Mama Fox

<Zuri>

Time flies by when you’re having fun.

The same could also be said when you are suffering.

“AGGGH!!” (Z)

Zuri didn’t know how long he spent in active labour. Time lost meaning as pain overwhelmed his brain. The gruelling loop of push, recover, repeat felt like it would never end. He exhausted everything one could exhaust and more yet couldn’t stop. For doing wouldn’t relieve him of this heavy burden. So, with that knowledge, Zuri repeatedly pushed his body as well as mind far beyond their limits. Seeking an end to this trial…. Often his will would waver. At which point, words of encouragement would be shoved down his throat by those around him. One of those said people had even taken it a step further and continually proclaimed their undying love for him.

A clear violation of the established rules.

If it weren’t for the fact he was actively in labour, Zuri would’ve yelled at that idiot.

Yet, even as he thought that, he could practically hear her response: ‘I-Isn’t it normal to love your friend?’

No, it was not.

Getting back on track, the birthing could be considered a success despite the pain Zuri endured. On this day, three babies were born in rapid succession. The first one paving the way for the rest to follow swiftly. Oddly enough though, despite being there and as the one giving birth no less, Zuri couldn’t tell you a single characteristic of those born. A consequence of the fact he passed out almost immediately he was in the clear. The fatigue of the whole ordeal settling on him like a bird in its nest. But, given that the fool who impregnated him was soundly asleep kneeling by his bedside, Zuri could at least be certain things were generally okay.

Clenching and unclenching his fist, Zuri studied his freshly postpartum body.

It was strange to say, but he felt really… good. Like he just woke up from the best nap of his life. A dull ache was still present all over his body, yet it wasn’t able to overpower that refreshed feeling. Gazing down, Zuri observed the rest of his body. The belly he acquired from pregnancy had shrunk significantly. At a rate that could only be dubbed abnormal. Right now, he didn’t look like a person who had just given birth but a person who had merely had a heavy meal. As for his chest, it had also shrunk, but the change wasn’t as notable as that of his belly. Marvelling at his speedy recovery, Zuri slightly smiled. If things continued at this pace, he may be able to return to his normal self a lot sooner than he had anticipated.

Truly, being a Kitsune of Royal blood was quite the advantage.

Filing those useless thoughts away, Zuri scanned the room.

…He couldn’t ignore the presences that were tucked away right in front of him any longer.

Beside the resting Cleodora, there were three intricately decorated wooden cribs. Each craved with unique Kitsune-related imagery that evoked varied emotions. The first felt chaotic and messy. It overflowed with over-the-top details that screamed, ‘Look at me!' ’. The second was no better in that regard. Although more regal and refined, it still carried a subtle arrogance in its design. Unexpectedly displeased, Zuri pursed his lips. Who on earth would commission such tacky designs and actually think it looked good? While the materials appeared at least somewhat suitable, everything else was overblown in the worst ways possible. Shifting his gaze to the last crib, Zuri felt his anger subside. At least this last one was more sensible. Nice and soft, almost too reserved in its carving. The way it should be.

Staring at the cribs, Zuri looked at the engravings located at their heads.

A Flame, a Book, and a Rose.

How fitting.

‘Just look, damn it! This isn’t a big deal!!’

Feeling his heart begin to start racing, Zuri chastised himself.

He had wasted enough time gazing at the craftmanship.

‘…So small’

Leaning off the bed, Zuri peered down at the babies lying in the crib, his children.

It was official.

He had become a parent.

Shoving down the anxiety that suddenly threatened to overwhelm him, Zuri focused on the babies.

It appeared his worries about them turning out weird due to being half Kitsune, half human were entirely unfounded. More than that, given their appearance, it was simply unnecessary. In simple words… these babies were cute beyond belief. To the point, Zuri briefly wondered if his eyes were deceiving him. After taking a moment to look away and clear his head, he focused his gaze back on the babies, and yeah, they were still as cute. Perhaps even more as Zuri unconsciously found himself leaning closer to them.

‘Isn’t there supposed to be an ugly period or something?’

Honestly, though, it shouldn’t be too surprising the babies came out looking this cute.

Zuri, a literal world-renowned beauty, was their parent, and although he would never utter such words, Cleodora was definitely in a league of her own. Below him, sure, but still her own as a person blessed by the Sun God.

‘What are you so happy about?’

Resting a hand on the crib farthest left with a flame at its head, Zuri resisted the urge to touch. With fiery red hair and a wide smile, the sleeping child was a spitting image of that fool. If not for her foxlike ears and fluffy tail extending from her back, you wouldn’t be at fault for believing Cleodora somehow performed mitosis. Turning his attention to the next child over, Zuri cursed Cleodora in his heart. Why did her genes seem so much stronger than his!? The child calmly sleeping under the book again had fiery red hair and fur with only white highlights at their ends. Feeling weirdly down, Zuri looked toward the last crib.

‘At least you didn’t betray me…’

Staring at the child's pure white hair under the rose, he smiled lightly.

Although the child appeared to be on the brink of crying, Zuri couldn’t be happier.

He had at least beaten Cleodora here.

That feeling lasted until the child’s eye peeked open a little, and he caught a glimpse of bright sky-blue eyes.

The same kind of eyes that idiot had.

‘…Seriously?’

Resting his body back down on the bed, Zuri sighed lightly.

…Well, at least they came out healthy. And considering they all got tails and furry ears, he could confidently say he swept that category with a landslide victory. Regardless of colour, they all got his features. Everybody and their third mother knew that features are way more important at the end of the day. Hell, there was even a saying about that that went like: ‘If your children get your features, you are automatically the better parent’ or something. Whoever made that quote was indeed wise beyond their years, truly.

“They’re quite adorable, right?” (C)

A soft, joy-filled whisper caused Zuri to turn and face Cleodora.

How long had she been awake?

“…Yeah.” (Z)

Still kneeling with her arms folded, she smiled at him.

“We’re parents now." (C)

“…Yeah.” (Z)

A short silence descended after those words.

Only the sound of soft breathing and the occasional motion from the cribs could be heard.

Neither of them moved, taking in the moment.

For all the stress the morning brought, this was a welcome lull, however temporary. Like the healer said, the next step is always the hardest.

“Ah, I meant to tell you—” (C)

Cleodora perked.

“—Luwn extended her congratulations.” (C)

Zuri nodded at those words.

That healer had really been surprisingly useful despite his misgivings about her ability.

“Also, while you’re still awake, I wanted to ask… Did you have any names in mind?” (C)

‘Names?’

Right… they were the parents. The giver of names.

Thinking deeply, Zuri was quick to realise something.

He had never thought of this before.

“Do you?” (Z)

Given the fact she had brought this up, she most definitely did.

“W-Well, I did have a few suggestions if you wanted to look at them?” (C)

Watching Cleodora pull out a piece of paper with about a dozen names, Zuri rolled his eyes.

Of course.

After sifting through Cleodora’s rather terrible selection, Zuri was at a loss on what to pick. Quite frankly, he hated every option presented to him. Yet, seeing the eager eyes of the fool, voicing such an opinion now would be in poor taste. Gesturing for a writing material, Zuri took the instrument offered by Cleodora. Altering the best of the worst names, he came up with three that sounded pleasant in his ears. Ones he wouldn’t mind calling for extended periods of time.

Ruka, Akili, and Mei.

Born in that order, Ruka was the oldest female spotting fiery red hair. She was the child that smiled even in her sleep, as if happy to be born. Akili followed with his fiery red hair highlighted with bits of white at its ends. The second born and only male in this lineup, he appeared remarkably calm in his crib, unbothered by his own birth. Finally, there was Mei. The white-haired youngest who seemed to be on the brink of tears despite being in deep sleep. After learning their sex, Zuri would’ve been lying if he stated it hadn’t surprised him. Shockingly, despite two of the three seemingly receiving the Sun God’s blessings, neither of them possessed dual reproductive organs like their parentage.

…Likely, for the best in this case.

“Hehe, I like them.” (C)

Seeing the names Zuri had jotted down, Cleodora, now on the bed, leaned in closer.

Zuri nearly protested the action, but feeling the weight of his labours slowly catching up to him, he remained silent.

Closing his eyes and allowing sleep to take him.

He’ll deal with the consequences later.