Five days...Five long days of mourning for Tarzan and his family. Five days for Jane and Archimedes to settle everything and pack. And five days for Kaia to recover from her wound.

It was silent these past days but it has all come to an end as Jane and Archimedes will depart.

These past few days, Tarzan was unable to see or speak to Kaia as he had to take care of his family and travel to a safer spot. She was worried for him but knew to leave him alone at this time.

At the beach, everything is prepared to leave. Kaia had a bandage wrapped around her waist as she stood silently next to Tarzan. Jane stood in front of them, sad to even look into their eyes.

Archimedes has already bid them as he silently sat on the boat with the captain.

"London will seem so small compared to all this," Jane frowned, fidgeting with her hat.

"We will miss you, Jane," Kaia softly smiled at her.

"Miss Porter!" the captain called.

"I, I know, I'm coming," she turned to him and turned back to the couple. She sadly sighed, raising a hand to them. "Well, I suppose we should say goodbye."

Tarzan looked down at her hand, giving his and placing their hands palm to palm. Jane's eyes teared up, remembering this moment.

Jane turned to Kaia who tackled her in a hug, rubbing her cheek at the girl's neck. "Thank you, for everything. I will miss you."

Jane's tears fell as she hugged the girl tightly and pulled back to cup her cheek. "Thank you, Kaia. You're a great little sister to me."

Kaia tearily smiled at her and pulled away as Jane walked away from them and climbed on the boat as it sailed into the sea.

Kaia and Tarzan watched them silently side by side as they were getting smaller and smaller. Kaia sighed and hesitantly looked up at Tarzan.

"I'm sorry for your loss," she whispered.

Tarzan looked down at her and gently pulled her to his side, hugging her shoulder to his chest.

Tarzan softly smiled at her as they heard a splash in the ocean, they looked up to see Jane swimming towards them with a smile. Tarzan and Kaia frowned, worried she forgot something but was met with a tackle from the girl, causing them to lose balance and fall into the water.

Kaia grunts as she felt the strain on her side but laughed as Jane pulled her and Tarzan in a hug. Kaia smiled, hugging her back.

Tarzan helped both girls up as he looked down at them. Tarzan looked back at Kaia who struggled to stay balanced and wrapped his arms around her, making her lean on his chest.

"Tarzan?" she blinked up at him. Her eyes widened as Tarzan's lips met hers, pulling her strongly to his chest. She smiled into the kiss and leaned too. She heard Jane's cheers and cupped Tarzan's cheeks.

They pulled back to grin at each other.

"Kaia..." he whispered, his breath hitting her face softly while she listened. "Will you stay by my side?" he murmured.

Kaia's eyes softened and hugged his waist. "Yes, Love. I will."

Jane smiled at them, happy to see them happy too. She dropped it lightly as she saw some guests behind them and cleared her throat. Tarzan and Kaia looked back to see the gorillas and Tantor smiling at them.

Kaia grinned as she saw her father not far from them, knowing her family was still strained with the gorillas. Tarzan grabbed her hands and guided the girls towards the family.

Jane smiled softly as Kala raised a hand while Kaia placed her hands in hers, nervous about what she would think of her. But smiled as Kala smiled softly at her.

Kala gently guided her to the family. Tarzan was about to speak but Kaia stopped him and turned to everyone. "I will stay with Tarzan and with you all...if you accept me."

Her small words caused the gorillas to cheer and crowd around, wanting to get to know her better. Zaava watched it softly as Kaia has a new family now, just like he wanted.

He didn't bother looking to the side as Tarzan stepped next to him. Zaava nodded to him as Tarzan nodded back.

"No takebacks," Zaava laughed as he ran away while Kaia cursed at him but Tarzan hugged her tightly to him.

There are beings stronger than you, faster, kinder, and aggressive.  Features that you're born with made you what you are. Do you have fangs? What are they for? Claws? Fingers? Tail? Feathers?

What does this all mean? What does that make you?

They knew that everything had a purpose. It was fate for them to be who they are and it was fate that brought them together and become one. Tarzan and Kaia had to learn it the hard way to survive.

A/N: Made by yours truly...

But the thorned feather brought them closer.

Published: February 21, 2023

Word Count: 894