((This RP takes place at the borders.))

Ivie had done a good job of keeping out of sight. She would leave the borders and head into rogue lands to hunt and whilst most of the time she would fail, or be hit with a terrible vision, she would also make an occasional kill. However, as her fears were confirmed and her belly began to swell, hunting became more and more difficult. And in no time at all her huge belly made it impossible.

Some days saw the green female roaming the lands with the vultures, searching for a corpse that she could search for meat. Sometimes, in desperation she would chew bones, cracking them to search for marrow. Most of these searches brought nothing but more hunger but sometimes she was lucky.

Occasionally she would try her luck with the vultures but they scared her and if they turned towards her she coward away. Their ugly faces, huge beaks and stooped backs spoke of power and deep down she knew she shouldn't be messing with them.

One day she woke up and she didn't have the strength to stand.

She would lay alone in the den thinking of Fedha and then of Dharba, two lions who had made such an impact on her life. She loved Fedha still and she wanted him more than anything but then there was Dharba. She didn't love Dharba, not the way she loved Fedha but there was something there, something that grew along with her children.

Dharba's children.

Dharba was different from Fedha in almost every way. He was gentle and warm and soft. He had shown her true affection. Yet Fedha, he had that power, that sharp mind. She adored them both, but every time she weighed them up Fedha came up top. It had been wrong of her to use Dharba to dull her feelings.

That one night was supposed to have made her forget Fedha, but now, all she could do was think about winning his heart. She wanted him in the den with her, whispering words of comfort as she winced from the kicks of the cubs inside her. Not that Fedha would do that...no...Dharb would have.

Everything she wanted in Fedha was in Dharba, so why not choose the gentler lion? Why not go to him, the father of her cubs, the lion who had stolen her innocence.

No, that wasn't true. Fedha had taken her innocence long ago. Not in the way Dharba had, but he had shown her the way. He had made her so happy and yet so angry. Sometimes she felt she could claw his eyes out and then other times she wanted to nuzzle in close.

Life was so confusing!

"I love you both, somehow." She whispered. "But I love Fedha more." She knew it, she had always known it and these cubs in her belly were going to help her achieve her ultimate goal.

Ivie shifted against the floor of the den, grunting in pain. This kick was stronger than the usual movements. In fact...it was really painful. She shifted, frowned and tried to settle herself. Then she stood, turned and backed up further, settling where the den was coolest. No good, the pain racked through her body and she collapsed on the ground in a panting heap.

"W-what's--" But she had no time to question it. Instinct took hold and she knew exactly what was happening. Her babies. Her beautiful little babies! She parted her jaws and gave a silent roar, not wishing anyone to be alerted to her painful and vulnerable position.

"Oh Fedha. F-f-fedha..." She screwed her eyes up and tears slithered out, tears of fear, pain and joy. "Where a-are you?"

But he wouldn't come. No one would come. She was alone.

And as she let her mind drift from her loves to her children, she knew that at this moment in time no one else mattered but them. Not Fedha or Dharba, not her mother or brother. Not even herself. She had to live for them, she had to keep going for them. She had to push away her fear of her seer abilities and hunt and live. Because if she did not care for these cubs, who would?

All she had ever wanted a family and here and now...it was finally happening.

~~

The first cub made it's way into the world, leading the rest of her siblings into life. Ivie released a breath of relief as the little cub slipped to the floor and, with one swift movement she raised herself and began to was her fur. This one was green and charcoal black. Dharba's charcoal. But oh, she was beautiful, so very, very beautiful. She drew in a deep breath and set the little cub by her side.

"My first love." Ivie whispered, blinking back tears.

And then the pain started and the next cub battled its way to freedom. Soon a Second was born and Ivie turned to see yet another little girl. This one was as black as the night sky but what pulled most at her heart strings was the colour that rimmed her eyes. Blue. Blue as her father. Oh Na-Be, where was he now? She had adored father, and then...one day he was gone.

"Daddy...I'm all alone." She whispered. "Daddy, why did you leave me? I love you daddy." She sniffed, rubbing at her face with a paw. "Did I chase you away?"

But she had no more time to ponder on it. A third was on it's way and this one seemed a little over eager. Ivie's whole body tensed and she gritted her teeth against the pain. This pain was unlike nothing she had ever felt, it was horrible and she never wanted to feel anything like this again. She never would have guessed that childbirth was so...horrific! She yowled as the third cub finally arrived, slipping down to land by her hind legs. She scooped this one up and knew she had birthed a son. A big, beautiful son.

"Just like Kikore!" She announced. "Kikore would love to meet you." She whispered. This boy was dark green, much darker than herself and mother but he was so beautiful!

"Are you the las---"

She spoke to soon and again the pain returned. She thought it would have gotten easier but no, it was still just as hard. She pushed and again, was rewarded with another, her fourth child. Another beautiful boy. He was so similar to the one before him that she almost thought they were twins. Then she realised, he had a white belly. He was unique. A shame though. Twins was a lovely thought.

"Hello little one." And she washed this one too, settling him beside the others who were suckling greedily.

And before she could lay her head to rest, again the contractions came. By now Ivie was exhausted, her whole body was shaking with fatigue. She wanted it to be over now. She wanted her children to be born already!

And as if trying to grant her wish, the fifth child was pushed into the world. Another girl, and as Ivie dragged open her eyes to look, her heart was swept away with a wave of love. Beautiful. This one had her mother's markings and a little stripe over one eye. Beautiful. So beautiful. She couldn't believe how amazing they all were!

And then, just as she was finishing washing the newest girl, Ivie was forced to push again. She cried oout in desperation, wondering how many more there could possibly be, and finally in her despair, the last little boy came into the world. He was a brilliant blue with a streak of green. Ivie pulled him close to his sister and washed them together, then, with the last of her strength she placed them to her belly and breathed a deep sigh.

No more contractions.

But before she slept, she glanced over her little ones again. "I have strong genes." She whispered. And she was right, every cub bore a colour of her family and Dharba's grey had almost completely been wiped out.

"My little ones. My family." Ivie said through tears, then slowly she rested her head and yawned. "Perfect..."