Baby Mine

By Sakata Ri Houjun

*Chapter 3

~***~

Morning brought the now feminine monk where she loved to be, other than by her beloved's side. Her remaining mahogany eye watched carefully as a hook with no bait broke the serene water, sinking downwards to try and lure fish that probably didn't exsit. Occasionally Chichiri had caught a fish or two, but the true purpose of her presence out here by the water's edge was seeking the quiet contemplation that could only be found among nature. Fish would always be thrown back unless it was needed, in which case she would use bait.

Today, however, the cerulean-haired seishi's contemplations dwelled on something that weighed heavily on her heart. It'd probably been a few weeks since she'd been turned female and she'd learned to deal with other bandit's attention rather quickly. At first at made her uncomfortable but eventually she learned to ignore it, and avoid the bandits most of the first day. But her lover's suboordinates got used to her before as an overly genki monk, so naturally they got used to her as female. She even learned to ignore the lewd comments that were tossed their way every night as she and Tasuki would retire to their shared bedroom, and the morning jibes that follwed thereafter.

Some of the more colorful remarks still brought a blush to the monk's cheeks, but that wasn't the real problem. No, the real dielema was telling the red-haired bandit whom she loved more than anything else in the world that she had yet to feel a seperate ki within her body. Tasuki would always smile and promise to try again that very night, but there's always be a second of crushed hope within his golden eyes that broke her heart.

Chichiri could feel the worry build up in her stomach again as it had been for the last couple of days, bubling and churning around. She swallowed thickly before laying her fishing pole down to crawl towards the bushes, heaving up what little she ate at breakfast. With a trembling hand, she wiped at her mouth, wonering why her nerves would be this shot. She suddenly heard a rustling noise behind her. Slowly, Chichiri turned her head, looking over her shoulder to see who would be spying on her.

Tasuki stared sadly at the crouching monk, his heart breaking silently at the pitiful sight she presented. He's made it a habit to watch his lover secretly fishing, seeing how serene and peaceful Chichiri could become with such a simple act, but even he could sense that something wasn't right, hadn't been or some time with her. She'd been getting sick as of late, and the worry was nibbling away at the back of his mind, certain that being in female form was having reprecussions on Chichiri's system. And the greatest fear preying upon his mind was that trying to get the monk pregnant wasn't going to work in the end.

Chichiri looked away, ashamed somehow. She could feel the sadness radiating from her lover's ki, so strong and potent, and she knew that she had let down the one person she wanted to please. Quietly she stood, returning to where her pole lay, ignoring it for the time being as she cupped water from the river in trembling hands to rinse her mouth and wash her face.

The younger seishi frowned now, feeling extremely worried. This wasn't normal, and maybe they should just abandon the thought of having a family. After weeks of tying, they didn't seem to be getting anywhere. Within in two strides, he was beside the monk, kneeling down. "Ne, Chiri?"

Chichiri looked over to him, shimmering droplets of water sliding down her pale skin, clinging to her cerluean hair. "Hai Tasuki no da?"

Gently he pushed aside her wet hair, the light blue tendrils sticking to her unnaturally pale face. "I've been thinking aobut something, and I want your honest opinion."

"Hai, no da."

The fanged seishi bit his lip before continuing. "Chiri, I... I don't think this is working out."

The monk's eye widened in response. "B-but Tasuki... I... I'm sure it's working! Being female hasn't put any strain on me at all.. It... just makes it harder to concentrate. That's... That's probably why I haven't sensed a baby yet." Her heart pound in fear, worried that Tasuki was ready to give up, not wanting to lose this chance at an impossible dream after all that they'd gone through.

Tasuki sighed as he shook his head. "But you're getting sick, and don't think I don't know because I just watched you." Gently he reached out, taking her hand. "It's killing me inside, knowing that something's wrong, thinking that no matter how hard we try, we just can't seem to..." He hung his head, vibrant eyes closing in defeat.

Chichiri bowed her head as well, brows knitting together as their temples pressed against each other. "But I... I only get sick in the morning no da. It goes away after that no da... Please Tasuki... I don't want to give up just yet. M-maybe we can talk to someone... Who knows more...?"

"Chiri, if you feel that strongly about it, then I'm willing to do whatever you want... but don't push yourself." He squeezed her hand tightly in reassurance.

A brilliant smile slipped over the monk's features as she looked up at him, hope glimmering in her eye. "I promise I won't push myself, no da!"

Tasuki felt helpless against the beautiful smile, renewed hope burning within his own heart. He kissed her lightly, before standing and pulling her up with him, arms wrapping possesively around that slender waist. "So, any idea who to ask?"

Chichiri shook her head, her own hands sliding around the bandit's strong body, returning his loving embrace. "Not a clue no da. I suppose maybe the Empress... But it's such a long journey to ask her about this no da. Plus I'm not sure how she would handle this no da..."

"I'd ask my Ma, but she might beat the fuck out of me if I tried to explain this to her..."

"Anou.... I'm fresh out of ideas then no da."

The two lovers smiled sheepishly, at a loss of what to do next, when there came more rustling from the same direction Tasuki had appeared from. They turned just in time to see a grinning face topped by a mass of unruly navy hair emerge from the foliage. "You could always ask me. I know a thing or two about women," he stated as though he'd been a part of the conversation from the beginning.

Kouji ignored the venemous glare from his best friend, instead turning full attention on Chichiri. "So, what's going on exactly that's got you so worried?"

Tasuki snapped out of his mood to quickly answer before the monk could, his protectiveness of his lover kicking in. "I'm worried that Chiri might be coming down with something... She keeps getting sick."

"But it's only in the morning no da..." she added quickly.

A sweatdrop appeared on the side of the older bandit's head before he reached over and knocked the winged seishi upside the head. "Ya didn't listen to me did ya? I said ya can tell she's knocked up either when she starts gaining weight or gets morning sickness."

Tasuki rubbed at his head as he furrowed his brow. "What the fuck is morning sickness?"

"Getting sick in the morning. I dunno. It's just what women get in the early part of pregnancy. They all get pukey and shit."

"But..". He looked to Chichiri then Kouji again, his expression one of shock. "You're saying Chiri's pregnant?"

"Sure seems that way." The older bandit crossed his arms over his chest with a satisfied smirk.

Not wanting to hope, he turned to Chichiri "Chiri...?"

The monk blushed as she shook her head. "I haven't been able to tell no da... I do my meditation in the morning but I've been too sick to really sense anything, no da. Maybe if I try it when I'm not sick..."

"Either she has a weird ass flu or she's pregnant Genrou." Kouji clapped his younger comerade hard on the back, causing the redhead to stumble slightly. "Congrats."

Tasuki couldn't help but smile, though he tried hiding it behind a scowl. "Uh, let's not celebrate until we know for sure..."

Kouji only shruged in response. He knew the truth but he decided to let the two lovebirds handle it on thier own. His job was done for now. "Whatever. I'm going back inside. It's gonna rain." And with that he walked back through the bushes the way he came.

Tasuki swallowed nervously as he glanced back at chichiri after Kouji's departure. "What do you think?"

The cerulean-hiared woman chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I don't know no da... It does seem odd that I'd only be sick in the mornings no da..."

The bandit spread his hands wide. "Hey, I don't know nothing about it either."

"I'll try to meditate once we get back to the stronghold no da. Kouji's right. It's about to rain no da." She looked up at the darkening sky for emphasis before walking back to her place by the lake to retrieve her pole. Once the rod was secure back within her kasa, she replaced the straw hat and picked up her skirts as she made her way back to her beloved's side.

Tasuki slipped one arm around her waist as he began leading her back to the stronghold. "Then let's get back quickly."

She leaned her head against Tasuki's strong shoulder, letting herself be lead in, pausing to look at the darkening skies with a soft little sigh.

Hearing the tiny noise, the bandit looked over at her, worried. "You alright, not going to be sick again?"

"Iie iie. I should be alright no da. I was just thinking about...things..."

"Chiri..." There was a warning tone in Tasuki's voice.

Ignoring that very tone, the monk pulled away, stepping inside the bandit stronghold gateway, veering directly towards the entrance. "Prehaps I should try to eat something no da... Since I just lost it all no da..."

Using his speed, Tasuki stoped her with his hand, latching securely onto that slender, pale wrist. "Talk to me..."

Chichiri closed her eye in defeat, knowing she wasn't to escape until her lover was satified with her answer. "I was thinking what it might be like if the flood hadn't happened... But then... I would have never met you..."

"Yes you would have." he argued quietly, his hold becoming a bit more gentle. "We just wouldn't be together."

" I don't know... If I would have ever agreed to leave..."

Tasuki blinked in shock, finally understanding. "You mean you wouldn't have followed your destiny?"

" I'm not sure... If I had a family... I might not of... I certianly wouldn't have been a monk. And I wouldn't have some of the powers I have now. I'd be usless..."

The younger seishi grabed her roughtly by the shoulder, kissing her fully before pulling away only to embrace her close. "Chichiri, I love you. That should be all that matters now."

The cerulean-haired woman blushed prettily as she rested her head against him, returning the hold. "Hai... It does matter. And I love you too."

Tasuki could feel his face pulling into a smile full of relief. "You saying things like that, questioning the past... Make me wonder how much use I'd been if I never joined the bandits..."

"Perhaps our pasts were a part of our destiny too..."

"Yeah..."

" Sometimes painful pasts are nessacry to lead us the right direction..."

The redhead pulled away slightly, gazing firecely into that single mahogany eye. He could still feel the same warmth and love that radiated out of that single orb, though its shape had changed slightly. "But you didn't deserve what happened you you though..."

"It was what I needed... It lead me to Taitis-kun.."

"And to me?" he questioned before kissing her softly.

Chichiri blushed and kissed him back. "Hai, and to you."

Tasuki looked up as thunder sounded, echoing off the mountains. The first raindrop hit him in the eye, the cold water causing him to wince. "Fuck. We'd better get inside now...."

She tried to hide her fear at the thunder, not so much the storm itself, but the memories that still haunted her. It was rarely shown anymore, not even in front of her lover. "Hai no da." Slowly she broke their embrace, leading the way inside the stronghold itself and to their shared room. Tasuki followed, but a slight frown was on his face. He could feel the tenseness going through her body, fully aware of the reasons why she was acting the way she was.

Oblivious, Chichiri pulled the bandit into their room, a bit of excitement running through her body as the door closed behind them. "I'll meditate now no da. Since I'm feeling better no da." What she didn't add was that it would also take her mind off the storm, and the memories.

Tasuki slipped his hand from her. "Then I guess you'll want me to leave you alone.."

" Iie iie. I want you to know the moment I sense it no da. After all, his ki will be a mix of yourr's and mine no da." Quietly, she moved over to the bed and clambered onto it, assuming her meditation position, a half lotus, drowning out the thunder outside by clearing her thoughts. Briefly she opened her eye to look at Tasuki and smile. "This might take a moment or two no da."

The bandit nodded in response, leaning up against the wall and crossing his arms. "Got ya."

She continued to smile as her eye closed again, focusing on her own body, everything about it, anything that might of changed, besides gender that is. Then she focused on her ki, trying to keep aware of just the life foreces present in the room and not in the whole area.

Tasuki's was like a vibrant flame, eternally blazing with passion and life. She blushed faintly, recalling how the pullof his ki on hers resulted in the monk falling for the younger seishi. Her own ki was much calmer but no less strong. She could see it surround her, glimmering like light off of water. Chichiri turned her senses inward, trying to find... Several long moments passed and she started to become afraid that perhaps...Kouji had been wrong, that she wasn't pregnent after all.

Then, with a jolt, she could feel... "N-nani...? There's two...?" her voice was distant, dreamy, lost in concentration.

Tasuki watched his soulmate's expression intently, wondering why she was looking confused. He was beginning to think that something was wrong, but he didn't want to ask, didn't want to break her out of her trance.

Chichiri shook her head slightly, clearing her mind so she could tune into the seperate auras growing within her body more. Maybe there was someone else in the room she couldn't see? No... The ki were too weak and yet she could feel it. Mixed, it was her own ki and Tasuki's, like elemental flames of blue and red intertwined together, creating seperate entities. Her eye popped open and she stared off, not yet seeing Tasuki, only a startling truth. "Twins..."

"What was that?" Tasuki asked quietly, not quite sure he heard what the monk had murmured with awe.

She blinked at his question, realizing that tears had built up in her eye. Chichiri raised one sleeve, dabbing at it, as a joyful expression crossed her face. "It's... twins..."

The bandit blinked, certain he had heard wrong. "What?"

"There's two seperate life forces... It's twins, Tasuki..."

The redhead collasped to the floor with a loud thud.

Immediatly, the monk was by his side, touching his shocked face tenatively. "Tasuki! Are you alright!?" But the younger seishi didn't respond, just sat there staring into space, blinking slowly.

"Tasuki!" Chichiri cried out, gently slapping his face. "Say something, no da!"

That finally seemed to have some effect on the bandit as he blinked, focusing on that concerned expression of his soulmate. "Chiri...? Did you... Did you just say...twins?"

She nodded slowly. "Hai."

"Are you sure?"

Again, she nodded. "Hai no da."

The bandit found himself at a loss for words, still too shocked to really do anything but...blink. "Twins...?"

Chichiri found this repetiveness cute and could help but smile. "Hai no da."

"How is that possible? There aren't any twins in my family." He looked to Chichiri, wating for her answer.

She could only furrow her brows in response, trying to remember. "As far as I can tell, mine either... It might be because I changed gender. I'm not sure no da."

Tasuki reached up taking his love's smaller hands into his own, now that the news had sunk in his numbed limbs were slowly regaining life. His eyes fairly glowed with renewed light "Y-you realize what this means?"

The monk blinked at the absolute expression of bliss on Tasuki's face, finding herself speechless. "We're going to have two children no da...?"

"That and we suceeded..." He closed the distance between them, kissing her gently through his smile. "Chiri, gods, I.." He suddenly wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her close. Hot tears streamed down his tan cheeks as he laughed, a rich joyous sound that filled the room. "We actually did it!"

Chichiri's lips found those tears, nuzzling his cheeks as she returned the embrace. "I can't tell sexxes at all no da.."

"Shouldn't matter. As long as they're healthy and ours."

"Ah.. Tasuki..?" The bandit lifted his tearful face at her question, looking into her gaze. "This floor is getting to be a bit uncomfortable no da.."

The redhead pulled away. "Gomen!"

She only smiled serenly as she got up, returning to sit on the bed. "It looks like Kouji was right no da."

"I just know he's going to rub my face in it when he finds out." he replied sullenly as he moved to sit next to her, his hand covering hers, squeezing lightly.

"He also said that I'd be getting fat. Do I look pudgy no da?" Chichiri asked, poking at her stomach.

"I haven't noticed..." Tasuki watched with his golden gaze, his head ducking to lay a kiss across her clothed abdomen.

Chichiri cuddled her lover close as she laid back against the covers, enjoying his closeness, her mind spinning in awe at the miracle that had occured within her changed body. Already her heart was beating in anticipation of the many things ahead in their future. "I suppose with two I'll get very big no da."

The bandit lifted his head, bright hair falling in his eyes as he smiled at his lover. His hand moved to caress her stomach gently, fingers trembling faintly. "There's actaully life in there, our child, er, children?"

"Hai no da. Life you helped create no da."

"I want to make your getting knocked up offical, announce it to the guys, if Kouji hasn't done so already. And I want you to be there with me tonight."

A heated flush crept across her cheeks, the catcalls and leering comments that would come from the bandit's in response surging through her mind. "H-hai. I will no da. Though you should use a better term than that no da."

"You got a better one?" he argued, raising an eyebrow.

" Getting pregnant? With child no da?"

"Trust you to try and analyze everything to make it sound better..."

Chichiri chuckled and kissed him on the temple. "Wo ai ni no da!"

"Always, wo ai ni..." he murmured softly, returning to his position of resting his head against her flat belly, certain he could feel a warmth coming from within.

"Sometimes it's so hard to believe we found one another..." she whispered, leaning her head back against the pillows, hand plying idly with his shaggy hair.

"I think the gods had a hand in that..."

"Hai, that they did." She frowned slightly as a thought occured to her, a sudden wistful memory from their days as seishi. "I... just wish... the others hadn't...."

Tasuki hugged his love tightly, stopping her before she could finish that statement. "Don't."

"How can I not think of them Tasuki...? When we're so happy together but... By now they've been reborn... I bet.. They're happy too." She smiled with that thought, wiping at her eye as she sent a silent prayer for their well-being.

The bandit sighed softly. "Let's just remeber our frinds, keeping their memories alive so we can tell our children their story one day..."

~***~

Coming up: Do I look fat to you, Tas-kun?