The bitter cold returned after only three days, no snow fell at first and then it continued to snow heavily for the next week before it lessened. Everyone in the village were snowed into their homes, with the doors covered waist deep in snow and ice. In the end, Qianhuang was able to collect a few more root vegetables, some edible winter-hardy greens and mushrooms before the weather returned to its harsh standard. "There were several types of red berries, but I couldn't tell them apart. Perhaps the healer knows the difference and can teach me for next cold season."
"Harvey? Yeah, he would know all the plants in the area... I'd hope." Chiaki placed a hand in her belly, feeling a little kick. "Your cubs are getting excited to be born."
Qianhuang's ears shot up and he quickly made his way over to fell his mate's belly. His hand was kicked. "My!" His face was filled with awe. He giggled and moved closer, placing an ear to her belly. He was kicked again.
"I wonder how much longer? It's been three months."
"I-" He paused to think. "I believe they will be born just as the cold season ends." Qianhuang looked over to the food stores. "I'll fix you something to eat." He didn't want to admit that Chiaki was still small for how far along she was. The cubs though were still alive, the kicks proved that. Still he worried.
"Thank you." She ran her hands through his long white hair. It felt dry and rough. Chiaki pulled him up so she could hug him. He was just slightly less thin than he'd been a week ago, proof that he indeed needed to keep eating with her.
Qianhuang pulled away and grabbed the last of the boar meat from their stores. He checked the rest, all of the small game had been consumed. The carrots would be gone with this meal, he grabbed them. A few potatoes had odd spiked growths on them. The greens he'd collected were starting to wilt, they should use those, he grabbed them. The mushrooms seemed to be the same as when they were picked, maybe a little wilted. The Aurochs meat would last a few more weeks. He sighed, the cold season looked like it would last another four weeks, the same as it had seemed it would last over a week ago... the cold season was going long.
The salt pot was empty, one pot had not been enough to preserve all the meat and cook with at the same time. He'd have to trade for some as soon as the season changed. That would be a trip back to the Winged Lion village, they were the only ones sure to have salt left over from the winter, thanks to Ji Mo.
Qianhuang held up the bowl of ingredients as he returned to the main room. "Boar with wild carrots, and the greens from beside the lake."
"Sounds good!" Chiaki said, she looked into the sleeping chamber. "Curtis will wake in the next few days for a meal..."
Qianhuang placed a hand on his mates shoulder. "He's doing fine, he is use to eating very little during the cold season. Remember?" Qianhuang frowned at the male sleeping in the next room. In his mind he was thinking, 'He'll have a lot of work to make up for this cold season when he wakes up, I'll make sure he is hunting everyday! Next cold season I want twice the amount of food stored!'
He began to cook the meal. 'We will have cubs next cold season to keep fed. We might even have a second litter or one on the way again.' He sighed realizing that the snake feral might be the father of those young the next time. Feral males were bad at taking care of females, they were probably even worse at taking care of cubs!' He'd need more help next cold season... that meant...
Chiaki watched Qianhuangs hands tighten around the bowl he was holding. She didn't know what her mate was thinking about, probably about Curtis waking up. The peace of the Winter would be over once Curtis awoke and became a active member of the family.
The next morning Qianhuang tested the strength of the snow and ice packed against the door, he was able to shove it open just enough to get the cold air rush into the main room. He grunted and sighed.
"What about transforming? Is this room big enough?"
Qianhuang glanced over to Chiaki. "I've never tried." He wrinkled his nose at the smelly pot they had to deposit their waste in while trapped in the house. It stunk up the room. The heavy snow piled around the house was insulating it and the rooms were overly warm. Combined, the house was becoming unbearable to it's inhabitants. "I will try."
Qianhuang crouched down, dropping his loincloth on the floor. He kept low as he changed from man to beast. Once done, he took up most of the main room. One large white paw pressed onto the door, with a shove the door moved a little more letting in a fresh gust of cold but fresh air.
He remained crouched and pressed both front paws against the wooded door. With another shove the door was pushed open about a foot wide. "I'm going to break the door." Qianhuang growled as his tail thrashed dangerously close to the main fire pit.
"Careful!" Chiaki called as she tried to grab the swishing tail.
Qianhuang shuddered as his mate succeeded in catching his tail. His paws slid down the door and he made a "murumph" noise. Chiaki's eyes widened as she realized she'd grabbed his tail.
As Qianhuang began to transform back into his human shape Chiaki dashed passed him and out the partly open door. "Sorry!" She called. "I really have to pee!"
Qianhuang lay in the dirt floor as his body changed and his reproductive drive kicked in. Oh she had grabbed just the... right? Wrong? Part of his tail and now all he wanted was to lay her out in the furs and mate with his beautiful female. Why was he cursed with such a sensitive tail?
He chuckled as a grunt of anger drifted into the room from outside. "Key! The snow is too deep to walk through!"
