A Petition

[Hikaru]

January 5th, Year 1

The sun began to drift lower on the horizon dropping the African savanna into a cool dusk. Things were slowing down as the bulk of the camps activities were completed: training sessions, most chores. Yes, there was always something to do when you were in a war, but sometimes their were periods of respite. With things slowed down Jasper finally had time to fully speak with their 'probationary cadet'/'prisoner' in depth.

The situation was... odd to say the least. A Blackblood deserter coming to them with one of their own captured comrades, and surrendering herself to them. Further more, requesting to join them. No one knew what to make of it. Was she a blackblood spy? Even if spy warfare was an expected tactic of those connivers, this just seemed... too blunt for them. Even if Hikaru was genuine in her intentions how much could one trust the words of a deserter to her own faction?

It was a tangled web and no one could decide on the solution but Jasper...

Hikaru stood with her back straight, arms at her sides, facing the tent opening while she waited for Jasper. It was a non-threatening posture, but very formal. She had been waiting for this. Hikaru had been a model prisoner, staying in her tent, and co-operating with all orders. She was never argumentative, in fact she rarely spoke much at all. She was difficult to read by even the best of them. At times it seemed the woman was robotic and unfeeling.

But there was something in there right now. Anxious energy. Hikaru was rarely idle. She had always had -some- job or purpose in her life. She always had a direction. It was to a point that she was more comfortable under some ones orders than... nothing at all. She wanted to work. She wanted a job. Hikaru hoped that Jasper would trust her enough to give her a chance at some responsibility or other...

[Jasper]

When Hikaru had appeared it had only been mere days after Simba's death. The forces were in chaos and everyone had been asking who would lead. Kion, Kiara, hell even Kopa. Sure it would make sense for one of them to take control due to being the rightful heirs to the Pride Rock throne but they were all young. Still inexperienced, and an inexperienced leader would make for more soldiers to be killed. He still remembered the debates so strongly that day, who would be next leader of the Freedom Fighters and if they were to keep Hikaru or send her on her way. Everyone was tempted to cast her aside like the 'traitor' she was but Jasper.

As reluctant as he had been at first, did not want too. Hikaru had brought one of their men back, someone they had thought would have been dead. Mr.Manchas was not a high ranking officer, far from it in fact, but he was still part of them and he mattered. Hikaru had gone out of her way to save him and that in itself counted for something. What exactly? Jasper was still figuring out, he was so consumed in his thoughts he almost lost track of time. Another's voice yanking him out of his thoughts.

"Jasper?" Came Alej's thick accented voice. "Hikaru's here." The panther seemed to mumble looking towards the entrance of the tent.

Mismatched hues looked up towards the shadow of the 'prisoner' that stood outside his tent, a small nod coming from him as he looked over to the younger. "Good, you may leave Mr.Manchas, thank you for your time." He stated with a soft huff.

Mr.Manchas dipped his head lightly in return before turning towards the entrance and exiting the tent, he only paused for a moment looking down at the young one that had saved his life. "I wish you the best of luck, Hikaru." He didn't say much else, heading off back to his own tent to rest.

There was a long moment of silence and then...

"Hikaru, come in here please."

[Hikaru]

A familiar panther appeared, Hikaru nodded her head in wordless greeting to him. She was glad to see him well. He wasn't utterly hale and hearty, but he was in a much better place than where she had found him... and that alone made her heart glad. Whatever else came to her next, she wouldn't regret it.

After being bid to enter Hikaru stepped briskly into the tent, pushing the flap aside, to stand before the leader of the Freedom Fighters. Jasper.

The man was no imposing figure of power such as Maleficent, in fact some might say he seemed painfully ordinary. He was even younger than Hikaru. However, none of that occurred to the ex-ghazi. No, Hikaru gave Jasper every bit of respect due to her leader.

[Jasper]

As they came face to face, Jasper could not help but take a moment of silence between them. It seemed like such a long time ago that Hikaru had entered their territory with Mr.Manchas in tote, the situation was hectic and hostilities were all around. His Freedom Fighters almost demanding blood, but he wouldn't allow it. He had been thankful for Hikaru's help back then...

And he was sure he'd be thankful for it again.

His army did not trust Hikaru, that was something that she still had to earn from them. Yet that didn't matter to Jasper, as far as he was concerned she had earned her place. She had done everything they had asked, she had earned her place among them and he wasn't going to deny that from her any longer. Despite the weary looks of his soldiers when she walked by. They would simply have to deal with his decision.

He offered her a soft smile, it was a tired one but one that he made an effort of doing anyhow. It was genuine, despite the exhaustion. "You may sit down, Hikaru. I don't expect you to stand." He gestured to the seat across from him lightly. His hands rested on his lap before a small breath left him. "Now, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

[Hikaru]

Hikaru flicked her eyes to the chair before she briskly approached it, and sat down, hands folded in her lap.

"I would like an assignment," her voice was quiet, but not timid, "I know I can't be trusted as of yet. But I would like a chance to earn it."

The ex-blackblood's dark eyes didnt look away from Jasper's. Her gaze wasn't challenging. Merely direct, "I want to work again. Even if only as a cadet, or under some one's supervision."

"Sir, I excell at combat, but I will take any assignment," Hikaru nodded firmly, "I simply just... want something to do beyond busy work."

She settled back, petition made. Hikaru could do nothing more than to leave the matter in Jasper's hands. It was well within his right to keep her to languish as a prisoner, hell, he could even execute her.

But looking into his eyes, she felt confident that if anyone was going to give her a chance at a fresh start... he would be it.

[Jasper]

Silence seemed to be the only thing that Jasper gave Hikaru as she spoke. His expression giving away nothing, his arms neatly folded in his lap. His mismatched hues had drifted away from her by the time she had finished speaking. His gaze almost appeared to be lost in thought. A hand came up to itch at the beard on his face for a brief second before a deep breath left him. Exhaling deeply and turning his eyes back to her. He supposed this would have happened sooner or later.

He had hoped it would have been later.

But like clockwork, things just didn't work the way one had planned. He gave a small nod before resting his chin against his raised palm. He studied her closely, debating every circumstance or happenstance that could, and would, occur.

"You have proved your place among us many times over already, and while many of our members still do not trust you I feel as though it is due time to give you some leeway." He stood up from where he was, grunting as his joints ached from such a small movement. "You are still technically a cadet, and while normally cadets are not allowed onto the battlefield you have experience and knowledge on the subject."

His fingers rested on the map that was laid on the desk behind the seats. His gaze settled on it for a long moment. "I will give you my permission to participate in our next battle. If you do well and protect your allies backs then I will give you more reign...But this is your final and most important test, do you understand Hikaru?"

[Hikaru]

Hikaru's own eyes met Jasper's unwaveringly when he looked at her. Her gaze was even and strong. It wasn't a challenging one, but of respect. When he turned to the desk and gave his assent she stood up firmly, "I won't let you down, sir."

This was it. This was her chance to prove herself in a new place. She wouldn't squander it. She knew that her presence had been highly contested, and that Jasper had been one of the stronger supporters in giving her the benefit of the doubt.


Hikaru looked down at her hand covered in callouses and scars from a life of battle and strife. She clenched it with firm resolve. She won't let Jasper regret his decision.

[Jasper]

There was no doubt in Jasper's mind that Hikaru would complete the assigned task with flying colors. Still, though he felt a bubble of doubt in his gut, while he may have approved her and what she was doing others would not. The opinion of his people mattered but he would not make the same foolish mistakes that Simba had in the past. It was a delicate balance of keeping his people happy and letting people go beyond their current position to prove themselves both of which were hard tasks to tend too.

He nodded toward Hikaru, signifying he had heard her. A hefty sigh leaving him, one hand coming to rest in his pocket. "Then it's settled then... You are dismissed, Miss Hikaru. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow, we'll be preparing for our trip to Australia to gather supplies. Rest well."

A Petition is now completed. Do not reply here.