Chapter 1
It has been five years since the alliance between Wakanda and Talokan solidified. The Wakandans and the Talokanils, are on the most part living in harmony. The interactions have produced inter marriages, as well as babies from the couplings. Some Wakandans, as well as Talokanils; make frequent visits or live among each other.
After the battle on the ship; and the treaty being prepared, Okoye left to see what more was out there for her to explore. With those years gone; she came home to a diverse Wakanda. She was quite aware of Princess Shuri handing the throne, and ruler ship; over to M'Baku. This left her the freedom, to focus on being the Black Panther; the protector of Wakanda. And her continuance in being the brilliant scientist, she has always strived to be.
Okoye had taken a commercial flight from wherever she had gone. Then drove to a secluded and private landing field, owned by Wakanda. There a jet was sent to airlift her home. Shuri was ecstatic, when her kimoyo beads lit up, sending a vibration; alerting her, she had a call, then the familiar voice came through.
“Hello, Shuri? I’m coming home,” Okoye’s proclamation was like music to her ears. She had missed her big sister with so much going on. With changes, its still nice to have some things stay the same. So, Shuri personally flew in to bring Okoye home.
Shuri landed the jet and rushed down the ramp, into the arms of her dear ex-general of the Dora Milaje, and now a Midnight Angel. There were so much she wanted to talk to her about. But all that can wait; all she wanted is to be held, as no one has been able to, with such love and adoration. With T'Challa and Ramonda gone, life has taken it’s toll. But with her Okoye back home, she can breakdown; and allow all her emotions to overflow.
“Now, tell me little sista, how are you really?” Okoye pulled her slightly back, leaving a few inches betwixt them, and stared her in the tear-filled eyes. She broke with the question.
“It’s hard Okoye,” she confessed. “All of them are gone, and only I am left.”
“I know it’s not the same as having your blood family,” Okoye took her thumb and wiped a fallen tear from Shuri's cheek. “But I was around when your mother first announced she was pregnant. I was around when you were born, and I have been around; when so much tragedy has plagued you these many years. I am back to stay, and to implant myself wherever I am needed the most.”
“Thank you, Okoye,” Shuri snuggled into her, receiving the closest thing to having her mother holding her.
Okoye’s thoughts traveled back into time, and to the last time she saw Queen Mother alive, and her being demoted. She thought, there would be more time; for them to repair the strife that had caused them distance. But that wouldn’t be; as fate would have it. Her failed attempt to resuscitation the fallen Queen, cancelled that hope. Yes, as bad as she felt; Shuri’s pain was much more powerful.
“Come,” she broke her train of thought, and their embrace. “It’s time to go home.” Shuri looked at her and started to laugh. “What?” Okoye confused with this reaction.
“You’ll see,” Shuri started towards the jet, helping Okoye load her luggage. All Okoye could think of, what the hell have they done?
“General,” M'Baku called out to her, meeting them after the landing. He gave her a big hug, nearly squeezing the breath from her lungs. “It is good to see your return.”
“King M'Baku,” she managed to breathe out, as he released her. “It is pleasant to be back home,” she admitted. The world has many beautiful places, and amazing things; but none can compare to Wakanda, her true home.
Shuri had Okoye's house maintained, upon hopes; she would some day, decide home is where she should be. This was that day. They used one of the land rovers, and made their journey out the city, and to the border tribe's section of Wakanda.
They drove out of the Capitol, and into the opened province of the border tribe. Okoye became overwhelmed, reminiscing of the good, the bad, and the ugliness; that had tried to discolored the love she had for their countryside, and the tribe she is so proud to be a part of.
Her giant rhinos; she inherited from W'Kabi when he was exiled, and imprisoned, picked up her scent, and begun to run next to the vehicle. Okoye shouted warm greetings, satisfied with her acknowledgment of them, they stopped chasing, and went back to grazing in the grass. She will walk amongst them later.
Finally, they arrived at Okoye’s stretch of land, and pulled up in front of her house, and parked. She sat in the vehicle for some time, then turned to look over the wide fields and meadows, the trees and shrubbery, the mountains casting a background for the border countryside. She always felt; out of all the provinces of Wakanda, none could compare; to the beauty of the border tribe's bucolic.
She left the land rover, and looked at her house and garden, admiring how well kept they were. She slowly walked upon the porch, and took in a deep breath; not knowing what to expect or how emotionally it will hit her, once she entered.
She gradually opened the door, stepping into her home; for the first time in many years. She was quite surprised; it didn’t have the appearance of a home being vacant for so long. She set her luggage down and turned to a quiet Shuri. Who had elected to do so, to allowi Okoye the time to settle in; both in body and mind.
“I tried to make sure it was maintained until your return,” she set the remaining of Okoye’s baggage on the floor. Okoye smiled, as she nodded her approval.
“Being here now, makes me realize; my decision to return was the right one,” she walked to Shuri, embracing her once again, assuring herself; she was truly home.
“You won’t get any argument from me,” she tightened her arms about her big sister, she had solely missed. Okoye broke the moment, backing away, and looking at the young woman, Shuri had to become; in quick time.
“I will make us something to eat, then we can sit on the porch, dine and get me caught up on the happenings,” Okoye, suggested. “I mean unless there is some place you have to be.” Shuri laughed.
“No, Okoye,” she said. “There is no place I rather be.” Okoye went into the kitchen to see what was there to prepare for a meal, and was astonished; with the stocked supplies in the cupboards. She suspected it was Shuri's doings. While Okoye was busy getting dinner ready, Shuri took the liberty to take her belongings to her room. It was good to have her home.
During the alliance, many unlikely friendships were created. Though, the two rulers were not one of them, M'Baku and the Talokanil General, Attuma; strange enough it became to be. M'Baku sat in his study reading a book, when a knock at the door sounded. Annoyed from the disturbance of his quiet time, caused him to snap at the intruder.
“Come in,” he yelled. Attuma opened door and came through, unmoved by the tone in his voice.
“Hello King M'Baku,” he addressed him, which irritated M’Baku; since he has repeatedly asked him not to refer to him as King. He thought, M’Baku would be good enough, between two friends. He felt Attuma did it purposely to get under his skin. He has this dark humor about himself, that not many get to see.
“What can I do for you, my blue general?” He bookmarked his place, and laid the book down on his desk.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he sat in a chair, huffing. M'Baku stared at him, and knew exactly what was his problem. The Women of Wakanda, and the pursuit of them. He has dated a few of them, but none seem to hold his interest, due to his warrior expectations.
“Ok, don’t,” M’Baku told him. Attuma gave him a look.
“You do not care what is bothering me?” He asked.
“I know, what’s bothering you,” he told him. “These Wakandan women, a little too much for you, or not enough for you. Maybe you should think about going home, and picking from Talokan.”
“I already know I can’t choose from them. It’s like dating my own family.” He stated, which made M’Baku make a ‘WTH,’ face.
“Wait a minute, Attuma,” he came from behind his desk, and sat in a chair near him. “They aren’t your relatives, you do realize that, right?”
“I know they aren’t, but tell that to my heart,” he looked at him, in earnest. M'Baku frowned, from confusion. “The older ones are like mothers and aunts; the ones my age are like sisters and cousins; then the younger ones are like my children. It’s not a Talokan thing, it’s just me, and how I perceive things.”
“I see,” M’Baku replied, but not really getting his frame of mind.
“I am one of the ones who’s trained to protect them. I never see them as a possible love connection. Only as citizens of Talokan.” He explained.
“Oh, now I think I’m getting it,” M’Baku exclaimed. “So, you have no problem with the Wakandan women?”
“No, not at all. In fact, they are lively and I like it,” he confessed. “But as much fun I have on my dates, I keep getting a feeling; there is something missing. I know there is more for me out there, do you understand? “
“I think I do,” he told him. “And this is why, I am going to help you find your more.”
“You mean that?” Attuma brighten up for the first time since he entered the room. “You are a true ‘Etail'(friend).” M’Baku had studied the language of the Talokanils, and Attuma had studied the language of the Wakandans. So, at times they would practice on each other.
“Kwaye nawe, mhlobo wam,” (And you also, my friend). M'Baku replied.