2. Sazwa Yalwan [Lost Laughter]

"It's a boy, Bu-san, you've got a lovely baby boy!" the midwife crowed happily to the pale woman in the bed.

"About time," her husband grumbled, looking at the tiny figure. At the same time, the midwife let out a second shriek.

"Two! There's another! Twins!"

The younger boy let out a cry, his purple eyes unfocused, wailing madly. The first boy, though, the older, lay still in the midwife's arms. She smiled hugely at his mother.

"What will you call them, Bu-san?"

But their mother stared, wide-eyed, at her children. "Haha, look at them. Their shoulders!"

Upon each small, soft shoulder, the right on the older, and left on the younger, was a glowing blue character.

"They're Seiryuu constellations! Amiboshi and Suboshi!"

"They're not. They're my sons. Bu Koutoku, and Bu Shunkaku."

The younger's wailing increased, and his character grew even brighter. The older's, however, seemed to fade. Shunkaku reached his small baby's arms for the still figure, sobbing. The midwife looked down at the body in her arms, and another piercing shriek filled the air.

The husband flinched. "What is it, woman?"

Aghast, she murmured, "Koutoku is dead."

The only sound then was Shunkaku's heartbroken screaming.

Owari ~ End