Protecting Her
Over the valley the sun was rising, happy orange fingers of light stretched into the sky from the horizon, ready to greet China for another happy day. Inside of Tigress' bedroom she watched as more and more light poured into her room, stretching longer for hours and hours. She hadn't slept at all that night. It had been a week since conception, yet she had no signs. No cramps, no sickness, no anything. She felt as she did everyday, and she longed to train Kung Fu. Jay was beside her, waking up from his sleep. He had slept, and he didn't know Tigress was suffering.
Lying there, she couldn't help but cry. Tears feel from the corners of her eyes as she sat and thought why she wasn't acting like a pregnant woman should be acting.
"Tigress what's wrong with you? Are you feeling something? A cub?"
She shook her head to say no, reaching over and hugging him as tightly as she could.
"No Jay! It's worse it's so much worse! I haven't felt anything in a week, I'm scared Jay."
He gripped her paws in his, rocking her as she cried. This wasn't a strong emotional reaction to pregnancy, this was very much real.
"Remember when I told you my father was a doctor?"
Tigress nodded.
"I'll do some investigating today, I'm no genius but I know enough to figure some things out."
"Do you think I'm not pregnant?"
"I think one of us shot a blank."
"Jay... I'm so sorry."
"Don't be, I'll figure this out soon enough. I'll be up at the palace in a little while and we'll know by tonight what's happening."
"So I'm not carrying your cub."
He sat silently for a moment, eventually shaking his head no. Tigress laid back down and sobbed to herself, disappointed in everything that was happening. Jay had gotten up and went to shower. The fact that he didn't want to stay and comfort her said that she had done something wrong by him.
As hot water traveled through his fur and steam filled the room, Jay couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't pregnant. He was right when he said one of them had fired a blank, and now he had to figure out who, why, and if it would happen again. This was definitely stressful for her, she likely thought herself not good enough to bear cubs and that tore Jay up on the inside. She had suffered through her emotionless cub hood, she'd been a drunk, she'd been kidnapped, she'd had nightmares, she watched him almost die, and now she wasn't pregnant.
Once dressed, sword by his side, Jay left his house and walked to his office. Inside the deputy nodded and left his shift, walking away and going to sleep. Jay checked himself in, went through the night logs and then walked to the printers shop where his scrolls were waiting for him.
"Are they ready?"
He asked quietly, closing the door behind him and standing erect.
"All sixty copies, thirty each."
She handed him two large crates, he gripped them by the handles and took their weight on his shoulders, walking out of the shop and bidding his farewells. After distributing the scrolls to the businesses and farms, Jay was free to do as he pleased. Walking through the village he arrived at the base of the thousand steps. At the top, he peaked into the gate and saw that the warriors were training, and Master Shifu was meditating in the courtyard. Upon entering, Master Shifu opened a single eye, seeing him and continuing with his meditation. Jay strut onward, planning to walk to the kitchen.
Some factors were obvious why she didn't get pregnant, abuse, stress, and the endless training she endured. Her food though, that had a substantial effect on a woman. Inside the kitchen Jay opened all the cabinets fiercely, digging through everything he could. After sorting through everything, he noticed a box of tea secluded at the back of the cabinet, beyond the reach of others. It was labeled for Tigress.
The white and blue box was all to familiar, and it made Jay quiver with fear.
Haifu Remedies.
His grandfather's company, the same company responsible for the deaths of every tiger who ever lived in the previous generation. Tigress was consuming a product of his father's making, and whatever was in that box was the cause of there problems.
He grabbed it sadly, grabbing a chair from the table and sitting down, reading the label. The maker was clear, and so was its purpose.
"To suppress pheromones in felines prone to over stimulation during ovulation."
Jay smiled, the words rhymed. Reading the ingredients list he found exactly what he didn't want to find, the same ingredient in the remedy that killed everyone else. Luckily, this tea lacked the addictive element, which luckily was the only thing that didn't kill Tigress. Jay took the box in his paw, walking outside and standing behind Master Shifu, starring him down. The fur on the back of the small red panda's neck bristled, he knew he was being watched.
"Is there something you wanted to tell me?"
Said the master, his eyes still closed.
"Look at me."
Said Jay sternly, growling audibly. Master Shifu dropped down to the ground, looking at Jay face to face. Viper had seen the tiger arrive, and she decided to ease drop on their conversation to see what it was about.
"What... where did you get that?"
Master Shifu referred to the box in his paw, the tea box that belonged to Tigress.
"You bought this didn't you?"
Master Shifu nodded, placing his paws behind his back.
"Did you ever read the label? Do you have any idea what's in here?"
"Even if I did, I wouldn't understand-"
"Exactly! You don't understand! You've been giving her this for years and you never bothered to find out what it was!"
Yelled Jay, throwing the box at the ground in front of the master, his brown eyes furious. Viper coiled back a little, shocked by Jay's tone of voice. Luckily, none of the others heard him.
"Have I done something wrong?"
Jay growled deeper, running his digits through the fur on top of his head and his ears, pacing in a small circle.
"No-" Jay shook his head, disappointed in his loss of self control for a moment, "-you've done nothing wrong. I need to tell you something though."
"Sit there. On the steps with me."
Both Jay and Master Shifu sat on the steps of the palace, thinking for a moment before Jay spoke again.
"Master Shifu, do you know my last name?"
"I don't believe I remember."
"It's Haifu."
"Alright."
"The company that makes that tea is called Haifu Remedies."
"Your company?"
Jay laughed.
"My grandfather's. Have you ever wondered why you see so few tigers?"
"No."
"What if I told you they were all dead because of a medicine my father made, a medicine every living tiger took except for Tigress and I."
"You two are the only tigers left alive?"
Master Shifu knew so little, and this burst into reality amazed him.
"Yes, and this tea is making her infertile."
Viper gasped, covering her mouth with her tail and backing up further.
"Impossible."
Stuttered Master Shifu, not believing the words of the constable.
"The stuff in this tea doesn't suppress her pheromones, it simply removes them, this tea is killing her ability to reproduce. She woke up this morning really upset- if she slept at all- because she feels something is wrong with her."
"I'm sorry to hear that, I feel responsible for this. Can she be healed?"
Master Shifu was slow to speak and stoic. He felt his purchase all those years ago had ruined his daughters life forever. Even worse, Master Shifu had made mistakes before, and this mistake- if irreversible- would leave a permanent scar.
"What has been made dead cannot be revived, but I don't know how serious this is yet. I think that I can brew something up and slip it to her. It might make her a little more available when she needs to be."
Master Shifu touched his forehead to his staff, closing his eyes and thinking.
"What will you tell her?"
Jay swallowed hard, he didn't like to lie, but for her mental sake he'd have to for now.
"Tigress can't know about this. I'm going to tell her that the problem rests with me. I don't know how I'll ask her about that tea, but I hope she'll stay ignorant."
"That's a noble thought of you, to volunteer yourself as the problem."
"I must do it. Good bye Master Shifu."
Viper backed up, returning into the training hall where she could think to herself. She left her friends, going to the rose garden behind the barracks to meditate alone.
Jay side stepped down the palace steps quickly, his blue double breasted jacket bunching up as he walked. He stride through the village, only to be stopped by a female rabbit. Her face was swelled and bruised, black puffy skin beneath her eyes. Her lips were dry and cracked, blood dripping from the right hand corner of her mouth and onto her apron. She fiercely collided with Jay's pant leg, and he knelt down and grabbed her by her sides, looking into a set of very afraid and broken eyes.
"Help me, please please help me."
Begged the woman, spinning her head around as a crude and drunken male rabbit exited the house behind them, intoxicated, fists balled up. There were children inside, begging their father to stop what he was doing to their mother.
"Constable, nothings going on here, she just fell is all."
The woman turned back to the constable, motionlessly denying his claims. She was afraid, getting the public and the constable involved in their issue of the house would get her beaten yet again.
"She fell yeah? Is that so?"
Jay looked to the wife, but the drunken man quickly spoke again.
"Tell him Lynn! You fell."
He spoke menacingly. Jay was a distance form the man but his sensitive nostrils could smell the booze on his breath, nasty cheap stuff.
"I'm pregnant, help me."
Whispered the rabbit woman, a last desperate attempt for help from someone, the only person, who could help her. Some of the villagers had gathered around and were watching the interaction. Jay looked to see three rabbit children in the doorway of the house, looking out at the scene.
The fact that this man would beat his wife was one thing, but the fact that she was also pregnant infuriated him.
Jay stood up, drawing his sword and pointing it directly at the nose of the drunken man, it stumbled back, falling down and holding its torso up by the elbows.
"Beat your wife? Beat your pregnant wife?"
"Constable, sometimes women need to be spoken to, you must understand..."
"No, no, happily I don't understand. You're under arrest, and I'd expect you to be in jail for a rather long time. Get up."
The rabbit grumbled to himself, standing slowly, he came to his feet, holding his wrists out with a dirty grin of displeasure. Jay slapped him with handcuffs, tossing him off to the side. The villagers nodded in approval at the constable's decision, but watched further to see what would happen next.
Jay walked over to one of the kids, crouching down onto his knee again and looking at his scared eyes. The kids were young.
"Do you understand what just happened?"
The kids nodded to him, sniffling and gripping the door frame tightly.
"Thank you constable, thank you."
The wife hugged his side, she was small and couldn't reach fully around him, but the gesture was what counted.
"Do you have income?"
The rabbit nodded.
"I work in the farm district, it's not much but it's enough."
"I understand, I'll send the doctor around to check up on you, free of charge."
"This village doesn't have a doctor, sir."
"Really?"
Jay didn't know this small village was also without a doctor. The rabbit nodded to him in conformation.
"We've never had one as long as I can remember, not close by anyway."
"I'll be the doctor then, I know enough to help you, come to me if you need anything or feel different then normal, you know my house."
Jay had volunteered himself to be doctor, and overtime he'd settle this village like a city, and make this place a thriving economic power. As of now, he has other obligations.
"Thank you, thank you so much."
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at him, and Jay longed for Tigress to be pregnant as well.
"Shut up you wretched-"
The drunken husband was cut off when Jay fiercely glared at him paired with hot and heavy words.
"One more peep out of you and I'll hang you by the neck until you are dead! Are we clear loser?"
The husband grumbled, slumping back down in protest. One of the young children ran forward, she wept into Jay's shoulder and hugged him tightly, apparently overwhelmed by what was happening.
"Let me-" the mother gestured to take her daughter back, but Jay held up a paw to show his content style.
"I've got her."
He stood up, patting the child's back happily and bobbing up and down to calm her. He shushed her, speaking softer then he'd ever spoken.
"Things will be fine for you, your mother is going to take good care of you and no ones going to be hurting anyone, and there won't be anymore fighting."
Jay looked at the husband, cuffed and sad, as the girl faced the other way, hanging over his shoulder.
"Thank you sir."
The child backed up to look at him in the eyes, smiling through her overwhelmed tears and hugging him again. He hugged back as best he could, closing his eyes and feeling everyone watching him. He didn't care, there was nothing wrong with comforting someone who needed comforting. Jay opened his eyes to discover the villagers looking at Tigress. She'd come out of the house after him and she stumbled across her man being fatherly. She loved the way it looked, him holding a child, hugging it and speaking softly, bobbing up and down to sooth the nerves. He turned, set the rabbit back down, and went to leave.
"If there's anymore trouble you tell me right away."
"Will do constable."
Said the mother, slowly guiding her children back inside their house. Jay roughly picked up the husband by the links of his handcuffs, walking him along and to the lock up, where he would then be transferred to a nearby prison.
Once the husband was gone and the two tigers were alone in Jay's office, he caught a glimpse of her smile and wondered why she was so happy.
"See something you like Tigress?"
"The way you held that little girl, you did everything right you know. The instincts of a father are built into you, and you certainly know how to use them."
"Did you know she was pregnant? I would have acted differently if she hadn't said that to me, she reminded me of you."
Tigress blushed, sliding down into one of his chairs comfortably.
"Did you find anything out?"
Jay nodded to her, leaning forward over his desk and looking at her sternly.
"I'm so sorry Tigress, you were never pregnant to begin with."
She smiled.
"At least that's better then having lost a cub."
"I guess so. How strong- if you don't mind me asking- was that heat when you felt it? Was it weak?"
Jay had his rocket to talk about the tea, and he'd tread lightly.
"I'm not sure, it was normal I guess. Is it something I did?"
"No! I'm just curious. What were heats like in the past?"
"I had some stuff to hide my lusty feelings, it worked pretty good too. It was a tea."
"How much did you drink?"
"I don't remember, maybe two cups a day when I was hot."
"Only when you were ovulating?"
"Yes, was the tea not good for me?"
"No, I'm just curious, sorry I digressed Tigress, I guess I'm stalling to tell you the real news."
Tigress swallowed hard. Jay hadn't stalled with her before, so whatever he was about to say was a big deal.
"Tell me."
"Tigress, I'm not, per say, fertile."
He leaned back, waiting for her reaction.
"I don't know what that means."
"Well, it means that I, as a man, don't have the ability to... reproduce."
"What!"
Tigress stood up, yelling at him with her paws spread wide. There is no way she got this far to discover she can't have cubs with the man she loves.
"I'm sorry."
"Do we have to adopt? There won't be any tigers!"
"No! We don't have to adopt anybody, we just need to time things out. I'm going to work on a pill..."
"Jay don't do that! The last time a tiger made a pill..."
"The only reason you know that is because I told you!"
Jay snapped at her for a moment, standing up and pointing a paw at her, his glare forcing her back into her seat. Jay was sensitive about his family and what they did, and Tigress wouldn't ever use them as leverage against him as long as he lived.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing and it'll be harmless. We can still have a cub, but I wouldn't count on more than one." Finished Jay, sitting back down and relaxing again.
"Only one?"
"We could try, but it would be a long painful journey to want more."
"Does anyone else know?"
"Master Shifu."
Tigress rolled her head to the side in defeat.
"He's going to be so angry."
"He was sympathetic."
"Jay, I love you. I'll always love you, but this is so much for me."
"Don't say that, we're going to be together for a long time and I'll figure out a way to give you a cub."
He walked around his desk, kissing her as he put on his blue peaked constable cap.
"I love you."
"I love you too, come home soon."
Said Jay, leaving his office and heading for his house. Once there he went into his home office, he pulled from a desk drawer a thick booklet of formulas for drugs designed by his father and grandfather. When he found the card for Tigress' tea, he quickly indexed known substances to promote fertility and the virile nature of the tiger. He soon found a substance that promoted extreme sexual appetite and high pheromone production in women, with the only side effect being increased risk for dehydration.
"Where are you found..."
Jay spoke to himself as he looked through the medical index of his grandfathers making, trying to locate the known whereabouts of the substance he sought out. When he found its natural location, he discovered it was a two days journey away from his home. He wrote a scroll quickly ordering some from a farm where it would be available. He ordered extremely large quantities and paid in full, enclosing the money inside of the scroll itself.
He rushed down the street and to the palace, jogging up the steps so an avian he trusted could deliver the scroll for him.
At the palace, Tigress had arrived a few minutes earlier, and was talking with Viper about everything that was happening. Tigress wasn't an emotional girl, but she could open up a little to Viper in a way she usually didn't do.
"It was him Viper. He told me he wasn't fertile enough to get me pregnant. I love him and he can't complete the circle."
Viper sighed, she knew Jay had lied, sparing Tigress of the hard truth that it was she who was infertile. Viper didn't want to lie to her friend, but she wanted to comfort her.
"He loves you Tigress, he'll figure something out."
"But what if he doesn't Viper! What if we grow old without cubs, that weird couple who never raised a son or daughter! I live in a box full of empty bedrooms, and now I've been told I might not be able to fill even one."
"He loves you Tigress."
"That's just not good enough anymore Viper. I deserve to feel a cub growing inside of me, I deserve to be a mother and get to raise a cub! I want a piece of me to venture out into the world and create his or her own success! I want Jay to be happy, I want to be with him, I want him to make love to me and father my cubs! Today, he was in the village, and this woman begged him to help her. He did, and one of her children rushed into his arms and cried on his shoulder. You needed to see it to believe what was happening, he was so fatherly! He did everything right and now... now we're never going to get to have that and I hate him for it."
"Don't say that Tigress! You don't hate him, and you will get your chance to be a mother."
Jay came in through the palace gate, waking to the training hall briskly. He jogged up the steps and inside, calling for Crane.
"Yes Jay?"
Jay asked him to fly a mission for him, and Crane agreed. Tigress and Viper watched as Crane shot out of the open training hall doors, flying away with a loud crack as he accelerated to a very fast speed. Still in his blue constables uniform, Jay stepped outside the training hall, watching Crane disappear into the distance. He was only a twinkle on the horizon before he was gone all together.
"How are you Viper?"
Said Jay, walking up to her slowly, not wanting to be too close to Tigress who was mad, not wanting to look at him.
"I'm alright."
"I just sent for the stuff that we need, I'd expect it here before sunrise tomorrow Tigress."
"Will it work?"
She perked up, her burnt amber eyes looking at him with hope and dreamy excitement.
"I think so, we'll be able to make your next cycle just fine."
Dinner in the palace was quiet mostly. This was the second night away and Tigress had eaten there. They should have been eating down at the palace, but with current events it was best for them to be surround by supportive friends.
They ate and departed, while walking back to their home, the sun was setting on the horizon, orange leaves in the trees rustling with displeasure. It was fall, and the season was coming to a close.
Jay walked Tigress up to the bedroom, laid her down and tucked her in. He went to light a fire once more, and when he didn't change for bed she was a little worried.
"Where are you going? Come to bed with me."
He shook his head no.
"I'm going to wait for Crane down at my office, he'll be back sooner or later and I want to get the stuff immediately."
Jay went to leave the room but Tigress called out to him, reaching with her paw. He stopped, turning back and walking over to the bedside. He got down on both knees and looked at her clearly by the firelight.
"You're not mad at me are you?"
She asked softly, caressing his cheek with a weak smile on her face, the fire casting sad looking shadows.
"Not at all."
"I'm not mad at you either, I was a little frustrated earlier but we'll pull through."
"Don't you worry Tigress, one day soon you'll get to feel a cub growing inside of you, you'll get to see something we created grow up and find their own success."
Her eyes grew wide when he said that, and she looked at his smiling face in shock.
"You heard me?"
"You never were a quiet speaker, and i always seem to be in the right place at the right time."
"I don't hate you Jay."
"You were frustrated, I don't blame you."
Jay reached out, kissing her forehead and nestling her back up in the sheets.
"I love you, when you wake up I'll be beside you."
Jay left the room, closing the pocket doors softly before exiting his bedroom. Outside it was dark, and inside of his office he lite a fire and several lanterns. Down the stairs descended the deputy, still dressed for night.
"Sir? Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"Take the night off deputy, sleep, party, do whatever. I'm waiting on an important delivery that only I can receive."
"Would you like me to do foot patrols?"
"No, I've got everything under control deputy."
"Alright sir, have a good night and if you need me I'll be upstairs doing some reading."
The deputy walked back up the narrow wooden staircase, the steps creaking under his weight as he exited from sight.
After several hours of sitting still in his chair, Jay eventually stood up and decided to do a foot patrol. At night the village was very peaceful, empty streets stretching between buildings, room to walk with your arms outstretched and not hit anything. Jay walked around the village first, noting lite lanterns and watching them fade as he traveled further and further away from them toward the farm district. Few lanterns were there and the smell most certainly changed, but Jay didn't mind. Once at the end of the road he turned around and walked back to the village, occasionally gazing up at the black sky, looking for a bird amongst the stars.
He sighed heavily, resting one of his paws on the handle of his sword, walking back to his office and sitting down, raking his digits through his fur and ears. He leaned back in the chair, considering the situation he was in. People trying to kill him was something he could deal will but the fact that his wife is having trouble getting pregnant is something no one ever prepared him for. Even worse, she said to Viper that she hated him for being the infertile one (even though it's truly her). She may have apologized, but that still doesn't change the way that she felt.
After a few more hours of walking around the village and sitting every so often, Crane set down in front of Jay, tired and carrying a large burlap sack full of soft branches and green leaves.
"I.. I got it. They were a little stiff with the haggling but I got it for you."
"All of it?"
Crane nodded.
"What's all this for anyway?"
Jay froze, slowly taking the bag from Crane's beak as he thought an excuse.
"It's really important Crane, that's all I can say."
"Alright Jay."
Crane accepted this in his tired state, not wanting to implore further.
"I talked to Master Shifu and he said you can sleep past the gong since you did this for me."
"Thanks Jay, I'm going to go to sleep now."
Jay nodded, standing back and clearing the way for Crane. With his white feathered wings spread, he shot up into the air, meandering over to the palace where he would retire for the night.
Jay rushed over to his home, carful not to make a sound as he closed the big red door or as he walked up the stairs. Once inside his office, he opened the bag, observing the plant by light of lantern, checking to make sure it was the right stuff. It was. Jay spread some out on a wooden cutting board he had retrieved from the kitchen, chopping it up finely with one of his knives. He then put the leaves in a bag, connected a string, and then repeated this process until he had twenty portioned tea bags. Stuffing them into a box, Jay carried them down to the kitchen, placing them where the tea pot was, through the darkness he found the spot, returning his tools and hiding the remaining plant in a locked cabinet.
Once done, Jay undressed, lying down in bed to go to sleep. The sun was just starting to rise, and after two hours of catnapping in bed Tigress rolled over onto him, rubbing his chest fur as she always did.
"Good morning Jay. Did you get your package?"
"I did, everything's ready."
"That's nice."
Tigress kissed his cheek, burying her face into the crook of his neck and snuggling there, feeling how soft and warm his fur was.
"I'll go get you something Tigress."
Jay stood up, kissing her forehead once. He departed the room in his normal right black underwear. Tigress wouldn't help but look at his stripes and his round firm buttocks, he was good looking!
Once downstairs, Jay put on the water and gathered the tea things, getting the bags he had made ready by placing one in Tigress' still empty cup.
Once the water was hot, Jay poured her cup, walking upstairs with the tea already made. Tigress was feeling a little drowsy, so she didn't look to see what she was drinking or bother to ask what it was. She sipped the drink, eventually downing the entire cup.
"This is really good Jay, do we have more?"
"Yes."
Jay held in his excitement, pouring her another cup and making sure the tea was thoroughly saturated into the water before he gave it to her. She sat, sipping the tea in silence. Jay drank as well, but his was a simple black tea, not the medicinal drink Tigress was swallowing. After she had drank four cups of the tea, Tigress was ready to start her day, she stood, changing her clothes, her back facing Jay who was lying on the bed on his side, propped up by his elbow.
"Tigress?"
"Are you going to say you like my stripes?"
She smiled, putting on her pants slowly. She had been wearing undergarment, but Jay always liked her stripes more then anything else. He smiled too, sipping his tea happily.
"They are beautiful, but what I want you to take it easy for the next few days, no hard core exercise, no running, no kicking, no jumping, stay still and walk slowly."
"Why? What's in it for me?"
She turned around, her bare white chest visible to Jay. He felt the arousal, but for the sake of her few eggs he had to control himself until it was time.
"How about this, I'll get you some more of this tea that you like so much. We only had one box, it's a specialty that I found in the village last week."
Tigress smiled at him deviously, not being shy with her chest at all. He was the first, and only man to ever look at her like this, and the only one she wasn't shy around. She never even showered with Viper, so Jay was the only one she wanted looking at her, and when he liked what he saw it made her feel good about herself- like all the exercise and dieting were worth something.
"Do I look good to you?"
She smiled, blushing and continuing to show him her bare chest, a white and back tail shifting from side to side seductively.
"You're sexy."
She laughed a little, walking up to the edge of the bed and letting him grope her body a little.
"What will happen after, I mean If I give birth? Won't I be unattractive?"
Jay threw his head back, chuckling to himself.
"I love you Tigress, you'll recover, there's nothing wrong with giving birth! Your instincts will heal you up."
"Thanks Jay. Are you going to work today?"
"Yeah, I'm a little tired but that's fine, I'll just sleep well tonight. Maybe I'll come home early."
This routine continued for the next four days, Tigress woke up, drank loads of medicinal tea, and then went about a relaxed day. Jay went to work during the day, and when he needed to made more tea bags. She never knew any better what she was drinking, Jay had a lot of money so it was expected he'd be familiar with things she'd never tried before. On the fifth day, Tigress' cycle had gone full circle. For the entire week he had been giving her tea, he pheromones were obviously rising because of her increased sexual appetite, and her dehydration. Funnily, to calm her dry mouth she simply drank more of the same tea!
That night, Jay knew his opportunity to impregnate her had come, and he'd have to try his best to make sure it was a success. Tigress came home from her relaxed day at the palace to find lanterns lite in every room, and the quiet, peaceful sound of violin music flowing through all three floors of her house. She walked upstairs slowly, sound guiding her up the staircase with each carful step. Tigress enter end the bedroom, leaning against the door frame and watching Jay preform a piece of his own creation. It had been awhile, but she recognized it as the one she had heard him playing the first time they had a friendly conversation with each other.
He finished, looking up at her and smiling, gently placing the instrument in its purple velvet nest.
"That was really beautiful Jay."
"It was."
He walked over to her, hugging her waist closer to his and kissing her a few times.
"I never name my pieces, but I think I want to name that one after you."
Tigress kissed him, holding his waist against hers happily.
"Your ready today Tigress."
"Are you?"
He nodded, carrying her over the the bed where a serious hour of love making took place. It was only one session- if you will- because unlike other nights this was a definite attempt to impregnate her.
The next morning, Tigress woke up, feeling sick. She clutched her chest, her temples throbbing as she rolled over onto Jay's side, wincing in pain. Her head throbbed heavily, she had an awful headache and a stomach ache at the same time.
"Jay, Jay wake up!"
She pushed at him, wincing some more at the pain she was feeling in her stomach.
"What? Are you hurt?"
"My stomach, I feel awful."
"Cramps?"
Tigress nodded, biting her lip fiercely to keep down the pain, her stomach heaved, she felt like she was going to vomit but she held it down.
"Tigress, this is how you should feel, these are the signs!"
"I don't like this- excuse me."
Tigress got up and ran, out of the room and to one of the hallways. Once there, she flung open a window and tossed her lunch out of it, the mostly liquid contents of her stomach falling into a flower bed behind the house. She slumped back in, sliding down to the floor and cupping her head in her paws, her legs sliding straight until they laid flat, down against the cold wood floors. Jay got out of bed, clumsily throwing on a robe over nothing and rushing out to the hall, looking out the window at his puke covered roses. He smiled, closing the window and latching it shut.
"I'm sorry about the roses."
Said Tigress, knowing he liked his roses more then everything, apart from her of coarse.
"Fertilizer Tigress, it won't cause any trouble."
"Well doc, check me out."
Jay shook his head no to her snide remark.
"I can't, not yet, you're showing the signs but I won't be able to tell how many until later."
"How many?"
Tigress was breathing hard, resting her head against the wall, her eyes tracking his facial expressions as he spoke.
"Don't get your hopes up too high Tigress, but we are felines, normally you could expect a litter of... five?"
"Five?!"
Shouted Tigress, swiping her claws at him and tearing the front of his robe. He jumped back, his fleshy skin, and fur avoiding her razor grip.
"It won't be that much! These are just mood swings, you'll be ok alright? Look at me."
Jay picked up her chin, making her look him in the eyes.
"I'll be fine."
Said Tigress smiling at him, her burnt amber eyes looking on happily. He reached out and kissed her once, long and soft before releasing her muzzle from his.
"Don't kiss me! I just puked."
Said Tigress, wiping her lips and swallowing to get the taste away.
"Hush, let's not tell anyone for a few more weeks alright? Lets be sure before we make announcements."
"Will you tell Viper for me?"
"Now?"
Tigress nodded.
"Will you be alright? Let me help you back to the bed."
Jay scooped her up in his paws, carrying her bridal style back to the bedroom. Placing her back down on the bed, he arranged the pillows so she could sit up, covering her with the sheets and tucking her in.
"It's a little cold in here Jay, could you relight the fire and grab some blankets if we have any?"
"Of coarse."
He went first to a linen closet outside the room, grabbing a thick hand knit blanket and laying it across the foot of the bed, so if Tigress wanted it she could employ its warmth. Next he rekindled the fire, creating something of decent size after a few moments, stoking it so it would burn unattended for at least three hours.
"I'm going to go get you something to eat and drink ok? So while I'm gone you don't have to get up."
"Thank you."
Jay walked put of the bedroom, heading down to the kitchen where he prepared a tray with tofu and water, plenty of mint leaves as well for her to suck on. He brought the they up, placing it on one of the night stands, shooing a lantern away to make room. He then grabbed a bucket, placing it on the floor while looking at Tigress knowingly.
"Just in case."
She smiled, feeling embarrassed she needed to be cared for like this.
"If I am pregnant, is it going to be like this all the time?"
"Everyday if you want. I'm going to go tell Viper, I'll send her down to keep you company if that's alright with you."
"Thank you Jay."
He kissed her forehead again, walking over to his wardrobe and getting dressed. This while time, he had only been wearing a torn robe. Once in his blue constables uniform, he threw on his peaked blue cap and thick trench coat, which concealed his sword nicely. He left the room and the house, going to the Jade Palace to go and get Viper.
Once at the palace he confronted Viper, who he found in the rose garden behind the barracks. She was meditating. This location had been her prime spot to go and think since Tigress moved out, and she could be found here often.
"This was the second place Tigress showed me when I first came here, I told her I liked roses, do you?"
Viper turned around slowly, her peace of mind keeping her relaxed even though his words snuck up on her from behind.
"I do, there big and pretty, it's a shame they die every winter."
"Only to be reborn the next year."
Said Jay sadly, thinking about such a beautiful thing dying like a rose.
"Are you cold Jay? That's a big coat you're wearing. How do you even get cold? You're a tiger."
He smiled, sitting down on one of the benches, looking over to Viper with his peaceful brown eyes.
"I just get cold sometimes. Tigress wants to see you."
"Why?"
Viper slithered over, taking the spot next to Jay on the bench and looking at him curiously.
"I'm fairly certain she's pregnant."
"Really!"
Viper smiled up at her former colonel, current constable, and good friend. She knew more then anyone the fiasco going on for the past few weeks between the newly weds, and now that she was pregnant maybe things would move on.
"I'm not sure yet, but she must be. She was pretty sick this morning, and she wanted me to send for you. She probably wants to talk again."
"Jay... I'm really proud of you for what you told her. You gave up a lot of your manliness when you told her that it was you who was infertile. You protected her from the truth and I really respect that, you're an amazing husband to her."
He smiled.
"Thank you Viper, she'll find out eventually but for now, let her be at peace. You should go now, don't keep her waiting."
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