Mawu slept quietly in her little glen, her paws wrapped around her head as she slumbered. Being a mother for the first time, she was exausted. She was always busy, though her Mother Koi was helping her along the best she could. It was just, hard. Her daughters were catching onto being proper ladies and her sons were the same, just not as ladies. She mumbled in her sleep, stirring quietly. Vestip was off hunting.

Kupa cocked his head as he studied his mother's tail. Sure his sister where off learning about their proper roles in life...but normally the large male was told to just go play and listen to his sisters. Crouching down, he wiggled his haunches before lunging for her tail. He wanted momma kisses!

Mawu slept up until her son jumped upon her tail and she woke up, her purple eyes half lidded as she yawned, looking over her shoulder. She smiled, seeing her large son. She sat up, yawning again. "Good morning darling" She said softly, turning to swipe him up in her paw and give him a good rough washing.

He began to purr loudly as he leaned into her rough grooming. "Morning momma. I caught that stupid grasshopper!" He perked his ears beaming up at her expecting praise.

She smiled, happy to have some alone time with one of her cubs. She wrapped a paw around him and pressed him down so she could lay her head on top of him. She grinned, rubbing her cheek against him. "Oh really baby? Catching bugs already! " She said sweetly, giving his cheeks a good licking. "Tell me about it baby!"

His purr got louder as he snuggled against her chest. He loved it when his mother or nana Koi loved on him, he even loved having his sister groom him. Some might thought him odd but it made him happy. "Well, I stalked it down, it was a long hard fight but in the end I won!"

She chuckled in glee and snuggling him closer to her. He was such a bright color, it brought her much joy . He was a color that would suggest he would sire beautiful and bright cubs. That and he was so sweet. "Really? But you killed it in the end." She said softly. "a wonderful hunter. You will do good for a mate someday."

"Really?" His smile widened as he rolled over to show his belly, pawing at her ears. "I am not messed up?"

She smiled and caressed his face with her paw. "Yes darling. You are doing well to start early with your hunting." She said with a smile. He would probably would be a better hunter than his father. She pulled him a bit away so she could look at him. "I am proud of you baby"

He beamed at her licking her nose and muzzle, "I'm glad. They told me I was odd cause I was so big."

She chuckled. "No... it is unusual for males in our pride to be large like you are but perhaps you will grow into your paws... like we all do in the end. But big boys don't mean anything bad at all darling." She said sweetly. "Just look at your father."

His smile slipped away at the meantion of his father, looking down at his big paws.

She cocked her head and brought him closer to her. "whats wrong sweety?" She asked softly, her eyes soft and sweet.

"Da doesn't wanna be here." He couldn't look her in the face. Kupa knew he wasn't as smart as many of his siblings but still even he knew his father wasn't happy havng them around.

She sighed at his words. She too knew that Vestip was not meant to be here... and was only doing it out of guilt. She sighed soflty, pulling him close. She wished Vestip wouldn't go but in her heart-she knew he did not love her and that he loved another. "Thats not how it is darling... he is here for you kids..."

"How could he not love you momma? You are perfect!" He leaned up to lick her face purring softly as he butted his head along her jaw. "I love you."

She sighed sadly. "He does love me but... not in the way that true lions love one another... she loves someone else someplace. He-he just wants to be apart of you cubs's lives." She said, her eyes lowered. "He and I... our meeting-was not what he wished." She said with a sad expression. "I love you too baby."

A soft whimper spilled from his muzzle as he pressed close, he had made mommy sad. "I am sorry mommy! I didn't mean to make you cry."

She shook her head and pulled him against her, making softy cooing sounds. "There there sweety. It is okay. You didn't make me cry... Mommy just-ignores those thoughts and feelings." She said sadly. "It isn't your fault sweety..."

He buried his face against her fur trying to purr as loud as he could, maybe that would make her happy. "I will take care of you momma, always and always."

She pressed her face against his bright fur. "Of course you will baby!" She said with a grin. 'I can trust that when I am old and grey...er... More grey... I will be able to count on you and your siblings to keep me safe and warm at night.

He giggled batting at her ears now ," Always momma." He purred louder as he rubbed against her. He was so glad she loved him. She was a good momma

She giggled and blew a raspberry into his belly. "Thats my boy!" She said softly, her eyes soft and serene. She was very proud of her baby boy. "Thats my boy... I am so proud of you."

He shirked giggling when she played with his belly, his feet flailing as he squirmed. "Don't eat me momma!"

She nibbled on his tummy softly and make eatting sounds. "I can eat you if I want too" She said with a laugh, pressing her muzzle into his belly.

Kupa giggled, trying to get to her ears. "Nooooo I am not good to eat!"

She lifted her head and licked her lips, before taking his head soflty in her muzzle and making noises. She then let him go and smiled. "Your too big to eat..." She said quietly, rolling him onto his back. "But your belly is warm enough for me to snuggle with!"

He giggled yawning as he snuggled against her. "Nap now momma?"

She smiled and brought him closer so she could lay her head next to him. "Yes,.. we can take a nap sweety. Mommy is tired.. and Sleeping with you would be extra special to mommy." She said, lowering her head next to him and snuggling

He cuddled into her warmth fast asleep in the way only babies seem to manage. One moment wide awake, the next dead to the world.

She pressed her cheek against her child and soon fell into a sleep of her own. Hers was not so sweet as a cubs was-but it was sleep none the less.
Fin