“Kamau~” The leopardess made a humming noise as she climbed up the rather stout tree. “What are you doing?” She asked reaching for a higher branch and pulling herself up above the younger male who stared up at her with a frown.
Sighing Kamau watched as his mother, Nia, climbed her way up above him. At least she hadn’t tried to surprise him again. That wouldn’t be pretty at such a height. He grinned. Not that they would die, but both of them might end up on the ground with a few good scratches. In a way that was why he honestly had chosen this tree. That way he could nap without worrying about any of his mother’s infamous surprise attacks. He was glad she was such a fine hunter, but why did she find so much pleasure in doing the same to them as if they were prey?
Blinking he looked up into his mother’s mischievous gaze. Nia had turned herself so that she looked directly at him, from an upside down point. “I was napping, mother.” He replied pointedly looking around before staring back at her. You would think something like that would hurt her neck. Jeesh. “More importantly what are you doing?”
“Checking in on you.” Nia grinned, “You finally came home again! I know you randomly travel, but sheesh! I thought a gator had eaten you or worse a female had.”
Kamau nearly choked, “What was that?”
“A female.”
“I don’t get it.” Oh but he did.
She laughed, a deep velvety sound that filled the air. “Oh! Don’t be silly. You know that your younger siblings may all have cubs before you at this rate. Are you going to die an old, lonely leopard?”
“Humph.” But he grinned, “Like you would want that, Nia? Any mate of mine would get rays from my mother’s jealousy.”
“Still!” But she grinned back at him, “Don’t use me as an excuse to avoid females now. I’ll try to behave for my dear son.”
“Are you saying that I have a problem finding ladies?” Kamau pretended to look shocked. But it was true. Out of all his siblings, even his brother who had the most ill-luck with love, he was the one who never seemed to have much to do with others. He just never had the will or the want to mess with relationships. It was hard enough to keep up with his family, but to have to work at pleasing another? Honestly he just preferred to go his own way and keep out of other’s business.
“Oh you worry me alright.” Nia shook her head before moving again to fix her position above him. Stretching out the leopardess let her tail hang over the side of the branch where it brushed against Kamau’s back, “Do you know that it took your father and me forever to get the truth through to each other?”
Kamau didn’t hesitate to wonder who she meant when she said father. Abrafo was his only father even if they weren’t really related by blood they were through everything else. That b*****d whose blood he had was nothing to him. He was glad that they had left that pride and would never go back there again unless to destroy it. But that was another story. Kamau shook his head before looking back up at his mother, “I figured that shouldn’t surprise me considering I’m here.”
Nia’s expression darkened for a split second before she smiled gently, “But I’m glad you’re here. You, Tendaji, and Izin are the reason for that. Nothing more happened besides the fact that I was allowed to have you three.” She forced a small laugh, “But talk about Abra getting me for that one! It was the first time we were completely honest with each other. Another blessing from that night.”
“Mother.” Kamau already regretted what he said. He could see past the smile. His mother was torn up still about his other siblings, those who she would probably never even see again. Why was it that he couldn’t ever think before opening his mouth?
“Don’t.” Nia broke through his thoughts and swatted down at him, “I know that look of yours. You’re worried about little ole me. You should know better.” The leopardess laughed softly, “As it is you might be wanting to hurt me later. Your father and I have been thinking that maybe some more cubs wouldn’t hurt-“
“Again?” Kamau groaned playfully. “How many siblings am I going to get stuck with? Shouldn’t you two be too old for this stuff?” He laughed, actually laughed!, as she reached back at him and the leopard started to slip from the tree.
“Oh! Are you alright?” Nia reached out for her son, but with a grin Kamau let go of the branch and slid down the tree. Landing on the ground he just moved out of the way in time as Nia’s black form jumped down next to him. “Kamau! I swear.” But despite her words the leopardess was smiling. It was a stunt that she would pull herself afterall.
“As it is, how do you feel about Safi’s situation?”
“His family you mean?”
“Mmm’hmm.”
“All the better for him.” Kamau grinned, “Less work for me since he could continue the bloodline.” With a laugh the leopard watched his mother’s expression. Priceless.
“Kamau, will you ever at least try to find someone?”
The male paused before shrugging, “Who knows?” He tossed a look her way, “maybe I’ll just live with you and Abra for the rest of my life. That might be nice, right?”
“Oh sheesh.” Smacking the back of his head lightly Nia let out a laugh as she raced her son through the roguelands. And even though most of their words were playful and neither seemed much worried about it the thought was still there. What would Kamau end up doing with himself? The leopard couldn’t travel aimlessly forever, could he?
Dodging an attack from his mother Kamau groaned. This was not the time to worry about that! So that was it. The issue would rest until later. For now he had a fight to finish.
(WC: 1029)
