Animalia: The Green Forest, Book 2

Chapter 12

Rose rushed toward Tsuki. "Oh my gosh, what happened?" She cried.
Samson hung back. Why is Tsuki here? He thought in frustration. Can't I get one day of peace without her or Luca disturbing me?
Tsuki slowly turned her head. "Contractions," her eyes were glazed with pain as she panted. "I've been having them. . . for a while. . . got worse a while ago. . . can't move."
"Why did you come here then?" Samson stalked toward the girls and shot Tsuki a glare. "What do you expect us to do?"
"I was looking for Luca. . ." Desperation flashed into Tsuki's green eyes.
"You were looking for Luca right now even though he's rejected you?" Samson asked scornfully. "You're stupider than I thought!"
A groan slipped out of Tsuki's mouth in reply. Rose turned to Samson with wide eyes. "We have to help Tsuki." She whispered.
Samson instantly turned his back on the girls. "I'm not helping her." He replied coldly. "Tsuki should never have come here."
Rose marched over to Samson. She moved in front of him and placed her hands on her hips with a glare. "Samson!" She sounded upset. "I know you don't like Tsuki, but you have to get over it and help her right now! She needs us!"
Whoa. Never seen her this angry before. Samson froze as Rose yelled at him. There's something kind of attractive about it. . . No, I really shouldn't be thinking about her like this right now. He straightened himself and deepened his voice into a growl, "I don't have to do anything for her. Now, if you'll excuse me." Samson tried to skirt Rose but she stepped in his way again.
"Samson, I'm being serious!" Rose grabbed on to his hoodie and stared up at him in distress. "Aren't you worried about Tsuki's baby? It's related to you, remember? Doesn't that mean anything to you? You have to help your family. . ."
Why is she so concerned about a random baby? Samson swallowed back frustration. Then guilt clawed at him. No, it's not just a 'random baby'. This baby is my kin. "Fine. I'll help Tsuki. But I'm not going to like it." He gently pried Rose's hands off of himself. "How am I supposed to help if I don't even know what's wrong with her?"
Rose facepalmed herself. "Isn't it obvious?" She asked sharply.
Samson shook his head.
"Tsuki is in labor." Rose leaned closer.
"Eh?" Samson didn't understand.
"Men! They don't know anything!" Rose huffed. "Tsuki is giving birth!"
"Really?" Samson glanced at Tsuki. The blonde was struggling to her feet. "Are you sure? I don't see anything."
"What do you think childbirth is like? You think they just pop out a kid within seconds?" Rose shook her head in exasperation. "It's not that simple. These things take hours and hours."
"You're awfully knowledgeable on this subject." Samson narrowed his eyes at Rose. "I wonder why." He knew why. Babies. She wants to have babies. Why? Being a parent seems like it would be too much work!
Rose turned away from him. There was a blush on her face. "It's just common knowledge that humans have," she murmured. She started walking back toward Tsuki. "Let's help her now."
Samson sighed dramatically and followed behind her.
Tsuki was up now, but she was leaning heavily against the tree. Rose approached her and Samson hung back.
"How do we help her?" Samson asked with an awkward glance at the blonde. "I don't know how this works."
"Um, me neither?" Rose replied uneasily. "I mean, I know how this works, but I don't exactly know how I'm supposed to help her. . . Gosh, I think you're right. Tsuki really shouldn't have come here."
I told you! Samson bit back the words. "Maybe we should take her back to her home. . ." he mused. It didn't sound like a good idea. How would her parents feel if an animal like me showed up at their door to drop off their daughter like this?
Rose clearly didn't think it was a good idea either. "That's going to be a long walk," she shook her head. "I don't know if Tsuki can do it." Then she let out a sigh. "I don't think we have a choice though. We're just going to have to try."
"Hang on," Samson raised his tail to stop her. An idea was in the back of his mind but he was having trouble trying to figure it out. We need someone who's experienced with this kind of stuff. . . But who? Someone who would know what to do. . . A familiar face suddenly appeared in his mind. Ah, I know who can help.
Samson turned to Rose. "Maybe we don't have to take her to her home after all." He started. "I think I know someone here who can help."
"Oh my gosh, really?" Rose's eyes started to sparkle. "Who?"
Samson made his way toward the girls. "My mother." He replied. "She's gone through this before. She'll know what to do."
Rose clapped her hands together. "You're right!" She gasped. She turned to Tsuki. "Hang in there, Tsuki. We're going to help you."
"Great." Samson nodded. "You wait here with her, Rose. I'll go fetch my mother."
Rose frowned now. "I think we should take her to your place." She stated. "It's not fair to leave her waiting here."
"Fine." Samson didn't want to argue with her. "Come on now, let's go." He started walking back to his home.
"Samson, what are you doing?" Rose called from behind. "Tsuki's going to need help getting back to your place!"
Samson swallowed his frustration as he returned to the girls. "Alright alright, I'm here."
Samson and Rose stood on each side of Tsuki. The blonde had her arms wrapped around both of them as they helped guide her through the forest. Samson fought the urge to move away from her when they got closer to his home.
Samson knocked on the front door when they reached it. It felt like forever until his mother finally showed up.
"Sammy! Rose!" Iris happily held her arms out to them. "How are you-"
Samson felt uncomfortable at her surprised look. "Er, Mother," he started awkwardly. "She ah, needs help."
Tsuki let out another groan.
"Oh my stars, she's expecting!" Iris leaned against the doorframe with a disapproving look. "She looks awfully young for this. Hey, isn't this the girl who tried to kill Alex?"
"That's her." Samson grumbled. "I didn't want to bring her here to get help, but Rose forced me to." He shot the human a resentful look.
Rose returned the glare.
Samson looked away. "Anyway, we brought her here because she needs help," he rolled his eyes. "I don't like her, but that doesn't mean I can't help her child."
Iris nodded. "That's true." She glanced at Tsuki. "Well, bring her in! Take her to Lu- the guest room." Her ears twitched unhappily.
Samson's heart filled with passion for his mother. She still can't get over the fact that he's gone now. I can't either. We cared about him because he was our family. He shook the thought out of his mind. "Okay." He and Rose helped guide Tsuki to the guest room.
The pair gently laid her on the bed. Samson moved back and looked away.
Iris entered the room. "Alrighty, let's get started!" She approached the bed.
Tsuki continued to let out more groans. Samson wanted to cover his ears. Instead, he turned to Rose. "That looks painful," he twitched an ear in Tsuki's direction. His mother was helping the blonde into a more comfortable position. "Are you sure you still want kids?"
Rose's eyes were sparkling again. "Yes, of course I still want kids. . ."
She's crazy. Tsuki's noises of pain and her clear discomfort would have been enough to convince Samson to never bear children if he had been born a female. Thank goodness I'm a male.
"You want to become a mother someday?" Iris suddenly spoke up. She was staring at Rose with an amused look.
Rose shyly nodded. "Yes, ma'am." She stared down at her boots and started shifting her legs. "I think. . . I think motherhood will be an amazing experience. . ."
"It is an amazing experience." Iris affectionately glanced at Samson. "Having a kit was one of the best things I've done in my life. Even if he did turn out to be a sulky brat." She winked.
Rose giggled. Samson's face heated up. "I'm not a brat," he muttered.
"Yes you are," Iris rolled her eyes. She beckoned Rose closer with her tail. "Come help me out! You'll need this experience for the future!"
Why is my mother encouraging her? Samson watched Rose approach his mother with wide eyes. Babies! What's so special about them? He turned and started to head out of the room.
"Where are you going?" Iris suddenly asked without meeting his gaze.
"Out." Samson replied through clenched teeth. "I don't feel like being in here right now." He scurried out of the room and into the hallway before his mother could reply.
Samson slipped out of the house. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his hoodie and started walking. So much is happening right now. He let his mind wander. Tsuki's giving birth in my home. Rose wants to have a family. Why does that bother me so much? I'm not even her mate!
Samson realized he was heading towards Alex's house. Maybe I can talk to Alex about this. He quickened his pace, climbed up the steps leading to her front doors, and knocked.