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Hello, my lovelies. In case anyone is still reading, thank you. Thank you for your patience.
I will be updating and finishing this story soon. Life happens, but so does creativity and art. Love you guys,
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Riri's face fell, her body stiffened. The events of that day purging from the corners of her mind. Sounds of a scene of dread and death played in her head. She was never one for showing emotion, yet the events of that day pulled at the rusty chains encompassing her heart.
"Ri, breathe for me." Shuri softly pleaded with the younger woman.
Riri inhaled deeply and exhaled.
"I'm okay." Riri responded shakingly.
The look Riri gave Shuri was the closest thing to anger the latter had experienced from her lover. Even more so than their initial meeting.
"You know why," Shuri said.
"Besides, this is hard for me too. They were my family." Shuri's emphasis on the 'my' caused Riri to be hit with a pang of guilt. While she was caught up in her own trauma she had not even thought of how hard this was for Shuri. No matter, the tone, which Riri dismissed, she still had to be there for her girlfriend.
"I know, and I-I'm sorry." Riri said, looking down as she fiddled with her thumbs.
"But to further answer your question. Our alliance is existing , at best. Any lack of communication could lead to distrust. Also, there's too broad of an area to cover. I hate this just as much as you do, if not more."
Riri heard the anger hiding behind the pain in Shuri's voice. She closed the space between them. Laying her head on the taller woman's chest, she began to rub Shuri's back. Unexpectedly, Shuri broke down. Tears pouring down her cheeks, falling onto her top, surrounding Riri's face.
Riri held onto her tighter, trying to hold back her own tears.
"I promise I'm just as hurt as you." Shuri words struggled through softened sobs.
"-But," she began, " I have to do this. We have to do this. If this was ever just about me, I'd have hunted down every single-"
"I- I know." Riri words dissipated into the void of a space. The two held each other for what seemed like an eternity. Although, it only lasted moments. Words were not needed in this moment. Upholding their responsibilities to their people, to the living, was the only way to honor those who had passed on.
"And we'll do it together." Shuri said as she searched for the warmth and safety they always provided. Satisfied, her eyes then found their next target. Gently, she took Riri's face into her hand, slowly stroking her cheek. All the while, Riri's eyes never leaving Shuri's. Needing more, Shuri lowered her lips until they found their home on Riri's. They both took in the moment as they took in each other. Knowing the risks the near future held , moments like this were valuable.
Ending the kiss, Riri broke the quietness first.
"We still have a lot of work to do. The coronation is right around the corner."
"I know, love. Speaking of, we have to get ready for tonight. I still have some things to get ready."
"And I still have a few things to tweak on the I-SPY."
"I'm going to go touch base with everyone. We'll have to meet back here in a few hours for the briefing."
"Hmm. One more kiss and then we can go back to being Super Heros?"
Shuri placed a kiss on Riri's lips.
One last moment before they went back to their chaos. One more moment of normalcy.
Shuri knew things would inevitably find normalcy for the members of her Kingdom. That did not cause her worry in this moment. What did, was the thought of bringing Wakanda into a new age, successfully. The thought of life after the threat of the council had been banished. The thought of their lives after. How would Riri adjust to being a leader? Hell, how would she adjust to leading a new age of Wakanda.
"Babe, come back. Whatever it is you're thinking, we'll get through it together." Riri had sensed her love's mind working overtime, a habit Riri wish she could break but also keep. Riri knew overthinking made Shuri detailed, precise, and logical. She also knew it made her doubt herself. And Riri would never let her do that knowingly.
Shuri placed a kiss on her forehead and offered a whispered "Thank you."
"Always. Now, let's get a move on. We've got a big next few days, weeks. Who knows." Riri let out a slight chuckle to lighten the mood.
"Fine. Come on Iron Heart."
"After you, Black Panther."
The two made their way to their perspective sections. Riri in the lab, Shuri off contacting various scientists and warriors and making last minute adjustments. A kindred quietness before the storm.
The afternoon had passed quicker than any party involved had liked. The sun barely sat on the horizon, slowly disappearing into the coming night. Shuri stood outside M'Bakus mountain. Watching the setting sun as she grappled with her emotions.She recalled her brief, but important conversation just hours before with Namor.
Shuri hovered over the communication device. Pondering if she had relinquished enough hate in her heart to logically proceed. Eventually, she decided to call the abhorred leader.
"Ah, I was not tbis expecting call so soon. Nor did I think I was deserving of such."
"All those things were true until now. As much as I would love to converse about that, there are more pressing matters at hand."
"I will advise and help in whatever way you deem necessary."
'Damn he's making it hard to be rightfully pissed.' Shuri thought before she continued.
"I appreciate your remorseful attitude, but all of that can be discussed at a later date. I've called you to discuss an issue. Unbeknownst to me until a short while ago, there has been insider selling of vibranium goods and other weaponry to outsiders and unauthorized buyers. I can take you did not know of this?"
Shuri watched as Namor's face fell.
"No, I did not. While we take precautions to be aware of such uses of vital resources, I knew nothing. I swear to you. And in the event any one of my people had anything to do with this, I will gladly hand them over to you to deal with as you see fit."
"Thank you for your cooperation. We are dealing with other issues at this moment. And I'm sure we will be discussing this further in the coming weeks. I just wanted to warn you. Although, I do not owe you anything."
"You're correct. You owe me nothing. What I took from you, who, I took from you, is something I can never repay you for. I will launch an internal investigation immediately and help in any other say I can to locate these items. Shuri, I can not say this enough, I'm sorry. And those words will never be enough. But I- I'm just, my actions were irreprehensible. My nations actions. Through my destruction, I hope you find peace."
Shuri was taken aback. She was unsure of how to process all of this. And now wasn't the time to anyways.
"Thank you, Namor. We will talk more soon."And with that Shuri ended the call.
Shuri gathered herself before she entered the cave. She had decided this would be far safer than meeting with everyone in the lab. The last few guests were already inside. Many attendants had made their way via tunnels and other discreet passages; their secrecy their weapon. Wakanda's Black Panther looked over the land, across the kingdom, past the rivers, lakes, and ocean. She looked beyond it all. Yet, what she was searching for wouldn't be found today. Or hopefully anytime soon. Even though Shuri never laid her eyes on her subjects, she spoke directly to them.
"Mama, brother, Baba,-" She started,
"I hope what I'm doing is right. I ho-"
Tears burned through her throat and began to spill,
"I hope what I'm doing will honor you. Mama, Baba, please, guide me. Brother, protect me, please." Shuri let out in a hushed weep. She let the tears escape as she took one last deep and calming breath. She turned to leave but stopped short just of the entrance; taking in one last look at the kingdom she was willing to die for to defend. Every step she took grew heavier than the last; each step bringing her closer to her ever changing destiny.
Muted light crept along the caverned walls. The cool air, thick with the tension of the soon coming meeting. Riri, sat next to Ayo, made a mental note of everyone in attendance. A couple dozen warriors outside of M'baku's men. A few of Shuri's most trusted scientists and of course the Dora Milaje. Had she not been in their presence before, Riri would have been unnerved. The sheer energy of some of the most powerful beings on the planet still left the young hero in awe most times. Today was no different. She turned to Ayo who gave her a reassuring smile. She scanned the room again, looking for one person in particular. Shuri. Just as she was about to ask Ayo if she had seen her, the sound of approaching footsteps began to reverberating around the room. Instinctively, every person in the room rose, parting way for their sacred warrior and leader. Their arms crossing their chests, giving honor to Black Panther. Riri watched as Shuri continued to cross the floor. Their eyes meeting for a brief moment as Shuri made her way to the center of the room. Riri would never get tired of watching Shuri transform from her dutiful lover, to a regal leader.
"Welcome." Shuri began pulling Riri out of her thoughts.
"Let's begin. I'm sure everyone here has heard bits and pieces of our current situation. And as time is of the essence I'd like to be direct." Shuri exhaled as she looked across the room before continuing,
"The elders in which we have so honorably relied on, have betrayed us. We've gathered evidence they have been selling our weapons, Wakandan property, to the outside world." A mic of gasps and shocked reverberated thru the room.
"There is also a plot to assassinate me."
This time there were no audible sounds, put a silence that spoke much louder.
"If you are in this room it is because you are trusted. And I do hope we can continue to trust you all after tonight." Shuri looked around the room once again searching for any faces of doubt.
"Now, myself, along with M'baku, Nakia, Akoye, And Riri have been working to come up with a solution. You all have been picked to play a special role in this battle. A part in the solution."
Shuri continued to explain the plan the others had gone over meticulously. With the coronation being in two days their team had to act fast. The first part of their plan would be enacted tonight. The Dora Milaje would place Riri's devices secretly into the rooms of the council members. The intel collected would then be streamed onto every device with a screen across Wakanda during M'baku's coronation. As for the assassin, M'baku's warriors along with the Dora Milaje would be carefully surveying the area. No questions were asked until Shuri bought up the last subject.
Shuri had given it much thought and gave her best response. " After. We-" Shuri took a deep breath. "We rebuild. We start again under a new regime. One that has been picked and lead by the people and the ancestors' choice."
"And before we all go our separate ways. There is one more topic I need to discuss with everyone." Shuri cleared her throat before continuing.
"I know this next subject is one that can bring about painful memories, but it is a decision I made that would be in the best interest of our great Nation. And if this is the beginning of my new reign as your leader and Black Panther, I would like to be as transparent as possible. We all know why we are here. Our current government and council has lead us astray, bartering guns and other items sacred to our homeland. Vibranium being at the top of that list. And we are all aware of its improper use for destruction. While I have appointed a team to deal with that, we still have to warn others as well as possibly talk with others we may consider an enemy. Today, I spoke with Namor."
Shuri paused to gauge the reaction of her people.The few unpleased faces among the crowd did not outnumber the neutral ones.
"I know our country and people's history all too well, but a path of progress can not be forged if we do not attempt ally ship. I am just as hurt and displeased to do this as everyone. I do not want to proceed in a way that displeases you or dishonors our ancestors' memories, but this was essential. If you think I am disrespecting you, your elders and council did so first."
Shuri stopped after the last statement and was about to continue before she was interrupted.
"FOR WAKANDA!" One of M'bakus warriors projected througj the crowd. A combination of barking and sacred tongues rang out through the cave.
Shuri watched with pride as she waited for the noise to die down.
"Now, everyone has work to do. FOR WAKANDA!" Shuri lead the room in another chant of their honored nation. As the noise died down and members began to scatter, Akoye approached her.
"Shuri, we will leave shortly to start our mission. I can presume you are heading to your lab?"
"Yes there are still a few things I need to get sorted out. More than likely I will be all night. Keeping our security detail company and reviewing the footage from your implantable I-SPY's should take up enough of my time."
"Well, do not over work yourself. A tired panther is almost useless." Akoye gave a wink and turned before Shuri could respond.
"Hey, there." The sultriness of Riri's voice calmed most of the nerves Shuri had acquired over the night.
"My love." Shuri cooed back, as she wrapped the smaller woman in her embrace, placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Are you ready to head back to the lab?"
"Yea, I think so." Shuri said as she scanned the room. The only people left being M'baku and a couple of his warriors.
"You didn't think I was letting you stay up all night, alone did you?"
"Don't even. You know how you emotional you get before a mission. And then all tense after because you've been holding it all in."
Shuri briefly opened her mouth, quickly closing it. A small smile found her face.
Times like this reassured her that her ancestors knew what lie ahead and gave her Riri.
"Thank you, my love. Shall we?" Shuri responded as she held out her arm leading the way to her lab.
Shuri felt all the fears and anticipation of the past couple of years lead up to this point. She was certain, her family were watching over her. That she was divinely guided in the mission that lie ahead.
As they stepped into the cool night air, she stopped for a moment and looked at the starry night sky. One day she knew she would be up there, with them. Her ancestors. Until that time though, she would fight until her last breath to protect what they built and the love she had found.
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