Mayu had been feeling strange all week. She didn't really know how to describe it. She didn't feel sick exactly, but she just felt…strange. Was she coming down with something? No she already ruled out being sick. But what was this feeling. Something she did notice however, was she kept grooming her belly. She didn't know why, she just started doing it. A new habit she picked up as for some reason she stopped her twig chewing. Something about it didn't feel right, least not now. Odd seeing as it wasn't hazardous to her health. That is unless Bat's warning about wearing down her teeth. She didn't believe that though. Been chewing since she was a teenager and her teeth were as sharp as ever.

Another thing, she was hungry. That wasn't too strange as it was natural to become hungry, but this felt like a need, nay a want. Everything had began and ended with her belly. The feeling always came and went. It was so hard to describe.

She did have a suspicion though.

"No." She told herself that on a constant basis.

It couldn't be that. She had been careful and she didn't have any plans for that sort of thing. But had she been careful? She thought hard as she tried to discern her suspicion about her ailment. In fact she hoped this was merely hysteria out of…oh god she did. She and Bat…that night. Oh that night was one of passion. She didn't understand why it happened, or even how it happened. It just did. Bat, so handsome, so strong, so gentle, Mayu stopped herself. She couldn't think like that!

At last it hit her, there was no denying it. The feeling came again. She pawed at her belly, the one that would soon be round with life.

She remembered she hadn't seen Bat since this morning; she hadn't put a paw on it. She had just woken up and he was gone. Could he have known? Was that why he wasn't here? So many feelings welled up in her, joy, happiness, confusion, sadness, anger, fear. Yes, fear was the main emotion that surged through her being.

She had to find Bat, she had to. Sniffing the air, she could still smell the faint traces of his scent. There was still time to find him.

Before she darted off, she looked down at her stomach. "Don't worry, I'll make this right." She spoke to the unborn ones growing within.

XXX

Bat snapped his jaws shut. The bird gave a last squawk of breath as it dropped dead. The Labrador, gave himself a congratulatory smirk of pride. He had done it. Mayu's teachings had drilled into his brain, until he had accomplished what he set out. After trial and error, he had managed to pull it off. Although he wasn't up to Mayu's skill, he still had a vast margin of improvement to go by. Although with practice he could get better. Taking the bird in his jaws, he headed towards the direction of Mayu's, well their den. He didn't find anything odd referring it to his home as well. The further he walked, the more a scent reached his nose.

"Mayu?" He thought, as the scent grew stronger.

Sure enough, it was Mayu. Bat set down the bird, ready to show off his prize to his friend. Although with what happened the week before, it could have been more than that.

"BAT!" Mayu screeched.

Bat blinked in confusion, he didn't even have time to react as Mayu skidded right in front of him. "Mayu what-"

"Don't give me that innocent shit!" The female seethed, her face turned red underneath her fur and her breathing hissed through her teeth. "Did you think you could just run away!"

That statement further confused Bat. "Mayu."

"Oh I know what you're like, you came here just to pleasure yourself and then leave when you're done!" The female ranted, "So what? I was just some cheap thrill!"

"Mayu." Bat calmly responded.

"You think you can just walk away after what you did! Well go ahead! I got along fine and we can get along without you!"

"Mayu!" Bat had overlooked the "we" statement, but he had to calm her down somehow.

Mayu stopped, realizing she was letting her emotions get the better of her. But she had a good excuse. What with her condition and all. Her "condition", that made it all the more upsetting for her.

"Mayu tell me what's wrong? Why are you so upset?" Bat asked with more concern than anger.

The female breathed slowly as she realized. "He doesn't know." She thought. He really didn't know. "Bat." She said, the male drew in as Mayu lowered her head. "I think."

Mayu murmured the last bit under her breath.

"Mayu? Are you okay?" He pressed further in.

Why was he so calm? He couldn't be like this. Three months ago he was a total stranger to her. The feelings, mostly from the one in her gut spurred her to blurt it out. "I think I'm pregnant!"

Both their eyes widened at that reveal. Bat even gave a small gasp as his mind tried to wrap around it.

"But how? When?" Those were stupid questions. His mind thought back to a week ago, that night, those words, that passion. There was no doubt.

"Mayu I" Bat started, but Mayu pulled away. "Mayu!" He tried to stop her.

"Just go!" She pulled away as Bat tried to pull in closer.

"Mayu please listen! Just let me talk!" Bat pleaded.

"Shut up!" Mayu continued to pull away, tears were streaming down her face, "Just leave us alone!"

Bat wouldn't accept that answer, the more she pulled, the more he came in. "I'm not going to leave you!"

That exclamation made everything stop for her. Had he really just say that? This didn't make sense in her mind. Her mind tried to wrap around any possible trick or lie. Yet nothing came to such in her brain.

"I won't leave any of you." Bat proclaimed.

Somehow Mayu believed him. "I'm sorry." She apologized, just two words. Mayu calmed herself. "Everyone I love leaves me. I didn't plan on this." She admitted, it wasn't as if she didn't' want these puppies, she was frightened, scared for their well being. So far her life had been one huge smack in the face. Everything she loved torn from her, she didn't want to experience it again. Mayu felt a paw against her belly, it was Bat's. The mother to be accepted it; after all, these were caresses from the father of her children. Mayu felt a blush spread across her face as she sank into Bat's fur. His very touch and smell enticed her. He had become more than just a friend, he had become her husband. Likewise Bat felt the same way. He had just gained a wife and a family.

"We'll raise these puppies together." He whispered into her ear.

"Together?" She said in surprise, within it, happiness permeated the tone. She nuzzled into him, "Together." At least she stated with emotion.

The two mates could feel the love that surrounded them, the love that they had created. A rather loud grumble sprang up from her stomach. "I guess they're hungry." She sheepishly smiled.

Bat grinned back at her. "I brought you a present." He turned to the bird, his proud catch. He had to be proud, after all, a father had to provide. Once Mayu saw that bird, she dove on it and tore away. One week down, eight to go.

XXX

This was pure hell. End of discussion. End of any discussion. Mayu had undergone various tortures at the jaws of the Clan, and on her own, but nothing could be compared to this. There was nothing so annoying, nothing so painful, nothing so spiteful as this.

Mayu groaned as another wave of hunger hit her. It was another craving, another want for food. Bat was already out hunting for both of them, but unless he had a humungous spike in ability improvement, he certainly wasn't going to be bring back enough prey to fill both of their bellies completely. Mayu got to her feet from where she had been laying in the mouth of the den. She wasn't at the point where hunting the swift prey here was next to impossible, but there was no way she could catch a young rabbit. Her belly had grown larger, plumper, and it felt like someone was slowly and carefully adding another weight inside it every day. She could still defend herself, though, and still hunted some while Bat was away. Walking out of the den, Mayu sniffed the air. Damp leaves and the odd smell of uprooted fungi met her nose. No doubt some foraging mouse had come near their den in search of tasty mushrooms to eat, only to pay heed to its nose's warning after the delicacies had been dug up and consumed. Mayu may have been slower, but she could handle a mouse. And it would take the edge of her hunger.

She trotted along, following her nose. Some crushed and overturned leaves spoke of a small animal passing by. Maybe a squirrel instead of a deer mouse. Hell, don't tell me pregnancy is ruining my nose too, Mayu mentally swore. This crap just keeps getting better. Mayu sighed angrily. Was she looking forward to having her puppies and family? Yes. Was she looking forward to another week of pregnancy? No. Mayu had never paid much attention to the pregnant dogs of the Clan, ignoring them. In fact, it had been quite while since she'd even thought of the Clan. It was over and done with, after all. She shook the thought away. Still… had she ever seen them in visible annoyance and irritancy with their pre-born "bundles of joy"?

They're certainly not a joy when they're bundles in here, Mayu thought bitterly. She'd never fully thought of how much being pregnant would limit her hunting skills, or cause her hunger. She definitely hadn't planned to get pregnant, either. But Bat had changed things. The leaves were now more scattered, more broken and uprooted. Definitely a squirrel of some sort. Mayu followed the trail as it wound around several different trees and brush piles, making a haphazard zigzag. This was her third week of pregnancy. Bat had been helping her through it as much as possible, but he could only do so much. Still, she had to give him credit, seeing he knew next to nothing about pregnancy other than the puppies grew inside her and were born eight weeks later, and was still helping her.

Mayu followed the squirrel's trail, sniffing the whole way. The earthen smell of acorns, the way dark woodland dirt smelled under the wet or compressed leaves… it was all a welcoming, home smelling scent that invoked her predatory instincts. On any other day, she would have been springing and prancing about the entire time. (Out of Bat's sight of course, no one needed to see her gambol about like a pup.) But today, she just didn't feel like it. All the same, she got in a few springy steps. The scent of the squirrel was getting stronger. More recent. Mayu tried to make her steps more careful, and tested the wind. The way it was blowing, it shouldn't reveal her smell.

She continued to stalk the trail of the squirrel. Suddenly, Mayu heard faint scratching noises. The animal was somewhere up ahead. All she had to do now was sneak up on it, make a dash when it finally noticed her, and hopefully crush its spinal chord in one bite. If that didn't work, then a vigorous shaking always did. Mayu carefully walked forward. The squirrel would soon be in her line of vision– and biting. There was some more rustling. Mayu now had visual on the squirrel. A thin sapling had been blocking her view before. The small animal was now totally absorbed in digging for acorns, jerking its little head around now and then to observe its surroundings, bushy tail twitching. Mayu crept forward. The squirrel turned away from her, still blissfully unaware.

She stepped on a twig. With small crack, it broke under her foot. Mayu froze as the squirrel suddenly sat up, sharply turning towards the noise. There was a brief period of silence. Mayu was still hidden, belly almost to the ground, behind a tree. The squirrel didn't see her. Slowly and carefully, Mayu pulled herself up as the squirrel went back to its business. Unknown to her, the squirrel was an old one. He'd been through many a year in the forest, foraging, climbing and spreading his species. But now his time was up. Age had silvered his fur and slowed his limbs, taking tolls on his hearing and smell. A young squirrel would have already seen Mayu and ran up the side of a tree. Not so with this fellow. Mayu stalked closer, almost in biting range. And the squirrel buried his last acorn.

"CAAAW! CAAAAW!" A crow above them screamed, obnoxious voice echoing through the trees. Mayu lunged, jaws open and paws ready to pin the squirrel. And the squirrel… promptly ran up the nearest tree, leaving Mayu to hit the ground. "CAAAW! CAAAW!" Several other crows screamed. Mayu got up, working her jaw painfully. She swore at a few of the crows. "Blasted feather balls!" The crows were well known to be the watchmen of the forest, screaming whenever they sensed danger. Or sometimes just screaming because they wanted to scream. Or because they were really just jerks in general. "CAAAW! CAAAAW!" Mayu narrowed her eyes. They were taunting her, and she knew it.

"COME DOWN HERE AND SAY THAT TO MY FACE, YOU FILTHY LITTLE WINGED RATS!"

No response. The entire forest quieted. Mayu sucked in a breath. "I thought so."

She turned to leave, walking back to the den.

"…caw."

"DAM-"

XXX

In a nearby beech tree, an old squirrel stopped climbing. He jumped out onto a branch, observing the blue hole of sky where the trees' branches pulled back. The crows had come through there, most likely driven by the prospect of hunters. Some of the more casual tree stand or ground blind hunters often put out bait for deer, usually corn or salt blocks. There was a large amount of hunters a ten miles from here, and the crows had eaten their bait, only leaving when a few of them were shot out of the air. They'd then decided to come try their chances here. There wasn't that much baiting around Futago Pass, a small mountain range around fifteen miles from here, seeing most of things you'd get from baiting were just bears. And quite frankly, no one liked to find bears. The squirrel happily looked up the sky. It had lived another day, due to some luck and some birds. It was a good thing aerial creatures were drawn by less dense areas like this. After all, without them, he'd have died.

A hawk promptly swooped through another open spot in the trees, snatching the squirrel from its perch.

XXX

Bat stared at Mayu. Though he really couldn't see her, he could definitely hear her consuming the prey. Bones snapping, slurping, meat tearing, and tufts of fur hitting the floor. Bat sneezed as a particularly big patch hit his nose. "Aren't you going to slow down a bit?"

There was a few more crunching noises. "No." Bat heard the crunching continue. He was very glad he'd eaten while he was out hunting, even if Mayu was going to save him a few pieces of fresh kill. You could tell whenever she'd moved on to a new prey– there would be lots of ripping and tearing noises as she shucked the skin off of the animal in order to better get at the meat. So far, Bat had heard four shucking noises, counting the one squirrel she'd caught. This was the third rabbit she was on now.

"Ou godd lucky toway," Mayu remarked, swallowing down some thigh meat. "Was there a lot of these things about?"

"You could say so," Bat answered. He'd found many the rabbits living in shallow scrapes under a brush pile. Six young male rabbits, all with the harassed look and feel of yearlings, had ran away from the main den. Unfortunately for them, they picked the wrong place and time to do it. Since male rabbits never dug the tunnels and burrows unless they were helping out their pregnant does– who did all the tunnel work– they'd been living in the equivalent of temporary bachelor pads. It'd taken some work to kill them and drag them from their scrapes– two of the wiser rabbits had escaped– but the rest of them had been paralyzed with fear. It hadn't taken too much effort to dig out the last two from their shallow residences and break their necks.

Besides that, he'd found a dead fawn, a blessing in itself. After eating some of it, he'd brought back a good amount meat from it. Which Mayu had promptly scarfed down half of. Even if she was now showing signs of filling up, her eating speed was the same.

"Who's doing the eating? You or the dozen puppies in your belly?" Bat asked dryly. Mayu finished the rabbit, leaving the last one and half of the fawn meat to Bat. "Both."

She yawned, stretching her jaws. "I'm full now." Bat tore off some of the deer meat. "Finally. And I thought you didn't like eating the rabbit's head area."

"Tastes and times are changing."

Mayu hiccupped. "Thanks for the *hic* meal."

Bat raised his (non-existent) eyebrows. Mayu saw the expression on his face. "What are you *hic* looking at me like that for? *hic*"

"…I told you to slow down when you were eating."

Mayu snorted. "Oh, please. Just get back to eating your food."

Bat ripped off some fawn meat, eating it. There was complete silence except for the sound of him eating… mostly.

"*hic*!"

Bat continued to eat. He didn't say anything to Mayu– just cocked his ears.

"*hic*!"

Mayu was now trying to clench her teeth. It didn't work.

"*hic hic*!"

Bat stopped eating, pausing to lick his muzzle. He began to open his mouth.

"Don't you *hic* dare say *hic* anything." Mayu said menacingly. Bat simply licked his muzzle a few times and went back to eating.

"*hic*!"

"Try holding your breath," Bat suggested. He sensed Mayu was on the verge of snapping or saying something, whichever came first.

"Fine," Mayu said grudgingly. "For *hic hic* how *hic hic* long?"

"I don't know; maybe a minute or two?"

"I *hic*–"

"Okay, make that thirty seconds."

Mayu screwed up her face in concentration, taking in a mouthful of air. Bat could tell it was a big one, able to hear her huge inhale. When she finally stopped inhaling air, there was complete silence. Bat wished he was able to see the scene playing out before him. He may have been able to hear Mayu when she was taking in air, but he couldn't see the stages of concentration and frustration on her face when she wasn't talking. For around seventeen seconds, there was no noise whatsoever. Bat didn't try to keep eating his food. But right around the seventeen mark, Mayu made a choking sound. Bat's ears perked up more than before. Time's ticking.

They reached the twenty mark. There was a few more choking noises. Bat had never wanted to see Mayu's face so much.

Twenty one.

Choking noises louder than the first time.

Twenty two.

Bat wasn't sure how this was going to end.

Twenty three.

How did Mayu get hiccups in the first place?

Twenty four.

Probably from eating so much so fast.

Twenty five.

"Gargilguh," Mayu made a few odd noises.

Twenty six.

Bat decided that if the hiccup cure didn't work, it would be best to get out the den as fast as possible when Mayu decided to extract her revenge.

Twenty seven.

Only three seconds lift.

Twenty eight.

The results to this, Bat decided, would be quite interesting.

Twenty nine.

Result time.

Thirty.

Mayu let all of the air out noisily. "Phew!"

Bat waited for a second. "Are the hiccups gone?"

Mayu waited a second, licking her nose and scratching her ear. "I think so," she responded. "The darn things are finally gone."

"Nice to hear," Bat said. He started to skin the rabbit. No doubt Mayu wouldn't have been very happy had the cure not worked, or, even worse, backfired! Well, at least he wasn't that unlucky.

"Argh," Mayu said.

Bat stopped skinning the rabbit for a second. "What?"

"I'm not *hic* sure."

Both of the adult dogs looked at each other.

"Bat…" Mayu slowly said.

Bat got up, cautiously getting closer to the den entrance.

"*hic*!" Mayu hiccupped. She shook her head. "I *hic hic* thought *h-h-hic* you sa–*hic*–id that it *hic* would *hic* work!"

"I thought it would!" Bat said remorsefully.

"You *hic hic* had better *hic* run *hic* before *hic* I–*hic hic hic*"

Bat didn't bother to wait and hear what Mayu was going to do to him if she got a hold of him. He just followed the first part of her words, and split out from the den, not bothering to pick up the rabbit.

Well, he thought, at least I'll be able to know where she is.

XXX

Week Nine:

Mayu felt like a bloated ball. Then again, she was. How much more of this could one take? Her belly sagged, rounding it her sides. Another hunger pang struck her. Sometimes it felt like she had a bottomless pit in place of a stomach. Just how many puppies were inside her? It felt like she was feeding an army sometimes. She rose to her feet with a groan. She had to stretch herself. She couldn't stay cooped up inside all day. Although if Bat knew she was getting up, he would make her get back in the den. She knew he just cared about her and their children, but she wasn't helpless, and all this sitting around was making her fat.

Not that it would matter; it was far too late to stop that. She just hoped this weight didn't stick. With a wobble she rose, and waddled her way outside. The weather was good and a nice breeze blew past her. For a moment, Mayu thought it was a caress. Then she felt it, movement in her belly, several patters that is.

Mayu smiled and chuckled. This was one of the finest parts of pregnancy in her opinion. Well that and having a male wait on you paw and foot, which actually was pretty sweet.

"How about giving your poor mother a break?" She patted her orb with her paw. Her response was more kicking. "Let's just get some water in there. You must be thirsty." She herself was as well. The stream wasn't that far, so she didn't think it would be a problem to get her family a drink, as well as herself. Despite her size, Bat always told her she was beautiful. She always pointed out that he couldn't see her. But being the faithful husband he was, he always replied,

"I don't need eyes to see that you're beautiful."

Sappy, but it made her feel good. No one had ever loved her this much, outside her friends, brother and her own…. she wouldn't think of that female. Probably shouldn't have thought of the brother. How could Mao have reacted? He would have to be happy, of course he would, she knew him. Despite the Uncle Mao joke they had made amongst each other. Uncle Mao did have a nice ring to it. Mao would have been an excellent uncle, paws down. If only they had escaped together, he would be with the family now, playing with the puppies, as they covered him and licked his body. The mental image was heartwarming and funny at the same time. Then there was Cross, how would she have reacted to being a grandmother? Mayu had let her mind win as she thought of the ones whom she had lost. To be honest, her memories of her mother had started to slip away, at least almost, the face was always blurred and her voice far off, at least sometimes. She never tried to think about it much. Mao was obvious but Cross always made her questionable. Why would she worry about someone who was dead? Cross had to be dead. There could be no other alternative. Could there?

The only other alternative would be…she choked on the water. A cough broke out from her throat. Another feeling sprang up from belly. The feeling was pain.

"Ow." She exclaimed. The pain made her double over. It continuously came as the kicks and movement increased. It was time. "Please hold on!" She pleaded with her babies. Of course the unborn ones couldn't help it. It was their time to be born. Mayu struggled to reach the den, she was about halfway there. Another shot hit her, these puppies really wanted out.

The pain spiked her emotions ever wildly, she needed help, only one came to mind. "BAT!" the cry echoed.

XXX

Bat delicately carried the bird in his mouth. A repeat occasion as it reminded him of when he first heard the news. Fatherhood, he still could believe it. He hadn't planned on becoming a father; the thought of mating with a female had never crossed his mind. That notion had been a useless idea to him in the past, and he never really thought much of puppies. Now that he had some of his own on the way, it would be a huge change he had to say that. Now he could see that leaving Ohu had been for the best. In fact the best choice in his life as it had brought him happiness. Something that he wouldn't have had under Hougan's rule, and something he had been given half heartedly within Ohu. All he had to do was return this bird to Mayu and…..

"BAT!"

The sound made him drop the bird. That sound, he had a good guess as to why his wife would shout out so loud.

"Mayu!" He called back, breaking off into a run. This time he didn't bother bringing the bird.

XXX

Mayu struggled as she tried to fight the pain. It wouldn't matter, these puppies wanted out, and they wanted out now.

"Bat." She called weakly. She didn't want to give birth alone, or out in the open.

"Mayu!" She had been heard. She looked to see the black image of her mate running towards her. "Mayu! Are you alright!" He asked concernedly.

He really did care about her, about them. Mayu had realized that several times but this further served more confirmation. "The puppies!" She breathed.

Bat flinched, he had to act fast. Helping Mayu to her feet, they managed to make their way to their den. Within the nine weeks, she and bat had lined the den with anything soft in preparation for the birth. However it was really for the puppies, it didn't help the pain she currently felt.

"Push Mayu." Bat soothed her.

Mayu struggled as the pain shot through her. This was the hardest thing she had ever done in her entire life. "I-I can't do this!" She quickly said.

"Yes you can! I'm here with you!" Bat attempted to calm his mate.

Mayu knew she had to do this. She had survived her childhood, lived through every beating and fight they had put her through. Life had used her as its whipping girl, but she had fought back every time. Mayu breathed and pushed. The pain was immense. Childbirth was easier said than done, but so many females had done it before and she sure as hell would be one of them. The pain, breathing, Bat's support, this went on for who knows how long. Honestly, Mayu lost count. Then out of all those sensations, she felt movement. It was as if something had popped out. A tiny squeak of a bark followed it.

"One." She spoke to herself.

Another plop of release soon followed after the same process. "Two." The pain had started to subside as she felt one final plop, "Three." She added tiredly. That was it, it was done. A chorus of tiny yips and barks reached her ears, and she looked down, her tongue panting out, to see the most gorgeous sight she had ever seen. Three tiny bundles of black fur were busy nestling themselves into their mother's belly feeding off the milk.

"Bat." Mayu looked up at her mate who merely held his head high with pride. Their eyes met as Mayu felt something, tears. "I did it." Bat looked down at the sight, of course he could only hear his children, but he could still sense their prescience. He licked Mayu across the face and she returned it.

"So what do we have?" Bat asked.

Mayu looked down at her new family. She still couldn't believe it. Each little one was gorgeous to her. But they had to know their genders. She looked to her right and saw one of the pup's furiously suckling, this little one seemed more intent on feeding than the others. "So you're the reason I was so hungry." The pup didn't answer being too young to speak. It simply pulled away from its mother's teat and gave a tiny burp, then went right back to eating. Closer inspection, Mayu could see it was a male. The male looked just like her, except he had his father's black fur. Well save for a white underbelly. This one was the eldest. Beside him came a bark of protest from the middle child. A young Labrador with the same colorization of its brother, yet with an additional white dot on its lower back. The Labrador hybrid's bark was directed towards its older brother. It seemed her son, the Saluki mix, was actually trying to grab both teats at once. This didn't sit well with his… sister. Mayu had a daughter. Lastly her eyes fell upon the pup at her left, the one who kept out of his brother and sister's argument. The pup was a male, her little boy, but unlike his siblings, he neither had the appearance of a Saluki or a Labrador, but a masterful mixture between the two. Additionally his fur was jet black, not a single speck of white on him.

"Well?" Bat asked with impatient excitement.

Mayu chuckled; she would be the same in his position. "You have two sons and a daughter, darling."

Bat raised his non existent eyebrows in surprise, and then lowered them as he felt the pride swell within him, almost till he felt ready to burst. He reached his head down, getting a feel and sense for his children. It seemed as if he could identify each one. "We should give them names."

That was true; they couldn't just call them nothing now. Mayu's eyes first fell upon her eldest, who had given up trying to steal his sister's meal. "Hmm well how about?" Mayu thought hard. This actually proved less difficult than the birth, but she wanted her children to have names. She had never been given a name at birth, but she would make sure her own children would. "Wing." She announced.

"Wing?" Bat repeated, then grinned, "I like it." It actually went well with his father's name. Next came the girl. "Mayu wanted something close to her own name, so she thought up any names starting with the letter m. She went over several in her mind until she stopped at one that fit well. "Mina." Bat seemed to approve as he gave another sniff towards his daughter. Last but not least was the little one. No brainer there, with his colorization, there could be only one fitting name. "Kuro." Mayu added lovingly.

Wing, Mina, and Kuro. Their children had been named. At last they were a family. Bat kept a close eye on the den entrance as Mayu drifted off into a rest. He would make sure no harm came to his new family. Soon the rest of the pups drifted off to sleep. Mina first, Wing followed after he had gotten a large dose of milk making him look quite plump as he settled down. Kuro, on the other hand, was the last to fall asleep. The little pup turned to the den entrance and gave a few barks. Bat stood on alert as he wondered what his son could sense. Then Kuro quieted and joined his siblings and mother.

Outside something watched, a white saluki looked over the family den. He had been there when Mayu had given birth, his niece and nephews. Mao smiled even as a trail of blood ran down from his eyelids and from the open wound in his chest. Then he vanished altogether. This was a time for the living, not the dead.