~An American Miko~
Chapter Eleven
Pregnancy & Relief
Myst, still dressed in formal court garb, waddled down the walkway as fast as her bulging stomach would let her. One name was running through her head as tears slipped down her cheeks. 'Nuriko.' She burst into the room ignoring the other people there and dropped to her knees by the bed, taking the hand closest in to her own.
Pale violet eyes fluttered open and slowly focused on hers. Myst let out a happy sob and leaned to kiss the corner of Nuriko's mouth. She brushed his bangs out of his eyes and his temple with a finger as she whispered shakily to him, "Welcome back to the land of the living Ryuen."
Nuriko smiled as his best friend and more, used his real name, ignoring the other people in the room. His raspy voice sounded weak. "How long?"
"Two months Little Love. See, I'm seven months pregnant and about as big as a pagoda. Two months with out your smile and your laughter. Two months of not being able to talk with you instead of just to you. I've come every day to see you and spent as much time as I could with you. We were so worried about you that Tamahome and Hotohori went out to find another seishi that the scroll said possessed the ability to heal. His name's Mitsukake. He's one of the reasons that you're still with us. The other reason is Chichiri. He stopped the man who did this and has been working these two whole months to transfer some of our life energy to keep you alive."
Nuriko looked a little confused. "Chichiri? Mitsukake?"
Myst nodded and motioned behind her. Two people stepped into view and each nodded as their names were said again.
Nuriko closed his eyes again and swallowed, squeezing her hand lightly. "They. they know I'm."
She ran her fingers soothingly through his hair. "Yes, they all know you're a man. The wounds you got really killed your clothes, and almost did the same to you. Don't worry, nothing's going to be done to you. It helped that I knew from the beginning. No one think badly or even too differently about you. None of their feelings have changed. You don't need to be afraid anymore."
Nuriko opened his eyes and looked over at Tamahome and Hotohori and smiled back at the smiles they wore. Myst called his attention back to her by going on. "Well, I wouldn't let anyone else take care of you, so you've only had the sponge baths that I've given you, so how does a small dinner and a bath sound? We can do both at once. I can even give you a back rub if you want and if it won't hurt you ne? Make you feel better?" She had started rubbing his forearm with her free hand as she spoke.
Nuriko smiled at her. "You don't have to do that Myst."
She raised his hand and kissed it. "No, but I want to. Besides, Hotohori is treating me like and invalid just because my stomach is three time what it was when I got here. It would be nice to be one of the normal people again."
Nuriko chuckled and nodded his agreement.
Myst and Mitsukake helped him sit up. As the silk sheet fell to his waist, Myst touched his back gently. "Wow, you really did a nice job Mits. Not a scar left."
Nuriko looked over his shoulder at her. "It's a little raw."
Mitsukake nodded and spoke softly. "You were very badly injured. Your back and the backs of your neck and arms would have horribly scarred had I not helped. It's new skin on your back and it will be tender for a while. You might want to take her Majesty up on that offer of a back rub. It could help, and I hear she's rather good."
Myst smiled cheerfully and gave a "V" sign. "Massage Therapy class."
Nuriko smiled and nodded as Myst helped him put his arms into a silk, ivory robe. He swung his feet to the floor and took hold of the arm Mitsukake held out to help him up. Even with the help, he stumbled on weak legs.
Mitsukake steadied him while Myst puled the robe closed and tied it. She stood up and put her hands on her hips. "There. Now you're decent. Give me a hug and don't ever scare me like that again!" She put her arms around him and he let go of Mitsukake to return the embrace, leaning against her and laying his cheek against her shoulder. She held him to her with one hand cradling his head.
She spoke to him softly and with much emotion in her voice. "Do you know what it would do to me if I lost you? You're my best friend. Part of my family and I love you so, so much. I don't want to think of what it would be like if I had to live here without you. Now," She held him at arms length and looked into his eyes. "do you want to be carried, or do you want to try to walk?"
"I'd like to try to walk. I think I should be fine as long as someone is walking beside me. I'm not too steady on my feet yet."
Myst nodded. "Okay. Hang onto Mits and we'll walk."
Mitsukake wrapped his arm around Nuriko's waist and the group of seishi and a very pregnant miko made their way slow step by slow step to the bathhouse. When they got to the hallway Nuriko looked around. "Have I been in the royal halls this whole time?"
Myst reached over and tucked some of his hair behind his ear. "I didn't want you very far from me. If you want to, you can go back to your own rooms. No one but us, the doctor and a few guards sworn to secrecy know that you're a man. But you could also stay in the room you were just in. We wouldn't mind that one bit, would we Hotohori?"
Hotohori shook his head. "Not at all. We're still in your debt for saving her Nuriko."
Nuriko chuckled a little. "Not at all Your Majesty. What good is a seishi if he's not willing to give his life to save his Miko's? About as good as a friend who is not willing to do the same."
The emperor smiled and laid his hand gently on Nuriko's shoulder. "Well, said my friend. Well said."
They finally stepped into the steamy bathhouse and helped Nuriko sit in a chair by the table. Myst had the table put there a few months ago when she could no longer bend down easily to get her towel or other things she brought in. Myst turned to the rest of the seishi and put her hands on her hips making her stomach look even bigger.
"Well, so who's going to take a bath with us?" She moved her eyes from one to the other, stopping on her husband. You're definitely going to take a bath, you're filthy."
Hotohori looked down at his dirty, once-red, traveling clothes. She was right, Tamahome and he had been gone nearly the who two months, minus the three days before they left. They had just gotten back with Mitsukake that very morning. They hadn't even changed yet. Hotohori nodded. "If it is all right with Nuriko."
Nuriko shrugged, then winced from the slight pain in his shoulders. "It doesn't matter to me. My secret's out remember."
Myst looked at Tamahome. "Okay then. Tamahome?" He nodded and she looked over at Chichiri.
Chichiri shook his head. "No thank you no da. I had a bath earlier and right now I'd just like to rest na no da. Channeling for that long really wiped me out no da."
She nodded and waddled over to hug him. "Thank you so much Chichiri. I'll never be able to pay you back for this."
He blushed through his mask. "Daaaa. I'm just happy he's all right now no da."
Myst backed up with her hands still on his arms as she looked at him. "Hey, I never noticed that we were the same height before. Cool. Well, you get some rest then. You've earned it."
Nuriko said thank you as well, and Hotohori clasped his hand on Chichiri's shoulder for a moment in his way of saying the same.
"Thank you no da." Chichiri bowed, then left.
Myst turned to Mits last. "Mitsukake, you look tired and are more than welcome to join us."
"But you'll be bathing too Majesty."
She waved her hand at him. "Oh please. I've never been shy about my body. When I'm among friends, that kind of modesty and I have never been nodding acquaintances. Come on, pwease?!" She batted her eyes at him.
Tamahome leaned over to Nuriko and whispered, "Oh no! She's giving him. The Look."
Nuriko shook his head and laughed lightly. Mitsukake finally relented and soon they were all relaxing in the steamy water. Tamahome and Mitsukake were both treading water in the deep end and speaking quietly. Nuriko was sitting in the shallow end, leaning against the side with the water only deep enough to cover his shoulders with his head back against the side and a peaceful, almost blissful look on his face.
Myst and Hotohori were in the same depth as him, but on the other side of the pool, and having a sweet reunion of their own. The past two months had been lonely for Myst since in all the time that she had been there she had never been a day away from Hotohori. Myst was standing before Hotohori in all her nude glory with the calm water around her thighs.
Hotohori was on his knees before her with his hands on either side of her bulging stomach. He was speaking quietly and would every once in a while stroke his palms over the tight skin. "You have grown so much since the last time I saw you my child. Grow bigger and stronger, and one day soon, I'll show your new eyes. everything. Everything you will need to know. I'll show you love and life and happiness. I'll be the father I never had. I promise I will be different, you and your mother will be the most important things in my life. I'll show you how to lead the people and be one of them, and guide you. I'll be a part of your life as you will be a big part of mine. Grow strong and beautiful, like your mother. I love you. Not as my heir alone, but as my child. Girl or boy, I'll love you the same." He placed a tender kiss on her stomach, then jerked back suddenly and looked up at his wife's glowing face. "It moved. I felt our child move!"
Myst smiled at him with eyes bright with pride, joy, and love and knelt down into the water with her hands still holding his in place. "It's saying, 'Hi daddy. I love you too."
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply with need and overflowing love. "I missed you my miko, my love, my wife."
Myst hugged him back and kissed him again. "We missed you too. I pray we are never parted again. I think it missed hearing you speak to it. After you left, I couldn't get a good nights sleep with it kicking so much." They closed their eyes and stayed like that in each others arms for a while.
Myst looked across the water and whispered into Hotohori's ear. He smiled and nodded.
Nuriko looked up a little startled when he felt the arms wrap around his slim shoulders. Myst kissed the corner of his mouth before he could say anything. She pulled him away from the wall, turned him around and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. "Relax. Just let me pull you."
He nodded and closed his eyes, leaning his head back against her heart as they drifted backwards. He didn't know they had stopped until he felt another pair of arms join hers. He looked over his shoulder to see Hotohori smiling at him. Hotohori's arms tightened around the two as the three of the sat and leaned against each other.
Hotohori did the unexpected and kissed Nuriko's damp temple then spoke softly in his ear. "I just wanted you to know that it truly does not matter that you are a man. Nothing has changed. You are still the same person that I welcomed into my arms, my family, and my heart. Nuriko is Nuriko, it isn't about being male or female (1). You will always be part of our family and our lives."
A tear fell from Nuriko's eye and he relaxed against Myst and into the double embrace. He remembered back to that scene not too many months ago, in front of the mirror, only now he truly had nothing to hide and was truly accepted for all of him. The real him. With that happy memory, and the happy moment now, he fell asleep in the arms of love, knowing that without a doubt, he was finally, truly, loved for who he is.
Myst looked up as the water stirred gently and smiled as Mitsukake and Tamahome waded up. "Hey, come on guys. Wanna join the cuddle-fest?"
They shook their heads and Tamahome lightly tossed his long loose hair over his shoulder as he looked fondly at the sleeping seishi. He lightly flipped a lock of hair out of the sleeping seishi's face. "No thanks. We were just about to get out."
Mitsukake leaned down and lightly place his fingertips to the pulse on Nuriko's throat. The small seishi stirred and opened his eyes, looking up questioningly at Mitsukake. The healer smiled and pulled his hand back. "Don't worry, I was just checking to see if your pulse was still normal. You're going to be fine."
Nuriko smiled and sat upright. "Thank you." Then he got up and swam into the deeper water to rinse his long hair one more time before they all got out.
**********
(1) Sorry, I couldn't help but use this line. It's a damn good one!
A.N.: Okay. sap again. Did I mention by the way that this story was about 90 to 95% sap? LOL! That this chapter is one of my favorites. I hope you liked it. If you did, PLEASE tell me!!!!! If you didn't, tell me why. Well, luv ya lots! The next chapter will be out soon no da!!!!!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman
Myst, still dressed in formal court garb, waddled down the walkway as fast as her bulging stomach would let her. One name was running through her head as tears slipped down her cheeks. 'Nuriko.' She burst into the room ignoring the other people there and dropped to her knees by the bed, taking the hand closest in to her own.
Pale violet eyes fluttered open and slowly focused on hers. Myst let out a happy sob and leaned to kiss the corner of Nuriko's mouth. She brushed his bangs out of his eyes and his temple with a finger as she whispered shakily to him, "Welcome back to the land of the living Ryuen."
Nuriko smiled as his best friend and more, used his real name, ignoring the other people in the room. His raspy voice sounded weak. "How long?"
"Two months Little Love. See, I'm seven months pregnant and about as big as a pagoda. Two months with out your smile and your laughter. Two months of not being able to talk with you instead of just to you. I've come every day to see you and spent as much time as I could with you. We were so worried about you that Tamahome and Hotohori went out to find another seishi that the scroll said possessed the ability to heal. His name's Mitsukake. He's one of the reasons that you're still with us. The other reason is Chichiri. He stopped the man who did this and has been working these two whole months to transfer some of our life energy to keep you alive."
Nuriko looked a little confused. "Chichiri? Mitsukake?"
Myst nodded and motioned behind her. Two people stepped into view and each nodded as their names were said again.
Nuriko closed his eyes again and swallowed, squeezing her hand lightly. "They. they know I'm."
She ran her fingers soothingly through his hair. "Yes, they all know you're a man. The wounds you got really killed your clothes, and almost did the same to you. Don't worry, nothing's going to be done to you. It helped that I knew from the beginning. No one think badly or even too differently about you. None of their feelings have changed. You don't need to be afraid anymore."
Nuriko opened his eyes and looked over at Tamahome and Hotohori and smiled back at the smiles they wore. Myst called his attention back to her by going on. "Well, I wouldn't let anyone else take care of you, so you've only had the sponge baths that I've given you, so how does a small dinner and a bath sound? We can do both at once. I can even give you a back rub if you want and if it won't hurt you ne? Make you feel better?" She had started rubbing his forearm with her free hand as she spoke.
Nuriko smiled at her. "You don't have to do that Myst."
She raised his hand and kissed it. "No, but I want to. Besides, Hotohori is treating me like and invalid just because my stomach is three time what it was when I got here. It would be nice to be one of the normal people again."
Nuriko chuckled and nodded his agreement.
Myst and Mitsukake helped him sit up. As the silk sheet fell to his waist, Myst touched his back gently. "Wow, you really did a nice job Mits. Not a scar left."
Nuriko looked over his shoulder at her. "It's a little raw."
Mitsukake nodded and spoke softly. "You were very badly injured. Your back and the backs of your neck and arms would have horribly scarred had I not helped. It's new skin on your back and it will be tender for a while. You might want to take her Majesty up on that offer of a back rub. It could help, and I hear she's rather good."
Myst smiled cheerfully and gave a "V" sign. "Massage Therapy class."
Nuriko smiled and nodded as Myst helped him put his arms into a silk, ivory robe. He swung his feet to the floor and took hold of the arm Mitsukake held out to help him up. Even with the help, he stumbled on weak legs.
Mitsukake steadied him while Myst puled the robe closed and tied it. She stood up and put her hands on her hips. "There. Now you're decent. Give me a hug and don't ever scare me like that again!" She put her arms around him and he let go of Mitsukake to return the embrace, leaning against her and laying his cheek against her shoulder. She held him to her with one hand cradling his head.
She spoke to him softly and with much emotion in her voice. "Do you know what it would do to me if I lost you? You're my best friend. Part of my family and I love you so, so much. I don't want to think of what it would be like if I had to live here without you. Now," She held him at arms length and looked into his eyes. "do you want to be carried, or do you want to try to walk?"
"I'd like to try to walk. I think I should be fine as long as someone is walking beside me. I'm not too steady on my feet yet."
Myst nodded. "Okay. Hang onto Mits and we'll walk."
Mitsukake wrapped his arm around Nuriko's waist and the group of seishi and a very pregnant miko made their way slow step by slow step to the bathhouse. When they got to the hallway Nuriko looked around. "Have I been in the royal halls this whole time?"
Myst reached over and tucked some of his hair behind his ear. "I didn't want you very far from me. If you want to, you can go back to your own rooms. No one but us, the doctor and a few guards sworn to secrecy know that you're a man. But you could also stay in the room you were just in. We wouldn't mind that one bit, would we Hotohori?"
Hotohori shook his head. "Not at all. We're still in your debt for saving her Nuriko."
Nuriko chuckled a little. "Not at all Your Majesty. What good is a seishi if he's not willing to give his life to save his Miko's? About as good as a friend who is not willing to do the same."
The emperor smiled and laid his hand gently on Nuriko's shoulder. "Well, said my friend. Well said."
They finally stepped into the steamy bathhouse and helped Nuriko sit in a chair by the table. Myst had the table put there a few months ago when she could no longer bend down easily to get her towel or other things she brought in. Myst turned to the rest of the seishi and put her hands on her hips making her stomach look even bigger.
"Well, so who's going to take a bath with us?" She moved her eyes from one to the other, stopping on her husband. You're definitely going to take a bath, you're filthy."
Hotohori looked down at his dirty, once-red, traveling clothes. She was right, Tamahome and he had been gone nearly the who two months, minus the three days before they left. They had just gotten back with Mitsukake that very morning. They hadn't even changed yet. Hotohori nodded. "If it is all right with Nuriko."
Nuriko shrugged, then winced from the slight pain in his shoulders. "It doesn't matter to me. My secret's out remember."
Myst looked at Tamahome. "Okay then. Tamahome?" He nodded and she looked over at Chichiri.
Chichiri shook his head. "No thank you no da. I had a bath earlier and right now I'd just like to rest na no da. Channeling for that long really wiped me out no da."
She nodded and waddled over to hug him. "Thank you so much Chichiri. I'll never be able to pay you back for this."
He blushed through his mask. "Daaaa. I'm just happy he's all right now no da."
Myst backed up with her hands still on his arms as she looked at him. "Hey, I never noticed that we were the same height before. Cool. Well, you get some rest then. You've earned it."
Nuriko said thank you as well, and Hotohori clasped his hand on Chichiri's shoulder for a moment in his way of saying the same.
"Thank you no da." Chichiri bowed, then left.
Myst turned to Mits last. "Mitsukake, you look tired and are more than welcome to join us."
"But you'll be bathing too Majesty."
She waved her hand at him. "Oh please. I've never been shy about my body. When I'm among friends, that kind of modesty and I have never been nodding acquaintances. Come on, pwease?!" She batted her eyes at him.
Tamahome leaned over to Nuriko and whispered, "Oh no! She's giving him. The Look."
Nuriko shook his head and laughed lightly. Mitsukake finally relented and soon they were all relaxing in the steamy water. Tamahome and Mitsukake were both treading water in the deep end and speaking quietly. Nuriko was sitting in the shallow end, leaning against the side with the water only deep enough to cover his shoulders with his head back against the side and a peaceful, almost blissful look on his face.
Myst and Hotohori were in the same depth as him, but on the other side of the pool, and having a sweet reunion of their own. The past two months had been lonely for Myst since in all the time that she had been there she had never been a day away from Hotohori. Myst was standing before Hotohori in all her nude glory with the calm water around her thighs.
Hotohori was on his knees before her with his hands on either side of her bulging stomach. He was speaking quietly and would every once in a while stroke his palms over the tight skin. "You have grown so much since the last time I saw you my child. Grow bigger and stronger, and one day soon, I'll show your new eyes. everything. Everything you will need to know. I'll show you love and life and happiness. I'll be the father I never had. I promise I will be different, you and your mother will be the most important things in my life. I'll show you how to lead the people and be one of them, and guide you. I'll be a part of your life as you will be a big part of mine. Grow strong and beautiful, like your mother. I love you. Not as my heir alone, but as my child. Girl or boy, I'll love you the same." He placed a tender kiss on her stomach, then jerked back suddenly and looked up at his wife's glowing face. "It moved. I felt our child move!"
Myst smiled at him with eyes bright with pride, joy, and love and knelt down into the water with her hands still holding his in place. "It's saying, 'Hi daddy. I love you too."
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply with need and overflowing love. "I missed you my miko, my love, my wife."
Myst hugged him back and kissed him again. "We missed you too. I pray we are never parted again. I think it missed hearing you speak to it. After you left, I couldn't get a good nights sleep with it kicking so much." They closed their eyes and stayed like that in each others arms for a while.
Myst looked across the water and whispered into Hotohori's ear. He smiled and nodded.
Nuriko looked up a little startled when he felt the arms wrap around his slim shoulders. Myst kissed the corner of his mouth before he could say anything. She pulled him away from the wall, turned him around and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. "Relax. Just let me pull you."
He nodded and closed his eyes, leaning his head back against her heart as they drifted backwards. He didn't know they had stopped until he felt another pair of arms join hers. He looked over his shoulder to see Hotohori smiling at him. Hotohori's arms tightened around the two as the three of the sat and leaned against each other.
Hotohori did the unexpected and kissed Nuriko's damp temple then spoke softly in his ear. "I just wanted you to know that it truly does not matter that you are a man. Nothing has changed. You are still the same person that I welcomed into my arms, my family, and my heart. Nuriko is Nuriko, it isn't about being male or female (1). You will always be part of our family and our lives."
A tear fell from Nuriko's eye and he relaxed against Myst and into the double embrace. He remembered back to that scene not too many months ago, in front of the mirror, only now he truly had nothing to hide and was truly accepted for all of him. The real him. With that happy memory, and the happy moment now, he fell asleep in the arms of love, knowing that without a doubt, he was finally, truly, loved for who he is.
Myst looked up as the water stirred gently and smiled as Mitsukake and Tamahome waded up. "Hey, come on guys. Wanna join the cuddle-fest?"
They shook their heads and Tamahome lightly tossed his long loose hair over his shoulder as he looked fondly at the sleeping seishi. He lightly flipped a lock of hair out of the sleeping seishi's face. "No thanks. We were just about to get out."
Mitsukake leaned down and lightly place his fingertips to the pulse on Nuriko's throat. The small seishi stirred and opened his eyes, looking up questioningly at Mitsukake. The healer smiled and pulled his hand back. "Don't worry, I was just checking to see if your pulse was still normal. You're going to be fine."
Nuriko smiled and sat upright. "Thank you." Then he got up and swam into the deeper water to rinse his long hair one more time before they all got out.
**********
(1) Sorry, I couldn't help but use this line. It's a damn good one!
A.N.: Okay. sap again. Did I mention by the way that this story was about 90 to 95% sap? LOL! That this chapter is one of my favorites. I hope you liked it. If you did, PLEASE tell me!!!!! If you didn't, tell me why. Well, luv ya lots! The next chapter will be out soon no da!!!!!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman