Nkechi's nose grazed the earth as she made her way back home. Confusion clouded her mind as she continued to pick up on a familiar scent. Her nostrils twitched as she followed the trail until the scent led her behind a massive tree. Deep within the shrubbery that lay at the bed of the tree, were articles of clothing that seemed to be marked with her scent. Using a large paw, she pushed the items aside to get a better look and when it became clear they were hers; she allowed the shift to take place. Her warrior form sunk back into her human body until she was as naked as the day she was born.

She wasted no time and hastily got changed into the clothes before stepping out from behind the tree.

"I know you're there," she called out, waiting for the footfalls to sound closer.

"I wasn't trying to hide," her brother's familiar voice snorted back at her.

"No?" She questioned, her ears sharpening to see if she could pinpoint where he was. "I suppose you were the person who left these clothes for me. They are a little further away than I usually place them."

"Correct," he grinned appearing from a tree that was not too far away from her.

"How did you know?"

"You weren't exactly discrete, you're just lucky it was me and not someone else that saw," Femi chided softly.

Nkechi hummed softly as she regarded her brother in a curious light. "Do you plan on telling father about me having a Dahara?"

Femi's face fell into a snarl at her question. "You know me better than that, Nkechi. Of course, I wouldn't tell that man. His judgement cannot be trusted."

Nkechi titled her head in concession before following her brothers guide back to their home. Her brother's reaction to what she deemed very surprising news was still ruminating in her mind.

"You don't seem surprised by this revelation at all." Her tone was almost accusatory, earning her a baleful laugh from her brother

"I'm an observant man, Niki. I noticed the change in you quite quickly. You became more primitive and animalistic. Seeing you in those first few days of your return, was like looking at me when my Dahara first awoke. It was quite obvious if you know what you are looking for," Femi responded defensively.

Nkechi nodded her head softly as she pondered on her brothers' words. She knew Femi would never mean her any harm and everything that he said had to be taken as the absolute truth. He held no ulterior motive, and Nkechi would bet her life on it. In the silence of their retreat, Nkechi couldn't help but wonder if anyone else had noticed the obvious signs that her brother mentioned. She had tried her best these past few weeks to be as inconspicuous as possible. She had often struggled to imitate her old behaviour, but she had thought she was doing well. That wasn't the case and perhaps this more primitive side was the reason behind her and her father's volatile relationship.

As if reading her mind, Femi began the topic of their father. "Father hasn't suspected your nature yet, but he has noticed the change in you. You are a lot more vocal and it hasn't slipped his attention that you go missing for days at a time if not longer. Most of the tribe have noticed this."

"How long was I gone for this time?"

"Nearly half a moon cycle," Femi responded dryly.

Nkechi's eyes widened at the revelation. Two weeks. She had been gone for nearly two weeks. In her warrior form, the journey had felt like hours, at the most a few days but weeks? Nkechi's had not anticipated she was gone for that long. "How livid is he?"

"Beyond compare, Nkechi. I worry about your return; it will not be pleasant. He will say things and I know- "Femi's voice cracked as anger lined his dark eyes. His fingers flexed in the palm of his hands as his jaw clenched fin supersede fury. "I know you will not bite your tongue sister, so be warned this will end ugly."

"But end it will," Nkechi murmured.

Femi halted abruptly at his sisters' words. The finality in her voice resonated deep within him.

"Have you- have you seen something?"

Nkechi smiled wistfully, "bits and pieces," she croaked "but even so, I am not prepared for the destruction that awaits us."

A regretful sigh filled the space between them as Femi took a slightly different path back to their tribe.

"Sometimes I wish you could just agree with him. Life would be so much easier if you just abided by his wishes."

Nkechi took particular exception to her brother's wishes. She felt as if he was turning his back on her. "I wish I could be that person, the type who nods and shuts up when told to, but I'm not. I can't be you, Femi. I can't just accept the status quo even when I know better. I can't sacrifice my integrity for this tribe."

"And you resent the fact that I have?" He replied rhetorically. A mirthless laugh escaped him as he stared up at the sunless sky. "I wish I had the choice like you did Nkechi, but I have had over twenty years of being told my place and every time I attempt to step out of it, your father not so subtly shoved me back. Ironically, you used to help that reinforcement until Kofi became a part of the equation."

"I never agreed with his decisions, Femi?" She argued.

"But you never spoke against him until it was your destiny in the balance."

Nkechi laughed in disbelief at her brother's preposterous belief. "You think I would really anger that man and openly disobey him over my destiny alone?" Nkechi laughed bitterly as a stray tear dropped down her cheek. She hastily wiped the weakness away before glaring her brother down. "I have seen what happens next, perhaps not in clear detail but I have seen, and no one suffers more than I do due to these choices. I would relinquish my duty if I had a choice, but the reality is, my "destiny", as you so claim it, has nothing to do with my refusal. My refusal has everything to do with Kofi and how his black soul will suck this nation dry before we ever have a chance to find ourselves. So, I am sorry if I could not defend you in my younger years, but my stance now is as much for you as it is for me."

Nkechi sucked in a lungful of air once her tirade was over. The anger she felt was clouding her mind, but she was learning to hold back the aftereffects of what the anger brought forth – her Dahara.

"I'm sorry Niki. I have no one to blame but myself for this. I would never want you to compromise your integrity for this tribe. Your determination is what will save us in the long run."

"No, it is your resilience under pressure and your understanding ways that will save us, brother." Nkechi lightly tapped his face in affection before sliding her hand in his palm and continuing their journey.

Their hands swung back and forth in time until they reached their destination.

"Home sweet home," Femi grinned. His fingers glided along the large tree until he found the small symbol of his and Nkechi's names that they had carved into the tree.

"It will always remain here even when we do not," she whispered back, stroking the carving with fond memories.

The two siblings were but a few years apart, with Femi being twenty-six and Nkechi being twenty-four. The siblings had always found comfort in each other's company and even in their adulthood nothing much had changed. When they were younger, they had often run from home when their duties became too much. It was in this little tree home they had hid up until their duties had come calling.

"Ladies first." Femi murmured, motioning for Nkechi to head up first. Nkechi moved to climb and then halted in her movements.

"This is very unlike you, Femi. You're usually the first person to suggest a race and then would proceed to cheat."

"Yes, well, I think it's time I try to be more considerate. Not everything needs to be a competition, nor does everything have to be about my pride."

Femi ran his fingers through his tightly coiled hair in a nervous manner. Colour tinged his cheeks and there was a slight twinkle in his eyes.

Nkechi's eyebrow raised as she took in all of her brother's flustered gestures. "There is something you're not telling me."

"For someone who professes to see beyond the human eye, you clearly can't do it well if you don't know."

"Who said I don't already know?" Nkechi shot back with a smirk on her face. She giggled at her brothers confused expression before climbing up the tree.

"Hurry up Femi, I'm sure Ife is eager for your return."

"Why you little-" he cut himself off with an abrupt laugh as he ascended the tree. His feet thudded on the platform and his large form ducked down as he forced his way inside their tiny sanctuary.

"Wow," he muttered in awe, "I remember when this place used to feel so massive."

Nkechi nodded her year in agreement, "And now it barley houses the both of us."

"Yes, but it still feels like home," Femi added.

They both felt nostalgic, standing in the place that had once brought them such peace in their tumultuous years. Nkechi did not miss the irony that she would find herself here again before her life was thrown out of balance and into disarray.

"Come, let us sit."

Both siblings made their way back out the door and sat on the small porch area with their legs dangling.

"So, brother, tell me about Ife." Nkechi's  eyebrows waggled and a giggle burst from her lips at her brother's bashful behaviour.

"I spoke to her as you said and after apologising she decided to forgive me. I know things won't go back to normal right away, but she said she wants to spend time with me," Femi gushed excitedly.

Nkechi smiled at the joy in her brother orbs, "See, didn't I tell you?" She teased bumping his shoulder.

"Yes, you did. I don't know what I'm going to do without you."

Their mood turned sombre as they both thought about what dreaded fate awaited them back at home.

"You will live, and you will thrive because deep down you will know that I never left, even if I'm not physically there."

Nkechi gripped her brothers' hand and squeezed it tightly as silence enveloped over the two. Both sat there in silence appreciating each other's company and thinking on all that would come. They sat there for hours. Reminiscing and laughing on all their memories until night came and went. The chirping of the birds marking the early hours.

Still, the siblings were not ready to leave their safe cocoon. They wanted to stay enveloped in the warm embrace of their sanctuary, but reality came crashing sooner than they anticipated.

"Femi, Femi. Where are you?" The familiar panicked voice called into the early morning.

"Tobi? What are you doing here?"

Femi looked down from their treehouse, scouring the floor until he spotted his friend in the distance. Even from over a hundred feet in the air, Femi could see the strain on his friend's face.

"What's going on?" Nkechi murmured groggily, making her way out of their comfortable blankets and onto the porch.

"Nkechi? When did you get back? I guess that's good."

Nkechi looked at her brother in confusion before motioning for him to follow her down to the ground. They flung their bodies from branch to branch, climbing silently until their feet padded on the soft earth.

"What are you doing here Tobi? What's the issue?" Femi questioned

Tobi grimaced at Femi's tone, but his eyes never strayed from Nkechi. His teeth sunk into his full lips as he rubbed at his forehead in distress.

"Say it," Nkechi murmured.

Femi's head snapped in Nkechi's direction, "You know what he is about to say?" He asked dubiously.

She shook her head slowly but deep down Nkechi knew exactly what Tobi would say. Not because she had seen this moment, but because she had seen what followed this moment, and only one thing could lead to the outcome she had seen.

Femi swallowed deeply; his hands clenched at his side. "Your father has announced your betrothal to Kofi. You are to be married tonight."

"Over my dead body," bellowed Femi, his face mutinous.

Nkechi shook her head in resignation, "No, Femi, over mine."

What do we think will happen next??

What do we think Nkechi has seen?