Karai

In the dark hours of the night, Karai approaches the den, knowing that her time for whelping is nigh. The Sky's Orb is all the way open, and watches her intently as she walks. As the moon watches, she whelps her pups, and gives each a name:
1st male- very dark gray, almost black. His eyes though, will retain their puppy-blue color into adulthood - Saxton, meaning "my sword" - "For he shall be my sword of vengeance against those who would exploit me."

2nd male - light gray with markings of black on his face and hindquarters. His eyes are so dark brown that they look black - Joscelin, meaning "my shield" -"he shall shield me from those that would oppress me"

1st female - silver with honey colored eyes. Her front limbs are partially white - Aderyn, meaning "winged one" - "May her heart fly on the wings robbed from mine."

2nd female - mixture of grays, whites, with darker colors on her back and lighter on her undersides. Her head has a lot of blacks and tans. Her eyes are a rare dark bluish color - Ziarre, meaning "goddess of the sky" - "For she who rules the sky will cry my shame to the world, and call them to remember me."
And having named her pups, the tired wolfess collapses in exhaustion, falling immediately asleep as her pups nurse.

Zhener

Zhener had always wondered at the ways other animals housed their newborn. In the ground of all places! But apparently it worked out for them, so he wasn't going to question it. Zhener had positioned himself upon a sturdy maple tree branch near the den and stood vigile for any danger.

His sense of smell couldn't tell him how many or of what gender pups she had. His ears could not do that either. And his sharpest sense of all, his eyes, were usuless in penatrating the dark depths of the chamber. So the eagle sat without a clue of what was going on below him in the secrecy of the den. But he would be sure to stop any and all dangers from reaching the mouth of the nusery if he could.

Karai

Awaking from sleep, Karai immediately scolded herself for sleeping instead of guarding her pups. She looked down frantically, checking to see if all were there and unharmed. To her great relief, all were there and suckling contentedly. She then glanced up to survey the den, and see if any danger was on the way. She smiled as her orbs alighted upon Zhener. He had the air of a guard about him, and she knew he had been protecting her pups as she slept. She made a mental note to do something kind for him in the future.

She shifted a little into a more comfortable position, and noted that her broken rib was nearly healed, the pain entirely gone. She gazed once again down at her pups, motherly contentment and pride swelling in her. There were such fine young ones.

She lifted her head, knowing that Zhener's curiousity was probably driving him crazy by this time. Maw opened, and she called to her feathered friend. "Zhener! Guardian! Come see those you have guarded so faithfully for me! Come, friend."

The Hunter

The Hunter crept near the den and lowered her head down and spoke softly so as not to wake the pups "Moon Spirit shall be here soon. She to is going to give pups. I just thought I would let you know. That way you get to gloat and say yours are older." she chuckled softly and said "I cant stay long. Another fights broken out and I got a 'play date' with someone. Dont tell Moon Spirit about the fight it will only upset her and we dont want that with her so close to birthing. Let Cocheta know if you need anything. She will get it for you" she smiled and nodded to Zhener before leaving silently

Zhener

His sharp eyes lit up with excitement and expectancy. Unfolding his long, dark wings, the eagle glided in a short ark to the ground infront of Karai. He gave a nod to The Hunter before she left, then turned a beaming gaze to Karai, "Congrats, Karai!" He half flaped his wings in the excitement of new life, but checked himself and settled down again. He didn't want to disturb them. "Do zhey 'ave names?" He peered into the darkness, but saw nothing of the pups. He had very keen vision, but when it came to darkness, he may as well have human eyes for all the good they did him.

"How many are zhere? Two? Maybe more?" now his head bobbed now and then with anticipation, but he did not forget his duties. He also looked furtively about inbetween glances at Karai and the dark den mouth, looking for danger. Then he spotted Moon Spirit and he nearly flapped his wings again, but restrained himself. He would go talk to her next.

Moon Spirit

As silently as she could she crept to a den passing Zhener and Karai. She saw The Hunter flash a smile as she passed and couldnt help but smile back. Finally she was going to have pups. Looking at the large full night sky orb she crept into the small den. She felt the first pup come and she whimpered. Child birth as most humans said was the most painful thing in the world.

Pushing now she felt the first come and sighed in releif as she saw that he was alive and healthy. Licking his pure white coat clean she sighed and thought she was done. But she was wrong. Way wrong. She whimpered again as another pup came on its way once more. Swearing under her breath she pushed one last time another pup appeared this one mostly black with some white on him. He looked a beautiful silver. She didnt sleep just yet. She wanted to make sure-nope there was another one. Sighing she pushed once more and another male appeared his coat steel gray. But just like his father there was a white patch over his eye. Smiling she waited again after cleaning each one. Another was on its way and she knew it.

Soon each pup was born. Five in all. The last two had been females. The older was a silvery grey. The other, the last of the bunch and the runt of the litter was black. Such a deep black that was so beautiful....they were all beautiful. Moon Spirit was so tired.....closing her eyes she fell asleep not wishing to but....she was exausted. She was happy but completly exausted from tonights great events

Karai

She smield at her friend. "Four of them, my friend. Saxton, Joscelin, my males, Ziarre, the younger female... and the older female... that one is your badge my friend. Her name is Aderyn. It means "winged one." Its about all I can do to thank you for being so kind." She let her pride show in her eyes for just a moment.

Looking up, she spotted Moon Spirit at the entrance. She curled a little more tightly around her pups out of reflex, but did nothing more to show her suspicion. She dropped her ears in submission, and spoke. "Well come, my alpha. Forgive me if I do not rise to bow, but I would not disturb my pups."

Karai

She trailed off as she could see the alphess was otherwise occupied.

Karai

Moving carefully, Karai nosed the pup carefully in the eagle's direction, though not outside the circle of her warmth. Her motion invited Zhener to come closer and see the pups better: an action of complete trust and confidence in the bird. Little Aderyn yawned sleepily and whimpered a little at the disturbance of being moved. The yawn showed little puppy fangs and a tiny pink tongue with a small, dark splash on one side. Her dark grey coat would lighten to silver like her mother's as she grew, with white patches, almost like wings, partially covering her legs. The little one stretched and settled back down to sleep, curling into a ball with her pompom of a tail covering most of her face.

Azul

the hunter had held back at the enterance of the den letting his dear love do what she wished for he didn't want to crowd her. Soon he could return to the others while she raised the pups. Of course he would be here anytime to see them. Hearing her whimpers he laid down upon the floor duo hued gems peering into the den waiting for to say it was alright to see them all.

Karai

Karai spotted the alpha male at the entrance, and for a moment envied Moon Spirit. That female had a mate to help her. Still, she shook her head. In this moment she could only be glad for Moon Spirit, and glad for the pups.

Moon Spirit

Moon Spirit awoke suddenly and started swearing. Why had she fallen asleep?Looking down she made sure all five pups were there. Seeing them all she poked her muzzle out and nudged Azul. "Hey. Come and see." she rentered the den and lay still while the pups fed both parent and pups content. Smiling fondly she said "Theyre so beautiful Azul."

Azul

the hunter rose almost having dozed off himself. Moving to his love's side he nuzled her as he peered over their pups with pride and joy.

|THat they are. Thank you Spirit. For loving me through even the difficult times. NOw we have five wonderful pups to raise.|

Moon Spirit

She smiled warmly and said

Azul I will always love you. Now you can go and deal with the pack. If anyone asks for me tell them they can find me here

She lay her head back down and dozed once more