Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Third Kind ❯ Prologue: part two ( Prologue )

 

 

It took hours upon hours to have a simple conversation with these people. Raja did not know why she remembered a separate language..often it frustrated her when she had to spend so much time just trying to say a simple sentence. But to her surprise she was a fast learner and remembered most of what she was taught. Akil and Yatima had taken her in and sheltered her. They fed and clothed her. They talked to her as well..despite the barrier. At first, Raja often stayed in the hut with Yatima and weaved baskets or fetched water from the small river. The people of the village never spoke to her. She hated going outside, especially to fetch the water or weeds and hay for basket weaving because they always seemed to stop and follow her with their eyes. There were children in the village also. The boys were separated from the girls and stayed on the other side of the village in a large wide length hut called the Missu. The older ones were strong and lean. They went off with the men and hunters during the day, only the children her age were left around to do nothing but play games and roam around. None of them liked her or talked to her..none except Malik that is.

 

Malik was Yatimas only son, he was a little older then her and soon he would be out learning to hunt and fight like the men did. He was bold and poked her often if the ribs, fascinated by the color of her skin. He was Akils pride and would be responsible for growing up and producing the next family under his fathers name as was the tribes clan traditions. Akil had many duties as well and when he and Malik weren't around Raja was left with Yatima who spoke often to her or tried to at least..to keep her company.. Raja learned how to say simple phrases. Like “I want water” “Can I help” or “I don't understand.” The first few days Raja had gone everywhere with Yatima. To all the women's huts, or Aluks. Some she liked but some she didn't. They often tapped her across the nose and grunted like pigs..a sign she learned was to show they didn't approve of her and thought of her as a pest and a dog. The children of the village seemed undecided, but there were a few who already tried to pick on her by throwing rocks and sticks. She never fought back. Akil and his family had been so kind to her, taking her in as if she were one of their own. She didn't want to do anything that would make them angry with her or displeased. Nor did she want to anger other people of the village. Especially the king. She could not afford to disappoint him..

She had been sent to meet him once. Akil had come with her for comfort. She hadn't been able to say much besides hello how are you and goodbye..but judging by Akils happy mood after the King inspected her with occasional grunts and stares, she suspected she had done a good job and the King had been pleased. It took her days and days just to make a simple basket. When she was done she would give it to Yatima to fill with goods and then she would go to the kings large hut to give it away as a gift. He seemed to like that very much. Her fingers were getting ruff to the touch, calissed and hard from weaving though..and her skin was burnt and blistered within the first few days of walking in broad daylight.The villages name was Kashka. And her family and the people were the Maasai. Strong and fearless until death. Cowards were exiled. It was a desert type place, with sheer jungle as the surrounding environment. There was hardly any shade except inside and often Raja itched and was miserable from the blisters, sunburn and bug bites. Yatima helped her feel better though when she rubbed tree sap across her skin, making the blisters go down and the bug bites to stop itching. She then had her rolled around in the mud like the others so the bugs wouldn't be so attracted to her blood. Raja learned many things from Akil as well. He and Mikal showed her how to make a bow. Mikal sharpened some simple arrows for her and taught her how to use the weapon for hunting.

 

As the months passed by carefully and at ease, Akil and Yatima felt more comfortable letting her out by herself or with Mikal and the other children. Mikal was a fast runner, like his father and he loved hunting. She played with the other children sometimes but rarely. Most of her time was spent with Mikal who was beginning to be like a brother to her. They went everywhere together. Mikal did not know how to teach her the language very well but he did know how to cheer her up and to have fun. He took her to chase rabbits, shoot small birds, splash around in the river to cool off, throw rocks on fireant hills and then run like crazy trying not to get bitten. He was her best friend.

 

Akil took her to have fun as well. He took her into the forests, showed her many types of animals..some that were not to be messed with and how to handle them if need be. The other tribesmen disapproved of him taking her out exploring and teaching her the ways of the Maasai and of survival. But Akil was a spirited warrior who cared nothing for the opinions of others..except his king. Sometimes he even brought another warrior, his friend named Khama. Khama didn't like Raja very much at first, at least she felt that way. He often stubbed his toes into the dirt whenever she spoke to him and turned away but eventually she grew on him and he began to enjoy her company as well.

 

As time went on the girl named Raja, who was once known as the lost daughter of the white men began to speak and think like a true Maasai. Her bare feet and legs grew strong. Hard from running and climbing and working. Her arms turned to stone from hunting with the bow. Her hands grew swift and accurate from weaving and mending clothe for clothing. Her skin was scorched into a dark tan, its white pigment faded. And all the words of men.. she knew before… slowly drifted further and further away from her memory..as a new life took its course.

 

She was Raja. Daughter of Akil and Yatima. Sister of Mikal. Adopted woman of the Maasai. And honorable favorite of the Mansa.

 

The world surrounding her was like her playground. She knew every rock, stick and tree. She learned every adaptation inside and out. She learned the culture. The Religion. The language.

 

She was a Maasai. Proud and strong.

 

 

 

And it would be years before something happened that changed her life again forever. When that time came she would find something she knew very little about. Her past, a future….and a love that no one expected.

 

 

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