.:. 9 .:.

The screaming winds of winter thrashed against the windows of Yui Komori's cottage. The sun had set and she lit a candle and crawled underneath the quilts. During the cold-season, she would push her bed closer to the fireplace so her skin could feed on the warmth. Yui had grown very big over the passing months, and she appeared even bigger when swaddled in every blanket and every piece of clothing she owned. If someone were to visit, they would surely laugh.

Sora, who temporarily lodged with her at the minister's request, was curled up like an old dog in front of the hearth. A thin blanket covered him, but he insisted he felt no chill. He was asleep and his sandy hair was flopping over his eyes. In the firelight she could see a shadow on his upper-lip; a smear from the warm milk she had made him before bed.

Yui knew her child was due anytime, and as she lived in the wilderness of the forest, it would not be easy for her to find help. Sora was a brilliant runner despite his small size and could be at the village and back within the hour. He was a thoughtful thing and always made sure she was well; she wondered whether her father's worrying was infectious, and sometimes, Yui didn't know who was watching over who.

She had taught him some literacy and mathematics in the same patient way she remembered Shu doing with her. She mended his tattered clothes and made a mental note to cut his hair, for he had developed a habit of blowing it out of his eyes.

Yui did not know when his parents had died, or how long he had called the streets home, but she did not ask. If he wanted to share his past, he would. Though that did not stop the stab of pain in her heart when she saw his fitful sleep and his wide, terrified eyes when he awoke, gasping on sobs.

As the months blurred and autumn transformed into winter, she left her home less and less. When depression hovered over her like a black thundercloud, she forced herself out into the garden. She watched Sora skating on the frozen river and listened to his laughs instead of tears when he fell. She brought her botanist books with her and gazed at the flower illustrations, wishing a snowdrop would wiggle out of the cold earth and bloom.

She wrote letters to him, ones she knew would never be sent. They were monotonous after a while, a retelling of her activities each day. But it lifted her spirits if she imagined his responses; it was almost like he was there with her, and she didn't feel so alone.

Subaru visited weekly, and upon seeing her listless smile, remarked dryly that she looked as happy as his brother at the prospect of marriage. He had informed her of Shu's engagement as casually as commenting on the weather; she'd said it was wonderful news and told him to send her regards. It was to be a grand, spring wedding on May Day—a good omen for fertility. Subaru asked if she was going to attend with her babe in tow, for he knew how she loved to see the flower displays after a long, colourless winter. But she'd told him that it was not a wise idea.

Her eyes had begun to sting with tiredness as she focused on the dancing candle. When she finally drifted into slumber, she dreamt of her old friend stood at the altar while a thunderstorm raged down against the stained-glass.

.:.

It was deep into the night when her first pains came. Her stomach twisted in cramps and she winced, gritting her teeth to suppress her cries. She rolled forward to sit on the edge of the bed, her arms wrapped tight around her middle with her head between her knees. Gradually, the contraction subsided, like sand sieving through fingers. Yui inhaled, exhaled, and tried not to panic.

Sora, awoken by the creak of the mattress and her ragged breathing, jolted upright and transported himself to her side.

"Miss Yui?" he said, his voice shaking with uncertainty. "Is... Is it time?"

Eyes closed and body tense to brace for the next wave of pain, she dipped her chin to nod.

"Sora," she whispered, fumbling for his hands. "Do you know where to go?"

"Yup—the tavern."

"Do you know who to ask for?"

"Miss Cordelia."

She was not fond of the barmaid due to the bruises she had seen on Ayato's face, but she was one of the few people who did not condemn her infidelity. They had developed a strange rapport; she kept Yui busy at her needle with repairs and commissions, and the gold in her pocket gave her something to live on. Cordelia was not an innocent maiden as she had borne children out of wedlock, so she understood the shame and the trials of love; she would help her.

"Yes," she gave a weak laugh. "Be fast, but remember, it is better to be safe. Please be careful."

"Promise, Miss Yui. Stay put—I'll be back real soon."

He dashed from her and flung open the door, letting in the bitter gusts of snow; her skin prickled and bumped.

"Wait!" she exclaimed, half-rising.

Sora snapped his head back, his blue eyes wide and blinking. His fingers were still viced around the handle and the snow stuck to his hair, the wind rippling the baggy cotton of his nightshirt.

"Are... are you in pain?"

"No," said Yui, standing with some difficulty and pushing the door closed. "But I certainly will be if you face the night without a jacket. Influenza is a stubborn thing to shake, Sora."

A shadow crossed his face and he lowered his gaze. Yui chewed her lower-lip—perhaps it was the disease which sent his parents into an early grave. She glanced to the window and to the flurry of whiteness, suddenly grateful for finding the orphan while the weather was mild. He would not have survived the winter on an unsheltered doorstep.

She sat him down and tugged his arms through the sleeves of a jacket, tossed a scarf around his neck and placed a pair of mittens into his lap. The boy tied the laces of his boots as Yui was unable to bend, and at the sight of his discarded slippers, she smiled, reminded of her former-self and her reckless rush to the castle.

He looked up, his freckled face orange in the firelight. "What is it?"

"Worry makes people foolish, is all," she said, ruffling the snow from his hair.

She transferred the candle into a lantern and sent him on his way. Yui watched his form fighting against the direction of the wind until the mist of snow swallowed him from sight. Yet, the instant she closed the door, she whimpered and doubled over in pain as another contraction tore through her abdomen. The fire had died from lack of attention and her only candle was currently swinging from Sora's hands. The room was in complete darkness; she couldn't even decipher the hazy grey shapes of furniture.

The cramps intensified and Yui remained huddled beside the door with her fingernails riveting her skin. She willed herself not to shed a tear; soon she would be able to hold them and everything would be alright. She thought of their excited gurgles, their soft, plump baby-skin and their tiny hands wrapped around her thumb. She thought of him smiling down at them and making a jest at her dishevelled appearance. She thought of the three of them, a family, together and happy.

These thoughts made the pain bearable.

"Sora," she mumbled, pressing her clammy forehead to her knees. "Please... hurry."

.:.

The young ward took off into the forest with only the feeble lantern-light to guide him. Sora liked the woodland during daylight hours; it was a peaceful transition from the hectic village streets he was accustomed to. Yet during the nighttime—when he could barely see his own hands!—it was another world entirely. He was robbed of good sense and given fear in return. He hadn't heard voices, he reassured himself, it was merely the wind rattling the bare branches, and the soft thumps were not footsteps, but a fallen snow drift.

Though none of this eased his quickening heartbeat when he thought of a pack of starved wolves, or the devil himself, very much at home in the dark shadow of trees.

Despite his trembling and his growing exhaustion, he pushed his legs on. Miss Yui was relying on him, and if he didn't hurry to the village, she would be in danger. He could not repay her kindness with cowardice and failure.

Sora continued to sprint, his hands outstretched to avoid a collision with a tree. He thanked his graces that Miss Yui reminded him about his attire. The toes of his boots were sopping and the tip of his nose was very cold. He pulled up his scarf to shield his face, inhaling the faintest scent of lavender.

Suddenly, the ground shook and a tall, fast shape was heading towards him. The boy screamed and dropped the lantern, the wet earth sizzling out the flame. Frozen to the spot, Sora covered his eyes and braced for impact, but a gruff, impatient voice cut through his fear.

"Idiot—move!"

Sora willed his body to shift and jumped to the side, hitting his skull on a trunk. He slumped into the snow, disorientated with fluttering eyelids, hearing the nickers of a horse, the jingling of stirrups and a pair of voices. He groaned and touched his head; it was damp and sticky. There was a crunching of footsteps and a new spark of light. Rubbing his eyes, he lifted his chin to look at the figure towering over him.

"Kid... I would advise you," the man drawled, massaging his forehead. He looked—and sounded—extremely tired. "If you value your life, not to run headfirst into a galloping horse." He narrowed his eyes and bowed over. "How troublesome... is it bleeding?"

"'It'?!" The gruff man appeared at his side. "You fucking run the kid over, now you refer to him as 'it'?"

"Not my fault it got under my horse's feet," he tossed a glance over his shoulder. "It's only luck that she isn't lame..."

Sora's attention flitted between them; one was invested in an argument, while the other could only grumble something unintelligible and sigh. The tired man, who held a lantern, brought his hand up and dragged it across his face. It illuminated his features: a pulled-down mouth, straight nose, and blue eyes. Sora was reminded of the day by the riverside with Miss Yui as they washed linen between the rocks.

'His eyes are like yours,' she had said. 'As blue as water.'

'Who is he?'

'Look up high and you'll find him.'

Indeed, the young ward was small, and even if he were standing, he would still be forced to look up high to meet the man's gaze. Sora felt weary and dizzy once he caught his breath, the adrenaline having drained out of his body. This blue-eyed man had a horse, and Miss Yui knew of him, so perhaps he would help her.

"H-Help..." he forced the words past his lips, struggling to stay awake.

The gruff man snatched the lantern and brought it closer to his face. "Hah? This kid... I know him. He's staying with Cricket."

There was a sharp inhale of breath. "Subaru, do something with the kid... I don't care what. We're leaving."

Sora, dipping in-and-out of consciousness, was vaguely aware of being lifted from the snow, the stenches of horse and ale, and then the erratic movement beneath him. His scarf flung from his neck and lodged itself onto a branch. At dawn, when a carriage or a lone traveler passes through the woods, the first thing they would see amidst the black trees would be a waving flag of scarlet.

.:.

The two Sakamaki sons slowed their pace as they reached the cottage. Subaru rode one-handedly, the other holding the limp body of the minister's ward. Shu's face was grave as he dismounted, taking both of their horses and securing them on a post beside the barn. He lingered behind and grimaced at the sight of his brother yelling and banging his fists on the door; the child was ungracefully slung over his shoulder.

"Dammit! Cricket, open the fucking door!"

Shu came to the window and used his hand to wipe away the condensation. It was pitch-black inside, which made him question whether she was home—had the fool ventured out in a blizzard to seek help for herself?

"Kick it open," he ordered Subaru, the leather of his gloves squeaking tight around the lantern's handle.

The youngest did not need telling twice; he took a backward step and rammed his foot against the door. It was made of old, rotting wood and it caved easily and collapsed onto the ground, uplifting clouds of dust. They were fortunate that Yui hadn't been closer, as the panel landed at her feet.

She was a pitiful thing to behold; curled into a ball and rocking as her cries filled the space. They didn't know if she had heard them arrive, or if she was in such a bad way that she couldn't stand to answer their calls. Nevertheless, Subaru propped the child up against the wall and fell to his knees at her side. Shu remained in the doorway with the snow pelting his back. Then, without warning, he swallowed thickly and fled.

"Shitty coward," Subaru bit out. "Knew he wouldn't be able to stomach it."

There was the sound of coughing and retching, but he blamed it on the deceit of the weather.

"It... It hurts..."

Subaru snapped his head down, his expression hard but eyes soft. Yui sounded child-like when she spoke, as though she had fallen and scraped her knee.

But she wasn't—she was a brave woman, one who could stand atop the castle steps and face ridicule, be shunned from the village which once loved her, and stay resolute to her promise no matter the consequences. She endured it all without shedding a public tear. Now here she was with her hands grabbing fistfuls of his shirt and weeping into his chest. He had never seen her this vulnerable.

Subaru couldn't bring himself to curse and blame her, but he was not adept at comforting. With a blush dusting his cheekbones, he resigned to tracing circles into her back.

"Uh—hey, look—you're fine, you're not dying, got it?"

"Why do you bother speaking."

Subaru blinked at the doorway; Shu exhaled and rubbed his nape.

"Don't look at me like that... I was checking I'd tied the horses."

With his fingers clawing through his hair, Shu hovered over them with a vacant stare.

"S-Subaru," Yui rasped, raising her head.

Sweat was rolling down her face, her wispy strands plastered to her forehead. Her tears made her pink irises glisten in the lantern-light.

"It's you she calls for... huh?" Shu mused, giving a wry half-smile. "Interesting. Do you have something to tell me?"

"Don't fuck with me!" Subaru yelled, his hands groping the floor for something to toss at him; a slipper was found, but in the dimness, his aim was skewed. "Maybe it's 'cause I'm the one who is always saving her ass! Tch... you're not going to help," his voice mellowed in dismissal. "Just go back to the castle and sleep already. I can handle it."

Shu crouched and looked at his brother squarely. "Whatever you think of me... I don't care. But I would not sleep well with the possibility of the woman bleeding to death."

"You..." care, was his unspoken word.

Subaru didn't know why this fact was unbelievable. Deep within he knew Shu was kind; he merely masked it with an unfeeling exterior. His position did not allow him to maintain outer family relations, and no matter how much he reiterated how little he cared for the woman before him, perhaps a part of him still saw that energetic creature playing on the riverbank, his first and last friend.

"W-Where is he?" Yui panicked; the two men exchanged glances. "Sora," she clarified, "where is—he should be—!"

The eldest pinched her cheeks with his thumb and forefinger and forcibly turned her head. The child had nodded forward, but the rise and fall of his chest was clear. "There—look," he said, losing his patience. "Sleeping. Selfless fool..." he sighed and released his grip. "Start worrying about yourself."

Yui's gaze fell upon him for the first time. Her lips parted then shut, swallowing the words on her tongue.

"Subaru," she said, angling her chin; she was still tangled in his awkward embrace. "Take him to my father... and tell Ayato's mother to expect me. P-Please..."

She spoke with quick breaths and pauses, desperate to convey what was needed before the pain immobilised her again. Shu clenched his teeth and withdrew his closeness. She had ignored his advice and remained consumed with worry. But his words had reached her. They were firm and they rationalised her anxious mind. The only way she could concentrate on her current situation was if she knew with absolute certainty that Sora was safe.

Subaru spluttered and started. "I—I'm not leaving you with him! Jeez, are you insane? He'll fucking—"

"Don't delude yourself into thinking I would abandon the woman in a snow drift," Shu droned. "If she becomes noisier... then I might consider it."

"Hah?!"

To his surprise, Yui laughed.

"I wouldn't take it to heart," she said, grazing her fingers across his arm. "It is Shu's greatest form of amusement to see his victims riled and flushed."

Shu hummed and stayed silent, and for a moment, Subaru was transported to their youth and to the sound of Shu's teasing, his protests and Yui's laughter. Despite the situation, the nostalgia of the three of them being together and civil made him feel content. Subaru was the solitary unchanging thing between them; he hadn't married, nor did he have any major responsibility. He was the bridge to both Yui and Shu, and at times he was torn.

He knew there was a disagreement which caused a rift between them, but there was no hatred in the girl's eyes when they looked upon him; they were soft and kind, as they always were. Subaru didn't know the details of their argument, but he had an inkling that her marriage to the doctor was key. In private, Yui had asked him not to let Shu attend the ceremony. It was an uncharacterestic move, but he did not believe it to be mean-spirited.

Their wedding took place on a terrible rainy afternoon, and as Shu had no desire to dampen his hair and catch a cold, he didn't plan to attend in any case. He'd told him that the weather matched the quality of the match and to send his regards. He hadn't; the sarcasm was biting.

"Fine, whatever, I'll go," Subaru caved. "You... you'll be just fine, Cricket." He placed his hand atop her head and gave a smile which morphed into a grimace. His words were partly to reassure himself; childbirth was a dangerous business and luck was not on her side. Yui's mother had died in childbed and he knew this fact alone tormented her. "You're too fucking stubborn to die," he continued, "especially after all this fuss you've caused."

"Don't worry yourself," she said, pushing her lips into a smile. "And be safe on your way—"

Her sentence was cut with an exclamation of pain and her tightly scrunched face.

"Cricket—"

"Go," Shu snapped and gestured to the door. "Warn the wench first, then concern yourself with the kid. I'll be behind you."

Subaru nodded, cast one last glance over his shoulder, then snatched the child up before vanishing into the night. It eased Yui to hear the sound of his horse's quick, pillowing hooves fading into the distance. She understood the uncertainty of his expression; Subaru knew there was a possibility that she may not pull through to see first light. If it were to be her end, then everything she had fought for would be for nothing.

"You're not cold..." Shu's flat voice carried her attention from the doorway. "You're scared."

Yui gave a half-sob, half-laugh, and attempted to still her trembling hands. "I... I want to watch them grow, I can't—"

"Quiet," he hissed, slapping his hand over her mouth. The cool metal of his ring pressed against her lips, the gemstone catching the light in pink glimmers. "If that child has developed any brain at all... then it would not be stupid enough to kill one of the few people to truly love them."

"Shu..."

"Looks like I have no choice but to carry you." He huffed and lifted her into his arms, the layers bulking her frame adding difficulty. "You heavy, bothersome thing," he grumbled, pushing her face into the wool of his overcoat; the scent of sandalwood drifted to her nose.

"Then Subaru should be congratulated on finally getting rid of my bones," she said in an attempt to lighten the air. "It's funny, but... I feel like a damsel from one of your old stories, being rescued by a prince on their white horse."

"Hardly," said Shu after settling her onto his mare's saddle. He gripped the bridle and ran his palm along its silky neck, calming its fright. "It seems to me... that you would rather be distressed than saved." He had spoken quietly, and even in the darkness, Yui knew his brows would be furrowed and his eyes trained on the quilt of black where her scarlet letter bloomed. "I'm no prince. Prince's aren't..." He cleared his throat. "Luckily for you... I'm here on a matter of coincidence. Don't be a fool and cloud your dense skull with fairytales."

"I see you still haven't forgiven me," Yui mumbled into her scarf, crestfallen.

Shu heaved himself up behind her. "What do you think."

"I think... that anger doesn't make one care any less about a person. I remember that winter day underneath the apple tree. You were angry with me then, too, but still... you carried me back to the church and nursed me. My father said you did not leave until nightfall, until my fever had broken."

His eyes widened, believing the memory to be long forgotten. Yui Komori was not like his uptight fiancé, who daren't speak out of turn or risk a slip of her manners. The girl before him, who wore enough garments to clothe a village, was not afraid of speaking her mind or defending what she believed in. Despite the grave seriousness which constantly plagued her expression, she was the same Cricket Girl who possessed enough gall to confront his brother.

Even after everything, he thought, pushing his horse on, I still don't get a break from her...

.:.

Her body was sweating, but her face was cold. Shu was a skilful rider and showed no fear at the speed he set, nor did he wince and wink at the blinding hurdles of snow. Yui remained silent as she did not want to be a distraction, but when another contraction hit her, he removed a hand from the reins and wrapped it around her middle, her fingers bunching the material of his sleeve.

"Hold on," he repeated, his body stiffening, "we're almost there."

Yui, with her senses dimmed, only registered their arrival at the tavern with a sudden hot flush and the sourness of male odour. The noise was reduced to low rustling and whispering, the men feigning interest in their cups despite their wandering eyes. She felt Shu's warm breaths fanning across her neck and his tight grip underneath her legs and back; she did not have the bravery to peep from his overcoat.

"Move, move!" came Cordelia's shrilly demands. Men hovered in her path, gawking at the doorway where the two snow-swept individuals stood.

"What a pair!" exclaimed one, stroking his goatee. "The young master, exerting himself for the village whore?"

"Judgement day at last!" said another. "Her tongue may be silent, but he will be revealed in that child's face!"

"In labour? At such an hour? Couldn't the woman wait until morning?"

Cordelia's patience was growing thin, and soon enough a wisp of her lilac hair became visible.

"Unless you would like to witness the girl giving birth as a side dish to your ale, then get out of my way!"

"You wench!" A man protested, raising his pewter. "What about our—"

"Refill it yourself! Or are you lacking arms?"

The men cursed her, and with stomping footsteps, took their cups to the barrel-taps, quarrelling over who took first place; the atmosphere of the tavern returned.

"Foolish men," she groused when she reached them, tossing hair to reveal her spilling chest. "See how they grimace and squirm? Only happy when bedding a woman, but never with the consequences. Ayato," she snapped her fingers, "make yourself useful and take the girl upstairs. Now."

Ayato, abandoning his tray of overflowing pewters, trotted up to his mother's side. He cast a raised-brow glance at the pair, his mouth twisting uncomfortably at the girl's state. Nevertheless, he shrugged away the discomfort and extended his arms, but Shu did not move from the doorway. Ayato, similar to his mother, grew irritable.

"Oi—hand Breastless over already! Yours Truly doesn't have time for this."

"Where is the doctor," Shu said, ignoring them.

Cordelia prickled. "I am—"

"Your only talent lies in seducing men," he glared. "You are hardly capable of wielding a scalpel."

"It seems that anything a spoilt man desires he receives."

They turned to the voice's origin and were met with Reiji Kasei, tucking a notebook into the inside pocket of his jacket. As a matter of habit, he carried his doctors bag, its leather cracked and its gold clasp shining. The imperfections irked him, yet it had a certain charm, like aged wine and first editions.

"There," the barmaid sneered. "Now run along back to that castle of yours. Your services are no longer required."

Shu squared his jaw as his hands fisted the fabric of Yui's skirts; his stare did not leave green.

Suddenly, the sound of the door whacking the wall broke their silent dispute. Subaru burst into the tavern, his cheeks and nose rosy from the cold. He appeared at his brother's side, panting from having run the distance from the church. He quickly eyed each individual, assessing the mood and piecing together the discourse he had missed.

"What the fuck are you playing at?" he said, elbowing Shu's side; the eldest shot him a withering look.

"They're not qualified," he mumbled, though the statement held no conviction. He was stalling.

Subaru knew Shu detested everything medical; at the sight of blood he would pale and quietly excuse himself. He had been wary of doctors since he was young and still, if he could, avoided them like the plague. It must have been awful having Reiji, whose only entertainment lay in tormenting him, living under the same roof. Now here he was, about to attend to Yui... Subaru understood. He did not believe the doctor to have innocent intentions. After all, why should he care for the product of his ex-wife and her lover?

"Give her to me," Subaru reasoned, but Shu's eyes were unwavering; he cursed. "Quit it and let go! I'll stay outside and watch, alright? There's gaps in these doors, and if I hear screaming, you damn well know I'll intervene."

Shu was not listening; his expression was distant and remained glued to the whimpering woman in his arms. She was scratching at his shirt to cope with the pain, and Subaru, conscious of time, lost his calm.

"You insensitive bastard!" he cried, his fist colliding with the nearest beam; the line of horseshoes clattered to the ground. "At this rate, it's you who is killing her! She needs to be seen to!"

Shu flinched and stared at him, wide-eyed, as though awoken from a dream. Within seconds, his surprise was replaced with nonchalance. He cleared his throat and finally passed Yui to his brother.

"I can't—I don't care," he said, toneless, as though none of his reluctance existed. "Do what you want with her. I'm sure I'll work out by the state of the castle walls whether she lives or dies."

Without another word, his cloak swished around his form as he turned to leave, but Reiji, with a curve to his lips, grabbed his arm.

"Indeed, what a happy coincidence it is that you happened to be nearby."

"It is what it is... a coincidence. You saw me leave this place earlier," Shu said, one hand dragging through his hair while the other clutched his heart. His breathing was rapid and beads of sweat clung to his forehead. "I even remember your unimaginative insults."

Reiji, ever an observant man, noticed his unsettled disposition and inched closer.

"Reassure yourself with the fact that I do not care whether the child lives or dies; my only interest lies in its genetic makeup. This, of course, can still be gained in the stillness of a corpse. It leaves me with the question—why should I break a sweat saving something that is doomed to die?"

"How confident..." he scoffed. "Do you possess some psychic intuition that we are apparently unaware of?"

His eyes strayed to the stairs. "No, merely experience. If I cannot save my own sons, are you foolish enough to believe that I would save his?"

A/N: *hides* I know I said the child would be born in this, but it seems that I always underestimate the length of my chapters. Besides, I liked the nasty cliffhanger and didn't want to spoil it by writing more, haha... pls forgive me D:

Anyway! Happy birthday to the youngest marshmallow! (And a belated one to Mr. How Troublesome because of my forgetful ass lmao).

See you next time :)

allyelle~