He watched the pika in the snow. It was minding it's own business, unaware it was being watched. That was good. He kept low to the ground, his white fur keeping him camouflaged. The blackish gray spots that coated his fur did make it harder to keep himself hidden. But his light blue eyes remained fixated on the prize before him. The young hunter knew it was time to strike.

Keeping himself poised, he noticed the pika twitch it's ears and then that's when he struck. With a cry, he leaped forward, claws outstretched.. Sadly though, this alerted the pika who quickly scampered off. Once the hunter landed, his full features lay sprawled out. The hunter himself was nothing more than a cub. As mentioned before, his fur was white, with blackish gray spots coating his body, a series of three on each side of his face denoting some sort of marking. The spots themselves were lighter in color in the inner layers. Around his tail lay a striped pattern of white and the same blackish gray.

The cub's light blue eyes pouted in disappointment as he watched his catch get away.

"Jiwe. You're putting too much force in when you pounce," Came a voice from behind.

The cub, Jiwe looked behind him and noticed a female snow leopard walking up to him. Her fur was white like him, albeit a lighter shade, and her spots were in a diamond pattern, light violet in color. What drew anyone in were her steel blue eyes, the same kind as Jiwe. Her name was Chuluun.

Jiwe got himself up, kicking at the snow with his right paw. "I can't do it Mama. It's too hard.

Chuluun put a paw underneath her son's chin, pulling him up lightly. "Jiwe, I know it's hard, but you have to learn this. Now watch me okay?"

Jiwe took in his mother's gentle words and nodded. "Okay," He muttered.

Getting into position, Chuluun prepped herself by imaging an unsuspecting prey. She kept her eye on the invisible animal, picturing her ideal target. Red Panda's had been her favorite, so that made a good one. Then with precision and finesse, she pounced, and put closed her paws in.

Jiwe watched with amazed eyes as his mother did a perfect pounce. "Wow Mama! That was so cool!"

Chuluun flashed a proud grin as she faced her son. "Naturally. Your mother has her talents."

Jiwe sheepishly smiled, "Yeah. But I'll never be as good as you."

"Oh sure you will sweetie. You just need some practice," Chuluun reassured.

Jiwe was about to speak, when suddenly, he came to a halt.

"Why practice when you have natural talent?"

Both mother and son looked up to notice what appeared to be a leopard, but not one like Chuluun. First off, this leopard was yellow in color, covered in the same style of spots Jiwe was, (albeit a darker shade of black), and with the same stripped pattern on the tail. The leopard had yellow eyes with green irises. Overall, he didn't seem the match the snowy terrain that surrounded them, but he was certainly familiar to the mother and son pair.

"Papa!" Jiwe shouted, darting over to the grown leopard and snuggling against his leg.

Chuluun gave a dry look towards the one Jiwe denoted as his father. "Well you certainly show up whenever don't you Makucha?"

Makucha ignored her, instead going towards his son's head, tussling it with a paw. "Good to see you too Squirt. So I see your mom's giving you a lesson huh?"

"Yeah! She's teaching me how to pounce!" Jiwe cheered.

The male leopard smirked and looked over to the female. "Or at least trying too."

Chuluun grunted in annoyance, "Just what do you want Makucha?"

"Hey easy. I'm just here to check on my boy. Maybe take him off your paws for a while?" Makucha offered.

Jiwe immediately lit up. "Oh please can I spend time with Papa? Please Mama?"

Chuluun breathed an irate sigh. She was about to say no, built it up, but then noticed the pleading look in her son's eyes. She couldn't resist that, and so against her better judgment, she replied. "Fine."

"Yay!" Jiwe said jumping a bit into the air.

"Just have him back before dark, and if I find one hair out of place-"

"Yeah yeah Mom, just keep your tail attached," Makucha replied.

"I mean it Makucha. If anything happens to my baby...well you can picture it in your head can't you?" Chuluun warned.

"Have I ever let you down before?" Makucha asked.

Chuluun snorted back some scoffing laughter. "Do I really have to answer that?"

Makucha shrugged and looked down at Jiwe. "Alright Squirt. No time like the present."

Jiwe followed after his father, but stopped momentarily to look back at his mother. "Bye Mama!"

Chuluun waved back and watched as her cub left with his father.

XXX

"So Squirt? What do you want to do?" Makucha asked the moment they were a good distance away from Chuluun's den.

Jiwe did his best to keep up with his father. The larger leopard had greater strength, while Jiwe was such a young cub, Makucha kept a close eye on his offspring, knowing he had better speed. Honestly he found it somewhat amusing his child was so eager to follow along.

"Oh I dunno. We can just walk around," Jiwe suggested.

Makucha immediately sensed something wasn't right. Jiwe wasn't the kind of child to like spending time watching the scenery. Frankly he loved to rough house and play fight. Of course, Makucha was nice enough to let him win, but this came as a surprise.

"Is something wrong Squirt?" Makucha asked.

He watched Jiwe carefully. The cub looked pensive. "Well, it's just that. I'm not very good at pouncing."

"And it's bugging you?"

"Yeah."

"Hey don't worry, you'll get better."

Jiwe hardly looked convinced.

"Let me let you in on something. When I was your age. I sucked at everything too!" That probably wasn't the best choice of words, but Makucha was trying to get a point across. "But you know what? A little practice, and I got better."

Jiwe brightened up a little. "Okay Papa," He replied.

Makucha held back a chuckle. Honestly, he never imagined his life would turn out this way. His life had been so simple back in the Backlands. He hunted, he slept, and overall survived. Of course, only the rarest of delights would do. In fact, long ago he had gone after a great source of such delicacies: The Tree of Life. His plan was simple, go to the Tree of Life, then feast to his heart's content on all the rare and sick animals that lived there. There was just one hindrance to his plans: The Lion Guard. Of course, he had the Lion Guard to thank for him learning about the Tree of Life. Or rather that chatty mandrill they had. He and an army of predators had followed the Guard, but they learned that there were another group of protectors at the tree: The Night Pride. Time and again, Makucha and his fellow predators had attacked and attacked only to be thwarted. Even when they at last had the numbers, they were still beaten. Kion, leader of the Lion Guard used his roar to summon a tornado that sucked them all up and sent them away.

And how here he was, a father, although he wasn't a husband. He and Chuluun were by no means a couple. In fact, she made it very clear she wouldn't be his mate if he were the last creature on earth. It was all the more better for him, considering he likewise didn't think highly of her. He only really associated with her because of their son. Well that and when he impregnated her, she forced him to stick around. Jiwe himself wasn't a planned blessed event. He still recalled how angry Chuluun was when she revealed her pregnancy. But of course, that was the past. By now, Chuluun clearly loved her son, and Makucha himself did as well. Not that he would fully say the "L" word, but he was certain Jiwe knew.

Just then, something moved. Makucha put a paw to Jiwe, stopping him. "Hey Squirt. Check it out," He whispered.

There it was a pika. Jiwe certainly looked excited. In fact, Makucha gave a little "shush" in order to quiet him down.

"You want a second chance? Well here it is," Whispered Makucha.

"What do I do?" Jiwe whispered back.

"Listen very closely to me. Just sneak up, don't make a sound. Keep your back arched, and always put the right amount of force in your pounce. Not too much though. That will give you away."

Jiwe nodded with a, "Yes Papa."

Makucha watched as Jiwe did just as he was instructed. The cub kept low, carefully stepping to not make any noise. Makucha observed his son. Jiwe certainly was a good listener. He followed his instructions to the latter. Then the pika twitched it's nose, and that's when Jiwe struck. But this was different from his lesson with Chuluun, this time, Jiwe caught the pika between his paws!

"I did it! Look Papa I caught it!" Jiwe cheered.

Makucha let out a laugh. "That's my boy! You're a real hunter just like your old man."

"Well that aint necessarily a good thing," Came an aged female voice.

Both Jiwe and Makucha looked up and noticed a binturong. Makucha frowned knowing full well who it was: Mama Binturong. But to Jiwe, she held another title.

"Granny!"

Jiwe forgot about the pika who quickly scampered off once it was free of the cub's grasp. The hybrid cub ran up to the elderly animal and snuggled up against her.

"Did you see me Granny? I caught the animal!"

Mama rubbed Jiwe's head. "Sure did. You're just a little hellraiser like your ma."

Jiwe giggled. "Hear that Papa? I'm a hellraiser!"

"Hey you get some of that from me," Makucha reminded.

Mama smirked. "Yeah but Chuluun's got more style."

That made Makucha growl in annoyance.

"So you're spending time with your daddy? Mama asked.

"Yep! Papa is showing me some of his tricks!" Jiwe replied.

Mama coyly looked up at the adult leopard. "Is that so? Well just remember dear, your mama's a lot smarter than he is. So don't forget to listen to her."

That was as much as Makucha could take. "Do you have someplace to be?" He asked in annoyance.

"All right all right. I know when to take my leave," The elderly binturong and pecked Jiwe on the forehead. "You have fun alright."

"I will Granny. I love you," Jiwe responded.

"Love you too cutie," Mama said before walking off. Thing is though, she was walking towards Makucha.

As the elder came his way, Makucha noticed something within her left paw. "Tuliza?" Makucha announced. Sure enough, it was the violet colored plant. Makucha eyed her curiously. "I thought you quit?"

Mama shrugged. "I still nosh on the side."

And with that, she took her leave. Though, it looked like she was heading in Chuluun's direction. Makucha ignored her, concentrating again on his son.

"I like Granny," Jiwe announced.

"Yeah she's a dear," Makucha replied with some sarcasm.

When Kion blew them all away, they didn't know where they were going. When the tornado dissipated however, only Chuluun and Mama were with him, oddly enough the three of them being blown to Chuluun's old home in the Himalayas.

However, the whereabouts of Fahari and Jionna, Ora and his bank, and Smun and his prickle were unknown. The three of them had settled in different areas within the mountain range. Chuluun higher up, Makucha himself a little down, and Mama completely at the bottom. Since then, Chuluun and Mama had grown closer. Made sense considering they were the only female members of the army. And once Jiwe was born Mama stepped up as a surrogate grandmother to him. In fact, if there was one thing she loved more than tuliza, it was Jiwe. Makucha supposed it was for the best, considering Jiwe didn't really have any biological grandparents around.

"She's tough like Mama," Jiwe added.

"Oh she's a tough old bird to be sure. But she doesn't compare to my mother.

Jiwe looked up with interest. "Your mama? What was she like?"

"Oh that's simple. First off, she would have made your mother and "granny" wet themselves," Said Makucha.

Jiwe's eyes widened in surprise. "Woooooowwww!"

"Yep, she taught me everything I know," Makucha explained. "Like this."

Suddenly, Makucha darted forward, but instead of keeping a straight line, he zig zagged repeatedly. Right when Makucha stopped though, he heard a noise. Turning around he noticed Jiwe's head was facing the ground, and a sound was coming from his mouth. It was a cough, a real wet one to be precise.

"Jiwe?" Makucha ran towards his son coming to a halt as he placed a paw upon his child. "Hey Squirt!" Jiwe's cough peppered out, but as he looked up, his gaze looked dazed and confused. "Jiwe!"

Jiwe's head swayed a little, but then snapped to attention. "Huh? Papa?"

"You alright Squirt?" Makucha asked with concern.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine," Jiwe responded.

"That sounded like a pretty nasty cough," Makucha noticed.

"I just...had something stuck in my throat I guess," Jiwe excused.

"You looked kind of dazed for a moment there."

"Maybe I'm tired?"

Jiwe sheepishly looked up at his father, and Makucha paid it no mind. The answer was acceptable, but something about this seemed familiar.

"Yeah. Guess we'll take it easy," Makucha decided.

"That was a pretty neat trick Papa!" Jiwe piped. "Did your papa teach you anything?"

"Nah my dad wasn't what you would say..."around". My mom did all the raising," Makucha explained.

"Where is Grandma? Is she back in that Africa place you came from?" Jiwe asked.

Makucha considered his next words very carefully. "Yes and no."

Jiwe tilted his head in confusion. "So she's there? Or no?"

"Well she was there, but now she's not anymore," Makucha's voice dropped slightly.

"So she moved?"

Jiwe's curiosity had been piqued, and he wouldn't stop asking questions until he got a good answer.

Makucha came to a halt, his son miming his movements. "No, she's dead."

Jiwe let out a tiny gasp. "Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be nosy."

"It's alright. You didn't know."

Jiwe looked down. He certainly felt bad for bringing up bad memories. But he had one question left. "Do you miss her?"

Makucha looked at his son, showing no sign of anger in his eyes. "Yeah. I do."

A brisk silence followed after, one that Makucha broke. "Come on, let's just go walk around, take in the sights, and then bring you back to your mother."

"Okay," Jiwe responded.

The two leopards continued their walk. Just as they did, Jiwe gave another cough, but he quickly scampered along. Makucha didn't even look back, just kept moving forward. In fact, he didn't even notice the speck of blood where Jiwe had coughed.

XXX

"Got a delivery for you," Mama Binturong said as she dropped the tuliza at Chuluun's paws.

The snow leopard lit up as she drew the plants close to her. "Oh thank you Mama. You're a lifesaver."

"Just helping a fellow gal pal out," Mama said humorously. "I just hope it helps little Jiwe."

"I'm sure it is," Chuluun assured.

"Oh btw, I ran into the little dear on the way here," Mama mentioned. "Makucha finally helped him perfect his pounce."

Chuluun's eyes widened. "Really?" She sounded half proud, but half not.

"What's wrong? Thought you would sound prouder," Mama noticed.

"Oh I am. It's just, I wanted to teach him," Chuluun sighed. "Guess that's another thing Makucha took from me."

"You're still not blaming him for the Tree of Life fiasco are you?" Mama once again picked up upon Chuluun's disappointment.

"Well he's the one who dragged me halfway across the world just to get revenge on some animals who humiliated me, and an easy meal. And might I add I got neither, and instead of blown away in a magical tornado for my troubles," Chuluun said bitterly.

"Now I know that I joined you all late into your little attacks, but didn't you decide to go with Makucha?" Mama reminded as she asked.

Chuluun snorted back an intake of air. "I guess."

"And it wasn't all so bad. You got a son out of it in the end."

Well, Chuluun realized she had to be grateful for that. She blessed everyday that Jiwe came into her life. Sure he wasn't planned. Nor was he even made from a loving relationship, but he was loved by everyone who knew him. Well, her and Mama that is. Honestly, she believed Makucha was sticking around simply because he had been threatened to stay after planting his seed so to speak.

"You know. Your boy is crazy about his father. And I imagine being a single mother isn't easy right?" Mama asked.

"I admit, it's hard, but I've managed," Chuluun replied.

"Well why not have a man in your life? A two parent family might bring some extra stability," Mama reasoned.

Chuluun shot out a brief laugh. "I don't need a man in my life."

"Don't try to sound so tough dearie. I mean, Makucha is young and strong, plus he's blood and-"

"I'll stop you right there Mama. I will never, and I mean never hook up with Makucha. Just thinking about him makes my fur stand on end," Chuluun declared.

"Still, your boy is pretty crazy about his father," Mama reminded.

That was true. Jiwe made it no secret he loved his father. Even if Makucha wasn't the best role model around.

"Look Mama. I know you're trying to help, but I've got Jiwe handled," Chuluun said.

Mama shrugged, "Alright. Just passing on some advice. Now why don't you run along and get some supper for you and your boy. I'll wait right here in case they come back."

Chuluun smiled, "Thank you, Mama."

The snow leopard parted ways with the binturong, off to hunt for food for her and her baby. Mama had been a helpful soul since Jiwe was little. She supposed the absence of Smun and his porcupines spurred Mama to find a new critter to dote on. Jiwe fit the bill, he was small, sweet, and adorable. Honestly, Chuluun was proud to have Jiwe for a son. He was the one joy in her life. And she didn't need a mate to raise him. She had always been independent. And that's how it would always remain.

XXX

"So you really followed that kappa all the way to the Pride Lands?" Jiwe asked.

"Okapi, Squirt. And yes," Makucha corrected. "Like I say, don't give up on what you want. That's another thing your grandma taught me."

Jiwe felt so intensified by his father's story, that his excitement increased the minute he noticed his "Granny" at the entrance to the cave. But more than that, he noticed his mother coming up with some prey.

"Mama! Granny!" Jiwe cried bounding up excitedly.

Just as he did, he felt another cough escape him. But it passed and he bounded up to the two females who meant the most to him.

"Well look who showed up. Bet you're hungry, eh?" Mama said playfully.

Jiwe looked at the catch in his mother's mouth and felt a bit of saliva coming down his chin. "Starving!"

Chuluun set down the kill and allowed her son to come up to her for a quick nuzzle. "Well, I caught us something special tonight, honey."

"Yeah Mama! It looks really good!" Jiwe cheered.

"Well I'll leave you two alone," Mama said as she got herself up. Before she left, she rubbed her head against Jiwe's. "Be good for your mama."

"I will, Granny. Bye!"

The old animal took her leave, moving past Makucha. The adult leopard said nothing, save towards his son and his mother. "So, you going to invite me over for dinner?"

Chuluun scowled at him and simply replied. "Goodnight. Come along, Jiwe," she said, picking up her kill in her jaws.

Jiwe looked to his mother and then to his father and said. "Goodnight Papa. I love you."

And just as the many times Jiwe had said this, Makucha replied with "Same to you." And then he left.

Jiwe felt a little disappointed by what his father said. His father never said "I love you" back. But he must, even if he didn't say it aloud. But Jiwe was more concerned with his grumbling belly, so he ran inside to join his mother for dinner.

Both mother and son dug into the fresh meat, eating their fill until there was nothing but bones.

"So? Was it good?" Chuluun asked.

"Yeah! Really good!" Jiwe piped up.

Chuluun smiled. Her son was full and happy. "Well, I hope you saved room for dessert," she said, revealing some tuliza.

Jiwe took one look at the purple plant and frowned. "Oh Mama! Not that plant again!"

"Come on, Jiwe. Granny went through the trouble of getting these, and the least you can do is eat them."

"Yeah, but they're gross!"

"Jiwe. I know you think they're gross, but they're good for you. So no arguments, and eat," Chuluun said sternly, but didn't raise her voice.

Jiwe knew there was no way around it. No matter how much he complained about it, his mother would make him eat the tuliza. So reluctantly, he took the tuliza in his mouth and ate it. He recoiled a bit as he chewed, but he ate it all, and then licked his tongue to get out the aftertaste.

"There? That wasn't so bad was it?" Chuluun said.

"Yeah it was," Jiwe pouted.

"All right. Now it's time for a little cub to go to sleep," Chuluun instructed.

Jiwe grinned at that, for he knew what followed next.

"Who's my special little boy?" Chuluun asked.

"I am," Jiwe replied, trying to hold back a giggle.

"And who loves you?"

"You do!"

Chuluun gave her son a lick and finished with, "That's right, I do."

Jiwe responded with his own look and said, "Goodnight, Mama."

"Goodnight my precious little boy," Chuluun said.

Both of them settled down for the night but before they did, Jiwe had one question to ask. "Mama?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think Papa could live with us? Even for a little while?"

"We'll talk about it later. Go to sleep."

And soon, mother and son drifted off to sleep, dreaming of what the next day would bring.

XXX

Makucha made the trek back to his den without much consequence. He had hunted earlier so he was full, so how he readied himself to sleep. His den was cozy enough for him, not too big, not too large. It suited him though. It protected him from the cold air, and it was near enough he could catch his meals.

He had done his part for the day. Spent time with his son per his and Chuluun's arangement. She had set the terms pretty well, but it wasn't to say he didn't enjoy his son's company. He was...refreshing to say the least. It's just he and Chuluun didn't get along at all to be honest. Frankly, she still blamed him for what happened at the Tree of Life. He didn't understand why. After all, it was Kion who had sent them away. He had no control over that. Makucha dared not think about Kion. Honestly that lion angered him more than Chuluun.

Frankly, Makucha felt Chuluun coddled the boy too much. That alone made him fear for the boy's future. His own mother, his son's grandmother, had taught him how to be tough. Leopards needed to be fierce in order to protect their territory. Sure Jiwe was a hybrid, but the same rules applied.

Mishale. His mother. For a moment, Makucha recalled her, and then he remembered her words. Her last words.

Makucha...I know I was hard on you sometimes...but I only wanted to be strong...I love...you.

Makucha dismissed it with a growl. No need to dredge up the past. And so, Makucha drifted off to sleep, ready to face the next day.

A/N: And so it has officially begun! The next entry in me and my friend's Lion King Expanded Universe. The first entry you might remember was our Vitani story Lion King Bloodline. This story is set in the same universe but instead focuses on Makucha and Chuluun. Now my friend and I are going to write it in the same manner we did before: I write some chapters, she writes other chapters. However, we have pretty much planned out the story in its entirety, so we know how many chapters there will be, and what events will transpire. Now the next chapter is my friend's, but she is going to spending the holidays with her family and won't be back until the 30th. So it might take some time to post chapter 2. But all good things come to those who wait.