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The sight of her love was thick and sweet upon her eyes, she didn't want to blink - did not want to waste a moment of embracing him before her. He was everything that she could have asked for, and he provided her with the things that meant most. The things that were intangible, the things that brought feelings within and made one finally feel whole.

It was his decision to head to the Mistweaver lands, she would follow him to the ends of the earth. His decision was the right one, and was extremely wise. The others that she had encountered within these peaceful lands were more than friendly, and she could never have selected a better location to begin her new family.

The warmth of the sun graced the two adult lions, and Athiri could not help but have a large smile curl along her maw. The moment that his firey body touched her own, she felt a shiver tingle down her spine. She lifted her tail slowly, and almost lazily - then swished it around as if to rid herself of that sensation, even though she relished in it. Her heart fluttered and beat wildly, like the rivers that crashed against the rocks in lands before this one.

His purr was met with her own, the sound eminated deep from within her throat, inside her chest, exactly from her heart. The beat continued louder and louder, and she was sure that he could hear it - she knew that he could feel it. Her eyes closed, and she pressed her cheek roughly against his side, wanting him to know that she would be forever his. That she loved him so dearly. Her head moved lower, until it scooped up beneath his own - his head lifted into the air, and she bit teasingly at his mane.

At that very moment, she felt something within her stomach. The kicking, the moving, the quickening of her family to be. She gasped, and moved her head back, looking her lover in the eyes with much surprise and pride.

She knew, this was the love she dreampt of.

Athiri's mind was filled with love and seriousness. She was thinking about all they would need to do to prepare for the coming of the next generation, and how she should still help hunt for food for the both of them. Just as her mind was about to stray from the cubs to food for a second, another move came.

And another, then a kick!


"Ooh!" She seemed to squeak in surprise, then her noises slowly melded into sounds of giggles. Such a joyous rumble burst from her maw, and her eyes gleamed at her love.


"Yes! It would seem as though our young ones know their father is close. Perhaps they are trying to tell you hello?" A smirk curled along her white colored maw, that part of her pelt pushed along her obsidian cheek. Moving her self slowly, she turned to lay on her side. Lifting her paws, she pressed and pushed them against Akamu's side so much that she was now rolling onto her back! She shifted along the hard ground, causing the pebbles beneath her skin to be pushed out of the way so that she was comfortable.

Now her vulnerable belly was exposed, the stark white was such a drastic contrast to her dark body, but she thought the coloring was perfect. It portrayed the innocence and beauty that she held within her, that grew because of the loving union between the most perfect of soul mates. If Akamu studied her belly closely, he would see the slightest indentions making their way across the mass of ivory pelt. She purred and cooed again, emitting more giggles as the movements continued. It tickled, and felt quite different than anything else she had ever experienced - but she knew that these feelings merely proved that their love was true.

With the presence of their cubs now very obvious, she knew that her union with Akamu was forever. Their story was now being written within the skies, as new stars were going to be born in their image. She always admired the stars, believing that her ancestors souls were cast into the vast mass of blue above. She knew her little ones would glance to the skies one day, and reflect on their parents.

"This gift is more than I could have ever asked for, Akamu..." She whispered softly as she lifted her head somewhat, to peer over her belly. A paw was lifted and set ever so gently along her side, cuddling the bulge in her stomach. "Our family is going to be as beautiful as the stars, and as warm and loving as the rising sun." She smiled, and gave a slow, yet content yawn.

*With retracting claws the large Firekin male moved back and forth, awaiting the outcome of his mate’s birthing. It had been hours, days it seemed that she had been in labor. What would he do if something happened to her in the process of birth? What if one of his own died? What would he do? With deep envy orbs he gazed off into the darkness that rested within the back of his mind, clouded by worry.... He could do nothing right now, all that was left was this fear- he had never felt this before... no. His life had no meaning up until now, but what if something happed to his mate and cubs? What would he have then—Akamu was a mess and was about to snap under the pressure.

He had come here in hopes of making a new life, with his mate and they fell into expecting and now this? It was too much and this fear was swelling up so fast. Time stood still for this male, and nothing seemed to faze him. He looked to no god for answers; he did not see any reason to blame a god on natural selection… though he wished that this would not happen, that he wouldn’t lose his mate or cubs when this was over. Birth should never be this stressful, never- the male thought as he sat down, contemplating deeply. Amaku simply wished for this to be over and for his mate to be safe.

Hours more passed before he was able to see his mate again, and in the end the outcome was for the better. Yes, she had run into difficulties in the birthing- but she was fine and the three little cubs seemed to be holding out well too. Three small, beautiful daughters… what a kind gift that was passed down to him. His mate was so perfect- and it showed in her offspring. They all held such striking markings and colors… it was perfect- she was so good to him. All of this, this family, this was the start of a new life for him. With a soft nuzzle the large male rested himself along his mate, licking her softly, as if to keep her company while she rested.

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From the looks of it, she would need to rest for a few weeks; the birthing had taken so much out of her. The first of his three was much like her mother in pelt, with dark charcoal fur. He smiled, licking the tiny cub. She held hints of him within her, tiny Firekin markings and color. This cub held his marking upon her; this cub would follow in his paw prints. With deep loving eyes the male nuzzled his love again and rested his chin upon her neck, eyeing down at his loves softly. The next of the littler was the cub that had taken so much out of his mate. This cub would have such a hard life… he could see it now. A Mist lion that looked just like a Firekin. Her pelt was just like her father’s in color, and her marking dazzled him. She looked so much like him, but she also held her mother’s eyes... Such soft eyes. She was a Firekin at heart, he could feel it.

No wonder she fought to be born, stubborn like a Firekin too- the male thought as he licked the tiny red cub, purring softly now. He would have to make sure she stayed out of trouble- that was for sure! With a deep gaze the male moved to his last born, his smallest. She was like the land after the snow had fallen, pure white in coat, with hits of red and yellow. This one had her mother’s marking, and his eyes. Envy eyes, filled with life. This tiny life was his now, he was to look after the three now, they all had his blood running trough them. With a soft nuzzled the male licked his smallest and looked back to his mate, licking her softly again, doing his best to look after her in such a weak state.

His offspring all seemed to be doing fine, aside from the little red one that would need to rest with his mate for a while, but that was expected, after all she fought so hard to stay within her mother! Both of them would need to rest for a week or so. So until then this male would look after them and his two that were ready for life. So much this male would have to do now, so much. Eyeing his family Akamu was full of pride, and he beamed with joy. So the fates had not given him a son- he was alright. He had three lovely daughters- and that was all he needed right now, any more cubs and his head would have exploded! Maybe someday he would have a son, but until then he was going to have to make sure his little girls grew up to be strong lionesses, like his mate. His life was going to be stressful, he could see it now. All of his girls lusting after boys, he would have to make sure they all came home, every night. He didn’t want any harm to come to his cubs and he would do everything in his power to prevent that from happening.

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*Sitting outside of the den that he and his mate shared, the large male smiled softly and eyed out at he Mist lands, watching his two cubs play with one another. His mate and one of his cubs lay inside, still recovering from a rocky birth. At noon he would check up on them and make sure they were feeling well, bring them food and take the red cub to water. He had this all worked out, he would care of all four of them until his love became well again. It was his job. Beaming still the large male Firekin sat, his paws relaxing before his puffed out chest. Envy colored eyes passed over his two cubs as the pounced upon one another, playfully. It was so good to see how well they were doing, and the feeling of being a father was well worth this entire wait. He had never felt so alive. In front of his eyes he saw a younger version of himself, within both of his girls. They both held power and beauty. Akamu liked to think that they were the most beautiful cubs in all of the land. With a deep smiled the new father rested himself, enjoying this day.*

“Don’t play too rough now.”

*The loving father called out to his cubs, grinning as they batted at each other’s faces.*

*Ausi took this time to pounce, jumping onto her sister with littler care if any to what her father was saying. She loved to play, and with her best friend at that! Ausi had only her family right now to play with, so to her—her sisters were her best friends. Nipping softly at Sevati’s paws the little black cub purred in excitement.*

“I got you!”

*Moving himself to his cubs the large red male smiled and licked both upon the forehead before speaking.*

"That’s enough for now, alright? Time to go see your mother and sister."

*With that the large male nudged at his two daughters and motioned for the cave, it was getting late, and he felt it was time to go in. Moving behind his cubs, the male walked slowly, eyeing out at he lands before getting both into the cave. Tonight they would all sleep inside.*