Kovuki
Legacy Name: Kovuki

Kovuki once belonged to a group of felines that lived in the vast expanse that is Sallow's Gate's forest. They were a small group, no more than five including Kovu. They were chased out of their larger ambush after an argument broke out between Kovu's mom and another tigress. Not even he remembers what it was about but they were forcibly removed after his mom threatened the other one. A few others decided to travel with them since his mom was weak and could possibly have trouble protecting her precious cub. It didn't take long for the others to realize why Kovu's mom was kicked out. She groaned. She griped. She hissed. She spat. Every time help was offered she let them loudly know how wrong they were. It didn't take long for those who had gone with her out of sympathy to turn tail and run. They were truly on their own. Mom and son. The forest was full of danger at every turn. Not even the kind spirit that watched over the town that the forest was named after would assist them. Every day that passed he could see his mom getting weaker and weaker, soon unable to even hunt for the pair of them. He was barely old enough to go hunting but he tried his best to help his mama out by bringing small mice or rabbits that he found. He knew it wouldn't be enough but it didn't stop him from trying. Despite being so angry with the others she was very gentle with him, letting him know he was a good boy and that he'll grow up to be such a strong, kind and handsome young tiger.
On one calm night the mother and son duo had traveled their way to a circular clearing. The grass was a vibrant green that had a gentle sway in the soft breeze, as if to beckon them to come and rest a little while. The tiger pair did just that, sitting under the shimmering night sky. The stars flickered in such a way that it looked as if they were dancing. Kovu's eyes lit up as he watched the performance. For the first time since his birth, his mother smiled. Things finally felt peaceful. Her son was absorbed in the light show, oblivious to what she knew was coming this night. She believed the goat goddess of the sky, Starsuka, was providing a good distraction for her precious son. She could not go on though, she had to leave. Vai felt her body weakening by the moment and it wouldn't be long now that she would return to the dirt. She watched the little guy play for as long as she was able to hold her head up but her eyes began to droop and her body ached with exhaustion. Vai felt Kovu nestle beside her having tired himself out by trying to play with the shiny stars. Her nose gently touched his as she laid her head down.

"I love you, Kovu dear."
"I wuv you too mama."

It had happened so long ago... Kovu's icy eyes blinked away any feeling of grief that had washed over him as he recalled the last time he had been with his mother, Vai. He extended his claws into the frozen dirt of his home, a deep sigh escaping him as his face twisted into mild anger. She was taken from him too early. He was still so little when she perished. The morning after had been hell on Astrinet for him. He pushed, shoved, bit, pulled. Nothing woke her. Nothing stirred her from that eternal slumber. Kovu tried to blink the memory away again but it was no use. He could hear his young self scream at the sky about how unfair it all was. How he had been distracted by the stupid stars. How he should have paid far more attention to his ailing mother. He had wailed until his voice gave out. Whined to the sky about how awful it was for doing this to him. He screeched about how he didn't know how to hunt, how he wouldn't be able to survive because the sky took his mama away. He hated the sky! He hated the stars for removing the focus on mama! Hated the big pair of eyes that now lingered on him as he screamed! He hated it! Hate! Hate! Hate!
"You good lug head?"
A voice called to him from the entrance to his cave home. His breathing began to steady as his mind began to shift to the visitor. His eyes looked up from the ground, staring at the intruder, who had let himself in and stood tall in front of the tiger.
"I said are you good, Lughead?" The rabbit repeated, arms now crossed.
"Yes Lex. What do you want?" Kovu chuckled to him, admiring how bold the tiny bunny had gotten lately.
"Whenever you're done sulking, come find me. We have a demon to demolish." Lex replied curtly and spun on his heel, leaving in a flash.
Another deep sigh escaped Kovu. He may hate the sky for what it did to mama but he sure as heck hates that stupid demon dog that comes through to torment his only friend even more. He and the rabbit weren't always on the most friendly of terms but the old hare said if was to lose to anyone, he'd rather it be Kovu. As the tiger traveled his mind wandered again. Even now he still didn't understand how he had gotten to this place. Hoarfrost Hailstorm had a reputation for being very inhospitable yet here he was, living in such hostile conditions. Better yet, Lex had been here longer and yet that weird old hare was still kicking. Kovu remembered Lex mentioning that there had to be some kind of curse that befell those that found their way to this icy plain but he was unsure. He couldn't even remember how he had gotten there. One minute he was trying to hunt deer during the summer in the clearing where mum last laid and the next he was waking up on freshly falling snow in a place that he could not recognize. Maybe that pair of eyes he had seen years ago had cursed him to live in this desolate area. Maybe the old hare was right...

"My brother in spirit, can you get your head out of your rear for five seconds and come help? Or do I need to teach you a lesson too?"
Lex called for him across the snowy field, annoyed he even had to shake Kovu out of his head once again. The awful demon dog and her daughter were trying to fend off the bunny army that had been called upon. The tiger chuckled and shook the remaining thoughts out of his head, a smirk appearing on his face as he charged forward to assist his ally.

Mama may be gone but he'd never admit he sees that silly ol' hare as a father. Probably the best father he's ever seen.