Welcome

[Ceres]

The golden vixen's orange markings seemed to shine in the light of the sun. It danced its rays upon her, and the breeze blew across her. In the pleasant warmth, the air seemed to be golden, and the flowers bloomed, and grass florished. The birds serenaded their song to summer. It was a perfect day. The one thing bothered her...was pain. Her stomach turned in circles, and her eyes had trouble focusing on anything. She had a feeling the time was at hand.

Her ocean eyes turned to the dens, and she put forth her best effort to look ahead, walking slowly toward the dafety of the rock caves. She jumped up onto the rocks, cringing from pain, and struggled into the darkness. She whined a bit, in pain and worried for her pups. Would they all be alright? She collapsed onto the soft bed she'd made over the past weeks. Her breathing grew heavy, and her thoughts grew fewer and far between. Her only thoughts were matters of the heart. She repeated to herself how much she loved them, and worried continueously for them.

She gained composure a moment and sighed. She lifted her head, voice hoarse she called his name. "Xiri..." she took a breath. "kar!...". She took a ragged breath and let out a howl, calling him. It wasn't loud but she hoped he'd hear her. She needed him.

[Xirikar]

Xirikar had been hounding him for weeks now to be nice to his mate. Quite frankly the fox had chosen to do the smarter thing and behave. He had been near Ceres near the dens when she cried out for him. Azk looked to the den opening then raced down the cliff.

Xirikar was doing his normal daily stuff, though the pack was not full he was beginning to feel the affects of the alpha life. He also never expected to be a father so soon but that thought had settled and he felt pride in himself and in his mate for carrying them.

"Master Master Xirikar." The fox called as he bounded towards him. "Lady Ceres calls for you she seems in pain." Azk said as he looked at him. Xirikar looked at him raising an eyebrow, what could be wrong? Then panic hit him as he looked at Azk, "You didn't do anything did you?" He questioned in a deep tone as he looked at him. Azk looked at him and shook his head. "No Xirikar"

There were times he wished he had his wings still but like an eagle he took off flying on land. Xirikar could only hope everything was ok. The ledges of the den area made him wish more about his wings. In such a panic he stumbled as he climbed the ledge.

"Ceres." His voice broke through the songbirds singing. He stood outside the den hearing her light whimpering and heavy breathing. Was it time? Oh no it can't be he wasn't, He took in a deep breath and swallowed he had to be.

[Ceres]

Ceres listened intently, but her focus wavered. She thought she heard him many times within the span of a few moments. Finally, she was sure of the sound of his footsteps. Like a favorite song, she'd memorized the sound. Her dreary eyes opened a bit as he entered the cave. Her maw parted in a weak but joyful smile. She whined in mix of happiness and worry. Her tail thumped weakly.

She heard him say her name and she looked up to him. "I'm alright." she whispered. She was just glad to have him near her. Her breathing slowed a bit, pressure lifting with him here. "I'm scared...Xirikar." she said, voice soft as angel's breathe. She thought she could hear her heart pounding, and feel it in her head.

Soon she'd be a mother, and he would be a father. She'd have a family. Through all the pain, she was still overjoyed. It was all rather bittersweet.

She cringed, they were coming. Her breathing and heart raced in time, but soon she heard one small voice. She gently grabbed him, nuzzling him near her and licked him off.

[Xirikar]

Xirikar looked at her as he lay down crawling over to her. her voice low and comforting but he could hear a tinge of pain hidden beneath it. He whined softly licking her cheek. as he could hear her breathing so labored worry was laced through him.

"Your ok I'm here." He said looking at her trying to comfort her. She was scared and so was he he was convinced he was going to be here through it all. "I'm here Ceres I'm not leaving you now I wont leave you now.

Azk peered in then slunk back he didn't know what to do.

He heard the sound as he looked at the small pup. It looked so small as Ceres moved it closer to her. "What is it? A boy? or is it a girl?" He asked softly looking at the pup. He was so happy to see the little pup his tail lightly thumped the ground.

[Ceres]

""You're ok, I'm here..." his words echoed like whispers in her ears. His touch calmed her heart and she gathered the effort to lick him gently once. Her ocean eyes flickered to Azk for a mere second. She wanted to thank him, but not just yet.

"I'm here Ceres I'm not leaving you now I wont leave you now." he said. She nodded calmly. A few tears ran down her face, but not from pain really. They were from worry and happiness. Those feelings that covered her mind like snow fall.

As she pulled her first close to her, the second came just as quickly, and she placed him next to her. "What is it? A boy? or is it a girl?" she heard. He was talking of the first, since he's spoken just before moving the second. "Both are healthy. A boy and a girl." she whispered with a smile, tail thumping once. And before she knew it one more. She picked it up and her eyes shot open. He was motionless. Tears fell from her eyes, but her instincts forced her to place him aside and prepare for the others.

[Xirikar]

Xirikar looked at the two pups, Both so small needing all they could give them. How many more were there? He hoped all would be healthy now that he was here and they were coming his mind was clouded with his small amount of love.

He didn't dare touch them he had heard stories of females attacking their mates for touching the young with out permission. He nuzzled her encouragingly as he watched the two squirm so they could suckle. He let a smile lace his maw only to have it fade as Ceres pushed a pup away.

He moved to it licking it. No it couldn't be dead "Come on little one." Xirikar said nuzzling and licking it. It was so small his head hung as he looked at it. It wasn't fair it just wasn't fair. For now he turned to Ceres returning to her side he licked her cheek. "The rest will be ok I promise the rest will be." He knew he honestly couldn't make those kind of promises but anything to comfort her anything.

[Ceres]

Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the way Xirikar looked at them. He was getting there. This wouldn't be as bad as he'd thought. Ceres cracked a smile, and kept her eyes on him. She knew he loved them. "I won't bite, they're yours too..." she whispered, gesturing for him to get closer if he wished. Th two began to eat.

Then Xirikar spoke with worry in his voice. "Come on little one." he begged, drawing tears from her ocean eyes. She wished she'd had the healing powers of some of her kind, but alas, she did not. "The rest will be ok I promise the rest will be." he said. Ceres nodded weakly, as she drew yet another to her side. Then something unexpected took place.

The breathless newborn whined, and licked his father's paw as he lay motionless beside it. He was alive, but sick. It was a miracle he was breathing. Perhaps his father's loving touch had returned its breath from the heavens. Ceres' tail thumped with joy. Maybe they would all be alright.

Sadly, the sorrow was not over. The last of them she pulled to her side, but it did not move. It was still beside her. It did not whine or drink of her milk. It had taken it's first and last breath in this world. Ceres cried slightly, but held back most tears to save Xirikar the stress, and to be there for her four living children. She would mourn for him, that she knew. But now she had to be strong.

[Xirikar]

Xirikar looked at the small pups nudging the whining pup that was alive two girls and two boys. A smile had crossed his face as he caressed his mate. Four alive four of them, though they had lost one they had four healthy pups.

"Four my love four." He said licking them and her. He looked at each one and there was the little girl who was born last he knew exactly what he desired her to be called. "Vixey, I want here name to be Vixey." Xirikar said nuzzling the small pup.

He knew it may not fall in best interest of his mate but he hoped to pair the pup with a fox pup. He nuzzle the others looking at the dead pup he moves it away from the others. He couldn't stand to look at it right now, right now he was wrapped up in the life of the four live pups.

[Ceres]

It was over, and they had pour living pups. She scuttled the healthy three to the side to give the sickly pup room to eat. She wanted to cry, looking upon the still figure of her son...she turned her eyes away, focusing on the joy of the others.

"Four my love four." he said. Ceres smiled and returned his affection with a gentle whine, licking him gently. She nuzzled his necj, not wanting to get up just yet. She would probably rest until late morning the next day.

As Xirikar licked the pups, one responded by licking his nose. She whined when he pulled his back to lick the next. She continued to whine for her father, he little tail flicking impatiently. Ceres laughed. "Her name will be Aerith. And Vixey...I like it." she turned to the cave mouth, knowing Azk wouldn't be too far. "Thank you Azk. You aren't so bad afterall..." she said gently.

[Xirikar]

Xirikar smiled looking at them all and thinking. Two boys that had no names and two girls that did. He ran their names over and over in his mind as he thought of names for boys. He didn't have a clue how sad.

Azk came in a bit and looked at Ceres after what she had just said. "Just doing my job." He said looking at the pups yet the smell of death lingered in the air. He'd figure away to help them and corrupt one of the little ones. No not really with Ceres as a mother none could be turned.

Xirikar nodded to him then laid down watching all the pups. Boy it had been quite a day.

[Ceres]

Ceres looked at Azk as he spoke. "Learn to except thanks Azk. you didn't have to help, so thank you." she said, puttinh emphasis on the thank you. She looked at Xirikar and sighed. "I know you're tired love...but will you...bury him." she said, turning her head away, holding back tears. That was hard to say. It pained her heart to think that she'd never hear his voice or see his smile.

She sighed, and pulled the four close o her. The purple colored one, Aerith, lumered her way about three inches away, trying to find the form that had nuzzled her earlier. She would be a daddy's girl, Ceres could tell. She whined loudly, like a mini-howl. This caused the rest to howl, just following her lead. Ceres sighed and tried to hush her.

[Xirikar]

Xirikar stood as Azk picked up the pup. He sighed his heart heavy he knew the possiblity he knew the pain now and he knew the joy. He licked the pups. "Shush my little ones Eat up so you can grow strong." He said moving himself towards the den opening.

"We'll be back, I'll bring you something to eat too." He said as he and azk vanished out of sight. Xirikar roamed around looking for the perfect spot. He honestly didn't know where to do it. He soon decided that he should pup the pup near a tree. He and Azk chose a weeping willow and buried the pup as the two went to hunt.

Azk told him he would try to change and Xirikar told him he needed to find a fox pup. He wanted one to be with Vixey. The two chatted for a while and returned to the den with a rabbit. "Here" Xirikar said softly as he placed the rabbit infront of her. "You need to eat." He said looking to the pups. "Have you thought of what to call the boys?" He asked.

[Ceres]

Ceres was grateful to them for taking him, even though she knew it was hard on Xirikar. "Shush my little ones Eat up so you can grow strong." he said, and they hushed as if feeling the desires of their father. One by one the moved close to their mother and closed their eyes.

Ceres didn't protest to him saying he would bring food. "Thank you.." she said softly. She then watched them leave. She laid her head down and waited.

Ceres gratefully ate some of what Xirikar brought back. She looked up and nodded. "I like Cicero...and Azel. Maybe you could name one?" she asked. She yawned and laid her head back down, closing her green eyes. She flicked her ear to signify she was still listening. It was over. She was happy and her tail thumped. She tried not to think of the other one, whom she still gave a name. "Caste.." she thought.

[Xirikar]

Azk Looked at his master and bowed leaving the den. Xirikar layed watching the pups. He had moved himself so he was looking at them he looked at Ceres and smiled. Everything happened so fast and he didn't know just how ready he was for all this so it was nice that he could take all of it in for a minute.

He had sent Azk on a task for him. He knew what he wanted for this pack he knew what he wanted for his future. He just needed time to allow the pups to grow.