The young python at last saw movement from the larger snake. Her wounds had soothed somewhat he guessed. Least enough for her to move. She raised her elongated body upward, flicking out her tongue to taste the air. The young python stared up in awe at her size. Would he grow that large? The thought made him anticipate that possibility with glee.

Craning her head, the larger snake looked down at the little one. Opening his mouth and closing it, the tiny reptile managed to get something out.

"A-A-Are you feeling better?"

"Well enough." She responded.

The female continued to gaze down at the tiny specimen. The young one couldn't exactly read the expression within her eyes, but he made a guess: curiosity.

"Have you named yourself?" She asked a sudden question.

"What?" The young snake responded, unsure of how to exactly respond before finding his words. "Well...no."

"What's the matter? Having trouble?" The larger snake asked.

"I just can't think of anything." The young one responded.

"Hmmm." The larger snake replied. "Well, we can't have that now can we?" She slithered closer to him. "You're a lucky one my boy, you caught me in a generous mood. From now on, your name will be...Chote."

"Chote?" The young snake repeated.

"Trust me. The name will be considered ironic when you grow up."

"Chote? I like it!" The young snake said brightly. Staring up at his elder, the snake held a grin upon his face, "Thank you moth-"

"Don't call me that." The elder snake said firmly.

Chote let out a tiny gasp. "What? But I-"

"Look. You're young, so I'll explain it to you as simply as I can." The female started. "Despite whatever blood we may share, don't expect me to coddle you, or treat you any differently, or tell you you're special. The thing is, regardless whether you live or do is of no consequence to me. If you live, then you are strong. But if you die, then you simply weren't strong enough. That's how we snakes weed out the weakest of our kind."

Chote listened well to the elder one's words. He could tell there was no malice behind what she was stating. She was simply stating the facts. Hearing it disappointed him admittedly, but he was a mighty predator. He couldn't show weakness. But he had to know something.

"Well...what should I call you?" He asked. An innocent question, nothing more.

"Kaa will do." The female responded.

And without another word, the female slithered away, leaving Chote alone. He remained in that spot for a good while, before at last turning around and going his own way. The son of Kaa was going to make his mark upon the jungle.

XXX

Kaa wondering if naming her son was the right thing to do? After all, nobody named her, she had to pick that our for herself. But it was probably that motherly sentimentality. Even as she slithered away she couldn't stop thinking about him. Then, coming to a halt, she turned her head around, and could see he was no longer there.

"Well my little Chote. Let's see how you fare."

And within her heart, Kaa felt something. Maybe it was pride?

A/N And this little two shot is finished! Then again, I may write more about little Chote in the future. Just to let everyone know, Chote means "Small" in Hindi. That's why Kaa said it was ironic she was naming him that. After all, he's going to be big when he grows up.