I

"Hey mom… yeah it has been a little while since I called, sorry about that. I… uh... have something I need to tell you… No, everything is fine. It is some good news, actually. Just, don't freak out... Well… you see… I am actually going to be having a baby!… yes that's right, I just found ou… oh, the father? No, well, there is no father… no, it's not like that, see, I am not actually pregnant but… um… well it's hard to explain, but I guess like… I'm the father?..."

Kobayashi sighed, staring at herself in the bathroom mirror with a blank expression. The cloud of fog she had wiped away was beginning to reform, so she wiped it away again. "Yeah… how the hell am I supposed to explain this?" she asked herself.

She unwrapped the towel from around herself and began drying her body off the rest of the way.

It was currently only one day since Tohru presented her with the egg, and she supposed she had not fully worked through the shock yet. Last night she had gone to bed early, the following morning she was quick through breakfast, and she kept her mind occupied all day at work. Really, she felt kind of off all day too. Makoto probably caught a hint that something was up, but she was not quite able to divulge the news to him just yet. The whole thing had her a bit concerned too… she was not sure if she was ready for all of this.

When she was all done in the bathroom and changed into her evening clothes she walked out into the living room. Kanna and Tohru were sitting with their legs under the kotatsu watching an anime on television. Tohru had the egg tightly cradled against her bosom as she rocked it back and forth, softly humming to it and petting it with her hand.

When she saw Kobayashi standing just outside the living room she smiled at her. "Here, want to hold her for a little while?"

"Her?"

Tohru nodded. "I can not yet know for sure, but I have a good feeling it is going to be a girl!"

Kobayashi's eyes shifted away and she adjusted her glasses. "Well… I…"

Tohru was already standing up and walking the egg over to her. She smiled as she held it out. "Just hold her close to your body to keep her warm." Kobayashi stared at it uncertainly until Tohru laughed and said, "Well? Hurry up! She is getting cold!"

"O-okay," said Kobayashi, and her arms slowly came out to take it. At first she just held it in her outstretched hands and stared at it. It felt warm in her palms, and the coloring really was beautiful. She was also surprised by how light it was; it looked as though it would be at least somewhat heavy, but actually only weighed a couple of pounds.

Tohru smiled humorously as she guided Kobayashi's arms into a position where she would hug the egg closer to her chest. "Here, like this, and pet her with your hands a little bit too if you want."

"Um… Ok…" said Kobayashi, still feeling rather awkward with it.

"Here, come have a seat by the kotatsu," said Tohru as she guided her by the shoulder. "I will start getting dinner ready."

"Right…" Kobayashi carefully lowered herself down to a seated position and tucked her legs under the kotatsu.

Tohru stood nearby for a moment with her hands folded in front of her. She let out a small happy giggle, then went to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

Kobayashi stared down at the egg. Her child was inside of it. It felt so surreal, and while the problematic side of her personality ran through the things that now needed to happen in response - preparing a room, telling her parents, figuring out how to afford the new expenses, school registration, etc... - the other side of her that should have some emotional response felt oddly detached.

This was her child. She understood that, but at the same time it is like she did not understand. It was an egg! How was this possible?

She looked over to Kanna who had a book and a notepad out in front of her and was writing inside of it. She had her usual placid, big-eyed expression on her face as she concentrated on her work and her pencil moved back and forth across the page.

Kanna was already sort of like an adopted child in a lot of ways, but since Tohru took care of most things at home Kobayashi's life had not needed to change a whole lot in order to compensate for Kanna (aside from moving into a bigger apartment). This egg was different though. Soon it would be a baby. How soon? She was not even sure of that. Everything she knew about the reproductive cycle apparently had zero application when it came to dragons. For starters, she and Tohru were both female! How was it even possible that Tohru got pregnant… or… fertilized… or whatever the hell the correct term would be?

"So, Kanna," Kobayashi asked, "What do you think of this?"

Kanna looked up. "I am happy for you." Then she looked back to her work and seemed to not have much more to say on the subject.

The girl of few words, as usual, Kobayashi thought with an inward grin. She then put her attention back on the egg. It was warm against her body, and it did feel rather pleasant to hold. Still… it was so strange. At this point in her life, having a pair of dragons living with her for the better part of a year, she figured she should be past the point of finding anything odd. She had thought she was, in fact, until Tohru presented her with this egg the night before.

What would the baby even look like? When it was ready to hatch would a little human fist break through the shell, or would it be a scaly clawed foot? Could they do something like an ultrasound to find out? That idea made her think of something else.

Normally babies are given birth at a hospital, or at the very least a doctor would come to the house to help with the delivery… was anything like that necessary for an egg? What about getting a birth certificate for her?

Kobayashi got up and went to the kitchen to talk to Tohru about it. "Hey, so like…" she stopped when she saw Tohru had her tail up on the cutting board with a butcher's knife in her hand preparing to slice it. Tohru froze in place with a deadpan expression in her eyes. Kobyashi's face lowered into an unamused scowl. "Don't even think about it."

"Oh! Come on!" Tohru complained.

Kobayashi couldn't help smiling. Same old Tohru. "Anyway, I wanted to ask... in your world when a dragon is going to have a baby is there any kind of doctors or anything like that involved in the process?"

"Huh?"

"You know, to run tests to make sure the baby is healthy and things like that."

Tohru just smiled. "Don't worry, our baby is very healthy. You can feel her warmth, can't you?"

Indeed, the egg she had cradled in her arms was warm, and she supposed it would make sense that could be interpreted as a good sign.

Also… Tohru just said "our baby". Kobayashi's arms subconsciously tightened around it, holding it closer to her body.

"Either way, I would be wary of any outsiders with seemingly good intentions coming near our egg," Tohru started explaining, holding up a finger in warning. "There is a story of two sorcerers who convinced a dozen eggs to leave their nest, against the wishes of their mother, by tempting them with a promise of a great feast. The irony is that the feast was only for the sorcerers, as it was all a scheme to trick the eggs into a pot of boiling water so that they could eat them!"

"Hm, kind of like the walrus and the carpenter."

"Wait!" Tohru gasped, suddenly clutching her hands at her chest. "Y-you are not asking because you are thinking of eating her after all? Are you?"

"The thought never crossed my mind, Tohru. I already explained that it was a misunderstanding. Didn't I?"

Tohru sighed with relief. "I know, I just can't help not discounting the possibility. You humans sure are strange."

Kobayashi raised eyebrow. "We're the strange ones?" She laughed it off and said, "Anyway, are there any other customs dragons usually go through? Like a baby shower or something like that?"

"Baby shower?" asked Tohru, putting a finger to her chin and pondering it. "No, I figured we were just going to lick her clean."

"Um… I'll just leave that part to you."

Tohru shrugged with open palms and said, "Ok, your loss! That just means more licking for me!"

"What I meant is, in this world a baby shower is something a couple does when they are getting ready to have a baby." a couple... "They… they throw a party and their friends and family come and give them presents. You know, like toys and clothes for the baby. Stuff like that."

"We have something that is sort of like that, but it is the other way around. When my sister had a baby her mate conquered and enslaved an entire kingdom then presented it to my father so that he would grant the child his blessing."

"Ok, first of all you explained that way too casually. Second of all, I hope no one is expecting me to conquer any kingdoms because it is not going to happen."

"No…" said Tohru, suddenly losing her lively demeanor as a chagrined demeanor came over her.

"Tohru?" she asked carefully, seeing that something was wrong.

"The truth is… My father will never accept this child. Even if we are to conquer an entire world."

"Is it… because I'm human?"

"Yes."

Kobayashi again thought back to the terrible creature that was Tohru's father. She remembered the fear of standing before such a being and knowing he was hostile towards her. If he wanted to, he could have wiped her out with little more effort than the brush of his hand. The concerned look on Tohru's face concerned her as well. "Tohru. Am I in danger?"

She instantly shook her head. "Not at all."

"Are you in danger?"

Tohru smiled. "No, I promise that is not the case either. It is more likely that I will simply be disowned. Actually, because of this it is far less likely that we will ever be bothered by any of my relatives again." She shrugged. "I will simply cease to be spoken of by them."

"What? Isn't that a bit extreme?"

"It is not unheard of for dragons to mingle with humans, though it is unusual I suppose, but something like this is completely different. My family will think of it as a disgrace. They will never even acknowledge her existence… especially my father. Simply because our daughter is drackin, she will never get to know my side of the family."

"Drackin?"

"Half human half dragon. I have never met one before, as they are so rare that they pretty much only exist in stories. The tales of drackin usually describe drifters with very lonely lives, as they are accepted by neither humans nor dragons." Tohru stepped forward and placed her hand upon the egg in Kobayashi's arms. "It will be different for our child, though. This world is not like mine. I know she will have lots of friends and live a happy fulfilling life. I am sure of it!"

Kobayashi peaked over to Kanna who still had her head buried in her school work. Kobayashi did not know too much about Tohru's world, but it was clear from what stories she has heard that dragons and humans had trouble coexisting with one-another over there. This world was different, though. Kanna went to school with human children and has made a lot of friends there. Hell, she was practically the most popular girl in her class. Same with Tohru when she would go to the marketplace.

"Yeah," said Kobayashi with a smile. "Our child will have a great life. With lots of friends."

Tohru's eyes brightened up, and Kobayashi somewhat guiltily came to the realization this was the first time she outwardly acknowledge the child as hers. It was only last night that Tohru had told her, and it had come as a shock to her, but wasn't she being a bit heartless for not acting more excit-

Tohru unexpectedly wrapped her arms around her. "Kobayashi!" she cheered, hugging tightly with the egg between their two bodies.

"T-Tohru!"

"I love you Miss. Kobayashi!"

"Ah, o-okay Tohru! You're cutting off my circulation a bit here!"

II

I should have said "I love you too" Kobayashi thought, somewhat guiltily.

She was sitting back with her arms propping herself up and her legs under the kotatsu. The light from the TV reflected off her glasses as she, Tohru, and Kanna watched TV together before bedtime. Kanna's head was down and she already seemed to be starting to drift off, and Tohru held the egg. She was rocking it and petting it with her hand.

Kobayashi's eyes snuck over to the egg where it was nestled against Tohru's bosom. Why do I always suck with stuff like this? she thought to herself.

The concept of love was a foreign thing to her. Whatever love interests there had been in her life were few and far between and never lasted long. She never use to think much about it, but whenever she did she would offhandedly blame it on simply never finding the right person, or not caring enough to ever worry about it in the first place. She figured she was simply okay with being alone, and maybe even took some pride in the idea that she did not need to rely on anyone in order to be happy. Had she really been happy like that, though?

What Makoto said the day before popped into her head again. "You don't realize that you were lonely until someone comes along and changes it."

Her hands tightened and her head lowered.

"Hey Kanna," Tohru whispered, and Kanna sleepily lifted her head with her eyelids drooping down. "Why don't you go to bed now?" Tohru suggested with a smile.

Kanna responded with a "mmmm" then dragged herself out from under the kotatsu and slogged her way over to her bedroom.

Kobayashi lifted a hand and patted Kanna's head as she passed by. "Goodnight Kanna."

Kanna yawned and responded, "Goodnight, Miss. Kobayashi." as she rubbed her eye with a small fist, and then continued on her way.

After Kanna's bedroom door shut Kobayashi sighed and said, "Yeah, guess it's about that time. I'm going to bed too." Then she started getting up.

"Ok." Tohru said, and shifted as if she were going to get up as well, but stopped. Kobayashi pretended not to notice the disappointed expression on Tohru's face.

Why do I suck?

"Goodnight, Tohru," she said as she turned her back to her and started walking to her bedroom.

"Goodnight… Miss. Kobayashi." She sounded sad.

Come on… what's wrong with me? Kobayashi thought to herself as she opened her bedroom door.

That disappointed expression on Tohru's face was the same way last night when Kobayashi went to bed without inviting her in. Tohru had wanted to be invited into the bedroom to sleep with her. Kobayashi knew that, but didn't say anything and had gone to bed alone. Now she was getting ready to do the same thing again.

Why wouldn't Tohru just force the issue herself and climb into bed? She had done that before, but… things were probably different now. It was cute before when Tohru would just hop under the covers unannounced and they would go to sleep together. Their relationship had changed since then though, and Tohru wanted more than to just be a cute silly roommate-slash-maid. She now wanted some sign that things were official. She had every right to want that too… but...

But… doesn't she know it's hard for me? I know I'm just being stupid… but…

She gulped, thinking how much easier these words would come out if she took a few rounds of sake first. "Hey, so like. You know," Kobayashi said, standing in her bedroom doorway.

"Yes?" Tohru asked.

"Like… you coming in too, or what?"

Tohru instantly shot up out of her seat, and giggled. "Yes! Of course!" Kobayashi couldn't help smiling, despite the thudding in her chest. Why was her heart racing like that?

Before coming in, Tohru went to her own room and changed into her sleeping clothes. She wore a simple white t-shirt and a pair of lime green shorts. The t-shirt was a rather thin fabric and did not do much to conceal Tohru's physical features. Kobayashi tried not to be too obvious with noticing the bumps at the center of her breasts, or the way her shorts barely contained her thighs.

Kobayashi let her vision drift up to the ceiling as she laid down on her back and Tohru climbed into bed next to her. Tohru laid on her side and giggled as she snuggled into the covers, holding the egg tightly against herself.

"So like, with keeping the egg warm..." Kobayashi asked. "Does it have to be kept warm all the time? I just want to know so no mistakes happen."

"Do not worry too much. She will be just fine as long as she is not put somewhere that is actually cold. It is still good to hold her as often as possible, because she can feel our energy and it makes her happy."

"Feel our energy?" Kobayashi asked, turning her head.

"You have not noticed?" Tohru moved closer and lifted an arm up, trying to invite Kobayashi in closer. "Here."

"Um… ok..." Kobayashi rolled on her side as well, and put an arm over Tohru with the egg between both of their bodies. Tohru pulled Kobayashi in more firmly, and since she was so busty her chest pressed against Kobayashi with the egg caught between their midsections. Both of their faces were red as they stared into eachothers eyes.

"You feel her warmth, right?" Tohru asked.

Kobayashi nodded, "Yeah." Her eyes were on Tohru's lips, and she realized the egg was not the only warmth she could feel. There was Tohru's body heat as well, but even more deeply she felt a warm feeling inside her own heart which coursed throughout her whole body.

"If you concentrate on it in the right way, you will feel its pulse. That is our child's life force beating. As she matures and gets closer to being ready to hatch, she may even start talking to us."

"Talking to us? From inside the egg?"

Tohru giggled, "Yup! Well, she will likely not know any proper words, but she will still try to communicate with us once she has matured enough to do so."

"Could anyone hear her?"

"No, just her mothers. Kanna for example would only be able to outwardly feel her life pulse, but connecting on that deeper level is something that can only be done with her parents."

Her parents… Tohru and I…

Kobayashi closed her eyes, and tried to focus on the warmth of the egg. It was a steady, static warmth just like any other heat source would give off. It felt really nice, though, and-

Kobayashi eyes shot open and she gasped. She felt a sudden jolt rush through her entire body, starting at her heart where she connected with the egg, then traveling down her limbs and to the tips of her fingers and her toes.

"You felt it, didn't you?" Tohru said with a giggle, watching the fascinated expression in Miss. Kobayashi's eyes. "Looks like she pushed a little hard, huh? That is because it is the first time she has felt you so far. I bet it made her very happy."

"Tohru…" Kobayashi's lip trembled and her eyes started to glass up.

"Miss. Kobayashi?" Tohru asked, her own eyes widening. Then she saw tears roll down Kobayashi's cheeks.

"This is, really our baby. Isn't it?" Kobayashi asked.

"Of course it is," Tohru said, hugging onto Kobayashi even tighter. Kobayashi responded to it, moving in even closer. "Are you ok?" Tohru asked.

Kobayashi nodded. "Yeah… I guess… I just feel so happy." Tohru smiled at those words. "I… don't think I ever felt this way before."

"Me too, Miss. Kobayashi," Tohru whispered. "You've made me really happy."

"I… I'm sorry if I am a little cold to you sometimes… I-"

Tohru put a finger up to Miss. Kobayashi's lips to stop her. "I told you. Being with you has made me happier than I have even been. I understand you; you are always cautious and are careful not to misstep and do something wrong." Tohru giggled, "I am not like that. I often get myself into trouble without thinking things through. So, don't ever try and force yourself. Just keep being you! I trust you, and I am grateful to have you as my master!"

Kobayashi remembered the story Tohru told her about the bandit girl she had met, the one who wanted to become a maid and hoped to fall in love with her master. Kobayashi also thought of those other stories Tohru had shared from her past life. Warring with the gods, being hunted by humans, and though Tohru was a powerful being who could do whatever she wished she never truly felt free.

Kobayashi was glad Tohru finally found the life she wanted, and was even happier to be a part of it. She was also incredibly grateful to have Tohru as her maid and also, she supposed, to have her as a lover.

"Tohru, I love you."

Tohru smiled. "I love you too, Miss. Kobayashi."

Then Kobayashi moved in even closer, and their lips connected. The warmth of the egg (her daughter), Tohru, and the warmth of her own inner happiness all swirled together. What did she do to deserve this? She never expected this kind of happiness could exist, but she was so grateful to have it.

After they were done kissing they laid together with their eyes closed, ready to go to sleep.

"Hey, Miss. Kobayashi?" Tohru asked.

"Hm?"

"That baby shower thing you talked about. I was just thinking that would be really nice. We should have one."

"Yeah, definitely." Kobayashi let out a loud yawn. "Let's do it."

"Let's do it soon."

"Mmmmm," Kobayashi agreed, already drifting off.

"Because… dragon eggs…" Tohru yawned, "Hatch rather quickly…"

"I see…"

No more was said for the night, as they both then fell asleep.

III

Kobayashi had a wonderful dream. It was a simple dream with a scene which was less clear to her than the emotions it presented. It was also odd, she felt as though she was not alone in her dream world. She was in the field where Kanna and Tohru would often go to play, with the only difference being that they were all on a swinging bench. She and Tohru, with their daughter between them. Kanna was there too, sitting in the grass nearby. The four of them were talking and laughing with each other, but the words were unclear.

Kobayashi saw her, though... her daughter. She looked so much like Tohru, sharing the features of Tohru's eyes and face, but her hair was the color of Kobayashi's.

She did not know how she knew, but she did know that the extra presence inside her dreamworld was that smaller Tohru who sat next to her. The dream versions of Tohru and Kanna were just images inside Kobayashi's head. Her daughter was more than just a figure brought up by her subconsciousness, though. It was really her.

My daughter…

Dream Kobayashi raised a hand and put it on top of her daughter's head. Her lips moved to say, "I love you."

Her daughter smiled up at her. Her face was SO much like Tohru's!

Her lips moved, and if sound existed in this dream world she probably would have said. "I love you too, mama!"

Tohru had said that the tales of drackin normally describe loners with no friend or families, but it would be different for this one. Her daughter would have a loving family and lots of friends. She would have a very happy life... Her drackin daughter.

Wow! 24 reviews, over 60 followers and over 30 favorites already! This story really blew up! I am glad it seems a lot of people are enjoying it! ^^

For updates on when more chapters will be coming out, keep up with my twitter account!

At /Atomyst_fics or find a direct link in my profile!

Also if you like this kind of story the closest thing I have to it would be my Madoka Magica fic titled "Meet the Parents" in which Kyoko and Sayaka are in a serious relationship and Kyoko is going to meet Sayaka's parents. You could read that while waiting for updates on this one.

Thank you for reading!

-Atomyst