Teeth were beginning to find their way into the mouths of her hatchlings, making for increasingly uncomfortable feedings. Her growing discomfort encouraged the young mother to introduce something new to their diets—meat. That morning, Kaori departed from the den after giving each boy a once-over; her destination was the stream, where she was quickly met by the echoing threats of the beavers.

When Kaori returned to the den, she was met first by Toshi, whose cheek she touched gently by way of greeting. “Hello, little ones,” she murmured, briefly scanning the den to ensure both hatchlings remained. “I have something for you.” And then, much as she had for her younger siblings in the past, the dragoness regurgitated the beaver meat, depositing it into a nice, warm pile with an audible squish.