Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Willow and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Born To Lead Chapter 19
That night the mood during the evening meal was a somber one.
The fight at the dam that broke out between Koba and Willow had shaken the tribe to the core, even to those who weren't actually there to witness it.
Koba was partaking in dinner separately from everyone else, his only companions Grey and Stone. No other ape would sit anywhere near them.
What Koba did was unconscionable, but what occurred afterward was far worse.
The entire ride back Willow had stared at the blood on her hands in horror, barely able to make sense of what happened. Koba and Willow had spared before, but it was only for a spot in training. Her actions were out of character. Willow would rather wash her hands of conflict than dirty them with it.
On the ride back Willow kept her head humbly lowered. She feared that when she looked at her father, he'd be ashamed and disappointed in her. To the contrary, though he may not have approved of her methods of handling the situation he was proud of her for stepping up to the plate to defend not just his honor but also their whole families.
The moment the troop returned Caesar went to check on Cornelia's condition while Willow immediately went to the watering hole intent on cleaning the blood off of her hands. So occupied with her task Willow was oblivious to the figure bulldozing towards her from behind until she was pushed into the water.
Sputtering in indignation Willow sat up shaking the water from her eyes. Assuming it was Ash or Lake having some fun with her she grinned pleasantly hooting. But when she lifted her arms to splash whoever it was in retaliation a frown replaced that grin. Blue Eyes was looming over her, darkness covered his features. It shocked Willow to see how much her twin resembled Koba instead of their own father.
Stepping out of the watering hole, meekly, Willow signed "What'd you do that for?"
"You shouldn't have attacked Koba, Willow," signed Blue Eyes, grunting.
"That's what's bothering you," signed Willow. "Brother, I had no choice. Koba was disrespecting Father, disrespecting us. Koba needed to be taught a lesson. Surely you must see that."
"No, I don't," signed Blue Eyes.
"Don't tell me you actually believe what Koba was saying," signed Willow, eyes wide in disbelief, his opinion on where he stood registering with her.
Nodding, arms crossed, Blue Eyes signed "What do you expect, Willow? Father allowed the humans to stay after one of them tried to kill us! The same one you tried to heal! Koba's right! Father does love the humans more than us!"
"That's not true," disagreed Willow, empathetically."He loves us all. Down to the last child."
Scoffing, and rolling his eyes, Blue Eyes signed "Yeah, you would say that."
"What's that supposed to mean," demanded Willow, brow furrowed.
The twins were so engrossed in this dispute they failed to see they'd subconsciously started to slowly circle each other. Their argument had drawn a heavy crowd. The tribe was warily watching them from the sidelines to give the siblings some space. Many of them recognized the signs working their way to a confrontation leading to physical violence.
Feeling things were about to escalate Maurice discreetly climbed into the oak tree to get Caesar before it was too late.
"Cut the crap, Willow," exclaimed Blue Eyes, irritated. "I know you've heard the rumors. Everyone talks about how you're father's favorite."
"Brother, Father has no favorite," signed Willow, exasperatedly.
Ignoring his sister's statement, Blue Eyes continued "That's not all. I've caught them saying that you should be the next leader instead of me after Father."
Willow swung her head to stare blankly at the tribe. Uncomfortable they all expertly avoided looking at her enraged visage proving this to be true.
Exasperated, Willow signed "That's ridiculous. You're supposed to be the next alpha. I never wanted the role."
Disdainful, Blue Eyes countered"You sure don't act like it with how hard you train, all you've accomplished, and how much better you are at everything."
Passionately, Willow signed "I put so much effort into training because I'm doing it for him. To be better equipped to advice you when you're leader, to better serve you and the Colony."
Snarling, Blue Eyes spat "I don't believe you. Let's settle this once and for all. Finally, decide who is the better heir to Caesar."
His stare was furtive and challenging.
Calm and collective, shrugging, Willow signed "Believe what you want, but it's the truth. You are my brother and I love you. I won't fight you. Not over this."
She then turned her back to him to walk away.
Willow's dismissive demeanor infuriated Blue Eyes more, sharpening his fury, and getting his blood boiling. Teeth bared Blue Eyes screeched launching himself at Willow. Gasping Willow spun to meet him, but there wasn't time to dodge. Upon impact, the twins collapsed on the ground in a heap of tangled limbs. The instant Blue Eyes made contact he was relentless in his onslaught. He tore at her with nails, teeth, and fists. All Willow was able to do was block as many of his blows as possible as they rolled in the dirt. Apes that found themselves in the crossfire got out of crossfire range.
"Father cannot help you in this fight, Sister," seethed Blue Eyes, having managed to pin her down.
"That's the difference between us, Blue Eyes," signed Willow with conviction. "I don't need him too."
As she said this Willow looked at the claw marks on her brother's chest.
This reminder of his failures infuriated Blue Eyes. It nearly threw him off the deep end and he began hitting her over and over again.
The whole time Willow didn't fight back. Sticking true to her morals Willow simply took the beating as it came, resilient.
Horrified onlookers could no longer just stand by doing nothing.
It literally took both Luca and Rocket to pull Blue Eyes off of Willow. She remained curled in a defensive fetal position on the ground Ash crouched protectively over his love.
When Blue Eyes was secure Rocket let go and Luca took to restraining the youngster by his arms alone.
Blue Eyes resisted them straining against Luca's iron grip towards Willow.
"Enough," bellowed Caesar, outraged, emerging out of the family tree with Maurice.
The twins froze breathing heavily from the brutality of their fight. Blue Eyes aimed a glare at Caesar in disgust and then refocused on Willow. The heat of that burning glare heightened when Ash assisted Willow to her feet leading the sore and bruised female away to get whatever new injuries she sustained checked over.
Snarling Blue Eyes shook Luca off of him, shoving the crowd aside as he went past. Some apes moved to intercept the prince. Caesar signaled for them to let him go and they did.
Here and now Willow was seated with Ash, Rocket, and Tinker. Understandably preferring their company tonight instead of her own family.
Blue Eyes was eating in the middle of his father and Maurice. At present Caesar was disciplining his boy, scolding him over his sister's rough treatment.
"You are my son," reprimanded Caesar, sternly. "I need you to listen."
Resentfully Blue Eyes threw his bowl of fruit into the dirt. Disregarding his father, Blue Eyes stalked away and jumped down to the fire pit. Everything Caesar wanted to get Blue Eyes to recognize went through one ear and out the other. Caesar went to go after him, but Maurice held an arm in front of his friend.
Rumbling softly, Maurice signed "Blue Eyes has a lot on his mind. We must give him time to find his destiny and he must do so alone."
Caesar sighed, nodding, but his eyes revealed his immense frustration. He desperately desired to guide Blue Eyes on the right path. Especially now since Blue Eyes so viscously assaulted his twin making Caesar reevaluate the future. He was running out of options, none of them good. If Blue Eyes didn't clean up his act soon, he'd force Caesar's hand.
Willow worriedly surveyed her brother. Then came some distress, words so careless. Sitting there she doesn't know what to do. Feeling so helpless, she can't make it hurt less.
Authors Note:
I got to tell you. I wrote this and even I didn't see this coming.