Eating For Two

The next five months were quiet. There were still whispers of war though Zichri and Sibbecai had made an attempt at peace through enlightenment. Zichri spent most of the days working with the hunters, while Sibbecai remained in the village. She helped prepare garments and dried goods for the men, should they be called from the village to fight. Ever so slowly, the village moved deeper into the forest. Further from the Zuled tribe, so the women and children would not be so close if the fighting began. Weekly war councils were held and some tactics were combined with others. Sibbecai's belly had slowly been expanding.

"Working in the village is making you fat," Zichri teased one night.

"And all that mock fighting had made you as hard as a rock," she replied, smiling.

He kissed her tenderly. "Perhaps the lack of movement is not so good, huh?"

"I move more than you think."

"Really?" He lunged to tackle her and she moved out of the way. "Uh-huh." Zichri tried once more and was dodged. They had a mock fight that quickly became a wrestling match which ended with Zichri being pinned beneath Sibbecai.

"Just because I'm not out running the forest everyday doesn't mean I've given up old habits."

"Then what's with this excess fat? Been eating too much?"

"I have been eating for two, Zichri."

"You're pregnant?!"

"Yep."

He kissed her very excited, but as he pulled away he felt concerned. There was still the possibility of war and, if they decided to attack soon, it would be harder for Sibbecai to run should they attack the village.

"Zichri, what's wrong? Are you not happy?"

"I am happy, Sibbecai. It's just," he sighed. "What's going to happen if we end up going to war?"

"We'll just have to hope for the best."

He pulled her close, breathing in her scent, as tears of joy and fear fell on her neck. Her fingers ran through his lengthening hair and she held him tightly. Zichri turned his face into her neck and caressed her enlarging belly with one of his hands. They held each other for several minutes before they gathered with the tribe at the central fire.

A sense of foreboding filled the air that even the smallest child was subdued. The war preparations were nearly complete so more time would be spent moving the village deeper and deeper into the forest as a precaution. Though they could feast and rejoice that the war had not yet come, the tribe separated into their families, but stayed close to the central fire. Anaya stayed with the other widows. Sibbecai ate and Zichri just picked at his food. After several glances from Sibbecai he ate it a little too quickly.

"Zichri, are you okay?" Sibbecai asked.

"I just can't stop wondering what would happen to you if the war comes."

"You're not alone. See there?" she asked, pointing to a raven couple, a deer couple, and a squirrel couple. "They, too, are expecting."

"As is the other tiger couple."

Sibbecai nodded.

He held her gently, his hand lightly rubbing her abdomen.

Sibbecai leaned against him more. The other families also sat close to each other and though the night got late, no one wanted to leave the fire's side. Zichri's head leaned against hers and she purred. He purred in return and affectionately nibbled on her shoulder.

"You should probably get some sleep, Sibbecai," he said.

"Are you ready to go home?"

"I think it's best we stay here tonight, but try to sleep."

"Okay." She kissed him and turned into him a little more before closing her eyes to sleep.

Out of habit, Sibbecai woke before the sun rose. All of the families had camped out around the fire. Many of the men were still awake, including Zichri. He was staring away. She ran her claws through the fur on his face and he turned to her. It took a moment, but then he blinked and kissed her.

"Morning, Sibbecai."

"Morning, Zichri. Long night?"

"The longest. How are you feeling this morning?"

"In need of a run."

"Okay. Just stay close."

"I will," she replied, giving him a deeper kiss before starting her run.

More of the men got up as their families woke. Once they were up, the tepees were taken down and the village moved. They relocated another ten miles deeper in the forest. In all that time, Zichri had not seen Sibbecai return from her run. He ran around the village, wondering where she could be. After twice around, he almost ran back to where they had camped, when she walked into camp with three dead rabbits. They were all roped together and each had three knife cuts in their sides.

"Is this how the Zuled tribe hunts?!" she yelled at Zichri.

"What?" he asked. "No."

"Do they enjoy making animals suffer?"

Zichri could see the tears that continued to slick down the soaked fur on her cheeks. "It's how they give warning," he said, taking the rabbits from her. "Three rabbits, three cuts. They will attack in three months."

Sibbecai shook her head and folded her arms under her breasts.

"Sibbecai, are you alright?"

"Physically, maybe."

"What do you mean?"

"Two of the three rabbits were still alive when I found them." her eyes locked with his.

A look of disbelief spread across his face. In all his years, he had only heard of something like that being done, but had never done it himself. He cast the bodies into the fire and tried to remember if leaving the animals alive meant something.

"I'm sorry," he said, pulling her against him. "The Zuled tribe isn't usually that cruel."

She took a deep breath before pulling away.

"Is something else bothering you?"

"I guess I'm still a little tired."

"Do you want to eat something first?"

"I've eaten."

She kissed him before entering their tepee and falling asleep.

Zichri spoke to the Elders about the rabbits Sibbecai had brought back to camp. He remembered the stories. Because two of the three rabbits were alive, the Zuled tribe would attack in five weeks. Their attempt at peace had failed despite Supi's presence. Sibbecai woke and joined the women in finishing the last of the preparations. When the council concluded, Zichri joined Sibbecai. She was sewing up the final seam on a pair of trousers. He knelt behind her and purred in her ear. Her attention remained on her work. Then he rubbed his nose in the fur on her cheek until she looked at him. His kiss was tender before she folded the trousers.

They were set in a basket that a few older children carried to the Elders. Zichri sat by her side. He had just opened his mouth to speak when Sibbecai turned. A small bear child had pulled on her tail and she picked him up. He roared at her and she playfully growled back. She played with the child, getting a laugh that was mixed with bear groans. Zichri smiled at how attentive she was being, though the child was not her own. After a few moments, the child's mother came and brushed cheeks with Sibbecai. They both growled deeply in gratitude as the child was returned.

He pulled her closer to him, so she was leaning against him. "Sibbecai, many of the teams are leaving today and the rest of us tomorrow. Even though the Zuled Tribe was shown the truth, they are still intent on fighting."

"I understand," she said softly. "We should get you something to eat."

Zichri nodded and followed her back to the tepee. They ate some jerky and a few roots before they retired early.

In the morning, when Zichri woke, Sibbecai was still asleep next to him. Her right hand rested on his chest and her head rested on his shoulder. Absently, he ran his fingers across her furry cheek and she purred, her tail moving slightly as well. He closed his eyes for just a moment and fell asleep once more. When he opened them again, Sibbecai was gone. He rose and walked to the center of the village.

She was in a tight circle with the other pregnant women in the village. Their arms were wrapped around each other's shoulders and their head bowed into the center. A few of the men watched, but never approached. Soon, the widows and women with children joined the circle, heads bowed. Children came next, the smallest wiggling their way to the center. Then as one, their heads raised and husbands approached to take their wife and children from the circle. Zichri approached when only Sibbecai remained. He held her close and purred. Her claws ran through his hair and she held him tightly.

"I'll come back for you," he said.

"I'll be waiting."

Then he took her hand and brought her to the edge of the village, where he was given a pack. He kissed her tenderly, their tails intertwining.

"I'll return as soon as I am able."

"Be safe."

Zichri rested his forehead against hers and purred. Then he set his hands on her expanding belly. "You be good, too," he told the baby before kissing Sibbecai's belly.

"I love you, Zichri."

"I love you, Sibbecai." Then he turned and left.