So, because I have nothing to do here´s chapter 2. Have fun, we are young! (Well, at least most of us :P)
A quiet saber stalked through the woods, looking out for prey for more than just himself. The morning sun slowly started to rise, making hunting much easier for him. Normally Diego would make a small break with Shira to enjoy the beautiful sunrise but today he was all alone and his mind was on something completely different. On something he hoped would only be in the far away future.
A rustle, a jump, a bite and the antelope was killed. Carefully Diego placed it under a tree, protecting it from the sun. The action was repeated three times and after a long morning Diego came back with three huge antelopes. To get them to the cave of the saber family was almost harder to master than hunting itself.
Quietly Diego walked inside the cave, dropping all antelopes in front of the entrance.
"C´mon Shira. It´s time.", Diego whispered to his sleeping mate and nudged his three children to get them awake.
Shira opened her eyes and walked without a comment to the three death antelopes, starting to cut them into smaller pieces so the cubs would be able to eat it quicker.
"One more minute dad, please.", Azur mewed during Luna and Saphir already started to stand up. Already full with energy Saphir walked over to his brother, nearly jumping because of his excitement.
"C´mon Azur, this is going to be exciting!", shouted Saphir directly into Azurs ear which caused him to jump up immediately, his hairs standing up to the maximum.
"Man, do you think I can´t hear you. Never do this again!", Azur complained about his wild brother and joined his sister who was already eating the small pieces of meat. The small white tiger followed his brother quietly.
Diego sat down next to Shira and booth watched how their cubs ate up their quiet big breakfast. Shira laid her head on Diegos shoulder and Diego laid his head protective over Shiras head, knowing how she must feel at the moment. The feeling when you know, that you will not see your own cubs for an unknown amount of time, not being able to help them when they are in danger.
The cubs were now half a year old and it was time for their big journey. All sabers believe in an old tradition which says that, when a cub reaches half a year, has to climb on the highest mountain which is close to him to become a real saber. Even Shira knows this old tradition and climbed on top of her mountain years ago before she became a pirate. And now, years later, she must face the same situation as a parent of her own cubs.
The three finished their meal and went to their parents who were waiting for them to finish.
"It´s time you three.", Diego said with a calm voice and started to go ahead, followed by Saphir, Luna, Azur and Shira at the back.
It was still very early in the morning and only a few animals were already awake, watching how the five sabers were leaving. Diego told the herd to stay at home for the morning so that it would be easier to say good bye for all of them. The herd, especially Peaches, started to love the three little cubs and finds it very hard to let them go now.
The family was walking for more than half an hour and finally they reached a wide meadow where the cubs always love to play and hang around. But that´s not the only reason why Shira and Diego chose this place. It also gives everyone a clear view on the highest mountain of their new island, the top currently covered in clouds.
Normally the cubs would now play until they would fall exhausted asleep but now even Saphir was quietly walking behind his dad. Diego and Shira stopped in the middle of the meadow and the cubs sat down in a row in front of them.
"Listen.", Diego spoke up and looked at all of them with a serious face.
"You know that I and your mother did our best to prepare you as best as possible for this long journey. As you know it´s an old tradition and when you come back you all will be full grown up sabers, the most fearful creatures on the world.", Diego tried to say with a strong voice and made small break, looking at Shira who was staring at her cubs with watery eyes.
"You are siblings and you are the greatest team on earth I know. I have no doubt that you will master every problem which will come across your way when you help together. Always remember that and we all believe in you and that you can manage this task easily together, no matter how bad things may look.", Diego said and slowly walked up to Luna.
"Luna, I know you are not the sort of saber who shows emotions but I also know that you have something from your mother. I know you can show your other side too and I hope I can count on you when your brothers need you.", Diego said and Luna gave him a quick nod. Diego gave her a quick kiss on her forehead and walked one step to the right and stood now in front of Azur.
"Azur, please stay with your sister and try to help her whenever you can like you always do it. Also keep an eye on your brother when he again wants to play the hero. I hope I can count on you.", Diego said and gave him a lick on his cheek. Azur nodded too and Diego went another time on step to the right.
"Saphir, you are the strongest and oldest cub and I want you to lead your siblings on a save way to the top of the mountain. Please don´t risk too much and stay strong. I hope I can count on you as a leader.", Diego finished and gave him also a quick lick, Saphir giving him a nod and standing the lick without any emotions like a man.
Diego went back to his mate and sat down next to her, softly nudging her shoulder.
"Please, please be careful and … an-", Shira tried to say but couldn´t hold back her tears anymore. Luna ran up to her mother, hiding now her own tears in Shiras fur who pressed her daughter against her chest. Diego slowly held up Shiras paw and placed Luna next to her brothers again which were now close to cry too. Shira blinked away her tears while Diego placed a paw on her back.
"Please come home safety. I, I believe in you and … and I love you.", Shira said quietly and lowered her head a bit, trying everything not to burst out into tears again. Diego saw that it was better for Shira to make it as short as possible.
"And now go and make us proud parents.", Diego said a bit louder and waved with his paw into the direction of the mountain.
The three didn´t move for a while until Saphir made the first step, the other two slowly following them without a noise. The couple watched unmoving how their small paws vanished behind the bushes, leaving them alone into the sun rise.
~Reviews
Love ya guys,
TimberPaw
