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Name Quest
Part 5 – You are You
Characters: Ruka, Amari and Juba
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Ruka embraced her grandfather and stepped back to look in his watery eyes. His wide face was so much like Chunuka’s and it had the lioness’ heart clenching with homesickness.
“You’ve grown up.” Amari replied, setting his old bones down on the ground.
“I have.” Ruka replied with uncharacteristic shyness. “I was bringing a cub back home and thought I’d stop by. I’m on my name quest.”
“Oh, that’s right. I do have to remind myself that Chunuka is no longer Chunuka. Does this mean I’ll have to relearn all the names of my grandchildren?”
“That’s right. The next time we meet I will not be Ruka and Sawa and Amali will have their own names too. Adult names.”
“Can I expect a visit from the other two?”
Ruka’s ears flattened. “I honestly don’t know, grandpa. We leave at different times and I think Sawa may have been intending to head in the complete opposite direction. But, you never know, they may drop by on their way back.”
“Well, don’t worry about it. I’m glad you came by, in any case. So, tell me, how does the name search go?”
“Good, I think. I’m discovering myself, certainly, and…I have an idea on what shape my spirit has taken.”
“That is good news.” Amari replied softly. “When your father next comes to visit, I’ll look forward to hearing the new names you have found.”
“But what about you, grandpa? How has your days been?”
Amari’s grey muzzle tilted into a weary smile. “Dull. Very dull. But the complaints of an old lion are no good for the ears of the young.”
“Grandpa.” Ruka set a small paw on Amari’s large one. “Are you really so old?”
“The grey hairs on my muzzle are proof of that!” The lion laughed. “But yes, I am. My memory is sketchy, my bones ache and I complain a lot. Those are signs of old age if there ever were any!” At Ruka’s worried look, the lion smiled more fondly. “But don’t worry, I’m not about to drop down for a while yet.”
“That’s good, because I want to come and visit you more. I want to hear your stories. To hear all about my father’s birth pride. I was too young to ask before.”
“If you have time now, I can share a story with you.”
“I have time.” Ruka replied, moving to sit next to the large brown lion. Her pelt was so much like his that it was clear to all that they were related.
“I fell in love as a child. A silly thing, I know. But it’s true. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew I had to have her with me always. She was so beautiful with eyes so bright and clear. I wooed her and, in her childish way, we dated and crushed on one another. I knew I would do anything for her; even give up my life as a rogue to be with her in her pride. Then, one day, I saw a male lion I did not like the look of. I bullied him. Attacked him. We fought in our untrained way, but he was not much of a fighter and I won the battle, blood on my claws. My beautiful female saw us fighting and came tearing over to stop us. In my battle-mind I did not hear her and, when she threw herself at me, I pushed back and knocked her to the ground. She bled.” The lion paused here, drawing in a shaky breath. “The look she gave me broke my heart. She was utterly distraught and, in tears, she yelled at me that it was over. That it could never be. A part of me died inside.”
“Grandpa…” Ruka whispered. “What happened?”
“I couldn’t give her up. A couple of days later and I went into her pride lands, knowing that I could be met with angry lions, and found her. I promised her that I would never do anything like that again. I promised that I would be by her side, that I would join her pride. She told me she needed to think about it. I gave her time, though every moment was painful…”
“And what happened?”
“She accepted me back and we grew to become mates.” Amari smiled warmly.
“So she is Grandma Maawio?”
“That’s right. And we’ve been together ever since.”
“Does Father know that story?”
“No. I didn’t want him to know that I’d been terrible at being a ladies man!”
Ruka smothered a chuckle into her paw. “Well, I’m glad the story had a happy ending.”
“No matter the hardships we face, those who deserve it will always get their happy ending. You are deserving, Ruka. You and your siblings. I wish you all the joy that life can give. Just remember, our time here is short. Make the most of it whilst you can. Live without regret.”
They embraced again and Ruka spent the afternoon learning more about the pride that her own father had been born and raised in. It was a nice place; homely and peaceful, but she could understand why father didn’t seem to miss the land much. It was nice, but it was not wonderful. The only wonderful thing it held was her extended family, but if it were not for them, it would have been nothing special at all.
They parted ways at twilight and Ruka moved back out across the border, breathing in the peace and quiet. A sudden sound beside her had her bristling with suspicion. She needn’t have worried however. She knew the one who approached.
“How was your grandfather?” It was Juba.
“I didn’t expect to still find you here.”
“I waited. Thought to see your mission out until the end. Curious as to what you will be called.”
Ruka smiled. “My grandfather was well. I’ve learned a lot about my family today, I think.” Then the smile faded. “But…I don’t think my grandfather will be around as long as he says he will be. I think he knows the end is here.”
“Life is short for all. Life would be short whether we lived one year or one hundred years. Always much to do. Always some task to complete. Our work is never done. Life is never long enough. Must make do with what we were given and put it to best use.”
“Yes. He told me the same thing…well, sort of.”
“So?”
“So, what?” Ruka arched a brow.
“Your name.” Juba insisted. “I want to be the first to know.”
“But I—“
Juba held out a paw. “No. Enough of that. You know who you are. You’ve always known. To pretend otherwise is simply nonsense. You are you, even I can see that. If you like, I will give you a name.”
Ruka spluttered and Juba set a paw on the smaller female’s shoulder. “You know who you are.”
The adolescent stood very still, staring into her newfound friend’s face, and then after a moment, a small smile broke out across her face. “I am a leader.”
“Very good!” Juba grinned.
“I am trustworthy.”
“And?”
“I am a guide.”
“Very good.” Juba drew her paw away and circled the female once, brushing her tail against the other’s back to encourage her to sit. Then, in front of her, she turned and stared into her eyes directly. Ruka met that gaze; saw her face reflected back at her.
“I’m not Ruka anymore.”
“No.”
“I know my spirit. I know its name.”
Juba leaned forwards in anticipation.
“Endesha.” The reply came. “My name is Endesha.”
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Quest Complete.
