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 12
They've been caught completely unprepared. This has blindsided the pride, and not in a good way.
And what's worse is that Obasi knows it.
Obasi has made the serious and most grievous error of permitting his laziness to turn his supposed vigilance as the dominant male, into basically lax and nonexistent.
Everyone was on edge, so much antsier than they normally are. Even after the sun had set and the pride was anxiously waiting for Chigaru to return with his report, no one could relax.
Not until they have confirmation that these new foes are the fabled Outsiders.
Obasi is left scrambling to figure out what to do, thinking of outcomes and contingencies that hadn't been in the picture before.
All that's left is one single ultimatum.
But there's one thing on his mind that must be addressed. Something that he can't simply ignore.
After Eshe conversed with Taka, Obasi pulled him aside for a talk of their own.
One that cannot be avoided.
"No one can ever know you ran, that you ran from your mother. It never happened, Taka. Do you understand," said Obasi, emphatically.
"But I didn't know. I was just…I was just scared," said Taka, finding some way to explain his actions.
"It doesn't matter. We must protect the bloodline," stated Obasi, decisively.
"Protect them with a lie," said Taka, appalled. "Father, that's deceitful."
"Deceit is the tool of a great king. Taka, it's what kings must do," said Obasi, tone of voice laced with pain that shows he doesn't like the idea himself and yet feels like he has to use it as the leader.
"But I'm not a king. I'm just your son," said Taka, solemnly.
Obasi and Taka are prevented from discussing this any further thanks to Chigaru's sudden return.
"Obasi!"
"Chigaru," said Obasi, turning away from Taka and toward the direction where Chigaru was pelting into the camp at full speed.
"Obasi," called Chigaru.
"Chigaru, I'm here. What did you see," said Obasi.
"They're coming this way, Obasi. Two lions for every one of ours. Each one is bigger than the next. But none as mighty as Kiros, they're terrifying king," said Chigaru, justifiably frazzled after the cruelty he witnessed at the Outsiders camp.
Uneasy murmurs spread throughout the pride.
"Outsiders. The stories were all true," breathed Obasi, horrified, turning to his mate and son, resorting to the one safety measure left at their disposal. "I must protect the bloodline, Eshe. The future of this pride. Taka, you are that future."
"Future? Dad, what do you mean," said Taka, apprehensively.
"I'm sending you away. Far from here," declared Obasi, brokenheartedly, face strewn with agony. "You will leave and start a new life. A new beginning." Obasi then appears to reach a decision. "I need you to do with him, Mufasa. To pledge your loyalty. And you, Ashanti…to help Taka continue the bloodline. To be his queen."
Obasi kept his expression carefully neutral as he said this. Conceding the point that Eshe had been laying into him for so long with her repeated recommendation. All this time Obasi had fiercely objected to Taka and Ashanti ever being a match. But now with such peril before them, there is no other choice if he wants the bloodline to be preserved for the future.
This surprises many of them, but do not find it unexpected.
This entire ordeal is unprecedented, after all.
In face of this crisis, every single one of them must put on a strong and united front whether they're meant to live or die.
"A future that has already begun," said Eshe, a tough smug.
Obasi said "What do you mean, Eshe?"
In answer Eshe glances at Ashanti and the younger female instantly knows what Eshe wants from her.
To reveal her pregnancy right then and there in front of the whole prides presence.
Ashanti had initially wished to tell Taka the news herself in her own time, but these rapid changes in their circumstances have now forced her hand.
Consenting to this, Ashanti said "I have news to share."
"And what news is that" demanded Obasi, eyes slightly narrowing in suspicion.
Sucking in a breath and exhaling heavily in order to calm her anxious nerves, Ashanti said "I am carrying cubs…Taka's cubs."
A stunned silence follows as all are frozen in astoundment at this announcement.
Shaking himself out of his stupor first, rounding Ashanti so that they were face to face with each other, Taka said "Is…is it true?"
"Yes," said Ashanti, nodding.
"You're pregnant with my cubs," said Taka, looking wide-eyed at her stomach.
"Yes," said Ashanti, chuckling lightly.
"I'm going to be a father," said Taka, utterly mind-blown.
"Yes," said Ashanti, now laughing fully.
Taka laughs rubbing his face and neck against Ashanti as she returns the gesture.
Nudging Ashanti, Mufasa said "Congratulations, Sister."
Despite the situation, Ashanti purrs, her tail curling in joy upon Taka and Mufasa's joint reactions.
"Ashanti, you will stay by Taka's side always," said Obasi, showing enormous restraint in ignoring the major blow to his pride that this happened under his very nose. "Remain faithful to him no matter what obstacles you both face together."
Bowing her head as a gesture to solidify this solemn promise, Ashanti said "I will."
"Chigaru, how long do we have," asked Eshe.
"They'll arrive with the sunrise," said Chigaru, grimly bleak.
There isn't much time.
The sunrise emerges far sooner than any of them wanted it to.
The time to depart is upon Mufasa, Taka, and Ashanti.
As Ashanti is with Taka as he's spending every last possible second with Obasi, Mufasa and Eshe are speaking alone.
"Where will we go, Eshe? Without you, I have no home," said Mufasa, somberly.
"Mufasa, you, Taka, and Ashanti together. That…That is home is home," said Eshe, passionately.
"Eshe-," said Mufasa.
"Mufasa, look out there. Beyond the light. You know what I see? I see the place your mother told you about. A place beyond the river's end. Across the deepest canyon on the other side of the mountains. A place beyond the horizon itself. A pride land so green, so…perfect. That to see it is to see and feel…," said Eshe, wistfully.
"Milele," finished Mufasa.
"Yes, forever," said Eshe, warmly.
"My parents spoke of Milele often. My mother told me it was where we were going," said Mufasa, woefully.
"And don't you see, Mufasa? You must keep going. You must continue your journey toward the light," said Eshe, vehemently.
"Please, Eshe. I can't lose you," begged Mufasa.
"You have my love always, Mufasa. But your family is still out there waiting for you. I can feel their presence and I know you can, too. Go. Go, Mufasa. Find your way home," said Eshe, gently rubbing her head against Mufasa's, imbuing him with all her love and warmth.
Taka and Ashanti are now approaching.
"Mother, please forgive me. I beg you," pleaded Taka, terrified that his mother's last thought would be of him as a coward.
Taka's fears are unfounded.
"There's no need, My Love. Taka, your moment of courage will come," said Eshe, understandably, lovingly pressing her forehead to Taka's for the last time.
Eshe then goes to say goodbye to Ashanti.
Tears of heartache swelling in her eyes, Ashanti said "Can't you come with us?"
"Oh, Sweet One, I cannot. My place is here. Your place lies out there with Taka in a new start," said Eshe, softly, giving one final tender lick between Ashanti's eyes and rubbing her cheek against hers. "Never forget. You will always be my daughter."
Ashanti's breath hitches as tears of devastation escape her eyes.
There's one other farewell Eshe still must attend to.
Bringing her head close beside Ashanti's stomach, gingerly, Eshe said "Stay safe, Little One. You have so much to look forward to. So much potential."
"I wish you could be there to see them born. To see them grow," said Ashanti, tearfully.
"Oh, I will be. Just because you can't see me doesn't mean I won't be there with you every step of the way," said Eshe, softly. "Now the three of you go. Go and find your place in the Circle of Life."
Taka, Mufasa, and Ashanti head off into the long grass in the direction of the sunrise, the beacon representing their new beginning, not sparing a backward glance at what they're leaving behind at Eshe's request. No matter how much they want to, they cannot look back at the storm looming over their heads.
The trio hadn't gone far when booming roars are heard over the distance behind them. Mixed voices that are both friend and enemy reveal that battle has been joined.
These roars cause Taka to stop and look back at the way they came in dread and grief.
"We have to go. They'll be tracking us. Taka," said Mufasa, urgently.
"What if you're wrong? What if they're okay," said Taka in desperation.
"They live in you now, Taka," said Ashanti, pressing against Taka, reminding him of what else they have to lose should they remain too long, the jeopardy they're ensnared in. "You and our cubs."
"Follow me, Brother. We have to move. Together," said Mufasa, brokenly.
Moaning in heartbreak, Taka moves his paws letting Mufasa lead the way out of there toward a new life, to the unfamiliar.
Mufasa and Ashanti have already been in this exact same situation once before. They made it through then and they will again now.
But icy-hot foreboding chases at the three of them, tailing them closely.
There's no doubt that the Outsiders pursuing them are going to eventually catch up.
When that happens…Ashanti doesn't know what they'll do.
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.