It was strange - that was the thought that was running through Logan's head as he finally caught the rabbit he'd been in pursuit of. He was actually slightly nervous about meeting the female cougar, worried about her not accepting his presence or, worse, rejecting his little niece because of him.

He mentioned his concerns to Victor, gaining him a sidelong look.

"You ain't courtin' that she-cat. We're just feedin' her t' keep her healthy and her milk sound."

Dropping back on his haunches, Victor considered a bit more as he looked over the brace of rabbits he'd already caught himself.

"Still, I guess we should go by Sinopa and consider yer more wolf an' I'm more cat, so guess we'd best let me lead th' way in case somethin' about you makes her think yer a danger t' her cubs."

Feeling better now that his brother was taking his concerns seriously, Logan passed over the rabbit as he caught wind of another and took off in pursuit. Victor figured four rabbits would make a good introduction and after, they'd go after a deer and split the meat with her. He had no real idea of how much the cougar would actually eat in a day, but he figured that after a day or two, they'd have a better idea.

Once Logan came back with his second rabbit to add to the ones Victor had already caught, they headed for the cougar's lair. There was no question of when they were close because Logan heard the mother cat's warning growl before the wind shifted and he scented her.

The offered rabbits went a long way toward calming her down, but she still gave a light growl in Logan's general direction after he sat down. Cubs being practically stuffed from nose to tail with curiousity meant that they were soon checking over this newcomer to their den, followed by climbing over him. His amused reaction to the cubs antics settled the mother cougar down and she turned her full attention to the rabbits as Victor picked up his small daughter and took her over to Logan.

Logan was comfortable with the cubs, but when Victor offered over his small, squirmy daughter, Logan hesitated until Victor scowled at him.

"She's my kid, not a damn rattlesnake. Take her and learn her scent."

Holding her was awkward - and messy. It was a hard thing, but Victor managed to keep from laughing out loud when Anne peed all over his little brother. Logan gave the baby the stink-eye as she began to gurgle. When she opened her mouth, he could make out the beginnings of tiny sharp teeth that were already making their way through her gums.

"I think I got her scent down pretty damn well now, Vic."

Not bothering to hide his amusement any more, Victor laughed and took back the damp baby, scolding her in words, but not in tone.

"Now Anne - is that any way to say hello to yer Uncle Jimmy?"

Then he looked over to Logan.

"At least we pass that creek that runs off that hot spring on th' way home."

Now seeing the humorous side himself, Logan fended off the cubs who seemed to think that Anne had marked a place for them to mark as well.

"Guess I best get used t' that kind o' greetin' until she's old enough t' squat. So, how often we feedin' the mama?"

Victor shrugged.

"I figure twice a day is good and should keep her milk up. She'll still need t' hide the cubs t' check her territory, but she won't have t' be gone as long as she would if she had t' hunt as well."

Logan remained seated as the mother cougar finished her meal and came over to give him a good sniffing over. He returned the favor, breathing in the combination of her natural wild scent, the tang of rabbit blood clinging to her, and the musky sweetness of her milk. He was pretty sure he could track her, Anne, or the two cubs if need be. There was no question in his mind that Victor could.

Satisfied that Logan could come and go now without upsetting the mother cougar, Victor backed out of the den with Logan not far behind him. Both needed to stretch once they were back in the open air. Victor gave a sniff in Logan's direction and chuckled.

"Com'on, little brother. Time t' dip you in th' creek 'fore we go huntin' for our own dinner."