Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Ashanti and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Ashanti: Peace Of Milele Chapter 7
Time went by as it always did with Ashanti and Mufasa settling and thriving in their new pride, becoming very well situated and established.
While the twins always held hope that one-day Mesago and Afia would one day find and reunite with them, the longer it went on the less of it they had much to their sorrow.
Eventually, Mufasa is resigned to never seeing their parents again. Closing off his heart to the very idea whenever it is mentioned so that he doesn't feel the hurt in his heart that he's trying to avoid. There are instances when he can catch a scent. It's barely a trace of the wind, but it smells like home. That's when the melancholy hits again before he pushes it away.
On the other hand, Ashanti handles it differently. It's far more difficult for her to push such thoughts aside than Mufasa. She can't help it. She often dreams about the past when the whole family was together happy and content. The visions are so powerful that they feel so real. Making them almost impossible to wash away. Because of all this, Ashanti has never once lost hope. There are moments when either Eshe, Mufasa, or Taka would sometimes find Ashanti by herself just staring off at the horizon in the direction whence she and Mufasa came, absentmindedly lost in thought. But they'd always pull her back until the next time this occurred.
Ashanti missed them so much. Unlike Mufasa, who ran away from the pain, Ashanti embraced it and sought to make herself the best she could be.
Ashanti had to for what has been intended for her.
Despite all of Obasi's efforts to keep Taka at arm's length from Ashanti and Mufasa, believing them to be terrible influences on his son and heir, he failed spectacularly.
As the seasons went by and the three of them grew older, Taka and Mufasa became as close as if they were really brothers by blood. However, being brothers by choice might've strengthened their bond even more than that. Always getting into trouble and pranking the other males including Obasi like there was no tomorrow.
For Ashanti and Mufasa the bond is entirely of a different class.
From the start, Eshe has always had a hunch that Ashanti might prove to be a good match for her son and made no secret of that fact. Where Obasi would be doing everything, he possibly could to keep the two youngsters separated, Eshe would be jostling them together and would always bear a satisfied expression on her face whenever she saw them interacting against Obasi's wishes.
When they were still cubs, Taka and Ashanti developed a very strong friendship. The two would sneak off alone together whenever the opportunity arose. As they grew up into adulthood, that friendship became something a whole lot more precious. Something no one could ever vanish from their souls.
Love.
When two souls are meant to be together, nothing can keep them apart.
Still trying to earn some favor from the dominant male wouldn't have hurt either. Even to this day, Obasi's rejection still stung in spite of Eshe's obvious acceptance of the twins. While still a cub, overcoming her initial dislike of Obasi, Ashanti would try to play with him. One time she even snuck up behind Obasi, jumped on his back and tried to chew on his ears as she used to do with Mesago. Let's just say that Obasi didn't take to that all too well. These days, Ashanti would take any chance she could get trying to prove her eligibility to Obasi, her common lion blood notwithstanding instead of intolerable. Some examples are trying to make herself into a good hunter to provide for pride and lend assistance whenever someone is injured.
But nothing has worked.
No matter what Ashanti did, it was never good enough. Obasi would always find some sort of fault to discredit what she'd done, easily brushing it aside. Leaving her very saddened and dejected.
But this one should do it.
Ashanti is at last ready for her very first hunt. Sure, she's had plenty of practice and lessons from Eshe and the other females, but that'll be her first solo.
A herd of impala had been spotted, and Ashanti had been sent out to corner her prey with the other females observing her technique closely.
Ashanti must choose her target carefully. Being reckless will only cause trouble and empty bellies.
Ashanti is crouched low to the ground, her tail kept still, and her paws are soundless as she carefully steps in spots that won't reveal her presence. Whenever the gazelle lifted their heads, Ashanti would lower hers to blend in with the grass. Slowly, Ashanti slinks closer and closer in preparation to pounce on her target. Just as she's about to launch into her solo assault on the gazelle herd a sudden movement catches her attention. A baby gazelle hidden where its mother had left it to graze had mistakenly shifted at exactly the wrong moment. It was a hell of a lot closer than a majority of the adults and a far easier catch.
Perfect.
Ashanti abruptly changes course, refocusing on the fawn. The wind is in perfect place. Ashanti is downwind and the fawn can't catch her scent.
The time has come.
Ashanti stiffens her legs and when the faun's head is turned away, she pounces. The Impala scatter. In the commotion the gazelle faun is left no time to react. Quick as a flash, Ashanti is on the fawn, digging her teeth into its neck and killing it instantly. The faun goes limp, lifeless in her teeth.
Ashanti raises her head, thanking her ancestors for this food.
The hunt is now done and over with Eshe and her entourage emerge to meet her.
Proudly, eyeing the catch, Eshe said: "Oh, well done, Ashanti."
Placing the kill on the ground, Ashanti said "Thank you, Eshe."
Another one of the females nudges Ashanti's prize.
"Not bad for a first hunt. Still small though. We'll have to go out again later," she said.
"That won't be a problem. I need to give Mufasa a separate hunting lesson later anyhow," said Eshe, beckoning Ashanti with her head. "Come. Let's show Mufasa, Taka, Mufasa, and the others what you've caught."
Barely containing her excitement and joy at this accomplishment, Ashanti picks up her gazelle and follows the rest to the shade tree.
As the group near it, they catch raised voices over the wind.
It's soon made apparent what it is.
It's Obasi and he's furious over something Mufasa and Taka have done.
As Ashanti emerges from the long grass, she sees Chigaru in the shade tree branches, the other males taking cover in the roots, and Obasi bristling in front of Mufasa and Taka.
"This stray is forbidden to be near the shade tree," proclaimed Obasi.
Shrugging off his father's anger, smiling in an easygoing manner, Taka said "Mufasa and I were just playing."
"You two will never be brothers," said Obasi, fuming.
Oh, boy. What have the devil have they done now to get Obasi this angry?
Authors Note:
Do you think that Ashanti should be pregnant with Nuka on the journey to Milele or after the battle is won?
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.
So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.
I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.