Rather Odd...[open][shad's birthing]

[.Shadow.]

.Shadow.
She grabs the gun,
She's had enough.
Tonight she'll find out,
How 'effin tough is this man.
Pulls the trigger as fast as she can.

The contractions plummetted through her body as the completely black figure layed in the shadowed corner she'd chosen for her den inside the Nursery. Pain showed clearly through her eyes yet she kept a straight face, knowing the first pup was well on its way. By now the ground was wet around her rump, showing that her water had broken. Pointed ears lay flat against the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky mix's head as she pushed once more and felt the baby slide out from within her. Lifting her head weakly, she turned her muzzle toward her rump and lowered her cranium again, nudging the pup closer to the front of her before beginning to clean it, smiling proudly as the small cub took its first breath. Shadow couldn't have been happier as she sniffed the brute and nudged him gently closer to her stomach, checking its gender as it began suckling. A male.

Her stomach hadn't swelled as much as she'd expected, so surely she couldn't have many more pups on the way. Another contraction hit her, and her cranium fell down to the ground again as the feeling of another pup coming overwhelmed her. The second one came easier than the fist, and Shadow quickly cleaned the second pup before nudging it to its brother's side, checking and realizing with a spark of excitement that the younger one was a female. A male and female, two pups - and it didn't seem like any more were on their way. Surely their father would be as proud as their brood?

With a sigh of contentment, she continued to clean the little female pup, checking over the little one's black bodice. "Your name shall be Shade." Her voice held love that she'd never experienced before; she hadn't ever cared for one as she cared for these pups now. Turning toward the little white male, she licked his head once, before remembering Thorn's request to name the first male of the litter 'Knox'. "So be it," she said at last, "you, little boy, are now named Knox."

Shadow stared down at the two new borns, and although the fact that they were complete was rather odd, the new mother's mind swormed with pride each time they made so much as a squeak.

//ooc: blegh, that sucked. :3[/size][/color]

[Skitt is Under Marmalade Skies]

Kitty looked at the pups, nodding to the mother as if to say 'Congrats'. Even if she didn't fully mean it, she might as well. Turning back around, her brown eyes stared at the wall of the nursery. Even though her pups were now two weeks old and, as expected, had opened their eyes, she'd been very sad lately. She felt as if she were bound to the nursery, held there by her pups. Sure, she loved her pups but they reminded her so much of their father.

Then an idea dawned upon her; could she, Kitty, be lovesick? She should her head, ridiculing the idea. Even if she was, it didn't matter. Thorn would never feel the same way for her, and he'd probably fall for someone else, if he did fall. Sighing, she watched her pups, who were playing a little game. The bigger one, Edge, had pinned down his brother, Adonis.

Blowing on them, they looked at her. "Be nice." she whispered, laying her head down on her paws. The pups stared at her for a moment, before continuing to roll around. There wasn't much else they could do.

[.Shadow.]

Shadow nodded simply back at Kitty, watching as the other's fems two males played roughly with eachother before being repremanded by their mother. She couldn't wait unti her pups were old enough to walk, as she would want to show them the world as soon as possible. Perhaps when they were a month old they'd be ready? Shadow shrugged, pushing the thought away for the time being as she studied Kitty's pups. They surely took an aweful lot after their mother, with their blocky muzzles; but their lean yet strong forms were like their father's; and suddenly, it dawned on her that Kitty's pups, Adonis and Edge as they were called, were Shade and Knox's half brothers.

With a smirk she looked down on her two youngsters for amoment before lifting her gaze to the other female again. "Maybe we could train them together? I mean, when they come of age; you know, teach them the basics about street life until their old enough to get a mentor? " Shad shrugged, meeting Kitty's gaze in a friendly gesture. Even if things weren't good between the bulldog and herself, the pups still deserved to have a chance to get to know their half brothers.

[Skitt is Under Marmalade Skies]

She looked at Shadow, her face not showing how ridiculous the idea was. "Maybe." was all she said, nothing more. Why would she want to do something like that? Then she remembered that Shadow's pups were Edge and Adonis's half brothers. But just because they were didn't mean they had to be friends or anything. Of course, she didn't want to seem rude, so she said. "We can let them decide" not unkindly, though

Adonis looked up at Shadow, then to her pups, then back to her. His white tipped, black tail began to wag and he stumbled over to Shadow, his white and black muzzle sniffing the pups “Can they play too?” he asked quietly, looking up at Shadow. He spoke quite clearly, though he still had his baby voice.

[.Shadow.]

Shadow's ears fell back at Kitty's reaction; the bulldog didnt make it obvious, but Shad had always been good at reading other canines. Clearly the other mother didn't like her plan; was she seriously willing to keep the pups apart because of her dislike for Shadow? It was disgustingly selfish, in Shad's view, and forcing herself to stifle a snort, the black mutt nodded simply.

Watching calmly as Adonis stumbled toward her, she lowered her head so her crimson eyes could meet his inquisitive gaze, and she chuckled, a small smile touching her features. "No, I'm sorry, hon', but they're too young. In a few weeks, though, they'll be ready to mess around with you." It was strange; the same tongue that could be so sharp was so gentle with young ones. Maternal instinct, thats all. You're not softening, Shad; no worries. The obisidna mongrel thought with a nod to the pup, resting her head on her paws and watching the little one intently.

[Skitt is Under Marmalade Skies]

Kitty mentally slapped herself, mainly for being a bit rude. But it wasn’t her fault; she had a right to chose who her pups were friends with. Not that it meant that she would stop them if they wanted to befriend the two pups. “I only meant that if they want to, than so be it, and if not, than it’ll be a pity. I don’t think they’d appreciate being forced to befriend another.” she said, attempting to clarify.

Adonis nodded, looking from his sleeping brother, to his mother. “Are you and Thorn in love?” he asked. It was a completely innocent question; he knew who his father was and was simply curious.

Kitty shook her head, hiding her sadness from her expression. She couldn’t be seen as week in front of Shadow. “You know,” she said, changing the subject, ”Shadow’s pups have the same father as you and Edge.” Her spirits rose a bit when she saw the look of astonishment upon her pups face.

He turned back to Shadow, looking at her pups. “But they don’t look like me. Does this mean that me and Edge are related to Shadow?” he asked, tail wagging. He could sense, even if only slightly, that his mother had mixed feelings about Shadow, but it didn’t matter to him.

Kitty shrugged, unsure. “I don’t believe so. But her pup’s are you’re half siblings.” she explained, wishing that Shadow wouldn’t think she disliked her. She didn’t, it was more that she didn’t trust her.

[.Shadow.]

Truthfuly, Kitty didn't need to explain herself; Shadow was just over reacting, she realised, because she had no idea how to raise her young and was hoping the American Bulldog might help her. Apparently that was out of the question, but befriending her was not. "No, I understand. I didn't mean to be rude; I'm just still exhausted from, well, you know." She murmered, motioning toward the opposite-colored bundles of fur cuddling against her stomach in a thick slumber. Her harks pricked suddenly as Adonis popped a question at his mother, and she couldn't help but smile at the little brute's innocence. The pups truely were adorable.

As Kitty told Adonis about how the two litters were related, a small chuckle escaped her maw at Adonis' question; was she related to them as well. "No, little one, I'm not related to you. Just my pups and you." She replied with a smile after Kitty had put in, hoping the other fem didn't mind to much that she'd butted in. Rolling her shoudlers under her short-cropped pelt, she lowered her head to her paws, sighing quietly as she watched Sahde start to squirm blindly around. The little black pup found Knox again and put her tiny head on op of her brother's slightly larger one, before falling fast asleep. Already it was clear the two would hopefully have a tight bond.

[Skitt is Under Marmalade Skies]

She nodded, understanding completely. “Of course, and you weren’t rude, you were honest.” she said. She hadn’t been offended in the slightest, and felt bad for the young mother. She looked as if she had no idea what to do. “Listen, if you need anything, just let me know.” she sad softly, moving slightly closer as her pup began to walk back to her, nuzzling against her tummy to nurse. She looked at Shadow’s pups, reflecting on how adorable they were. Sighing, she looked at the ground

[Occ//Eck. Sorry for the ugly post]

[.Shadow.]

Shadow nodded at Kitty's first set of words, and shifted her weight to lay in a more comfortable position with her stomach slightly covering the pups, allowing them to suckle if need be. Her tail flicked to also rest over the young ones, keeping them warm against the cold night air that hung about the nursery. Glancing quickly down at her pups, she watched quietly as Adonis made his way back to Kitty, and as Kitty moved slightly closer; Shad simply smiled, harks flicking forward and her tail thumping softly against the ground twice before silencing her banner and nodding gratefuly, meeting the more experienced fem's gaze. "Thank you, so much. Really." Shadow muttered softly, her tone honest and slightly relieved.

//ooc: not a problem, mines horrid.>.<

[Skitt is Under Marmalade Skies]

She smiled slightly, nodding. "No problem. You know, I've just realised Thorn hasn't been to see either of us since my pups were born." she said, furrowing her brow. It annoyed her slightly, after all, he said he would. She shrugged, looking at Shadow. She seemed to be trustworthy, but she would just have to wait and see.

[.Shadow.]

Shadow smiled, glancing down at her pups as Knox began to squeak loudly. Reaching down, she licked the little male's head, and almost immediatly he seemed soothed, and quieted down. Lifting her head again, Shad turned her crimson gaze back to Kitty, ears pricking then falling back at the other's words. "Thats true. He hasn't even seen Knox and Shade yet. Has he hunted for you lately? Because if you're hungry, I could go get a meal for us. It probly wouldn't be much, but still, the offer's out there." True, Shadow was taking a leap of faith in trusting Kitty this much, but to her it seemed like Kitty found it hard to trust; but in reality, Shad guessed that the bulldog was trust worthy. And if she was wrong, no female who was a mother herself would ever harm another mother's pups; not even Shadow in a bad mood would do that. [/color]

[Skitt is Under Marmalade Skies]

She shook her head. "No, but thanks. You've just had a litter!" she said, her eyes almost concerned. Sure, she could go, but she was nervous the leave her pups all along with the other fae.

Adonis picked his head back up, his tail wagging, shaking his whole rump. "I can go and hunt for you guys!" he said, stumbling up.

Kitty should her head, giving him a lick on the head. "No, you are going to sleep." The pup sighed, but obeyed his mother. Sure, Kitty felt bad about pretending, but it was worth it. She didn't trust the fae one bit, but she kept these emotions way down, where no dog could sense them. If she was rude to Shadow, she would risk her pups lives and tension in the nursery.