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"The coalition is a group of cheetahs that live nearby, sharing sleeping space, company, and most likely food." She shifted slightly, releasing her son from the safety but also confinement of her long legs, watching Fuhati placidly, though with an air about her that suggests she's ready to react at a second's notice, should it be necessary. "You were kept by humans? You poor thing. If you don't mind me asking, how long were you a captive?" She'd never met one who'd been imprisoned by the humans, so she was naturally curious. But she was also considerate of the feelings of others, so if he didn't wish to talk about it, she wouldn't press the matter.

Now that he's free to move once again, begins a surreptitious creep towards Fuhati. He's powerfully curious, as most cubs are, and blissfully unaware of potential threats. His sneaky slink forward was by far not slinky enough, however, because Kiya hooks a paw around him before he's taken three steps, pulling him back. He lets out a totally non-intimidating cub growl in displeasure, sitting where he's dropped, glring sullenly at his mother's paws. Mum's never let you have any fun!

A slight smile quirks on her muzzle as she hears 'must', finding the choice of words amusing. But even if it sounded like he was making a demand of her, which some might consider rude, she knew she would help him in whatever way she could. Although theoretically he was perfectly old enough to look after himself, for many reasons he was as helpless as a cub out here. Did he know how to hunt? Did he know... anything at all about living wild and free? Soft heart that she is, she already knows she'll teach him all she can of all that he needs to know. And hearing of his long captivity just sealed the deal, so to speak.

She props a paw absently on her little cub's back to prevent his moving forward again when he was spoken to, dropping her gaze to him and turning her smile into an affectionate, indulgent one as he growls softly again. "I'll help you," she says softly as she pulls her lavender eyes up to meet Fuhati's once more. "I'll teach you what you need to know. But you must tell me what you wish to learn. We can start from there."

She looked a bit confused when he couldn't meet her gaze, not sure why such a thing would occur, but put the thought out of her mind as he said those last words, and surprise crossed her face instead. "Oh, that's not necessary! It's a lovely thing to offer, but strictly unnecessary. I hunt well, and I enjoy it. Even when I was with cub, I hunted. Such is the life of the free cheetah. We provide for ourselves and cubs, and hunt in any condition, no matter what."

She removes her paw from her pale-coated son, rolling her shoulders. "Are you hungry, Fuhatii? I can demonstrate technique, or I can make a kill for you. It is your choice."

Little Aki perked up, lime green eyes glinting in the sunlight as he peered up at his darker mother. "A hunt? Can I help, mama?" he asks, practically bouncing with excitement at potentially getting to hunt with his mother.

She smiled down at him, leaning to nuzzle him lightly. "No, my love, but you can watch. And learn. And when you're bigger," she continues in a louder voice, cutting him off before he speaks, "you can hunt with me. But until then, you watch only." She laughs once more at his sulky but accepting look.

She nodded, crouching to allow her son tohop onto her back. Then, she began walking. "There's a herd of gazelle just the other side of that small hill," she says over her shoulder, gesturing with her head the way she had come. "I'll hunt there."

She starts up the hill at her typical meandering, slow pace, her tail flicking behind her, her dark frame slinking fluidly through the long grass. But instead of climbing to the top, a quarter of the way up, she turned to the side, walking around the side of the mound.