The White Wolf |MCU|1

ten

   Around the different tribes representing we went.  My heart sank with each denial to challenge.  Apparently, the gods did not answer my prayer.  Typical. 

   My palms start to sweat as I clench them tightly into fists.  Shuri nudges me gently with her elbow, sensing my anxiety of the coming fight.  

   I give her a slow, small nod, just enough for her to notice but no one else.  I must remain silent and serious, always silent and serious.  And always observing. 

   But from the corner of my eye, I see the look in her eye.  The way her mouth twerks a certain way.  This is the face Shuri makes when she's planning something.  Oh no!  What's she up to?

   Zuri steps through the water towards us.  "Is there any member of royal blood, who wishes to challenge for the throne."  He asks, extending his arm to T'Challa.

   Shuri slowly raises her finger.  The crowd brakes into gasps and whispers.  WHAT IS SHE DOING???

   "This corset is really uncomfortable," Shuri announces before turning to face the crowd, clapping her hands together.  "So, could we all just wrap this up and go home!"

   Everyone around us brakes into a series of groans.  Mother shakes her head, giving Shuri a light whack.  I struggle to hold in my giggles, managing to only release a snort.  T'Challa smirks at our sister, giving his head a little shake.  He catches my eye and gives me an encouraging nod.  Is my anxiety that noticeable!! 

   Here goes nothing.

   I step past Mother, down into the water.  Taking a deep breath, I recite my lines, fulfilling my duty as the White Wolf.  "The White Wolf wishes to challenge the Prince.  The White Wolf wishes to test the Prince's worthiness for the throne."  I hope no one heard the nervousness in my voice, 'cause I'm practically shaking. 

   I step out across from T'Challa, pride radiating on his face.  He looks like such an idiot, a proud big brother but an idiot. 

   "You should now," T'Challa whispers to me as we take our places.  "I will not go-" His whispers are drowned out by a series of chants.  T'Challa and I glance over to a cave in the side of the rock wall. 

   Slowly, men start pouring out. 

   T'Challa is next to me in a flash, lightly pushing me back to Mother and Shuri, not taking his eyes off the men.  I shuffle quickly back to my spot, Mother grabbing my arm and pulling me behind her.

   "Are they Jabari?"  Shuri whispers to Mother.

   "Yes."  Mother responds in shock.

   Finally, a man emerges wearing a gorilla mask, leading the chants.  They continue to chant until the man stands in the spot I stood in just seconds ago.  I know who that man is.  

   Removing his mask, M'Baku death glares T'Challa. 

   Zuri purses his lips, stepping forward.  "M'Baku, what are you doing here?"

   "It's challenge day."  He says simply.  M'Baku moves to stand before everyone.  He raises his voice to a yell.  "We have watched and listened from the mountains!"  He begins to advance towards us.  I can feel the anger radiating off Shuri, fueling my own.  "We have watched with disgust, as your technological advancements have been overseen by a child!"   The moment he gets to close, the Dora Milaje around us snap into action. 

    Their spears forming a protective line between us and M'Baku.  The way they position their spears, though, shows that they are more interested in keeping Shuri and me from attacking M'Baku rather than keep M'Baku from attacking us.  Mother places an arm in front of Shuri as a Dora Milaje grabs a hold of my arm.  It's scary how well they know us.

   "Who scoffs at tradition!"  I go cold as ice.  He did NOT just call out Shuri!  "We have watched with horror, as you allow a child to call herself one of your protectors!  A child who doesn't even belong in our nation!"  How dare he.  How dare he come here, disrupt my moment as the White Wolf, and insult me and my sister.  

   M'Baku continues to glare.  "And now you want to hand over this nation to a Prince," he turns from the crowd back to T'Challa, lowering his voice.  "Who could not keep his own father safe."  

   Okay, that's the final straw.  

   I step forward, only for the Dora Milaje's grip on my arm to tighten, pulling me back.  He better be glad they're holding me back.  "Hmm?  We will not have it.  I said we will not have it!  I, M'Baku, leader of the Jabari will-"

   T'Challa cuts him off calmly.  "I accept your challenge, M'Baku."