He paced back and forth, nostrals flaring slightly as his ears flattened against his skull, he was trying his best to keep cool, but he hadnt been in a pride in so long and well, he was feeling a little caged.

And it felt as something strange was gnawing on the back of his mind, as he paced he shook his head trying to clear the fog that had seemed to settle there. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes and focused on the face of his mate, his love for her calming his nerves a touch better than pacing had.

She watched him from the cave entrance, a confused look on her features. Why was he was pacing? What was wrong? She stared at him with nothing but love in her eyes, and smiled softly. She padded further into the den on silent
paws, but she spoke to him to break his concentration. He looked so upset, and she didn't knoww hat to do.
"Whats wrong, Xannie?" She asked, nibbling his ear, and tugging gently before letting go to stare at him with a smile on her face.


He took a deep breath and smiled down at her with a smile on his face, he loved her so much, so much he was willing to be in a pride again. "Mmm yeah, Im just..adjusting." He said with a shake of his head.

"I dont mean to look like a freak love, its just..hard." He said finally, but he didnt regret joining her here, he wanted to share his life with her, and this was part of it.


"Im here for you. I dont know what to do to make you feel better, but Im always here." She smiled, nuzzling into him and than loweing her chest to the floor and her rump in the air playfully.
What about a game of tag? Maybe that would make you feel better." She was really just joking, because she didnt want him to feel she ddint take it seriously. Lifting herself back up, she grinned.
"Im sorry. I guess I just came from Pridelife. My old pride was worse, remember? I was ugly for my dark pelt. Here I fit in, so it was easier to adjust."
She lifted his chin with her muzzle so he looked her in the eye.

"And you fit in, ya know why? Because I fit in."


"Your old pride was full of morons, because your beautiful, there is no other more lovely than you." He nipped at her paws. "I'll be fine love, I really just need to get used to it, its simply that there are so many here..so it must be a great easy place to fill with so many so quickly.* He nibbled on her ear lightly. "I think I'll join the guard though."


She chuckled, and nodded. "You're sweet Xanthus. One of the reasons I love you so. Have you heard your muse yet?" She asked, happy to hear that familiar voice in her head now that she was back in the lands.
She closed her eyes, listening to the wind, and taking a deep breath and sighing. She was sure it was telling her things would be okay, and she would be a mom soon enough. She now had a newfound faith that it would
be possible. They would be able to get pregnant, and she was happy. Though she had to clear her throat to bring herself back to reality. This wasnt the time to think about that!

"Oh? I will be mated to a handsome guard of the Pride? Im honored," She said, bowing and lifting her head up a little just enough to wink at him.


He laughed and swatted at her lightly before he sighed, "Im not sure if I have or not..I feel this strange..slightly foggy presense in the back of my mind, but I dont know what it is, or what it isnt."

"And I might as well as be helpful around here you know? With you and my future cubs dwelling here I want to be able to know your safe."


She nodded, completely understood. She knew that feeling safe with her family was something that she had always hoped for. Its why she hadnt wanted to remain a Rogue for very long. She was simply scared at the lack of security.
She brought her paw up to touch his face gently. She smiled and chuckled. "And what better place to raise cubs than together in a safe environment. Though lets be real, Xanthus, who would want to mess with a big, strong, handsome lion
like yourself? I think that they would be too afraid." She said, and let her tail flick wildly about.

She licked his cheek, and began to purr. Suddenly incredibly happy.


He chuckled, "I dont think they'd think I was handsome as they were running for their lives, because if anyone EVER laid a paw on you, Zari or our cubs, their lives are forfeit and I will end them." His tone grew serious as it almost never was, it was a harder tone than he used as well, he would never allow any of them to be hurt, allow anyone to do to them, what had been done to A'nala since he had failed her.


"That was never a question, Xan." She said with a shake of her head. She tickled his side with her tail as she sat beside him. She was so enthralled in the idea of them and cubs,
that she was the happiest she had been in a very long time. She had always wanted a family, and Xanthus wanted to make it possible for her to get that. She smiled and began grooming his
shoulder, making sure that she cleaned it well. It made her feel close to him, and she loved doing it. It was a sign of respect.

"Dont you worry Xanthus, I would think you were handsome for them while they were running off. But pride or no pride, I would feel safe with you. You are my rock, and my shelter."
She said.


He simply couldnt say anything, he simple stared at her. His eyes were full of love and adoration for her, she was simply amazing and the feeling of being caged was completely gone as he relaxed under her attentive grooming, relaxing with a giant purr, he nuzzled his face into the side of her belly.

He couldnt wait until she was round with the result of their love in her belly, to put his face to it and feel the kicks of their cubs, theirs together. Just the simple thought filled him with joy, he wasnt sure how he was going to feel once they were with them.


She was thinking the same when he touched her belly with his muzzle. She imagined what it would be like to feel them, and then know that Xanthus could feel them as well. She was so excited
yet terribly afraid to experience such a thing. She smiled, and giggled.
"I know.. I know what you're thinking. I cant wait either." SHe said, and touched the top of his head with her paw.

She liked that her cubs would have a sister that they could learn from as well. Zari was a sweet and smart girl, and a very pleasant role model. Maybe she'd be excited about all this. She had tried
to hook Xanthus up with Juno before after all.

He was so amused that she had known what he had been thinking, he simply shook his head with a chuckle.

"Thank you Juno, Ive completely forgotten feeling like I was in a cage." He licked her muzzle with a purr. "Lets go continue to try for cubs m'love..I cannot wait for the sound of their little paws pittering around." With that, he padded to their den, his heart filled to the brim with love, happiness, and contentment.