It's only been... Several months since the last update. Sorry, guys... Here's a shortish/badish chapter - wrapping up one of the loose ends.
Arina had spent the entire ride in the jeep staring out the window, torn between joy and misery. Rose had slept on her shoulder most of the time, not noticing how near to tears her love was. After being disowned by Kovu but thrust back into her human form, Arina didn't know how to react. She had been in a state of shock since that confrontation, which her human family had assumed was exhaustion.
All in one stroke, she had lost her family but gained her love. Whatever happened now was no longer in the capable paws of her ancestors, but was in the hands of whatever gods Rose, Damien, and Da had. She could only hope they would care for her like Simba and the rest had.
The bumping of the jeep had dropped the still-sleeping Rose to Arina's lap, and the former princess rested an arm over her side. Her eyes were watching the darkening sky for the signs of the Kings of the Past, but they had yet to show. The sun still had power over the dry lands, and Arina doubted that she would see the mighty spirits before they migrated back to... What was it? Neork?
When they came to where the metal bird... Airplane, Rose had called it... was, the stars had yet to show. Arina was nervous about leaving without seeing the Kings for the final time, but Da rushed her out of the jeep. He was talking about a storm that was coming, and the faster they packed and left the better off they'd be. Arina stared at him then slid out gently from Rose, who grunted then sat up and called quietly, "Kimya?"
She crawled out of the jeep to find the girl staring off into space, her arms wrapped around her chest. Rose began to move to her, but Da called her away to help load the plane. "Give her a moment alone," he said quietly.
Arina heard it, and was grateful for it. Her eyes were filled with tears as she wished desperately for the Kings to grace her a final time, so she knew she would be safe as she left her home and her traditions and her past behind. She closed her eyes and wept quietly, Kovu's words burning into her brain. I have no daughter, he had spat at her. All because she had refused to go back and die in...
In her lands.
Rose's arms wrapped around her and held her close, and Arina managed to calm down but still trembled. She should have gone back - she owed it to her Pride to be besides them during times of trouble, no matter the risk to her life. She should have been with Maten and Kiara and Kovu...
A soft touch on her cheek snapped her attention back to her present situation, and as she turned to face Rose the moon sparked to life. Rose's face hovered close to Arina's, her pink eyes glowing in the silver light that played over her gentle face. Rose brushed their cheeks together and sighed, "I wish I knew why you were crying..."
Arina closed her eyes and felt warmth against her back - not Rose or Da or Damien, but something so familiar and welcome it almost caused her to cry again because she knew it would be the last time that she would be in the land where Simba's spirit roamed.
She breathed in the familiar scent of her grandfather, mingling with the sweet smell of her Rose. A voice murmured quietly in her head, Go, my light. The Great Kings will follow their daughter. The warmth only increased before it slowly faded, and Arina was left holding tightly to Rose as her eyes found the cluster of stars that belonged to her ancestors. She smiled slightly and closed her eyes before following Rose to the airplane. Before she climbed up the steps, she cast a final look across the dark lands.
Rose's voice called her inside the airplane, and Arina climbed into it. She was more sure of herself now that Simba had come; she felt safe leaving her... Their... The lands behind and venturing to new territory. She looked fondly to Rose, who in turn glanced to Damien and Da with a smile. Arina dropped her head on Rose's shoulder and her gaze found Simba's star one final time before her eyes closed, and the roar of the airplane starting up drowned out Da's next words to her, and again she drifted into sleep; a peaceful slumber disturbed not by a nightmare or a haunting memory, but by the weight of Rose's head as it rested on top of hers just after the great bird had taken to the sky.