The Eternal Avenger

Chapter Thirty-Two: Reunion

(Natasha's POV)

Prince T'Challa met me at the landing pad when the jet settled down on Wakandan soil. I shook his hand cautiously, allowing him to broach the subject in his own way. "It's good to see you again, Agent Romanoff," he began. I nodded my head and smiled in return.

"What's going on?" I looked around, expecting to see Claray. The almost-king sighed.

"She's really weak still," he said slowly. I spun on him, my frown deepening.

"What did you do to her? I thought she'd be safer with you!" I spit at him, angrily. He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"We did nothing to her, Ms. Romanoff. Claray did something for us." The anger left my body in a whoosh, quickly replaced with worry. A young woman approached, her smile doing a decent job of reducing the tension.

"Natasha!" She called, walking up to me and putting a friendly arm around me shoulder. I looked at her incredulously and she pulled back, but only slightly. "I'm sorry, Claray talks about you so much that I felt as though I already knew you," she spoke shyly now, but the tinge of excitement was still evident underneath. I smiled at her reassuringly. "I'm T'Challa's younger sister, Shuri," she smiled, extending her hand, attempting to start over.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, princess," I smiled in return, quirking my eyebrows as her eyes rolled at the name.

"Both of you, now?" She groaned. I could only imagine what she was referring to. "Follow me, please. I'll take you to her." I nodded and followed after the young woman into the palace. When we approached a room in what appeared to be the residential wing, Shuri knocked softly. A voice I didn't recognize answered from inside.

"Ngena." Shuri opened the door, gesturing me inside. Claray was laying in bed, looking – if possible – even more pale. A young woman dressed like one of the prince's female guards was perched gracefully on the edge of the bed, her hand resting on top of Claray's. I frowned, confused.

"Ndizokubona ngelinye ixesha" Claray whispered to the woman, who nodded and stood. I recognized her. She had been one of the prince's guards in Berlin. She looked me over, and as I gazed up at the tall, silent, stunning, figure, I saw the faint glow of red behind her deep, brown eyes. My eyes widened, but before I could say anything, Claray was grinning up at me, beckoning me closer. I approached the bed and she grabbed me, pulling me down next to her, nuzzling into my neck. "I've missed you, Tasha." She whispered. Shuri looked at us excitedly, but the other woman grabbed the princess by the arm and led her out of the room, shutting the door gently behind them.

"What's going on?" I asked, staring down at Claray's face, brushing a strand of hair away from her eyes. The hybrid took my hand, playing with my fingers, leaning into me.

"Ayo," she gestured towards the door where the women had exited "she was attacked by a vampire while on the boarder patrolling. I couldn't heal her, so I turned her." She sighed, leaning back on the pillow.

"You turned her? She's a vampire now..." my voice trailed off, the reddish tinge to her eyes now explained. I grinned down at the hybrid, nudging her with my shoulder teasingly. "You turned her before me?" My smile faded when I noted the serious look on Claray's face.

"Natasha, I wouldn't turn you." I turned to face her.

"Why not?" Claray smiled at me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pulling me back into her chest, cuddling.

"Many reasons," she grinned, kissing the top of my head. "One, I love you exactly the way you are, human and all." My breath caught in my throat, hearing her repeat the words. "Two, I don't know if I could stand an eternity of being tortured and teased by how hot you are." I rolled my eyes and tried to wish away the blush that was spreading up my cheeks uninvited.