I've been waiting to get to this chapter!

Year Four: Bite

The Warrior Falls - 11:25 AM

Imanu always forgets about this annual ritual until he's standing at The Warrior Falls in his best outfit beside his wife and her mother with his family behind him. Although he was aware it would be happening for the past week, it always escapes his mind the night before to help him sleep until he wakes up to hushed whispers outside his bedroom door. It would always be between Iqadi and her mother. Imanu never catches their words but he knows they're discussing worst-case scenarios in case the ritual went awry.

Even during a fight against one of T'Challa's allies in the pool of water, they're laughing as old friends sparring would. People cheer around them but not only does Imanu not find the entertainment, but he can also feel the tension radiating from Iqadi and her mother.

Imanu won't grab for Iqadi's hand for formalities (and in case her father would throw his spear right at him for the gesture), but he hovers his hand next to hers. They barely touch and he feels Iqadi graze his fingers, tracing his fingers. He glances at her and notices her breathing calming as her eyes stay focused on her father.

"Hey," Kili whispers, leaning in closer from behind. Her head rests between Iqadi and Imanu's shoulders. "Can you suggest to King T'Challa to get some catering for this? I didn't eat this morning and now I'm starving."

Imanu cracks a smile as Kili's parents shush her and pull her back. Iqadi locks eyes with Imanu for the first time since they got to the Falls. They nod at each other before looking back at the fight.

He isn't sure how Kili could think of food at a time like this. He doesn't think he could stomach anything watching the brutal fights and he knows food is the last thing on Iqadi's mind. She won't eat anything for the rest of the day and spend her time reflecting and thinking about strategies.

Last year, when nobody challenged her father to fight for the throne, Iqadi was even more unsettled when he thought she would be more relaxed.

Gunshots capture Imanu's attention and he catches small splashes in the water far from the fight which stops. Seconds later, gunfire fills the air. The Dora Milaje engage and run onto the falls with their weapons up. Iqadi and her mother look up to the other tribes either stance to fight or get others to safety. Imanu turns around to his family and checks them as they shield Kili. She's trying to peek over their father's arms to see what's happening.

"Iqadi, get out of here," Ororo orders. Her eyes turn white as she looks at the sky. Clouds rush in, darkening the Falls as winds pick up. "Take Imanu's family with you to safety."

"Mother-!" Iqadi yells.

Ororo grips Iqadi's arm hard and lightning strikes. Ororo holds Iqadi's arm up, forcing her daughter to look her right in the eye. Iqadi's hand goes limp for a second and she almost cowers under her mother in fear behind her building storm.

"You're the heir," Ororo says through gritted teeth. "Get out of here."

Iqadi doesn't respond. She takes back her hand and walks backwards towards Imanu and his family. Imanu takes her hand and she turns to look at him. Tears fall from her eyes and she tries to cover them up by turning her eyes white and adding fog to her mother's storm.

"Follow me," Iqadi says as she leads the way.

-o-

Iqadi made the forest foggy, walking ahead of Imanu's family. She tries to keep focused on getting them back to a safe room in the palace. Kili's chatting casually as if the ritual ended early and not under these circumstances. Her parents and Imanu try to get her to keep quiet even when she lowers her voice to a whisper, but Iqadi finds it comfortable.

"Princess!"

Iqadi raises her fists as Imanu's family circles behind her. She lowers her hands when Amaka, one of the Dora Milaje, walks out from behind the trees.

"Where are my parents?" Iqadi asks.

"Still at the Falls. We had to take care of a group a few yards down so I came to warn you," she responds.

Iqadi nods. "Take Imanu and his family."

Amaka nods as she runs with his parents and Kili, disappearing in the fog. Iqadi turns around and sees Imanu still with her.

"What are you doing?" Iqadi asks.

"Your mother ordered you to get to safety," Imanu says.

"My parents are out there," her voice shakes a little. "Imanu, my country - I need you."

"We all need you," he states.

Iqadi pauses, looking at him but her eyes flicker. She pushes Imanu to the ground as gunmen come out from the trees with weapons drawn. Iqadi's eyes whiten as she thrusts an arm out, sending winds so strong that trees crack at their trunks and topple over. Immediately, Iqadi grabs Imanu and they rush out.

"Iqadi-" Imanu starts.

"We should've gone with Amaka," Iqadi responds.

"Iqadi!"

She stops at the urgency of his voice, turning around to see him tearing off a darkened bloodstained sleeve. Her heart and stomach drop at the sight of a gunshot wound in his bicep. She hopes that wasn't the arm she was grabbing. Her vision blurs and her feet go light as her thoughts scramble.

Was he just shot or was it back at the Falls? How did she not notice? Did he know? Blood would've grown cold and stiffened the area on his sleeve as time passed, especially with the increased winds on her part. This is all her fault.

Imanu grunting as he rips his other sleeve with his bad arm grabs her attention. He's calm and focused, which she guesses comes from adrenaline and his mine experience, while her heart is pounding in her ears.

"We need to get you disinfectant and bandages," Iqadi states as she gently looks at the wound, "a towel to bite - here."

Iqadi offers her forearm. He looks up from wrapping his arm with his sleeve, eyeing her for a second before a small laugh escapes his grin.

"Maybe later," he says, winking at her.

Iqadi lowers her arm, cheeks burning as she refocuses. Imanu can't help but laugh to lighten the mood, even quickly kissing her temple.

"Dear," Imanu says as he finishes wrapping his bicep. He hands Iqadi the end of the cloth for her to tie.

"This is my fault," Iqadi says.

"You didn't ambush anyone."

"Imanu-"

"Look at me," he whispers and they instantly lock eyes, "you have a beautiful scar on your hairline. It's my favourite physical feature on you. It also means I can work under extreme and unsanitary conditions and still get immaculate results. I've handled worse, ergo your scar, and you're here this time which is always a benefit."

"You are not handling that," she orders.

He grins. "Yes, dear."

-o-

The moment they returned to the palace, Iqadi took control as her power with the Black Panther mantle stands in limbo. Imanu was taken in by doctors immediately where his parents were hovering over him in concern while Kili laughed and wanted to see the wound. While being tended to, he finally relaxed in his hospital bed when he learned that everything was handled and Iqadi's parents were back and well.

Imanu imagines that Iqadi is circling her parents, bombarding them. It's her way of exuding her nerves and alleviating herself, but he's heard her mother say she resembles a curious child.

He hears someone enter his hospital room and isn't sure how to feel when he sees King T'Challa. He looks the same as he would any other day, well polished as if there was never a ritual nor a chance when the country's future was in the air.

Imanu thought Iqadi would've seen him first.

"Who were you fighting?" King T'Challa asks, referring to the hospital.

"I had a small altercation with Iqadi while running here," Imanu responds.

"So she put you in a hospital bed?"

Imanu laughs a little. "Not in that sense."

Before he could continue, Iqadi walks in. She's changed into comfier clothes, probably at the request of her mother. Her hair is untamed, curls hanging in ringlets past her shoulders. She looks at her father, face remaining neutral but it softens when he pulls her close and kisses her forehead.

"You get some rest," King T'Challa orders before leaving him and Iqadi alone. "Both of you. Busy day tomorrow."

Iqadi turns and watches him go before facing Imanu again. She smiles a bit, plastered lips as she sits on the edge of his bed.

"How are you?" Iqadi asks softly.

"Fine," Imanu says, gesturing to his bandaged arm. "I can barely feel it. What was Kili up to after she left here?"

"She went to find my father and argue that if there was a food truck, the assailants would be too busy eating to attack," Iqadi says. "That's why he's in a good mood."

Imanu groans and Iqadi's eyes widen, darting to his bandage.

"No, no, I just hate how Kili's still thinking of food," he laughs a little, feeling Iqadi relax under his touch when he puts a hand on her arm. "And how it makes sense."

Iqadi laughs a little. "Maybe I'll arrange some food for next time. Give you something to bite on."

It takes Imanu a second but her snarky grin helps.

"Maybe later."