Tsu was waiting quietly by the den. Waiting for Achal to return home from his daily morning duties. She wanted to spend time with her mate but it seemed that every time she got a chance something interrupted, normally the cubs. She knew that this was the time when he normally spend playing with the cubs or socializing with others but she really wanted to talk to him.... alone. Tsu had learned some surprising things about herself a few days ago and she wished to share them with the one who held her heart and since she met a young cub shortly after learning the truth a second desire flared within her, one that she also wanted to discuss with Achal, one that having an audience for would just not work.
Achal smiled brightly coming back to the den for his morning duties eager to play with his young cubs. His boys were headed out on the quest, but his adolescent girls were still home, though they were preoccupied with preparing to move to the own harems.
As soon as he saw soon his smile bright, "Good Morning Tsubame, my love," he greeted her brightly and loudly.
At this of course Hawtyi raced out to the den eager for cuddles with her daddy, who instantly gave her affectionate nuzzles.
Tsubame grinned and got to her feet when she saw Achal coming. "Good morning Darling, I was wondering...." She trailed off when a very bouncy cub came barreling out of the den. She smiled as she watched Achal cuddle his young daughter, she couldn't fault the young cub wanting to spend time with her father but she sort of felt like peeling the cub off of Achal and sending Hawtyi on her way. Tsu walked over to Achal and Hawtyi, she gave her mate a quick nuzzle and one for Hawtyi before whispering in the cubs ear, "Hawtyi, love, can you give your father and I a moment please?"
Achal nuzzled his daughter, but looked up at Tsubame's request. It was not common for any of them to turn one of the cubs away. Achal was not sure he really remembered it happening. He looked to Hawtyi, who was looking to him and nodded for the cub to head back to her sibling.
"Okay momma Tsu, but I wanna play with Daddy," she said smiling as she bound off for the den.
Achal watched his daughter go than turned to his beybanu. "Tsu love, is there something the matter?"
Tsu knew it was not common to ask one of the cubs to leave but she wanted to talk to Achal and what she wanted to say she would not say in front of her family. When Hawtyi smiled and said that she wanted to play with daddy Tsu laughed and said to her young cub, "I promise that in a few moments you can have Daddy to play with." She watched as the cub disappeared into the den before turning to answer Achal's question.
"Well no but I did want to know if tonight once everyone is sleeping if I... we could, um," Now that it was time to ask him Tsu found that she didn't really know how to say it... if she was daring enough she could say what Hawtyi said but Tsu just blushed even thinking that. "If we could take a walk. You know away from everyone." She couldn't look Achal in the eyes so instead stared down at her own paws wondering, hoping he would agree.
Achal was very confused by Tsubame behavior and her question confused him further. He did not understand why Hawtyi had to leave, if that was all she wanted it did not make much sense.
"Of course we can take a walk Tsu," he looked back to the den then back to Tsu," but is that all. I'm not sure I am following or maybe I am missing something."
It was clear Achal did not understand what was going through Tsu's head, but he knew it had to be more then wanting a simple walk. Why all the secrecy for a walk?
"Why don't we go now, if you like," say Achal softly.
Tsu looked up at Achal when he said the could take a walk and saw the confusion on his face. "Well, um, the other day I was talking to a young cub named Ru and, well I realized our own cubs are grown now and well..." Tsu trailed off as she shifted from paw to paw in embarrassment. They never really talked about making cubs the last time, it was just something that came naturally but now with the cubs, Maua, and Ban'ma Tsu didn't want to just happen... she wanted it to be between just them with no one the wiser or at least while they could guess they didn't know.
Blushing furiously Tsu looked up at Achall through her lashes, "We can dear but, um, I did promise Hawtyi" She smiled shyly then remembered something else she wanted to tell him... something that while important was really only important to her. "Besides I did want to tell you about who I met a little while ago and what she told me."
Achal raised an eyebrow feeling as though he might have an idea what this whole situation was about. He nearly laughed at Tsu's nervousness, but he had to agree. With cubs that had just jumped into adolescence and cubs that would soon be juveniles he would want more soon. It made him happy that it was his Beybanu, his first love that would hopefully be the next to bring more life into the pride.
Achal walked over to her and gave her a nuzzle, "That fine Tsu love. We can take a walk later and we discuss whatever is on you mind."
Achal was smiling and happy. It was nice that he and Tsu would get to spend time alone. Truly it didn't happen often and Achal had not really even realized. He was busy, maybe a bit too busy.
He looked back to the den to see Hawyti looking over at him rather eagerly and it seemed his granddaughter had joined them. He nearly laughed. "You right though. I think I had better entertain the little one. Our granddaughter has come for a visit. You should play with us Tsu."
Tsubame looked over to where Achal was and saw that he was right. Their granddaughter was there with their daughter both looking over at Achal expectantly. With a smile Tsu joined the two young females and waited for Achal to join them to playing even while a small part of Tsu's mind was thinking about later that night and what might come of it.
With a smile and silent thanks to the gods for his family. Achal joined his Beybanu, daughter, and granddaughter. For a while at least he would play before going back to work, but always with the promise of that night walk with Tsubame in his mind.
Fin (Word count: 1,130)
