I heard a tiny clang. That enticed me to snap my eyes open. I was laying on my side in bed when I saw the sun was out already. My body rose till it sat while I let out a yawn and rubbed my groggy eyes out. My nose took a big whiff of air and I let it out through my mouth in satisfaction. Then I heard something move on the floor beside the bed. It made me jump a little bit, and I quickly shifted over to find a lioness sleeping on her side. My eyes went wide for a second, then I just smirked. I forgot Sayde spent the night in my room. She was still in the exact same spot. Waking up out of the blue, I sorta thought what happened last night was all a crazy dream.
But you know what they say...Dreams do come true.
I gazed at my bedroom door. I think mom and dad are out of bed already, I know I heard somebody messing with a plate or something. But nobody has come in here and noticed she was here yet. That's great. I shifted myself to the edge of the mattress, planting my feet on the floor. I took a deep breath and sighed quietly. I better get dressed and get a move on before they wonder what's taking me so long. I don't want anybody to find Sayde in here. I'll grab some breakfast and maybe try to bring some food to her, if I can. I'm certain she'll probably be VERY hungry when she wakes up, more so after last night. That way she won't have to wait forever to hunt outside cause...I'm betting she'll be waiting in here for a bit for the clear for us to sneak out of the house.
But, one step at a time, Ryan.
I got off the bed and was making way to the dresser. When I opened up a drawer and pulled out a pair of socks, I shot a glance at Sayde still lying on the floor, apparently still sleeping. I smiled at her. She looked so peaceful. I know I found her all tranquilized and stuff before, but this was different. She wasn't being forced to be asleep, this was just in a natural way. What's more, I think she was loving sleeping on the floor. She didn't seem to mind it at all.
I'm glad she was having fun, despite how I feel about this. Considering what she said she'd been through, it's probably the most fun she had in a long time. Although I told her it was a one time deal, I was kinda thinking about letting her spend the night here again...Maybe watch a movie with me too. After all she was curious about the TV here. But I knew the risks, so I brushed that off.
Even though I was feeling bad for her thinking that way, but still...
Then, my mood suddenly changed...To guilt, when I remembered this one thing I told Sayde last night. This one little detail. What I realized what I said.
That I was...FOREVER hers.
I shook my head at myself, pondering what I've said. Are you nuts, Ryan? You shouldn't have claimed that. You CAN'T claim that. You know better than her that you're only staying in her lands for a few months through the summer...Till you have to go home. I looked down at my feet. I did knew in the back of my mind that if I ever did make any animal friends in Africa that they would probably be short lived. But Sayde didn't know that, and I guess, at the moment, I didn't care how it sounded and wanted to make her feel better, considering the drama she was going through.
Only I've saved the heartbreak for her for later...Months later.
I let out a guilty sigh. I shouldn't have said that to her. Now she believes that I'll be with her forever...But I won't. One day I WILL have to go home.
She's going to be pretty sad. I was imagining her face when the time comes. Poor girl...
I gazed directly toward her. I'll have to tell her the truth later. Like, soon. I don't want her to give her hopes up and then find out SO MUCH LATER and be so heartbroken that I haven't told her sooner. The sooner I tell her, the better. It'll save her the trouble.
Hard as it'll probably be, I have to tell her. Don't know when I'll tell her, but I'll have to find the right time. I nodded to myself at the thought. Yeah...I'll think of a time and place to do it. I hope it won't take me forever to build up the courage.
Right out of the blue, out of the usual as of late, someone was knocking on my door. I let out a quiet gasp. The loud knocking woke Sayde up as well and also made a gasp after quickly raising her head a bit off the floor in surprise. I shot a panicked look at the door. I heard dad was behind it, since I hear his voice hollering through the wooden frame, "Hey, champ! You awake?"
Oh no...I better hide Sayde and quick! I rushed to the lion on the floor and urged her quietly, "Sayde, come on, get up!"
Sayde responded, some grogginess in her voice, "What is that?"
"It's my dad! Quick, follow me!" She didn't hesitate any longer when she rolled to her feet. I quickly led her to the only hiding spot in my room I can think of, the double door closet. I opened it up right away, and commanded her by motioning my limb towards the space within there, "Hide in there!"
Sayde was not so certain that she wanted to by the look on her face. She looked at me, protesting, "No way! It looks kinda crammed in there!"
Dad, meanwhile, called again, "Ryan? Are you in there?"
But I argued and urged her again by sharply shoving my hand at the space once more, "Sayde I told you last night when I tell you to hide, you hide, now get in there!"
Sayde huffed and gave in, "Oh, alright!" She was slow at first, but I rushed her by pushing her hiney in there with a hand. Sayde gave me a sharp look when I touched her bottom.
But I ignored it and told her as she stood in there with her side facing me, "Stay in there and be quiet!" I shut her in straight away, and that was when my dad finally opened the door.
He flipped the light switch as he came in my room. He walked up to me with a quizzical look on his face, "I knew you were in here."
I just stood there frozen by the closet. I stated, keeping a calm expression and trying not to sound awkward, "Oh...Morning, dad."
"What are you doing? Did you hear me call you?"
I replied as I was thinking of an excuse, "Uh, yeah...I guess I didn't pay attention. I was just getting out of bed. Sorry." I cleared my throat and added with a question, "What's up?"
Dad didn't look suspicious, least I didn't think so. I'm even surprised he didn't ask me what took me so long to get home yesterday since I got home late last night. He told me, "Well, for one thing..." He showed me holding something in his hand when he raised it a bit, "Apparently you left your rifle outside your room last night. Just caught my eye. Thought I'd hand deliver it to you in case you forgot where it was."
My eyes went wide when I eyed at the firearm. Whoops...I forgot I left that thing behind in another room! I reached out and he handed it over to me. I said in gratitude, "Thanks." I went to a spot in my room and set it down there.
Dad then said, "And also you're a bit late for breakfast. You kinda slept in. Your mother's already got it ready."
I nodded and said, "Tell her I'll be right out in a minute."
Dad replied, smiling now, "Ok. See you out." He spun, leaving me SORTA alone in my room and shutting the door behind him. I let out some air. That was a close one.
I heard Sayde's whispers coming from the closet, "Psst! Ryan! RYAN! Are you out there?" I locked eyes on it. I'd better talk to her real quick before I go out there. I pulled the closet door open, catching eye of her staring right at me with an annoyed look on her face, "Gosh it was kinda dark in here!"
I gave her a knowing, playful look, "Sorry, but there was no other place for you to hide."
Sayde said with a impatient tone, "Well can I get out of here now? I think I'm safe at the moment."
I shook my head, "No, I want you to stay here till I come back. Alright? And then...We'll wait and see when I'll get you out of here. Ok? Hang in there."
I was about to shut the door on her again before she spoke, "Hey wait!"
I cracked it open a little to peek through and asked, "What is it?"
She put on a sheepish smile, "I...Don't think I can stay. I have to go."
I frowned, "What do you mean?"
She put on some empathsis that time, and I noticed her rear legs were keeping close together, "I have to GO."
My eyes widened. Oh come on, not now! I shook my head, putting on a demanding face, "Well, hold it in! Just stay here and I'll be back." Without waiting for a reply, I shut her in there again. I sighed, then headed back to the dresser to put on fresh clothes, getting ready to start my day, get out of my room, and pretend I am hiding NOTHING.
Fuck me I hope things don't get more and more complicated by the minute!
*****
I waited as I watched Ryan from behind, peeking through the door for any sign of his parents. For the sign for us to sneak out of here. I took in a deep breath with my nose, holding my patience in as long as I can...
Even though I think we were about ready to get out of this place.
I was happy being inside Ryan's house for the first time last night, amazed at how much bigger the inside was and not to mention all the things that I don't really know the names of. Sure I knew of the TV, and this 'bowl' that was filled with water for me, but I still had lot of intriguing things to learn about humans.
This place amuses me, and I think I wouldn't mind being inside this place and spent another night here again if given the chance.
But...It was time I got the hell outta here!
I have waited patiently for who knows how long exactly. It was still daylight since I was wide awake with my two legged friend so I know it wasn't for a VERY long time. But being stuck in here was starting to drive me crazy. This felt a little worse than being stuck at home while recovering from my fight with the rogue. Even being stuck in that so called 'closet' of his drove me bonkers at a short amount of time. Good thing I wasn't stuck in that thing forever and Ryan had let me out after he came back from his parents and had his 'breakfast' as he would call it. Talk about a weird way of calling your food, but he mentioned the term meant that it was something humans eat in mornings.
How original...I guess...But I'm still calling it food!
Anyways, I was glad he let me out of that thing, or I would've just broken out of there. I am NOT joking. That thing was smaller than that pen I was trapped in that night!
After that, I've waited around with him. He stuck with me the entire time and hardly left me alone like that again, only once when he brought back his 'plate', which I sorta thought that's a weird name for an object, back to his parents, while on occassion check to see they were gone for us to leave. I guess he was making sure I wouldn't get myself in trouble while I was here. Or just to make sure he'd keep me safe from trouble. Speaking of that, I tried not to give Ryan much trouble in the meantime, since I was the one that begged to spend the night with him here. It was still fun being with him, despite what I was going through, being stuck in here for a long time, and having the urge to 'GO' and also suffering from starvation because I haven't ate ANYTHING for a freakin long time, even though all that was getting to be too much for me to handle. Despite all that, he still gave me a smile on my face. I can't be mad at him for all that.
I do admit, I had almost accidentally 'go' in the room a few times, while pacing around in here being almost impatient. I have asked Ryan why I couldn't just 'go' somewhere in his room, but he told me that I wasn't supposed to do that, nor anywhere in the house really. He said that people don't do that in places that they live in. I didn't argue with him after that. I just accepted it and was respectful for the rules his kind follows. I even almost imagined eating Ryan because of how much my stomach felt empty! He did apologize for not bringing any food for me earlier cause he couldn't find anything that I would possibly like, and he couldn't bring another 'plate' with him cause it'd probably rouse some suspicion to his parents. I thought that was fair enough. Even though I wish I had something to eat already.
But luckily I still composed myself from literally eating him, and still held back all the urges to...You know...GO.
I was so glad to get out of here, but it was too bad that I haven't learned a TON more of Ryan's kind today since I was stuck in here. Not yet, anyway. Heck, I haven't gotten a look at his own parents, what they look like. Sure I did hear his father earlier in the room, but I didn't see his face either. Cause, you know...The closet. Maybe someday I'll see what they look like and Ryan will introduce me to them...From afar, I'd imagine.
I made a frown to myself when this thought crossed my mind. Come to think of it...I only noticed Ryan was talking. I know he was talking to his father, I'm sure he was, but strangely I haven't exactly heard his father SPEAK. Well I did hear something else other than Ryan's voice, but it was...Weird. Like something I cannot understand.
I don't get it...Why did I only hear Ryan's voice earlier?
Before I could ponder more, Ryan spoke behind him, peeking over his shoulder, "The coast is clear."
I replied, forming a smile on my muzzle, "Bout time. Let's hurry up. I wanna get out of here!"
The human nodded in agreement, "Right with ya." He picked up his gun laying at a nearby wall and declared, "Let's go." He pushed that door wide open and we both emerged out of his room. Memories of last night flooded in my head as I looked around and recognized the surroundings I've looked around at before I was stuck in that room. Everything in here was much brighter now compared to when I came in here last night thanks to the sun outside, making everything a bit livelier now.
I had the urge to ask Ryan what some of the things I was seeing around me are but I knew we didn't have time to stand around and chat. This was our best chance of getting out of here together without trouble, and I had to get out of here fast before I 'go' somewhere in here! Ryan led me to the door that we used to get in the house last night. He went outside first. When I was very close to the door, I quickly took one last look at everything behind me. There will be plenty of time to know what those things are, Sayde.
Who knows...Maybe Ryan will let you spend another night here. I made a big smile before returning my gaze back towards ahead, towards the outside area through the door. I hope he will. I padded outside, being greeted by that familiar fresh air I've known for years. Then with the thought of having to 'go' I dashed myself away from the house till I was a bit past the pen. Then I FINALLY relieved myself of each urge that was threatening to come out of me. With a huge sigh of relief, I felt so much better after holding it all in for a long time.
I hoped that'd never happen again.
Ryan caught up shortly after I was done. He chuckled at this and asked, "Feel better now?"
"Definitely." I sucked in such relieving air for my lungs, "I like your home, but geez I had to get out of there! I wonder how you can hold yourself together when you don't seem to have any place in there to do what I just did. Do you just wait to go outside like me?"
Ryan lightly mentioned, "Well, I haven't mentioned this earlier, but there is another small room that's totally different than a bedroom...And it is called a bathroom."
I tilted my head to the side, caught off guard by the sudden revelation, "Bathroom?"
Then he remarked with a shrug, "But then again I was fine. I wasn't going through a lot like you are."
My eyes gave him daggers. What?! There was a spot in the house where you could 'go' the entire time?! Give me a break! I told him, "Wish you could've brought me to that spot, regardless of your parents."
"Ahhhhhh..." He scratched behind his head, saying awkwardly, "I don't think you could handle it, because of this thing called a toilet and you're just a-"
"You know what?" I cut him off, "Forget it. You can explain all about it later. I'm just so glad to be out of there!"
Ryan laughed a bit then gave me a nod, "Me too. I wanted to get out of there as well."
Despite what I felt, I smiled at him and said, "Heck, next time, we oughta do that again. I still thought it was fun."
He quirked a confused brow, "You gotta be kidding me. You still want to be in my house again despite all you were going through?"
I suggested with a shrug, "I'll just have to be prepared next time. Like eat, drink, crap and piss before I spend the night in there again. Or maybe I'll just hang around with you during the night and then leave in the middle of it. I think that's simple enough. Right?"
"...Right." He gave me a knowing look, "But this is still a one time deal, lady. Nothing's changed."
I rolled my eyes and shot back my head, "Yeah, yeah, yeah...We'll see." I turned my back on him and announced, "I'm going hunting now. I'm freakin starving!" I looked over my shoulder, locking eyes with him, "Are you coming or do I have to go ahead and eat you instead?"
Ryan giggled deeply, moving to stand beside me, "Don't think my hide's enough to fill your ass."
I smirked for a moment, then I led the way, "Then let's find something bigger. Come on." Ryan followed along, trying to keep up a couple times since I did speed up my movements here and there. My stomach growled very loudly as we both travelled on the savannah searching for food. I know I starved before in my life, but thinking about it I don't think I had ever left myself starving for THIS long in my entire life. It was almost surreal, like I feel like I was exiled from the pride and now living alone. Now I certainly know what a rogue goes through when they have a hard time eating something. Internally I felt a bit desperate to find some now. Who knows how long my sanity will last without it?
I was thinking about my family while me and Ryan strode together side by side. I lowered my head a bit. I sorta dreaded going back to where I belong, but I knew I had to face everything sooner or later. Spending one night away from home was enough. When I'm done hunting, it would be time for me to get home. Part of me still felt a grudge against Dahlia for being picked as future queen, for beating me at that, but I felt that I shouldn't let it totally get to me in that level again. I know I won't win at that, and that's that. Nothing will change.
It still didn't feel too fair, but it was my parent's choice.
And...I was going to respect it.
I'm wondering if everyone was mad at me still for what happened. Then my dad flashed before in my eyes, when he hit me. Was dad especially still angry at me? I still couldn't forget the part he hit me. Am I going to get hit again for not coming back home? Or am I just going to get hit for spending the night with Ryan? Maybe I was overthinking things now. After all, he did seem guilty after that...Before I ran away from home in humiliation. I guess I'll see how things play out when I return.
I was even wondering if the entire pride knows what happened. Probably, but I didn't really care about that. Everyone has their future queen...So they can be happy with it.
I glanced at Ryan with me and smiled at the certain thought I have. And I'll be happy with something that no one else has. That something everybody, including Dahlia and her bitch ass friends, would probably going to WISH they have on their side. I looked ahead with the smile still upon on me.
Ryan and I finally found a herd of antelope from a good distance on a upward hill. I beamed at the sight of food, and even began to drip a bit saliva much to my surprise. The human beside me spoke, "Well, there's food."
I nodded slowly, stomach growling out for the food in sight, "Obviously."
He asked, "Sure you can do this alone?"
I looked toward him and replied, "Course I can. I've made a lot of successful hunts on my own." I held up my head in smug, "In fact, I'm probably the best lone huntress ever in the pride."
Ryan rolled his eyes playfully, "Maybe."
I gave him a glare, "ANYWAYS...It's not that hard...Just gotta be a bit sneaky and not screw up."
He said with a tiny nod, "Then I guess I'll just watch you do your work."
I then formed a grin, "And I GUESS you'll be in for a big surprise of how good I am...Once you watch me up close." I motioned my head towards the herd from afar, "Let's go." The two of us started to travel where the herd's at. Very shortly we found some tall grass and ducked inside it. I was leading ahead while Ryan, being something that was tall and on two legs, was crouching low and slowly following behind me. Soon we were halfway now, and none of the antelope had noticed we were on the prowl.
My head peeked above the grass, and I was spying on the potential prey from a good distance. Not too far from where I am now. I smiled deviously. Perfect. I glanced toward Ryan who was still low on the ground. I whispered, "They don't know we're here."
Ryan whispered back, "Great."
"I'm gonna go on ahead. Just sit back and enjoy this...And please don't make any noise."
He nodded in acknowledgement, "Got it."
With that, I pushed on alone. My paws carried me slowly among the grass. Ducked low I can see my prey on that hill, none were the wiser. I grinned hungrily at them as I moved up more and more. I was near the edge of the tall grass, which will be the perfect time for me to spring out of there and give chase. Then, I reached the edge, ready to run at them...
...And suddenly my paws felt nothing but air.
My eyes went wide when I found that I came across a round hole which had nothing but dirt. I cried in surprise, "Wha-!" I fell, rolled forward in the air and landed hard on my back with a thud, "Oof!" Birds were nearby too on the ground and they heard me crash and flew away. I was staring at the sky, watching the birds taking to it and tweeting loudly. I blinked a couple times and shook my head from the daze I endured. I complained, "Who put THAT there?"
Then I had my face go wide again, realizing if the birds heard this, then... I rolled to my fours and looked up the hill over that small bit of land that blocked my view at first, and saw the herd was already leaping and running, trying to get away.
I whined. No! I can't let one escape now! I hollered, "Ryan!" I turned my head to the tall grass and saw that Ryan's form had already popped out of the grass. Then, since I had a bit of a desperate idea pop up in my head, I commanded, "Kill one of them!"
Ryan's face grew shocked at the suggestion, "What?!"
"Help me kill one of them before they all get away!"
Ryan stared at me at first, having a weird look on his face, then gave me a nod. I snapped my gaze towards the running herd now, almost all the antelope have disappeared over the hill. My chest tightened with hope and anticipation for the loud bang to be heard and one of them to fall. Come on, Ryan!
There were only three antelope about to run over the hill now. One had just hopped over it.
Come on...
Then it was followed by the second.
Come on...
Then the last escaped.
"Awwwwww!" I slammed my paw against the dirt in defeat, "Damn it!" I looked back at Ryan, seeing he had already raised the gun, but didn't do anything with it. I frowned in confusion. I demanded, "What happened, Ryan? They were in your sights!"
Ryan lowered the thing in his paws. He apologized from where he was while he was scratching the back of his head, "Sorry...I was a little too slow."
I rolled my eyes and grumbled with so much annoyed disappointment, "So much for your help."
Very shortly, Ryan came up and joined me in the hole. He repeated with a shrug of his shoulders, "I'm sorry, Sayde...I just didn't get one of them in time."
I huffed, then made a statement, looking up at the hill, "Oh...I guess it's not totally your fault. I should have just moved myself instead of relying on someone else to do it for me." I gazed directly at his face and reported, "I was still a bit winded from the fall."
He made a crack with a smirk, "Does that usually happen to you?"
I shot back, "What do you think?"
He called me out, "Well, I'd think you were much better than that since you were the best lone huntress in your pride."
I protested, "That's because I am! This was just a fluke!"
Ryan teased, "Hey, no shame in admitting you're bad at this. It'd be like admitting you lost your fight with that rogue."
"Shut up!" I swatted at him, having him dodge by backing away with a laugh. I rolled my eyes again. That's great. Now I think THIS is more humiliating than when I got injured by that zebra! I'll rectify that soon enough! Then I began wandering up the hill, talking over my shoulder, "Come on, Ryan...Let's go look somewhere else for food." Ryan climbed up the hill with me, and we pushed on after we reached the top.
We searched for any source of food again for a good bit till I caught sight of a warthog. Honestly I can't remember the last time I had warthog for food. As of late I've been going after bigger animals for food. I think it was a good substitute for antelope. That time while sneaking up for the kill, I was being super careful of my surroundings, making sure there weren't any other holes that appear out of nowhere for me to embarrassingly fall in and make a bunch of noise. Luckily that time, I had managed to caught a warthog in my grasp...And teeth, and made up for my early mistake. It wasn't so fast, nor tough. It was a worthy kill. Then I dug right into its hide and ate. It was enough to make my stomach fully satisfied.
Ryan has watched me again during all that time and was seemingly impressed with my skills. I think he was a bit nervous by how grueling I was with the warthog, not to mention what's left of the corpse I left on the ground, but he didn't make an issue with it. He knows for a fact that I won't hurt him. I was willing to make sure of that too. He also did make a joke that he wished that he had seen me kill something bigger than that.
Well I would've earlier if I didn't fall into that hole, that jerk.
My face stained with blood, which I'm certain it was by the smell close to my nose, and the way the human looked at me, I went to find a nearby watering hole for me to clean it off with him in toll. It wasn't too long that we've found a source of water and cleaned the blood off my face, and my claws since they were dirty too. Then I lapped the soothing water a few times to quench the thirst that has already been built in my throat. Now I felt both refreshed and satisfied in both hunger and thirst.
Now, it was time for me to go home.
With nothing else better to do now, I examined my surroundings and figured the direction to the wall of rock. Then the two of us strolled together for home. After a short while, I did see company in the form of two lions coming for us straight ahead. Me and Ryan stopped where we are and waited. I recognized quickly that they were mother and father. I can see they both bore worried faces.
Oh here it comes...
"Sayde!" Mom ran up and nuzzled me lovingly, "There you are!"
I spoke in a solemn tone, "Hi, mom." My eyes trailed to see Ryan was grinning nearby.
Dad joined in next as soon as he caught up to her. His tone of voice held worry, while his eyes held seriousness, "Where have you been?! We've been looking night and morning everywhere for you!"
Mom drew back, standing directly in front of me. She asked profusely, "Are you ok? Are you hurt?"
I held out a paw and waved it down, "Calm down, guys. I-"
Father brought this up in a serious manner, "Did you forget how dangerous things around here are right now? We thought Zaire and his pride had gotten you."
"Zaire?" Ryan wrinkled his brow in total confusion, "Who's he talking about, Sayde?"
I knew that he wouldn't know Zaire since I'm sure he has never heard of him before. I threw my gaze at him and replied, "I'll explain later." Then I returned my focus on my parents now, "Guys, relax. I was never in danger at all." I motioned my head to the lone human, "Can't you see I wasn't alone? I was with Ryan the entire time."
Mom pressed, seemingly starting to feel relieved, "You were?" She shot him an appreciative look, "I should have known you were behind this."
Ryan shrugged with his paws, acting modest, "It wasn't really my idea."
Dad came up a bit and started to interrogate me, "What do you mean you were with Ryan? What were you doing? Where did you go?"
I narrowed my eyes upon noticing the tone of his voice. I had a feeling he'd get worked up about this. Not caring how it sounded I answered flat out, "I spent the night at where he lived. At his home."
"You what?!" He ranted with fire in his eyes, "You went to the two legger home and slept there?! What's the matter with you?! Don't you see how dangerous that is?!"
Ryan was nervous nearby while mom scolded him with a hushed sentence, "Jabari!"
I argued, "Daddy, calm down. Ryan was there to protect me all that time. I told you I was never in danger."
Ryan tried to help out too, putting a paw to his chest, "She's right, sir. I've made sure to keep your daughter safe. Swear to god." Dad shot him an angered look.
Mom on the other paw tried to stop this situation, "Jabari, it's alright. She just wanted to get away from home after everything. As long as she is with Ryan and keeps her safe, there is nothing to worry about. Just drop it."
My dad stared at her next. I think by his face that he wasn't happy that she wasn't on his side on the matter. He scrunched up his face and made this sound, "Hmph." He put his eyes back on Ryan and apologized, "I'm sorry...Two legger." I rolled my eyes at that. I don't think he was. Dad took a deep breath and let it out, before announcing, "Well...We've found her...So let's go home. I'm tired already."
Mom nodded in agreement while I softened up my expression, "I agree." She told me, "Come on, Sayde." Then she said this to Ryan in gratitude, "Thank you very much, Ryan."
Ryan smiled at her kindness, "No problem, your majesty." He placed his sights on me and said, "I'll...See you later?"
I replied, forming a smile of my own, "Sure. You know where I'll be. Come by whenever." I nuzzled him, "Bye, Ryan." With that, I shortly left with my parents, taking one last look behind me and watching Ryan wave his paw at me. Then I focused on ahead. The awkward silence had developed between all of us as we made the journey home. We haven't said a word to each other since we left the human.
Then about several moments later, dad cut through the silence with my name, "Sayde." I looked at him, and saw he had a guilty look within his eyes. He apologized, "...I'm so sorry for what I did yesterday. I shouldn't have hit you. I was-"
Mom joined in as well with a more serious tone, "You caused a lot of trouble yesterday, young lady. We're glad you're safe, from Zaire, from anything, but that doesn't excuse attacking your sister. You have to understand-"
I sighed, bringing my head down in bit of shame, "I know, guys...I don't want to talk about it." Then I quickly brought my muzzle back up and assured, glancing at each of them as I spoke, "But you won't have to worry about me and Dahlia fighting about it ever again. I'm done with all that. She is future queen...And I am going to accept that." I leaned while I padded to rub against my father's mane, "Alright?" I withdrew and put up a tiny smile for him and said, "Apology accepted...Now...Can we move past this now?"
Dad smiled at me for a second before he spoke, "I suppose so."
Mom suggested and it had me focus on her, "Yes, we can. But we do want you to apologize to her once we get home. Just no more fighting between you girls. Okay?"
I accepted, "Ok." Mom smiled a little bit, then we just continued to travel back in silence now.
This was easier than I thought. Least there isn't any more hostility. At least I wasn't going to get grounded for not coming back home last night. I dipped my muzzle. I wasn't too sure if I can totally face Dahlia, since I still feel bitter towards her...For putting me through a lot of crap. But, I might as well apologize to her...And then try to move on with my life.
Besides...It's like Ryan said last night. I don't have to be future queen. I have HIM...I'm the only one in the pride that has him. And that is probably the most special thing anyone could ever have.
I smiled a bit to myself. I can live with that.
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