To Shinjuro, this reminded him of when both of his sons were born and it brought back memories.

Kyojuro's birth had been relatively easy and the labor didn't last long. He had a set of healthy lungs and the midwife had proudly declared that he was one of the biggest babies in awhile that she had delivered. His first son had been a picture of health at the time of his birth.

However, Senjuro's birth was a bit of a different story. Ruka had been sick and having trouble throughout her whole pregnancy. There were some points at which the midwife wasn't sure that the child would live but Ruka was determined to have this child.

Her labor was not easy in the slightest as well. Senjuro had arrived a bit earlier than expected and the labor had lasted for hours on end it seemed.

"I apologize Rengoku-sama, I must ask you to leave the room," the midwife said.

"But I-," Shinjuro started to say.

"It's alright, I"ll be fine," Ruka said reassuringly, placing a hand over his.

Shinjuro sat outside of the room, his anxiety rising each time he heard Ruka's screams of pain while in the throes of labor.

After many hours

"I finally see the head! You're almost there darling," the midwife exclaimed.

Ruka pushed as hard as she could, her forehead and body covered in sweat.

"That's it, one more push," the midwife urged.

The young mother gave one last push.

"It's a boy!" The midwife announced and she cut the cord.

Ruka let her head fall back on the pillow breathing heavily.

However something was wrong, both her and the midwife sensed it.

"Why isn't he crying? What's wrong with my baby?!" Ruka worriedly asked.

The midwife leaned over the infant trying to clear his lungs so he could breathe.

From outside Shinjuro could hear their conversation. He waited outside the door with worry and anxiety.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity Shinjuro heard his son's first cry.

Ruka leaned her head back in relief after hearing her son start to cry.

The midwife cleaned him up then loosely wrapped him in a blanket, laying him against Ruka's chest so they could have skin to skin contact.

"Head full of golden hair like his father and brother," the midwife commented.

Ruka had tears in her eyes and pressed a kiss to her son's golden head.

The midwife allowed Shinjuro to come in, then left to give the two privacy.

"I was so worried," the young father said, caressing his wife's face.

"This wasn't like the last time, but all that matters is that he's here," Ruka ran a gentle hand over her son's head. His tiny face was buried in the crook of her neck.

"May I hold him?" Shinjuro asked.

Ruka carefully handed the bundle to her husband.

"He's so small," Shinjuro said, carefully cradling his son.

"The midwife said he's a bit smaller than he should be," Ruka said. "But as long as he gains weight in the next few months that's a good sign."

Over the next few months, Senjuro had started to gain weight in part due to being nursed frequently. The midwife came to check on him frequently. She encouraged Ruka to have frequent skin to skin contact with him as well as breastfeeding for nutrition. In time Senjuro gained weight and developed normally.

The father and son sat awkwardly in silence until Senjuro said, "I'll make us some tea, Chichue." In reality he needed a break from hearing Hotaru's screams and moans of pain.

From inside the room, Hotaru was getting exhausted.

Kyojuro I wish you were here. I can't have this child without you, she thought.

"Alright I need you to push harder dear," the midwife said, shaking her out of her thoughts. "I know it's hard but you have to do this."

Hotaru gritted her teeth and continued to push.

"You're getting so close dear. I can almost see the head," the midwife said gently.

Hotaru felt like she wanted to give up but remembered how long and badly she wanted this child. She knew that Kyojuro would want her to keep living and pushing forward even if it was hard.

After a few more pushes the midwife said excitedly, "I can see the head, not long now."

Hotaru felt some relief knowing that she would see her baby very soon. The child she and Kyojuro conceived in love.

"Very good darling, one more big push," the midwife said encouragingly.

Hotaru pushed as hard as she could.

"Open your eyes so you can see your child," the midwife said gently.

Hotaru felt something within her release and she saw through her tears her child emerge. The tears only intensified when she heard her baby's loud cries.

"A boy! You've birthed a fine boy," the midwife said, holding him up so Hotaru could see.

From her vantage point she could see his small body and head full of golden hair like his father. His small legs and arms twitched as he continued to wail. Even though his face was red from crying and he was covered in birth fluids, he was the most beautiful thing Hotaru saw. He's so beautiful, Hotaru thought.

The midwife cleaned the child up and loosely wrapped him in a blanket.

"Here we go. Ohh he's so beautiful," she said, laying him on Hotaru's chest for skin to skin contact.

Hotaru ran a loving hand over her son's golden hair, trying to see through her tears. Her body was so tired that she wanted to give into sleep.

After resting for about fifteen minutes, the midwife said, "You can try to nurse him if you would like."

The midwife helped her sit up and adjust the infant.

"Brush your nipple across his mouth and he should latch on," the midwife instructed.

Hotaru followed her instructions and felt her son latch on to her breast. It was a different feeling but Hotaru loved being able to bond with her child so intimately.

She was now able to see his features more clearly now that she was sitting up.

Hotaru stroked one of his tiny pink cheeks, still marveling that this tiny being had been inside of her for nine months. His small hands were curled into fists. He had inherited all the Rengoku genes that were strung through Senjuro, Kyojuro, and Shinjuro. Golden hair crowned his head accompanied by thick eyebrows. The infant hadn't opened his eyes yet but Hotaru had a feeling they would be flame colored like his father's.

"He's got a big appetite hasn't he," the midwife commented, cleaning her hands and items. "You'll know when he's finished nursing when he slows down suckling or releases your breast."

Hotaru turned her attention to watching her baby nurse. Two tiny eyes opened revealing flame colored orbs.

"You opened your eyes for me," the young mother said happily. "You have such pretty eyes."

The infant looked up at his mother as he continued to nurse. He had a cute little nose to compliment his adorable face. Hotaru wondered if her baby looked like Kyojuro when he was born.

A few minutes later, Hotaru noticed that the baby was slowing down in feeding. Moments later he released her nipple.

"Are you finished, sweetie?" Hotaru wiped the excess milk off her son's face then readjusted her yukata.

"Your grandfather and uncle are excited to see you," she said gently rocking him. Hotaru pressed a kiss to his forehead.