgetting one thing that makes me stand out."

"ah? What is that?"

Namor leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers.

"Unlike you my panther queen, your king can fly." And without warning, he had picked Shuri up and flew them into the air.

Shur was quick to throw her arms around Namor's neck and bury herself in his chest.

"ahhh, ch'ah! You can't just do that with no warning!" she yelled.

Her husband, however, laughed and allowed them to hover in the air.

"my queen open your eyes. Have you ever seen your kingdom from the air?" he questioned.

"When we are entering on our plane yes."

Her husband shook his head.

"no mi amore. Have you ever seen it like this…" He gestured.

Shuri followed his hand and was speechless.

She had seen her country before. But most of her time was spent in the lab. She knew every nook and cranny of Wakanda but she hadn't spent the time to admire its beauty.
The sun had risen at its highest point and was reflecting off of Warrior Falls.

"This is Warrior Falls, it is where the coronation of the king takes place. The king is presented and then all the tribes of Wakanda are offered the chance to challenge him. We are in the river tribes' territory at the moment. This is amazing.."

She said as namor flew her over the waterfall.

"the water is so clean and the air. It is so pure. The trees and the animals. It is as if they are at perfect peace and harmony with each other."

"it is beautiful and so is Talokan. Our nations are not so different." She mentioned as they landed in the water.

"no, they are not. Our policies and politics may be different but at the center of it all, we have the same ideas. "

"ch'ah, can I ask you something?"

"anything my queen."

"Can you manipulate water?"

"I can. Why do you ask?"

Shuri hesitated as she planted her feet firmly in the water.

"I've had a few…occurrences.."

"Continue." He urged as he came to stand in front of her.

"Whenever I touch water, it coats my hands, almost like a glove. It happened a week ago when I touched a fountain. Sometimes if I move my hands, the water will move with me. I haven't focused on doing it though. "

When she looked at him, he was looking at her with astonishment.

"my queen, you have been shown the highest favor. You truly were meant to be mine. It seems you can manipulate water as well. Here, let me show you.."

It was then her husband raised his hand in the air and a small wave rose with him. He did it again, this time allowing the water to twirl around her.

"ch'ah that is beautiful! You have to let me test your abilities at some point!"

He laughed and shook his head.

"Always the scientist. When everything calms down, I will teach you how to control the water."

"thank you mia amore. I have somewhere else to show you as well. Can we fly ?"

"I'll do anything to have you in my arms again," he said as he picked her up and she gave him direction.

The next place she showed him was the outskirts of Wakanda.

"This is where the border tribe lives. They protect the borders. They also raise cattle, horses, and rhinos.."

"What is a rhino?"

Shuri's eyes lit with excitement.

"come with me.." she urged as she began to pull him to the border tribe's village city.

The border tribe was full and busy. Cattle were being moved, horses were being fed and rhinos were being trained.

They received a few strange looks and some people waved to her.

Shuri smiled and waved back. They then came upon a huge hut. She was quick to knock on the door.

As they waited Shuri turned to her husband and asked "Have you never seen or heard of a rhino?"

" I have spent countless hours studying the surface world but seeing things in books is different than the real thing."

The door was opened to a young man who looked to be about 17.

" princess! What an honor! It is rare to see you outside the lab what can I do for you?" Kwaku one of the border tribe shepherds asked.

" good morning Kwaku is it too much to ask if I could see the baby rhinos? We are hosting a guest who has never had the pleasure of seeing one. "

The moment she said guest Kwaku's eyes traveled over to her husband. Kwaku immediately stood to his full height and stood between them.

" you are the fish man who invaded our lands. How dare you show your face here." He said angrily as he grabbed a spear.

Her husband however stood there with a mocking grin. As if he was happy to piss someone off.

Shuri rolled her eyes at him. Her husband could be so cocky sometimes.

" no. No. Kwaku. Everything is fine. He is our guest. Now can you please show us the rhinos? "

Kwaku looked annoyed but obeyed her request.

To her amusement, the baby rhinos loved her husband.

They licked and squealed like newborn kittens.

" I cannot believe it," Kwaku said in shock

"What is it?"Shuri asked

"Well, the rhinos are usually standoffish to anyone who isn't from the border tribe. To see them so comfortable around a stranger is unheard of."

Shuri's eyes softened as she looked at ch'ah. He had the biggest smile on his face which was rare because in public he was always frowning.

When they were done visiting the border tribe, cha'h flew them back to the city. Her arm once again tucked in the crook of his elbow. With the city so busy, and so full of people She and Cha'h stood out like a sore thumb. Some people looked at them in confusion while others made sure to steer clear of them.

Shuri ignored this as she led him to her favorite restaurant.

"Here we are." She gestured as she led him inside. The restaurant only had a few patrons and wasn't very busy. It was only eight in the morning, the rush would come in about an hour.

"Eshe! Molo ekuseni unjani?" Eshe, good morning how are you? Shuri called out into the restaurant. A woman wearing a yellow dress appeared.

"princess! I am well! How are you? I have not seen you in ages! Come, come!"

Eshe guided them to a table and gave them menus.

" would like some touba coffee princess?" Eshe asked.

"yes, please. My guest will have one as well. Oh, and two glasses of water please."

"right away princess."

Once Eshe was out of earshot, Shuri turned to ch'ah. He seemed at peace and looked around the restaurant in wonder.

" Wakanda has so much beauty. Our city does not have restaurants, people tend to eat at home or buy from the food stalls. Maybe we can incorporate a restaurant there? what do you think?" he asked

"ah, I think that would be a great idea. I think it would give the mothers a break and the children would enjoy it. I think Wakanda would benefit also from some of Talokan's resources."

"we can put that in the treaty. That would help continue to create a relationship of trust. But let us not focus on politics right now, I just want to enjoy these precious moments with you. what do you suggest?"

Shuri's heart skipped a beat as ch'ah looked at her. the intensity of his stare never seemed to not make her breathless. It was the way he looked at her that made her want to drown in his very presence.

" how about mango, and banana with porridge?" she suggested

"Mangoes? My mother would talk about mangoes. It was her favorite fruit..before.."

He let his words die as he shook his head. Trying to forget the painful memories of his mother.

Shuri reached over and squeezed his hand.

"My father loved bananas. I couldn't eat them for a long time. this was his favorite restaurant. I don't get out of the palace much unless it's to teach at the university. I am pretty much in my lab. Once a year, I get to do a lecture circuit. This year, I taught at the school for the gifted. You should see these children, ch'ah. Some of them have the most amazing talents. Yet their parents send them away. Some of them seemed so alone and felt so abandoned. Even through the pain, they are happy. Anyway, I just wanted to share this memory with you. I think over time, my father would have liked you."

" I am honored to share this memory with you my darling."

It was then Eshe returned with their coffee and water, a small smile on her face as she looked between the two of them.

" what are we eating today my friends?" she questioned.

" how about mangoes, bananas, and porridge? But can you bring out the chili sauce?" shuri asked.

" right away and you sir?"

"I'll have the same thing as her."

With a nod, Eshe left them alone.

Ten minutes later their food arrived and ch'ah moaned.

" This tastes delicious. It is sweeter than I expected."

Shuri laughed and said, "You think that was good, wait until you try the mangoes in chili sauce."

She then dipped a mango in the sauce and fed it to him.

Her husband sucked the juices from her fingers when the mango was eaten.

As he did so they locked eyes. Her husband's eyes flashed a deep turquoise.

Shuri squeezed her thighs together and took a drink of water. She couldn't sit here and become aroused by her husband while on a diplomatic mission.

Ch'ah's nostrils flared and he was quick to speak to her in his native tongue.

" I can smell you, my queen. Your scent it is intoxicating "

Shuri swallowed hard. Not knowing what to say. What other abilities did her husband have hidden?

Thankfully Eshe interrupted them as she refilled their drinks.

" Eshe can you put the bill on my tab? My guest and I must be on our way soon. "

" of course princess and don't worry your secret is Safe with me."

Fifteen minutes later shuri's arm was once again tucked into Namor's elbow. He seemed keen on not letting her go.

By now the city was awake and bustling. Many people gave them strange looks.

" you do not travel the city much do you?" he asked her.

" no. I stay in my lab or the university. "Shuri explained. "My brother is better at the social aspects of Wakanda. I prefer the background."

Before he said anything a child's voice called out to her.

" princess shuri!"

Shuri smiled as a little girl no older than nine appeared before her.

She stopped as she noticed Namor next to her.

" Adao how are you?" Shuri asked

" I am well! I just wanted to say hi."

Adao then turned to namor.

"you are not from here?" she questioned with her head tilted.

Ch'ah knelt down in front of Adao, gentleness in his eyes. She stepped back in fear.

" No child I am not. Can I tell you a secret?"

Adao's eyes alit with curiosity as she came closer to him

" I am from the sea." He mocks whispered.

Adao gasped

" no way! Prove it.." she demanded.

Cha'ah smiled and walked over to the nearby river that cut through the city. Fishermen from the river tribe were often seen waiting patiently for their catch.

He then motioned Adao to come closer.

When she did, ch'ah twirled his hand and made a small wave turn into a hand and wave.

Adao screamed delight

" wow! Do it again! Do it again!" she cheered. She then waved over a few friends who were passing by.

" you guys come look!"

Three children, the same age as Adao joined her.

"look what he can do." Adao pointed out.

Doing the same trick, the kids became excited. Asking him to make other shapes.

he then quieted them down and becked them closer.

"would you all like to meet a friend of mine?"

"yes!" they responded in excitement.

With that said, he jumped into the water completely disappearing into the river.

A few seconds later he arose from the water, half his body still emerced. Next to him was a giant orca.