Sanshoku allowed the water to wash over her paws, eyes slitted in contentment with the small of salt in the air and the sun on her face. Her belly bulged with her unborn pups. Her pups. Rambaldi's pups. It still felt unbelievable, but her ballooning belly was unmistakable.

Her vined tail swished as she rose to return home, and she felt pain roll through her stomach. An ear twitched, and she glanced at her belly in time to see another slow contraction roll its way down her sides. Sanshoku gave a slight smile to herself as she waddled back up the beach to the den her and Rambaldi shared. She threw her head back and gave a shattering howl for her mate before she slid inside.

*Fade out, fade in*

Sanshoku laid exhausted in her den, six perfect pups curled at her belly. She rested a paw protectively over them as they nursed, laying her head on the ground with her eyes partially closed, too tired to do much else. She hoped Rambaldi came soon; she wanted him to see his pups. All were pretty much spotted, and she could see both herself and Rambaldi in them. Her tail came around to cover her pups protectively with her vines, her faint glow illuminating the den in a gentle, motherly light.