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 Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:36 pm
For a few weeks now Usiku and Subu had been roaming about looking for a place to call home. There had been a few places that were suitable in size, but after spending a couple days in that site it was determined no good due to lack of nearby prey. During that time Usiku's stomach had started to grow a bit more noticeable and while she wasn't quite sure she was ready to be a mother she at least had Subu to calm her fears...a bit. Subu, her eyes glances at her mate as he sat beside her while they rested in the shade of a tree, he had dealt with quite a few tongue lashings since she first told him that she was pregnant and it seemed her temper was only getting worse as time went on. Sure some of that had to do with the pregnancy, others just her utter hatred for the world and a bit was from the odd stupid remark he would give her.
Her tail flicked about impatiently. She hated sitting around doing nothing but they couldn't just wander all day and all night until they found the right spot. As much as she hated to admit it she needed to rest every now and then. Being pregnant was quite tiring, and there was still a good deal of time before the pups would be born. "How much longer is this going to take?" She questioned Subu about finding a suitable home.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:43 am
 The first thought that jumped into Subu's mind when Usiku asked him how much longer this was going to take was 'As soon as you stop being so damn picky'..but he wisely kept that thought to himself. Besides it wasn't really a bad thing that she was being so difficult he knew - it was just her way of trying to be a good mom. Or at least he hoped that was the case, it was hard to tell with Usiku sometimes and he was well aware she was none to pleased with the way pregnancy was making her feel.
He tried to make her feel beautiful but by her comments Subu was sure sh felt nothing but tired and useless. Shifting his paws slightly Subu squinted as he looked out over the plains. "There are some rocks over there...perhaps they will make a decent shelter?" He suggested 'This area seems pretty decent prey wise"
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:52 am
Her eyes looked out across the plains to the rocks that Subu had mentioned. Rocks? What kinda of a shelter was rocks? They would still mostly be exposed to the elements and any animal that choose to wander to close. She was about to snap at him for the stupid idea but then the word prey caught her attention. Prey was a good thing to have around, puppies or not, they would need to eat. "Yes I supposed it has decent enough prey." She commented. Usiku could see the tell tale shape of prey animals off in the far distance, but that would do them no good if those rocks would not provide enough shelter.
She mentally kicked herself for being so picky, before all of this happened she considered a bush or a rock to be a great home for a few days. Now was a totally different story, now she seemed to nit pick about every little flaw about every spot they had stopped at so far. Must be a side effect of pregnancy she told herself with a shake of her head. "Well come on, let's go check it out." Hoisting herself up on her feet Usiku stretched out her tired muscles before slowly padding off towards the rocks in the distance. There was no point in rushing over there, she would get there when she got there.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:59 am
As they padded towards the rocks Subu made sure to keep his pace slow - the last thing he needed was another snappish comment about him 'rushing' her when he was trying to do no such thing. it was just a side effect of the pregnancy he told himself - sure Usiku had always been a little cranky, but it had multiplied ten fold since she'd gotten pregnant.
He could only hope that these stupid rocks would turn out to a diamond in the rough, perhaps once she had the stress of finding a suitable den off her mind Usiku would return to normal. As they drew closer Subu preyed to well whatever god would listen really that the rocks would turn out to be a decent shelter. Coming up upon them Subu was heartened to see they formed something close to a cave. Wagging his tail slightly she bounded over to take a look, peeking his head inside and calling back to Usika. 'Its not bad, not bad at all..come and look!"
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:07 am
Usiku snorted as Subu bounded off to check out this latest shelter. It had been the same thing every time, they would see something from a distance then once close he would get all excited and give her the same 'It's not bad' comment. With a sigh she caught up to him as he looked inside the shelter which the rocks provided. Using her head to push him off to the side she entered the hidden spot within the rocks. Well, she thought, it had a decent amount of room. Much better than the last place they had checked. Her head lowered to the grow looking for any signed of recent activity in the 'cave'. Well she couldn't see anything that said this place was already occupied. Nor could she smell anything either.
Turning around after giving the place a thorough inspection she looked at Subu, her facial feature were completely neutral. "Well...I guess it's an okay place. Though we should really spend a few days here to make sure." That was about as much of an approval of the place as she was willing to give him at this point. Besides you couldn't just make a snap decision over something like this. You had to experience it for all that it's worth and then make your decision.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:23 am
Subu held his breath in hope as Usiku shoved him aside to take a look herself. It took a few moments and Subu shifted anxiously behind her while she made up her mind. Please..oh please! let this be a decent place to stay he repeated over and over again in his head, Subu was tired of searching for a place to stay - this would be allot easier if they'd had a pack, in fact it wouldn't even be an issue at all but he had been hesitant to bring this up with Usiku. She was so independent and so ill tempered when it came to others that he couldn't imagine that conversation going well.
Especially right now, no he didn't think it was the time to bring it up at all - and so he'd gone along with this endless search for a place to raise their young, but gods he hoped they had found it at long last. When she finally looked at him and uttered her judgement he beamed at her "Yes..yes of course we should...that's a great idea. I'm sure you will find it suiting after a couple of days - do you need anything?" Okay that last part might have been pushing it a little but gods he wanted to stop looking.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:37 am
She lowered herself on her haunches while once again looking around the little cave that the rocks made. She wouldn't tell Subu right now, but she did think this spot was pretty damn good. Which was a big step in their search. She was tired of spending their days doing nothing but looking for that certain place to call home. And Usiku knew all too well that soon traveling would be a huge burden for her.
"I need to hunt." She told him blatantly. Usiku was starving and could really go for just about anything right now. Maybe some old gazelle would wander by this place and drop dead out of sheer old age. Well the chances of that happening were pretty slim, but she couldn't deny the rumble of her stomach that she was indeed in need of something to eat.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:45 am
Subu licked his lips a few ties as he considered their options - hares were out based on her reaction hen she first found out she was pregnant. Subu hadn't brought her any or suggested hares since that...incident. Letting out a huff of breath because truthfully he'd just wanted to rest for a bit Subu turned about and studied the plains around them. He wasn't about to suggest taking a nap before hunting - getting between Usiku and her food was starting to become a dangerous prospect and Subu worried slightly at how much more she would start to demand the further she got along. Gods she would probably kill him with her demands for food.
"I think...I saw a herd of impala over by the water hole we passed a bit ago?" He finally suggested, phrasing his statement like a question because while Usiku had previously eaten pretty much anything she'd recently become quite picky.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:52 am
Her ears perked up at the mention of Impala. Oh Impala would be so good right now. She mentally scolded herself for getting so excited over the prospect of food. Sure one needed for to survive but what she just thought was a little silly. Giving her head a shake her she rose and padded out of the little cave. "Well come on what are you waiting for?" She called out to him as she turned to head towards the water hole.
Luckily it wasn't too far away or she likely wouldn't have been so enthusiastic about it. Usiku was exhausted but when hunger called she couldn't deny it. She lead the way to the water hole silently, being sure to take a round about way to get there so the impala would see or hear them coming. Lowering herself behind a small bush, she waited for Subu to join he before scanning the her. Ah, that one looked good. "That one." She said motioning with her muzzle to an older looking beast that wasn't too far away. That one shouldn't give them too much trouble, all the others looked young and healthy which meant they would be much harder to catch. Waiting until the impala lowered it's head to drink Usiku took off towards the beast, though a bit slower than she normally would have been. Instantly the herd began to scatter, she ignored them and concentrated on the old male.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:06 am
Subu flicked an ear and nodded silently as Usiku picked out the older beast as their target, flattening himself to the ground he skirted off to the side and waited for usiku to make her move. When she did the startled herd scattered but like his darker colored mate Subu ignored them - his eyes locked on the older male as Usiku darted towards him.
As he had predicted the old beast flung his head up and made to leap away from Usikus charge, His flight path however was in vain for as he darted and leapt sideways he found Subu in his path. The old impala attempted to change direction with a mad leap but it was too late, Subu leapt for the creatures flashing hindlegs, tripping it up and sending it crashing to the ground.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:14 am
With Subu cutting off the old Impala's retreat the hunt was going perfectly. By the time Usiku had caught up the beast was crashing to the ground from Subu tripping it. Before the animal had the chance to get up Usiku took hold of its neck, her eyes smiling at Subu. They were a good team. With Subu to help hold the animal still until all signs of life had left it Usiku sat there panting for a few minutes. She knew they should really move the kill to someplace safe, but she was exhausted and by the look of him so was Subu.
"Another perfect hunt." She commented as she laid down beside the Impala's carcass. Well better get our file before something else wanders in on them. Using her sharp teeth to rip the fur off the beasts hide Usiku torn into the savory flesh. Her eyes and ears stayed open and alert but her main concern was filling her belly. If possible she would take some back to their temporary home to eat later.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:23 am
"Wouldn't expect anything less" Subu told Usiku with a slight wag of his tail, they really did make a pretty good hunting team and working together they had been able to take on larger prey then they had previously been able to tackle alone. Laying down to rest a few Subu let Usiku have her choice of the carcass first, letting her eat the choicest, richest bit first before standing to eat his share.
As he didn't need nearly as much to eat as Usiku did right now he was happy to act as look out, keeping an eye out for roving predators that might decide to try and steal their hard earned kill. It was something that happened all to frequently out here in the rogue lands - but Subu as determined not to let it happen now. Usiku needed everything they could catch if they wanted good healthy pups. When they were done he would make sure to hide the rest as best as he could - if they were lucky and nothing found the kill it might feed them for a day or too which would give them a good bit of well needed rest.
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:31 am
Usiku smiled between bites of food at Subu's comment. Once she got her fill of meat she licked the blood from her muzzle and paws before relaxing while Subu eat what he wanted. Giving her fur a shake to relieve herself of any dirt and debris that she got in it from the hunt, Usiku stood and took hold of the impala's front leg. Giving it a few good hard tugs it disconnected from the rest of the body and she gave Subu a look that said that was for later.
Together they did their best to hide what remained of the kill, hoping that it would be there when they came back for it tomorrow. If not there would likely be more prey at the watering hole for them to catch. "Come on." Usiku said with a tip of her head towards the rock cave. "I'm tired." Picking up the impala leg she leg the way back to their little hidden spot, though she made sure there were no other predators in sight before ducking inside. She dug a small hole and dropping the leg inside she covered it up with dirt. Letting out a yawn she laid down, curling herself into a ball. Giving Subu one last look she closer her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:07 pm
It had been a good deal of time since Usiku and Subu came across the rock cave, which was now considered their home. Usiku had been hesitant at first to call this place home but she couldn't deny that it was the best place to have and raise their pups. In that time Usiku spend more and more time lazing about this home, too pregnant to do much else. Subu was kept busy with going out and getting her food and helping her to the nearby watering hole when she needed to drink. As much as she wanted this pregnancy to be over with, Usiku was scared about what to do once the pups were here. Would she be a good mother to them after what had happened to her as a pup? Perhaps with Subu's help she would.
Usiku's eyes shot open jarring her from sleep as a pain ran through her side. She had gotten used to the pups movements but this was different, much different. The pain subsided and so she closed her eyes again. A few moments later it came back, a little bit painful this time. Oh no! Rolling onto her side she looked towards Subu sleeping beside her. Should she wake him? Another shot of pain raked her body. It was definitely time. Reaching over with her paw she prodded Subu a couple of times. "Subu! Subu wake up!" Her voice was a mix of fear, pain and anger.
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:16 pm
Subu mumbled a bit in his sleep as Usiku prodded at him. It took her a few tries but eventually he opened sleep bleary eyes, still too out of it to fully grasp the tone of her voice as he dragged himself to his feet. " What?...hmm...are you hungry again?...okay I'll go out and hunt" He told her sleepily as she shook himself and yawned.
It wasn't until he looked at her for confirmation that he noted the look on her face. Oh dear. He didn't think that was an 'I'm hungry' look..no definitely not he told himself as his sleep fog brain cleared up somewhat. "Oh god! Is it time? It's time isn't it?" He started to babble as he gave her a wide eyed look "What do I do?"
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