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 Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:35 am
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As Artemis had predicted things had indeed gotten harder the closer she drew to her due date. She had quickly gotten round and heavy, hunting had become difficult and hero found himself taking over much of those duties - though there was little question that she was infinitely better at it then he was.
It was from one of his hunting trips that he was returning to her now a couple of rabbits gingerly carried back to the den's for her to eat. He'd been trying to feed her well but it was likely she would be tired of rabbits for some time after the pups were born. Hero was growing nervous about the prospect of puppies, the larger Artemis got the closer this unknown future loomed over his head and really..Hero wasn't sure just how great of a father he would be. "Artemis?" He called out as he neared the den "I brought you some..rabbits.."
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Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:44 am
Discomfort had become a part of her life as she grew larger, it increased with each day and now she was just downright in pain. Hero had left to go hunting for her, as she could certainly not go on hunts, she was too fat and slow for that now. The time for the pups was coming, sooner than later in fact. It had not been long after Hero had left that Artemis had wished that he had not gone to hunt. Not only because the pain was becoming more prominent not but because she knew he would come back with even more rabbits. If she had to eat another rabbit she would scream.
Rabbits were the least of her concern now as the pain had grown enough that she knew she was indeed in labor. Artemis had been there for when Gullwing had had her puppies and to be quite honest it was a frightening experience to watch a wolf so small give birth to seven puppies. Before that day Artemis had never worried about the day that she would give birth and now, well she was terrified.
Rolling onto her side Artemis was panting heavily now. There was nothing but pain now, sometimes it lessened, sometimes it was almost overwhelming. Oh god where was Hero...speak of the devil there he was. She cringed at the mention of rabbits - or was that a contraction. "Hero..." She called out weakly to him.
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Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:59 am
Hero completely forgot about the rabbits when he heard Artemis' weak cry, dropping them on the spot he dashed into the den practically cracking his skull on a hanging root as he did so - he really needed to fix that...and to her side.
"Oh gods..oh gods..is it time? Are they coming?" Maybe he should go and get someone else to help...he too recalled Gull's predicament and sure both her and the puppies had all survived but it had been scary there for a while.
He prayed that Artemis would have an easier time of it, and she had too he told himself, she was larger and healthy, she would be fine. And he'd be a father soon...oh jeez...that thought made him sway a little bit as though he might just pass out.
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Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:17 am
Artemis lifted her head to look at Hero as he raced in, smiling somewhat weakly at him she was already quite tired. "I...think so." Oh she knew they were coming, there was no doubt about it. At least Hero was here to see his pups enter the world and to lend his support...or at least that's what she was hoping. She noticed him sway slightly and huffed, he was gonna pass out and yet was not doing anything but standing there..males. Laying her head back down Artemis heaved a sigh, if Hero passed out then so be it, so couldn't be concerned with his vertical state at the moment, she had work to do.
One by one the pups arrived. After the third one Artemis was actually finding the experience not as frightening as she had thought it would be. She was much stronger that Gull so it was less of a challenge to bring each pup into the world. By the fourth pup she had everything down to a science. The pup would come out, she would clean it, inspect it closely, set it at her side so that it could be warm and eat if it so chose and then she was getting ready for the next one. Though she was horribly tired her weariness were temporarily gone each time she laid eyes on the newest pup to have come. Each was perfect and each was a good mix of her and Hero.
Finally the sixth pup arrived, quite a good deal after the first. How many hours it had been it was hard to tell. But as Artemis finished cleaning the pup she set it down and let her eyes roam over the squirming pups at her side. Would there be a seventh? Gullwing had had seven so it was hard to know for certain. Laying her head back down Artemis waited but there was no more pain, she was done and have six fine pups to show for it. Closing her eyes for a moment she let out a content sigh and then looked over at Hero. She had totally forgotten him during her labor as her mind was on the pups and now she wondered if he was even still conscious. "That's all of them." She told him softly. "And look, we have twins." Nuzzling the two girls. Funny Gullwing had also had twins, did it run in the pack? Who cares, her pups were healthy and perfect.
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Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:31 am
Hero's vision did indeed fade in an out for a few minutes before he managed to settle his own nerves and focus on Artemis again and while he hadn't thought it had been all that long..she'd already had two puppies! He asked if there was anything he could do but Artemis was ignoring him it seemed and so he ended up alternately pacing he den or starring at the newest pup until she finally told him the ordeal was finished. Well this ordeal - a whole new one was starting now but it would be a happy one he hoped.
Transfixed by the site of the pups and glad that Artemis had come through much easier then Gull - and only one pup short count wise too he licked Artemis softly. "Six perfect pups" he agreed, the twins were certainly a surprise but a happy one "which..means we need to come up with..six names." Hero had no idea about names and furrowing his brow studied the pups as though their names might just pop into his head.
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Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 10:46 am
Artemis gave Hero a small but obviously weak nuzzle. She was quite frankly beyond exhausted now, but refused to take her eyes off her pups. There were all squirming at her side, already jostling with each other to be closest to her, but soon enough they settled down and were busy nursing. "Perfect." She whispered, echoing Hero's comment as it was indeed true. Letting out a yawn Artemis struggled to keep her eyes open to continue to stare at the precious bundles at her side. Yes they would need names, but did they need them right now? Certainly it couldn't hurt to name them after a short nap. "We can name them later...I need some rest." If Hero said anything Artemis likely didn't hear it as she was already drifting off to the sounds of her pups and when she was well rested then they could decide on names and inform the pack of their arrival.
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