Chapter 1: Nine Months Later

Tai Tai's POV

"Thank you so much for choosing to stay at our inn! Please do come again."

I honestly could not believe the sound of my voice. It was high pitch and girly, the complete opposite of what I am. Honestly, these last few months have been a complete out-of-body experience. I feel like a balloon, my emotions have taken me on a daily rollercoaster ride, my body aches almost all over, and to top it all off, I haven't fought any demons in a long time. I've been itching to punch one on the face. Sheesh, if someone were to tell me eight months ago that I was about to become a mother and stuck working at an inn, I wouldn't believe them.

"Good morning, Tai!" chirped Ran, the innkeeper. "How is the mama and baby feeling this morning?" she emerged from the back area where the kitchen was, carrying a tray of hot tea. She was too happy for me in the morning. It's like she was a female version of Hakkai but even happier.

I gave her a somewhat annoyed look. I couldn't say anything mean to her. She allowed me to stay and work here with pay and is basically my midwife. She's been with me every step of the way, from the morning sickness to the doctor appointments, bringing me tea late at night just so I could sleep, the weird cravings, false labor pains and so much more. Ran has done so much for me that I'm forever in her debt. She's been the first woman to ever become my closest friend. She's only two years younger than me. But she knows that I'm not a morning person.

I took a cup of tea and sipped. "I just don't wanna be pregnant anymore." I grumbled. "This sucks."

"It's like what my mama always told me," said Ran, "The more difficult the pregnancy, the more likely it's going to be a boy." Ran and I always had debates on the sex of the baby, not that I would be upset with a boy. To be honest, I don't care what the baby comes out to be. I would be happy with either a boy or a girl.

"I just think it's a girl because girls are just difficult beings." I said. Ran shook her head. "We're both women, you know how awful we can be."

"Don't worry, Tai, I think it's a girl, too." Boomed a voice from behind me. It was Ruko, Ran's older brother and pretty much my personal body guard. He was a big, husky guy with short black hair, tan skin and a chubby face. He's like the opposite of Ran who was petite with a thin face, pale skin and long brown hair. They look nothing alike. I almost didn't believe them when they said they were siblings.

Ran shook her head again. "Oh, Ruko, what do you know about babies?"

"Enough to take a wild guess at the sex and only having half a chance at being right." Ruko chuckled deeply.

I suddenly felt something strange. "Ah!" I leaned back in the stool I was sitting in and looked down at my now enlarged belly.

"W-what is it?! Is the baby alright?! D-did your water break?!" asked Ran frantically.

"No," I said feeling extremely uncomfortable, and I know it was written all over my face. "The baby is moving and it feels really weird."

Ran immediately placed her hand on my belly, feeling the little rascal kick me and pretty much readjust him, or her, self. Her face lit up as if she was presented with the greatest gift. I swear, she's more excited about my pregnancy than I am. Then again, it's easier for her to be excited because her insides weren't being completely rearranged by another human being that has taken over her body.

"Oh, he's just getting himself prepared." Said Ran. She shivered with excitement. "Doctor said it won't be long now until you go into labor."

"Oh, goody." I said sarcastically. I couldn't wait to have my body back.

Ruko placed his large hand on my belly as well. "Oh, the little girl is ready to come out."

"That makes the both of us." I replied.

"You're such a sour puss, Tai." Said Ran. "Pregnancy is a beautiful and natural process."

"Says the girl that's not pregnant."

"I know it's been a rough nine months for you but it's almost over and your bundle of joy will just be the light of your world when he gets here."

Ran is seriously in la-la land right now. I was really not in the mood to be around her or any customers at that. I got up from my stool and started to walk back to my room, but before I could, Ran's high pitched voice stopped me once again.

"Do you think the father will be back soon?"

The question made me freeze in my tracks. I sort of left out to both Ran and Ruko that the father of my child is actually the legendary Genjyo Sanzo. I couldn't tell them because then his reputation would be messed up and I didn't want that at all.

"Surely he knows that the baby is gonna be here soon." Ran spoke again.

"I'm sure he does." I replied. "But he probably won't be back for a while."

"Why not?"

"Ran, don't pry." Said Ruko.

"Seriously Ran, don't worry about it, okay?" I said, turning my head slightly to her. I then continued back to my room.