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 Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:24 am
She was exhausted. Abolutely spent, laying on her side in the den, breathing heavily. She'd only walked from the frickin' watering hole, yet such a small walk had her gasping for air. She hated this. She hated being pregnant. Despite being a fairly big lionness herself, even Mzuka'hila was having trouble carrying around a belly full of cubs - she was pretty big, too. She'd seen bigger, from those females who'd had, like, seven or something. But she was pretty sure this was as big as she was going to get, especially considering she was getting close. She didn't know how she knew - an inbuilt instinct, almost. She smiled as she remembered Faiz's face, when she'd told him. He'd been so happy. She just hoped she didn't have only a single cub. That'd just fuel the rumors that she was incapable, infertile. Obviously she wasn't infertile, but still. She wanted to prove she was perfectly capable.
Attempting to roll onto her front, Mzuka gave a loud, gasping cry as she felt a horrible pain suddenly shoot through her stomach, falling back onto her side with laboured breaths. She gave a somewhat strangled cry, suddenly wanting Faiz here with her, but quickly cut it off as she realized she could also attract more unwanted help. She gave a whimper, shuddering softly. This hurt! Was this it - was she giving birth? Oh Mkodi, what if it wasn't, and something was wrong with the cubs! She didn't care about her reputation anymore, just praying with all her heart that the cubs were alright. She didn't care if there was only one...as long as it was healthy.
"Faiz!" she cried, unable to stop herself as another wave of pain shot through her, Mzu whimpering softly, unable to move from where she was. She was in Faiz's den, the one where the slept. You were supposed to be in the birthing den for births, or at least outside! But she couldn't move, and felt horrible helpless, whining loudly as another contraction shook through her.
And suddenly, she felt something slide out onto the floor. Was it...was it alive?! Turning her head, she tried to see, but merely fell abck to the ground with a pained cry as more pain rode through her, another shape sliding out onto the floor.
She still felt so full! How long would this go on for!? Mzu whimpered, eyes squeezed shut in an attempt to ignore the pain. It wasn't working too well. "I can't do this..." she whined softly. Where was Faiz!?
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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:41 am
Faiz had been prowling about, something he had picked up during Mzu's pregnancy. He was agitated, anxious and worried, wanting to stay away from his hormonal Beybanu and yet unable to stay from her side for too long. He worried about her and was furious with her and exasperated with her and so damn proud. Sure, her flip-flopping attitude between blaming him and telling him she wanted more than Tuliua was getting on his last nerve, but he hadn't lost his temper since he had found out she had been talking to a rogue male.
He only ever lost his head when he was scared, though he would never admit it. He was a calm, controlled lion who held his temper in check and was skilled at his lazy, laid-back facade. In theory, nothing rattled him.
But when he heard Mzu scream his name, his world shattered. Fearing the worst, he let out a deep roar of denial as he raced toward the sound. Damnit, when he took her as his banu, he'd vowed to protect her!
Faiz lunged into the den, eyes wide and alight with worry as the fell on her. Mzu, his mate, his love. No matter what she did, no matter what anyone said about her or her behavior, he would always love her, first and foremost. He'd loved her since day one. He couldn't lose her now.
The frightened Vizier took in the scene, saw the cubs beside his mate and his heart sank. By the gods, please let them be alright. It hadn't been like this with Tuliua. She'd been in pain, yes, but not enough to cry out so badly. He was at his treasure's side in a heartbeat, concern filling his blue eyes.
"It's okay, Mzu. I'm here," he whispered, his voice harsh and raspy, as if he'd swallowed sand.
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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:51 am
Mzuka whined softly, although it quietened with a soft gasp as Faiz appeared, concern shining in his eyes. She gasped softly as another wave of pain shot through her, her whole body shuddering. Was this supposed to happen!? "Faiz! It hurt so much!" she whimpered, nose twitching as she tried to move a little closer to him, but soon regretting it as she gave a loud yelp of pain, feeling another small shape slide onto the floor. How many was that? She'd lost count already, and she was sure there mst be more to come. How on earth had they all fit!?
She didn't care about beating Tuliua right now, nor about any reputation. She cared about the cubs, her cubs. "Faiz, please check they're alright," she sobbed, yelping again as the fourth cub slid out, quickly followed by a fifth. She whined louder still, moving her head to bury it in her paws, trying to block everything out. The pain, the small cries she was unable to attend to. She felt so vulnerable, so pathetic right now! She couldn't do a thing!
With a pained gasp the sixth cub was born, and there were more pained sounds as another two cubs quickly followed. Shuddering, Mzuka'hila felt as if she was about to split in two. She'd lost count a while ago, but knew this was more than was natural. With a final, loud cry the ninth and final cub was born, Mzuka collapsing completely with laboured breaths. She had no strength, no nothing. She couldn't remember how many there'd been, or what she was supposed to do now. She felt the strong need to check her cubs, care for them. But she was...she was too exhausted. Too much pain. She ached all over - this was ten times worse than the pregnancy.
But hearing the small cries gave her new strength, Mzu whimpering softly as she struggled to turn herself around, wanting to care for the cubs. Her cubs. She was a mother.
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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:04 am
Faiz did his best to comfort her as she had labored with the last couple of cubs. True, she had told him to see if they were alright, but in his mind she was first priority. It was a terrible thought, but they could always have more cubs. He only had one Mzu.
When it was over and she tried to turn, Faiz put one huge paw against her cheek.
"Rest, my love. I'll bring them to you," he whispered and turned to pick up the closest cub. It was a boy, another son, black and spotted like his mother. He slowly cleaned his- their son before carefully lifting the cub and setting him beside Mzu's paws.
He did this several times until every cubs was near their mother's head, so that she could see that they were all well, cleaning them each time. It was a female's duty, but one that Faiz would never have balked at filling. They were his cubs, after all. A few of the more adventurous, or perhaps more hungry cubs, had already moved to Mzu's side to nurse.
Faiz had counted as he cleaned and moved the cubs. Three sons and six daughters. Gods, Mzu had been carrying nine cubs within her. No wonder she had had a difficult time of it. He nuzzled her carefully, not wanting to cause her any more discomfort with his actions.
"I'm sorry, Mzu. I didn't think... I didn't mean for you to be hurt so much." It was a stupid apology and he knew it. The number of cubs wasn't something he could have fixed, and she had wanted to have cubs in the first place. But, oddly enough, apologizing made him feel better about all the pain she had gone through.
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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:19 am
Mzuka had been in too much pain to notice that Faiz hadn't done as she'd asked, giving a grateful whine as he offered to bring the cubs to her. With deep, laboured breaths she carefully brought each cub closer to her, cleaning it a little more despite the fact that Faiz already had. She had to be sure. The more boisterous were already moving to nurse, though, and she growled softly as they tugged at her stomach, but didn't move. She didn't actually think she would've been able to, she was so tired.
How many were there!? It seemed Faiz was just plucking cub after cub off of the floor, placing them beside her head. She whined softly, but otherwise cared for each cub carefully, refusing to mvoe on until she was sure they were fine. Eventually done, she allowed her head to roll back onto the floor, too tired to do anything but smile as Faiz nuzzled her. Nine...she'd had nine. He was apologising now, but she attempted to shake her head, nuzzling him back as best she could. "Don't...apologise," she spoke between deep breaths, trying to catch her breath back.
"...We're parents, Faiz." she spoke, smiling widely.
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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:27 am
Faiz settled down beside his Mzu, curling slightly so that the cubs were tucked safely between the warm bodies of himself and his mate. He reached out and nuzzled her again, this time giving her small grooming licks slowly about her face.
"That we are, my love. You should rest now." The back of his paw moved to rest briefly against her cheek. "You've done so much today. I'll watch our cubs."
Our cubs. Gods, how could there be anything better than this life he had?
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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:53 am
She welcomed the warmth of Faiz's body, as she purred as loudly as she could managed, resting her head down by his paws. He sounded so happy...she couldn't help but smile. Especially when he started licking her...she liked the attention. She nodded a little as he told her to rest, smiling a little wider. She had done a lot today - Mkodi, NINE. Was that even possible? She'd never heard of such a huge litter!
"...I love you, Faiz," she purred, nuzzling him fondly, "And our cubs."
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