"How are they?" Shuichirou asked, when having dinner with Kaguya on his chambers after she returned from Sakuno's chambers. He had just returned from the human country on the night before and his fiancée told him about what happened. He had talked to the youkai king briefly.

"Their wounds are healing fine. Hime-sama and the baby are well too." She ate some vegetables. "But, Ryoma-sama is still not talking to her."

"It is a shame." He said, before eating some chicken.

"Hime-sama risked too much. It is not only about her, she is expecting. He is probably very upset about what happened."

"I understand her reasons, though." He said, calmly and she looked at him confused.

"What do you mean?"

"We are human. There is not much we can do. On that day, Nanjirouh-sama could have ripped my arm off, he could have devour me and Hime-sama, even thought I tried my best to stop him. You were the one who saved us. I was absolutely useless." He showed her a small smile. "It is a constant feeling over my head."

"No one considers you useless." She put her hashis down and touched his hand. "Do not think such a thing. You are very valuable to Ryoma-sama and for our country as well."

"But I am. And I am sure that Hime-sama understands her human condition too. She is the wife of the oni king, she has a precious heir inside of her, but, what can she really do? She has no powers. Her blood is all she has to offer." The green eyes were filled with love. "The only powerful thing I truly possess is my love for you, Kaguya." He touched her face gently.

"It is more than enough." She said, before coming close and kissing him tenderly.

############

Sakuno smiled to herself in front of the big mirror. She was wearing a lose yukata and her hands were over her belly. The princess was observing it and caressing it, with a big smile on her face. It had finally started to show, even thought it was just a discreet bump.

She was so worried about Ryoma that she was not able to realize the changes on her body.

"You are really in there, right?"

She was so happy!

Going to her closet, she picked a colorful kimono over her yukata, before leaving her chambers.

In a few and hurried steps, she entered her husband's room. She was sure he would not mind for her to visit him and give the good news.

"Ryoma!"

The oni king looked at her surprised. He was drinking some tea and reading.

"Sakuno, what…" he was not able to complete his question. She got close and kneeled in front of him, putting his hand over her belly.

"See?! It started to show! Our child is really growing!"

"It really is." He said, seriously and her smile died when he removed his hands.

"What is wrong? Are you not happy?" she investigated his face, but he just averted his eyes, the black bangs over his eyes.

"How is your wound?"

"It is fine." She sat down and smiled. "Kaguya-san said it is healing well."

"I see."

"How about you?" she was about to touch the bandages on his neck, but he moved a way and looked at her with a deep frown on his face. "Ryoma...?"

"How can you ask me such a thing? Do you have any ideia of what have you done? Do you understand the risks you put yourself into? Not only you, but our child as well. I told you a million times, you were not supposed to enter the warehouse."

"I regret nothing." She replied gently. "I could not take it anymore, seeing you like that, starving. If you were in pain and I could help, why shouldn't I?"

"Because it is not your role." he stood up, angrily. "I did not marry you so you can be a supply for my cravings."

"I do not mind."

"How would you do if your blood was not enough? I could have devoured you completely."

"But it was." She smiled kindly. "And you did not have to spend a week in pain."

"Why are you so stubborn, Sakuno?!"

"Don't you remember the vows we exchanged? To respect, to cherish, to take care of each other. Those were not empty words to me and they are even more important now. You are not only my husband; you are the father of my baby as well. It was just some drops of blood."

"It was not only some drops and you know it." He said, with clenched teeth. "You were pale as a sheet. You could have died!"

She stood up and looked at him with a deep frown on her face.

"What should have I done, then? Watch you suffer? Even being just a human, I am your queen and that was something only I could do." Nanjirouh's words came to her mind. "If giving away my blood is going to help you, I will give it to you every time you need it."

"You are impossible!" he growled, angrily, filled with frustration. Why couldn't she understand?!

"Ryoma…"

"I cannot have this conversation now." He took a deep breath. "I cannot deal with this fear of you sacrificing yourself for me without thinking about the consequences."

Sakuno lowered her head and both of her hands were over her belly.

"Do you wish to leave me?" She asked in the sweetest way and her words made his chest clench.

"I do not. How could I? I love you. All of you, even your damn stubbornness."

Sakuno smiled to herself.

"But I cannot be around you for now. I am sorry. It is too much."

"I understand. I am sorry for bothering you." she turned around and was about to go outside when he stopped her, holding her hand gently.

"Do not apologize for bringing me news about our child." He said, with a calm voice. "I am glad you both are well."

"Yes." She said, quietly, before leaving the room.