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It had been many moons since the incident at the beach, but the memories were still fresh on Alula's mind. Whenever her gaze drifted in Kru's direction, she couldn't help but feel her face slightly heat up. It made her feel all warm any fuzzy inside. After the pair had spent time at the beach, having fun and getting to know one another, it was time for their little sojourn to end and another to begin. The ebony cheetah had asked Kru if on their way back the two of them could visit her father. She was close to her father and wanted to let her father know the good news. That she had found a mate all on her own, and also, to have her father meet Kru. She knew that her father would have no problems with Kru, that surely didn't help with the worry she had noticed Kru possessed.

Wit a soft smile, she nuzzled her head against his neck affectionately. She could tell by the change of scenery that they wouldn't be too far away from where she had grown up and spent a good portion of her youth. Speaking softly to her mate, "We're not too far away, Kru," She paused to flick her tail against him, "Just imagine all the more fun we can have once we get back to my home!"

It hadn't been too long since her last meal, and while Alula had noticed her hungry a bit more than usual, she just brushed it off. It couldn't be too much of an issue, her belly just had a slight bulge to it. Ears flicked back in Kru's direction as she smiled to the leopard, "Yea, we are close. I haven't been back here in quite some time. It will surely be a pleasant surprise to him," She paused, "He's all by himself most of the time..." Her voice trailed off softly. Her father was alone, other than Siltim's family that he goes to visit frequently, he has little contact with the rest of his family.

With a soft giggle at her her jest, dark eyes twinkled at Kru, "That's for after we meet my dad! But isn't that to be expected of mates, I'm sure my dad would know that!" Shifting her gaze towards the green plains with a smile. There was a slight spring in her step as the two walked forward. Off in the distance, she could slowly see her father's den appearing on the horizon. His scent was faint, he had to be close. She wondered if he was there or out getting a meal. With a smile, she licked Kru's cheek, "You don't need to be nervous Kru. Just be yourself."

With a soft laugh, Alula was glad that Kru was with her. She was truly lucky to have snagged the leopard. Regardless of what species he is, that didn't make her love him any less. If she had a choice between a cheetah mate and Kru, her leopard mate would be her only one. He had her heart. The ebony cheetah's mind was drifting again, she shook her head to clear her thoughts. While she tried to be all calm, she was actually a bit nervous about seeing her father again too. Their last conversation had revolved around finding a mate and now she was bringing back a mate. She didn't want to show that she was a bit nervous, someone had to be the supporter right now. "Of course not, I'm glad that you're with me."

Her father's scent was stronger, ears perked forward as she scanned for his dark figure. It didn't take her too long to spot her father's dark figure coming back to his den. With a nuzzle against Kru's neck, she called out to her father, "Dad!"



With a full stomach, Yaten had decided to head back towards his den to relax for the rest of the day. While his thoughts occupied most of the day, he couldn't help but be proud of what has all happened. He has witnessed his own family grown and disband, as well as Na'ilah's family grow. As the black cheetah was close to his den, a voice called out to him. Very familiar, he knew that voice anywhere. It was his daughter, Alula! He perked up considerably as he could spot her dark figure some distance away. Not only was it his daughter, but she had a companion with her. Chocolate eyes gazed at her companion, it was a curious sight indeed. With a happy grin, he called back, "Alula!"

As Alula came to her father, she couldn't help but to smile brightly and give him an affectionate nuzzle. It had been some time since she last saw him. With a glance back towards Kru, she couldn't help but giggle softly. She could see him acting differently, hoping to impress her father. Her tail flicked softly as she spoke, "It's so good to see you again, Dad! I've missed you! How have you been?"

An ear flicked towards Kru as he spoke to her father, it was so formal she couldn't help but giggle once more at the leopard. Shyly, she introduced Kru to her father. She knew her father would be happy for her, but that didn't mean she wasn't still shy. "Dad, this is Ba'kru...he's my mate."

Returning his daughter's nuzzle, Yaten was glad to see her so soon. In all honesty, he hadn't expected to see her so soon, but he was not complaining, not at all. His chocolate gaze landed over to her companion. As he had come into view, he noticed that it was a leopard. It was rather curious, to see one so far from the jungle. "I'm pleasantly surprise, Alula." He paused, "I have been well. When I get lonely, I go visit Siltim's family. I have heard that not only has Ma'isah had cubs, but that Siltim's mate is expecting cubs as well. It's nice to see little ones running around."

Chocolate eyes shifted towards from his daughter to the leopard. It was reassuring to him that his daughter had friends of other species. Though, he was surprised at her latter words. Her mate? This surely wasn't something he had expected, but was quite glad that she had came all the way out here to see him and introduce him to her mate. It made him feel happy to know that she cared enough about him to come and see him. With a friendly smile to Kru, "A pleasure to meet you, Ba'kru. I am Yaten, Alula's father which I'm sure you already know. I have to say I'm a little surprised by this recent turn of events." Chocolate eyes took in Kru, looking him over silently. All the while, he could see that his daughter was happy with the leopard and if she was happy than there was nothing he would do to make her unhappy. Though, he was slightly curious and had noticed the slight bulge in his daughter. To the pair, "Come to the den to relax, I'm sure you've been traveling for a while."

Relief washed over her as Alula let out a small breath she had unconsciously been holding. While it was silly of her to think that her father wouldn't have approved, nevertheless, she had been very nervous. Once they had reached her father's den, she went to lie down. They had been traveling for some time and she was unaware of how tired she actually was. With a small purr, she raised an eyebrow, "Oh really? That's wonderful news! I shall have to congradulate them sometime." She turned towards Kru, "Siltim and his family are lions that we are close with. I grew up with them, so they are like my second family." Letting the leopard know who they were talking about.

Ears pricked forward as she glanced at her father. She too, was curious as to what he thought. He did not seem disappointed, and that's what she was worried about. She was afraid that she would have disappointed him with her not finding a cheetah mate. She knew her dad would ask about the travels once Kru talked about it, so she decided to tell him. "I met Kru some time ago and he was heading to the ocean. I've never really been too far away from home, so I wanted to do something exciting and tagged along. It was a lot of fun!"

As the trio made their way to his den, Yaten made sure that Alula and Kru were comfortable before he sat down. He smiled inwardly at how Kru was acting with his daughter. With his tail curled around himself, he turned to gaze at his daughter. Well, that would make much more sense now. They had travelled together and along the way, they fell in love. It's very romantic, in his opinion. "I would dare to say that she got most of her features from her mother and all she got from me was her color." He winked.

Though, to Kru's question he replied, "I don't mean that in a bad light...rather, I'm surprised that Alula has found a mate so quickly. She has always been a bit on the wild side and for a while, I had worried that she wouldn't settle down with another. I am glad to see that my prior thoughts have been settled." He smiled softly, now knowing he didn't have to worry about his youngest daughter. "Though, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised. I hadn't harbored any thoughts of her being with another species, it's been some time since I last encountered mates of two different species." Chocolate eyes looked at the two, "I am very happy to know that my daughter will be taken care of. All I ask is that you make her happy," He paused before continuing softly, "I just didn't want my cubs to go through the same thing I went through. I'm not sure if Alula had told you or not, but I did have a mate until some time ago. Ever since she left and my other cubs had left the den, it's just been Alula and I. All I want for her is to have someone by her side, regardless of species because happiness is not discriminate."

With a smile, Yaten couldn't help but like Kru. His daughter definitely did chose a good male at that. It reassured him to hear that his daughter and Kru would come to visit him from time to time. That would surely make him look forward to his days. A soft chuckle, "Please call me Yaten, Sir makes me sound a little old. I don't need to be any older than I already am." He teased lightly before he nodded his head, "Oh yes, I have encountered a few pairs such as Alula and yourself. I would think that since we are all of the big feline family, that perhaps that is why it can be easy for us to have feelings for other species similar to our own." That was one of the few reasons why he could think of different species falling in love rather than just being in love. Though, he didn't dwell on the subject so much.

With a soft purr, "I am just glad to see my family get a little bigger. At least my legacy can live on with Alula and now you." Chocolate eyes glanced at his den, "As with Alula, you are more than welcome here at any time." Since Kru was going to his daughter's mate, he might as well let Kru know that he's welcomed here at any time. He would be more than happy to see them around. At the mention of cubs, he was a bit curious as to why Kru wouldn't think that he couldn't have cubs with Alula? Perhaps it's because of them being two separate species, but that matters not. The ebony cheetah has heard of mixed cubs happening before, but he's debating with himself on whether he should tell the pair about it or just let it surprise them.

Pleasantly surprised at how things were turning out, Alula couldn't help but blush at Kru's comment. Why did her father have to say such embarrassing things about her? "Dad! Kru!" She cried out, though it was all in play. She went to nudge Kru back playfully, young love was rather beautiful in it's own right. With a nod, "Oh yes, we should go and visit him after his cubs arrive. Then we can play with them!" She said happily with a smile.

Her father's words were rather curious. She never knew that he had encountered mates of different species. But then again, she had never really asked since it wasn't on the top of her list of priorities. "I didn't know that Dad! It's nice to know that we're not the ones out there Kru!" She rested her head against Kru's side as she was content. Her father approved of her mate and she was happy about it all. Though, the story about her mother was rather sad, she missed her mother very much.

Dark eyes twinkled brightly as Alula flicked her tail against Kru. She'd get her mate later for his comment. It was really just an excuse to play with him, not that she really needed an excuse since he would be more than willing. At his comment about her being fat, she pawed at him playfully. "Hey! That's no way to pick on a girl, Kru! I can't help it if I was a bit hungry earlier!" She normally wasn't that hungry, but for some reason she was a bit hungrier than usual.

At the other comments Kru made, she couldn't help but beam with happiness, "But of course we're the best!"

Chocolate eyes watched the two banter with one another, Yaten couldn't help but beam with pride. His daughter was finally growing up. With a soft purr, he teased the two "I think you've been spoiling her a little too much, Kru." He winked at his daughter playfully as he chuckled before he asked, "How was the ocean? I've never been that way myself, but I've heard many wonderful things about the ocean."

With a playful grin, "I wonder what embarrassing stories I can tell you about Alula that'd make her tail curl." He couldn't help it. It wasn't every day that he'd get to be with Alula's mate and tease her together as a team.

With a raised eyebrow, Yaten couldn't help but to laugh. Kru surely was an interesting character, certainly the kind of male he'd want for her daughter in the first place. While the leopard didn't seem to want to take part in the sharing of embarrassing stories, that'd have to wait till another day. Oh, he'd get to have his fun, that would be certain. "Aww! As much as it pains me not to have my share of fun, I am glad to see where you heart is on the matter. I certainly wouldn't want to have anything less for my daughter."

Curious, his ears perked forward as he looked to his daughter. "Is that so? Hunting in the rivers to catch the fish? I've never heard of cheetahs doing such a thing, I would love to see that sometime!"

A soft purr came from Alula as Kru licked her. Truth be told, she was quite scared of the stuff her father could tell Kru about her. Though, her mate's words helped to reassure her worries that nothing would be said to put her in a bad light and for that, she couldn't help but to give him an affectionate lick. "That's very sweet of you, Kru. Here I was worried of the things that my dad could tell you!" She turned to her father and stuck out her tongue in a playful manner as to say 'I win this round!'

To her father, she couldn't help but to beam at Kru's praises. "Oh yes, it was really quite fun. You should try it some time! Those fish are rather slippery, but they have a nice, distinctive taste to them. I've never really had anything like it before." And then Kru's response to the beach made her laugh. He was just too funny. So instead, she decided to answer for him. "Oh Dad, the ocean is rather wonderful! The best thing about it was the sunset."