Stay with Me [birthing]

A shudder rippled through body as she slowly heaved out the first and only pup to be born, not that she was expecting any more. The strain she had been through was too great and she'd hate to have another repeat of it with more children. One was painful enough. Her raspy breaths soon slowed, dry and crisp from dehydration. For a moment she laid there, wheezing, not daring to rest her gaze upon the pup. This was it, she was now a mother. Soft whines called from behind, making her eyes prick with forming tears. A skull spun around to find a wet heap of black fur, searching for the comfort of her stomach. White marked the pup's body, reminding her of the child's father and the guilty moment that caused her motherhood. At the beautiful sight, she re-positioned herself and nudged closer to the sightless pup so she could find the milk she craved for. Whether they were tears of joy, relief or anguish, she would sob loudly and weakly. The pup she couldn't take her eyes off was her daughter. No-one else wanted it and no-one else cared for it. The responsibility to look after a child was now hers. There was always the chance to abandon the pup and forget such a memory ever existed, but the more she contemplated that plan, the sense of protectiveness swallowed her emotions. It was love that kept her from committing such a crime.

"Azula." A feeble whisper slipped from her lips as she delivered her daughter an identity, a name she would use her whole life. It was a name she created on the spot, joining random sounds to form an elegant and smooth flow.
In the corner of her vision, a silver twinkle allured her interest. She outstretched a paw, reaching out for the strange sparkling object that was buried in the earth. Brushing away the remains of soil, she gently pulled two fine chains closer to her chest, lifting her paw to reveal leaf pendants hanging from each chains. Maybe it was luck that allowed her to possess such jewellery, and two for that matter. A smile began to form on her expression as her mind lit with an amazing idea. Perhaps this new life wasn't so bad after all.