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 13
By the time night fell again, Mufasa, Taka, and Ashanti had made a considerable distance between them and the Outsiders. Unfortunately, there's nothing to celebrate in these grave circumstances laid out before them.
Once again Ashanti and Mufasa have been turned into wayward travelers searching for a home elsewhere. Lost and forlorn with no clear path on where to go.
The twins may already be used to such drastic changes, but Taka isn't, and it's hitting him hard. It's difficult for Taka not to blame himself when he feels like he could've done more instead of just running away like they did.
Their once happy and carefree existence is snatched away by the cruel paw of a monster, a sharp contrast to the harsh conditions they're facing now, along with the monster that is deadest on pursuing them even now, shoving aside any resistance.
There's no doubt that the Outsiders will catch up to them easily even with the time that had been allotted to them.
This doesn't leave much time to rest and replenish themselves, but the three of them do need to take it. Other than the scraps Ashanti had the day before none of them had anything to eat and no one really slept last evening out of fear of what was coming.
Mufasa especially doesn't want to have them stop, but they need to otherwise they won't have enough strength just in case there's a confrontation.
Anything else is irrelevant.
However certain details and other lions that were a big part of their lives they cannot push aside.
An agonizing ache pierces Ashanti's chest when her thoughts turn to Eshe, her surrogate mother.
Just yesterday, Eshe had been a pinnacle and important part of all their lives and now just like her and Mufasa's birth mother, she has faded into memory.
And just when Ashanti is about to become a mother herself. Ashanti always thought that Eshe would be right there by her side whenever this occurred to lend comfort, support, and most importantly of all guidance.
The reality of the truth hurts so badly that Ashanti doesn't know how to rid herself of this pain.
It'll certainly be weighing on her peace of mind for a while.
It's what prevents Ashanti from sleeping as long as the boys do with this weighing so heavily on her mind.
After only a couple of hours, Ashanti wakes up to find Mufasa and Taka still locked in deep slumber.
Mufasa is laid out symmetrical on one side and Taka…Well, Taka is sprawled out with his head pillowed on the exact spot where the cubs should be.
Watching her mate sleep, Ashanti suspects that the main reason why Taka hasn't given in to the flood of grief undeniably going through him right away is that he has something else to focus on to cope.
Already, Taka is proving to be equally as eager for the coming of this baby as she is. This is why, Taka wants to find a safe place to raise this little one where no Outsider can reach them.
What a gift that would be.
That's why finding Milele is so important.
It's just as much as getting enough rest.
The boys can do with a little more time. So, Ashanti is extra careful when slipping out from under and around them to make sure they don't wake up prematurely.
Moving a little aways from them, Ashanti reflects on all that's happened to them on the last day. Ashanti's body is weighed down heavily in sorrow with each face that flashes through her mind, knowing that this person is now deceased.
They didn't always get along with some of them, but the hurt is still there.
None more so than Eshe.
The loving foster mother loved and took care of all of them so earnestly and reverently.
In order to get past this, Ashanti must resort to reminding herself that Eshe and the others are in a better place now watching over them. A place where any exterior threat like the Outsiders can't reach or hurt them anymore.
Peering up into the glistening stars above, Ashanti can picture Ashanti's wise and soft face looking back at her.
Seeing Eshe's image staring back at her in the stars, Ashanti feels her heart clench with devastating shards of pain piercing it, and tears building at the corners of her eyes.
Ashanti so badly wishes Eshe was here to guide their paw steps with her love and wisdom.
Eshe wouldn't want any of them to be lost in constant grief and despair over her passing. If she were here, Eshe would tell them to push on until they reach paradise.
Milele.
The place where peace, prosperity, and dreams come true.
"Milele awaits…"
That's not Eshe's voice, which Ashanti thinks she hears.
No. That is Masego's.
Snapping her head around, eyes wide, Ashanti breathed "Father…?"
Ashanti isn't imagining things. Ashanti is absolutely certain that she just heard Masego speaking to her.
This is an assumption that is reinforced when Masego's scent reaches her nostrils.
It is Masego. But how?
A soft breeze shifts through the air, carrying leaves and grass in one specific direction.
It then hits Ashanti about what's going on here.
Masego is speaking to Ashanti through spirit to provide valuable hints in telling Ashanti where they need to go to find Milele.
She, Mufasa, and Taka aren't alone in this.
Speaking of which…
Footsteps coming from behind notify Ashanti that she's no longer the only one awake.
Mufasa and Taka had risen to join her.
"We have to get moving," said Mufasa.
Nodding, Ashanti said, "I think I know the way we need to go."
Time is of the essence. Not something they can afford to waste.
Authors Note:
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.