Qianhuang made a show of twisting through the crowd in his beast form, Chiaki atop his head like a crown. Curtis, Bai Di and Kimba followed. From her vantage point she could see the bonfires being lit in a large clearing just outside of the outer ring of the city.
"Anyone been to one of these before?" Chiaki asked as they neared. "Because I don't know the customs."
"Not as such." Bai Di replied. "But I'm sure it will just be a larger version of the feasts held in villages."
"So, we don't have to bring gifts... or anything?"
Her mates laughed. "You are a female! It will be you who will be piled with gifts this night!"
"Wouldn't that only be the five new females that arrived this afternoon?"
"They will get the largest share, surely, but any female out tonight will catch the eye of the cities males. Admires will use the feast as an excuse to get near the female they like."
"Should I turn them down?"
"Tonight is a feast, gifts will flow like water, accept any you wish without fear."
Chiaki nodded. They had came much closer to the bonfire area and were now surrounded by many other families. She chose not to ask more. She'd learned enough not to make a fool of herself. "Is there a seating arrangement?"
"Not as such." Came a voice from the crowd. Chiaki turned to see Jiu Ruan joining up with her group. "The middle largest fire is reserved for the Queens of the City and their families, other than that any fire is fine."
"Oh, you've been to a feast like this, Ruan?" She asked looking over and down at the male walking along beside Qianhuang's shoulder.
"A few. Mostly when I was still a cub with my mother."
"Let's sit near the front, I want to hear what the city leaders say this time!"
The group made their way over to one of the fires, not quite beside the main bonfire, but close enough to see and hear anything that would be announced. Qianhuang lowered himself to the ground, letting Curtis help Chiaki off his back, before turning into his human form and once again securing his wrap about his waist. Curtis settled Chiaki onto the ground warmed by the fire.
The fires filled up quickly- with females, their mates and any offspring that had not stayed home. Kimba quickly disappeared with a crowd of young not fully grown males, sure to pester the adults all night for treats. Chiaki was surprised to see a small girl holding the hand of a woman walk by.
"She'll be very popular tonight." Bai Di commented. "She's given birth to a female offspring."
"Wait, you mean girls aren't born as animals?"
Qianhuang looked at his mate. "I thought I'd told you? Maybe you have forgotten. Female offspring aren't born in animal form because they would never be able to transform."
Chiaki watched the female and her daughter disappear into the crowd. If she'd been told, she really didn't remember. The thought of a baby, an actual human shaped little girl, swam through her mind.
"You're grinning." Curtis said as he leaned close to her.
"Would you like to try for more young?" Qianhuang asked. "I'm sure we will have a female... if we keep trying." He said as he placed a hand on her knee. She recognized the husky drop in his voice as he said the last part. Looking in his eyes she saw a spark of lust.
"I'm sure that our beautiful mate would like to try for a female cub with me first." Bai Di sad as he brought over the first round food to their fire. "After all you two have already had a chance to produce a female offspring. And failed." He added with a sharp grin at the other two males.
Chiaki took a bowl of liquid and tried to look busy drinking it. Her face had heated up at the husky voices and soft touches her mates were using. Actually getting a drink of the liquid, she realized it was broth. She downed several sips of it, trying not to raise her face to the men. It was just the start of the party and they seemed to be pulling off the kid gloves with their rivalry.
"She may be your mate already," Jiu Ruan said, "but a female can always choose who she wants to father her next litter of pups." His gold eyes sparkled in the fire light. "I have a sister, so obviously I will have better chances of giving her a female."
"I'll not be making any babies again soon!" Chaiki said. "It will take the rest of the season for my body to recuperate from giving birth." The four males took the hint and shifted to give her some room.
Soon she saw the males from the afternoon arriving, but not just them. Three of them were with their mates and the other males belonging to their families. The only one to arrive alone was the Ape King. The Leopard King and his mate, the Leopard Queen. The Tiger Queen and King. The Wolf Queen and King. This last pair she didn't recognize.
"Where is the pink haired male from this afternoon?"
"The wolves must have sent one of their sons to greet the new females. Look at the Wolf Queen, she is heavily pregnant and looks rather tired."
"I understand the feeling."
"It's quite out of season." Jiu Ruan commented. "At least for the Rock Mountain Wolf Tribe, the females would be going into estrous around this time and give birth after the cold season."
"The same can be said for the Winged Lion Tribe females." Qianhuang added.
"My mother isn't here tonight because of that reason." Skye added. Everyone jumped. When had the black panther male slipped his way into the group?! But there he was, already seated beside of Jiu Ruan, who's ears were sticking strait up and tail was puffed out like a frightened cat. "What?" He asked in confusion.
"When did you-" Chiaki shook her head. "Never mind."
At the main bonfire the Ape King was calling for the crowd to quiet. Once the noise was at a manageable level he grinned. "The rainy season is upon us!" He called out over the field of fires. "And with its start, it is time to think of the upcoming cold season. Tonight five new females have joined the greatest City of Beasts and chosen their first mates. In the coming days I hope to see their households grow and once the cold season is gone, I hope to see new life from the matches made. But that is all in the future." Here the Ape King tapped his head. "Tonight, we FEAST!" Cheers rang out loudly echoing over the hills and through the forests. Hands clapped and feet pounded on the ground.
"He sure knows how to work a crowd." Chiaki commented.
"He's the Ape King." Skye said. "If he says the new couples will be blessed with young after the cold season, then it's sure to be true!"
