The short winged birds had started eating after the day they had devoured the bag of worms, and Curtis had been able to collect some each evening from the damp woods to give them. They now would eat any seed or dry berry or nut that Chiaki tossed upon the ground. No longer did they run away when approached.
Of course now Chiaki refused to leave the house, even into the houses yard. With her period coming to an end, she was nearing her most fertile part of the month. Month, this was something that Qianhuang and Curtis now understood. Their mate was fertile every month. Kimba was close to five months old and had been born after about four or five months of pregnancy. Any other female would still not be fertile for almost a whole season longer. Chiaki though had started having her heat cycle again only two months after she'd given birth to Qianhuang's cub. Those cycles had been during their migration from the leopard village to the City of Beasts, and she had refused their advances.
Now she was surrounded by males again that weren't her mates and probably one of the few females in heat this early in the year. She'd get too much attention going out right now. So she stayed inside, asking that the short winged birds be fed in her absence. Even Kimba had helped to feed the birds by dragging a bag of seed out of the house in his mouth and pouring it in a pile where the birds could reach it. It was one of the cutest things Chiaki could remember seeing.
Chiaki relaxed into Curtis's embrace. He'd become much more affectionate as her cycle continued. She had to admit that his cool scales felt wonderful in the summer heat. Unless she wanted to stay in the room under the house where the heat failed to reach she would have to endure. This world was no where near the technology level to make an easy way to cool a house.
"It's hot today."
Curtis hummed in agreement. Of course the summer heat was a delight to him, signalizing the best time to shed his snake skin. He was actually feeling itchy and it wouldn't be long before he would have to shed and would once again be in the debt of the lion male. He'd need a couple days for his scales to harden and wouldn't go out to hunt.
Curtis ran his cool hands over Chiaki's shoulder. "We could move out to the seaside, you could stay cool in the water there."
Chiaki shivered at the touch. "We are staying here Kurt, long enough for me to get as much information from the city as possible."
Qianhuang, true to his word, had taken Kimba with him the morning after Chiaki's period had ended. Even though it would be days before she was truly fertile. He'd said they were returning to the Winged Lion Tribe's village, where he would present Kimba as his son and the next White Lion Saint. While they stayed there, he would trade for a years supply of salt and Kimba could have fun learning and playing with the other cubs.
Curtis was moving them towards the sleeping furs. "I'm far less liked in this city than I was in the leopard's village." He kissed her neck. "How long is 'enough' time?"
"A few years, I suspect." She pushed playfully at his chest. "After all, we own this home."
Chiaki found herself on her back, Curtis hovering over her with an unreadable look on his face. Curtis was a slower lover than Qianhuang. She found making love with him a whole different experience that often lead her to being more vocal. She arched her back as he returned to his exploration.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
"Lord Qianhuang! You have returned!" The Matriarch of the Winged Lion Clan exclaimed when Qianhuang landed in the village. "Where is your mate?! Has something terrible happened?!"
"Calm yourself Matriarch, my mate was left safely within the walls of the City of Beasts." Qianhuang said.
"Oh, thank goodness!" The older female said. "But, then why are you here?"
"I'm certain that there is no better place to trade for salt." He teased with a smile. "And to introduce you-" He lifted Kimba out of the travel basket he'd used for the trip. "To my son."
"Good heavens!" The Matriarch was shocked. "The cub is white!"
The entirety of the villagers within hearing range turned to see. The return of the White Lion Saint was one thing, but the birth of a white cub less than three decades after Lord Qianhuang's birth?! It was unheard of. The birth of a white cub had taken hundreds of years!
Everyone had gathered around and were looking at Kimba. The cub gulped at the sight of so many watching adults. "It's alright cub, come meet your people." Qianhuang said as he kept Kimba from hiding back inside of the basket.
Kimba found himself in the gentle arms of the old female. Her skin was soft and felt thin, her eyes looked at him warmly. He couldn't help but feel welcome. "I remember your own father Qianhuang, when he brought you to me after your birth. He was terrified something was wrong. Your cub, he looks just like you."
~Kimba!~ Kimba said.
"Hm? What was that child?" The Matriarch asked.
~I'm Kimba!~ He said, his large blue eyes looking sternly at the female.
"You're- Kimba?" She replied hesitantly.
The cub nodded sagely. Qianhuang laughed. "Chiaki has raised him to be very outspoken, she also named him upon birth."
"I see." The Matriarch said. "Forgive my confusion, Kimba."
Qianhuang smiled. "Kimba, this is the Matriarch, she is the leader of the Winged Lion Clan. Treat her with respect."
~Yes father!~ Kimba looked back up at the old female, ~You're soft.~ He said as he nuzzled her. The matriarch blushed. It had been years ago that her last cub had came of age and she felt the loss of such innocent love of a child. She hugged him.
"You are a wonderful gift to our Clan, Kimba." The matriarch looked at Qianhuang. "You and Chiaki must truly be blessed by the Beast God." A soft blue glow emanated from the elder, then disappeared.
