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 Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:14 am
(( AIM log between Kim and Thal
Ona'raha = Kimaria
Eeva = Kimaria
Kohana = Thalion
Rehema = Thalion))
He was pacing back and forth outside, knowing that there was nothing he could do but wait. Rehema was doing what she had to do and there was no place for a male in the den during this struggle. Even still, he was nervous. He could do this a hundred times and never feel comfortable knowing that his dear mate was in pain, bringing life into the world. And all he could do was look on and offer the occassional grunt of comfort.
He would atleast protect the den from anyone approaching.
This was one of those times when Ona'raha actually became a lion. A proper lion who had teeth and claws and was not afraid to use them. In fact, he couldn't be held accountable for anyone who came this way - perhaps even his own children - adolescents now.
He paused, lifted his head and growled deeply, sensing movement beyond the trees. Ever since the older children had discovered they were about to become big brothers and sister, they had visited often, but now he had to make it clear they were not to come close, not until they were invited.
He turned his head back to the den and wondered how things were going...
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:16 am
Kohana knew better than to come too close, but that didn't mean he would stay too far away. Quiet as ever, the young male watched from a safe distance, his expression stern, ears perked upward, and his paws kneeding at the dirt- a nervious habit he'd developed. More siblings... more little things to keep an eye on. His duty to Eeva came first...but that didn't mean that he'd take charge of the growing family any less seriously.
--
She laid panting after the last cub had been cleaned up and guided to suckle. It wasn't her first litter, but it didn't make it any easier... there were more this time.
Once she had a chance to compose herself, Rehema made a soft cooing sound in the back of her throat, quiet permission for her mate to join her in the den.
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:17 am
Eeva was not there all the time, but she had been passing by ever since her mother had gone into labour. She passed by then, pausing to glance across at her father. She'd never seen him like that. Ever. It filled her heart with pride and love to know that he had protected her and her brothers that way, too.
She moved closer to where Kohana lay and brushed gently up beside him. "Isn't this exciting?"
--
Ona'raha's ears shot upwards at the sound of his mate's invitation. For though they were a close and totally 'in love' pair, he knew he could never have entered unless she had called for him. She had a temper and it was better to let her alone until she asked for his help.
But the soft coo told him that the job was done and that they were parents to a second little.
Steeling himself, feelign the excitement and nervousness shake through him, he moved into the den, ducking his head to peer inside.
"Love? Is it...is it done?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:18 am
Exciting wasn't the word he had in mind... he was anxious. How many were there? Had there been any complications? Did he have more little sisters he'd have to chaise unfit males away from? He answered in a shoft shrug. It was....kind of. Maybe...but it was more nerve-wracking than anything.
--
Rehema had one of the cubs, a small white male, curled up in her front paws while the others nursed. She looked exhaused, a little stretched thin but nothing she couldn't recover from. "It is..." She answered softly, "This one's struggling..."
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:22 am
With a sigh and a fond smile she settled at his side, moving to rest her head against her shoulder. Good stable Kohana, dependable, reliable. Yes, their little brothers and sisters would be fine with him and father to look out for them.
Her too, of course, but somehow she figured they'd be better protectors than she could ever be. And so, in the presence of her sibling she waited, knowing it could be a long time to wait before they were allowed to visit.
--
Ona'raha crouched down beside his mate, casting his eyes lovingly across the feeding bodies of four little cubs. He'd forgotten how tiny they looked. How vulnerable and delicate. With a purr, he moved closer, turning his attention to the boy curled in his mate's forepaws.
"Struggling?" He looked up into her dark face, questioning. "Is there anything I can do?" A useless question maybe, but he felt so hopeless! "What do you think is wrong?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:23 am
He leaned his head back against hers, eyes unmoving from the mouth of the den. "You've been sneaking away more." He put in quietly. Not to change the subject, but he'd been mroe aware of Eeva's trips away from her den. Trips away from his sight... it made him uncomfortable.
--
"A spider bite...", She laid her head down beside the small cub, lifting an ear to listen to him breathe. "I was too slow... I should have seen it...the oldest of our litter."
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:24 am
She smiled quietly, softly. She should have guessed that he would have noticed. He noticed everything! In a way she was glad of it, though. It may have irritated her at one time, but now she was glad. Glad that he was looking out for her and thinking that maybe she should look out for him more, too. He needed someone just as much as she did.
"I have been. I'm sorry Ko-Ko." She murmered. "No adventures this time, though. I promise. Just meetings. Making friends."
--
A spider bite? His heart clenched and he bit back the tears of frustration that gnawed, desperate to flow down his cheeks. How could this be? What did it mean for their little one? Their eldest boy? His pelt so white, so beautiful. White pelts in the Ela'wadiyi culture were treasured things. They spoke of clouds, of spirits. How could this happen?
What omen was this?
"Rehema, Love, don't blame yourself. You were busy bringing life to the world. You can't expect to be aware of what else was going on. Maybe it snuck past me. I should have been paying more attention. He nudged his little white-pelted son. "Do you think...do you think he will pull through?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:32 am
"Friends." His ears rolled back. Boy friends!? He didn't want to even think of that... she needed someone strong, someone noble, and someone clever. He could only imagine the kind of males that had been trying to take advantage of his sister. Koda came to mind...the lion, just a few months older then they, was a big cub mentally. Completely irresponsible... if the other males were anything like him he had a lot of work on his paws.
--
"I licked the wound as best I can....we won't know until tomorrow." She sighed softly. It wasn't Ona's fault. She was a huntress! Aware of her surroundings, of the dangers lurking towards her...and here she'd grown careless. "The others...are well though." She glanced back towards the small bundles at her belly. "So colorful...a little blue one."
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:33 am
"Don't worry, Ko-Ko, I'll introduce you to them at some point. There's Chepi and Sahale and this other guy, a little weird, but nice and sweet. His name is Wingu. I think you'll like him. He doesn't talk very much either. Who does that remind you of?" She gave him a gentle, teasing nudge.
"I wonder what it's going to be like...having more brothers and sisters. Do you think Mum and Dad will let us babysit?"
--
He nodded, the sadness clenching at his heart. Such an odd feeling. Wanting to be happy and yet having that shadow of doubt hanging over him. He hoped with all his heart that the boy would pull through.
"I think he'll be okay." He whispered finally. "He has a good strong pelt. White is a treasured shade indeed." He just hoped it would be enough...
And then his attention was distracted and he gazed at his other, healthy children. The same colour as the strands in my mane. She looks just like my mother." He blinked and looked across at her. "Names, love? Did you decide on any?" And what about the hurt one? Could they name him before...before they knew? He swallowed back the sadness.
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:44 am
"Another guy...", He growled, his shoulders squaring off. Didn't sound like anyone he knew. Next time she slipped out he'd have to follow...or maybe he'd do a little investigation of his own. He glanced to the side, back towards their dens.
"Hm. Likely." Babysit? Let them? Seemed like something they were going to be asked to do sooner or later.
--
"Well...this one needs a strong name...", She lowered her ears slowly, "I was calling him Chuwusuke... the others I've been wanting to name with you." She smiled sheepishly, "You know your culture's names better than I."
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:50 am
"Yes, another guy, silly. He's got pretty white fur and lovely tattoos. His name is really nice, too. He's from the Wolf Clan. Dad knew someone from that Clan a while back. Maybe we should go and see if we can find her, too." She smiled contentedly.
"Hm, then we'll get to have real responsibility. We can tell them stories and teach them things. It's going to be such fun! I can't wait to be a big sister. I hope there are more girls this time. I don't like being so outnumbered."
--
"He does." Ona'raha agreed, moving as close as possible without crushing the little ones. "Chuwusuke. It's a lovely name. Suits him, too." He smiled, purring, moving to touch hs muzzle to hers. "I'm glad he has a name." And somehow he had a feeling that everything was going to work out some way or another.
He smiled again and looked across at his children. "Two girls, by the looks of it, right? The little brown one there and the grey one. Would you mind if I called her Laka? The name means tame or gentle. Even though she looks like my mother, it doesn't seem right to name her A'kiutu. So I'll name her after my grandmother instead. I never met her, but I've heard stories."
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:53 am
Kohana brought a paw up to slap the middle of his forehead. The wolf clan... of course, it had to be one of them. He could only imagine. The lot of them prancing about, laughing at beetles, and hunting giants. "Eeva....", he sighed. There was nothing more to say. His tone alone expressed all the his concern well enough.
--
"Two more girls." She answered with a nod, "Your mother must have been very beautiful..." She turned the name over in her mind then nodded slowly, "Sounds good. A wonderful tribute to your ancestors."
She leaned back, careful not to disturb the little white bundle between her paws to nudge one of the little brown boys. "This one...how about Qaletaga? Such a handsome color. So dark. He'll make a fine hunter."
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:58 am
She smiled at him, unaware of his thoughts and only knowing what she knew in her heart. That despite what Kohana thought, she'd made good friends. Very good friends indeed. She purred, leaned against him and once again cast her eyes to the den.
She could imagine them now, huddled in the warmth of the den, pondering names, washing and talking with such joy.
Cubs. Beautiful creations.
--
"She was. Very beautiful indeed. Yet, looking at our little ones, I can see now how they live on in us. You know? How traces of them still live in the generations even after their deaths." He smiled fondly, finding comfort in the thought.
So, there was Laka and there was Chuwusuke and now...?
His eyes followed to where Rehema directed and he nodded. "He looks a lot like you, Rehema. Very dark, very handsome indeed. Qaletaga sounds good. Nice strong name." He paused and smiled. "Yes, a good name."
So who was left?
The other girl and the other boy. "That boy looks so much like you, too, Rehema." He pointed to the inverted version of his mate and smiled softly. "What do you think of Fala for him?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:15 pm
"You have to be careful." He said gruffly, breaking the silence. "Eeva, you'll be the clan leader. It's a heavy responsibility. Life can't be all fun and games." He nodded towards the den, "Our little siblings will be following our examples now. We have to carry ourselves with restraint now. We're not kids."
--
She laughed, "Fala sounds fantastic. Though I wouldn't tell them they're like thier mommy. They may evolve quite the temper if that's true." She couldn't help but smile a little wider, "I bet they have your beautiful eyes. Inteligent and deep..."
That left only one. A little girl... delicate little paws and a slender form- even for a cub. "Hm....Masumi. A light-hearted name."
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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:16 pm
Not kids...Heck, wasn't that the truth!
She sighed and leaned to drape herself against her brother's form, seeming not to mind if she was squishing him. "Ko-Ko, don't be in a rush to grow up. We're not cubs, sure, but we're not cranky old elders either. We're not even fully grown yet. It's not too late to learn to smile...you know."
--
He nuzzled against her. "Our family...it's so beautiful. Bigger and better than ever before. Now we have five new little lives to care for." Five. Not four. Definately five. He pressed closer. "Masumi. Perfect."
And that was it. All five cubs named.
He smiled softly. "Chuwusuke. Laka. Qaletaga. Fala. Masumi." He sighed. "It's going to be okay, Love. I know it is. You'll see. We'll wake tomorrow and they'll be fine. Even the little white child. How can he leave us when he is so loved? He cannot."
He glanced towards the den. "So." He smiled. "How long shall we make the 'big' children wait?"
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