For once the sun had managed to show its face between the sparse cloud cover that loomed overhead, the rare rays of sunlight filtering down like spotlights through the still bare boughs of the willows that had yet to begin regenerating the tiny buds that would soon dapple their branches and eventually transform into new leafs. Here and there the ground remained covered in patches of snow that refused to melt, the cool nights aiding the powdery substance in maintaining its icy grip just a little longer. Today, though, the weather seemed to finally fall onto the warmer side. Some areas splotched with the muddied puddles where former snow patches had resided.
It was this new found warmth in the air that finally coaxed the expecting mother to crawl out from within the depths of the birthing den she had chosen, a large yawn parting her jaws while her upper body stretched toward the muddied earth as much as her swollen abdomen would allow. A swift shake of her piebald pelt soon followed before she sluggishly waddled her way toward a patch of sunlight nearby, small blades of grass that had managed to break through the sodden soil offering the woman a little cushioning while the rays themselves warmed the ebony fur that covered a vast majority of her body. Content and gradually warming up, dark lids easily found themselves drifting close and Enoki's head lowered to rest on outstretched paws. Another yawn escaping her marred snout.
The contentedness could not be enjoyed for long, though, as an all too familiar prod against her swollen and bruised sides disturbed the mother from any chance at relaxation she hoped to acquire. "You little ones just won't let mama rest, will you?" She lightly speaks in a jesting tone, head lifting and angling back to apply a few small licks to her sides where the kick had been felt. Any day now they would be making their appearance, her body already making the necessary preparations for the event by widening her hips and guiding the cubs into the position they would need to be in to safely enter the great big world. The whole ordeal had certainly put the woman on edge, anxiousness, and nerves reaching an all time high while a million and one what if questions flooded her thoughts.
The corner of Enoki's lips tugged back when she felt the cub in question wiggle in response to the gentle touch, attention soon robbed from the lives in her womb to the sudden sound of approaching footsteps.
Slowly, then all at once.