(This is an AIM log between Keantha and myself.)
The harsh sun wasn't as unbearable as the ache on his heart. Ever since they had parted ways, thoughts of lioness haunted Kimya's mind. It was like all the colors in the world faded to gray when she walked away. It had taken him too long to realize that and now....now he was lost.
Licking his dry lips, the shrunken lion padded across a sand dune. He saw stones; huge, looming stones that had odd shapes. Since they didn't waver, he assumed that this was what was called 'ruins'. And if it was truly them, then this was the place.
Somewhere, inside this pride, Zana slept. And he was going to find her.
The lioness in question sighed softly as she sat staring off into the distance, her lavander eyes dull and unfocused. The pride had gotten food and water down her in time, pulling her health back from the brink but nothing they did seem to draw her from the shell she had put aroundher mind. She went through the motions on autopiolet, not a word leaving her lips. Her mind seemed gone.
Tired, yet determined eyes followed the landscape, matching what markers he'd heard from stories. The longer he walked, the more his eyes started to drift closed. Kimya's resolved to see Zana had meant that he hadn't stopped for anything; least of all not food or drink.
He wobbled and walked on. His tired eyes saw a shape, but the sun shone too bright on their coat and he had to close his eyes.
She had lost him once and for all, many time on their journey they had faced possible death only to come out on top and now...now she had caused his death. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she didn't blink she was so lost in her mind and her guilt.
Ever so slowly, Kimya lopped up next to the body. His senses had all, but left him, but when he looked, really looked, and saw the black markings, white body.....and that mane. If he'd had more energy, he would have greeted her with more enthusiasm.
As it was, he just looked at her. A goddess would never hold a candle to her beauty. Would never bring the life back to his soul like she did. When he saw the tear fall, Kimya stepped forward and licked her cheek with his dry tongue. She looked terrible, and he wondered...why?
Turning her head slowly, Zana simply stared at him a moment, her eyes dead and blank. Who was this coming to mock her? Slowly, almost to slow to notice her nostriles flared taking in the familiar and beloved scent of him. A soft noise, like a cub chirping for her family, slipped form her throat. "I let him die.."
He didn't realize what she was talking about until it hit him. She wasn't really seeing him. Kimya slumped down to sit. It was becoming painful again, that familiar ache of an empty stomach, and the satisfaction of having found his object was being outlived by concern.
Kimya shook his head. Not dead, dear heart, just a little lost.
"I never told him you see. I thought f I told him I loved him, he would go away. He was so scared of me at first." She sighed laying down wishing they would leave her to her pain and sorrow.
Kimya flopped down beside of her, his head on his paws. Regardless of how she would react, he threw his foreleg around her and held her close, closing his eyes with a nod of his head. It was true; he'd been terrified of her, and even now females scared him. Exspecially mothers....But she...she loved him?
She tensed at first, none of the pride had offered to touch her before. She blinked a few times as her brain began to regrister things. She lifted her head to look at him, light slowly returning to her eyes. "K..Kimya?"
Slowly, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth. There she was. He didn't know where Zana had been hiding in there, but he was glad to see her returning. Gently, he nodded, tired eyes still closed.
She gave a choked sob as she hid her face in his mane, "You aren't real...I left you. I caused you to die. Kimya I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you."
Kimya sighed and tugged her head down to his chest, so she could hear the steady beating of his heart. Who was more alive than he? Now that he had her back. He shook his head. No, she had nothing to appologize for. He shouldn't have left her, but he did. And to see her like that....it broke his heart.
She took a deep breath, inhaling his scent as she shuddered, "You are really here? I..I didn't loose you?" Without waiting for answer she rubbed her cheeks against his, nuzzling every inch of him she could reach.
He shook his head and opened his eyes, rubbing his cheek back against hers. So long as she was here, so was he and Kimya wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon. His tail flipped up behind him, subconsciously coiling around hers.
She sobbed in his mane, "Oh gods Kimya, I thought I had lost you forever. I never thought I would get to tell you how much you mean to me."
Kimya gave a reassuring nibble to the back of her neck. Honestly, he'd thought about that every waking moment since their separation, but he hadn't dwelled on it. He had to find her. No, he would find her. There was no other choice, so he'd pushed himself beyond the point of no return.
Mustering all the strength in the remnants of his vocal cords, Kimya muttered, " L-lo...love....you..."
She moaned softly as she pressed her muzzle against the side of his, "I never realized it, but I have loved you for a long time. I.." She blinked as if noticing for the first time how bad he was. "Stay put!! I will get you something to eat. Oh please Kimya stay put!"
Without waiting for answer, she lept up , racing to where the pride had left her evening meal. He was with her again, and by the gods grace she would never neglect the gift of his love again.
Kimya blinked and looked up, chuckling soundlessly under his breath before lying back down. It was nice to know she hadn't changed, and was still the same old Zana that he loved so dearly.
And with that in mind, he slipped into the first peaceful sleep he'd had in months.
