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Hunting was exactly what Kijibwa was doing while Siku was trying to handle the pain. He wasn't being overly successful, his attempts at catching multiple jungle birds failed and he soon accepted that he only caught one. It was on his way back with a feathery mass in his mouth that he heard Siku's cry for him. What he heard made him freeze.

It's time? Time for what? The cubs?

He dropped the bird and leapt forward- he had to hurry back. He'd only gone a couple steps when he stopped and turned back, snatching up the bird once again. Food would still be a good idea. With the bird in his mouth, he bolted again towards the waterfall. The bird left his mouth again as soon as he was in the clearing.

Kiji started to panic as soon as he caught sight of his mate, he didn't know exactly what was going on or how much pain she was in but it certainly didn't look good. He just stood several feet away with wide eyes, dancing on his toes as he watched Siku. When her eyes closed, his panic surged.

"Siku," he murmured breathlessly, finally starting to calm down. He was still tense, but he was curious as well as concerned. Finally he stepped closer, sensing that perhaps she may not want to go through this alone or with a distant audience. Kiji gently licked her nose before settling in opposite her.

Kijibwa did his best to ignore the pain that Siku was feeling as well, doing well considering he was in no pain himself. His curiousity got the better of him and his head was lifted to see what was going on, and his expression was .. priceless, really. With wide blue eyes, he watched Siku clean and nudge forward the first cub. A girl, with black fur- like him. She looked a little soggy to him, but as far as he was concerned she was perfect that way.

"N-name?" he started suddenly when Siku prompted him to name the cub. This was not something that had crossed his mind before- they'd need names. What if he picked one she didn't like? Siku or the cub. "Janja," he gasped out as Siku tensed again, hoping to distract her from the pain, but not that task. Janja would be a suitable name, they were a family of rogues after all.

Family. Thinking the word hit him like a ton of bricks. He set his head back down by Siku and licked her head, again trying to be encouraging.

The newborn cub was shocked by the suddenly loss of warmth, and curled up until she felt her mother's warm tongue. She wiggled her nose a bit, as if she would make a sound but nothing came. Instead she squirmed in an attempt to aid her journey to her mother's side, where she ate hungrily. She felt safe, knowing she was with her mother. So close, she immediately and unknowingly made a note of her mother's scent.

As they experienced the whole family feeling together, Kijibwa started to relax a bit. Surely if Janja was fine, which she seemed to be (again, soggy looking but otherwise..) then the others would be fine too. He had faith in Siku, faith in his family. However, he was not so keen on watching this one come into the world. Once was enough for him.

"Beautiful," Kiji murmured when Siku cleaned and named Jedi, peeking over his mate to get a good look at the new cub. Another black, soggy cub. But he couldn't be prouder- though he did notice there was only a little yellow to them.

Janja squirmed when someone was pushed to her side, sniffing curiously around at her sibling. Her curiousity was soon satisfied, or forgotten as she went back to eating.

When Siku's tense body relaxed for a third time and she reached to clean and nudge a new cub, Kiji leaned over again to get a look at the most recent addition. Unlike the last two times, what he saw this time was not a soggy, black cub but a soggy blue cub. His head lifted immediately and he made a funny face- blue? What? He looked back at Siku quickly, wondering if there was something blue on her that would explain it but found only her eyes to be blue, as he had already known.

He was brought back from his thoughts when Siku suddenly named the girl, and smiled sheepishly. He wasn't sure he should ask about the blue right now, and instead let his shock melt away as he realized they were all his family, his cubs. Kijibwa had grown up without his parents, he wouldn't let that happen to his cubs.

"Just like you," he murmured, even though none of the cubs were as brightly yellow as she was, and nuzzled her lovingly. Janja, Jedi and Ekevu..

Tiredly closing her eyes, a smile spread across Siku's face, relaxing slightly as she lay her head onto the ground. The pain had been worth it, after all.. they had three beautiful little girls, who'd raise themselves to be three very beautiful lionesses. Her vision had been right, as they always were.. and Siku couldn't have been happier.

"It couldn't have been done without you, my love.." she murmured peacefully, relaxing more and more as the cubs nursed from her.

"..I couldn't be happier in all of my life than I am now.." Siku purred, meaning it with all of her heart.

"Thank you, Kiji."