A/N I don't own Vampire Knight nor do I make any profit from it

Chapter 25 - Newborn

Hikari's pregnancy was difficult and hard. As the physician had said, her body was consumed by intense pains coming from her abdominal area. They reminded the young queen of monthly bleed pains but much more intense.

The news of her pregnancy had spread like a wild fire throughout court and the fact that she had lost her virginity the day before her pregnancy was revealed caused a stare in itself. Although, Hikari was mostly oblivious to the gossip and news which had gripped her people; Kaname and Hana had decided that it was better not to tell her as not cause her any stress.

However, Kaname felt increasingly frustrated by the fact that he couldn't touch her. He knew that it was for the best that they didn't have intercourse, the very fact that she had to sleep beside him in his bed and that she was in reach of him was hard. He tried to put such selfish thoughts behind him and the back of his mind. He just kept looking forward until the day he could finally touch her again.

One morning, Hana sat herself next to the bed in the chair which had been brought from Hikari's room. Hikari was in a deep slumber and it seemed that she would not be waking for a while. She rocked the rocking chair slightly as she began some embroidery she had been working on since the pregnancy was announced. Hana was making baby clothes for the upcoming birth. The birth was three months in and there were three months to go. She tried to keep it gender neutral but she could help but make it pretty.

Looking up from her work, she noticed the bassinet Kaname had commissioned for the birth of his child. It was made out of wicker, which was woven in intricate weaves. There was a canopy over it made out of cream line and it was held back by gold silk ribbon. The bedding was made out of cream satin and the blanket had been delicately crocheted by Hana. The cot was rested upon a stable brass stand, which could be folded away if they wanted to move the bassinet around as the bassinet had handles made out of wicker.

Suddenly, Hana's attention was drawn back to her young mistress. The girl fidgeted and fussed in her sleep. Soon whimpers followed, "Lady Hikari," Hana said as she caressed Hikari's hair and placed a cold compress on her forehead to cool her forehead, "Shhh… calm yourself," she whispered. Hikari's whimpers quietened but it was obvious that she was in pain as she was gripping the thick duvet tightly in her delicate hands.

Eventually, Hikari's eyes slowly opened, "Hana, it hurts," was the first thing she said.

"I know," Hana said with a small smile, "It won't be long now before everything will be over."

Hikari nodded and her eyes closed again, drifting back off to sleep. Then, the door swung open and Kaname walked into the bedroom. His eyes fell on his sickly wife and his eyes saddened, "How is she? Has she been sleeping since I left her?"

"Yes, Lord Kaname," Hana replied, "She is still in a lot of pain despite your blood. The foetus must be thirsty. If I may ask, are you staying here now or just passing through?"

"I'm just here to check on her, Hana, nothing more," Kaname replied. Walking over to the bed, he pressed a kiss to lips and caressing her sweaty cheeks before walking from the room, closing the door behind him. Hana sighed and sat back down. She smiled gently, liking to see that the two of them had developed romantic feelings for each other. Hana had always hated Hanaka for what she was doing to her mistress and she hated the look of sadness and loneliness on Hikari's face.

"I'm glad to see everything is falling nicely into place," Hana said as she picked up her embroidery and carried on with her work.

Later that night, as Kaname settled beside his wife, he gazed at her whilst caressing the small bump which would later be twice the size in the next three months. He could feel the child moving and it brought a smile to his face. Hikari's eyes fluttered open and she gazed at him through hooded eyes.

"Hello, my little Hikari," Kaname said affectionately, "How are you?"

"I am very tired," Hikari answered and she caressed her own stomach, "This little one is going to be a handful… I am looking forward to holding him or her when they are finally born."

"A part of me is regretful that you are pregnant," Kaname said serenely, "I cannot make love to you in this state and you are in pain. I am partially responsible for that. I am sorry."

"I don't blame you, Lord Kaname," Hikari replied in a barely audible whisper, "It is your right as my husband to want physical intimacy from me. It just so happens that we pureblood females seem to get pregnant very quickly."

Kaname sighed and pressed a kiss to Hikari's lips, deepening it very quickly. Hikari sighed as Kaname's hands caressed her sides. Hikari's slim fingers tangled in his hair and caressed his bare upper body.

"It's been so long since you have kissed me like this," Hikari smiled, "It makes me feel better. Kiss me again."

Kaname caged her in with his arms, being careful not crush her pregnant stomach and kissed her again, "You are making it very hard for me to resist you," Kaname whispered against her lips. Hikari bit his lip with her fangs, causing her husband to gasp sharply, and Hikari licked at his blood before kissing him deeply.

Kaname broke the kiss slowly and opened his eyes to his wife gazing up at him, her cheeks flushed and her lips swollen from being kissed. Hikari smiled at him as he regretfully climbed off her and laid himself beside her and pulled the covers over them more.

"Soon, my lord," Hikari said quietly, "We will be able to be intimate again."

Kaname sighed and nodded, "That day is eagerly anticipated. Let's get some sleep."

"Yes, my lord," Hikari said as Kaname rested his head on her breasts, tenderly caressing her pregnant stomach, "Good night, Lord Kaname."

"Good night, my little Hikari," Kaname whispered as his eyes closed in sleep.

"She's what," Hanaka hissed, "She's pregnant? When did this happen?"

Yuko sighed, "The child was conceived and announced three months ago."

Hanaka screamed in anger and threw a vase at the wall, causing it to smash into a million pieces, "And she calls me a whore," she laughed sarcastically, "She jumps in bed with him as soon as I am out."

"Well, that's not completely true," Yuko replied, "Apparently, she had intercourse exactly three months ago. You were banished from court ten months ago. It looks like he was in love with her after all. Pureblood females become pregnant rather quickly."

"She's stolen him away from me! I could have been the mother to his children! Why did he choose her over me," Hanaka screamed, "He has known me for years! How can he just fall in love with her and fall out of love with me? It's not fair."

"Well, you could always beg Lord Kaname to let you return to court… then pounce on him when he is most vulnerable. After all, Lady Hikari will be at her weakest and would not be able to give Lord Kaname what he wants."

"Of course, that's a wonderful idea. Hikari won't be able to give him what he wants even after the child is born… not for a while anyway," Hanaka giggled girlishly and admired herself in the mirror, "Oh, I can't wait! How can any man resist me? I am beautiful."

"Yes, dear, but you mustn't rush things… manipulate the situation to your advantage," Yuko said with a small smiled, "Plus, you must mend things with your father. He still hasn't forgiven you for losing your grip on him the first time. This had better work."

"Oh, this will work because there are exceptional circumstances," Hanaka said as she admired the low cut velvet dress she was wearing.

A cold and bitter winter followed. The windows all had to be repaired from Kaname and Hikari's first time together. This caused Hikari to be extremely embarrassed as she had lost control of her powers and emotions. Kaname didn't really care and was very cavalier about it all. However, he knew that it have been one of the most intense experiences of his life. Although Hanaka had been a great lover, Hikari's experimental touches and inexperience as a lover made it all the more loving and tender. Hikari had given up all control to him, unlike Hanaka who had always wanted control.

The whole of the Kuran manor was preparing for the birth of the Kuran heir. It was frenzied with the birth being an imminent certainty. The servants were hard at work and paper work was being drawn up by officials. Yuuki, in the preparation for the birth had been out shopping for both the baby and Hikari, buying fresh night gowns and babygrows and other baby essentials. Zero had gone home, unable to stand the busy atmosphere.

Then, one cold December night, Hikari's waters broke. Hana and Yuuki shooed everyone from the room. Yuuki, already having a child of her own, knew how to help the pain stricken Hikari.

"It hurts," Hikari whimpered. Yuuki pulled down the thick duvet from Hikari's body, "Yuuki, it hurts!"

Hana held Hikari's ankles down and watched as Hikari whimpered and cried out in immense pain, "Keep breathing, my lady," Hana said soothingly, "It will soon be over."

Yuuki held Hikari's hand as she continued to push as the contractions washed over her weaken body, "Let Lord Kaname in! I need him," Hikari cried, "Please, Yuuki let him in!"

Yuuki turned to Hana and nodded in agreement. Yuuki walked over to the door and opened it to find Sara, Kaname and Takuma standing outside, "Kaname, Hikari wants you. I'll in the drawing room with Sara and Takuma."

Kaname nodded, walking inside and closing the door behind him, "How is everything?"

"Lord Kaname, she is very weak… labour is going to be difficult," Hana said as Hikari screamed as she tried to push out her baby.

"What do you need me to do," Kaname replied.

"Hold her hand and make her feel safe," Hana said with a smile. Kaname walked towards his wife and picked up her hand. Hikari opened her eyes and gazed up at him.

"Lord Kaname," she whispered, "It's so hard…"

"I know," Kaname said as he kissed her sweaty forehead, "You can do it."

Hikari whimpered and cried out again as another contraction washed over again, "Ah, somebody please help me…" she cried out. Kaname felt her nails digging into his flesh but he said nothing, knowing that he was the cause of her pain. Hana continued to hold her ankles down and Hikari dug her ankles into the ruined bedding.

After many more hours and a bone chilling scream, a baby was born. Hana took the baby away and Hikari collapsed against the pillows, her eyes closed as the greyish light of morning peeked through the curtains. Kaname cradled his delicate wife in his arms and watched as she limply laid back. Kaname watched Hana as she cleaned up the child and wrapped it up in a warm blanket.

"Hana, is the child all right," Kaname asked. Hana nodded, "What sex is the child?"

"The child is a girl," she replied, "A healthy baby girl."

Kaname smiled slightly as he watched the child fidget and fuss in the girl's arms. The baby girl's cries awoke the exhausted mother and she opened her eyes, "Is that my child?"

"Yes, it's a baby girl," Kaname whispered. Hikari smiled weakly and held out a frail hand to Hana, signalling her to give her the child. Hana glanced at Kaname and he nodded. Hana walked forward and placed the baby girl in her mother's arms. Hikari cradled her child in her arms and gazed down at the now settle child.

"She's beautiful," Hikari said as she gazed at her child, "What should I name her?"

The child had tufts of silvery white hair and her eyes were a deep blue, "What should I call you," Hikari cooed, "You're so beautiful."

"Yes," Kaname replied, "She is as beautiful as her mother."

"Her name will be Haruka," Hikari said as she kissed her baby's forehead, "My beautiful child."

"It's a beautiful name," Kaname said as Hikari gently rocked her newborn child in her arms and placed her in the bassinet. Hana approached them and took the child from the tired princess.

"Hana, I will give my wife blood… please leave us and we will call you back in to redress the bed," Kaname said. Hana hesitated but nodded.

"As you wish, my lord," she said a she bobbed a curtsy and left the room, closing the door behind her. Apart from the sound of the fire in the fireplace and the soft coos of their baby girl in the bassinet, everything was silent.

"Hikari, you need to drink my blood," Kaname said but he didn't get a response. He knew she was weak but he thought that would follow any pregnancy. However, his wife was limp in his arms and she was deathly pale, "Hikari, wake up! You need to wake up and drink my blood!"

Still he didn't get a response from her. Before he lost his cool, he savagely bit into his own wrist and let his own blood gush into his mouth. Struggling not to swallow, he placed his lips to hers and letting her blood gush into Hikari's mouth. Hikari swallowed it instinctively and the colour immediately rose to her cheeks.

"Hikari," Kaname whispered as he pulled away from her. Hikari gazed at him and she weakly caressed his cheek. She closed her eyes and fell asleep, letting Kaname wipe away a small trail of blood coming from Hikari's mouth. He stood up with his wife in his arms and walked to the door to call Hana back in.

"Hana, please change to bed clothes," Kaname said, "Lady Hikari needs her rest."

"Yes, my lord," Hana said as she rushed inside with clean bedding she had collected from the airing cupboard. Hikari unconsciously snuggled into Kaname's chest and Kaname was driven by the instinct to hold her tightly.

As soon as Hana finished, she helped Kaname redress Hikari into a fresh nightgown, "I put some of that herb into her bedside table," Hana said succinctly.

"I see, thank you," Kaname said, "Please make sure there is an ample supply."

Hana blushed slight but hid it well, "Yes, my lord. It is in the store house. I will retrieve it whenever you have need," Hana said as she helped Hikari beneath the covers, "If that is all, I will take my leave."

"Yes, thank you, Hana," Kaname said, "You have been a great help."

Hana nodded and left the room with a massive smile on her face.

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