A Road Less Traveled by Natoo

A Road Less Traveled

Natoo, Cub, Kissing, Love, Male, Otter, Puma, TKSS, b/b

Back in June last year I wrote a proposal story asking my mate Tinsju to marry me. he said "Yes" and the rest was history.

Yesterday Tinsju asked me why I hadn't uploaded the story onto my sites. I told him because it was already uploaded to his site.

He told me I needed to upload it here too so here you go.

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental. The sexuality of all characters is entirely a figment of the author's imagination. For those of you that are NOT of legal age, please find other material to read. If you are offended by male/male material, or it is illegal to view such materials in your area, you should be leaving at this time.

This story may contain scenes of a graphic nature between an two male cubs, which may not be legal in your area. If you are under 18 or material of this nature is illegal in your present location, please leave now. By continuing to read on, you are confirming that it is legal for you to view the material in this story. In addition, neither you nor any family members are employees of any type of government, law enforcement, or investigative entity. Moreover, you are either not performing any type of research in preparation for any forms of legal action, directly or indirectly, affecting the contents of this site. In addition, you are agreeing that the author, editor, and this site will not be held responsible for any consequences of you viewing or downloading the story.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.

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The following story is a gift to my precious Tinsju. Though a lot of the things have been changed the heart behind the story is one hundred percent TRUE.

Tinsju, I have something very important to say to you, and because I mix up my words and babble when I speak. Also do to the fact you say that I can write a lot better then I can talk. I have decided to write you this special story. I hope by the time you reach the bottom of it, I will have expressed my infinite love for you. please read it all the way to the end. I will be setting here beside you the whole time.

A Road less Traveled

Teokosu set in the chair watching Tinsju sleeping peacefully, while he quietly replayed the events in his mind over and over. The puma never planned for things to ever go this way. Teokosu's heart was aching with the pain that he had just betrayed the love of his dear lost Niebla.

The puma looked around the room, wondering if Niebla was now somewhere watching. If so, was he mad? Was he hurt? Of course he was, and rightfully so. Teokosu, who Niebla had saved from a life with out joy and love, had just betrayed him at first chance.

The puma raised a paw to his eye catching a tear that rolled down his face. "I am so sorry Niebla, I never meant to betray you." The puma's heart was full of pain, love, and sorrow.

The young puma didn't mean for things to happened the way it did, it just sort of well, happened. The only thing Teokosu knew for sure was that no matter what course he took someone was going to be hurt.

Unable to do anything about the mess the young puma had gotten himself into, the cub could only sobbed gently into the still night.

Tinsju lay on the sofa silently watching his best friend as he set in the chair in the corner. He heard Teokosu say something, but the puma's words were spoken so softly he barely heard it.

'What did the otter do, what did he say? One moment Teokosu was holding him in his arms looking into his eyes, and then next he starts acting strange. Was it the kiss? It couldn't have been that. After all it was Teokosu that kissed him.

If only the otter could figure out what he did wrong surely he'd be able to fix it.' Tinsju lay there struggling to understand what he did to hurt the one person he loved more then anything else.

Earlier that night Mayu and Naoki were busy setting the table for their important guest. Making sure that everything was perfect. After all it's not every night that they could share dinner with the village Chief and his family.

"Tinsju get down here and help your mother with setting the..." Tinsju darted into the room "Is he here!?" the young otter yelped with anticipation. "No son. Just help your mother set the table. I have to get three more chairs."

"I can't believe it, here at my table! I wonder what she's wearing." The female otter suddenly stopped. "Oh no, what if my dress isn't good enough?" The otter looked up at the clock. "Darn, no time to get a new one, they'll be here any moment."

Tinsju helped his babbling mother set the table. "Mother, It's just going to be us and Teokosu, why are we setting out three more chairs?" the young otter queried. "Because your mother used her silver tongue, to talk the Sasa into coming over and eating dinner with us." Naoki explained walking back into the room with an extra chair in hand.

"Teokosu's folks?" The otter queried. "Yes, your mother sees this as a opportunity to throw one of her famous dinners. So they you go."

"Just think Zuri Sasa here, in my house. Tinsju make sure that glass doesn't have a single spot. Oh never mind, just give it to me I'll do it. Everything must be perfect tonight." The female otter fussed. "They have been here before woman. Why are you making yourself crazy?"

Mayu gave her husband a look of disdain. "No Naoki. Mwenye has been here, but this is the first time we have had the chance to entertain Zuri Sasa in this house. Just think of it. The girls will simply die when I tell them that Zuri Sasa had dined at my table." Naoki shook his head surrendering.

"Alright Tinsju your father and I can finish, go check on your brother make sure he's not getting his clothes dirty. Oh, and you better go and change yourself into the clothes I have set on your bed." The young otter finished setting a plate down, before heading off to the room he shared with his baby brother Yuuto.

As Tinsju walked into the room, he saw Yuuto happily playing with his toy trucks. "Hay, Don't get your clothes dirty. Stop playing with those dirty things." The young cub jerked his head up. "You not da boss of me!" the younger cub barked. "Fine, but when mother gets mad at you for getting your clothes all dirty don't blame me." The younger cub only responded by sticking his tongue out at the older sibling,

Even in his room he could still hear the two older otters bickering back and forth.

Tinsju quickly changed into the outfit that was picked out for him to wear. He smiled when he seen that the shirt was one that his best friend Teokosu had given to him as a gift.

"Now dear, I've told you, it's just a normal dinner. Don't go and over do it, they are just normal people like you and I." Naoki tried to calm his wife down. "How can you say that? After all they are the Chief and his wife. You better hope they never hear you say that."

"The Chief says that himself."

"Well he's the Chief he has to say things like that it shows that he is all humble and everything. You better hold your tongue if you know what's good for you."

"Hold my tongue!? I will never hold my tongue I am this village's most honored Elder. The Chief values my words."

"Of 'curse he does dear."

Naoki went to get last chair out of the other room, allowing Mayu a chance to change her focus to Tinsju. "Tinsju, come in here and let me look at you."

"I look pretty." Tinsju said walking into the room tugging on the outfit his mother had picked out for him. "Oh for pete sake, here we go again. When will it ever stop? The word is handsome, not pretty. Boys are not pretty. Jeez." Naoki barked from the other room. "Sorry father", the young otter called back.

"They can too Naoki. Ohhh, just look at my little man, he is just so precious. Come here; let's tuck that blouse in. There, now you're the prettiest cub I have ever seen".

"Jeez Mayu, No wonder the boy talks and acts that way. You treat and talk to him like he is a girl." Naoki said carrying in the last of the extra chairs from the other room. "Boys do not wear blouses they wear shirts", the old otter barked. Mayu rolled her eyes at her husband. "I'll call it what I want."

Setting down the last chair Naoki looked at his oldest son. "Pink! What the hell... No No, there is no way in hell any boy of mine is going to wear a pink shirt! Get in that room and change into your white shirt and black tie." Naoki barked.

Tinsju hung his head making his way down the hall and back into his room and closed his door. Even with the door shut he could still hear his parent's fighting back and fourth on just how to raise their boys.

"There is nothing wrong with that 'blouse', besides I am his mother I'll baby him if I want to."

"He'll ware the white shirt I bought him and like it. If it was good enough for me, it's good enough for him. Besides, if you keep dressing him like a little girl he'll keep acting like one."

"Oh, Naoki you're crazy. Him wearing a pink shirt does not make him a girl, Besides He looks good in pink."

"Haven't you heard the clothes make the man? It's bad enough that my son has yellow fur with pink hair".

"And what's wrong with that!? I, have yellow fur!"

"Yes, but your a girl, he is a boy. Why can't he have brown fur like a normal boy?"

"Because he is special. He is a kind, nice, sweet, and tender hearted...".

"You mean a sissy"

"He is not a sissy! He's just not a brut like you. He is, 'delicate'."

"Yeah, I seen how 'delicate' he is. Don't think I haven't seen him with the Chief's new son. Imagine a son of mine holding hands and hugging another boy. What the hell is this village coming to when boys go around holding hands & hugging each other? In my day boys only hugged and held girls hands, and boys like that were shunned and made to be outcast"

"Quite! He'll hear you." Naoki & Mayu both lowered their voices, but continued to fight.

The young otter was shocked. Had his father really seen him with Teokosu?

Tinsju heard a loud knock on the front door. "He's here!" The otter yelped as he quickly changed into the white shirt.

As Mwenye and his family walked up to the door, he could hear Naoki & Mayu yelling at one another.

"You mean a sissy"

"He is not a sissy! He's just not a brut like you. He is, 'delicate'."

"Quite! He'll hear you."

Seybu giggled at the news that his big brother was hugging another boy. Mwenye was not as amused, he quickly looked at Teokosu with a frown. "But, but", the puma stammered. Zuri sighed, "Boys will be boys".

"Knock, knock, knock."

Mwenye let his hand fall heavy on the door stopping the fighting on the other side. "We'll talk about this later." Mwenye said with a huff of exhaustion. "Yes sir." Teokosu sighed.

The large heavy door open with a loud creak as Naoki's head peeked out. "Oh, Chief Sasa. Welcome to our home. Please come in", the old otter announced opening the door wide.

Mwenye walked through followed by his wife Zuri, who was holding a giggling little Seybu. Followed at a distance by a very hesitant Teokosu.

"Welcome. We've been expecting you." Mayu stepped up and greeted the newcomers. "Please, this way to the living area." she gestured to a large room.

Everyone started making their way into the other room, as the old otter closed the heavy door with a hard thud. He intentionally stepped into Teokosu way stopping the young cub dead in his tracks. "Evening Teokosu. I'm so glad you and your family could join us". he menacingly growled. Teokosu swallowed hard, "Th-Thank-you, sir." the young puma cowered.

Just then young Tinsju come running up to them. "Hay Teokosu!" The young otter took ahold of his friend's arm, pulling him towards the others in the living area. As Teokosu was being pulled into the other room, Naoki's eyes remained locked with the young puma's. "I'm watching you two", He hissed at the cub with hatred burning in his eyes.

Teokosu shivered at the look and quickly turned to face everyone in the other room. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Please have a seat. Can I get anyone a drink?" Mayu asked playing the part if a good hostess. "I'll have some wine." The Chief said with a smile. "Of course." Mayu beamed back. "Can we make that two?" Zuri asked politely. "Sure you can, Wine for the adults and how about juice for the cubs?" Teokosu smiled "That would be nice please".

"Here I'll help", Zuri said following the hostess. As the ladies left the room Naoki entered. "So, Chief how is everything?" The large leopard took measure of the Otter. "Everything seems to be good." the leopard paused reading the otter's body language. "But I fear that some of the elders are foolishly hanging onto the old ways. Even though by doing such, they may just run their younger love ones out of our village."

Naoki defensively shifted his body weight. "But, We have lived peacefully with the old ways for generations, maybe the elders are right." The leopard smiled. "Yes my old friend, the old ways have done right by us, but the world is changing and I feel if we don't learn to be a little accepting of the new ways the village may not be here for our children's children."

"So, your saying that the old ways are wrong?" Naoki snorted with an obvious discussed.

"No, I'm not saying the old ways are wrong, I'm saying we all should keep our minds open to ways other then we were raised. A wise man once said 'Love is as life, there are many roads one can travel.' Good words to keep in mind." with a smile Mwenye looked lovingly at Teokosu and Tinsju happily chattering away. "Even those on roads we can't understand."

Naoki's eyes followed Mwenye's gaze with a frown. "Your right I do not understand some of the 'new ways'. It may be hard for some elders to 'allow' such ways, but I also don't want to see my cubs leave the village. We elders have worked far to hard just to see this village vanish."

The old otter sighed heavily. "I still say some of the 'new ways' are not right, but our Chief has never led us a stray. If you have no problem with this 'way', then who am I to say different?" The old otter sighed again then turned to walk away in defeat.

Mwenye stopped him by placing his powerful paw on the otter's shoulder. "Naoki, you are his caring father that doesn't wish to see him hurt." The otter looked into the leopard's eyes with a small nod.

"Ok boy's dinner is almost ready", Mayu announced walking back into the room. "Here's a drink for our Chief Sasa, and one for my darling" handing both men a glass. "Thank you Miss. Natoo "

So what are you men talking about?" Zuri asked feeling heaviness in the room. "Just a council matter." Mwenye smiled at Naoki. "Yes, council matter." Naoki returned the smile.

Tinsju watched as the two men talked about some kind of 'way' that would keep everyone from leaving the village. He had not heard of anyone leaving. "Teokosu who is leaving town?" Teokosu shrugged his shoulder, "I don't know, who?" Tinsju rolled his eyes. "I'm asking you." Teokosu thought for a moment, "I haven't heard of anyone leaving, why?"

"Because our fathers are saying everyone's leaving." Tinsju explained as both men turned and looked at them.

For the second time tonight Tinsju had looked up to find his father frowning at him. For a few days his father had been storming around the house yelling at everyone and everything. Every time he ran into his father one on one, Tinsju could feel his father's anger directed towards him. And anytime the young otter said anything to his father, the older otter would bark back at him hatefully. Now After tonight's yelling, he was pretty sure he knew why.

"Teokosu I think my father seen us... you know" The young otter whispered. "Yeah we heard as we walked up to the door. Mwenye told me he was going to talk to me about it later. I for one am not looking forwards to that conversation.

Just then Zuri walked into the room and handed the two boys some juice. "You two need to go wash up for dinner." then she leaned in real close. "Don't take your time, dinner is almost ready. No hugging, you two can find another time for that." Both cubs froze in place.

"That's right, I've seen you two." Both boys slowly looked up at Zuri. "You really think I would let my eyes off one of my kittens. I Think Not!" Zuri smiled and placing a paw on both cubs' heads she roughly tussled their hair.

"Alright you heard me, go clean up. Those paws are filthy", Zuri announced loudly drawing everyone's attention. "And tell Yuuto to wash his paws and face too, it's time to eat." Mayu added

Both cub set their drinks down and ran off down the hall to the washroom calling out to Yuuto. "Dinner's ready mother says we have to wash our paws."

After all three boys washed up they quickly rejoined their parents in the dining room. Yuuto quickly ran to the empty chair next to his mother and father, leaving Tinsju and Teokosu to take the two empty chairs side by side.

"Now that we are all here. Have a seat boys." Naoki said with a smile. Tinsju was glad to see his father smiling at him again. He just hoped that he stayed in a good mood.

Everyone set and ate talking about their daily lives in the village as they ate dinner. Tinsju was elated to see not only his father smiling at him, but laughing joking around like normal.

Tinsju leaned over to Teokosu, "Looks like my father is in a good mood. Maybe he'll let you stay so we can watch the movie on his computer, and maybe even let you spend the night", the otter whispered.

"Spend the night? Hmm... Only if you both help me do the morning chores." Mayu bartered.

"It'll be nice to have another strong boy to help with the morning feeding and gathering", Mayu continued on.

Both boys moaned at the prospect of the morning chores. Mayu looked at the two boys. "With both boys helping it'll be easier and done faster. I could even have time to bake a pie for a couple of cubs I know." She added with a wink.

"I wan thome too" Seybu whined. Mayu smiled "Then I will have to save an extra big piece just for my favorite little leopard cub." Seybu started clapping at the prospect of having a large piece of pie all to himself. Yuuto only sounded his disgust. "Pie? Yuck!" the cub wrinkled his little nose.

Soon everyone was finished eating only picking at what remained. The adults talked about village life, while both the tiny leopard cub and younger otter, were curled into balls in their seats. Soft snores could be heard coming from them, as they lay sleeping happily with bits of food clinging to their mews. Leaving the two remaining older cubs to talk about the day's activities.

"Well it's getting late Zuri." Mwenye stretched. "Your right it's past... Will you look at that, Seybu is already fast asleep", Zuri added. "Yes morning is going to come early." Naoki stated getting up and pulling out his wife's chair. "Oh look at this, I can't leave without helping Mayu with the dishes." Zuri eyed the table. "Don't worry Zuri, I have two strapping young men to help me." Both cubs whined in complaint as they pulled themselves mopishly from their chairs.

"Come come, There's work to be done pitch in." Mayu said clapping her paws at the two pouting cubs. Both boys cleared the table while Mr. and Miss. Natoo walked the Sasa to the door. "Teokosu you behave yourself, you hear me?" Zuri called back from the doorway. "Yes, ma'am" He called back.

After all the dishes were cleaned and put up, Mayu gave each boy a kiss on the head and sent them off to Naoki's office to watch a movie. "Goodnight boys, you better not stay up all night, there are chores to be done. If you two need anything Naoki and I will be in the room at the end of the hall." with that she left the two cubs alone in the office.

Tinsju looked through his pile of DVDs. "The lost treasure of the Zorkar'a?"

"Nah, seen it."

"Hmmm, how about this one I just got it. 'The cave of lost souls'"

"Oh, I've been wanting to see that, but its rated PG13 and father said it's too scary for a young cub like me to see. I tried to tell him I was old enough, pointing out the fact that I had just lost my cub spots. He only laughed and said maybe when I get older."

"Yeah, My parents said I was too young too. That's why I paid Tau from school to buy it for me." the young otter gloated his victory.

Teokosu looked around then walked over to Tinsju. "You think we would get into trouble?" The otter chuckled. "Who would know?"

"Okay put it in." The young puma giggled.

Tinsju did just that and took a seat in a chair next to where Teokosu was now setting in front of the monitor. As the computer loaded, both boys grinned at the fact of watching the forbidden movie.

At first the movie was pretty lame, a group of topless girl bunnies kept going into a cave and disappearing, just to be followed by a different girl looking for the one before her.

But then things started picking up when the camera stayed with the last girl bunny, which was quickly attacked by a large monster with a lot of tentacles. She barely managed to get away and hide from the creature. As the monster would look for her, he would use his long tentacles searching the cave walls.

Once things were starting to get really intense Teokosu got an evil idea. The young puma slowly moved his long rope-like tail up behind Tinsju, which was so focused on the movie, that he was totally unaware of his so called best friends movements.

With the help of the music the movie became more and more intense. This was starting to play havoc with little Tinsju's nerves as he quickly took ahold of Teokosu's paw in his own for comfort. This did not detour Teokosu's evil plan, ever the prankster he dutifully held his ground with his tail poised and ready to strike.

Teokosu seen his moment, for the monster was creeping up behind the scared little rabbit on the computer. Tinsju's paw squeezed Teokosu's as the tension built. And just as the monster reached out to wrap a tentacle around this girl, Teokosu softly placed his tail on Tinsju's shoulder brushing it lightly against Tinsju's neck.

"AHHHHHHH, HELP! IT'S TRYING TO KILL ME!" Tinsju yelled out as he felt a tentacle began to wrap around his neck. He quickly grabbed Teokosu's tail throwing it off and started to run for the office door.

In a matter of seconds the door to the office flung open making both boys yelp out in terror. "What the hell is going on!" the Old otter bellowed loudly. After looking around for an attacker that was not there, his eyes fell on the two cubs

"Alright you too, what's with all the noise?" In the doorway Naoki stood with an angry look on his face. "M-m-m-Monster!" Tinsju yelped running over to his father for protection. The whole time Teokosu was actually rolling on the floor holding his sides in laughter.

"What Monster?" Naoki barked. "Ha hah ha, me. Ha ha ha" Teokosu laughed getting to his feet. "Hay! That's not funny!" the young otter barked at his friend. "He's right I was walking past the door when he scream, I thought something broke in and was killing you two cubs."

Both boys hung their heads as the older otter chastised them. "I'm sorry mister Natoo. We'll be good." Teokosu said wiping the tears of laughter from his face.

Naoki looked at both Teokosu and his son then to the computer monitor. "What the hell? Oh, that explains it. Teokosu we don't scare each other in this house. Got it?"

"Yeah!" Tinsju added, sticking his tongue out at him.

Naoki looked back down at his son. "As for you. Next time you yell like that, something better be killing you. Got it? Now you two turn off that movie, you are both too young to watch it always." both boys hung their head again "Yes, Sir." they said in unison.

"Good night boys!" the older otter said closing the door with a 'thud'.

The young otter walked over to his so call friend and slapped him on the arm. "That was not funny." Tinsju pouted leaning against Teokosu's chest. "Oh, I'm sorry" the young puma said hugging his buddy tight. "Forgive me?" Teokosu asked.

The young otter looked into his friend's eyes. "You know I can't stay mad at you." Teokosu smiled back at the otter looking deep into his eyes.

Both boys stood there quietly, as Tinsju looked into his best friend's bright green eyes. How could the otter stay mad at Teokosu? Those eyes of his were full of love and kindness, and now were looking deep into Tinsju's soul.

Tinsju had never seen Teokosu look at anyone the way he would look at him. Like the young otter was the only thing that mattered in the world. When Teokosu would look at Tinsju like that, a fire raged inside the young otter's heart that the cub couldn't understand. It was like a really strong intense feeling. The feeling felt much like love, only much much stronger.

A couple of weeks ago the two were setting in the cemetery beside Niebla's grave. The two were lost in talks about the same old things, when Teokosu suddenly stopped and looked at Tinsju the same way he was doing now. Then without saying anything Teokosu got up and left, leaving Tinsju alone with the headstones of the cemetery.

Tinsju loved that look. No, it was not the look. It was the soul behind that look, which Tinsju loved. He had spent the last two weeks meditating on this.

The love he had for Teokosu was not the love he had for his parents or brother, It was so much stronger then that. Tinsju had never felt like this about anyone or anything for that matter.

All he knew was he needed to be with Teokosu. Every time the two would part ways it was like a part of himself was being ripped a way and remained missing long after. But when Tinsju would see Teokosu again the otter's stomach would flip around, and deep down inside a joy would permeate his entire being. Could he actually be in love with Teokosu?

He had read about love in his books, but the love was always between a man and a woman. Never between a man and another man. So how can he be in love with Teokosu? He was a boy just like himself.

Confused about this he had gone to his mother for help with his feelings. She had told him that he was right. Usually love was between a man and a woman, but every once in a while a man would fall in love with another man.

Standing here looking deep into Teokosu's green eyes the feeling was stronger then ever. "Teokosu, I..." Fearing a rejection from Teokosu, Tinsju didn't finish his statement. After all Teokosu was still in a lot of pain from the loss of Niebla. If Tinsju proclaimed his love for Teokosu and was rejected it would kill the young otter.

Teokosu softly ran his paw over the otter's back as Teokosu fondly looked down into the otter's sparkling purple eyes. Tinsju really had the most beautiful eyes the puma had ever seen. The light always seems to be dancing off them like off the facets of a gem.

"Teokosu, I..." The words pulled the puma out of his daydream. Realizing he was purring quite loudly, he cleared his throat stopping the deep rolling rumbles.

"Um, um. Yes?" But the otter did not respond. Maybe the puma was hearing things. "Did you say something?" Again there was no vocal response, only a fleeting look of pain in his eyes.

The look of hurt sparked something inside Teokosu. The puma's eyes looked down at the lips of his friend. The soft moistness of them seemed to beg for Teokosu to kiss them. Before he realized what he was doing Teokosu's lips did just that. The puma moved his mew so that it was covering Tinsju's, giving the otter a gentle kiss before briefly pulling away only to come back together.

As their lips softly came together for a second time, Teokosu inhaled his lover's moist sweet breath. Stirring a feeling deep within the puma.

With their mews together, Teokosu instantly opened his mew slightly coaching Tinsju to respond in kind. The puma's tongue pushed past the otter's lips, where it began exploring Tinsju's mew. Teokosu heard a gasp of ecstasy escape from Tinsju as their tongues found each other twisting and turning over one another.

Their tongue danced around in each of the cub's mouth. The puma's paws lovingly caressed Tinsju's small thin frame, as he led the otter over to a sofa against the wall just behind Tinsju.

Before he knew it he had laid Tinsju down on the sofa continuing kissing and rubbing his paws all over the shocked otter's fragile body.

After a couple of minutes Tinsju's moans snapped Teokosu's mind back to reality, and the puma became aware of his actions.

Teokosu quickly pulled away from Tinsju breaking the passionate kiss. "I-ah, No!, hmm, I'm sorry." Teokosu got up and quickly moved away from Tinsju, who had a confused look on his face.

Teokosu was surprised by the desire to bestow his feelings on Tinsju with such a display of his love. Love? Was it love? No, it couldn't be love. Could it? No how could he love Tinsju, after all he was in love with Niebla. Wasn't he? Yes, of course he was. Then why was he feeling this way for Tinsju?

Teokosu's mind raced with the quandary he now found himself. His feelings for Niebla were strong. At the same time his feelings for Tinsju were just a strong, no stronger. It was different, but at the same time it was the same.

For the first time Teokosu became aware that he had very strong feelings for Tinsju. Teokosu's mind struggled to understand the newly realized feelings he now had for Tinsju.

"I can't believe", the puma gasped. Looked at Tinsju still lying on the sofa watching the puma dumbfounded.

Not knowing what to say or do Teokosu started pacing back and forth across the office floor, before taking a seat in a chair in the other corner of the room.

'Okay if my feelings of love for Niebla are this strong, and people say I was in love with Niebla. But at the same time my feelings for Tinsju are just as strong, No even greater then my feelings for Niebla, Did that mean... No couldn't be. Could it?' Am I in love with Tinsju?'

A couple of hours ticked by while Teokosu pondered the outrageous epiphany. How could he be in love with Tinsju, He was in love with Niebla. After all 'I am his and he is mine'.

The house had become very quite, Teokosu could only hear the soft breaths of Tinsju as he continued lying on the sofa on the other side of the room. 'He must have fallen asleep.' Teokosu mused to himself. How could his friend be sleeping so carefree, when the puma's heart was being ripped in two from the feeling he now had for both otters.

The puma raised a paw to his eye catching a tear that rolled down his face. "I am so sorry Niebla, I never meant to betray you." The puma's heart was full of pain, love, and sorrow.

Unable to do anything about the mess the young puma had gotten himself into, the cub could only sobbed gently into the still night.

Just when Teokosu didn't think he could handle both the love he now had for Tinsju, and the knowledge that he had betrayed his lost love Niebla. Teokosu's mind flashed to one of the days that he and Niebla had spent together in the park back in Chile.

He remembered the two were happily playing checkers together talking about how they felt about each other. Teokosu remembered a slightly young, but way more innocent puma say. "Well I don't like girls I'm in love with you."

He also remembered the older otters response. "No your not, your in love with the fact that I make you feel special. One day you'll meet someone and you'll fall in love with him or her, you'll know the difference when it happens. Now go it's your turn."

Tinsju lay on the sofa silently watching his best friend as he set in the chair in the corner. He heard Teokosu say something, but the puma's words were spoken so softly he barely heard it.

If only the otter could figure out what he did wrong surely he'd be able to fix it.' Tinsju lay there struggling to understand what he did to hurt the one person he loved more then anything else.

As Tinsju lay there struggling to understand what he did to hurt the one person he loved most in the world. He felt helpless as he could only watch Teokosu sob to himself quietly.

Then all of the sudden Teokosu's head snapped up. "That's it!" The puma exclaimed. Then talking to someone Tinsju could not see, Teokosu said. "Your right, I will always love you, but I now understand, though I love you, I was not 'in' love with you. I am in love with him. It's so clear now. Even now you are still looking out for me, teaching me lessons in life. Thank-you and know I will always love you."

Not knowing if the words were spoken to him, Teokosu felt a tear drop from his eye and fall down onto the sofa. Teokosu was in love with some one else. He didn't understand why but the words seem to cut him deeply. Who was he in love with?

Then all of a sudden Teokosu jump to his feet ran over to the sofa, were he tooks Tinsju by the shoulders looked him right in his eyes and simply said. "I love you."

Tinsju could not believe his ears. "Wh-What?" Teokosu looked at him with that goofy chipped tooth hanging out of his mew. "I said, I love you." for some reason lost to Tinsju, the young otter started giggling and as tears started pouring from his eyes.

"I-I love you too" and he wrapped his arms around Teokosu and squeezed him tight so not to ever let him go.

This story is a gift to my dear sweet Tinsju. I have been working on this story in secret when you weren't home or when you were asleep. I have had it finished for over three weeks now, but I have held onto it until today. Why? simple, today marks the fourth anniversary of the day I was talking to Niebla's headstone and you walked up to me in the cemetery. The day that changed my life forever. I know you think that I could never love you as much as I did him, but you could not be more wrong. Yes I will always hold a place in my heart for Niebla, BUT it will always fail in comparison to my incomparable love for you. For you are the one person I will love more then anything. More then even life its self. Though many people have been against us taking this road, we have never wavered from taking the road less traveled.

So, know that I am being honestly genuine when I say these five simple words that hold more weight in my heart then any others. "Tinsju, Will you marry me?"

-Teokosu

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.

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