"Bone broth is all that is left." Qianhuang shook his head. "The cold season lasted too long."

"Have there been any signs of the season changing?" Curtis asked sleepily.

"I'm not sure, this could be the start of the new season, or just a false warm spell. You are awake though."

"Mmm." The snake male replied.

"Curtis! You are awake!" Chiaki said in surprise as she looked into the sleeping chamber. "Is it Spring soon?"

"We were just talking about that." Qianhuang said with a smile. "Curtis is more awake than when he rouses up to eat during the cold season. This might be a good sign, because... we are out of even the rations, I could only boil bone broth for today's meal."

Chiaki frowned. "Oh, Key." She walked over to her mate and hugged him.

Curtis eyed her small belly. "The cubs are okay?" He asked hesitantly.

"They kick a lot more lately."

He nodded. A worried look passed between the two males. "How-"

A sudden commotion was heard outside. A yell of excitement. A scream of pain. More yells. "What's going on?!" Chiaki asked as she made her way to the front door. She gave it a shove and it opened, pushing aside soft slushy snow. "Hey! The snow is melting!"

Qianhuangs ears perked up. The snow had still been fairly hard that morning. Had it warmed up outside that much in half a day? "Really?!" He asked as he rushed to join her at the door.

"Yeah look!" Chiaki took a handful of the snow and smashed it, causing it to compact and release water. "It is melting!"

"Then the new season has arrived." Curtis said as he slithered up behind them.

"I'm going to go see what is happening." Chiaki rushed past her mates and back into the house to get her foot coverings and an over cloak.

Qianhuang chuckled. "Okay, let me join you." He grabbed his own foot coverings and followed her out into the village. "You have a pair." He said with a wave of his hand towards the foot coverings and hip wrap that had been made for Curtis.

The snake was surprised that he'd been made anything during the cold season. Curiously he picked up the items. They were lower quality than what his female and the lion were wearing. Had the other male made these for him, or had- had his female?

They saw other families peeking out of their homes as they followed the noise. The sounds of a female yell were drowned out by the sounds of male cheering. Qianhuang turned his ears, focusing on the sound. "It's this way."

The sounds were less now, as they neared the largest house in the village. "This is Eudoras home." Chiaki said as she recognized where they were.

Qianhuang smiled. "Then I have a feeling I know what all the fuss is about."

"Oh?" Chiaki tilted her head to the side, a cute confused look on her face.

"Eudora is having her cubs."

"Really?! But shouldn't she be with Harvey? Should we go let him know?"

"Unless there is a problem there isn't any need for the healer." Qianhuang placed a hand on his mates shoulder. "We shouldn't bother them right now. The female needs her rest, her mates will take care of everything."

"So what is it?" Curtis asked as he caught up to the pair.

"Eudora is having her babies!" Chiaki told him with glee.

"Oh." The red haired snake said flatly.

Chiaki rolled her eyes at his bland reply. Curtis seemed to only care if something involved her. Well she guessed many males were like that. "Well, I guess we shouldn't bother them." She said repeating Qianhuangs earlier comment. "Then, maybe we can go see Eve?!"

Qianhuang looked worried. "It would be best to wait a few days into the season, we don't know how the other families fared through the cold season. We know there were some lives lost... and we don't know who." He gathered Chiaki up and held her in the crook of his arm. "The wet snow is soaking through your foot coverings. I'll carry you home."

Curtis glowered at the other male. He'd changed the subject so easily and taken all of Chiaki's attention for himself! His hands curled into fists. Well in that case. "I'll go hunting before anyone else in the village has a chance!" He said suddenly.

"Don't fall asleep in the snow, it's still going to get cold as soon as the sun starts to lower." Qianhuang said snidely. "I wont look for you."

Chiaki looked between the two males. And she was right, as soon as they started to interact the peaceful life she'd had was over. Curtis bristled at Qianhuangs words and hissed back.

"Then I'll just have to show you I am worthy of my mate!" In one quick motion Curtis transformed into his giant snake form and slithered out of the village in a red blur.

Qianhuang huffed. "Feral male, useless."

"Key~" Chiaki said softly. "Where's he going?"

He shook his head. "No idea." The only trace left behind was the muddy trail in the melting snow.