Demon's Genesis

Prologue

A screech of pure pain sounded throughout the usually peaceful forest, startling the birds that often sung their morning praises into silence. Claws of sunlight split through the leaves of old twisted trees, and there was a warm haze in the humid atmosphere, accompanied by the soft humming of insects. Soon enough there was another wail of pain. A hushed and gentle tone followed the squeal. "Come on, Lav, you can do it! Just a little longer."
"I don't know Jupe, I.. I—"

The she-cat's voice was cut short by a shriek. The first tiny wet bundle slithered onto the soft nest padded with moss, grass, and feathers. Jupe's face lit up with a grin.

"A perfectly healthy ginger, and white boy."

Lavender nodded, love shining through the pain searing in her gaze. Jupe began licking the little kit's fur the wrong way to get the circulation going. The bundle of ginger and white fur let out a pitiful wail, and he placed it carefully next to Lavender's quivering belly.

She stretched her neck down to nuzzle the squealing kit, but her body spasmed and she clenched her teeth down hard. She growled in pain, lashing her tail.

"You're ok, Lav. There's just a couple more to go and then you're gonna be done."

Jupe swiped his tongue over his mate's ear, worrying as she dug her claws into the soft earth.

"It's coming!" She managed a gasp before her body convulsed again. Lavender squeezed her eyes shut, willing this whole experience to end.

"These two will come out one after the other. Hold tight, my flower." He murmured as soothingly as he could, attempting to mask his panic.

The pale she-cat was panting, aware of all the muscles in her body tensing in pain again heartbeats before feeling immense relief wash over her.

Her breath escaped her in a shaky rush. Jupe purred happily as the pain began to fade from Lavender's abdomen. It's over, she realized thankfully.

"Another boy and a girl! They look like twin runts. Look how small they are."

Jupe gazed at the feeble, helpless life forms in his paws with warmth and affection shining in his gaze. After a few gentle licks he realized the male kit was hardly moving, and the female kit wasn't moving at all. Horror spread through him, causing his chest to cave, like soft earth after rain.

"Lav?"

"Hmm?"

"This one's not breathing."

He nosed the little she-kit, realizing with a jolt of grief so strong it made him feel weak. This kit had been born dead.

Panic flared in Lavender's eyes, her tiredness forgotten she reached toward the limp kit splayed lifelessly in Jupe's paws.

"Lav...it's too late. She's already gone."
Jupe whispered, his voice hardly more audial than a breath.

Lavender hissed suddenly, catching him off guard. "You can think what you want, but I refuse to give up on our daughter. MY daughter."

Jupe bowed his head. He had guessed she would be sensitive to the loss of this kit that she had looked forward to spending a long happy life with. He gently passed her the unmoving body. Lavender started licking it tenderly, as if pleading for it to wake up, to show any sign of life, but the limp frame showed no sign of movement.