Her back hurts. Her sides hurt. Kiriko had long been wide with these pups, and by now she felt much too large. While she didn't think she needed to worry, as she was still plenty young and plenty healthy, it was still uncomfortable. As she counted the days and got things ready, she could only hope that things would go smoothly. No, there was hardly time to worry, as they got ever closer to the day the pups would join them. While it was her first litter, she was a healer. Kiriko knew. She knew the signs, and she could feel her body temperature beginning to drop. Satisfied that everything was as prepared as they'd get it, the girl beckoned one of Hattori's companions with a low whimper. She couldn't admit that she was nervous, but Kiriko could admit that she wanted her husband. Asking the companion to retrieve Hattori, and one of the healers-- Sedna or Fuji, whichever was near. They'd both handled births before, and the risen queen would be grateful for that expertise. As the pain began to grip her system, Kiriko knew it wouldn't be long. "Speech"

Fuji had been preparing since she first learned of their lady's condition, so when Tori's golden cat approached, she sent Kenta to gather her bag. She hoped her gifts had been received, though she wasn't brave enough to pass them over herself. Tea blends of raspberry leaf, nettle, red clover and lemon balm, and another of alfalfa, nettle, rosehips and dandelion leaf to help the new mother's body prepare for the challenge ahead (that and just generally an enjoyable blend to sip before bed if she did say so herself). From what she had seen of her from a distance, the woman was fit to burst. Either those were some giant kids like Fuji's other siblings, or there were a lot of them. She hoped for Kiriko's case it wasn't both...

She gathered herself as she approached the lady's home, shaking off any nerves and gathering her fetched supplies before dipping her horned head respectfully to enter the space, with a polite smile on her fanged face. “Won't it be nice to breathe again once these pups are out?” She asked in an upbeat tone as she set about making a tea of yellow ginseng, stagbush, raspberry leaf and skullcap. “This should take the edge off and speed things up a bit at the same time, be careful, it's warm.” She placed the tea within reach but wouldn't force it down her throat, after all, Kiriko was a healer too, she might want to check it before gulping it down. Especially with all that had been going on lately. “Are you feeling well in yourself otherwise? Any nausea?” Golden yellow eyes watched the expectant mother closely for any signs of distress or excessive discomfort. She was a lot more comfortable with this arrangement than she had been with the strange events surrounding the birth of her younger siblings.

“Speech”

Hattori had known Kiriko's due date was fast approaching, that if her assumption was correct then the litter would be a large one. And hopefully just as healthy as she predicted. After receiving the notice he wasted no time in making his way to Kiriko's side, Fuji had already beaten him to it, which was likely for the best as she was just as talented of a healer as Sedna was. Kiriko and their children were in good paws, of that he was certain. He moved closer, his steps slow and purposefully drawn out. The closest to trepidation he'd gotten since the long night, since those thoughts that were in his head but didn't feel like his own.

He settled then, laying down formally with legs extended, close enough for Kiriko to reach out to him if she thought that would bring comfort. But to the side, enough he wasn't in the way of whatever services or aid Fuji might need to render.

"Is everything as it should be?" In no way was he doubting either of their knowledge, but if outsider help was required he would push his pride to the side and get it if need be. Allow an outsider within the bamboo just this once.

Fuji was the first to join them, attentive as ever. Kiriko wouldn't hide her relief-- she wouldn't be doing this alone. color=#dc8083]"I can't wait to meet them,"[/color] she speaks in earnest. It's a rare moment of vulnerability, one that she doesn't mind sharing. There was an edge of nervousness to her voice as well, though. Hattori hadn't come yet, and a part of her was afraid he wasn't. Maybe he'd think it improper for him... but no, it wasn't long before her worries were soothed. As she sipped the tea Fuji had thoughtfully left her with, he appeared. Speeding things up was okay, now that he was here. "Some nausea. I skipped breakfast, in preparation." Kiriko reassured her, tail giving a half-hearted thump. As Hattori settled, she was quick to reach for him. "It is," the words are broken by a whimper. Just because things were okay, did not mean she wasn't in pain. It was going to be an exhausting process, judging by the size of her and the amount of movement she'd experienced lately. The first pup was eager, demanding that she enter the world. All dark, with sparks of red, forcing her way into being among them with a speed that Kiriko couldn't prepare for. Whining, whimpering as she deals with the pain of her very first daughter entering the world. It's near blinding, and she can't help but cling to Hanzo. She'd allow herself to be needy, just for now. "Speech"

Fuji dipped her head respectfully when Tori entered but got back to work quickly and clicked her tongue when Kiriko mentioned forgoing breakfast in preparation, it was equally as important Kiriko maintain her strength with sides so wide. Fuji mixed a blend of peppermint, ginger and lemon and gestured for Kenta to gather some of Kuroo's dried fish or some other dried meats for the lady to nibble on to get her through the coming ordeal. “This should help with the nausea, if you feel yourself growing weak, take small bites to tide you over.” There was also a collection of fresh berries in case the sweetness was preferable. A heavy meal would only come up again, but smaller portions should stay down.

As the first child came, she thought the rest shouldn't be far behind. It looked like this one was a decent size (not a chunk of crystal, thank all her mother's old gods). The pup had all her toes, everything was as it should be. She quickly used her dexterous paws to complete her assessment before moving the pup closer to her mother's chest. Now the real work would begin.

“Speech”

Hattori gave Kiriko a look when he heard she hadn't eaten today, as a healer she ought to know better really. But Fuji was quick to bridge the gap and had some food prepared for the koi woman, though if she had not, he would have hunted something himself. Dragged it back here if need be. He let Kiriko take the comfort she needed, he had-well he couldn't say aided in his other children's births, but he had waited outside as had been requested of him. Boundaries were important at the best of times, but now he knew not to push, that he was here to offer support if and when needed.

It wasn't entirely a pleasant process, but he was glad to see it progressing well. One child was born, smaller than he had expected, but he supposed having so many pups in one womb might limit things somewhat. Not to the extent he ought to be worried about it, he believed. Some parents named their children right after birth or even in the process of it, but Hattori could not claim to be so creative to be able to utter names on the spot. It was something they could discuss, perhaps after Kiriko had some much-needed rest.

Kiriko is worried about eating-- she's been unable to, most mornings. Today it had been worse. If she didn't eat, she was at least less nauseous. Hanzō's expression didn't escape her, but the girl did have a heart melting, doe-eyed glance to offer in return. You know how some women allegedly glow when pregnant? Kiriko was one of them. She would milk the very last of that now, at least as best she could. At least for the heartbeat she could be sure Fuji's back was turned. Just as quickly as the glance had passed, Kiriko was composed once more. By the time Fuji had inspected the first puppy, the number of polar bear shaped puptatoes had doubled. From one, to two. Already the dark pup was making a splash, and Kiriko was attempting to finish cleaning her off between contractions. There were so fucking many of them. It was dizzying. Her body was on fire. Every bit of her ached. Already, she was trying to get her tiny but fierce daughter to nurse, and there were so many things going on at once. A flurry of activity as the pups made their way into the world, one by one. It was around the fifth pup that she began to wilt, to droop. Kiriko was getting tired. Five would be a healthy, respectable litter, under normal circumstances. It was clear to her now that there were more to go. Once more, she leaned into her husband for support. It was all going to be worth it. That much she knew. Didn't mean she wasn't hurting. "Speech"

Fuji barely has time to think between the pups that come in waves, each was checked over and moved towards their mother's chest. She could see that Kiriko was beginning to run out of steam, and she gently pressed her paws to the woman's abdomen, feeling at least 5 more bulges that could be pups. This just wouldn't do.

She used her dexterous paws to crush nettle, dandelion, rosehips and alfalfa into another tea and placed it by the lady's head. “It will help you keep your energy up, looks like we're about halfway there...” Her tone was encouraging, despite her own exhaustion just from catching the things. “Perhaps, try and chew on some dried meat, you need the energy.” She turned her attention back to counting the space between contractions to make sure nothing was slowing down.

“Speech”

As Kiriko had said there were many children, strong and healthy as they squirmed and were guided to Kiriko's side. There was not much he could do but offer support, but even he could see that she was starting to tire. That it was a difficult task, not so easy as men might think. Hattori glanced over at Fuji as she worked, the process was taking a toll even on her, it seemed, but it wasn't exactly something they could slam the brakes on and give everyone a moment or two to rest. They had to trust that Kiriko could push through, what other choice did they have?

Hattori shifted a little, his weight against her meant to provide stability, something to push back if she felt it help.

"Try to eat something." It was not a command, rather a suggestion he'd made as softly as a man like him could manage. "Or have some water at least."

Fuji's tone was encouraging, though she worried. Oh how she worried. Kiriko felt bad for worrying the girl, for worrying her husband. This whole thing really was causing a lot of fuss, though Kiriko knows she could have expected as much. The woman nods softly, takes the tea. Drinking and allowing the warmth to fill her system, letting that be enough to help her catch her second wind. It's perhaps the strength lent from Hattori that's the most impactful of all. The remainder of the pups come into the world, each in their own way. Though the pain doesn't dull, the woman does adjust. It's not until the very, very last puppy that she truly struggles. With so little left in her system, it really does take everything left in Kiriko to bring him into the world. With little more than a whimper, she finally collapses forward into her husband. Weak, exhausted... alive. Tired the likes of none she's ever known creeping in at every angle. Among them now and taking his first breaths, a little boy. Perfect in every way, Kiriko is quick to begin cleaning him off. Instinct over everything else, and she knows he's the last. What's that in the center of his forehead? "Speech"

As the last child came the sour scent of fear filled her own nose, hopefully more than masked by the antiseptic scent of healing herbs and the warm bitter scent of tea. Fuji's heart raced, constricting the back of her throat as she checked all the other vitals before carefully touching the extra 'eye' in the center of the boy's head. There was no reflex, and it was hard, and cool to the touch. While bile burned at the memory of what her mother had birthed, this was nothing like that. She relaxed visibly, smiling as she moved the pup closer to the new mother. “A crystal, nothing sinister...” some of the other pups had bumps on their skulls where horns would eventually erupt, two had smooth patches of scales and one had extra dew claws on his hind legs, but they all had all the necessary number of limbs and nobody had a cleft palate. They should all thrive.

She pottered about setting up medicines and leaving them in reach, marking them as teas of salves as she went quietly about her work until she was happy that they would have everything they needed. “Call if you need me, but for now I will leave you to rest. Call, if you need me.” She made towards the door, ready to get some rest of her own after catching that many pups.

“Speech”

Eleven pups in total. Kiriko had suspected there would be many of them, but he couldn't say he'd anticipated quite so many. He lingered in silence as he observed them, noting how they had all settled against their mother's breast, squealing and moving as they should. Small but strong, vocal too. Kiriko would need much time to rest and recuperate, but it was undeniable that she had done well- that she had made a staggering taxing task seem...not easy, but manageable with her grace and sense of propriety, almost. A lady in all moments, even at her most vulnerable.

"Thank you, Fuji." If nothing else he owed her that. Before he turned his attention back to Kiriko, willing to bow to her words, for now. "What do you need? I can leave if you wish to rest."