it was early in the morning and Kyro was still asleep on the mat he slept on. Kyro was an 8-year-old anthro panther cub but he was small as a 4-year-old. He was cuddling his blankets as he was still asleep. Kyro also happened to be a bedwetter so he was diapered with a simple cloth diaper. Kyro’s mother came in and she knelt down, and she had to pry her son’s fingers one at a time from the blanket and picked him up. She put him over her shoulder and smiled ‘wake up sleepy’ said Kyro’s mother.

Kyro slowly woke up and yawned as he was carried out of his room. his adoptive sister Mana was waiting. Mana was also a bed wetter like Kyro, but she also was a prankster also. Mana sat down and his mother put Kyro down with her. It didn’t take long for Kyro to fully wake up. After he fully woke up since it was easier, he did his morning business, peeing in his diaper and he took it off and changed into his loincloth. Mana changed into her loincloth and Kyro had his nose in his page, he was already drawing. Thanks to special dyes he had arrange of coloured chalks and charcoal at his disposal to use. Kyro kept drawing and his mother sat down next to him ‘aren’t you going hunting with your father today? He takes you and Mana hunting every year’ said Kyro’s mother.
Kyro looked up at his mother ‘I wanna finish this first, mom’ said Kyro.

Kyro shrugged ‘I just wanna finish the colour on this picture first’ said Kyro.

Kyro finished colouring in a part of the picture he wanted and placed the page on a table and Kyro’s father came out and noticed the picture ‘this is really good. Well done, Kyro’ said Kyro’s father.

Kyro was proud and he couldn’t help but start purring as he felt so good. The moment Kyro realised he stopped and was embarrassed ‘I suppose you two want to join me for todays hunt like usual?’ asked Kyro’s father.

Technically Kyro’s parents were his adoptive parents but he didn’t care. Kyro’s father picked the page up and he carried it to a container. Inside the container was an oil which when applied to paper the charcoal and calk didn’t rub off or smudge.

It was obvious all the adults favoured Kyro due to Mana’s pranks. Kyro’s picture was hung on the wall of the hut. There now we can see it when we come out’ said Kyro’s father.

Kyro went outside and he felt the morning breeze blow through his fur ‘come on Kyro you’ll no doubt be hungry’ said Kyro’s mother mid-stretch enjoying the morning also.

His mother picked him up carried him to the eating area, despite being 8 since his height and weight was the same as a 4-year-old since he was a runt he was sometimes carried, and he didn’t mind it a lot of the time. They sat down and Kyro sat on his mother’s lap since he preferred it as their usual sitting arrangement was a little too big in size for him. Kyro’s mother took a bowl of food left for her son and handed it to him. Kyro started eating and his mother smiled as he had a hearty appetite for his size. After he fully woke up Kyro noticed a tightness in his stomach ‘mom I haffta poop’ said Kyro.

Kyro’s mother nodded and Kyro ran off to go behind some bushes. He did his business and finished up and ran back. They made their way back to the hut and as the curtain at the entrance was pulled across to go in ‘where is mana?’ asked Kyro’s mother.

Kyro collected his drawing board, stick of charcoal and some sheets of paper made from river reeds and he ran outside. He ran to a log and climbed up on it and sat down swinging his legs under him as he drew. Kyro drew the landscape which was a picture of the trees and Mana came over ‘you’re really good’ said Mana.

Kyro got a little embarrassed by Mana’s comment for a second but remembered his mother wanted to talk to Mana ‘hey mom was looking for you’ said Kyro.

Mana laughed and she put her arms under Kyro’s arms and cuddled him ‘you really are good good’ said Mana as she lifted Kyro up Kyro kicked around as he was now annoyed both at the fact, she deflected Kyro’s question.

Kyro kept kicking about ‘hey put me down, Mana’ said Kyro.

Mana put Kyro down and she ruffled the fur on his head ‘so can you draw something for me?’ asked Mana.
Kyro turned to Mana ‘mom is still looking for you’ said Kyro.

Mana put Kyro down and she ruffled the fur on his head ‘so can you draw something for me?’ asked Mana yet again trying to destract Kyro from the topic about their mother looking for her.

Kyro stood up on the log ‘hey! you’re trying to get me to draw out your next prank!’ shouted Kyro.

Mana laughed off the accusation which was true ‘what? me? nah... I mean no... I do not’ said Mana acting a little guilty.

Kyro glanced down and saw Mana was still in her night diaper ‘Mana aren’t you going to get changed?’ asked Kyro.

Mana shrugged and she looked down ‘yeah but I don’t really want to right now’ said Mana.
Kyro’s mother came over ‘Mana! Come on let’s get you changed’ said Kyro’s mother.

Mana followed Kyro’s mother and Kyro giggled a little and went back to his drawing and he sketched a tree quite expertly and he tilted the page and board on the side to shade it in a little and Mana came back in her loincloth ‘so are you gonna draw what I asked’ asked Mana.

Kyro turned to Mana ‘nope’ said Kyro.

Mana decided to try begging this time around ‘please Kyro I’ll do anything you want so... please’ begged Mana.

Kyro climbed off the log ‘I’m telling mom you want me to design your next prank’ said Kyro.

Mana let up but Kyro now sat there feeling like he forgot something, and Mana went to slip away. Unfortunately for Mana their mother was listening in and she approached and gave the dreaded “mom” look at Mana which made the 9-year-old panther cub girl nervous ‘getting Kyro to draw your next prank? Mana what did I say about your pranking? and what did dad say about it?’ asked Kyro’s mother. 

Mana started complaining and Kyro decided to go draw a flower for his mother and he found one his mother liked, and he sat down to draw. By this point Kyro’s loincloth which was originally yellow with a babyish bird picture dyed on the front was now covered in charcoal and coloured chalk smudge along with Kyro’s fur. As he looked down, he noticed the smudges and shrugged as it wasn’t something that his parents never worried themselves about. Kyro kept drawing and finished the sketch quite quickly and he picked the flower and ran off back to his mother ‘mom I drew this’ said Kyro handing the the sketch he made to his mother.

Kyro’s mother took the sketch and she was impressed with his skill ‘Aww you’re such a good cub unlike a some cubs’ said Kyro’ mother.

The praise from his mother made Kyro purr happily and Mana was stuck helping the adults of the tribe where her and Kyro’s mother could keep a watch on her to keep her from her carrying out her typical pranking. Kyro walked off and he felt good and realised the urge to pee. As Kyro reached the tree and he lifted his loincloth and started to urinate he saw Mana setting up for yet another prank. This time it was one Kyro knew by how it was set it was going to be a big deal. Kyro finished up and ran off and got his mother ‘mom Mana is setting another prank’ said Kyro.

Kyro’s mother ran over with Kyro showing her where the prank was set up and it wasn’t there. A net came up from under the dirt and leaves ensnaring Kyro. 

Mana ran out and she was in a panic ‘KYRO! no. what have I done. Kyro I’ll cut you down’ said Mana taking a knife and cutting the ropes. Kyro fell and hit the ground thankfully he was unhurt ‘mom I’m sorry I didn’t mean to do that. I won’t prank again’ said Mana.

Kyro’s mother however was angry with Mana ‘Mana your father will ask you to go with him hunting. I want you to say yes’ said Kyro’s mother seeing Kyro’s father approach.
 
Kyro was lifted into his father’s arms and cuddled and his father moved him, so he was on his side like holding a kitten or cub that was 1-5 years old though Kyro was actually 8 ‘Kyro ready for the trip. Now Mana’s coming with us aren’t you Mana' said Kyro's father knowing Mana was there.

Mana looked down and she struggled with it then glanced to Kyro’s mother ‘yes’ said Mana not wanting to be punished for what she did.

Kyro’s father held his hand up to signal Mana to be silent ‘Mana let’s get your stuff packed. I want to make this a family thing just between me you and Kyro’ said Kyro’s father.

Mana folded her ears back and Kyro was carried to the hut and Mana followed and Kyro’s father took some hunting gear and even handed Kyro a dagger to hold. Mana packed her own things ‘Mana look what dad gave me to hold’ said Kyro.

Mana was shocked by it ‘how come you get to hold it?’ asked Mana.

Kyro giggled and he gave a cheeky grin ‘because I’m mom and dad’s kitten’ said Kyro proud of his small size. 

Mana felt overshadowed ever since Kyro came into her life he was their main attention focus. After leaving and making their way into the forest. Kyro’s father stopped and lowered Kyro to the ground and he took in a deep breath ‘smell that, cubs. That fresh air away from the tribe. I think right here is where we’re going to set up our hunting camp’ said Kyro’s father.

Mana sat on a log and pouted a little in her 9-year-old fashion ‘why did mom think this was a good idea’ said Mana.

Kyro’s father laughed and he gave Mana a hug ‘well we’re here so deal with it' chuckled Kyro's father.

Mana pouted more ‘an hour back if I don’t stop along the way’ said Mana pondering if she could go back.

Kyro’s father handed Mana a small dagger ‘why don’t you two try catching some Dashars’ said Kyro’s father.

Mana and Kyro left to chase Dashars which were bunny like lizards. Kyro was nervous and Mana grabbed the creature and Kyro ran back to his father in tears ‘daaaaad!’ shouted Kyro as he hugged his father.

Kyro’s father knew Kyro was frightened of any and all animals and Kyro stayed away from mana and the Dashar she had ‘keep it away’ said Kyro as he hid behind his father.

Kyro’s father pondered the event in Kyro’s past that caused him to have a fear of any kind of animal even insects. Kyro’s father knew Kyro did not remember the incident as he had blocked the memory out ‘Kyro you have to be brave for me’ said Kyro’s father.

Mana took the dagger Kyro had dropped and she took the Dashar. Knowing Kyro was also a very sensitive cub she took the Dashar behind some bushes. A squeaking sound was heard from the bushes and it suddenly ceased. Kyro’s ears folded down and Mana came out with the dead Dashar and a bloodied dagger ‘dad I did it’ said Mana.

Kyro started getting upset and his father picked him up ‘Kyro it’s now with the gods and it’s going to provide us with the food we need to survive’ said Kyro’s father.

This was enough for Kyro to calm down and Mana sat down to skin it. 

Kyro’s father lit a fire and he started cooking the food ‘ok the food will be ready in just an hour and a bit’ said Kyro’s father.

Mana sat down and fidgeted and Kyro’s father laughed ‘Mana go collect some firewood. Any dry sticks will do’ said Kyro’s father.

Mana nodded and she left and Kyro kept drawing and his father noticed and sat down next to him ‘your drawing is really good’ said Kyro’s father.

Kyro felt pride swell in his chest he couldn’t help but be happy ‘thanks dad’ said Kyro.

Kyro kept sketching and stopped and looked at Mana ‘are you ok, Kyro?’ asked Kyro’s father.

Kyro nodded ‘yeah’ said Kyro.

Kyro’s father was reassured by it and ruffled the fur on his son’s head ‘well that’s good’ said Kyro’s father.

As he drew his father kept watching him draw. It was clear Kyro got the talent in the family ‘dad like the fire I’m drawing?’ asked Kyro who was purring.

Kyro’s father nodded and he gave Kyro a cuddle ‘I sure do but why are you drawing a forest fire?’ asked Kyro’s father.

Kyro giggled and Mana was off getting fire wood ‘I don’t know. I guess I like the bright colours. Oh yeah and Mana wanted me to draw her ideas for pranks this morning and she even got me tangled in her net trap prank when I set it off’ said Kyro.

Kyro’s father seemed quite shocked at this and he licked Kyro on the forehead and cuddled him ‘well just wait until Mana returns, I’m going to have a little word for her’ said Kyro’s father.

Kyro’s eyes lit up. He didn’t like Mana’s pranks as many of his friends were victims of them. Mana returned with a large bundle of sticks in her arms and she came over ‘MANA! Kyro told me you were trying to get him draw your pranks ideas and he even got caught in your net trap prank’ said Kyro’s father in the rough, stern “dad” voice.

Mana became nervous and she came over putting the sticks down ‘I’m sorry dad’ said Mana.

Kyro’s father crossed his arms ‘you’re going to sit on the log and think about what you did wrong’ said Kyro’s father.

Mana pouted ‘I’m sorry’ said Mana in tears.

Kyro’s father came over and took Mana by the arm ‘last chance’ said Kyro’s father.
Mana looked away and Kyro’s father put Mana over his knee and gave her 6 good whacks over her bottom each one was firm. Mana started crying ‘I-I’m sorry dad’ cried Mana.

Kyro’s father nodded and he heard a sound he smiled ‘guys we’re going to hunt a Kaklik. Usually they take days to track fortunately one is close’ said Kyro’s father. 

The Dashar cooking over the fire was now cooked and Kyro’s father took the stick and they divided it up. There was just enough for 3 and they promptly ate the cooked meat. 

The sound came again and a Kaklik which was a lizard that was kind of like a deer came through and Kyro’s father quickly took his spear and killed it ‘well this is dinner’ said Kyro’s father.

Kyro and Mana got up and their father strung the Kaklik up and he started dragging it. It too a little longer for the walk home and Kyro was picked up into his father’s arms feeling tired since it was nap time. Kyro was quickly diapered and his father carried him over his shoulder and dragged the Kaklik ‘nap time little one’ said Kyro’s father.

Kyro wanted to protest but the day had already been a long one and he was exhausted ‘ok dad’ said Kyro rubbing his eyes.

Kyro had already fallen asleep in his father’s arms and Mana was still a bit upset during the walk to the tribe ‘dad I’m sorry for trying to make Kyro draw my pranks and the net accident’ said Mana.

Kyro’s father looked at Mana and he put his hand over her back ‘Mana promise you won’t do it again’ said Kyro’s father.

Mana nodded ‘I promised mom I won’t prank anymore’ said Mana.

Once home the tribe was a flair with gossip and idol talk. Some of the tribesmen took the Kaklik away and he then made his way to where everyone was gathered ‘make way’ said Kyro’s father.

Kyro’s mother walked over and led her life-mate to a hut. Inside was a tribeswoman laying on a bed mat on the ground next to her was not a newborn kitten but an egg ‘this happened we were surprised. She’s the first there’s been 3 more’ said Kyro’s mother.

Both Kyro’s parents left and they had the crowed disperse and took Kyro to their hut and placed him on his bed mat in his room ‘he had a big day by the looks’ said Kyro’s mother.

Kyro’s mother had a slightly bulging stomach as she was pregnant. Kyro’s father smiled and Kyro started to stir awake ‘hey there little one’ said Kyro’s father.

Kyro rubbed his eyes and he realised he was peeing himself. He knew he started peeing himself just prior to waking up ‘daddy we’re back?’ asked Kyro.

Kyro’s father was astonished by what Kyro said. Kyro when tired or just woken up uses the term “mommy” and “daddy” without realising it ‘you’re up’ said Kyro’s father.

There was a loud splotching sound and Kyro and his parents ran out. One of the tribesmen had the juice and remains of some stink fruit covering them ‘Mana!’ shouted Kyro’s father.

Mana ran off and Kyro’s father looked around to Kyro ‘hungry there little one? Come on the food is probably being prepared for cooking’ said Kyro’s father.

Kyro looked down the front of his diaper was damp, and his mother changed him out of it quickly and once he was clad in his loincloth they walked to the fire. They waited for the food to be prepared in which Kyro played with some of his friends, Kyren and Taren. After a game of hide and find Kyro ran as it was time to eat. Kyro sat with his mother and father and had some dinner after which he was given a little breastfeed and he was led to the hut for bed time ‘Kyro hopefully tomorrow going to be a good day’ said Kyro’s mother.

Kyro nodded and he curled up on his bed mat and fell asleep. The curtain in the doorway was pulled across and Kyro’s father laughed ‘it was a good thing the Kaklik charged us. I didn’t want to spend all day tomorrow hunting it’ said Kyro’s father to his life-mate. 

Kyro slept quite well and his parents knew that it’d take a lot to wake him so they walked out and sat by the fire as the sun finally set on what could easily be Kyro’s longest day.

(to be continued)