Heart of a Sabertooth

Okay so if you're reading this I will tell you that this is the rewritten version, I have enjoyed doing this story so far but as a writer I feel my writing has developed since first starting this to my more recent update of chapter 10. I hope all the new readers enjoy this story and to my existing followers I love you all for the support and hope you find the updated version better, no doubt I will update it again next year haha :D

Ice age characters (c) 20th Century Fox

OC are mine

Prologue;

A cold harsh winter had covered the land, for all animals of the ice age, times were hard and the fight for survival was put to the test with the harsh conditions that would be around for the next few months. Some creatures slept through the colder months whilst others faced the cold head on. Food was scarce, herbivores who were weak fell to the lack of fresh food but it was this that the predators of the land thrived on, every hunt produced a meal.

The river that cut through the mountains and forest was frozen solid, another problem for animals that needed water, if they couldn't find it in the small amounts of food they would surely perish.

Taking refuge in the mountain region and away from any immediate danger on the ground below was a young mated pair of sabertooths, they had taken refuge in an abandoned cave that cut into the mountain side. The natural hole in the rock creating an effective barrier against the howling cold winds outside but it also kept the collection of warmth from their body heat on the inside.

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On an arrangement of animal fur and skin lay two tigers. The male who's fur was orange and light brown with darker brown stripes was lay on his side in a deep sleep that only a cat could truly do, beside him lay his mate whose striking fur set her apart from most sabertooths. Her fur was as white as the ice age itself, the only other colour was black that ran from her eyes down to her nose, as well as the black fur that ran down her neck and back, not forgetting her eyes that were the palest blue. Unlike her mate who was in a peaceful slumber she was heavily pregnant and the unborn cubs inside her were extremely active on this night.

No matter what position she lay in, her back ached, her stomach was too round to lay flat, instead she found comfort in a brisk walk around the cave before resting her head on her mates side, but tonight she just couldn't get comfy enough to sleep for more than a couple of hours.

She scowled over to her mate who was sleeping like a cub oblivious to her discomfort, she yawned now completely awake, her mouth felt dry as she rubbed her tongue along the roof of her mouth, she was desperate for a drink and a chance to stretch her legs.

"Conan" she called gently to her mate. His amber eyes snapped open and his head turned to look at her, he looked panicked and his breathing was quickening.

"What's wrong, is it the cubs" he said as he quickly got to his feet looking over her body.

"No you fool…..now take a long, deep breath before you pass-out" she said chuckling at his worrisome behaviour. He released the breath he had been holding and nuzzled his face into hers, she released a purr to calm her beloved.

"Don't worry me like that Shima…what's wrong then sweetheart?" he asked her.

"I couldn't sleep, our babies are getting very restless these days….I think they are getting ready to meet mommy and daddy" she purred to him as she gave him a kiss on his chin.

"And I can't wait to meet them"

After a few more nuzzles she went to get up, something in the last few weeks of her pregnancy that had caused her some great difficulty, Conan was immediately at her side helping her up. It was something Shima had tolerated, he was only being an attentive mate and father to be, but ever the proud female that she was she couldn't wait to get her healthy lithe body back so that she wouldn't feel as helpless as she felt now.

"I just need to stretch my legs Conan…..you never know maybe a gentle walk will start the labour" she said throwing a wink at him as she made her way to the front of the cave.

"Okay, okay we'll do this together and take this nice and easy darling, just use me to lean on if you start to tire" he told her as he trotted off to get ahead of her.

He looked around at the ground below, his senses on high alert trying to sense any indication of danger before he would allow Shima to follow. He called to her to give her the all clear.

She carefully took the small ledges that led to the ground, each little jump jostled her belly and the cubs kicked her at being bounced around, something which took her breath. The feel of nature under her paws was something she had missed dearly. Snow had fallen heavily in the night and it was thick and quite difficult to walk in but she pushed onwards to the frozen river. One thing she loved about winter was that her fur blended into the environment around her. Growing up she had found her fur an abomination and a defect to her species, something other sabers had mocked her about…..it took her a few years to stop hating her appearance before she finally chose to live and embrace her unique colouring, Conan had only ever thought her beautiful…..he had said she had reminded him of the moon when they first met.

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Reaching the river they found a small herd of deer on the opposite side digging at the frozen water, these animals were naturally skittish creatures but seeing the two predators set them on edge and a few jumped away from the ice placing much needed distance between them. Ignoring the silly group of deer Shima looked at the frozen water beneath her, she found that the ice was thinner around the edges that touched the bank so with one of her paws she applied pressure to it, hearing the satisfying noise of ice crunching she lowered her mouth drinking the icy cold water quenching her much needed thirst.

Whilst she drank Conan was on the lookout, once his mate was back in the safety of the cave he would go on the hunt, the nearby deer herd wouldn't be in the area for very long and he intended to take full advantage of the nearby prey. Once Shima was done he took a quick drink as well, fresh water was hard to come by in winter and at any opportunity to drink he would take.

After a quick walk around the perimeter of their territory they made their way back home. The walk had exhausted her but at least her cubs had finally settled. Conan was once again by her side as she carefully took the small ledges before walking back into the warmth of the cave. The furs she trod on had been collected by Conan who found them from deceased animals that hadn't made it through winter. She spun around in small circles pulling the furs about before resting on them yawning once more as the lack of sleep was finally catching up with her.

"I'll go and get us something to eat, I won't be long darling" Conan said brushing his head into her neck.

She waited for him and true to his word he came back shortly with a young deer locked in his jaws. He placed the carcass down before her, as if gifting to a queen…..well to Conan she was and always would be his queen.

Like the true hungry fashion of a mother with young she ate most of the meat but what she didn't eat, Conan soon polished off. Now fed, they finally rested together, Shima lay on her side whilst Conan lay on his front next to her, thoroughly washing her face and ears ridding her of any blood from her meal.

Shima was relaxing from his touch, she enjoyed the attention he gave her. He had always said he was lucky finding her that night, but she thought she was the lucky one….any female would bend over backwards to receive Conan's attention. Sometimes she wondered if he ever came across another female would he take her on as a mate and start a pride with multiple females. It is what a male saber would do if he had claimed a territory for himself, but her fretting was silly, he only had eyes for her.

"What are you thinking about?" he questioned her as he noticed her gazing off into the distance.

"Oh nothing really just me being silly…..I was reminded of the day I met you, now look at as"

"I often find my mind travelling back to those moments, I will remember them for the rest of my life…..you have made me very happy my love" his deep purring rumbled in her ears, the vibrations travelling throughout her body.

"When I saw you, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven Shima" he whispered into the back of her head. Lolling her head back to look up at him she chuckled and pushed him lightly with her paw.

"You flatterer…..I admired your dedication, and patience in those couple of days….it's part of the attraction I hold for you….you big, strong, cuddly kitty you" she giggled at him.

He tenderly brushed his warm nose on hers "You were worth every minute of me flaunting myself" he said wiggling his eyebrows making her giggle again "I would of fought and protected you for a 100 years if I knew you were going to be mine" he said with a look of genuality in his eyes.

She got lost in the warm amber that were so full of love for her, with one last nose bump she turned her head back resting it on the fur as her eyes felt heavy once again, feeling the safety and security from her mate who lay resting against her, she allowed sleep to take her.

I hope you like the updated version guys, I decided to write more on Shima and Conan's relationship, it was only briefly touched upon on the old version, I will try and rewrite all chapters before I post a brand new chapter so please bear with me.

Shima means Mother

Conan means Wise

P.S. Take a look on my Deviantart page Hannahhobnob for all of my characters