Opposite Ends

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy made Destiny as comfortable as possible behind him, then had Zeza latch onto the zebra with her bony crocodile jaws. Controlling Zeza's 'muscles' with his mind was no mean feat, but the best way to get the zebra back was to have her walk backwards. This took extra concentration, and it didn't help that the most beautiful lioness he'd ever seen was right behind him.
"Soo, a zebra, eh?" he said light-heartedly as they waddled along, dragging the carcass through the long grass. "I'm really, really glad I said to go for something small. What's next up from a zebra? A rhino? Elephant?" He turned his head to grin at her, but added, "Seriously, zebras can kick pretty fiercely. Please don't give me a heart attack like that again! If anything happened to you..."
He was unsure what to say next, so left the rest unsaid, but gave Destiny a lick on the cheek.

[This Land]

Destiny gave a light hearted scoff at Figgy's remarks with smile, which soon turned into a self proud grin at her accomplishment. Her Frustrations at her self Independence soon melted away with Figgy's comfort. It wasn't until Figgy finished mid sentence and felt a lick on her cheek.
Her grin turned into a warm smile as she gently sank her head into Figgy's mane.
With his last words in her mind, she felt movement in her belly, giving her a reality check of the life she is carrying. It's not that she didn't know, and its common for pregnant Lionesses to still hunt, but still, it was for her to be careful and not let her hunting instincts get the better of her. For her it was like the cubs were agreeing with Figgy and giving her a kick for good measure.
"I know....I'm sorry" she said with a remorseful whisper, burying her head slightly deeper.

[cheezeegriff]

"I love you," Figgy said by ways of reply, looping his paw around her and pulling her further into his mane, gently.

When they arrived back at the tree Figgy disembarked from Zeza, holding his paw out to help Destiny down. He put Zeza away, then directed his attention to the zebra.

"So. This is your kill. Would you like to do the honours? Or shall I open it for you?" he said. Figgy's mouth was practically drooling, but he restrained himself. No doubt the traps would have other kills and he would hate to deprive Destiny of the fruits of her labours.

[This Land]

​In older circumstances, Destiny would feel uneasy having this this much attention and be showered with affection, especially when them 3 words are used, it was like a lightning bolt rushing through her body. Normally it would trigger past memories, being betrayed by someone who also apparently 'loved' her. But instead, she let herself be pulled into his further embrace. She had to let the past go, and trust her future...with him. Her shy nature bubbled up so she couldn't reply with words, instead she gave his mane a little groom while continuing to travel.

When they arrived back, she soon made herself comfortable by curling up at the base of the tree, while Figgy put Zeza away.

"So. This is your kill. Would you like to do the honours? Or shall I open it for you?"

She could see he was eager to dig in, his expression done all the talking. Sticking to Lion etiquette and tradition, she nodded and motioned towards the kill, allowing him to start. Besides, she wanted him to as well. She was quite happy curled up knowing her hunt was in the end successful and contributing. Also, her cubs were making all sorts of commotion as soon as she had laid down, making her a little queasy. It would be best to wait until they settled down too.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy grinned widely. "You're wonderful, you know?" he said, then dug in. His appetite was huge and it wasn't long before he had devoured most of the organs in the zebra's abdominal cavity, as well as stripped the neck down to the bone. Only when he had eaten most of everything except for the shoulders and the rear legs did he look down and notice just how much he'd consumed.

"Oh... I'm sorry," he said, nose flushing red with embarrassment. "This was your kill... I..." He looked up at Destiny. "I should go check the other traps. Please, eat!" he said, and tried to rise, but then a pain in his tummy took the strength from his limbs and he winced. "Oh, that's no good," he said, and rolled onto his side, clutching his distended middle. "Ugh. I deserve this..."

[This Land]

Destiny watched with a sense of pride as her successful hunt was put to good use. Also finding it amusing that Figgy seemed to be getting carried away, it just felt good providing for a change. When Figgy stopped and noticed how much he had eaten, she simply smiled with a small eye roll and got up, taking a few steps towards the kill...until Figgy winced in pain and rolled over.

Trying to make light of his situation, she brushed along his back before laying down beside him.
"Well, I wouldn't say you -deserve- it, but maybe its a warning to try and pace yourself?" she said slightly firm yet caring.

She gently placed her head over his side, and tilted it towards him
"I do care about you, you know ?"

It Seemed Destiny was having pains of her own, her cubs were refusing to settle but she just tried to ignore them.

"Anything I can do to help ?" she asked, a little more sympathetically.

[cheezeegriff]

"Heh. Aren't you a dear," Figgy said as Destiny sidled up to him and spoke those kind words. "But no. Not really. I think I need to lie here and... digest."

He looked over at the remains of the zebra carcass, which still had both its back legs intact. "Will that be enough for you, for the moment? Otherwise, you could go check the other traps yourself maybe? I mean, I'd do it, but..." Just then something rose in his throat, and then burped as loud as any lion's roar. "Oh. That's a bit better actually..." He tried to roll over, but his belly was so big, he only got half way. Still it was enough to turn his head and look at his mate. "You're... wonderful, you know? How you managed to catch that thing with cubs, AND after all my pampering... how did you do it?" His eyes widened with curiosity, but then he winced again.

[This Land]

Destiny smugly smiled from her achievement, with a hint of shyness from his compliments.
"Just instincts I guess, they keep me going, keep me active. Underlying strength perhaps?" She pondered.

She shuffled towards the kill before crouching up. Pinning the carcass with her front paws and grabbing a leg with her teeth, she used her hind legs to pull. After a quick strain, the leg suddenly snapped off, sending her backwards and Landing on her rump. The leg dangling from her muzzle.
"Though maybe not that perfect.." she chuckled off her embarrassment and cleared her throat. Making herself comfy by laying next to Figgy.

She winced slightly as her cubs protested once again. Although this still made her queasy, her hunger was getting a stronger and she wanted to eat. She soon sunk her teeth into the legs and chewed away at the kill. Glancing at Figgy now and then as she ate, seeing him relaxed and content because of her kill gave her a good feeling.

Over time, the first leg was stripped down the bone and laying to one side, and she was already finishing the second leg. While eating, she hadn't noticed how heavy her eyes felt and how much her eyelids drooped. It was only when her head started nodding off, she actually realised how tired she felt.

Today had been a little more eventful then normal, and her relatively large meal (for her) started to drain her. She soon flopped on her side against Figgy, stretched out, and massaged the ground with her paws. A content warm smile grew across her muzzle and her eyes fully closed.

[cheezeegriff]

"Oh, definitely a lot of hidden strength," Figgy said, then laughed as Destiny pulled the leg off. "Don't worry. Clumsiness is also cute on you."

He waited for her to eat, doing his best to relax so the stitch in his belly didn't bother him. He could feel it throbbing though, and knew any movement would cause him pain. So it was well after Destiny closed his eyes that he was brave enough to lie on his side and snuggle up behind her. He put his paw on her shoulder, then stuck his nose in the fur on her neck and breathed deep, enjoying her presence with all his senses.

He could stay like this forever.

***

Or so he thought. Eventually, after the sun dipped down he was feeling a lot less bloated, and rolled onto his back to stretch. The sky above was more pink than blue, and the animals called to each other in the last of the day's light. Figgy could hear rustling just around the corner of the tree. It appeared one of his traps had sprung.

He rolled onto his side to stand up, but then noticed Destiny, still sleeping. All of a sudden he didn't want to leave her. He just wanted another cuddle! So, as carefully as he could he drew his paws around her and pulled her in close.

[This Land]

Destiny stirred in her sleep as she felt something, she opened her eyes and noticed the sun had dipped down. She must of needed that nap!
She felt Figgy's paws had wrapped around her, and pulled her closer in towards him. It still felt weird what she was to deserve such a caring Lion, but she embraced it. She snuggled deeper into his soft pelt and fur.

Thoughts tried to enter her mind about being so close to another male, like last time when she darted off. This time however she was having none of it, Figgy was different and she had to trust herself - to believe in him.

Her throat started to vibrate with a soft purr and began to groom his paw in affection.

After a short while, she was disturbed by a few more and now strong kicks from her cubs, it seems they were not backing down and getting restless.
"Figgy...I feel the time may be near in the next day or so. I may need to start thinking about being alone...but can we watch the last of sunset together from the height of the tree nest? If you are up for it?"

She didn't want to show it, but she soon started getting nervous and slightly terrified. Nothing can prepare anyone for being a first time mum. She was soon going to have alot more responsibility on her paws. A nice sunset view and being with Figgy is just what she needed right now.

[cheezeegriff]

"Of course! That sounds wonderful." He gave her a quick lick across her cheek, then rolled the other way and pushed himself onto his feet. Now that his stomach had settled he felt a lot better, but no less heavy - he was a very round lion, after all.
With Figgy's ingenuity he had made several lifts, of sorts, to help make climbing the tree easier. He helped Destiny to board one, then boarded himself, and used the vines and tree branches as ropes and pulleys to help lift them into its lofty branches. It was hard work - he grunted and strained, but he still found it easier than using the spiral staircase he'd made on the inside to climb up. Figgy's main strength was in his forearms.
When they reached the top, he guided Destiny along one long bough to the nest at the end - the highest nest in their tree. But as they walked along it dipped down, down down, with the combined weight of Figgy and his heavily pregnant mate. Soon it was a little lower than the next highest nest.
"Heh... it'll still be the best seat in the house," Figgy said. He helped Destiny to settle onto the leaves, then lay down next to her with a sigh and rolled onto his back. "One day I'll lose all this," he said, grabbing at his cream-coloured belly with both paws. He frowned when he saw how dirty it was. Tentatively he reached forward to try to groom himself, but it was no good. His belly was far too big for that. Instead, he settled for brushing off the sticks and leaves he could see with his paws, though he was sure there was more further down.

[This Land]

She soon settled down in the next, slightly hanging her head over the edge and staring into the horizon. The nest bobbed up and down subtly as Figgy moved around, if anything it gave her a calming effect.
Soon managing to find her words, she glanced over with a concerned yet warm smile.
"If you feel comfortable with the body you are in, then its fine. But if you feel you could benefit from loosing weight, then go for it. But I'll never judge you regardless" She nodded subtly.
She leant over and picked a twig out with her teeth that was sticking out from his fur that was out of his reach. She promptly poked his stomach with it in jest before spitting it out over the edge of the nest.

[cheezeegriff]

"Hey!" Figgy said when Destiny poked him, and pulled his tummy in a little. He was smiling though. Enjoying the attention. "Here's the thing I don't get: I'm such a successful hunter. But when I eat I don't get stronger. I just get... rounder." He patted his belly for emphasis, which wobbled appropriately. "When our... your... our? When our cubs are born, I want to be able to run and play with them. But I can barely roll over in bed. But is the trick really eating less?" He twisted his face to a look of disdain. "I love food. What's life without food?" Even at the thought, he licked his chops, staring at zebra on the horizon hungrily.

[This Land]

"Hmmm...." she lowered her brow and stroked the tuft of hair on her chin.
Destiny pondered in thought for a moment, choosing her words wiseley so not to come off as judgmental.
"Well, eating until you are over full is something all Lions do. I mean, you have even seen me do it. It's in our nature to stuff ourselves because we don't know when our next successful hunt may be"
She glanced over the nest, looking at the vast lands that crawled with so much life.
"But I think we are lucky in our abundance of food, and our certain special abilities makes it kinda too easy to get food."
She then glanced down at the base of the nest, almost concealing her shyness.
"I think just because you can get food so easily, you body is telling you to eat it. And naturally you listen to them thoughts, kinda like a an inner instinct thing. You just have to learn to ignore them cravings I guess."

[cheezeegriff]

"Ignore the cravings," Figgy said, nodding sagely. He finally pulled his eyes away from the distant zebra and looked at Destiny instead. "You know, you look pretty delicious. Maybe I could eat YOU instead!" He gave a growl, nipping playfully at her neck. Though, given her condition he didn't play for very long. Instead he relaxed beside her, draping a heavy paw across her back, then down to her belly. "Hmm," he said thoughtfully. "Do they ever stop moving?"

[This Land]

"No no no no" She chuckled
Destiny squirmed as Figgy gave her playful nibbles. Returning the gesture with playful paps on his cheeks and shoulders.

She then felt his heavy paw brush over her belly. If anything, it amplified the sensation she could feel of the cubs cooped up inside. Giving her that reality check once again.

She shook her subtly in reply, the glimmers of nervousness leaking through her eyes

"I think they are getting restless...I know how they feel with this whole thing" she said almost abruptly, trying not to blurt out her bottled up frustration and nerves with this whole deal. But failing.

[cheezeegriff]

"They'll come when the time is right. Circle of life and all that," he said, nonchalantly. All the while his nose was in the nook of her neck, his hand on Destiny's belly. "This is the start of the circle, I suppose. As far as any circle can have a start, right?" He gave her a little squeeze, gently. "Hey. I think I found one." He moved his hand about as if feeling for one of the cubs. "This one. Feisty! Is she trying to suck my paw or bite me?"

[This Land]

A slight sigh escaped her nose, soon masked with a subtle smile

"You're right, I just hope the time is soon..."

She gave herself a long stretch and yawn, rolling a little closer into Figgy. Figgy's paw was certainly making her cubs react alot more than usual.

"Then you will have plenty of opportunities for them to bite your paw, huh." Her smile grew.

[cheezeegriff]

"Looking forward to it," Figgy said. The sun had well and truly set now, and Figgy was reminded there was a meal waiting by rustling at the base of the tree. Ignore the cravings, he thought to himself, but then remembered there was a real life animal half dead from terror, most likely. So he stretched."

"I'd better go deal with our latest guest," he said. Poor choice of words, he thought to himself. He gave Destiny one more nip on the eir then lurched to his feet, walking back along the tree branch towards the vines that acted as their lift.

Once on the ground and with the new prey dealt with, he sat there staring down at the young buffalo bull. Resist the cravings, he thought to himself again, and so before he ate he looked back up at the tree.

"Hey my love, would you like me to bring you anything?"

[This Land]

A purr escaped her throat as Figgy nipped her ear, before he made his way down.

With a short moment to herself, she rolled over on her back and wriggled around to tackle an itch that had been bugging her. She felt the weight of her body sway from side to side, followed by some quite protesting kicks from her cubs nestled up inside, most likely wondering what was going on. “Sorry my darlings”, she whispered under her breath with a warm smile.

Suddenly, the kicks got stronger – almost painful, the most ever she has felt. She felt a wave of queasiness flow through her stomach.

”hey my love, would you like me to bring you anything”

A growl of discomfort escaped her throat before she proceeded to reply

“No thanks” -she uncontrollably groaned- “Not...hungry”

She rolled over again, almost frantically back to her original position, hoping her cubs would settle back down, but this didn't help. A wave a pain suddenly shot through abdomen, making it tense up.

She started panting heavily as the pain continued the consume her body. This could mean only one thing. She had hoped she would of got more of a subtle warning, giving her time to settle into her secluded den. But it seemed it was all happening at once!

This was her first time when it came to delivering life, but she could not help but feel all this didn't feel 'right'. A deep instinct was telling her that this wasn't how it was meant to go. But this was happening, and right now!

She struggled and lifted herself up, her mind started to cloud and putting her on autopilot. She had to get to her den. She took a single step out of the nest but froze by a searing pain which caused her to collapse back into the nest with a thump and a quiet compressed growl, her instinct kicking in - telling her not to gain attention from Figgy. “This definitely doesn't feel right!!!” She internally yelled to herself. She was in no state to teleport to her den, and whatever problem she had right now - she didn't want to risk loosing her energy either.

She clawed the confines of the nest with her rear legs. Placing one of her front paws over her belly, all she could feel was pain but yet all the movements inside had completely stopped.

Shock was settling in, her head was starting to spin and fade.... ”No....please no, my babies” was all she could repeat in her mind.

It was against her nature - she must do this alone, but yet she knew that wasn't going to be the case.

She needed him.

“Figgy!” she growled out load with a whimper.

[cheezeegriff]

The groaning and kicking was more than enough to get Figgy's attention. He rushed back to Destiny's side, panting hard from the exertion of moving his large body, placing his paws on her shoulder but mindful she might try to bite him.

"I'm here. What do you need?" he said.

Figgy had never seen a birth before, so he wasn't even sure that's what was happening. He knew the theory of course. Lying on one's side while inner muscles pushed the cub's out. He thought maybe he could help by sitting on her stomach, but that might also squash the cubs. Plus, it might be a good way to get his butt scratched.

[This Land]

She lay her head on Figgy's side, a comforting position. She could hear his heart beat, he concentrated on that to keep her mind focused
"Just...stay with me...they've stopped moving..." is all she could squeak out from her muzzle between gritted teeth.

Another sharp stabbing pain tore through her. Even though this was her first litter of cubs, instincts told her this isn't how it goes.
Her body started to feel numb from worry, she felt immobile and glued to where she lay, in the comfort of Figgy, A lion that had always been there for her, even though he was in no way related to these cubs. She stretched out her paw and hooked it around Figgy's front leg.

She let out long mournful roar before her mind went clouded and her vision darkened gradually to black.

She now lay limp against him, unconscious. Her once bright white pelt slowly started to melt into the colors of Figgy and her nest. It was like her special abilities knew what to do in a time like this if she were alone, and that was to bring life into the world in the cover of her camouflage. Now it was just a matter of what happened next while she was unconscious, did her body know what to do ?

[cheezeegriff]

"Of course," Figgy said, holding her tight, feeling her pounding heart beneath his paw. His own heart pounded in his chest. Was this it? Would the cubs come alive, or dead? He offered up a silent prayer for the little ones he hadn't met yet. Who to, he wasn't sure.

Then he felt Destiny's body go limp in his arms. "Des. Des!?" he said, holding her, shaking her to try and wake her up. When that didn't work he patted her cheek, tried licking her cheek like a cub would, but still her eyes remained closed.

He looked around frantically. Was there anything he could use? Anyone he could call to for help?

No. All that was left to do was to sit and hold her, stroking her. She could feel her heart beating still, the muscles in her tummy working, churning to expel the cubs.

All he could do was hold her and wait...

[This Land]

"Des.....Des"
The words of Figgy echoed, muffled through her ears. Destiny had slightly regained consciousness, but was still in a world of darkness. Yet she could think, feel, and hear everything... but she felt paralyzed... too weak to move. It was like what she feels if she has overdone herself when using her teleport ability.

And just a moment before, she could feel the comforting embrace and stroking from Figgy, yet also the painful tension from her belly, With her paw resting over it.

Until she didn't

Her pain just stopped immediately without doing anything...it was just...gone.

Her belly quickly sank down, as if it just lay empty. She could feel her paw flop down. She strained and lifted her paw back onto her belly, but it was no longer rounded and harnessing cubs, it was just flat... and lifeless.

She could hear no cries or little growls of cubs, nor feel any padding of little paws or nuzzling noses. Everything just stay quiet and still. It was just her and Figgy.

Destiny was confused and in shock in what the hell was going on. A few moments to process her thoughts soon felt like an eternity the more she came to realize what just happened. She had put the three happenings together which made her heart turn into knots and a mournful howl escaped her throat that vibrated through the tree branches and soared across the land.

With Her belly flat, no signs of cubs and the energy of her drained as if she had teleported could only mean one thing.

Somehow, for some unexplainable reason, her cubs had left her body unintentionally by her powers of teleportation.

The only problem is, Destiny would of needed to visualize the destination... but through the whole ordeal, all she ever saw was black.

The cubs could be anywhere, and with the laws of nature against them...wouldn't survive long unless they were found...quickly!

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy had felt Destiny’s body changed. At first he thought she had born her litter, but there was no smell, no weak cries for milk, nor any cubs either. He glanced around hastily, thinking perhaps they had fallen out of the tree, but couldn’t see anything. He even checked beneath himself to make sure he hadn’t squashed them.

Then Destiny cried out, mournful and alarming. “Destiny?” he said, shaking her nervously. “What happened? I can’t find the cubs!”

I didn’t eat them, I promise!

[This Land]

For a while, she didn't say anything, except whimpered escaping her throat. Her mind was fogged with fear, sorrow, guilt and confusion. How could this of happened ? She couldn't even think of what to say.

After that short while, she took a few deep breaths and tried to focus. There was no point in just staying here, every moment lost is a bigger chance of her cub's lives perishing.

"I don't know...but they are gone...we need to.."

Destiny struggled to her paws, her legs trembling, still weak from the cubs teleportation

She slumped and hung over the nest, before weakly and un-majestically sliding down the trunk albeit a bit too quickly, landing on the grass with a slight thump.

"We need to go...need to go" She mumbled with a strain.

She wasn't quite back to reality yet, still dazed and confused.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy looked down over the edge of the nest, his heart in his throat. Part of him expected to see Destiny lying in a tangled mess, and they'd have more injuries to deal with. But other than a bit dazed, and the fact her cubs were missing, she seemed fine.

'Wait, I'm coming," Figgy said, shuffling back to the trunk as fast as his rotund body could go. Briefly he considered using the vines to lower himself down, but then said, "Stuff it," and gripped the trunk the same way Destiny had. Needless to say his descent was much faster than his mate's.

"Oof," he exclaimed, upon landing roughly on his rump. His momentum carried him a bit further and he found himself on his back, pinned down under his large belly.

"Where did they go? Where should we look?" he said, kicking his legs in an attempt to bring him back the right way up. All it succeeded in doing, however, was setting his belly to a comical amount of bouncing... well, comical, if it weren't for the missing cubs! "Hold on a sec," he said, reaching around, his efforts leaving him breathless.

After what felt like an eternity he was finally the right way up, and stepped gingerly over to Destiny, half-expecting her to berate him for his ineptitude. "Where are we going?" he huffed.

[This Land]

Under normal circumstances, Destiny would be patient. Instead, She rolled her eyes with Figgy's struggles. Just after he righted himself up and spoke, Destiny gnawed the nape of his neck and tugged it to motion him to hurry up.
"Anywhere!" she hissed through her teeth while still pulling.

Her breathing quickened as her anxiety erupted. She let go and leapt ahead before screeching to a halt at the edge of their little island. She gazed at the surrounding area, with overly deep breaths and tears ran down her cheek. She dropped her head down and clawed the water drenched soft earth. Just the thought of her babies, squirming around looking for the warmth of her fur, suckling empty air, their little cries of helplessness...it was breaking her heart.

However, she knew she needed a clear head and not rush into anything if she had any chance of finding them. She controlled her breathing which gave time for Figgy to catch up. It also meant she could focus her ears on the surrounding sounds as apposed to her own breathing. Her ears strained on end as much as she could open them, curling and turning to capture any possible sounds of cubs. Her tail twitching nervously.

[cheezeegriff]

"Zeza," Figgy said, then whistled as if calling for a pet. The large bony croc emerged from the tangle of live roots and vines where it had been resting since hauling back the zebra across the dusty dry floodplain. It slithered up to their side, roots and vines twisting and creaking along with its rattling bones.

"D'you want a lift?" Figgy said, after climbing on board himself, paw reached out to help Destiny aboard. Without waiting he added, "What's the furthest you've ever teleported? Do you think you'd smell them if we were close enough?" He put his nose in the air. "Wind is blowing from the west. We should search East first. Maybe the wind will blow their scent our way.
"Come on!" he added.

[This Land]

"What's the furthest you've ever teleported? Do you think you'd smell them if we were close enough?"

Destiny turned and stared at Figgy with blank eyes, swelled and glistening with tears itching to break free. She shook her head subtly.

"I have only ever been able to teleport to what I can see. This is.....new. My eyes were closed and all I seen....was black"

Destiny's brain was telling her to sprint ahead with no time to loose, but she was still weak. She offered her paw and was hoisted up. Zeza was a good choice, The croc could do all the legwork while they could concentrate on the cubs. Destiny admired Figgy's quick mindset and it's like his brain switched to this wise and confident tracker.

"Good Plan, let's go east"

As they set off, she let off 4 long powerful roars, followed by a low grunting huffs afterwards. Then her ears stood on end. She was being over-hopeful that it may startle a cub nearby and reply with a squeak. But what other choice did she have than to try?