Ona'raha - Kimaria
Kohana and Rehema - Thalion
He rubbed his chin across his mate's shoulder and cast a glance across at the cubs, counting them. One...two...was that three, in the darkness? If so, then one was missing and he could already guess who that one might be.
Eeva Subiani.
What was she up to now? The little scoundrel.
"I wonder what our little girl gets up to out there." Since she was a little older now, Ona'raha didn't worry so much, though if she was gone for too long he'd often go and track her down and snag her by the scruff. "Adventuring. Playing. She does have a lot of energy. Too much, sometimes." He paused and phrased his next words carefully.
"Do you think she will make a good Clan leader?"
--
Rehema noted the absense, though perhaps a little bit before Ona had. Eeva was headstrong, just as she had been at her age. She couldn't help but chuckle.
--
Nearby, Kohana lifted his head to take inventory of his siblings, only then noticing that Eeva had slipped out. Of the cubs, he seemed the most protective- and he always seemed to know just where to find his siblings. Though none of his siblings gave him as much trouble as his only sister.
He glanced up between his parents, an unspoken inquiry- he wanted to go after her.
--
Rehema leaned her head back to rub her nose against Ona's cheek. "I think so." She chuckled, "She's just a cub. I'm sure you had your moments in your youth. I know I had mine..."
--
Ona'raha purred and dipped his head to give Kohana a gentle nuzzle. He could read the look in his eyes and knew how he felt. He wanted to go after her too. But, he knew he couldn't. She had to learn to fend for herself and she was never gone for too long. Besides, the pride was small and if she was in danger she had only to call out...
"I was a good cub." Ona'raha protested with a smile. "My Mother always said so. I was an only child...I guess it was easier to keep an eye on me." He gave Rehema a lick on the nose.
"Yes...she's young yet. Just, sometimes I look at her and wonder if she'll want to be leader. I think she could do it. She's got your intelligence. But...what if she finds it suffocating? Being a caretaker of a Clan? I wouldn't like to force her into anything."
--
"Even good cubs have moments." She coaxed playfully, though she couldn't quite picture a little Ona slipping out unoticed or running out to find rival clans to play with. Eeva... suprised her every day.
Kohana huffed. He wouldn't disobey, but there was no rule against disapointment or an open display of it. Rather than sit about to listen to his parent's goo-goo faced banter, he padded to the mouth of the cave and plopped down to watch the horizon for his sister, to listen for any squeel of help she might make. Someone had to.
"It's up to her." She replied quietly, "I think that we should pull her aside and have a talk with her...but perhaps when she's a little older. Right now, she's not likely to understand the gravity of the position."
She let her eyes drift to the sleeping boys. "She has her brothers to keep her safe...and give her advice- just as a certain huntress has her voice of reason right beside her." She smiled, "I think it'll be fine. The clan's a family afterall."
--
"You're right. As always." He touched her nose fondly. It was clear that Ona'raha was very much in love with Rehema. He was never far from her side and enjoyed nothing more than cuddles and kisses. He was very much a cuddly lion all around, perhaps because he'd gone a long time without anyone to give him any comfort.
"You're a good influence on her. She's a keen hunter, desperate to be like her mother." He smiled "We'll leave her be, for now. Maybe in a month or so we can talk to her about what she wants to do. But being the only girl..." He sighed. Well...there were always future litters. "No point in worrying, in any case. Knowing Eeva she'll want to tackle it full on. So long as she understands it isn't a game."
He remembered the account Rehema had given him on the first hunting lesson with the baby gazelle. The point had been driven home then, but it was a rather striking image.
He cast a glance to his son, waiting at the entrance. "And yes, Eeva has someone most girls don't. A caring, devoted brother. You'll make sure that girl's head isn't always in the clouds, won't you?"
--
"I'm not always right." She smiled, "Just most of the time."
She wouldn't lie if asked, but she loved being the oldest female in the clan. The lead huntress. Back in the pridelands, it wasn't exactly a matter of skill. The numbers had exploded that there were few organized hunts. No need for a lead huntress. Ona had given her more than she could have wanted. A home, a pride and family, and a loving mate.
She nodded slowly, "She knows. But I don't want her to take everything too seriously. Everything in moderation."
Kohana glanced back sortly and rolled an ear back to listen. "...I'll try." He looked forward again, "Mom said that males are the protectors and guardians. I guess that's my job."
--
He sighed deeply, gratefully. "What would I do without you, dear heart?" He leaned his shaggy head against her shoulder and let his glassy-blue eyes glance across at Kohana's little face. What a sweet boy. A serious boy, but sweet.
"That's right." He nodded gently. "And you'll make a fine guardian at that. You've a noble heart, Kohana Subiani, a noble one indeed."
He lifted his eyes to Rehema then, and there was pride in them, for all his family. His three sons and single daughter. All of them were different. All of them special.
Outside he heard the stomp of little paws approaching.
"And I think there's you're sister now. What do you say we go and meet her and let her know she's been caught sneaking off?" He stood, shook his mane and plodded over to his son, touching the top of his head with his nose.
--
"Everything happens for a reason, love." She answered quietly, "There's no wondering what we'd do without eachother...this is what was meant to be." She let her eyes fall closed. "This clan, this pride...we'll never yield. It's our family afterall."
They didn't have to tell him twice! Kohana jumped up to his paws and stalked forward. When Eeva came into view she'd meet the hardened, critical face of her brother. He didn't have to say anything, he rarely did actually. His look alone was enough to make his thoughts known.
--
Ona'raha followed his son up and out of the den and into the falling of evening. He loved this time of day. The cool temperatures, the songs of the insects. And, as he thought, there was Eeva prancing along merrily, her head and tail held high.
Yes. She was an energetic one alright.
Chuckling, he moved alongside his son, watching the young boy's hardened expression. It was clear that he loved his sister dearly and the sight of it touched his heart. It was good to know his children looked out for one another when his back was turned.
--
Eeva, startled to see both her brother and father heading towards her, lowered her head and tail slightly and slowed to a walk. Her eyes skipped between both faces, somewhat sheepishly. Then, putting up a brave front she peered past them towards the den.
"What's up with you two? Where's Mum?"
--
You ran off." He said simply, taking a deep breath to cool his temper. His shoulders had squared off, chest puffed out to make him look larger. Unfortunately- Kohana was small. Oldest boy of the litter, but the smallest. His attitude more than made up for it.
"Next time, I'm going." He nodded back towards the den to answer her last question.
--
"She's in the den, waiting for you. We heard you coming and thought we'd say hello." He paused. "We were worried." He paused and let Kohana get the worry off his chest, then with a smile, turned back towards the den.
He cast one glance back, then slipped in side, snuggling back against his mate.
"She's back in one piece. Safe and sound."
--
"Don't be such a worrier, Ko-Ko." Eeva preened, following after her father. "I didn't go far and I know my way around now. No getting lost." She touched her side to his, purring happily. "We're not little cubs anymore, right? Time to start being independant. Besides, if I'm going to grow up to be Clan Leader, I've got to know how to take care of myself."
She smiled fondly. "But, I'd like it if you came next time. It's better when my guardian is with me."
And, with a smile, she slipped in to snuggle up to sleep.
fin/
