The untimely yet welcomed deaths of Dr. Takashima and Genkaku brought a halt to the Carnival Corpse battles and penalty games - temporarily at least. Sonomi had settled in as being the resident doctor mostly because she had no choice. Days had become routine and wonderfully boring. With the lack of the violent games, there was not much to do. She was perfectly fine with that. It did not bother her at all because it gave her more free time with which she could play doctor with Senji.

After a month passed, Sonomi began to feel tired. Some days she was so exhausted she would have to take a nap just to get through the day. When another month had gone by, she knew something was going on. Not only was she fatigued, she was hungry all the time, irritable, and weepy. She had missed her period for the second time.

Sonomi stared at the pink plus sign on the stick she held in her hand. Biting her lip nervously, she was torn between being happy and sad. She was ecstatic because she was pregnant with Senji's baby. However, it was upsetting to think she would be bringing an innocent baby into this den of wickedness and extraordinary evil.

"What's that?" Ganta asked, jumping back when she screamed in surprise. "What's wrong?"

Sonomi looked at his already big gray eyes that were even wider and rounder than usual while he stared at her fearfully. She walked over to the trash can throwing the plastic stick away. Sitting down heavily in a chair, she covered her face and began to cry.

"Wh-what is it?" he inquired with obvious concern in his voice. He walked over to her, patting her on the back because he had no clue what else to do.

"Ganta, I'm pregnant," she sobbed, putting her arms around his waist and pressing her face against his t-shirt covering his belly.

"Isn't that a good thing?" He stroked her soft black hair, enjoying the feeling of her hair gliding between his fingers. It had been meant to comfort her, but stroking her hair seemed to be calming him instead. He had grown to love her, viewing her like a surrogate mother. She could never truly replace his dead mother but she did care about him and was the closest thing he had.

"Yes, it is a good thing. But a baby? Here?" Her arms tightened around him briefly before she let him go and stood up.

"Have you told Senji yet?" Ganta asked.

"Have you told Senji what?" he asked, striding into the room. He gave Ganta a gentle noogie on the head, then pulled Sonomi into his arms for a kiss.

"I'll be leaving now," Ganta announced, swiftly exiting the room.

"What was that all about?" Senji queried, watching the boy's hurried departure.

"There's something I need to tell you," Sonomi said, chewing her lip apprehensively as his piercing gray-blue eye stared at her. She paused not sure how to proceed. The only she could do was to just say it. There would be nothing to preface it to soften the shock. "I'm pregnant."

"You're what?" He turned a sickly shade of white and stumbled backwards. Thankfully there was an examining table behind him with which to steady himself. "You're pregnant?"

Sonomi nodded mutely, wringing her hands as she waited for the initial shock to pass. She moved toward him, then stopped. Turning her back to him, she began to slowly walk away.

"Sweetheart," he murmured, sliding his arms around her waist from behind her. He flattened his hands across her belly, kissing her cheek. "You've made me happy. I love you."

Sonomi turned to him, pressing her face against his bare chest. Her arms enclosed his waist holding him firmly against her. "I love you too."

"We can't stay here. We have to get out somehow," he told her, running his fingers through her hair.

"But how?"

"I don't know. I'll think of something."

Sonomi felt him swaying her back and forth gently. She kissed his chest, gliding her fingers over his body. Her tongue licked over one of his nipples making him shiver with delight.

"Want to celebrate? It would be appropriate don't you think?" Her eyes glittered naughtily as she held his gaze.

"I suppose so." He held her face in his hands, kissing her tenderly. He liked the feel of her soft lips against his so he indulged in kissing her long and slow savoring that sensation.

Sonomi slid her hands up his chest, pushing his coat over his shoulders and down his arms. Her fingers played over the defined muscles in his arms, feeling them flex and move as he slid his arms around her. She whimpered when he grabbed her behind and pulled her against him.

"Oh, Senji," she moaned, feeling his hardness press into her. She raised onto her tiptoes, pressing herself into him again.

Senji pushed her away so he could reach her pants to take them off. After stripping her naked from the waist down, he held her by the waist and took her to the examining table. He watched her as she unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans, pushing them down to his thighs to free him. When she opened her legs for him, he carefully guided himself into her body.

Sonomi allowed her head to drop back, releasing a small cry of pleasure as he teasingly worked himself into her. She jerked and wriggled as he pushed in then almost pulled out before pushing in that much deeper. He repeated this sensual tempting movement until she was ready to beg him to take her completely. Just as she was about to give in, she tightened her legs around him and pulled him in. Smiling with satisfaction when that proved to be his undoing, she got what she wanted as he began thrusting into her with short powerful strokes.

Senji felt that familiar pressure that meant the sweetest of releases was coming. Looking at her, he caressed her face that was so beautiful in the midst of their passionate lovemaking. Her eyes were closed and her dark pink lips were parted slightly as she took fast breaths that came as a gasp sometimes. The woman he loved, the mother of his child. Even if he had given up hope and did not want to save himself, he had to save them.

"Sonomi," he whispered, kissing her briefly. He pressed his lips against her neck to stifle a shout of pleasure as he climaxed, holding her body close to his.

Sonomi moved against him, pushing herself that small distance she needed to go to reach the top. Upon reaching that sought after pinnacle of pleasure, she looked at his face as smiled at her lovingly. She returned his smile, feeling a warm blush tint her cheeks.

"God you are so lovely right now," he sighed, kissing her full pink lips that seemed to be swollen from desire.

"We've made something beautiful together," she said softly, placing his hand on her belly.

"I will get you out of here, I swear," he promised her.

Sonomi wanted to believe him but there was the slightest waver in his voice that hinted at him being unsure. Unfortunately, that was enough to break her confidence. She did not care if they did stay here. Just as long as they were together and the baby was safe, that was all that mattered to her.

~\..'../~


Senji looked at the sleeping woman next to him. He pulled aside the sheet to caress her growing belly. A smile tugged at his lips when he felt the child inside of her move against his palm – his child. Moving down in the bed, he pressed his lips against her silky skin that was had stretched to accommodate their growing baby. Feeling a light movement beneath his lips, he kept his lips pressed to her belly. He sighed with contentment when her fingers combed through his hair.

"What are you doing, Daddy?" Sonomi asked, looking down at the man softly brushing his fingertips across her swollen abdomen. She had never seen a man more in a love with a child without even seeing or holding it first.

"How long?" he inquired, nuzzling against her.

"I have four months left," she answered, moving her fingers to his cheek.

Damn! Only four months to go and they were still stuck here. He had done nothing and accomplished nothing. He had already failed on one of his promises to protect her. It was unbearable to consider the consequences of failing again especially when this also effected their child. If they did leave, where would they go? What would they do? What dangers would they have to face out there? At least he understood the evil in here and knew what to expect. He could plan and anticipate. Two of the biggest threats had been dealt with so things were calm and pleasant at this time.

"Senji," Sonomi called, tipping his chin up gently with her fingers to look at him. "Everything will be fine. It will work out."

She would rather stay here and stay alive than try to leave and die. Senji has always been there for her when she needed him. Some of his recues he might have considered late or complete failures, but she had always deemed him as being right on time. Because of him nothing really bad has happened to her and she was still alive. She belonged to him and always would. Their baby would be born in a few months to make them an official family. She had all she ever wanted or needed right here, with him.

~\..'../~


Sonomi walked into the clinic, startled to see a man in a white coat sitting there. She stared at the man with shoulder length black hair that was so shiny and smooth it appeared to have iridescence to it like the feathers of a crow. His narrow eyes were a deep indigo blue that studied her over the half glasses sitting just past the tip of his nose. She smiled because although he appeared to be not much older than her, his way of wearing his glasses made him look like an old man. He unfolded his long lean frame from the chair and walked toward her.

"Are you Sonomi Yamato?" he asked, his voice light and smooth, almost effeminate. He was very soft spoken and seemed kind. He smiled as she mutely nodded, still staring at him apprehensively. "My name is Yatagarasu de Sade*. I'm the new doctor."

"I'm pleased to meet you, sir," she responded offering her hand.

"Oh my," he gasped, reaching out to touch her burgeoning baby belly.

Sonomi felt blood rush to her face as the man gently probed her stomach with his hands.

"How far along are you?" he asked, leading her to the examining table and helping her up.

"Six months, I think. Since we don't have equipment for this, I'm not really sure so I calculated as best as I could by my cycle," she explained, allowing him to unbutton her shirt to get a better look at her belly. She grunted as he poked and prodded, measured and thought.

"As far as I can tell, you are right on the mark. Looks like I arrived right in time. You will need someone to help take care of you and deliver this baby," he said, looking down at her.

Sonomi had not thought that far ahead. She could not imagine having to deliver this baby by herself. Glancing at the face of the kind man who helped her sit up, she wondered if she could trust him. The last doctor had been a complete nightmare. She questioned what this man would be like. Looking at his hair, she thought of her own Crow, Senji. What would he think of her working so closely with a man?

...


"I don't care. You don't have a choice anyway so what does it matter?" Senji pouted, slamming his booted feet down on her rickety coffee table. He had been aggravated since he met the new doctor when he stopped by the clinic to walk her to her quarters after work.

"Please don't destroy what few pitiful possessions I have," she implored him, shoving his feet off the table.

"De Sade!" he exclaimed with a really bad French accent. "What a sexy sounding name. I'm guessing he's part French. He's good looking. That hair would be great to run your fingers through," he prodded her.

"Are you in love with him? I'm not sure if he swings that way, but I could find out," she joked with a mischievous grin, sitting down beside him. She laughed as he coughed and sputtered furiously while his face turned a lovely rose red.

"Sonomi, dammit! You know I only love you!"

"I know, dumbass. Right back at you. How dare you think I'd be interested in another man," she muttered, sincerely affronted by the allegation. She pushed on his chest, arching back from him so he could not kiss her.

"Oh, you're feisty one! I like that," he teased, licking her neck from the hollow of her throat to her chin.

Sonomi screamed and giggled, unable to stay angry with him for long. She pressed her lips to his pushing him over onto his back. Grabbing his jeans she unbuttoned them, feeling him smiling against her lips.

"Damn, I like this side effect of pregnancy," he murmured, unbuttoning her shirt. He was a happy man all the time with her new sexual appetite. She wanted him morning, noon, night and several times in between.

Sonomi stripped off her clothes and mounted him right there on the couch. It was easier for her to be on top since her belly had grown so much, and she liked being in charge anyway. She could decide speed, depth, and force. It was also quite thrilling to watch the changes in expression on his face as she made love to him. If she had to guess, she would say Senji enjoyed it quite a bit himself. She smiled as he clamped his hands down on her thighs thrusting upwards into her as he opened his mouth to release a long low groan that morphed into a sensual growl. Her fingers touched his handsome face, holding the gaze of his steel blue eye when he opened it.

"You're the only man I will ever love. You're the only one I'll ever want," she whispered, swaying her hips faster.

Senji was unable to speak as she virtually pulled the ejaculation from him. She watched his face as it contorted with something like pain as the orgasm began. He issued the most erotic groan of pleasure as he pushed up into her in several quick rhythmic thrusts. Her eyes never left his face as the tight pinched expression relaxed and his mouth curled into a tranquil smile.

"Oh, sweetheart, I've never loved anyone like I love you. I need you. I have to be with you to survive. You make my life worth living," he told her, holding her head in his hand as she grinded her body into his.

"Mmmm, Senji," she moaned, biting her lower lip. Her climax came in a slow moving ripple that started from the center of her being and rushed out with a sudden explosion that made her scream. Tears ran down her cheeks from the unexpected emotional release that came with the physical one.

"Oh, god, sweetheart," he whispered, pulling her down to his chest to hold her. "In you I've found heaven in this hell."


Author's notes: *Yatagarasu de Sade is another OC I created to help move the story along.

Just a few fun facts that might interest you about the OC:

He had a French father and Japanese mother, therefore he has the French surname de Sade. A French Marquis by the name of de Sade was where the word sadist was derived.

In Japanese mythology, Yatagarasu is an "eight-span crow"and the appearance of the great bird is construed as evidence of the will of Heaven or divine intervention in human affairs. Yatagarasu the Crow-God himself is symbolic specifically of guidance.