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The sun was dipping below the horizon line, casting the world in a deep orange glow as Izuku waited. He had been careful to crouch down just behind the dip at the edge of the cave's entrance, and as he waited he began bouncing on his paws, tail flicking back and forth. He could barely keep himself still. How much longer would he have to wait for?
Eventually, the scent of the one he had been waiting for suddenly hit his nose. He moved to shoot up, but forced himself to stay still. A few agonizing minutes later and a large form finally approached, slinking towards the den, a large object grasped between its teeth.
Finally!
The spotted feline inched closer as Izuku's excitement grew, small body practically vibrating in anticipation.
Almost there... Almost there... Now!
In a split second, Izuku leaped into the air, shouting out a fierce call.
"Dad!"
The massive albino sabertooth grunted as the smaller form landed clumsily on top of him, momentarily knocking the wind out of him.
"Izuku!"
A moment passed and Izuku found himself lifted into the air by the scruff of his neck, flailing around aimlessly before being set down unceremoniously in front of his father.
"Hi Dad!!" Izuku grinned, small canines flashing as he stared up in adoration at the older feline, "Did you see how good I pounced on you? Did you?"
His father chuffed in amusement, the sound deep and warm, resonating through the air.
"Yes I did! You did a great job, baby."
The small cub beamed. "I've been practicing all day so I can go out hunting with you tomorrow!"
"Izuku…" The larger cat's smile lessened, voice softening as he looked down into his son's shining eyes, "Baby, you know you're not old enough to come along on one of our hunts."
"Aw, c'mon Dad," Izuku whined, "Let me go with you! I'm a good hunter, Mama said so!"
"Did she now?" His father asked, amused.
"Yes! It was after I caught a mouse this morning- oh yeah, I forgot to tell you! I caught a mouse! All by myself!"
"That's wonderful, little one, I'm very proud of you!" He praised, before pausing, "But little one, just because you're a good hunter doesn't mean that you're ready to take on larger prey."
Izuku wilted, withdrawing into himself.
"I-I understand, dad," he whispered, voice wobbly.
His father sighed. "Little one, I don't say this to hurt you, or because I don't want to be with you. You still have quite a bit of growing to do before you're ready to take on animals like mammoths, even with your pack to support you."
He moved to nuzzle Izuku, who gladly returned the comforting gesture.
"I mean, look at you," the older feline said after a few minutes of comfortable silence had passed, as a goofy grin suddenly spread itself wide across his muzzle, "You haven't even grown your saberteeth yet! You'd be lunch if a large bird decided they were hungry enough!"
"Daaaad," Izuku groaned in mock pain, a small smile pulling at the sides of his mouth, "As if you'd let one get close to me."
"That's true," his father admitted, rolling over before standing back up on his feet, nudging Izuku with his head in the same motion, "Come on now, little one, the others will have finished hauling in the food by now and I'm sure you're plenty hungry by now."
Izuku shot up, stomach growling as if in response to the other's statement. He sheepishly smiled at his dad before quickly making his way to the cave's entrance, stopping only when he heard his dad's next few words.
"I know you're eager to go hunting with me so how about this, Izuku: you stay home tomorrow with all the other little cubs, and when I get home, we'll go out- just me and you, and find yourself some prey. Nothing too big, just a young deer or something similar, but we'll do it together. What do you think of that, little one?"
Izuku shot back at his father, leaping on him to give him as large a hug as he could.
"I'd love that, dad!"
The incredible 2000DragonArmy drew a pic of sabertooth Izuku being given a tongue bath by his dad!!!
