Quick update, huh? I couldn't wait until later to update it so, here you are!

----------

Chapter 2 – Expecting the Unexpected

Over a month had passed since the whole incident but Kumatora thought nothing of it. She kept on doing what she normally did: exploring the nearby forest, hanging out with Duster, Lucas and Boney, and just plain goofing off. Unfortunately, an awful reminder of that event reared its ugly head one morning when she got out of bed. She wasn't feeling like her normal self, a bit drained but also a bit sick. At first she thought it was nothing, just the flu going through her system. However, it had been going on for at least a week.

"I'm tired of feeling like crap," Kumatora said to herself as she made some tea. She didn't really care for the stuff but it was always helpful when she wasn't feeling well. As she poured some, it just dawned on her. I hadn't started this month yet, she thought. "No, I doubt it." Kumatora was about to take a drink when she began to feel nauseous again. "…damn it…"

----------

It was a bit passed noon now and Duster was outside his home, stretching a bit. After noticing the sun's location, he realized that it was starting to get late and Kumatora wasn't around. She would usually be one of the first to be up but then he remembered that she was feeling under the weather. Lucas had just finished talking to Fuel when he went over to see his friend.

"Hey Duster. Have seen Kumatora today?" he asked.

The thief saw Lucas and stopped stretching out his legs. "No, why?"

"Usually she's out and about by now or we're trying to get out of bed."

"True but she told me she hasn't been feeling well the last few days."

"You think she's okay?" Lucas was beginning to get a bit concerned.

"Probably but I'll go check on her just to be safe."

"All right."

The thief made his way to Kumatora's and knocked on the door. No one answered. "Kumatora? It's me, Duster. Are you in there?" he asked. Still no response. "If you're asleep or don't want to see anyone, I'll come back later. I was just checking on you to see if you were all right."

"It's all right." A voice said from behind the door, lacking energy. "You can come in if you want."

"Thanks." Duster slowly opened the door and entered. "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

The curtains remained closed and the whole place was dark and a bit messy with various objects lying around. An empty cup sat beside her on a nearby table as well as a spoon. Kumatora was sitting on her bed, slouched over. She looked drained and also a bit upset. "I'm late…" she muttered.

"Late for what?"

Kumatora glared at the thief until he got the message. She got up and walked over to her friend. "I think I AM pregnant…"

"Are…are you sure? Maybe it's just stress or something."

"Remember that I told you that I've been sick for the last few days?"

"Oh…"

"I've also been completely exhausted and having these headaches too." Kumatora did something Duster would never expect to do, she broke down into tears. "What am I going to do?" she shouted. "I'm not ready for this. Damn that stupid doctor and his machine! Damn them to hell!" She punched a nearby wall with so much force that her fist went right through it. He wasn't sure what to do to make her feel better. Almost on instinct, Duster embraced his friend and tried to comfort her. She just stood there, a bit stunned. "What the…"

"Don't worry, Kumatora. No matter what happens I'll be there to help you out."

"Leave me alone," she responded as she pushed the thief away and ran off. He just sighed and left the room. She probably just wants some time alone, Duster thought to himself.He was correct.The princess sat in what use to be the courtyard of Osohe Castle, determined to stop crying. "I don't want to be a mother… why did this have to happen to me?" she murmured to herself, still denying the truth. "I still blame that stupid doctor and that machine…" She sniffled and wiped her eyes. "What the hell am I doing, crying? Great, I've all ready become soft."

----------

The thief headed towards a cliff that looked over another vast forest, a place he always went to when he needed to think or be alone for a bit. Many emotions welled up inside him: fear, nervousness, sadness, and also joy. Lucas was heading home at the time for lunch when Boney whimpered as he saw the thief standing there.

"What's the matter, Boney?" Lucas asked. The dog ran off in Duster's direction, with Lucas following close behind. Boney finally stopped near the cliff and barked, staring at a deep-in-thought Duster.

Something's wrong, the dog whined.

"Do you think is has to do with Kumatora?"

There's only one way to find out, Boney barked quietly.

Lucas nodded in agreement and he went over

"Duster, are you okay?" Lucas asked his friend, standing behind him.

The thief snapped out of his trance and turned around towards the blonde. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine."

"Are you sure? I have a feeling you aren't"

Me too, the dog added.

"You're right, I'm not. Do you remember what happened over a month ago?"

"Yeah…"

"He was right."

"You mean…"

Duster nodded slowly in response. "What am I going to do? I'm not ready for this. I mean, I care about her but…"

Lucas didn't know what say. He had never been in a situation like this before and neither had his friends. After a minute or two of silence he managed to say something. "I guess all we can do is be there and support her." Duster wanted to help Kumatora get through this as much as Lucas did but he was afraid that she would keep on refusing him and either she or the baby would end up getting hurt.

"What am I doing talking to you about this? You're too young to worry about such things," the thief told Lucas.

"Maybe you should go talk to someone else."

"Yeah and I have a good idea of who to ask."

Lucas smiled. "There we go. I'll see you tomorrow. Good luck."

"Thank you." The teenager and his dog left for their destination from earlier as Duster did some careful consideration. "Maybe my dad will know what to do," he said to himself and he headed right over there. He was a bit nervous, asking his father for help. He had to risk being scolded at and being called a moron several times it but he needed some advice and he had become use to the name calling. After taking a deep breath, Duster knocked on the door and Wes answered.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Dad, I need your help."

Figures, the old thief thought to himself. "All right, get in here." Duster did as he told and entered the house as Wes closed the door behind him. "So, what do you need help with?"

"It's about Kumatora."

"She's not hurt, is she?"

"No."

"Good."

Duster sighed, afraid of how his father would react when he would hear the news but he had to take a chance or he would never get the help he needed. "She's pregnant with my child."

Wes's jaw dropped at what his son had said. "What?! What the hell did you do!?!? This is an all-time low, even for you!"

"It was an accident. You see…"

"I don't care if it was or not."

"But just let me tell you what happened."

"Fine, go ahead."

Duster explained to his father what had happened over a month ago with the two and the machine. At first he thought it was a big lie to hide the fact that he took her virginity but his sincere tone made Wes realize that it was the full-hearted truth.

"I can't believe this is happening…Now listen, you moron. If you're going to be a father, you have to take responsibility for what you have done."

"But she wants nothing to do with me now!"

"The princess will come around eventually. She's probably just afraid because she has to give up what makes her her. Just give it time."

"Are you sure about that?"

Wess nodded. "You know her just as well as I do. I'm surprised you've never thought of that, you moron."

"You're right."

"You bet I'm right."

"But I'm still going to try and comfort her. Bye."

Wess groaned. "I guess he'll just have to learn the hard way," he said to himself as his son left.

----------

That night, Lucas sat at the table with Flint sitting across from him. He just poked at his dinner with his fork while his head resting on his hand.

"Anything wrong, Lucas?" Flint asked his son.

"Yeah. I'm a bit worried about Kumatora," he responded.

"Is everything all right?"

"Not really…"

"Would it make you feel better if you told me?"

"Probably." He put his fork down by his plate and sighed. "Kumatora's going to have a baby and Duster's worried because he's the father."

Flint was a bit surprised at what Lucas had said. Her and Duster? Parents? That can't be right. However, Lucas wasn't the kind of boy who would lie about such things so he had to take his word for it.

"Dad?"

"Sorry about that. It was just so…unexpected."

"Yeah. I just hope everything will turn out for the better."

"You shouldn't worry about them. They're adults. They can handle it." Lucas nodded and went back to his dinner. Dad's right. They can handle it but I still want to help if I can. They're my friends. They helped me out numerous times before and I want to return the favor, he thought to himself. I just hope that they want my help.