Never Enough Pride [Ash]

Kovu smiled and nuzzled the cub toward Sasha, purring loudly, casting his vision to the remaining nameless Cubs wondering what names they could distribute to the remaining young males.

She chuckled and watched the cub struggle against his father, until he was set down and he calmed, "I like it" She purred and gave the cub a soft lick.

He smiled, looking over at the Cubs, he stood up dispite his approval of her grooming and picked up the cub closest to him, he set down the cub gently. "What about Seko" he asked with a smile.

Sasha laid with him and groomed the king, her tail lashing as she watched the cubs play, "I haven't named the rest, Kumba knows his name though" She said softly.

Kovu gave one final snarl before he laid down, his toungue lulling out of his mouth panting in an attempt to keep cool. He watched the Cubs wondering if Sasha had distributed names.

"Kovu, it's fine now" Sasha said softly and looked to her mate, her tail lashing, the cubs relaxed and started to torment the rest of the lionesses, while Kiara stood off to the other end of the enclosure.

Kovu stood firmly in place, refusing to move out of the way of the clubs, he roared again and reared back, ready to pounce.

Sasha jumped up and ran to the cubs, nuzzling them softly and curling her tail about them, glaring toward Kiara, who growled and backed off, hissing toward the pair, the other lionesses inched closer to the little family to greet the cubs.

Kovu roared and lunged toward the female, putting his body between the Cubs and his mate, "don't you take another step" he snarled, baring his fangs toward the small female.

She purred and pawed at his face softly, she turned her head as she heard the cubs mewling out, Kiara was nearing them.

Kovu bounded forward and playfully pinned Sasha, his tail twirling around hers as he leaned down and nuzzled her, lïcking her snout.

She glanced back and chuckled, watching them and purring, her tail lashed and she glanced up as she heard the zoo guests chattering about the cubs.

He smiled when she appeared immediately purring and nuzzling her, when he saw the Cubs run out of the den, he bounded after them, slowing down and picking them up whenever they stumbled.

Sasha softly replied to her call, appearing from the shadows of the cave, "Its time Kovu" She purred, rubbing her body along his before playfully nipping his tail and bounding off, four cubs running behind her and stumbling, trying to keep up.

Kovu had his ears perked, as he ate the meat the keepers left, he took several chunks of the left meat daily and left it at the entrance of the cave for Sasha. His head draped as he dragged the raw flesh along the ground and to the cave, giving a soft call to Sasha to let her know he was there so she didn't panic.

(Sure~)

(Would you like to skip ahead? A few weeks / months?)

Sasha purred and nuzzled her cubs, making sure her scent was all over them before she even thought about anything else, only being able go smell the keepers on them.

Kovu watched the cave, knowing it could be weeks or even months before Sasha would deem the Cubs strong enough to meet with the rest of the pride which unfortunately included him.

Sasha curled around all four of her cubs and she purred loudly, grooming each one and letting them nurse greedily.

Kovu stood up and smiled when he saw the remaining Cubs, giving Sasha a soft purr before he laid back down, on the artificial rock several metres from the cave.

After a couple hours, loud mewls came from one of the keeper access gates, Sasha jumped up and ran out of the cave, leaving Kumba so she could gather the rest of her cubs, smelling them all to make sure they were okay, then she grabbed all three scruffs at once and ran back to the den, growling at any female she passed.

Kovu kept close enough that he could scare off any lioness that tried to enter the cave but otherwise kept away from Sasha and Kumba. Being willing enough to wait until Sasha was ready for him to interact with Kumba and the other Cubs.

She purred as she realized what he was doing and she gave a soft call in thanks to him, she purred and curled around her cub, grooming him softly and finally relaxing.

Kovu turned his head, watching his mate for a long while giving a soft call before he too trotted out of the cave, hoping with the pride and his absence she would feel more secure and instinctual.