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The past few months had gone by in a whirlwind. First she had been asked to step up as Queen in her mother's place, then she realized she was with cubs, and from that point on everything was a struggle. Vodnitvar had become incredibly protective of her and would question everything she did as the cubs grew. She knew he had good intentions at heart, but it got to the point where she couldn't leave the den without being asked if she wanted help.

Finally, though, the cubs had arrived. They were tiny, helpless creatures to start and Fireheart felt horribly overwhelmed. She knew she had a good mate to rely on, but Vodnitvar also seemed lost as to what to do. It was like taking care of large mice. She was so nervous she'd roll over and just...squish one of them!

But they grew quickly. They opened their eyes and began to mew, and then speak and walk. Now they were old enough to wander around, but still not yet of age to leave the den. Their legs weren't sturdy enough for that just yet.

Returning from a small walk outside, Fireheart checked up on her cubs. Four were sleeping soundly in a pile in the corner, but one...where was he? Panic took her for a moment as she looked aorund, but finally, off to the back of the den, she spotted the light blue tail tuft of her oldest son.

"Chaska," she said quietly so as not to disturb the other cubs. "What are you doing?"

Fireheart snorted as the little cub flopped down onto the ground. Bored...of course. He hadn't set a paw outside yet so he couldn't know what he was missing, but she had the feeling Chaska would be the one to get into mischief as soon as he was able.

"There will be no leaving this den," she said, reminding him of the rules. "Not until your father and I feel like you're ready. The jungle is a dangerous place and we won't be able to keep an eye on all five of you at the same time." As it was now, they took turns going out and about. They were both restless lions - perhaps where Chaska had his urge to go explore - and needed to walk around.

"Chop off some heads?" Her voice held a light note of laughter to it. This boy said the oddest of things..."I prefer everyone in the pride to keep their heads," she said, reaching down to nudge her nose against Chaska's cheek. "Is that what you were trying to do to that poor bug? Chop off its head?"

"When you're older," Fireheart promised. It seemed they were growing up so fast as it was, she had no doubt in her mind that they'd be getting to learn the jungle in no time whatsoever. "But for now, your father is out and I'm the only one here. What would happen if your siblings woke up and found you, me, and your father gone? I think they'd be a bit worried, don't you?"

She lifted her paw out of Chaska's grip to lightly bat his cheek. "They're so shiny because they need to attract attention. It's easier to see me with all this stuff on, so if anyone in the pride needs my help, they can find me." She took off the brightly colored scarf and glittery metals while trying to hunt, though. They did draw attention and that was something she didn't always want.

"And what did that fly ever do to you, hm? Or was it just too tempting to leave alone?" Sea foam eyes glanced back to the corner where the rest of the cubs were sleeping. No one had stirred yet, thankfully. Turning her gaze back to the eldest cub beneath her paws, she continued to tease him by lifting her paw and the golden cuff out of reach just as he was about to grab it.

"Fifty? I hope you grow up big and strong, then. Fifty might get a bit heavy," Fireheart said with an amused look on her face. Chaska was a character, that was for sure. She applauded politely as he stood straight and tall, pretending to be...well. Something. He already was royalty, so it wasn't like he had to pretend he was a lord.

She wondered how the cubs would turn out. Her own siblings just sort of drifted around the pride, doing whatever they saw fit. Would her own cubs do the same as well? Or would they try to find a niche to fit in, as she had?

"I see," she murmured, the fly buzzing around her own ear just as Chaska spoke. She shook her head and reached up quickly with a paw, batting the fly out of the air. It landed, stunned, on the ground by Chaska's feet.

"There you go," she said, motioning at the fly that buzzed its wings to get back up into the air. "Quickly now, before it gets away."

Fireheart watched Chaska pounce on the bug, already proud of his form. It paid off to have two fighters for parents, she supposed. Fighting really didn't seem to be in this little one's blood, though. At his age she was already wrestling far more often than her siblings had been. There was nothing wrong with that, of course. Gypsies were free to do as they pleased, and she knew that being a warrior here was not normal.

"Oh...how lovely," she said, trying to keep the smile on her face as she stared at the squished bug. "As much as I'd love to, I'm afraid I'm full. The hunters brought back a nice meal for us," she said, reaching out to muss up his blue fluff on the top of his head. "Soon you'll get to try some."

Once the cubs were eating meat and not just drinking milk, they'd be allowed to leave the den. But for now, meat and the outside world would have to remain a mystery to the little cub.

"Yes, that red stuff," Fireheart said with a nod as she lightly stepped on Chaska's tail while he was looking the other way to spook him a bit. Cubs were fun to play with, she had started to realize. Now that they weren't completely helpless it was amusing to watch them roughhouse and play with each other.

"You're not ready to eat it yet. Your body still needs to grow more. But don't worry, Chaska. You'll be big soon enough." She wanted them to grow up so she could teach them the ways of the pride, but at the same time she knew she would look back in a few months and wish they were this small again. It was best not to rush nature and enjoy every day for what it was.

"Mighty king?" Fireheart said with a little laugh. Oh, he had much to learn. But for now she'd let him entertain his little fantasies. Being king or queen of this pride was not a very enjoyable task. It wasn't horrible, of course, but having so much responsibility was a heavy load to carry. She'd let him pretend it was a fantastic thing, though. No sense in crushing his spirits.

"Eventually," she promised, smoothing a paw down his side as he drifted off to sleep. Once he was out, she reached down to pick him up by the scruff of his neck. She gently put him down in the pile of cubs that he had emerged from and laid down beside them all. She nuzzled each one in turn before resting her own head on her paws to grab some shut eye.