Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or the characters

Hey everyone! It's been a while. Reasons range from a full-time job, graduate program, family health issues, getting and preparing for new job while still waiting to quit old job (which I hate the old job), and I participated in Hiei x Botan Week with the Modern/Fantasy AU, Dress Up Princess. I'm also participating in a Hiei x Botan biweekly challenge story Thief in the Night. All of these are reasons why I haven't touched this story. ^^' We're so close to the end now that I just needed to get this chapter out. Hope you enjoy!

Gloom settled over Hiei the further they got into winter. It wasn't as if he wasn't happy. His relationship with Botan was now in a better place, and it was getting closer and closer to Botan's due date, although they still had a way to go. Once the weather turned, Hiei's attitude grew darker than he intended. Even worse, Botan wasn't acting like her perky self, and Hiei felt like a failure for being unable to reassure her. How could he when all he thought about was his pain and torment? Nightmares plagued him on an almost daily basis. Thankfully, Botan managed to sleep through the night even when the fire demon found himself tossing and turning, a rarity for him.

Hiei was unsettled; that much he knew. It was as if he took a step backwards. He kept his thoughts to himself again, soon after he rationalized to communicate with the ferry girl more. The icy and gray weather was stagnant and unwelcoming. Even the Human World joy for the holidays that were to come did little to help. Botan didn't even want to decorate, and Hiei was certain that would have been the first thing on her to do list.

They were both depressed. Hiei knew this, yet he just surrendered to it.

Botan sighed as she stirred some sugar in her cup of herbal tea. She felt so tired and listless. The weather was just so dreary this entire week; it snowed at least twice. Normally, Botan liked snowy days, mostly because she could curl up under a warm blanket with some cocoa and just enjoy being inside. Unfortunately for her, Botan couldn't curl up, and it was hard to enjoy being cooped up inside. The ferry girl could tell that even Hiei was affected, and part of her mood was lowered because of guilt over not knowing how to help the fire demon.

Of course, she kept her feelings to herself. It probably wasn't wise, especially after the last time Botan let her thoughts consume her. When Hiei assured her that he still intended to be with her, whenever they could, Botan felt so much relief and happiness. It was probably best to communicate her guilt to Hiei, but she didn't want him to feel bad too.

Hiei came out of their bedroom. He was drying his hair with a towel and wore an olive-green sweater, an early Christmas present from Botan when she realized he didn't have any winterwear. His gaze fell on Botan, and he grimaced. The woman was leaning against her elbow and staring into her cup of tea as she continuously stirred the spoon. The fire demon wasn't used to seeing the woman so despondent. It had been a long time since her last significant bout of depression.

Instead of saying anything, Hiei walked over to the table and took a seat beside Botan. Her hand paused in stirring. Hiei took her hand in his and squeezed it. Botan turned to regard Hiei, her lips slanted. They stared at each other for a few moments before Botan sighed and said, "I'm sorry."

Her unexpected apology bewildered Hiei; his brow furrowed in confusion. "For what?"

Botan shook her head and smiled sadly. "I…I've been out of sorts lately, and I know you have been too. I just wish I knew what to do to make us both feel better."

Hiei's expression dimmed and he looked rather grave. "It's not up to you to make me feel better. It's supposed to be the other way around."

"On the contrary," Botan denied, "we're a couple, and that means equal give and take. Whatever it is either of us face, we're in it together."

Hiei averted his gaze, not trusting himself to meet the woman's gaze. Her words were sincere and more powerful than she probably knew. Never in his life had the fire demon had someone share his burdens. Mukuro did see the trials he went through in his life, but it didn't mean she helped him with them. She gave him a purpose, yes, but their relationship was mostly professional. They simply encouraged the other to let go.

"If you really mean that…"

"I do," Botan replied resolutely. Now she squeezed his hand in assurance. "What's been bothering you?"

Hatred reflected in Hiei's eyes as he admitted, "This damned weather. It reminds me too much…"

Botan's shoulders relaxed, and Hiei could see her compassion written all over her face. He didn't even need to finish his sentence for her to understand, and he was grateful for that because talking about this was something he never did. "Oh, Hiei, I'm sorry," Botan empathized. "I didn't even think… Winter is like that here, and a lot of people are affected by the weather. As far as the Glacial Lands, you know we're not there, right?"

"Of course I know," Hiei replied curtly. He took his hand away from Botan, leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and averted his eyes. "It's foolish, I know."

"It isn't foolish," Botan contradicted. "The cold and snow are triggers for you. They remind you of what happened, but the good thing about Human World is the snow melts. Some places don't even have snow which is why people like to take vacations in the winter." She smiled at him, this time more genuinely. "Everything is going to be okay. Just know I love you."

Those words, no matter how often she said them, always took Hiei by surprise. He knew her sentiments, but he still didn't understand how someone like her, or anyone for that matter, could feel so strongly about him. Although he didn't self-deprecate often, he knew this woman with all her light deserved better. It was why he tried so hard to change the ways he interacted with her.

"I don't know why," he admitted. "You know the type of person I am."

Botan giggled and shook her head again. "I don't know what made you decide to stay," the woman admitted and Hiei uncrossed his arms and leaned forward with a stupefied expression. "I know we're very different and that you always had your issues with me. But I'm glad you did."

"I was wrong," Hiei blurted out, stunning Botan. "To have issues with you, I mean. You have to know… I mean, you…"

Botan leaned forward and pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss to silence him. Hiei struggled with words sometimes, especially when it came to how he felt. She decided to show him some mercy and affection, and it was even more important now after he acknowledged why he felt so down. At least, in her own low mood, she knew how to help her lover. She just needed to treat him with kindness and the love she felt for him.

Hiei watched Botan as she stood up and walked over to the stove. She set the kettle on the gas range and waited there until it boiled. The familiar whistle screeched loudly, and Hiei cringed but said nothing. Botan pulled a box out of the cupboard and dumped some dark powder into two mugs. It was that 'hot chocolate' stuff she seemed to like. After she mixed the drinks, she then added some brown powder and brought the drinks back to the table.

"I figured we could use a pick me up," the ferry girl chimed. "Your favorite flavor and mine."

A dark brow quirked in perplexity, but Hiei accept the mug and took a sip of the drink. His eyes widened at the velvety taste of chocolate and cinnamon. He looked at the drink as if it were alien; Botan hid her smile behind her own mug. The fire demon couldn't believe that this drink, a mix of the two of them, could be so comforting and…perfect. His eyes shifted to her abdomen which housed their child, another mixture of the two of them.

After they finished their drinks, Botan led Hiei to their room and turned on some decorative lights and a stereo. The two got into bed and simply held each other. Cuddling seemed to be their go-to when they were both stressed. It helped to alleviate the aches within them. Botan sighed as she nuzzled Hiei's chest. His arms wrapped around her, and his eyes lidded. When he felt her lips dust his neck, Hiei finally relaxed and let his guard completely down. He closed his eyes and buried his nose in Botan's hair. This woman was really something else to soothe his soul the way she did.

Botan couldn't believe it was week thirty-four already, and she knew she still had another month to go. She was so eager to meet her son. Honestly, she was also looking forward to a time where her back wouldn't ache like crazy and feet would stop swelling. Although she did her best to keep her feet up and wear comfortable footwear, it was still a challenge. As much as she loved sharing her body with her son, she was ready for him to move out and join the world with them.

The ferry girl squinted her eyes at the book as she read her son's new milestones, but her vision seemed less sharp and blurry lately. According to the book, this was normal, but it didn't make Botan feel any better. There wasn't much to do aside from watch television and read her mysteries or romance novels. Her eyes got tired more quickly, and it was disheartening. Sometimes, though, Hiei would step in and read to her. Of course, he chose to read more of Botan's detective novels as opposed to the romance—a fact that entertained Botan more than the reading as she rested her eyes.

Hiei entered the room and saw Botan squinting. He sighed and took the book from her hands. His eyes roved over the content before he set the book down and rolled his eyes.

Botan noticed his discomforted demeanor. "What is it?"

"Nothing," Hiei remarked. "Just more human ridiculousness. Apparently, the author's find it necessary to tell us how our son's testicles are descending."

Botan smiled at Hiei and shook her head. "Hiei, it's just basic anatomy."

"I know," Hiei replied. "The humans are just depraved for talking about it in such detail. If you saw my guidebook from the very beginning of this, it was downright pornographic."

Hiei's expression softened when the ferry girl laughed out loud. She wiped a tear from her eye and then met Hiei's gaze, amusement shining in her lavender eyes. "Was it really? I can only imagine how that must have felt reading all that. We…we weren't even like that at the time."

"No," Hiei agreed. "But…I wanted to be, even just a little."

Botan's eyes conveyed her surprised shock. "Really? But I thought…"

Hiei sighed as he approached her and sat beside her. "Botan," he began, voice solemn. "I…pursued you. Yet I didn't want to admit that, and wanting you the way I did was foreign to me. I was angry more at myself than I was at you. I should have never said the things I did to you, should have never said what I did about our son. Just…"

"I understand." Botan took his hand in hers, and Hiei couldn't help but look her in the eye. "I didn't back then, but I do now. When Yukina told me the truth about your people… What they did was wrong. All you were saying then was what they believed to be true. Our son, he'll never have to suffer that way. He'll have both of us to care for him and guide him. He'll be surrounded by so much love and family."

Hiei felt his demon heart skip its already irregular beat. Botan's declaration moved him so greatly, and yet he didn't know how to truly convey it to her. "That… It will be better for him. I want that for him."

Botan smiled sadly. "Me too, but I…also want that for you."

Hiei's eyes became less hardened, and his tight jaw slackened a bit. "I…I don't know what to say to that."

The woman giggled and rubbed his hand with her thumb. "You don't have to say anything. You don't always have to have the last word, you know."

Hiei's jaw ticked, and he couldn't help the grin that appeared on his face. This moment, he was reminded of some of their banter in the past, although now it warmed him more than irritated him. Maybe he always enjoyed Botan's attention and attempts to get closer to him, even when he continuously pulled away from her. "You're a menace, woman."

Botan playfully stuck her tongue out at him and then caressed her large swell. "Oh baby, your daddy can be so mean to mommy sometimes. Calling me names."

Hiei rolled his eyes and snickered. "You'll survive. The brat will too."

Botan giggled and shook her head. "If you call him that, he might get a complex."

"He knows I don't mean it."

Hiei realized what he said when Botan's eyes widened and she blinked a few times. His expression fell, and red dusted his cheeks. "Hiei…what…do you mean by that?"

Throughout the pregnancy, from the very beginning, their son had connected to Hiei several times, and although he and Botan shared that dream, Hiei never told her about any other experience except for the very beginning. "You remember that I told you about the incident when we were back at Genkai's, where his energy was out of control and harming you."

Botan nodded mutely. "Yes…you said you told him to stop."

"That wasn't the only time he reached out to me," Hiei confessed. "He's…reached out several more times since then."

The ferry girl was amazed by that and said, "Is he really aware of things?"

Hiei shook his head. "No, not truly. He responds to our energy. He knows who I am, who we are. He was the one who initiated those images that we dreamt together. Of us as a family."

Botan beamed so brightly, and her joy practically drowned him. "That's amazing! I had no idea. Can you communicate with him? Oh, tell him how much I love him, please."

Hiei's cheeks heated and he shook his head. "He already knows, woman. Trust me. He is inside of you. He can hear and feel you."

The woman took his hand and squeezed it, and Hiei greedily took in her warmth. "What else did the book say?" she asked, giving him a small reprieve from his emotions. He was thankful for that.

"It said he can now open and close his eyes when he's awake or asleep to prepare him for settling into a sleep schedule," Hiei recounted. "His nails are growing too."

Botan sighed happily and murmured, "Just one more month. Can you believe it?"

Honestly, he really couldn't, but Hiei was looking forward to where the next chapter of their lives would lead.

It was another cold day, but thankfully not cold enough to keep the snow and ice around. Hiei decided to train up on the room, but Botan made sure he dressed warmly. Human World may not be as cold as the glacial village, and Hiei was a fire demon, but Botan already felt her maternal habits kicking in. It both amused and confused Hiei to be the target of such things, but considering the look Botan gave him when he tried to refuse, he decided to humor her and play along. If motherhood turned Botan into this fierce version of herself, Hiei felt bad for the kid. Both she and him would be an unyielding force for the boy. The fire demon could only hope that wouldn't lead the child to rebel.

While Hiei trained, Botan read some of her book and the suggestions it had. She really liked this random idea—writing down her hopes and dreams for the baby in a letter or series of letters. It was a silly little exercise that gave Botan to communicate with her baby she had yet to meet. Her mind went back to hers and Hiei's shared dream and imagined that little boy running and playing happily, being both free-spirited like her and strong and resolute as his father. With those images in mind, she began to write to her child.

Botan jotted down everything she could think of including the ups and downs of her pregnancy. She expressed how she changed during the time, how her optimism gave way to self-doubt that her friends and lover helped her to overcome. She wrote about all of her cravings, both the normal and strange, and how Hiei would go out to the store in the middle of the night and pilfer food items if the places were closed. Then, she wrote about the transformation Hiei made on this ride with her, their dates, his worries, and both their desires for their little one to never suffer the same way. She admitted they couldn't think of a name yet and he'd probably have to wait until the day he was born. She told him how excited she was that he would soon enter the world and how she hoped that he'd be born with the knowledge that she loved him so deeply. Even if her son never read this letter, it was something Botan would treasure. Maybe she'd share it with her son when he was older. At least he would know for certain that his mother was a sentimental, emotional sap.

Hiei returned from training just as she was about to fold up her letter. "What are you writing?"

Botan blushed, but she smiled at her lover. "Nothing really. Just a letter. How was training?"

"Decent enough," Hiei huffed. His breath gave way to a sigh. "I can't stand this weather."

The woman flashed him an empathetic smile. "It is really cold out, but at least the snow is gone. I was thinking… We've been cooped up all week. Would you like to go out to eat with me? There's a hibachi place that just opened last week about a block away. They put on a cooking show with fire and everything. I thought maybe it would be a good way to warm up."

Hiei shrugged and nodded. It was rare for Botan to initiate a date. She never wanted to add pressure to the fire demon, and he appreciated that. "That sounds fine." He took note of the letter as Botan folded it. "Who is that for?"

Botan blushed, but grinned. "You'll think me silly, but I was writing a letter to our son."

"That isn't silly," Hiei pacified. "What's it about?"

"Just the pregnancy and my experiences," Botan explained. "He'll be able to read it when he's older. Anyway, just let me use the bathroom and change and I'll be ready to go."

After Botan left the room to use the bathroom, Hiei took notice of her letter. It was probably wrong to read her correspondence, but the woman's curiosity rubbed off on him more often than not now. When he saw the word 'baby', his impulse to read only grew.

Hi Baby,

These last eight months have been a ride. I know this may seem silly to you, but my guidebook suggested I write you a letter while I was going through the whole experience. You'll learn this about me, I'm sure, but that kind of thing is right up my alley.

Hiei snickered and leaned back in the chair. He used the chair across from him to proof up his legs as he continued to read.

It hasn't always been an easy experience. The way you came into the world was as unexpected as it was wonderful. When you're older, I might tell you about that, and I'm sure your father won't want me to tell you everything…

She's right, Hiei thought to himself.

In the beginning, your daddy and I didn't really see eye to eye, but that wasn't either of our faults. He's suffered a lot in his relatively young life, and yet he still found his way to us. He's helped me manage all my pesky pregnancy symptoms. Don't worry; I don't blame you for those.

Some of my symptoms led me to feel like a completely different person: scared, panicked, and just not myself. I'm usually so optimistic, so it never felt right. I want you to know that because with the help of my friends and your dad, I was able to break free of self-doubt. It creeps in every once and a while, but it serves to me more as a reminder than no one is perfect, not even me and your dad as parents. We're still figuring much of this out and will learn to live in this world with you.

Hiei was surprised Botan was admitting any of this in a letter to their unborn child, but he knew she was right in her original paragraph. This idea came from her guidebook, and it was exactly the kind of thing his woman would do.

I had such strange cravings during this time, and I'm pretty sure my days of eating steak and strawberry jam are numbered. Your dad told me from the beginning I needed meat to give you lots and lots of iron. Demons need a lot. For a while, I even wanted raw meat. That was certainly interesting. On nights when the stores were closed, your father still managed to get me everything I craved. Uncle Kurama even told me about an incident on Thanksgiving that I'll have to tell you about one day.

A chuckle escaped Hiei's lips. He remembered all of Botan's strange cravings. She even wrote about the bizarre pickles and sweet snow episode. That was probably the one time Hiei was truly disgusted during the whole ordeal, and he used to eat the flesh of his kills back in Demon World when there was nothing else.

As he got to the next paragraph, Hiei's breath hitched and stopped as he read her sincere declarations.

My favorite part of the pregnancy, aside from getting to know you and feel you growing inside me, was that this journey led me to fall so deeply in love with your father. In the beginning, we knew so little about each other, and there's still so much I want to know. I saw this whole new side to him, and he worked so hard to be here for you and to be a man you can look up to and depend on. I already know you will adore him, and he will always cherish us both.

Hiei could hardly swallow after reading the rest of Botan's letter let alone breathe. He heard the sound of her footsteps and folded the letter back up and returned it to where she left it. When he caught sight of her looking comfortable in her beautiful sweater dress, his eyes looked so awed. Botan caught him staring and smiled. "What? What is it?"

Finally, Hiei was able to swallow, and he found his voice. Of course it came out quiet and not as confident as usual. "It's nothing. You look…"

"Thank you," she bashfully accepted the unfinished compliment. "Are you ready?"

Hiei didn't trust his voice at the moment, but he nodded and stood up to join the woman. The two of them left the apartment to go on their date. Hiei took Botan's hand as he gently led her to the elevator.

Botan frowned when some fluid leaked from her breasts after she just changed after the first time. Hanako warned her that she might leak colostrum, a yellowish, pre-milk fluid. The two women spoke about Botan's fears of breast-feeding, and Hanako assured Botan that her choice to avoid it was completely fine. After all, it wasn't right for every woman, let alone a spirit woman whose milk wasn't guaranteed once she transformed back into a spirit. The obstetrician gave her these special nursing pads to wear so that she'd be more comfortable and she wouldn't keep messing up her clothing.

The ferry girl looked in the mirror at her incredibly long hair. It became more lustrous during her pregnancy. Of course, it grew in other places too that it normally didn't. Thankfully, Botan only needed one wax which Hanako assured her was safe during pregnancy. It wasn't a fun experience, but it wasn't worse then the leg craps that got to Botan. Thankfully, those were beginning to die down now that she drank a lot of water. It was funny that things were becoming more manageable during this last month than it was the whole rest of her pregnancy. Hanako even gave her eye drops to help with the eye dryness.

Beside her, Hiei packed up the hospital bag. It surprised Botan when she found him doing so, but he told her it was in his own guidebook that now was the time to do it. The birth of their son would happen in just a few short weeks. The woman decided to join him in packing after she took care of herself. It warmed her heart that Hiei was so on top of things.

Around him, Hiei had several bags, pads and papers for taking notes, stopwatches to time her contractions, comfy pillows, sugarless candies so that her mouth wouldn't go dry, books and puzzle books to keep her mind busy if the labor was long, and hair ties so she could keep her hair out of her face. When she asked him about all of this, all he offered was that his guidebook was very thorough on suggestions. It even suggested he pack tennis balls to use as a massage tool to help with the aches in her back. He even packed a disposable camera. Botan admired him all the more for packing items that were all for her and less for him. He really cared about her.

Botan didn't know how everything was going to go. Her own guidebook recommended that she pack different toiletries. Most likely, she'd have to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. Hanako told her it was better in the long run because of her special circumstances. She added disposable toothbrushes and travel toothpaste and mouthwash to the bags as well as her moisturizers and some pads. The book suggested packing shower gel and shampoo also, although Botan was certain she wouldn't need them. She packed then anyway, just in case. You never knew. She also packed up some snacks and juice for after the delivery if the cafeteria was closed. For her own peace of mind, she packed in each bag a baby book—her friends gave her several options at the shower—to record all of her child's first moment experiences.

They worked together to pack several pairs of clothing for both her and the baby to come home in and even nightgowns and slippers for if she had to stay overnight. For the baby, they made sure to pack warm, comfortable clothing and booties so that he wouldn't be cold when they brought him outside into the world. Hiei added diapers to each bag too, in case they were needed or the hospital didn't provide enough.

Once the packing was complete, Botan realized that they didn't have a lot of time before the birth. She wondered what Hiei was thinking about everything, especially because it snowed again the previous day. Once again, the city was white, but Hiei put aside his bad mood to make sure Botan would be ready for the challenge of giving birth.

Soon, it wouldn't be easy to get away or up to Genkai's often to visit the old woman and Yukina. An idea struck Botan, and she smiled at her lover. "Hey, would you want to go to Genkai's tomorrow to see Yukina?" Hiei stopped what he was doing and met her gaze. "I just think that with the snow happening more frequently, it might be a good idea to see her. It might be our only chance to visit before the baby is born."

There was a lot of logic in Botan's suggestion. Hiei had been thinking about his sister more and more lately, especially when thoughts about their homeland wouldn't leave him. Winter was definitely his least favorite season in the human realm. It might do him some good to be reminded of the one positive thing that came from their world.

"I agree," Hiei replied although he was a bit skeptical. "Are you sure you're up for it? Last time the stairs…your shortness of breath."

"I'll be fine," Botan assured him. "Besides, I think one last get away before he's born will be good for us."

"Alright then," Hiei relented. "I'll call Yukina."

Hiei picked up the hospital bag and placed it by their bedroom door. It was the final bag he packed. As his guide suggested, he packed up several bags and conveniently placed them in different locations in case they needed to make a quick getaway. Labor was different for each woman and each pregnancy, and they could have plenty of time or not enough time. Either way, Hiei wanted to be ready.

The familiar trek to Genkai's was a bit of a challenge with all the snow, but they made it to the temple safely. Yukina was so happy to have her brother and Botan there. She cooked a large smorgasbord of food. Genkai spent some time with the group too, happy for Botan that soon she'd be giving birth and bringing hers and Hiei's little one into the world. It was a peaceful evening, at least until a snowstorm hit out of nowhere. The wind howled all night, and it was pretty cold in the room. Hiei made sure to keep Botan warmed, especially when she hit the time of night she couldn't drink liquids as much as she wanted the herbal tea Yukina made.

The awful storm made it hard for both Hiei and Botan to sleep, but eventually Botan dozed off. She was comforted by Hiei's presence. Hiei, well, he struggled. Those winds sounded so familiar, even though he knew this blizzard was nothing like that of his homeland. He scoffed at the thought. That place wasn't his home. He used to think of Demon World as his home, but he never felt like he had a true home until he was with Botan. Homes were supposed to provide security and safety to people, and she was his. Their son, too.

At that thought, Hiei had the abrupt realization that Botan was his mate. The thought took him by surprise, and at the same time it felt like the most natural way to describe her. He didn't know how it happened. He went over Demon World tradition, the agreements made between two mates and whatnot. No matter how hard he thought, he never heard of a mateship just happening, however gradual. They made no formal agreement, they went through no rituals, but the fact could not be ignored. Botan provided everything a mate would. She was carrying his child and nurtured his carnal desires while they remained solely exclusive to one another.

Usually, that was all a mateship would require in his world, although it went much deeper than that. In Demon World, a mateship was a sharing of power, but Hiei didn't need anyone else's power. Honestly, that was part of the reason he avoided relationships. There was nothing anyone else could give him that he didn't already have. Except Botan.

The strength the woman shared with him was something that Hiei never believed he needed. She gave him a sense of peace that he never experienced before he fully committed to her. She gave him her faith, even when he was less than deserving. She gave him her fragile heart, something that he had thrown back in her face so many times, and yet she offered it to him again and again with the belief that he would be able to put the pieces back together instead of destroying it as he was destined to do. Above all, Botan gave him her love. The woman gave it to him so freely, something he was never supposed to receive. His heart burst as he pulled her closer to him. This woman was more rebellious than he gave her credit for, willing to stomp on the traditions and beliefs of his people to give him a life that he was never supposed to have.

He buried his face against her neck and left her hair act as a shield to hide his emotional display. This woman was really the most amazing thing to have ever happened to him.

The morning gave way to the sun, but powdery white surrounded the temple. Winter, Hiei thought bitterly. As bothered as he was, though, he didn't seem to care much when his eyes landed on Botan.

The ferry girl was out in the courtyard wearing her boots and winter coat. She carefully took slow steps to hear the crunching of the ground beneath her. Hiei hated the snow, but he found Botan to be an ethereal vision as the sun made the offending white glitter around her. Although he hated the snow, it seemed like the perfect backdrop for his angelic ferry girl.

His musings were short-lived as Botan doubled over in pain. Hiei was on alert and rushed over to her. "What happened?" he asked as he tried to help her stand.

Botan opened her mouth to speak, but she moaned in agony. She wanted to explain the horrible jolt of unexpected pain she felt, but she couldn't get the words out. Because she didn't answer him, Hiei used the Jagan to check on what was happening. In that instant, he felt the blinding pain. It wasn't just that. He felt something that made his blood run cold. One month early, earlier than either were prepared, Botan was having contractions.

At first, Hiei thought the painful contractions had to be that Braxton Hick's thing because it was too early for their son to be born. He tried to remember what he read about it, but he recalled no expecting it to happen and ignoring it. If he had read the pamphlet, it would have told him the signs.

Yukina heard the commotion and came outside to check on them. She rushed to her brother and Botan as Hiei brought Botan back to the temple. "Is everything okay?"

"I don't know," Hiei admitted as he aided Botan to the couch. Yukina went to get her some water, but Botan yelled out again.

"H-Hiei," she weakly uttered. "I…I think I'm having contractions. It's…it's too early."

"It could be that Braxton Hicks condition, right?"

Yukina sat beside Botan and her aura outstretched. Her eyes widened instantly as she looked to her brother. "She's really in labor!"

Botan choked on a sob and shook her head. "I-I can't. We're here! We need to get to the hospi—ah!"

Yukina looked to her paralyzed brother. He was trying to keep calm for Botan's sake, but she was in a lot of pain and the hospital was pretty far away. Still, with an early birth, Hiei's mind was already calculating the odds that something was wrong. Botan was in far too much pain, but Hiei had no idea what kind of pain she was supposed to feel from this ordeal.

"Call Hanako," Hiei ordered as he met his sister's eyes.

Yukina didn't know if she heard right. She watched as her brother lifted Botan in his arms, carrying her bridal style. Botan clung to Hiei and cried out as another contraction and wave of pain coursed through her. "What? Hiei, it's too far. I can—"

"No." Hiei shook his head and cradled Botan as best and gently as he could. "It's…it is too early. She's in too much pain. Something is wrong. I need to get her to the witch." It bothered Hiei more than he cared to admit that Botan was in too much pain to correct him that time.

As worried as Yukina was, her fearful expression matched her brother's resolution. "Alright, I'll call. Be careful."

Without another word, Hiei was out the door, running as fast as he could without hurting Botan. He knew he was fast, but he didn't know if his speed would be enough to get them to the hospital in time. It didn't matter. He had to make it, for Botan's sake and the baby's. Relief flooded him as the city came into view.

"We're almost there," he attempted to reassure both Botan and himself. It was all he could do to try not to let the woman's agonized screams and tears derail him.

Please be okay…

A/N: And so it begins! I can't believe I've finally gotten to this part of the story. I've been leaving little hints here and there that the birth was going to occur earlier than the anticipated time. At least they tried to be prepared… ^^'

SaiyanWarrior200: Lol, yup! Had to draw that to a close ;)

jtdarkman: Thank you :) I've been around, but mostly editing old works and adding them to AO3 as well as FFN. This story hasn't made it over there yet. When I start getting it over there, I'll be cleaning it up from the beginning so it'll be more polished (don't worry; doesn't mean I'm leaving FFN. Just adding works so people can read them in both places). It's been quite time consuming that writing has fallen to the wayside. LOL! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thank you so much for your continued support. :D

CavemaN7: I know the feeling when you see newly updated chapters and how exciting that is. I'm glad it was worth the wait :D

Guest: Glad you enjoyed the chapter. I'll do my best!

Bmidd111: Thank you for reaching out. The story was obviously updated now, but as for the next couple of chapters, it will be whenever I can write them. Life is kind of chaotic.