It had been some time since he had visited his mother. The older lioness had sent him off as an adolescent with a flea in his ear about learning to survive on his own, but to not stray too far from their territory. At first he had stuck as close as she allowed him to, scavenging from her meals when his own hunts failed. She had chased him off if she caught him but never too far nor for too long, allowing him to sneak back if he were hungry enough to risk it. Later she had told him that she had been much closer than he had guessed back then, watching over him and making sure he had enough to survive on, if not enough to sate his teenage hunger. But gradually he learned to improve his hunting skills and he started to range further afield, until one day he discovered himself to be far beyond the borders of his known world, out on his own. Of course he had been back to visit since, but that was what they were, visits, not necessary for his continued survival, but social calls to see how his mother was doing. He had been slightly surprised when he found her without cubs that first time, but she appeared in no hurry to mate and he suspected she was waiting for just the right male to come courting. Not that it was any of his business but he did want to see his mum happy.
Smiling as he caught the familiar scent of the dark-coloured lioness, he lifted his head higher and let out a low chuffing call. He knew she was close, not much escaped her notice within the borders of her territory. A moment later that same voice that had guided him throughout his cubhood echoed his greeting from a patch of thorny scrub, the sound soon followed by the sleek midnight hued figure of the female as she stepped into view, a broad smile curling across her muzzle.
“Kato.” She purred warmly, slinking up to rub her head up under his chin, her slight frame now far smaller than her son’s bulkier body. Lowering is own he grinned back, the cockiness gone from his expression and replaced by the rare light of simple happiness. “Mother. It is good to see you again.” She chuckled and stretched up to snag his ear in her teeth, tugging it lightly. “Cha.. call me mom, mother makes me sound so old.” Laughing warmly he arched his solid head over her neck and licked at her dark fur lovingly. He might have been half scared of the lioness growing up, but he knew she had done what she had for his own sake, and that rift had healed long ago. He had always looked up to and idolised his mother, but now as an adult he knew that she honestly deserved his respect and admiration. After all, hadn’t she turned an unruly and cocky youngster into a self-sufficient adult? No easy feat considering what a little know-it-all he had been as an adolescent.
“So, how have you been doing Kato?” She asked, finally pulling back to look up at him, her depthless gaze knowing. Chuckling as she stood and waited, he gave a slightly self-conscious shrug. “Well enough mom. Game is good, I roam a lot… “ Pausing he glanced out across the savannah, much to Kyoko’s amusement. “Have you found a girl yet?” She asked in her typical blunt manner, that twinkle back in her eyes. Flushing Kato swung his head back around and stared at her, aware of the blush forming under his fur. “Mom!” Laughing she stepped closer and rubbed her cheek against his shoulder in apology. “It’s perfectly natural.” She chuckled, grinning. “I want my son to have his own cubs.. though the gods know I refuse to be called grandma.” This of course made Kato snicker, trying to imagine his vibrant and bold mother as an old, grey lioness covered in mewling cubs. The image reminded him of his own musings not long ago. “Well.. when are you having another family?” He returned, arching a brow at her. Kato chuckled softly and stepped forwards, rubbing her slim body along her son’s side before turning and starting to pad back the way she had come, Kato falling into step at her hip as had been their habit. “When the time is right, Kato. Have you eaten?” In a typical mother-like fashion she knew just how to distract her offspring, glancing back as her son shook his head, she chuckled happily and led him through the thorny shrubs that had hidden her earlier.
Just beyond was a freshly killed springbok and the pair of lions settled down beside it in companionable quiet, the only sound to break the stillness in the hot air was the sound of crunching bones and tearing meat. Once their hunger had been sated, mother and son retreated to the shade of an ancient baobao tree, who’s massive thorny crown offered plenty of shade for them both even when stretched out. During the heat of the midday sun the two black and blue felines remained hidden away in their shady haven, reminiscing about days gone by when Kato, an unruly and rambunctious cub had driven his mother nearly mad with his antics, getting in trouble when ever and where ever he could. Kyoko teased her offspring with tales of his earliest days as a blind cub and his first experiences in the world, and in return he pointed out the awkward moments she had been forced to go through as he grew. The millions and millions of questions about girls and fighting and ‘where do cubs come from’ that she had fumbled answers for.
The day passed comfortably, with them returning to the carcass in the late afternoon and feasting again, leaving only the bones as evidence, picked clean of flesh and blood and marrow alike. Kyoko had always been very careful to keep her territory neat, it helped deter the bane of all lions… the hyenas. It was a habit she had passed on to her son, though his months in the roguelands had dulled the habit.
Finally night came and the pair left their daytime retreat to go hunting, though the trip was less than serious, an excuse to run and play together like over grown cubs. It had been some time since they had last seen each other and each was well aware that nature would call Kato from her side all too soon, so they were determined to enjoy their visit together.
(Word count = 1,10 cool
