|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 8:28 am
 Her belly had been growing rather round the past few weeks. She had been eating more, and had just gradually began to think maybe she had been malnourished while she was surviving on her own. Of course, that was until she grew really round, and could even feel the little things moving within her. That was an odd feeling, and completely took any doubt away as to what maybe was wrong with her. She wasn't sure how Rim would take the news, it wasn't something they had particularly talked about..however it was something she had secretly desired her whole entire life. She took a deep breath, stepping into their den, and enjoying the shade and the cool breeze it offered. It kept her from being too hot..something that was becoming incredibly difficult to escape.Rim looked for his mate with a smile on his face. He'd been hunting for her more within the recent days, which was fine for him, but some days it seemed like he couldn't keep up with her appetite. She was also getting rounder, too. It was a little bit confusing for the lion, but he loved Kimama anyway. Another few pounds of flab were nothing to him! And maybe he just hadn't noticed how thin she was before coming to the pride.
The lion finally made it to the shade of their shared den. It was plenty large for the two of them and Rim's daughter Seyo, and pleasant even on hot days. However… It still seemed a little too empty. Rim made his way over to Kimama and laid down beside her. "How are you today, honey?"She hadn't heard him enter the den, and she jumped when he laid next to her. Though she was very welcoming of his company. She loved him dearly, and something about him always soothed her. She gave a smile, though it was a tentative smile. She was scared, and her heart was beating a mile a minute. She felt sure he wouldn't leave her for such a thing as having his cubs..But she couldn't say she was very confident he'd be overly thrilled.. After all, how would Seyo take not being an only cub anymore? She took a deep breath, and did her best to camouflage her belly with her paws as she rested on the floor."Im doing good darling. A little tired today if nothing else." She smiled, nosing his cheek gently.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 8:30 am
 Rim nuzzled his mate assuringly. He wanted to cuddle closer, but she felt hot to the touch, and her heart was racing. Resting his head on her shoulder, he tilted it. "Are you sure you're okay? You might be sick. Maybe we should take you to a healer." His jade green eyes were filled with concern for his mate. He looked around the den and at its emptiness and stretched out, as though trying to fill the void.
The more that he thought about it, the better of an idea he considered it. "Yeah, you should see a healer. I'm worried about you. Something seems… different about you." His eyebrows were furrowed and he licked her cheek. "Not different bad… But I don't know what it is. Like I said, I'm worried."She looked at him with nervous eyes and cleared her throat. She wasn't sick, far from it, though she was likely to make herself sick with nervousness. She took another deep breath, and looked him in his eyes. Pink eyes nervous and showing such. "Rim.. I have news. Im not sick.. I know..I know whats wrong, and I don't think a healer could help me much."She said, and flicked her tail, using her paw to touch him when he stretched out across the den. He was adorable when he was doing his antics, and she loved him dearly.. How she hoped he would take this well."Rim.. I think we're going to have cubs," She said quickly.Rim's ears were as far forward as they could go. She wasn't sick? Then what was wrong? And why didn't she tell him a while ago? His expression was still showing all of his concern and worry… until…
Cubs?
His face became blank as his brain tried to process. Cubs. More cubs? He'd fathered a litter before, but he and the mother split not too long after. They weren't really all that close, just young and bored. But he loved Kimama! A smile slowly grew on his face and he rose to his feet.
"Cubs! That's great!" He rose so quickly that he knocked his head on the low part of the ceiling of the den. Rubbing it sheepishly, he then leaned over to nuzzle his mate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 8:31 am
When he looked at her with concern, and his face went blank as it registered within his mind, she swore it took a lifetime. She looked at him, ready for his reaction, no matter what it might be. But when he stood quickly, and hit his head on the den, her face turned to concern for him and her eyes widened."Rim! Are you okay?" She asked, leaning into his nuzzle as he snuggled into her. Well this was a good sign. It seemed he was happy about such an idea. She couldn't help but smile now that the worst part of the storm was over."Yes Rim.. You're a daddy again."
The lion laughed, "Of course I'm fine! I'm great!" He curled around Kimama and started to make a purring sound. He was thrilled to be a father again, and this time he would do it right! And Seyo would have playmates instead of being alone- he knew she'd wanted them by the way she sometimes watched other families.
He rolled over to look her in her pink eyes. "How many do you think are in there?" Wide-eyed he scooted closer to her belly and gave it a lick, as though maybe his cubs could already tell and feel their father's love.
"I don't know," she responded, looking at him fondly, a purr leaving her throat. With him that happy, she couldn't not be happy as well. She grinned, and flicked her tail, nuzzling under his chin and purring again."But since they're moving quite a bit.. I'd venture to say that there is likely a few, since I can feel them moving." She said, looking down at her belly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 8:32 am
Rim closed his eyes and smiled. A big family! This cave wouldn't be so empty anymore. He put his chin on her stomach and waited. Ah! He shot up and stared at his mate. "I felt something move!" He said, awe-struck. He sniffed near it, then flopped behind Kimama. "How much longer do you think it'll be?"
His mind started to race about the preparation they would need to do. They'd have to tell Seyo, for sure. Clean out the den and make sure there weren't any sharp bones left around or sharp edges of the den. He rested his chin on her shoulder and sighed happily.
She shrugged a little, unsure of how much longer it was going to be until their bundles of joy arrived. She was excited, her body positively full of cubs, and her mind full of the hopes every new mother had. She smiled, nosing him gently."They like you already." She said when he said something had moved, and she was sure it had, because the cubs were active now, and in full force. She smiled, and responded finally to his last question."I'm not quite sure. Not much longer now I don't think."
Rim gave a cocky grin. "Oh I'm not sure they like me, one just kicked me in the face!" He watched her intently, as though he might be able to see his cubs or see them move. He nuzzled her more and couldn't stop smiling "I do hope it's soon..." He thought of their pride's traditions with births, and frowned. "...I won't be able to be there when they arrive. Not until they're named." He sighed. Waiting for them to be born was bad enough, but even after that he'd still be forced to wait!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:37 am
She hadn't been aware of that, but then again, she was still learning the ways of the pride. She would do this right, but she gave a little frown, and cocked her head. He couldn't be around his cubs when they were born? She... She had to do this alone? She let out a whine of anxiety, and frowned. "Why? What keeps you from being there?" She asked, wanting to learn more about it."It's a pride tradition, if a male sees the babies before they're named they're cursed- and you would be too. And me, if I was the one that saw them. We'd have two options; leave or die. The babies are born into silence until they're named." He didn't really know that much about why these things were - after all, he'd never give birth- but it was one of the things he'd been told about soon after joining. "You see, their name is their protection against the spirits." He went from somber to a grin. "You'd better start thinking up names now, so I can see them as soon as possible!" She sighed, but nodded. She supposed she understood, but it was hard to not have him with her... She wasn't sure she could do this without her mate at her side, rooting her on. She had never done this before! But she took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, we should begin thinking now... That way you can see them right after." She nodded, coming to the agreement. Her smile came back and she licked his muzzle. "We can do this... I know it."The End.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
