I know. Dying Embers' Howl and A Dragon's Boon are calling my name, but this idea crept up on me. Evil plot bunny. Thought I'd give it a go. Still don't have a computer so bear with me.

Yeah, um. Enjoy this story.

I don't own Tales of Vesperia or Fire Emblem. Yeah. This is not a crossover. For once. I apologize for any out-of-character persons and mistakes.

—x-x-x-x—

He looked at her again and again. His grey eyes roved over her several times, but he couldn't understand. No matter how he tried, for the life of him, Yuri could not figure out what was wrong with his dear Judy. Ever since the third month of the world's monthly anniversary of "freedom" passed, she had been acting very unJudylike. For instance, when they visited Zaphias two weeks ago, she kept staring into store windows in the Public Quarter as if looking for something. Whatever it was, she didn't find it and would have an unpleasant downcast expression clinging to her beautiful face.

Of course, she would mask it quickly with her usual poker face before any of her friends noticed. But Yuri could tell something was bothering her. What it was, he couldn't decipher at all. After that, he'd sometimes catch her glancing at him—like expectantly. Her carmine orbs would gaze longingly at him for a few moments before she turned away. And, when he confronted the beauty of a Krityan, she simply dodged the bullet evasively, giving him her usual smile before taking a swift exit.

Thus, the darker haired male found himself in his best friend's room, frowning when he gave him the rundown of events.

"I'm serious Flynn... I can't figure out what's wrong with her." Yuri said, crossing his arms as he gazed out the window, sitting upon the sill as usual. "I've tried asking but she pulls up a front and dodges." The ebon swordsman sighed, a frown etched upon his features. "Last time I asked, she told me she needed a little space and everything would be okay." Naturally this wouldn't have bothered him, but considering this was his girlfriend, he wouldn't let it go. 'Is it really okay though?' He thought to himself, wondering.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Yuri." Flynn sympathized, also frowning. "I can't think of any reason why she's acting like that myself. I...don't exactly study women as a subject nor do I intend to."

"Wasn't expecting you to," the guildsman sighed. "Man this sucks. I guess that's what I get for dating an elusive Krityan." He mumbled to himself. "I just don't understand—"

"You love her, don't you?"

Yuri's eyes widened to the sudden question his friend uttered. What kind of—? Why would he bring that up? Of all the questions in the world, why did he have to bring up that one? Shaking from his light stupor, the dark wearing male turned away so the light blush that randomly busied itself upon his face remained hidden from the blond Commandant. He had no problems or qualms saying it aloud, his declaration of love for the Krityan, but it still was pretty...uneasy sometimes. He's been trying his hardest to get used to it for his and her sake. "Flynn, what the hell is that kind of question—"

"Just answer it to yourself, Yuri." Flynn said, then went on with, "Do you believe she's hiding something from you?" He asked next, either completely ignoring his friend's fumbling embarrassment or set on oblivious to his plight. However, the weight of his next rhetorical like question finally sunk through his mind. Yuri's expression shifted from embarrassed to saturnine slower than molasses on a plate.

"...I-I don't know, Flynn..." Yuri replied softly to the second inquiry his friend offered, his grey eyes boring into the lake blue ones of the blond Commandant. He honestly didn't know. "She has been pretty evasive of me. When I came back three months ago from the whole...you know..." Flynn nodded wearily to his friend's hint as he continued, "She was all excited for me and we got together and all that..." Yuri ran a frustrated hand through his silky ebony locks, along with a sigh of frustration. "Then, three months later, right now, she's acting weird. Like she kind of avoids me."

He sighed heavily, looking from Flynn to the crystal clear skies outside. "Am I really that much of a disease to her? An embarrassment? What...what should I do?"

Flynn, having remained quiet to listen to Yuri's predicament, walked towards him. He simply placed a comforting hand upon the darker haired male's shoulder, waiting in silence with him. After a moment, he spoke up, "I think perhaps you should see Lady Estellise, Miss Mordio or even Captain Schw—I mean Raven, with this Yuri. I don't know how I can be of any assistance if I cannot relate to this or offer any words of consolation to you."

Flynn closed his eyes, his earlier frown returned. He really wanted to help his childhood friend right now, but his lack of knowledge and experience in this fragile area of a man's life was unknown territory. All he could offer were words and his friend needed physical assistance, the right push into the right direction. He knew that, but this time, this wasn't Flynn's job. Someone with more experience needed to be here, telling Yuri what he should do and how he can solve this issue. For once in his life, Flynn found one thing his rank as Commandant couldn't help. "I'm sorry Yuri, I can't..."

"It's all right, Flynn. I understand." Yuri replied quietly, returning the comforting hand of his friend. "I'll admit, it feels good to vent a bit. I think I just needed someone to sit down to listen to me and let it go once in a while..."

"Yes, I agree. I'm glad I could at least help you with that. I'm pretty much useless anywhere else considering you." Despite Flynn's words, Yuri knew the blond attempted to crack a joke to lighten his mood. In response, the ebon-wearer chuckled. Flynn's choice of words bothered him a tiny bit, but he knew they meant well, given the light tone he used whilst saying it.

"You know, you're a piece of work, Flynn." Yuri grinned wryly as he playfully punched his friend on his arm.

"And you're not anymore work than I am?" Flynn grinned back, returning the playful banter. The two chuckled again for a while until Yuri broke it off by swinging both his legs over the window.

"I better get going and visit the old man then if I want that 'kindly advice' and all." He ran a delicate hand through his silky locks again, brushing his stubborn long bangs from his face. "I have to get to the bottom of this going on with Judy."

"All right, Yuri. I wish you good luck. But couldn't you use the door this time?" Flynn suggested, having the feeling his friend was going to deny him anyway.

"Doors are too mainstream, Flynn." Yuri said in a matter-of-fact tone before climbing out the window like an uncivilized man. "See you later." He called to the Commandant as he descended further. Flynn shook his head, but prepared to close the window a little.

"Take care Yuri."

—x-x-x-x—

"Ohh what to do..."

Judith had been looking through different racks, trying to find a good color and brand of the clothes she currently had in her possession. Normally she wouldn't be in this store, shopping for clothes but this was a different matter in which she had to. She didn't have a choice, and that was fine. Her carmine eyes roved over from one rack of clothes to another, running her fingers over the material and textures before deciding to pick up one. The beautiful Krityan held the clothing up against herself, staring at the nearest full scale mirror in the women's department of the store. She stood there, examining herself while the dress of a shirt pressed against her buxom chest. It looked pretty enough; a dark navy color, satin texture with an elegant floral pattern designed around the hems. It didn't have the shoulders covered, though the sleeves remained attached in a feathery way. It was honestly a beautiful shirt, and it nearly matched her hair. "Hm, it doesn't look like it'll fit too snuggly on me." Judith noted as she tested the elastic in the faille material. "Stretches and contracts to the body, I see. Hmm."

"Oh hello there, m'dear! How can I help you?"

Judith's attention turned from the mirror to an aged, smiling old kindly woman. She had graying brown hair, tied into a bun, similar to the Krityan's, and had on a fair turquoise dress. Her dark green eyes showered gentleness that Judith returned the gesture.

"Oh hello, ma'am. I'm actually doing just fine. First time shopping for these kind of things." Judith replied, keeping a genuine smile gracing her beautiful face.

"Oh I see." The kind old woman nodded slowly. "Are you excited m'dear?"

"Yes, actually. I'll admit I am a bit nervous."

"Don't worry, dear. It'll all work out in the end. Does he know?" The woman's forest green eyes met Judith's wine-red ones, who kept her gentle grin.

"No, he doesn't, but I plan on telling him." The young female replied. 'I just don't know how he'll react to it though...' She thought gravely to herself. She frowned a bit at herself; lately she had been avoiding him for good measure because the truth of it all, she was scared. She was deathly afraid of what he would say to her whenever she told him. Judith had only been afraid three times in her life. Once, when her father died when she was nine; second, when Yuri had fallen off Zaude many months ago, never to be seen again, presumably dead; and third, when her confession of love for the man finally left her mouth.

But none of those could compare to this—dare she say—new fear she felt now. Yuri's reaction to her confession, as well as his own, was startling. But she was sincerely happy that he honestly returned those feelings to her. Her question was: how would he react to this? Would he reject it or accept it? A good portion of her conscience told her it would be all right. Their relationship would just grow closer with it and never waver.

But, there was that shadow of doubt looming around her. That what-if of dread. That was what she feared the most. She had temporarily allowed it to separate her from the man she deeply cared for and essentially made love with. It was that tiny reason that she kept evading him. At times when he wasn't looking, Judith would gaze at him, longingly. She wanted to tell him so badly the truth, everything.

She knew he was growing concerned with her odd behavior. The last time he confronted her about it, she simply smiled and lied. Told him she just needed some space because there were some emotional scars that reopened and everything was going to be all right. He seemingly understood her and shared her a kiss, though was hesitant to leave her side. It felt so wrong to her, to lie. It was very uncharacteristic of her to do so, especially to Yuri.

He'd done nothing to deserve that, deserve this silence she cast over them. This wheel of separation.

Something was awfully wrong with her.

And three months ago, she had figured out why. It was during an escort mission from Aspio to Halure. Rita had been there during said mission, as she had important business with Zaphias but decided to tag along. Judith had been fine that afternoon, honest to Phaeroh, but not until a pack of Rhinossus ganged up at them. She had been careless that time. While the caravan they were protecting wasn't harmed in any way, thanks to Rita's quick thinking and timely casting—having calibrated her blastia's formula to manipulate mana instead of aer ahead of time—the horned beasts were felled almost instantaneously.

Judith didn't suffer any major injuries, but the surprise attack to her abdomen caused her to suddenly lurch and vomit. Rita had screamed her name, panicking and asking if she was all right. It was like a blessing that they had been a few miles from Halure, getting there safely where Judith was examined fir any injuries. She hadn't sustained any but when the town's medical examiner asked her questions prior to her forcing to spoil her lunch, she could tell something was about to happen. Perhaps she was sick, she thought. She did feel dizzy sometimes and nauseous, a bit crankier than normal when getting up in the mornings.

Judith honestly thought those were nothing.

How wrong was she.

During her recollection of memories and worries, Judith hadn't realized she had walked up to the counter of the store, her arm having more than one shirt draped over her left arm fir purchase. The kind old lady rang up the price of three hundred and fifteen Gald—which wasn't so bad for some nice clothes—and bagged the items neatly.

"Thank you for shopping at Zaphias Corner Market. I hope to see you again, dear."

"Thank you very much, ma'am." Judith politely bowed before exiting the store. Before she reached the door, she heard the old woman's voice again.

"Oh and hon? Don't be afraid to tell him. You two love and know one another, I can tell with that look on your face. He won't reject. In fact, I believe he will be overjoyed." She said with a reassuring smile. "Everything will be all right. Just be brave and let him know."

The young female spearwoman stared long and hard at the kind, assuring and compassionate words she was given. Judith smiled again after regaining from her light stupor. "Thank you, ma'am. I will." The Krityan nodded, pushing a stray of indigo locks from her face.

"Take care now. And congratulations."

Judith nodded her thanks and finally left the store with finality in her heart. She needed to see Yuri, and the sooner she saw him, the sooner she can test her new resolve. She had to tell him, and soon before he grew even more concerned or was too late. Krityans did have a slightly different build than humans, but something in her pointedly told her Yuri was not even really human anyway. Not that it honestly mattered—she needed to find him.

The rebuilding of Zaphias was slowly but surely coming along, the knights assisting the public. It was a grand sight to see, and showing that Flynn and Ioder were actually making progress with the rebuilding of the Empire since Alexei's tyranny. She smiled happily, keeping her cool as she saw children running around, playing games and enjoying themselves, blissfully unaware of being watched by the lady warrior from afar.

Her carmine orbs fell rigid on the children, her ears tuning in to listening to their joyous choir of cries and laughter and momentarily stopped so she could observe them silently, the brown paper bag's thinly woven handles—that held her new clothes resting in her delicately gloved hands. She sighed in content as the group of children, both human and Krityan alike, ran amok like wild hyenas that had too much sugar. Once again without noticing it, Judith was looking at the progenies, staring longingly at them.

She also noticed two people, a man and a woman, hugging one another as a child that resembled both of them in one way or another, ran up to them excitedly. Both picked up the child and hugged him in tight embrace and kissed the little boy's head. They were just so happy, so full of life—was that it? Was that what she longed for? A happy, small family with Yuri? As a young woman, it had been apart of her future plans of course. Even when she was a child, she dreamt of having her own family.

Would it ever come true? A normal woman's true and real desire was to marry the man she truly loved, get their own house and then have kids and raise them with all love and care. Judith chuckled to herself; she was far beyond normal standards. She wasn't a stereotypical damsel in distress that needed rescuing every second. She could handle herself in a fight and on her own. She always had since she learned to pick up a weapon and train herself. Judith loved to fight as if she were dancing—such a graceful feat that could not be matched. Yuri had once told her that she made fighting like a new form of art and expression and that he personally liked her style.

Just thinking of him and his words tickled her cheeks a bit and tinted a rosy shade. 'I suppose it is.' She commented to herself, smiling. Thinking back on it, Yuri hadn't told her that with his usual playful voice. It was in his "I'm-being-serious-and-honest" voice. When Judith's eyes landed on the three persons that made up the family she had seen earlier, they were now walking around, enjoying themselves. The child was in between them, his parents' hands each holding his and smiling. When they were out of her eye range, Judith steered her gaze towards the exuberant children prior to the small family.

A heavy throb ached when she saw the family of three leave. Seeing them left her unusually wishing and needing for some reason. It was true; she desired and wanted that. She wanted that happy trio family to be her, Yuri, and—

—their soon to be born child.

How could she tell him that she was with his child? Scratch that, even before they confessed, it was obvious they had made love before that, and because of the doctor in Halure informed her, she had been pregnant a week before they fought Alexei at Zaude. How would he react that she had been carrying his child since then technically? It was true that Krityan newborns are born much faster than human newborns.

But this was a Krityan and human child inside her and she was barely showing a bulge at all. That was something that wasn't too far-flung out there, but extremely rare in its own right. Not only that, through her diagnosis, samples and thorough tests, the doctor informed her that her child would be less human than she thought it would be. Krityan, yes, but deduced the inherited genes the father passed on were anything but human traits. How odd, but Judith didn't care.

This was their child. Hers and his alone. Nobody could change that. Yuri was still Yuri regardless of what he was. If he happened to be a monster that disguised itself as a passable human being, then he was the most clever and kind one out there.

Now that she thought about it, being with child for so long, why didn't she feel anything effecting her back then? And Alexei had kicked her back in the stomach several times during their fight. Judith frowned deeply; that bastard could have killed her child easily then. If Yuri finds out, he'd wished to revive Alexei and most kill him repeatedly over twenty times to justify his indignant fury.

Because that would be the very Yuri thing of him to do.

Shaking from her thoughts, Judith turned her gaze away from the children, knowing patiently she would have one of her own very soon. She stepped carefully as she had to watch where she was going. Not only were there ground obstacles to cross, but people and knights that might mingle in her way unexpectedly.

"Now, I just have to find Yuri and tell him that I'm—"

"Judy?"

The Krityan froze in her steps, her heart nearly jumped from her chest as she recognized the voice from behind her. Had he been in this city all this time? If not, how did he find her? She hadn't told anyone where she'd be going. Then it suddenly hit her: Yuri would likely return to Zaphias to help rebuild it. The imperial city was in fact his first home regardless, and seeing to its reconstruction was possibly on the top of his priorities. Regaining herself and putting on her casual smile, the beauty Krityan turned about face and saw the ebon clad swordsman approaching her with that concerned expression on his face. She was glad she found him anyway, or rather, he found her.

"Hello, Yuri." She replied sweetly, her carmine irises locking onto those dangerously handsome grey orbs of his. She brushed back that persistent strand of indigo from her face again. Yuri watched her as he drew closer, embracing the Krityan once he crossed the distance between them. Judith hugged back, still smiling and wondering about the sudden hug.

Had... Had he been more worried than she anticipated?

"Yuri?"

"Judy, are you feeling all right?"

"Y-Yes, I am. How—?"

The male cut her off with a tender kiss to her lips, holding her gently between his firm lock on her curvaceous body. It lasted a few seconds before they broke apart, Yuri ran his left hand through her soft, plush dark blue locks tenderly as his kiss.

"I was worried about you, just letting you know." The long haired swordsman admitted, a glint of honest joy and soft tease evident in his eyes. Judith graced his expression with her own, relieved in her own right.

"I know," the Krityan said slowly, reaching up with one hand to run it alongside his unusually baby-texture skin. It puzzled her to this day how he retained such texture and yet he was a man. Well, the same could be said about her; her own skin felt smooth like a baby's bottom.

Speaking of babies...

"Yuri? Can I—tell you something?" Judith said, keeping an adamant, casual poker face.

"Of course, Judy. What's up?"

Here it is. The moment she resolved for. Now, she only hoped this wouldn't come out too plain or infuriate him. Or she would mess up and screw her chance over. 'You only have one shot at this, Judy. Make it count.' She prepped herself, taking a deep sigh. She had to do this, she had to do this—

"Judy? You're sort of shaking. Is something wrong?"

Uh-oh, was she really shaking? Judith examined herself briefly before realizing that, yes in fact, she was. It was that bad, huh? Putting on a strong resolve again, her scarlet orbs focused intently on her lover, watching as his own timber grey irises found hers again. "Judy—"

"I'm pregnant, Yuri."

She said it, truthfully and bluntly. The swordsman and the world around them seemed to have frozen solid as Yuri stood there rigid, wondering if he misheard or something. After all, her voice was above a whisper, but it was loud enough for him to hear.

"What was tha—"

"I'm pregnant, Yuri." Judith repeated, a bit more confidently and louder so he actually could hear her. He still remained frozen where he stood. Yuri stared straight forward, not moving an inch. He didn't even blink or breathe. Judith could have sworn he stayed like that for five minutes straight before he attempted to open his mouth.

"...Wh-when..." He barely breathed out.

"Well to be honest, a week before we fought Alexei at Zaude."

The words sunk in rather slowly for the dark haired swordsman. And when they did, he immediately narrowed his eyes and his fists tightened. "That bastard kicked you several times there, too!" Yuri snarled angrily. "If I had known, I'd ran my blade through him, found a way to revive him and kill him again twenty times over!"

Judith shook her head. She had expected him to say that.

"Judy! If you knew, why didn't you tell me sooner?!"

And she knew he was going to say that, too. It wasn't exactly easy as it looked. She didn't truly know herself until months ago. Really, how could she have told him something even she didn't know? Those words hadn't left her mouth, but her eyes told their meaning. Her once smiling façade was completely replaced with regret, remorse and fear. If this kind of reaction was all that it took for tough Judith to break down, then...

"Judy... I'm sorry, you don't have to cry." Yuri's voice calmed down and his hands were delicately wiping said tears from her eyes and hugged her again. Wait, she was crying?

"I'm sorry Yuri. I should have told you when I found out." The Krityan admitted, returning the embrace. "I was...scared that you'd reject me because of it... Reject us."

"That'd be pretty stupid of me if I had thought of doing that." Yuri replied, keeping his tone down. "I'd make myself look like an asshole dead beat too." He feathered her downy hair again as he limply pulled away. A smirk replaced his earlier facial interpretation of Rita's Indignation spell.

Judith smiled lovingly, her earlier fear completely washed away with Yuri's confession. The old lady was right. She really had nothing to be afraid about after all. Of course, she wouldn't dismiss the fact she had been afraid of rejection from her beloved. The Krityan beauty was glad it was over and done with.

"...So, too early to tell if boy or girl? And is that bag what I think it is?" Yuri asked, dubbing a casual, but candid expression.

Judith winked sweetly at her boyfriend, a playful giggle replacing her light melancholy. "Yes. I went shopping for early maternity clothes." She replied to his second inquiry. The male chuckled, watching Judith walk away and caught up to her strides.

"And my first question, Judy dear?"

A simper bounced quaintly on her features as she looked up to him. "Much too early, Yuri."

—x-x-x-x—

Not done yet. Thanks for reading/reviewing/stuff.

Title of the story is in Italian for Passionate.

I don't know why I titled it that. Sounded cool and I do love the Appassionata song played by Secret Garden.