A/N: Sorry this one took so long. I got side tracked with a crossover I just finished writing, named Blue Monday. It's a xxxHolic crossed with Okane Ga Nai. I just fell in love with Okane Ga Nai when I first read it a couple of weeks ago, and I thought Watanuki would totally try to butt in if Ayase was a wish shop customer. It's all Wantanuki centric. There is a fun scene where he rages about Fai :) Also, there is a scene with the Legal Drug guys, Kakei and Saiga, if you enjoy that CLAMP title.

It's my first official Doumeki/Watanuki story, too, even though that wasn't my intent. I have another crossover with xxxHolic and Okane Ga Nai planned, but I won't let it delay Floodland II again. Be forewarned if you go read it, if your not familiar with Okane Ga Nai it deals with a non-consensual sexual relationship between a college guy and a gangster, so it's got some real grittiness, all in the background.

BTW, I want to thank all of you guys for sticking with me and reading this story. I appreciate everyone's loyalty and thank you so much. Also, Milliardo is fixing to mount his invasion! Cool excitement ahead and Boris is about to make a comeback.

Part 34:

Fai woke and tried to work up moisture in his mouth. He opened his scratchy eyes and saw Lady Suwa praying over him, or rather, his abdomen. She stopped praying over the babies and gave him an ice cube to chew on. He asked for Kurogane and Ashura in dry, weak gasps; he had asked for them since Icchan had finished stabilizing him.

He was hooked up to so many machines. He hated it, but tolerated it. They came in and Fai didn't need Yuui's empathy to tell him Ashura and Kurogane must have had some words in the lobby. He could read Ashura's deceptive body language very well. When he was first adopted he learned to read Ashura quickly for Yuui's sake, but he had rapidly learned Ashura was very kind towards them and held nothing but the best intentions for them. He'd also gotten pretty good at reading Kurogane. The ninja was more of an open book than he thought.

"So Lady Kuro-mama-sama says things aren't so good with one of my children. Icchan didn't seem like his normal self, either. He seemed a bit frustrated. So, with that said, I want to put some priorities down."

"Priorities?" Kurogane asked with crossed arms and a vexed expression.

"No matter what, they come first, I am to come second. I want that to be abundantly clear. I'm not going through all of this to lose either of them. If it comes down to having to choose between me or either of them, you're to choose them."

"You're only saying this because of Yuui and the pit," Ashura said.

Kurogane looked shocked at the nasty glare Fai gave Ashura. "If any of you...any of you... goes against what I just said, I'll never forgive you. I'll never want to see you again, either. I'll take what ever child I have left and go raise him in a different dimension by myself. I'll go make another deal with Yuuko-san if I have to for that, and I won't feel any price is too high to get away from all this stress. Is that clear?" He looked at all of them carefully, but they were all still as statues.

"Is that clear?" Fai asked them again, glowering at them all.

"What case do you have against me, Fai?" King Ashura asked with raised brows, but Kurogane rolled his eyes at the mock innocent tone.

"You're aggravating the situation behind my back, aren't you? I know that look on your face! It means you have some target you want to put in their place. That target would be Kurogane, right?"

"Now don't get hysterical and paranoid," Ashura said in a soothing voice, looking mildly annoyed. Kurogane's expression grew vexed.

"I don't understand why you two people can't let your honest emotions show on your faces and be reflected in your words. Now I'm having a nagging thought come to my head; what if one of my children ends up being such a liar as one of you two?" Kurogane snapped.

Fai ignored Kurogane's outburst, well aware of Kurogane's gripe against some of his bad habits. Instead, he did let his true anger out in spite of Kurogane's accusation. It came out at Ashura because the last thing he needed was Ashura causing further problems as he negotiated his life in Nihongo.

Fai snapped, "Don't patronize me, Ashura! I'm an adult now, because I'm pregnant! Start treating me like one!"

"Don't you yell at me, Fai," Ashura mildly insisted. Fai knew Ashura was very pissed off now. The man said it in a bland tone, but with all the threat of bodily harm Fai knew could come, "I'm your father and your monarch. Your obedience is still required."

Kurogane snicker at that and got serious when Ashura gave him a honey drenched smile.

"You aren't my enslaver! You rescued Yuui and me! You healed him! I'm grateful, but you can't get in between me and my mate!" Fai shouted, cradling his abdomen. He then shot Kurogane a hostile look. "Neither are you innocent of trying to enslave me! I'm not submitting to this any more. You stop treating me like your subordinate or lose me and the children!"

"Those are my children, too! You can't just make the last decision about them! Ever! I gave half of myself to create them. You're no more of a father to them than me!" Kurogane snarled, gripping the rail on the side of the bed.

"The same back at you!" Fai quipped. It suddenly struck him he was in a bizarre position with these children. Was he to wear the title of "father" or "mother"? What was he going to be to them?

"Please! This is a ridiculous argument!" Lady Suwa said, interrupting Fai's thoughts. "We're all working together to give these boys life. You two are acting horribly! I'm ashamed of you, Kurogane, because you should treat Fai with more respect since he consented to carry your children. And, Fai..." she then looked sorrowful, her eyes were full of tears. Guilt suddenly started nibbling at Fai's conscience when he could see he'd obviously hurt her. "...for you to threaten to take my grandchildren away from me is extremely cruel and hurts me in so many ways. I know you're hurting, but it doesn't make it right for you to threaten withholding my grandchildren from me!"

Kurogane got an angery expression as his mother raced out of the recovery room, sobbing hysterically. He looked down at Fai and said, "If you, both of you," he said, eying Ashura too, "ever threaten to take these children from her again, you'll rue the day."

Fai let his face take on an honest expression; he may as well, since he'd let things out: good and bad. It did sink into him, he did have more loved ones in Nihongo than just Kurogane. He felt ashamed and sorrowful he'd hurt Lady Suwa so deeply.

She desperately wanted to be a part of his children's lives. To withhold her love from them would also be a cruelty towards his children as well. He couldn't quite meet Kurogane's accusing, crimson eyes. He knew his threats to hide in a different dimension with their children wasn't something he shouldn't have made towards them.

Glancing at Ashura, he could see plain as day he had hurt that man, too. The man that had given him a life, raised him, and loved him throughly. Ashura may look serene, but Fai knew his father wasn't thrilled with him, either. Still, there was fear, and he needed the option to escape with his children if things kept going this way.

"Your mother has done nothing but be kind to me, Kuro-gee, and I was cruel to her in return. I'm so very sorry for that. Please, tell her I'm sorry for it and I'm willing to try harder."

Kurogane nodded and turned to leave. That's when Fai said to Ashura, "Father, it's time I asked you to remove the translation spell. When we get back to Nihongo, I want you to do it. I need to commit to this life with Kurogane and our children. "

Kurogane turned towards Fai and revealed a grin. Fai sighed and settled deeper in the pillows. Once again, he felt he was giving up so much of himself. He'd struggle with Kurogane later.

His body was starting to ache horribly. There was a new pain. His spine felt fire shooting up towards the base of his skull. That was almost intolerable and drew tears to his eyes. His abdomen throbbed horribly and he worried over his child with the green signal color. The one with the indigo signal color seemed to be thriving, but he still worried over that one, too.

After Kurogane left, he let Ashura give him some ice. Fai's pain abated some and he relaxed a little. Ashura discovered the bed's remote control. The ruler played with the buttons in spite of Fai's glares. "This is amazing, Fai. The bed moves without magic."

"I know! Stop! You're making me sick to my stomach!"

Ashura pouted. "You're no fun any longer. You're acting too much like Yuui."

Fai took a deep breath as he watched Ashura smash more ice in a cup for him. Yuui's name, and a moment alone, brought up a question he'd been sitting on for a while. "Ashura, there was something I heard that bothered me. Did Yuui ever test you?"

"Test me?"

Fai took a deep breath. "To see if you'd treat him like our grandfather."

Ashura's posture stiffened. His eyes narrowed and he looked as if he were about to lie. Ashura nodded. "Once. After you both turned six. You were sick with the flu. I thoughtlessly had Yuui stay in my bedroom so he wouldn't catch it. Thoughtlessly, I say because I wasn't thinking about how he'd understand me having him stay in my bedroom. He thought I was asking him for something else."

Fai felt sick and panicky suddenly. He didn't mistrust Ashura or think anything happened between him and Yuui. There just seemed to be something disturbing that happened a long time ago that Fai wasn't aware of. "What happened?"

"He climbed out of the trundle bed and into my bed and tried to kiss me in a way he shouldn't. He didn't know what he was doing. I had him stop immediately and explained to him that it wasn't proper. He was so confused and frightened at my shock. It just hurt me for him. He was afraid I'd send you both back to Valeria if he didn't let me... abuse him." Ashura's veneer fell and he look utterly mournful. "I swear I would have made your grandfather suffer if I would have gotten a hold of him before he killed himself. But I want you to know one thing, I've never inappropriately touched Yuui. Not ever once."

Fai reached out and took Ashura's hand. "I know that. I've never doubted that for one minute."

"Good. Now, get some rest and tell Yuui I'm thinking about him."

"Here we are," Ran said. Yuui let his arms loosen from around Ran's waist and rested his hands on Ran's hips so he didn't fall off the trotting horse.

"Are you okay with this?" Ran asked, very guarded of his charge. He took Yuui's right hand with his in a firm grip. "I won't let you go through discomfort again."

"I'll fight like you and Boris. Give me a chance." Yuui felt intimidated for a moment. "I just ask that you guard my back while I fight. I am scared, but I have to do this; it's what my father has required of me. Back me up until I learn to fight enemies with boldness, because it's what I need to do if I ever hope to rule Celes. Boris isn't here, and you are the only person I have at the moment. I trust you."

Yuui felt Ran's body stiffen at that. He removed his hand from Ran's hips, sensing the ninja's discomfort at their physical proximity.

"You'll not have to rely on anyone else but me while the governor is ill," Ran assured him in his heavily accented Celen words. "You and the Governor are my masters, and you are my only focus at the moment. I'll do what I need to do to make sure you thrive," Ran said, helping Yuui off the horse and then getting down himself.

Yuui walked towards the tower, Ran at his side, katana still undrawn. Out came two women: the blond one with braids that had carried him off and a shorter lady in glasses. Both carried staves and had cocky grins. The woman with glasses said, "You make it too easy, coming back here like a fool, Master Yuui."

"That's Prince Yuui to you, woman!" Ran snapped. He drew his katana and smirked. "Pay your ruler proper respect or I'll make you."

"Shut up, dog," the woman with glasses snapped at Ran.

"I know you. You're Lady Une from Celes. From the east. Father banished your family."

"That's right. Now all that's left are me and my sister. Your tyrannical father is responsible for my family's destruction! Seeing you suffer will bring me great joy," Lady Une said. She drew a saber and ran at Yuui with an overhand strike.

Yuui swiftly sidestepped with his enhanced lich reflexes. He clapped his hand on her wrist and felt her magical energy flow into him. She screeched as her hands withered and she dropped the saber. She doubled over.

It hit him that her magic was in her hands and he had just absorbed every bit of it. He pushed her to the ground when he saw the other woman come after him with another saber and a scowl. He dodged and clamped hands on her shoulders.

This theft of magic was more terrible, though. His cravings took every bit. The problem was that Yuui could sense the woman's magic was in her heart. She fell dead instantly at his feet. Her death flooded Yuui's head, but he was too shocked to process it. His empathy hit and he clutched at his chest.

It didn't cripple him like before he had become a lich. It was if he sensed her passing through several thick layers of clothe. Still, it bothered him deeply. This wasn't something a healer should ever do. However, a ruler was required to do this. He was panting and sweating, unused to this type of exertion.

Milliardo and his remaining women showed themselves. They were on horses. A slight, blond haired woman helped Lady Une onto a horse behind her. Ran sneered and said, "You traitor! Surrender!"

"Well that explains why you broke my tether, Yuui. You're not human anymore," Milliardo said. "Governor Boris was so jealous over you. He couldn't bear the thought of another man having control over you. So jealous that he half killed you, instead. He'd rather see you made into a half-dead monster and chaining you to him rather than giving you to me as spoils of war. Fine then. We'll play just as dirty."

Yuui shook his head furiously. "I'm not an object to be fought over! He, nor you, own me! I'm a person that will live my life and do my duty to the people I'm in charge of."

With that, the group of would-be usurpers road off towards the north. When they were out of sight, Yuui looked at the woman's body at his feet. He knelt by her as tears blurred his vision. He murmured, "I never meant to do that. I'm so sorry. I only want to give life." A strangled sob broke forth as his chest felt like it was turning as heavy as lead. "I never... took a life. I didn't know your magic was in a vital organ until it was too late. Please forgive me."

Ran knelt beside him and took him by the shoulders. Yuui looked at the one amethyst eye and stilled his emotions. The ninja said, "You fought to win. There is no point in fighting unless you intend to win the battle. If Celes and Boris are worth fighting for, you have to commit to it with your whole heart, no matter the outcome. If you don't go into each battle with your whole heart and the intent of winning, there is no point in you ever learning to fight. You'll be useless every time."

Yuui took in those words, but they were a cold comfort. He nodded and let Ran guide him to his feet. Ran then said, "Let's go get the governor. There is no point in chasing Milliardo and his women. We'll regroup and find them."

"But what about her?" Yuui said, looking down at his kidnapper.

"Let the ravens take care of her. Come," he ordered forcefully, yanking Yuui with him towards their horse.

Hondo stared at the blurry kanji, blurry thanks to drinking, and handed it to Kentaro. "I've been up all night and my eyes are scratchy. Read it for me," he fibbed.

"It's from Lord Ueda." Kentaro scanned the letter and then his one eye popped wide open. Kentaro bowed his head. "The news will not please my master."

"Out with it," Hondo said softly and then clenched his jaw tightly.

"It seems the maid of the ice king is with child. Her first. She claims Masa Ueda took her virginity and sired the child. Grandfather Ueda is not very pleased, but he is willing to take her into his house. He still calls the child a half-barbarian bastard in his blood line. He is demanding you compensate him in way of rice and medicine.

"He wants to send her to you if you refuse her upkeep, but only if you promise to not send her back to Celes. It seems he's fond of the girl, in spite of everything, and he sees her as being in need of protection from Celian culture. He won't hand her back to Celes, because he considers her life there too horrific. Though, I suspect, he's misunderstanding things."

"I would love to send her back in a heart beat. Write back he can keep her and put her into concubinage to Masa, then. Tell him he has to deal with his own horny son's bad choices like I do!" Lord Suwa slammed his hand on his tea table and glowered. "I should banish the whole filthy lot of ice dwellers back to their hell hole! Starting with that proud little peacock and ending with his homicidal sociopath of a father!"

Lord Suwa knew he was raging out of an alcohol haze. He could see it, and he knew he'd forget it by tomorrow, but he really didn't want to contain it. Alcohol was letting him get some of the release from the stress that he needed. Besides, Hitomi would be back soon, and he'd have to clean up his act then.

Kentaro looked taken aback. "My Lord, I know you have many grievances with the Mage of Celes, but do you mean it?" Kentaro let out a heavy sigh. "He has many flaws and is very offensive, but untangling the mage from your son and your wife might prove troublesome."

That surprised Hondo. Kentaro was still waiting for an apology from the mage. The man seemed to be defending that proud, little peacock. It was very strange to him. What had changed? Hondo didn't ask. He didn't want to know. All he wanted was to be rid of his headaches. Damn the Witch of the Far East! She had truly cursed him. Where were the blessings for his payment?

"I'm only considering it. They should be banished from Suwa... from all of Nihongo!" He took another deep gulp of sake disguised as tea. "No more of these ice wizards. I'm sick of them. I'll at least demand Masa and Ran get returned right away when that lunatic king gets back."

Kentaro's face grew tight. He nodded and said, "What about your son and grandchildren? If you banish the Mage of Celes, he'll take your grandchildren with him."

"The grandchildren stay with us. And Kurogane..." Lord Suwa drained his mug, "can get used to the idea that I can kick out Fai if I wish."

"Master, you sound more and more like your father," Kentaro said with a bite to his tone.

He bowed and left, so Hondo poured more spiked tea. He knew Kentaro didn't mean that as a compliment, because his father was a well known scourge.

"Mother," Kurogane said, finding her in her Piffle World guest room.

She was lying on her bed, but she sat up when she saw him, rubbing her eyes. Never had he seen her cry like this before. He controlled his emotions from getting the better of him and knelt by her bedside. "Are you okay?"

She steadied her breathing and was now in control of her tears. "Is Fai okay?"

"Yes, he's actually very ashamed of what he said and wanted me to say that to you. He's very apologetic."

She still looked so incredibly sad, but nodded. "I've done everything I can to welcome him. I've grown to love him so much, and it feels as though he's like a scared mother cat backed into a corner with her kittens. He lashed out at us and I'm so scared he'll leave and take my grandchildren away. Please, You-ou! You can't let that happen!" She desperately begged grabbing his hands. "I've prayed over them, and I love those twins with everything in me already. Now I feel like Fai and his father will take them away if we don't do things their way. I don't know what to do."

"He's not planning on leaving. I think he's going to stay. He asked his father to take off the translation spell when we get home."

She smiled brightly. "That's good news. I can keep teaching him how to write, as well. He started off well enough, but there is a lack of understanding on some level. Maybe if he learns to speak our language at the same time, that'll help."

"There's a lot I have to do, too. I need to negotiate with him. I need to figure out how we're to live in peace with one another."

She smiled at him, in spite of her tears. She patted his cheek and said, "If he's giving up a big part of his culture, his language, you have to show good faith, too. Why not offer to learn something about Celian culture in exchange? Why not try to learn his language?" Lady Suwa chuckled and got a light blush. "I don't imagine Fai is going to sing Nihongo lullabies to your children. I'm sure the twins will be bilingual. You may as well learn his language or get gossiped about behind your back."

"Mother! They wouldn't do that!"

She only chuckled at him and gave him a pat on the check. "Keep telling yourself that, Son."

Kurogane grunted and then nodded. He'd learn the language of Celes. No way was he letting his children gossip about him behind his back with Fai!

"And that's the problem," Icchan said, tossing aside a stack of papers. "The shell only concentrates on one body and considers the second one an intruder. Well!" He said, standing and smiling. He pushed his glasses up on his nose. "I'll just have to convince Wizard's shell otherwise. Wizard's shell will carry both children... or... or..."

Suddenly, Ogata hid under a desk, knowing that maniacal expression on his boss' face. Icchan declared, "I'll just escort my brother on every date for the rest of his life until he tells Wizard to help me!"

Ogata groaned and said from his makeshift bunker, "Wouldn't you be better able to get your brother to help if you were off of parole for that stalking accusation?"

"I wasn't stalking fifteen year old girls! It was all a misunderstanding when I went to pick him up from school!" He pointed towards Ogata's voice and said, "Never mind that! He'll help, or else. Besides, he and that real wizard with green flash-bangs are cooking up something! I'll find out what it is."

To be continued.