Having grown just a bit, Siltim's green eyes scanned the area for anything of interest. It's been a while since he last saw his older sister Shimah, she was off somewhere and hasn't been back since she was a cub. The same applies with his only brother, Rami. The last of siblings interactions has caused Siltim to not know his siblings and thus, he only really knows Ma'isah since they spend so much time together. Shaking his head a bit, the first parts of his mane have started to grow and he feels plenty tall now! He can't be called the runt for too much longer! With that thought, his eyes narrowed a bit. His mother. He needed to get some things clear with his mother, he didn't want to be babied around any longer! Flexing his paws, he got up and went in search of his mother.

Resting underneath their tree, Na'ilah was relaxing as the sun was just starting to rise over the horizon. Her tail flicked slightly in place as her ears swivled in place. There were so many things going on, her cubs were growing up and Shimah had even up and left. Shaking her head, a feeling of lonliness was beginning to well inside of her at the thought of her cubs not needing her anymore. They were her babies, they always would be!

Feeling the plush, green grass underneath his paws, Siltim wouldn't have it any other way. The grass blended in so well with him, it was good for when he went hunting for food on occassions. It didn't take long for the adolescent to find his family's den and spot his mother resting in her favorite spot, underneath the large tree out front. Stopping shortly, he needed to gather up his courage in order to face his mother. Gulping, he started walking towards his mother and in a slightly shaken voice, "Mom, we need to talk."

Ears flicked slightly as Na'ilah caught whiff of her son. A smile slowly grew on her muzzle as happiness spread inside of her. Just who she wanted to see! Though, look at him now! Her eyes widen in surprise as he had grown not too long ago, but it still took her breath away. He was getting bigger every day, growing up and learning things without her. That lonely feeling started to replace the happiness inside of her when he spoke. Trying to laugh off the feeling, "You don't need to be so formal, Siltim. Come here and tell me what's on your mind?"

Feeling some of his nervousness leave him, there was no reason Siltim needed to be scared around his mother. She wasn't going to bite his head off or anything of that sort. Pale tipped paws padded softly on the plush grass as he went and sat down next to his mother. All of a sudden, she didn't appear as big anymore, but rather, she seemed smaller than he had always imagined her. That must be because he's gotten bigger himself. "I..I am tired of you always watching over me, Mom. You never do with any of my siblings! You even let Shimah go off on her own as a cub! Why are you so over-protective of me, Mom?" There, he had gotten it off of his chest.

Stunned by his words, this wasn't anything she had expected him to want to talk about. Na'ilah was speechless, she had no idea what to say as there were so many things running through her mind. Was she really so over-protective of Siltim and not her other children? Did that make her a bad parent? Did Siltim hate her? Trying to gather her thoughts, the green lioness turned to look at her son, really look at him. And when she did, she was surprised at what she saw. A young adult male who wanted to take on the world, not with his mother watching his every step. This image of her son brought back some painful memories, painful feelings as the loneliness inside of her began to spread. He didn't want her in his life any longer. She had already lost one cub, how many more was she going to lose?! Quietly, her green eyes looked down as she spoke, "I had no idea you were so advent about that, Siltim. I just thought I was trying to do what was best for you, but I guess that made you hate me more..." Her voice trembled slightly, afraid.

Green eyes blinked in surprise as Siltim listened to his mother's words. Hate her? No! He could never hate his mother. Giving her a small, comforting smile he reached out to lick her cheek. "Mom, I don't hate you, I never had. I just didn't like how you were treating me differently. It made me feel bad about myself because I was smaller than my brother and sisters. And, you're not a bad mom!"

Siltim's lick comforted her in many ways as Na'ilah closed her eyes and took in this moment. It was true, everything he said was true and now her eyes were finally opening to the truth. She was being too over-protective of her son. Sighing softly, "I didn't know what to do...you were so small and vulnerable, I just wanted to protect you. But I can see now that you don't need that any longer." Bright green eyes turned to gaze at her young adult son. He was so handsome, and yet, a lot like her that it scared her. She didn't want him to go through the things that she went through. "Siltim, you'll be alright, I just know it. Though, I still have a lot to learn about being a mother." She reached out to nuzzle him, "I just worry about you and your siblings, I worry all the time that something might happen to any of you. I guess, I need to start worrying less since you are all capable lions."

Smiling proudly, Siltim wouldn't let his mother down. While he liked to do fun and rash things, he would never go out and intentionally get himself hurt. Flicking his tail, he crept over and curled up next to his mother. Resting his head on her back, he laid next to her. "I'll always be with you, Mom, so you don't need to worry about me or Ma'isah. We're good, and plus, we have Yaten with us...though lately, I don't want to bother him too much since he has a family." He purred softly next to his mother, enjoying this rare moment together.