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 Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:02 am
 No merry chase of life and death had been hers. For in lands where few of her kind lived, there'd only been one male who'd ran after Kainda and so he'd not had to fight for her. But since she'd been a mission at the time, hunting for those who'd join them, maybe it'd been for the best. Besides, that Fumbi had definitely helped her achieve her goal of bringing new life to the lands. To have children who'd watch over her bonded's one day. If she had any male pups she might name one for Fumbi for that. She'd been carrying her first litter - her very first! - since their brief few days together. Until now. Kainda'd let Muroki know where her den would be and had gone there at the first hints it was their time. Of course, she kept close to the Oasis. There was a nice square-den not too far away. At least, part of one. Unknown to her it was once a storage shed for Egyptians who stopped at the string of pools to let their animals drink. Now however it was mostly collapsed, with one wall on a slant making a roof and the sand had built up around it. It was a small and dry den, hidden, safe. And seeped in Dawnwalker history. Perfect.
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:59 am
The first puppy was born in the early morning, just as the solar disk of Jua started to gild the horizon. Dark as Kainda herself but with her father's brown underneath rather than pure white. Her eyes were tight shut of course but her puppy fur was so soft once it'd been licked clean... So weak really, Kainda thought, as she brought her pup 'round to have her first meal. Tiny. But so strong too, already pawing at the sand to get at the food and the warmth at her mother's side. Beautiful.
Her first daughter, and born in the morning. Of course she'd be called after the old lady, Kainda's mother, the great scholar. Akinyi. That old wolf...she'd raised many pups and taught them all well. But Kainda the most. It was only right her first daughter to be born at the right time was named after her.
Akinyi~
Not too tired yet, Kainda started to weave a tale about the good things in life, speaking softly to the young one of their Clan and their home, of Muroki esecially and also Johari and Laini, of the others....sun on the sand, cool water, tasty meat, the relief of the shade. Things this Akinyi would one day enjoy.
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:44 am
It was a while later when Kainda's second born came into the world, and the sun had risen further over the horizon. Another daughter. This one was much more pale, like her father but lighter. Like her sister she was a bundle of life, weak-strong and soon laid out clean beside her for her first meal. Kainda lingered with her a moment, grooming her fur tenderly. She'd only had a few names planned and none of the other female ones fitted now. Sauda for example, she was too pale for.
Males would have been Kunonai after her own father, and Fumbi after their own father, and then something down the line of Muroki as he was her beloved bonded. Hmm... Macheo was a nice feminine name along the same lines. Sunrise.
Macheo and Akinyi, her dear ones, her daughters.
She was still going strong. Kainda was a tough wolf and young and it wasn't long until she had to focus again. One more puppy, she thought. Another daughter - maybe one who fit 'Sauda' - or a little Kuno or Fumbi or...
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:08 pm
Her first born son came much faster.
Stillborn.
Kainda nuzzled at his body, cleaned his white face as best she could, tried to bring life to him. But the tiny, too tiny, puppy was gone. Dead before he'd really lived. It was her first litter and she'd had a hard time but she had hoped...she got up from nursing his sisters and carried him outside, sorrowful and tired from the birth. She mourned him and buried him in the sand to keep his body safe until she or the jackal priest could preform the rites of death for him.
Since he'd gone into the underworld so so young, Kainda named him Fumbi after his father. So that they may know him. Though the gods would welcome him into the afterlife, for no unborn babe would have anything bad in their heart to weigh down the scales against the feather of truth, it would be a scary journey for her poor son.
Still. Life and death were one and the same. Kainda turned back to her living puppies - poured all her love into looking after them and cleaning their den before she slept.
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:45 pm
Days went by.
Both the puppies' eyes had opened, their ears had lifted and when not feeding or sleeping (which was most other the time, Kainda thought with amusement) they'd started to explore the den and play a bit. They were much bigger now and starting to show their personalities. She was so so proud of her girls. Her dear dear girls.
*
Muroki'd waited for the number of days Kainda'd requested alone with her puppies had to go by. He knew one of the death priests had had to go lend her a paw and knew she'd lost a son. He was a little worried but knew if she needed him, she'd have called. And of course, he'd have set off running. He was lucky Johari understood thei bond - some would've been jealous of how close he was with the wolf.
Today was the day though! Today he picked up some meat and set of for Kainda's den, to meet the puppies.
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:23 pm
It was an affectionate meeting. Kainda had laid down outside the den, with her babies currently taking one of their long naps next to her. As soon as she saw her bonded on top of the nearest sand dune she got to her paws and moved to meet him. Formalitie were chucked out and she soon had her face over his shoulder, head pressed against his neck and his mane tickling her. Lion hugs.
*
"Kainda, my dear one." He purred. She wasn't like a sister, she wasn't like a mother or a daughter and there was nothing sexual or romantic to make her a mate. But she was right up there was Jo and Laini. To very precious, so important. And here she was! Glowing with happiness, smiling and leading him towards the den.
"You look wonderful. Motherhood suits you."
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:30 pm
"Why thank you, Muro." She nudged him, encouraging him towards where he puppies dozed in the sun shine. "But if I'm wonderful, what does that make my daughters?"
She reached down to move Macheo a fraction, since the little one moved fretfully in her sleep, having trapped one pa beneath her somehow. Freeing the paw and a few licks from Kainda's soothing tongue soon sent the paler puppy off to sleep again.
*
"Beyond wonderful." He felt oddly proud. Like a brother or an uncle or something. The puppies were healthy as Kainda and looked strong. And from what he'd learned of maned wolves, they looked to be a handsome pair.
"What have you called them?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:37 pm
"The one whose as dark as myself is Akinyi, after my mother - you remember her? Your original intended." She stole a glance at Muroki, amused. While she was a 'replacement' for her own mother, she knew Muroki and her mother had never had the soul bond they did. Because he only remembered her as a playmate, a puppy he'd once known. Had they been like Muroki and Kainda were he'd remember her better and would have felt her loss even now.
"You know I don't. And the pale beauty?"
"Macheo. She came with the dawn. I named her for you. I know it's not the best match but..."
"You went for the more feminine sound, I know. I'm touched, beloved, that you'd name the girl for me. Congratulations on your daughters Kainda. As soon as they're ready, you've got to bring them the rest of the way to the Oasis I know the others will love them too and we'll look after them."
"Who could help but love them?"
END
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