Knight in Dark Amour

I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho

Medieval Hakusho

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Chapter Nine

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Winter ceased to exist in the land and the meadows burgeoned with vernal flowers courtesy of the April showers of rain. The sound of the children of the village running about while Kurama was still bed bound with little desire to be out and about. Lying awake lazily as his eyes studied his stone walls, he rubbed soothing circles around his expanded stomach. Yet again, he wished for Hiei's speedy return though his mother told him there was four more months before he's to expect to bear his progeny. He as well as she held uncertainty for she explained that he was larger than expected. He smiled as his recapitulated the event when he noticed his raiment became fitted and his mother's response to such information.

Flashback

"Mother, may I have a bit of your time please?" He asked circumspectly as he approached her in her chambers one night.

"Please." She happily beckoned him to sit with her.

"You must be aware I yearn for your happiness and wish to honour you." He started tentatively and she smiled.

"Yes." She beamed with thoughts that he forwent his affair with Hiei to be with one he could fulfil her desire.

"I shared my loyalty to Hiei." He paused and beheld her countenance. "I would rather die than break my oath to him but I strongly desire to please thee." He said and she frowned with clear confusion.

"Please explain." She said.

"I shall." He paused. "On my journey to gather herbs for you while you were stricken with the ailment, I travelled a way to a house of a woman who told me things only secret to me. She gave me the medicine which healed you and the seeds of the plant that is beautifying my chambers. She also gave me things to give me my desire to please both you and Hiei." Promulgating his thoughts carefully, he stated without revealing all at once.

"I am aware Hiei pardoned you to fulfil what I hoped for, did he not?"

"Yea, he did though I forbade it. It is I who would live with such grief." He said torvous to his mother who sighed.

"Shuichi, I do regret forcing thee. I see how happy he makes you and I know it be not my place to beg such things of you which goes against your wish but to support thy happiness and that I do. I have seen the true happiness your Knight brings to you and it be a mother's dream to have such protection and care bestowed to their child." She smiled as he was moved by her words.

"I am glad you have finally given your approval." He beamed and she nodded with a smile. "Though I bear good tidings. With the aid of the old woman's medicine, she gave me the ability to fulfil your wish. I did so with Hiei." He smiled as she indulged into quandary. A hand on his stomach verified his words as her jaw became slack and eyes waxed large.

"How be it possible?"

"It be so due to various potions from the woman." He smiled while he spoke to her who still held a truly stunned countenance.

"My grandchild?" She stammered and Kurama smiled with a nod.

For the past months before it was seen, she bore great doubt even though initially she was glad. It was unnatural and hard to believe until it became elucidated; it was finally perceived as real and true. Saya became to the knowledge as Kurama waxed larger and the village knew naught as he wore many clothing, though as the weather waxed warmer as he grew larger, it will be know of the very preternatural event.

End of Flashback

With great effort finally, Kurama sat up from his bed and walked out to greet his mother.

"Shuichi dear, eat your fill of breakfast." Shiori greeted with an amused smile as her aberrantly dishevelled son appeared while rubbing soothing caresses on his abdomen.

"Thank you mother." He said and sat slowly. "I felt kicking while forcefully inducing sleep." He sighed. "I am in great need of sleep." He yawned thereafter and she chuckled. Her son was experience what she did when with child with him. Everything, even the cravings, mood swing and behaviour was as her while with child with him.

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Hitherto Hiei was not seen by Kurama, though when Saya and Kurama were gathering water in the stream, she beheld Hiei far of in the distance but he beck her to remain quiet as he was not able to join them. A wave was all that was given before he rode away on his mighty black horse.

Days later, with great relief to the village, two bands of knights rode into the village before returning to the castle. It was the first time Kurama beheld a female knight. Her look was peculiar as she held great prowess tantamount with her fellow knights. Unfortunately among those knights, neither Hiei nor his usual men were present. Grateful for his present state, no knights fawned him as he was clearly seen that he, though they knew not that he be not a maiden, were well belonging to another. His country folk, thereafter, reproved him of wrong and the dabbling of witchcraft. Preceding such encounter, there was a persecuted period with the folk finally giving up on the family when the Knights came about; such visit gave kept them busy on other matters. The visitors departed but some derision remained in the minds of some, and even some young maidens ridiculed him for his ability to bear when they were not able to. The thought of the father also pierced their minds and they thought of a vagrant or an equally lowly citizen because they viewed Kurama, and even his kin, as not being good enough for a man of honour or class. Some also hypothesised that Shuichi made a pact with a sorcerer for the health of his mother and her sister. Others concluded he be not a boy as firstly thought. Speculations and assumptions were as great as the grains in the fields.

Kurama and his family bore under it as they revealed naught for it was clearly they matter and theirs only. Though Saya were not fully understanding of it completely, she fully supported it believing anyone can pray for a child if they desired and it will happen. A bright day arrived when the faithful Knights arrived into the village. Knowing regardless of his physical condition, he was faithful to the duty of the tavern as he readied himself for work.

"Shuichi, be it not possible, though it would be understandable to remain home tonight." Shiori said but he smiled.

"It is no true task." He smiled. She treated him as a precious thing ever since she was given such tidings.

"Be safe."

"I shall." He smiled reassuringly and left. Not a moment after, a knock was heard.

"Did he forget a thing?" Shiori asked and for the first time ever, she beamed when she saw it was Hiei as she opened the door.

"I wish to see Kurama." He said opting since long before for the direct approach when dealing with his beloved's mother but surprisingly to him, she smiled pleasantly.

"Ye be no stranger." She smiled cardinally and he frowned at her unusually kindly behaviour towards him. "He left for the tavern where your men have congregated."

With a nod, he turned but halted at her voice.

"Hiei, thank you." Thinking little of her words, he departed to the tavern. He longed to see his redhead after so long of being away, increasingly against his will.

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End of Chapter Nine

Thank you all yet again and I hope this one was enjoyable as well.

Vocabulary

Beck: beckon

Raiment: clothing