Moments in Time

By: wolf demoness

Chapter Ten: Mother, I Don't Know What To Do.

Shiori's POV:

After I tucked my son in for his nap I walked back out to the living room where Shuichi was waiting. The last hour had been so amazing. When my son walked into the room I knew that he needed to tell me something. I could see it on his face; it made sense after all. Why else would Shuichi invite me over to their house on a Monday when they should be working? I was worried that something was wrong, but now I'm just so happy and pleased. My baby is having a baby.

When I was a young girl, my father had a portion of his library entirely devoted to demonology. I'd forgotten about it until now. My favorite book was a dusty old tome that described in detail all the characters that occur in common fairytales. I would get out Cinderella, then run to my father's library to look up fairies in that book. There was a portion on kitsune, I remember. I don't know what it said, but I remember the drawing. It was a female kitsune reclining on the limb of an oak tree. She was dressed in a long gown that trailed below her on the branch on which she lay and she was inspecting a fallen leaf that she held in her hand. I thought she was so beautiful, enchanting. After seeing that picture I wanted to be as elegant as she was. Mother thought I was so silly. She sewed a pair of fake ears onto a barrette for me and I wore that around the house for at least a week. Then I became fascinated with one of the other myriad things that attract the attention of the young and forgot all about the lady kitsune.

However stunning that drawing was, my son far surpassed it in elegance and beauty. Never in all my years had I thought to see something so remarkable. He was so mysterious in his demon form, ethereal and removed. Looking at him was like trying to hold on to a fading dream. I just thought that he was going to vanish back into my long forgotten book of fairytales and join the Lady lounging under the tree in her silent and eternal spring. Yet through it all he was still my son. Still the baby I'd reared and fallen in love with the first moment I saw him. I know I should be shocked, perhaps even outraged that a demon had taken the place of my human child. But he's my son. How can I be angry with my son for wanting to live?

My son is a kitsune. It makes sense really, when I think about it. He always was fond of gardening.

"Mother?" Shuichi calls.

I walk into the living room and sit down on the couch. "He's sleeping." I tell him.

"He's been doing that a lot lately. He slept through most of the day yesterday."

"Shuichi." I call him over to me. I consider this boy to be my son. I love him. And whatever shocks I've had today, he's sure to have had worse. He acts fine, but I'm sure this is draining to him. "Are you alright, baby?"

"Yes, mother. Why?"

"Come on. Come sit down." I lead him over to the couch and we sit facing each other. "You've gotten some surprising news in the last few days haven't you?"

He laughs. "I suppose you could say that."

"You're going to be a father and you're moving to a place you've never seen before. It's a bit scary isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," he sighs and leans back on the couch. "It so big, mother, and right now I just feel so small I don't know how I can do all this."

"You'll be fine baby." I reassure him. "I'll help the both of you. We'll take care of each other and we'll all be fine."

"I don't know mother. What if I'm not a good father? I've thought about having children, but I'm not ready for it. I guess I never really thought it would happen. And raising human babies would be hard enough, but how do you raise demons, mom? How do you raise a demon to be a caring, compassionate, well-rounded individual? I just don't know." He looks away. I want to reassure him. Whatever his doubts I know that Shuichi and Kurama will be great parents.

I catch his hand. "You should talk to my son about demons, honey. The best advice I can give you is to show your children that you love them each and every day, just let them know that you're there for them and everything will turn out for the best. Now, I'm going to guess that things are moving a little fast right now and you feel like you've lost some control over you life. Yes?"

"Yes. That sounds so selfish when I say it though. I know that he's really scared and he needs me to be strong for him right now, but I just don't know what I'm supposed to do."

"That's alright baby. It's natural to feel that way. I think that you need to make some plans. Some things in your life are beyond your control right now, but you can plan for those things that are under your control."

"Like what, mother?"

"How about the babies? We could go shopping and get some things that you'll need."

"Now?"

"Why not? We can leave a note for Kurama telling him that we've gone shopping and we'll be home by dinnertime. I'm sure he'd be happy to know that you're excited about the babies."

"But, mom," he says, "what if the babies can't use human things? I really think that we should ask Kurama before buying anything."

"Oh, don't be silly. Babies are babies. No matter what species they still need beds, clothes, and toys."

"Well, I guess you're right. It wouldn't hurt to get a few things."

"There's a good boy. If we get over to the mall fast enough we can still visit that new baby emporium before they close." I get up and start getting my things together.

"Mom, this wouldn't happen to be a plot to get to go shopping for your grandbabies would it?"

"Well, maybe a little, but I really do want to help you." He starts laughing. Good.

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A/N: God! It's hard to write a decent Shiori. I hope I pulled it off all right though. Let me know what you think. Feed the author, press the review button.

angelbird12241: Thanks so much for the review, and don't worry I've got the whole thing mapped out you shouldn't have to wait too long.

Minamoto Miyuki: It's not nice to make fun of us poor people who don't get paid until Wednesday. Thanks for the review though.

Rei Akita: As long as the floppies don't get burnt the updates keep coming, Okay?