they come like lions

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.