Unfolding [aw] }{ Noe finally has her dang babies

[I L Y I C H]

I had left quickly, knowing full well that Ilyich knew. those eyes saw everything and with her brother along side the leopardess had used her body to hide my retreat from any other gaze. They understood at least, the two of them. he pain had been almost intolerable by the time I had managed to find this place, a shallow but weather proof little alcove made up of bark and grass. camp wasn't safe, I could feel that much. Instinct pondered over the idea, but my heart told me the truth. No matter how sheltered the place was it wasn't safe. Alphonse wasn't... safe. So it had come to this, my running away because I was terrified of my brother. terrified that he had yet to truly acknowledge what was occurring. terrified that one of my children would be too close. Look to identical.

I loved them. It didn't matter what had brought them about I could not help but feel devoted to them. To feel completely obsessed with their presence. I was a mother. I had children. What would mother think? The thought brought a small smile to my pale maw, even as hurt pulsed in my chest. Dear Anna. Mama who left too soon. What would she do about all of this? Would she side with Alphonse, as unlikely as that seemed, or would she be out here helping me; Watching the bundles of fur clutched tight to my belly? Tawny head lowering I gave the single ginger child a small lick, eyes traveling to the other three, all much more tiger like cubs. not that it surprised me all that much. These children had a less lions blood then I myself, and I had always looked more tiger like then Alphonse. Genetics could be an interesting thing. But only if I could keep my mind steady.

Or floating. The endorphins released held me on a cloud of good feelings, tarnished only by the black lining of fear. Two of these children look far too much like the man who's seed they were born from. One so pale that even his stripes barley showed. The other was almost a perfect replicable of The Warlord, aside from the browns of his markings. It was worrying. terrifying. Horrible that I had to fear for the sake of my children due to my own brother's hatred. And they were my children. It didn't matter who the father was. It didn't matter how this had occurred. These were my babies. My precious darlings. My claws sunk into the warm soft earth that made up the small dry nursery. If anyone dared to touch them I would tear them limb from limb.

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[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I could smell it, the blood. It was strong, tangible in the air. With it sat Noelle’s aroma. My stomach clenched as I forced my way through trampled reeds. It was clear something was terribly wrong. Noelle had made no effort to mask the physical alterations of her trail. I had not seen her leave, but I had noticed quickly that she was gone. I was coming close, the rain not strong enough to wash away a brother’s need to protect his sister. The scent was faint, but so very fresh.

I tracked her to a well sheltered area. The smell of blood and stress was heavy in the air here, having been, for the most part, protected from being washed away by rain. Before my eyes lay Noelle, and she wasn’t alone. I stared dumbly, having poked my head into the shelter in silence. I could not wrap my head around what I was seeing. I smiled at the sight of my sister unharmed, but it was an awkward relief. That facial expression slowly faded as my eyes traveled to a moving form.

A white tiger.

“Fuck.” I could feel hatred snarling into that one word. A tidal wave of heat flooding into my face as I lashed out, digging a jagged claw into the white cub’s scruff. It wailed as I dragged it towards me, forgetting about the woman I loved that lay not five feet away. The pitiful sounds bubbling from the now bleeding child did nothing to cool the hatred I was now drowning in. Noelle came home reeking of Symphony Bava’. Noelle has been gaining weight. Why had I not figured it out? Oh, but I had. Denying it does not mean I didn’t notice it.

With an overwhelming sense of revenge, I strung the child on each of my claws, scooping him up as blood dripped from the tiny wounds my claws now dug themselves into. I held him to stare his blind expression of terror into my face. “This is for you, Symphony Bava’.” I flicked my leg mercilessly, sending the fragile child’s head lashing backwards too fast. There was a clicking sound and its wailing silenced. With a thud, the lifeless form dropped to the earth as I pulled into my claws.

My face turned to Noelle in horror. Shit.

[I L Y I C H]

The horror that shot up my spine was nothing in comparison to the absolute fury that tore form my chest. Small shrill cries of surprise went ignored as I lurched to my feet belly low to protect what cubs remained sprawled now in newborn confusion. I was too slow, even in Alphonse's manic spouting my claws slashed out too slow and his body had already pulled back in it's own horror. Abruptly crashing from my hormone rush I froze stiff as a board, fury tearing form me in the form of the most horrific noises I had ever made. Happy go lucky Noe, lost to snarls that seemed to be erupting from hell itself. Absolute sorrow would not be lost behind the noise however and even as I stood tall strong and horribly violent I shook with my tears, the sobs contained only by the resounding snarl.

Trembling and too confused to stop whatever the fuck I was doing I swiped at him again, claws fully extended and tail lashing chaotically. Al swiftly fell from view, ignored even as my body continued to hackle and sway viciously towards him. Brother didn't matter right now. Nothing matter. Honey brown eyes lay locked on the bloody white rag of a son stretched across the ground. A perfect white marred by the scarlet of an unfulfilled life. As swiftly and violently as the fury came forward it died in the face of absolute depression. Disgust pooled. Hatred adding to my trembling as bristling and with holding the tears that almost blinding me I gave a small whimper. Settling carefully with my body now between the unnameable misty figure and my three children I pawed the little dead thing as gently as possible head craning in a desperate effort to search for any sign of life.

Nothing. Of course there was nothing. Lost. Gone before he was even born. Ever single thought and emotion he would ever know gone in less then an instant. Lost to hatred. Lost to blind hatred. Stiff and cold as ice I left my hackles prickling and turned my bulky head sharply away nudging the child as softly as I could until he rested silent between my paws and I could turn my attention to him and him alone. The litter closed against me once more, their confusion lost to euphoria upon finding my stomach once more. Milk and warmth. It melted and froze my heart in one simple motion. So much innocence. Complete purity. Gone. Teeth gritting so tight as to draw blood from the gum's underneath I released my fury just enough to turn a gentle tongue to my son, grooming the rust from his otherwise perfect body.

Tail curling carefully over the backs of the others I refused to turn around. Refused to respond to anything. I heard the other paw steps, though. Smelt the leopard, my brother's precious friend, approach her shock actually scent-able from the air. "Noe? Al, what the fuck happened-" Her voice died abruptly. Oh yes. She'd smelt the blood, but hadn't seen it's source. Hadn't seen the dead look on my face, even as I curled tenderly around the others. A melody sad as the death of the world spilled from my body language, even as utter hatred beat it's drums just underneath. Jaws clamped shut, I could hear Zero's teeth collide. I could feel her mind fixate on the truth. I didn't have to turn around to see the ice that crept into her expression.

My head did however finally move away from the now clean martyr at the sound of further paw steps. Lighter paw steps. Blank hazel eyes picked up the bulky tawny shape, and the lioness moved forward until she was close enough to touch such complete sympathy in her gaze that I almost felt myself melt. It wasn't quiet a child, being almost a year old by looks but she held herself with such a child like quality that I could not help but associate the word to her. "Oh Misses." Such sorrow. her ears pressed backward, jaws falling open as she dropped closer to the ground and moved to touch my cheek. A motion that I did not deny even as I watched the grass split once more. Montego. The Ende cat looked on in shock, obviously not having come upon what she expected. her own massive ears lashed backward, pinning to her raised hackles as sharp brown eyes locked on the scene lost to such complete hatred for less then a second before they calmed into determination. None of them said anything else, waiting it would seem for some sort of reaction. Zero did however move a step closer to me.

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[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

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I had dropped back to be behind Montego a few feet, though keeping myself a head of Sherlock. The jaguar was new to Ende so I was cautious of him, but I would not let that caution cause me to insult him by walking behind or hip-to-hip to keep an eye on him. Instead I walked just barely ahead of him, occasionally glancing backwards. I also wanted to be sure if he was to try any funny business, I was between him and the other two. Especially naive little Verona, who was here because Symphony thought the child-like lioness would be great comfort to a startled Noelle.

What I walked in on brought my eyes and mouth wide in surprise. The Zonta leopardess—Zero—had an expression of surprised hate on her face, though it was not directed towards Montego or Verona. I searched the blood-scented area for a source, and found my two young half-siblings. My little sister was vacant, even as she caressed her gently moving newborns. Then there was my little half-brother, the man much too big headed for his small stature. One day he’d tower over me, but for now he shared in his lion genes for size. The man looked mortified, looking from one risen paw to Noelle. It occurred to me after just a moment that he was not looking to Noelle, but to a motionless child near her head. On the white pelt of the liger sat bleeding prick marks, and from its mouth blood dribbled out. Its head sat awkwardly on its shoulders. I decided it was dead from a broken neck.

All at once the wires clicked in my brain, bringing the surprise to bubble into disappointed fury. For one, Symphony would not be pleased one of his children had been murdered. As strange as the man was, he was a family man. Even with this children being created in a rather unorthodox way, he would still defend them with every last breath in his body. However, that was not even the tip of my fury’s reason. My head snapped upwards to stare Alphonse in the face as I lunged from my hidden cover to land violently in the face of my half-brother.

“You disgusting bastard!” As I roared the words to echo past the gentle pound of falling rain, the man before me only brought his paw down and cowered. There was no aggression to meet my hate for him, but that did not cool the fire in the least. I did not care if this man felt complete guilt for his actions, I would shred him piece by piece if not for the knowledge of Symphony wanting to dish out his own revenge for the death of his child. I deserved some revenge too, however, for this was my little sister this man had hurt. All the two had was each other and now he had severed those ties. He took forgranted the beautiful woman he had had devoted to him despite all the bullshit he dished out with every word.

I leaned in close to the boy—face it, this was no man—that lay belly smashed to the earth. “We are taking Noelle, Alphonse, and you are never allowed near my little sister again. You hear me? You come near her and I will fucking murder you.” I made no effort to hush down the threat. Let the world know that I was placing a target on Alphonse’s forehead. I was beyond caring if anyone realized how deeply ingrained my family-man mindset was in my head. Perhaps I masked over my heart in the past, but with Anna dead, I had no need. This vermin fucked with my sister, I would fuck him up. Brothers protect their sisters, even if it is from family.

I merely lifted my lips in a silent snarl after my warning before backing away and turning to Noelle. Alphonse, still cowering in shock from his actions and mine, was not worth my time. The hate melted away and was replaced my sympathetic compassion as I approached Noelle, reaching forward slowly in hopes of touching my nose to her cheek. “Baby sister, let me take you home.” My tone was like none I had ever used; small and overcome with love for this exhausted woman before me. I would demand nothing of her, but I hoped with all my heart she would let me and my friends guide her to Ende. That vacant looked was all too familiar; it was the expression I had held for far too long before Anna’s death. I had to be with her and make sure she did not become what I was.

I would not let another monster be born of Anna’s womb. Two was enough for one bloodline.

OOC//: Also, John moved in and is just staring in awkward horror on the sidelines because he does not have an emotional attachments to this cats yet, but the whole thing is terrfiying owo

[I L Y I C H]

I jolted sharply, wincing out of my stupor at the noise. Wide eyes turned to the tiger, watching in shock as he berated and snarled. Nothing more came forward however. Not a lick of concern. Not a lick of anything. Just surprise. Big brother Ahote had come and though I knew all to well that he hated Alphonse I did not feel a thing towards this show of fury. Alphonse was no brother of mine. He was a murderer. An enraged sycophantic child killer. Zero lurched forward slightly, stiff but not snarling. Her disgust was obvious, but loyalty drew an undercurrent. her friendship with Alphonse was bone deep, just as her closeness to me was. Precious Zero didn't have it in her to turn her back on the people who cared, but nor would she save the cowering monster from his verbal abuse. She knew he deserved it, I could see it in the vacant burning in those sapphire eyes. The only way she would react would be if Ahote was obviously trying to kill her Alpha.

Ears pressed tight to the back of my head I looked about bewildered, unsure of anything that was going on and far too past traumatized to care that the two Ende women had closed the gap and where moving to touch me. Half expecting to be hit I shied, pressing over the children only to go slack as gentle caresses met my flesh. The lioness settled close beside, her body shielding the exposed side of my cubs and despite not knowing her name I couldn't help the absolute relief that flooded into me in response. Montego gave my cheek a small lick before turning slightly, staring into the grass for some reason. Oh but there was a reason, and I turned to watch in stark confusion as a fourth and final Ende cat slipped into view. The black jaguar stepped forward regally, though his head hung a bit lower then would be considered as such his frame moved in that manor almost unconsciously. Ice blue eyes met mine and for a second the blank expression twisted into one of complete horror before whipping away once more.

Had I imagined it? it seemed quiet possible.

Another jerk turned my head towards my eldest brother, allowing his touch as I listened in silence. "Ahote?" The first words to spill form me in these harsh violent minutes and they came forward like fearful children. "B-brother you- we're going?" My pain kept me numb, eyes darting about in mild panic turning to my bundles in worry. I didn't register the Ende cat's reason for being here until the ebony man moved forward within touch distance and offered me a small smile. It seemed almost cold, but there was warmth in that set of eyes that seemed to be turning green even as I watched. He glanced sideways at Ahote, obviously waiting patiently for some sort of directive. The poor lad seemed just as lost to the situation as I was, his almost pathetic smile dying by fire to form into a tense frown.

The lioness along side me shifted slightly leaning forward enough to brush her whiskers across the backs of the three living souls; eyes fixated on the lost one. "We're gonna help okay miss Noelle?" Finally finding some semblance of sanity I nodded in a rag doll fashion allowing the woman to gently grip the child closest to her; the pallid cub caught up and silent as he fell promptly asleep. It was in slight panic that I watched her stand, but she did not move away from me and for that I was grateful. Eyes lurching back to Ahote I blinked owlishly at him hoping much like the jaguar for further direction. The shape that moved forward made me flinch. it smelt of Alphonse but upon turning my glare on it it proved only to be Zero her pelt ruffled and her eyes almost manic. Half of me expected her to demand my staying. A thing I had no intention of doing. Ahote was offering me an escape. A different path. A path away from Alphonse.

Zero bobbed her head slightly, tail curling away and lashing as if demanding those behind her stand off. her glare cut sideways ripping into Alphonse in a way I had not expected before focusing on Ahote's ginger face. Whens he spoke she spoke low, her deep voice pitched so as not to carry. It seemed as if she was speaking only to my brother, but I could hear her and my eyes welled up with tears once more. "You take care of her you hear me? You do a better job then I did or I swear to Dio I will fucking find you." My darling friend, lost to her violent nature and her need to protect those around her. She thought I didn't know, but Ilyich had told me. I could see the tumor from where I lay and couldn't help but wonder if she would be dead before I saw her again. Never the less I watched in heart broken silence as the leopard backed off, purposely slamming into Alphonse on her way backward; obviously trying to scare him backwards or even away if she possibly could.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I remained eye level with my sister as I took in the words and actions of those around me. My ears twirled in an effort to remain alert. It was my responsibility to keep my pride safe, and this sister and her offspring were now a part of that pride. I tensed as each member came close, even when it was only an Ende member. “To Ende, Noelle. You will be safe there; we have made sure of that.” I did not tell her how we make the world safe for our family. The woman was a kind one, and would not agree with our techniques. We destroyed the threats before they became dangerous. No one would hurt my little sister again because, if they dared to try, it would be at the sacrifice of their life. That went for any of the members in Ende. We were a family, damnit, and family means no one gets left behind, or forgotten.

Reassured by Montego’s and Verona’s comforting of my sister, I dared to stand up and spin on my heals as Alphonse’s sent came closer. Before taking further action, I realized it was only the leopardess, Zero. I perked my ears at her low voice, then closed my eyes and dipped my head. “You have my word, leopardess. Not a soul will threaten Noelle again.” I shot a narrowed expression at Alphonse, who had stood and began to give an uncertain glare in our direction as the shock wore off. “You take care of my brother, as I know you will. Some day he will rise above the need for revenge, he just may need some help.” My strong expression turned sorrowful as I said this. I had never risen above my unjustified revenge, I had only taken it and then was healed. I was a filthy hypocrite and I could feel my throat constrict with the thought. As the leopardess made contact with Alphonse, the liger broke his glare and bounded into his territory’s forested terrain, away from camp and away from here. I turned away from the leopardess with this and faced back towards my gathering of cats, parting my jaws to dish out direction.

All at once I turned around quickly, eyes locking on the margay that hovered uneasily on the sidelines. That awkward fear in his eyes had shifted to wide eyed shock. I cared not for what he was shocked about, it had just taken until now to recognize the beast. It had been in the darkness of night, but I never forgot a face. “You!” I marched forward, dominant composure lost as the fury towards Alphonse ganged up with the hate for this cat. “You killed Shenandoah!” I was in the margay’s face now, snout pressed against his as I made his knees buckled under the pressure of me pushing him downwards.

I did not know what I had considered doing. I would not kill this cat in front of all these witnesses. I could do so in war, but here it would only cause trouble. Besides, the margay was now using my unprepared mind against me. He buckled down and rolled away. I spun, but the cat was already storming towards another figure.

“Sherlock, you selfish son of a bitch. I should have known.” There was obvious pain painted over his angry tone as the cat took a paw and hit the jaguar over the top of his skull with his claws sheathed before running away, back towards Zonta camp. Blinking, I stared after him in confusion. I shook away the uncertainty, washed away the anger and the hate, and approached the group. Looking to Sherlock, I shrugged.

“Your business.” This was my way of giving the man permission to follow us or go after the deranged murderer. I could not handle anyone elses emotional burdens, I had enough of my own. Like right here and right now. I had to be a rock for my sister. I had to be a shelter for my nieces and nephew. I had to make things right for them. “Noelle, baby, let Montego, Verona, and I carry the cubs.” I looked to Sherlock momentarily. If the man decided to stay with us, I would have him and I provide support for Noelle, or at least have us walk on either side so if she needed it, we were there. If Sherlock ran off, then I would have Verona take the man’s place.

[I L Y I C H]

Zero frowned deeply for a long moment before turning after Alphonse with a slight wave of her tail. "Goodbye Noe." She went off trying to hide behind a mask of cold feelings, but I could see the sadness in her voice. Knew her too well. Remorseful but unwilling to deal with the current situation at all I turned my gaze back to Ahote, eyes wet and blank. I nodded slowly, jolting once more however when John raced forward ignoring the way the black jaguar, Sherlock?, dropped his skull as if too meet him. Slapped across the skull the ebony man stood in silent confusion for a moment staring after the smaller soldier before turning to look at Ahote. Glancing about in confusion I only turned back to Ahote when he spoke once more.

"Oh, um. Yes." Standing slowly I winced and let out a low almost inaudible moan. The tax of birth had yet to leave my muscles and the previous trauma had made them weak as water and oh how they trembled. Support came abruptly and I jerked my heavy skull aside to stare at Sherlock placed at my side almost as awkwardly as I leaned against him. The man stared at the ground, eyes storm cloud grey watching the ants move about the dirt. Verona took a small step forward and I focused my bleary eyes on her almost painfully. "You're name is Verona?" The lioness gave a quick smile around the sleeping child in her grasp and I returned it weakly. "Thank you." I was rewarded with a hearty shrug before she turned her head carefully to peer down at Montego who had moved with her eyes on me for permission to pick up the most lion like of the cubs, leaving the little ginger tabby for Ahote.

Leaving the little broken boy for me. I wouldn't leave him behind. Crouching just enough to grip him carefully I stood back up stiffly and mostly with the help of a powerful black limb pressing to my chest as leverage. Returning brutally pained eyes back to Ahote I stood in silence. Fur ratty and muscles exhausted I simply waited. One brother had saved me from another even as that process had repeated in the past. I saw now the reason behind Ahote's fury. His retribution. Was this how it felt to hate someone so deeply you wanted them dead? I'd never felt this before. It physically burned. Made me want to vomit. Leaning unabashed now against the iron hard support of the jaguar at my side I took a small step towards Ahote swiftly mimicked by Sherlock.