Somewhere in the swamps, a murderer was on the loose. The only ones untouched by the tragedy and horror were too young to understand the significance of death. When Wahadi went out with his friends they played games where one of them would pretend to be the murderer and everyone else had to run. Sometimes Wahadi played the murderer. He liked that a lot, because when someone else played the murderer he had to run from them. Running from people wasn’t in his nature. He preferred that they ran from him. The sun was starting to set now, so it was time for Wahadi to head home. His mother always worried if he wasn’t home before dark. The swamp was a dangerous place at night. Knowing this Wahadi had stayed out late once before to see what dangerous things came out after dark, but when he finally made it home and saw how worried his mother looked he promised to always come home on time from then on, even though he still wanted to say out late sometimes. He could do that when he was older.
As he approached the den, Wahadi slowed to a walk and looked around. No sign of Vestip. Maybe he would have his mother to himself for a little while. He smiled hopefully.
Life in the swamps was dangerous at times, deadly at others, but it was a home like none Kabusha had ever known. It was the first place she had found happiness and even know, with sorrow filing her heart at the death of her sister, there was still joy in her newly returned mate and all eight of her children, each a bright shining star in her heart.
Though as much as she loved them, she also relished the quiet times like this when everyone was out of the den and the short, stocky lioness had the area to herself. No cries of "momma he hit me!" "Mommy she licked me!" or even "Uhh honey...I think I broke one of the cubs!!"
Wahadi stalked up to the corner of the den and listened carefully. Only Kabu was inside; he could hear her breathing. Smile widening, Wahadi pranced into the den. Despite being one of the most active cubs in the litter there were times when he was the most quiet, except for his mute sister, especially when Vestip was around. Tonight he would be different. For the first time in weeks he had his mother all to himself. There was no telling how long this moment would last, and Wahadi wanted to make it last. He bounded up to her and threw his little arms around her neck, holding onto her while he nibbled on her cheek. “I got you, mom!”
She stiffened for a moment before laughing, letting herself fall over onto her side, "Oof! So you did my little love." Purring that loud rumbling bass purr of hers, she pulled him into her, licking his little head ruff. "And how is my big strong boy?"
Wahadi laughed loud and carefree. He loved that his mother fell over when he pounced on her even though he was much too little to knock her down. He could count on her to indulge him when no one else would. Since there was no one around to call him a mama’s boy, Wahadi purred loudly and licked her nose as he snuggled up against her warmth. “I’m doing great. Is mama doing great, too?”
"She is now that her baby is home," She smiled at him. Of all the cubs, he reminded her the most of her beloved sister, not that she would ever play favorite with any of the cubs....Tana and little Wahadi always seemed to bring out the stronger urge to cuddle them. Maybe it was because they were both runts.
“Did Vestip leave you alone today?” Wahadi grinned. Maybe he sounded a little too hopeful, but Wahadi wasn’t thinking about his emotions right now. He was just happy to have his favorite playmate all to himself for once. He hated that he needed to act all manly while his brothers and sisters were around, when all he really wanted to do was play games with his mother.
Kabu blinked at him then smiled ruthefully, " Have I been neglecting you love?" She tried to be there for all her cubs, but there were so many of them and only one of her.If he told the truth his mother might feel upset, but on the other hand he wanted her to know how he felt. This was confusing. “No… well, sometimes I’d like to spend more time with you, like when I was a cub.” He considered himself quite grown-up now.
He might think he was hiding his feelings from her, but Kabu was anything but dumb and could read between what he said, and the story his body told. " Oh love." Nuzzling her nose along his neck and cheeks, she sighed softly, " I wish I had nothing to do but lay in the sun with you cubs all day. "
“You’re a great mama, mama,” he added sincerely, hoping he hadn’t upset her. Around his siblings he was a tough guy, a bad guy, a real mischief maker. Only his mother saw his sensitive side. He was afraid to show it to anyone else.
"I try kitten" Suddenly rolling him over onto his back, she nipped and nuzzled his stomach grinning. "So sweet I might just have to eat you up!" Sure they might think they are too old for such play but there were still HER cubs.
Wahadi laughed wildly and batted at his mother’s nose. “No, stop! Please don’t eat me!”
She smirked faintly as she mouthed his stomach, "But if I don't all your sweetness with escape and then what will I do when I need love and cuddles?" Rolling him back over onto his stomach, she curled around him with a soft sigh of contentment. "Well..I suppose I can spare you..."
She spun him around again and he found himself nestled warm at her side. Spotting a weak point, Wahadi spun around and gnawed softly on his mother’s paw. He growled happily and looked up at her with bright purple eyes. All other girls were gross except for his mama.
((Fin~))
