[PRP] Return to me, please...

[Meepfur]

Shemshi lay soaking happily in a shallow pool, hoping to escape some of the day's heat. The murky waters tinted her pale coat a slight, dingy brownish-green, but she didn't mind. When you lived in a swamp, staying clean was a practically impossible task; rather, being immaculately clean was the oddity. Shishi wasn't the least bit put off by mud or goop, despite the fact that her fur was almost never as bright and white as when she'd been born and cleaned. This was her home, and she'd take whatever came with it - even the crocodiles, though she tried to stay away from those.  

[Meepfur]

Asali'jua navigated skillfully through the depths of the swamp, tracking the daughter who looked so like Asali's own father, Chuju'mja. The sunny child's resemblance to the pale stranger had been startling, almost as much so as Swa's resemblance to Asali's ownly sibling had been. She could only hope that, unlike her namesake Swafi, Swa would survive her quest for a name and return home...but for now, her thoughts were with Shemshi. Once again, the swamp was nearly empty of youths, as litters grew and were sent away.

Aushitia'moyo's had gone, as had Gharadi's adopted children, the Goddess' children, the first grandchildren of Matope and Sehani, and Janikiwiti. In their place were only Hewa, and Gharadi and Avani's children. Thank goodness for Hewa! Because of him, her nest was not entirely empty.  

[Meepfur]

The adolescent finally pulled herself from the water, motivated at last by hunger. What she needed was a snack - a few frogs would do nicely. Small, tasty, and numerous, they were almost certainly her favorite food. They might not be particularly filling, but they were wonderful for tiding yourself over until the next meal. Feet planted firmly on the soft ground, she gave herself a good shake, ridding her fur of some of the water she'd soaked up. Though accustomed to being almost constantly damp, waterlogged wasn't her most favorite feeling.

Now, where to find that snack...?  

[Meepfur]

As she sought out one of her youngest children, Asali found herself thinking about the future. She had thought that perhaps she was finished having children, but now, as she began to send away her daughters, she was beginning to reconsider. She was getting older, true, but she was still healthy and strong...another litter wasn't entirely out of the question. The more she thought about it, the more tempting it became for the matronly lioness. She could do it, she was sure...but should she? Perhaps fourteen children was enough, but at the same time, of the eleven she had sent away thus far, only two had yet returned.

Perhaps one more litter. Just one more. Asali smiled to herself and shook her head - what a funny creature she was being! Maybe she would, or maybe she wouldn't, but right now it wasn't important, because there at last was Shemshi!

"Shishi," she greeted her affectionately.  

[Meepfur]

Hmm? Oh! Shishi lifted her head and smiled, oblivious to the fact that her fate was fast approaching. While she knew her quest would come soon, she had no way of knowing that today was the day. "Good morning, Mother!"

Maybe she'd like to come and hunt for frogs, too?  

[Meepfur]

Unfortunately, there would be no mother-daughter hunt today - it would be months before such a thing would be had again. "It is time, child. Time for you to leave here and learn; your body grows, but so too must your mind, or else you will never truly be grown, no matter how beautiful you become."

"I gave you a name, once. I called you Shemshi; it is a child's name, and as long as you bear it, you will be a child in the eyes of the spirits, in the eyes of the Mother, and in my eyes as well." Would that she could stay a little longer! It was a silly thought, though...she would have to go, no matter what.  

[Meepfur]

...what? Shishi's cheerful mood faded, replaced by cast-back ears and an uncertain gaze. Now? Now was the time? But why? What if she wasn't ready? What if...what if she never made it back home? For the first time, anxiety gnawed at her stomach. She wasn't hungry anymore. "T-Today? Really?"  

[Meepfur]

"Yes, my Shishi, today. You must leave home, and you must leave it now. Leave these lands without delay - do not turn to bid your sisters goodbye, nor anyone else. Go, travel as your paws take you, as the spirits and fate take you. Go and find your name." And please, my dear, return to me, as so many of your siblings have not...

"When you have found your name, and only then, return here, to your home. Return to your pride and speak your name before us all."

The final words were the hardest to speak, for they were a promise she had kept before. Every time she spoke them, she hoped she would not have to follow through, but hoping had nothing to do with it. "If, after one year and one moon, you have not returned, know that we will say the rites for you, so that you will not roam as a ghost forever."  

[Meepfur]

Shemshi stood still for many moments, frozen to the spot, rooted to the ground of home. She stood and stared at her mother, heart quailing and pounding in her chest. For most of her life, she'd been confident and exuberant, but now she was being asked to leave all that she knew. She'd known all along that she would have to go, but now that the time had come, she didn't want to go. She wanted to cling to the familiar, to rush forward and pour out her worries to her mother, but she knew she could not.

It was no request the Queen had made, but an order; she had no choice but to go. Finally, mustering all the courage in her small body, she turned and walked away, movements stilted and reluctant.  

[Meepfur]

Shemshi was not alone in her despair. Seeing her daughter's uncertainty, bordering on fear, Asali'jua wanted to rush forward and comfort her her, to purr and groom her worries away; but she could do no such thing. That wasn't the way it was supposed to be, and she knew it. Shishi was on her own now, with only herself to rely on. Asali could only hope that she had taught her everything she needed, and that she would remember it all...that she would remember her home, and her mother.

The hope was all she had now.