Welcome to Gaia! ::

She was glad to be home. The maternal feeling was swelling within her chest, an underlying sense of pride and dominance over the land similar to what Yero had felt rising with it. This was there home; their lands. No one could take it from them and if they tried, they'd fight them off. She knew that the same feeling was rising in the raven wolf; she could read it in his expression, in his stance. When he came nearer, her attention reverted to the water.

Her ear canted toward him, listening intently as her gaze rose, following his motion toward the rocks. She'd taught him there. A wry smile twisted her blackened lips as they parted to speak, her figure rising to it's full height as she did. "Fish. Lots. They're hungry too." she added the last part with a slight groan directed towards her stomach, which was becoming a bit of a burden with the tiny bodies growing inside. She'd need to eat more than usual; and Yero would have to help her collect enough. She was a good fisher, yes, but not necessarily the best with children on the way. That and she was rather rusty.

Whinn watched Yero position himself where they often had long ago and watch the water as she had taught him. It brought back too many memories to count, and it made her smile. At his first catch, she giggled at his comment, even if he was annoyed with the size. After he caught his jaws on a nice, respectable sized fish, she came over, positioning herself near by not to close to him and watching for a fish. Soon, her eyes caught the shadow that belonged to the silvery glint she'd seen earlier. That was definately a good sized fish. Waiting for it to come to an idle position, he plunged her jaws into the icy cold water, teeth connecting with a muted crack. She raised her muzzle, large fish flailing it's last between her drizzling teeth. A grin of playful superiority flashed across her muzzle through the fish as she trode to the shore, laying it down beside the others. Definately larger. She was still better at it than he was, she thought with a grin.

Whinn watched him, figuring he'd still try to beat her catch to spite his claim that she won. She studied his intense features as his eyes scanned the water, and for a breif shining moment she thought he'd actually made a glorious catch...

... that was, until the water settled. Then there was just a rather soggy mate and a fish that was still small in comparison to her own. Choosing that time to quip on what she had been so hesitant to touch on before, she spoke. "I do, don't I?" She spoke with a cool, dangerous tone. Which was quickly destroyed by her giggling fit. She just couldn't keep up the act. She'd feel bad if she did. She looked over at their four catches, went to her own and nosed at the soft, now warming flesh. The smell was intoxicating; her nose captuing a few fish scales. She then ran her tongue over the fishes gleaming side, savoring the outer taste and hoping Yero would join her in her feast.

Whinn laughed at his playful gesture, nipping at his paw after it left her shoulder. But then, as his attention turned to the fish, hers did as well. She had indeed earned the large fish, and in no time she had devoured it's flesh and muscles; the meat definately choice. She licked it's bones clean, leaving a few disliked parts and wondering if Yero would eat them. That fish alone was big enough to quell her hunger, and she sat back on her haunches sleepily, enjoying the feeling of the safety of home and a full stomach. She licked her lips clean of any remaining fish parts, her misty eyes falling on Yero's form casually.

Seeing him heading off inland some, she rose, following him as she assumed he'd wanted. She was glad he'd accepted her offering of gizzards. She noted he took the remaining fish in his mouth, and lead her to the den. She knew why now, and it brought a small smile to her muzzle. Oh, she did so love Yero. She listened to his soft words, studying his dark features and finding a smile among the ebony fur. She nodded slowly, nuzzling into his neck gently before heading for the opening. "I suppose I'll be getting a lot of rest now, eh?" she called over her shoulder as she stepped over the midnight snack and into the capacious yet warm, sweet den. She curled up with her nose near the opening, hoping he'd follow before she fell asleep. The food and the lull of being home forced her eyes shut already; sleep was definately pressing against her but she wanted to see what Yero would do before she succumbed.

(Flash forward! >>| hehe...)

Lately, Whinn hadn't been a very mobile creature. As a matter of fact, she slept just as often as she ate, which was almost constantly. And she was very seldom on her feet. As a matter of fact, for the past couple days she wasn't even motivated to leave the den, and thus just laid there. The puppies had grown quite a bit in the passing time, and now they were practically chewing their way out. Whinn laid out on her side, making a noise resembling a 'Hrrrrumph' in displeasure as she was plagued with the pains of pre-birth. She was not easily irate, but she wanted her darn spawn OUT. And she wanted it over with quickly. Thus, she huffed heavy breaths in and out, wondering where Yero had scampered off to.

Whinn's ears canted toward the sounds of Yero's paws padding closer. Then her ears flicked back when he appeared at the mouth of the den. A slight frown caressed her features as she listened to him, the words loud and brash in her ears to spite his soft tone. She huffed a few more times before finally replying. "I think it is..." Her voice was strained and constricted as a low growl escaped her chest. The pain was almost constant now; it would be time any second. She closed her eyes, grinding her canines together and starting to push, hoping the labor wouldn't last long.

Whinn wanted to do something to assure Yero she'd be okay, but at the moment the only thought drilling through her head was to get those damn puppies out. My, my.. Whinn's mind was being violent lately. But she couldn't help it! Even if the thought of puppies made her weak in the knees, this was a PAIN! And so she dwelled in the den for hours, sometimes laying on her side and grunting, sometimes pacing or twisting her hips to soothe the feeling. That being said, she finally laid down on her side, practically exhausted. She panted in heavy breaths, giving the last of her energy into those final pushes, her efforts at last rewarded with a small, gurgling whine. Yes, she'd done it. Suddenly, the fatigue was only an undertone beneath her mothering instincts and she sat up, studying the pups and licking them clean. She wondered if Yero had heard that small cry; and if he had if he would come to see his new family.