Chapter 33: Soon Enough
As they continued on their way, a family of leopards approached, their curiosity piqued by the newcomers. The cubs, barely containing their excitement, darted ahead, their tails held high like tiny flags. "Who are they, Mother?" one of the young ones asked, his large eyes taking in the group with unabashed interest.
The mother, was a sleek and elegant lady with golden hair, dark eyes and clad in yellow dyed clothing, she smiled warmly at Korran, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ah, I'm not sure. Sakura and Artemis seem to know them though." Three male leopard beastmen, 2 in human form stood beside the female. One had orange tinged hair, where the other was a dirty blond with a more scruffy and younger look, maybe 23 years old.
The youngest and boldest of the cubs, a playful little fellow with bright orange eyes, snuck up behind Yue Lixue. His tiny little paws barely touching the ground. He leapt up, his small claws catching on the rabbit fur of her dress, and tugged playfully at it, almost pulling her dress down and revealing things that ought not to be shown publicly. Yue's eyes widened at the cubs' innocent playfulness, and in a motion of saving her decency, her hand automatically reaching out to ruffle his soft fur. Her heart swelling with warmth as she looked down at the little one's eager face. She couldn't help but smile.
"Hello there, little one," she said so softly, her voice filled with affection. "You're a rough one, aren't you?" The cub's eyes sparkled with mischief, and he let out a soft chitter, his tail swishing back and forth. His brothers are more cautious and responsible lingered nearby. Maria and Darian, who were standing nearby, laughed.
"It looks like you've made a friend, Yue," Maria teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Yue Lixue gently picked up the small cub with bright and intelligent orange eyes and cradled it only for a moment.
The female leopard came running over, her mates in tow behind her, "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! Takeshi is the boldest of his brothers." She smiled warmly at Yue Lixue, her eyes filled with a mixture of apology and amusement. "Although, it seems he's taken a liking to you, and he's usually quite wary of strangers."
"He has been told," Her mate with orange hair approached, with matching orange eyes she assumed that this was likely his son.
"No, no, it's my fault," Yue Lixue assured her, smiling down at the little cub. "I shouldn't have worn this dress, it's too interesting for a little cub like him to resist." The cub chittered softly, his tiny paws kneading at her chest. "Who can blame him with how fluffy it is?"
Korran, watching the scene unfold was fighting with a smile playing on his lips. Leaning in after Yue Lixue puts the cub down, "We will have three of those to deal with ourselves soon enough." Kissing her on the cheek to make it look as though he had said nothing.
His own amber eyes glittering like the mischievous gemstones that they were. As he whispered in her ear one more time, "Our time will come, my love. For now, let us focus getting to see this sunset together for the first time. It's good luck for new mates."
Yue Lixue blushed at the intimate gesture, her heart fluttering in her chest like a terrified bunny. Although, at Korran's words she suddenly felt her tender breasts, feeling heavier than usual and became even more aware of the fabric covering them. They usually had never been tender like this before.
She knew from that, that Korran was right; they had important matters to attend to. Soon enough they would habe theor own cubs. She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as she gazed into his amber eyes. She didn't need to tell him, from them both gazing in the well, they both knew that each other had seen their children to be.
"You're right," she whispered back, her voice barely audible. An adorable blush covering her cheeks.
"We should focus on seeing the sunset." Korran nodded, tugging her again towards the view point by her hand, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He was like an adamant little child himself on sharing the view with her.
The elder, Sakura, noticed their exchange and let out a hearty chuckle. "Are you two needing accommodations for making some cubs, or are you coming to see the sunset before your romantic evening when we provide those accommodations anyway?" She teased, her silver bun bouncing with laughter as she turned, each step made her bun bounce as she walked away.
Yue Lixue's face flushed a deep crimson, and she coughed to hide her embarrassment. "Oh, the sunset sounds lovely, Sakura. We'd hate to miss it," she stammered, her eyes darting to Korran's, seeking reassurance.
Korran chuckled, taking Yue's hand in his own. "Indeed."
The female leopard, her golden hair shimmering under the setting sun, smiled warmly at Yue. "I must thank you for your kindness towards my little one. He can be quite the rascal, but he seemed to have taken a liking to you. I am Miyuki Chisen, by the way." She extended a paw in greeting, her dark eyes sparkling with genuine appreciation. "These are my little ones: Takaishi, Masaru, Shougo, and Yusuke," she added, her gaze softening as she looked at her cubs playing nearby. "We were headed to watch the sunset, too."
"I'm Yue Lixue, and it was my pleasure," Yue replied, returning the greeting with a gentle nod. She couldn't help but smile as she watched the cubs, their tiny tails swishing playfully in the air.
"The sunset awaits." Said Maria.
Together, the four turned their attention back to the path ahead, leaving behind the playful cub and its family. The family too followed behind, curious enough but also knowing the sunset was very beautiful indeed. The winding stone steps continued to ascend, the terraced houses lining the path like a grand staircase carved into the cliffside. As they climbed higher, the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the village and the surrounding landscape.
The air was filled with the soft hum of conversation and laughter from the leopard beastmen who were out and about, enjoying the cooler temperatures of the evening. Children played tag, their tiny tails swishing playfully behind them as they dashed through the cascading-style of streets.
The sun was dipping lower now, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink that bled into the deepening blue. From their vantage point atop the great cliffs, Yue Lixue and the others had a breathtaking view of the ancient forest below, the giant trees casting long, dancing shadows across the landscape. Far in the distance, the crumbling ruins of the long-lost Sun Kingdom could be seen, their once-magnificent towers now little more than jagged teeth against the setting sun. Beyond those ruins, the mountains stretched out in a blue haze, their peaks shrouded in a delicate mist. And, in the far-off distance, the purple snow-peaked mountains stood sentinel, their icy crowns of the beastworld glinting like jewels under the fading light.