Life had been so strange for Himeru since meeting the cream soda colored lion, Akua. For the first time since she'd left her twin she'd seemed to have found somewhere else where she belonged. Someone who wanted, even needed her. Himeru was the bulky male's eyes when they were together, she sought out shelter and tidbits food for them. He had promised her he would be her star, the brightest one in her once empty sky and because of it the world seemed to glow. Then again maybe it was just the pale leopardess that seemed to glimmer against the shadows of the jungle she currently inhabited.She was after all, with cubs.
What female wouldn't have beamed with pride at such a revelation? Granted perhaps there were some who might not have cherished such a precious gift, but the leucistic leopardess proved not to be one of them. She moved with a graceful elegance. Careful of her growing belly and the little ones that were being nurtured there, but there was a sort of confidence about the normally timid and self conscious Himeru. There was no doubt that she was in her element as a mother-to-be, taking extra good care for the sake of her children. Once dull and matted coat held a healthful sheen and was white as freshly fallen snow. Though her body still held threadbare remnants of prior neglect, Hime was filling out nicely, her bones no longer an unpalatable eyesore. Strange to think what love could do for a girl.
Himeru had been given a second chance to prove her worth and she wouldn't squander it this time. The tree-dwelling feline would prove to Akua that he could be proud of her as a mate and that she would take the best of care of his offspring. He could trust her.
Strangely enough the wasn't any sign of the honey colored male, off still accustoming himself to the strange new territory he had wandered into, no doubt. He had promised her that he would remain in the area, learning the landscape and she felt safe knowing that if need be, she could find him.
For now, though, Hime was content to sun herself on a warm, flat rock that over hung the river that serpentined through the jungle. The trees were held back by the powerful currents allowing the sunlight to pour through. Cream colored ears flicked lazily, attentive to her surroundings though not as alert as might have been expected of an expecting female. Himeru was just too naive to pull her head from the clouds and realize that there were others that would have been overjoyed by the prospect of such an easy meal.
