Kizuka'nafsi = Gray
Alaia = Black
Kizuka'nafsi was at the sacred spring near the shrine where the Umbikezeli stayed during the day, and others in the pride came to worship the gods. It was customary for pregnant lionesses within the pride to come to the sacred spring at least once a day to wash their bellies with the water. It was believed that the founding members of the pride came to this spring to wash their own bellies with the water and therefore blessed the spring in the process.
"It feels good, doesn't it?" Kizuka asked aloud, though she was truly addressing the growing children within her stomach. She could feel the kicks as she poured the water from her paw onto her stomach and it made her smile. Little lives growing within her, soon ready to join the world in its splendor. These were the things she believed miracles were made of.
It had come to her attention that there was another lioness within the pride who was about as pregnant as she was, which was exciting to her. She should have met this lioness already, but pregnant moms rarely wish to go out of their way for much, so Kizuka was understanding as to why she was not presented with this lioness yet.
Alaia wanted everything to be perfect.
She'd taken to bathing her belly in the sacred springs twice a day, just to be sure. Usually just as the sun was rising, and just as it was setting. She'd had a vision, and it had lead the pale lionness to believe that these times of day were particularly important. She'd yet to completely fulfil her duty to her pride, and she didn't want to disappoint them now.
However, today was different. The lionness had slept through dawn, completely exhausted from the pregnancy. Scolding herself, she'd made her way to the spring as soon as she could. She was surprised to find one of the High Priestess' present, waddling towards them with as wide a smile as she could muster, what with how tired she was.
"Ma'am," she mumbled softly, inclining her head.
Kizuka looked in the direction of Alaia as she approached and offered the pregnant Umbikezeli a smile as she was greeted, "Greetings Umbikezeli Alaia. Are you well?"
Both lionesses were heavily pregnant, and looked exhausted from it. Kizuka would have to make sure that preparations for both births were properly set up around the same time. She could only speculate that Alaia would be due around the same time as her, judging by stomach size, but you never knew. Cubs were unpredictable and on occasion loved to come into the world earlier than they were expected. Rarily had Kizuka heard of cubs coming later than expected.
Kizuka scooted over some, signaling for Alaia to come join her. Since they were due about the same time their children would be playing together until they were old enough to join the elder cubs and the adults. Kizuka figured it'd be best to bond with the Umbikezeli early since they would undoubtedly see each other a lot.
"Are you due soon?"
Alaia smiled, gratefully moving forwards as the High Priestess signalled for her to join her in the water. Alaia sank into the springs with a contented sigh, a low purring vibrating in her throat. Her belly was so heavy, her legs were so tired. The lionness was still young, barely an adult. She hadn't been expecting the pregnancy to be quite so...painful.
"I am managing," she responded, perhaps a little cryptically to her leader's question. Her eyes fluttered shut as she relaxed, thought she was careful to keep her head above the water. Kizuka also looked large, perhaps a little larger than she, but Alaia didn't know whether that mattered. She didn't really know much - her first pregnancy, and one she hadn't particularly wanted. But her pride wanted it, and her duty was to her pride.
Was she due soon? Alaia frowned, confused, "I...I don't know. How do you tell?"
She certainly hoped she was. Then this would all be over. Or so the poor, naive young lionness thought.
Kizuka gave a small chuckle to Alaia's question. Kizuka herself was also a new mother, but she had watched her mother's pregnancies while she was still alive with them and had once asked her mother the same thing.
"My mother told me that you know you're due soon when you feel like your stomach will pop," the Kabaila'umbikezeli said, patting her stomach for a moment, and chuckled yet again, "I'm pretty sure I feel like that right now."
It was true pregnancy became painful during the last few weeks. The cubs were so heavy and moving around constantly to remind you they existed. Sometimes getting up became a chore, but if the pregnant lionesses didn't get up and stretch their legs they'd develop sores, and that was no good.
Felt like her stomach would pop? "...Y-Yeah, it feels like that," the lionness mumbled softly, closing her eyes once more to enjoy the lovely warm water of the spring. She pondered the questions she had - was it rude, to bother the High Priestess with her worries? Surely it'd be better if she asked one of the healers, Kizuka surely had much more pressing matters to attend to.
But she was in the same position as Alaia...so surely she could relate a lot more easily. "...Ma'am?" Alaia finally spoke up a little, eyes flashing open to watch her elder, "I...W-Would you mind if I asked you a question?"
"Not at all," Kizuka said, shuffling slightly to face Alaia as she spoke to her. Kizuka was rather happy that the Umbikezeli could talk to her and bring up any of her concerns to Kizuka. She had hoped that things would not change too much when she and Fasihi became Kabaila'umbikezeli, "What troubles you?"
"It's just..." the young adult sighed, shuffling around a little in the water. She couldn't elp but feel she shouldn't be bothering Kizuka with this, "I'm...scared."
She felt stupid. Kizuka would think her stupid, for sure. But she was, she was terrified. What if something went wrong? She hadn't really wanted this, not now. She may have matured enough physically to bear children, but certainly not mentally. She just hadn't wanted to disappoint her pride, had wanted the hushed whispers behind her back to stop. "...Does it hurt?"
Kizuka sighed slightly. Alaia did seem scared, nervous about her pregnancy, and she knew how she felt. Kizuka had felt the same way at first, but had seen her mother pregnant enough times to know what there was to expect. She also had Fasihi and their mate by her side, and they were nothing but kind to her, even when she was on edge and irritated.
"It will hurt," Kizuka said, "It hurts with every litter you birth, but it becomes easier to birth each new litter. There will be midwives present to help you through your birth, as well as healers to help you recover your strength. The pain is simply a sacrifice the Gods ask for in order to birth healthy children."
It would hurt? ...Wait, hadn't she come here to be reassured about the whole thing. The young lionness gave a visible shudder in the water, the liquid rippling around her. She'd expected to be told it would all be fine, and that there'd be no pain, only happiness. It seemed that wasn't the case, however, and that didn't exactly help to stem Alaia's fears.
A sacrifice to the Gods? Hadn't she already given them enough? It was a sinful thought, and Alaia scolded herself inwardly as soon as it had burst into her head. The Gods had done much for her, this was the least she could do. "What will happen to my children?" My children. Her children. It sounded so strange, yet so...right.
"Your children will be fine, Alaia. So long as you have served the Gods well there is no need for you to worry," Kizuka said, smilling at Alaia, "They will be birthed, and be clean, and cry for mommy's attention. And everyone will rejoice at the new lives."
Kizuka sprinked some water over her belly once more, feeling the little movements of her children as she did so. Alaia still seemed on edge about the whole experience, but it was expected of new mother's. Kizuka still felt that way a little despite the births she had seen take place.
"If it will ease your mind, Umbikezeli Alaia. We can pray together to the Goddess of Mothers to watch over us and give us safe deliveries."
The reassurance of the High Priestess made Alaia's heart flutter a little, and her worries sank, no longer seeming as important. Her smile grew wider, more genuine, and she gave a grateful nod. "...Thank you, Kabaila'unbikezeli. Your words reassure me."
Perhaps this would all be okay, in the end. She watched Kizuka sprinkling water of her belly, taking great care as she did. It was special, what they were doing - something that built the special bond between a mother and her child. Kizuka would be a great mother, Alaia was sure. Herself...well, she'd have to wait and see. The offer was received with a grateful nod, "I would be honored if you would pray with me."
