~An American Miko~
Chapter Twelve
The Fist & the Heir
Myst breathed deeply as she leaned back against Nuriko's chest. He was on his knees behind her and held one of her hands as he propped her up and Hotohori sat on the bed beside her with his hair down but pulled back in it's usual style and stroked the bangs away from her sweaty forehead.
Hotohori shook his head almost sadly. "I wish I could keep you from all this pain Mistyc."
Myst shook her own head and huffed out, "Oh don't feel sorry love. It's not your fault." Then her face tightened and her hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of his collar and dragging him so his face was close to hers. She arched and screamed at him. "Ohhhh, yes it is and I'm going to kill you for it!" Then it was just a wordless scream and she flung him away from her as she dropped back, exhausted from the strain into Nuriko's waiting arms.
Breathing hard she looked over at Hotohori and said, a little more calmly, "After this, if it's a boy, I'm castrating you so you won't ever put me or any other woman in this. PAIN!" The last was a scream as she arched up again.
Nuriko held her shoulders down and looked worriedly at Mitsukake who had taken his place between her spread legs. "They're coming really fast now. Is that normal?"
Mitsukake nodded. "Yes quite normal. We're almost ready now. You're doing great Empress, keep it up."
Myst nodded and Nuriko sighed in relief. "Good. She's been at this all day. I don't think she has the strength for much more."
Hotohori wiped her forehead again. "It's all right Myst. It'll be over soon."
She grabbed him by the collar and hauled him down again gritting through clenched teeth, "Shut the hell up you fucking pain-giver, before I kill you right now, and don't think I won't do it." She flung him away and looked up pitifully at Nuriko whining at him a little. "Nuri-chan, will you kill him for me?"
Nuriko smiled and patted her shoulder. "Maybe later sweaty. For now lets think of the baby."
Myst nodded and tried to relax. "Okay."
Hotohori saw this as a good time to creep closer kneeling down by the bed this time. Just as he did though, another contraction hit and she flung out her fist and nailed him almost full force in the face. He stared at his wife fin shock from where he landed on the floor as she shrieked for them to get him out of there.
Mitsukake looked at the emperor when he picked himself up off the floor, and handed him a clean cloth. "You'd better go your highness. Put this on your nose and pinch the nostrils shut to stop the bleeding, and wait outside."
Hotohori took the cloth and put a hand to his nose, finally realizing that it was truly bleeding. He gave one longing look back at his wife, who was leaning with her eyes shut against Nuriko and trying to relax, then walk outside. He joined the other two seishi and the four children who were all waiting by the railing.
They all looked at him in shock when he came out with a cloth to his nose. Tamahome came forward. "What happened?
Hotohori's voice came out a little muffled. "She got mad at me. I never knew she was that strong. She wasn't lying when she what working out and boxing was and that it was her favorite pastime."
Tamahome touched the hand that was holding the cloth. "Let me see."
Hotohori lowered the cloth for a moment and Tamahome let out a low whistle. "Wow. She really did a number on you." He gingerly touched the bridge of Hotohori's nose and the bewildered emperor winced. Tamahome took his hand away. "It's not broken and it's not too bad yet, but you're going to be puffy and black and blue for a while."
Hotohori put the cloth back in place as he whined and his shoulders slumped as his ego tried desperately to pick itself up off the ground. They heard the muffled sounds of screaming from inside and then the distinct and. articulate. death-threats from Myst to Hotohori. Said emperor shuddered as the details came clearly through the door and Tamahome and Chuei tried desperately to cover their younger siblings ears.
A few minuets later Hotohori felt a tug at his robes and looked down at Shunkei.
"Is the baby here yet?"
Hotohori shook his head and removed the bloody cloth since the bleeding had finally stopped. "No child, but very soon."
As if on cue there was one last scream and then a shrill and very unhappy sounding cry sounded from the room. Hotohori had launched himself from the railing and into the room before the others could even straiten up. The sight that greeted him made him cry out in joy and forget the pain in his face.
Mitsukake was handing a squalling, naked and soaking baby up to Myst who had a huge smile to rival her husbands on her face. Nuriko helped her wrap the baby and dry its face as Hotohori stepped forward.
Mitsukake looked up at Hotohori with a bright smile on his usually stoic face. "Congratulations your Majesty. You have a healthy baby boy and the Empress is doing fine."
Hotohori nodded and knelt with a look of awe and wonder on his face as Mitsukake finished with the afterbirth and then used his power to heal her.
Myst looked at Hotohori with tears in her eyes. "He's so beautiful Hotohori, just like his father. Not to mention that he has quite a set of lungs."
Hotohori kissed her then looked down for the first time into his new son's crying face. The new father looked questioningly into Myst's face as he moved to take his son.
Myst smiled and let him take the baby, reminding him to be careful with his head. Hotohori stood and, still looking down at the small face, walked slowly out the door.
Tamahome, Chichiri and the children, who had all stayed outside gasped in joy when they saw the bundle in Hotohori's arms.
The proud emperor walked to the railing since they were on the second floor, raised his son and called out to all the officials, courtiers, and guards who bowed below, "I have a son!"
Their voices raised together at the joyful news, and after a moment, Hotohori lowered his son and cradled him lovingly to his body. He walked back into the room and this time all of his friends went with him.
Mitsukake was washing his hands and Nuriko had extracted himself from behind Myst and was speaking to her softly while stroking her hand. Myst looked exhausted, but very happy. Nuriko ran a cool moist cloth over her face and she sighed happily. He looked up at the emperor's reentry and moved away so he could sit down.
The baby had stopped crying and was making little baby grunting noises as Hotohori sat beside his wife on the bed. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly. "Thank you for such a blessed gift. I love you so much."
Myst smiled and touched her baby's face. "What are we going to name him Love?"
Hotohori thought for a moment. "Boushin. His name shall be Boushin."
Myst nodded. "A good strong name. Well chosen. Oh." She reached up a hand to Hotohori's face and touched the swiftly forming, swollen, black bruise. "Did I do that? Oh I'm so sorry."
Hotohori winced and took her hand. "Do not worry about it. You were in pain and it was half expected." Myst propped herself up on the pillows and he leaned back with her, his legs still hanging off the bed. He was awed and couldn't take his eyes off the bundle he held. "Have you ever seen anything so tiny? Look at his fingernails!" He touched one finger to Boushin's lip and laughed joyfully as the digit was sucked into the baby's mouth. Look at his eyes, they're so blue!"
Hotohori knelt down to see the baby then answered Hotohori's comment about the eyes. "Those are called baby-blues. All baby's have them and they'll fade to his own eye color after a few weeks."
Chichiri leaned over Tamahome to see the baby too. "Congratulations your Majesties no da! He's quite a beautiful baby no da."
Myst looked at each of the seishi in turn. "I have a favor to ask the four of you." Their eyes turned to her. "Will you four be our son's godfather's? You know, let him call you his uncles and take a part in his life since we're all family?"
Tamahome beamed and Nuriko clapped his hands in excitement. "You really mean it?!"
Mitsukake smiled and nodded and Chichiri bowed slightly. "It would be an honor no da."
Myst smiled. "Good. Is that all right with you Hotohori?"
Hotohori nodded, his finger still being sucked on. "Of course. If you had not asked, I would have. If the other two seishi are anything like you, then we will offer the honor to them as well."
Myst smiled. "It's settled then. Ugh, I need a bath, and I'm hungry now too."
Once again as if on cue, Boushin let out a small cry when his father's finger no longer satisfied him. Nuriko leaned down and touched the baby's nose. "Looks like someone else thinks that's a good idea too."
They all laughed and Hotohori handed Boushin back to Myst. Myst gently took him in her arms and let the sheet fall to her waist, exposing her engorged breasts. "Okay Baby-boy, lets try these suckers out! Bout damn time too, these things hurt."
With that, Boushin latched on and began suckling. Hotohori stroked the back of Boushin's soft head and smiled. "I've never been so happy in my life as I am right now. What more could I want? My country is peaceful for now, I have true friends, I have a wife who loves me for who I am and whom I love more than anything, and I have a healthy son. A beautiful son. I'm a father. I. . .... Oh god! I'm a father!"
As the realization finally sank in, Hotohori promptly fainted off the bed. Tamahome caught him before his head could hit the corner of the bedside table and picked him up, laying him fully beside Myst and muttering something about catching nobles left and right.
Myst chuckled and leaned back, closing her eyes and just savoring the feel of contentment. She opened her eyes again when she felt something move on the other side of her. Yuiren had climbed up from the foot of the bed and was leaning against Myst's arm to see the baby.
Tamahome started to reach for her. "Yuiren, don't bother the Empress! She's very tired!"
Myst shook her head and stopped his hand. "It's okay Tamahome. She's only curious."
Yuiren smiled, then looked back down. "What's she doing?"
It's a 'he' Yuiren. A little boy, and he's eating. He's hungry."
The little girl looked up amazed. "Eating?! From there?!"
"Yes Yuiren. Mommies have milk in there that babies eat until they are able to eat other things."
Gyoukuran who was looking over Hotohori piped up, "What happens when you run out"
Myst turned her smile on her. "I won't run out, my body will keep making it until he doesn't need it anymore and stops nursing."
Yuiren leaned into her more. "Can I try some?"
Everyone else was horrified by the question, but tossed her head back and laughed. "No sweety. I'm sorry, this is only for Boushin. He needs all he can get to grow big and strong so he can play with you sooner."
The questions stopped when a knock came on the door. Myst called out to the person to enter. The door slid open to admit Tou-san. "I hope that I am not intruding, but I heard that the heir was born. I can leave if you wish."
Myst shook her head. "Oh no, Tou-san, you're always welcome. I'm glad to see you're keeping well since Mitsukake healed you."
"Thank you Empress. You're looking well too."
He stepped over and looked down at the unconscious emperor. "What happened to the emperor?"
"It finally hit him that he was a father and he fainted."
"I see." Then Tou-san's eyes focused on the bruise which was even now spreading around Hotohori's eyes. "What did he hit his face on?"
Myst smiled a little sheepishly. "My fist. Just before this one made an appearance."
Tou-san looked confused for a moment, then burst out laughing. "I see. Chen did the same thing to me when she was giving birth to Kishuku."
Myst looked down as the baby stopped suckling. She covered herself up then looked back at Tou-san. "Did you want to burp him?"
Tou-san smiled widely. "It would be an honor. What is his name?"
"Boushin."
Tou-san cradled the newborn in his arms. "Hello little prince. Boushin is a good name for you." He laid a cloth over his shoulder then laid Boushin, stomach down, against it. He rubbed his back gently and hummed as he rocked the baby.
Myst leaned back and ran he fingers lovingly through her husbands hair and thought about what a happy day this indeed was.
**********
A.N.: So, what did you think? I liked the humor and sweetness ion this chapter. Well, I'm not going to rant long right now, I just got into a car accident last night, and have whiplash, so it's killing my neck to type. Next chapter will be out so, and LOTS of sap! By the way. Did I mention that this story was about 90 to 95% sap? Enjoy!!!!!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman
Myst breathed deeply as she leaned back against Nuriko's chest. He was on his knees behind her and held one of her hands as he propped her up and Hotohori sat on the bed beside her with his hair down but pulled back in it's usual style and stroked the bangs away from her sweaty forehead.
Hotohori shook his head almost sadly. "I wish I could keep you from all this pain Mistyc."
Myst shook her own head and huffed out, "Oh don't feel sorry love. It's not your fault." Then her face tightened and her hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of his collar and dragging him so his face was close to hers. She arched and screamed at him. "Ohhhh, yes it is and I'm going to kill you for it!" Then it was just a wordless scream and she flung him away from her as she dropped back, exhausted from the strain into Nuriko's waiting arms.
Breathing hard she looked over at Hotohori and said, a little more calmly, "After this, if it's a boy, I'm castrating you so you won't ever put me or any other woman in this. PAIN!" The last was a scream as she arched up again.
Nuriko held her shoulders down and looked worriedly at Mitsukake who had taken his place between her spread legs. "They're coming really fast now. Is that normal?"
Mitsukake nodded. "Yes quite normal. We're almost ready now. You're doing great Empress, keep it up."
Myst nodded and Nuriko sighed in relief. "Good. She's been at this all day. I don't think she has the strength for much more."
Hotohori wiped her forehead again. "It's all right Myst. It'll be over soon."
She grabbed him by the collar and hauled him down again gritting through clenched teeth, "Shut the hell up you fucking pain-giver, before I kill you right now, and don't think I won't do it." She flung him away and looked up pitifully at Nuriko whining at him a little. "Nuri-chan, will you kill him for me?"
Nuriko smiled and patted her shoulder. "Maybe later sweaty. For now lets think of the baby."
Myst nodded and tried to relax. "Okay."
Hotohori saw this as a good time to creep closer kneeling down by the bed this time. Just as he did though, another contraction hit and she flung out her fist and nailed him almost full force in the face. He stared at his wife fin shock from where he landed on the floor as she shrieked for them to get him out of there.
Mitsukake looked at the emperor when he picked himself up off the floor, and handed him a clean cloth. "You'd better go your highness. Put this on your nose and pinch the nostrils shut to stop the bleeding, and wait outside."
Hotohori took the cloth and put a hand to his nose, finally realizing that it was truly bleeding. He gave one longing look back at his wife, who was leaning with her eyes shut against Nuriko and trying to relax, then walk outside. He joined the other two seishi and the four children who were all waiting by the railing.
They all looked at him in shock when he came out with a cloth to his nose. Tamahome came forward. "What happened?
Hotohori's voice came out a little muffled. "She got mad at me. I never knew she was that strong. She wasn't lying when she what working out and boxing was and that it was her favorite pastime."
Tamahome touched the hand that was holding the cloth. "Let me see."
Hotohori lowered the cloth for a moment and Tamahome let out a low whistle. "Wow. She really did a number on you." He gingerly touched the bridge of Hotohori's nose and the bewildered emperor winced. Tamahome took his hand away. "It's not broken and it's not too bad yet, but you're going to be puffy and black and blue for a while."
Hotohori put the cloth back in place as he whined and his shoulders slumped as his ego tried desperately to pick itself up off the ground. They heard the muffled sounds of screaming from inside and then the distinct and. articulate. death-threats from Myst to Hotohori. Said emperor shuddered as the details came clearly through the door and Tamahome and Chuei tried desperately to cover their younger siblings ears.
A few minuets later Hotohori felt a tug at his robes and looked down at Shunkei.
"Is the baby here yet?"
Hotohori shook his head and removed the bloody cloth since the bleeding had finally stopped. "No child, but very soon."
As if on cue there was one last scream and then a shrill and very unhappy sounding cry sounded from the room. Hotohori had launched himself from the railing and into the room before the others could even straiten up. The sight that greeted him made him cry out in joy and forget the pain in his face.
Mitsukake was handing a squalling, naked and soaking baby up to Myst who had a huge smile to rival her husbands on her face. Nuriko helped her wrap the baby and dry its face as Hotohori stepped forward.
Mitsukake looked up at Hotohori with a bright smile on his usually stoic face. "Congratulations your Majesty. You have a healthy baby boy and the Empress is doing fine."
Hotohori nodded and knelt with a look of awe and wonder on his face as Mitsukake finished with the afterbirth and then used his power to heal her.
Myst looked at Hotohori with tears in her eyes. "He's so beautiful Hotohori, just like his father. Not to mention that he has quite a set of lungs."
Hotohori kissed her then looked down for the first time into his new son's crying face. The new father looked questioningly into Myst's face as he moved to take his son.
Myst smiled and let him take the baby, reminding him to be careful with his head. Hotohori stood and, still looking down at the small face, walked slowly out the door.
Tamahome, Chichiri and the children, who had all stayed outside gasped in joy when they saw the bundle in Hotohori's arms.
The proud emperor walked to the railing since they were on the second floor, raised his son and called out to all the officials, courtiers, and guards who bowed below, "I have a son!"
Their voices raised together at the joyful news, and after a moment, Hotohori lowered his son and cradled him lovingly to his body. He walked back into the room and this time all of his friends went with him.
Mitsukake was washing his hands and Nuriko had extracted himself from behind Myst and was speaking to her softly while stroking her hand. Myst looked exhausted, but very happy. Nuriko ran a cool moist cloth over her face and she sighed happily. He looked up at the emperor's reentry and moved away so he could sit down.
The baby had stopped crying and was making little baby grunting noises as Hotohori sat beside his wife on the bed. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly. "Thank you for such a blessed gift. I love you so much."
Myst smiled and touched her baby's face. "What are we going to name him Love?"
Hotohori thought for a moment. "Boushin. His name shall be Boushin."
Myst nodded. "A good strong name. Well chosen. Oh." She reached up a hand to Hotohori's face and touched the swiftly forming, swollen, black bruise. "Did I do that? Oh I'm so sorry."
Hotohori winced and took her hand. "Do not worry about it. You were in pain and it was half expected." Myst propped herself up on the pillows and he leaned back with her, his legs still hanging off the bed. He was awed and couldn't take his eyes off the bundle he held. "Have you ever seen anything so tiny? Look at his fingernails!" He touched one finger to Boushin's lip and laughed joyfully as the digit was sucked into the baby's mouth. Look at his eyes, they're so blue!"
Hotohori knelt down to see the baby then answered Hotohori's comment about the eyes. "Those are called baby-blues. All baby's have them and they'll fade to his own eye color after a few weeks."
Chichiri leaned over Tamahome to see the baby too. "Congratulations your Majesties no da! He's quite a beautiful baby no da."
Myst looked at each of the seishi in turn. "I have a favor to ask the four of you." Their eyes turned to her. "Will you four be our son's godfather's? You know, let him call you his uncles and take a part in his life since we're all family?"
Tamahome beamed and Nuriko clapped his hands in excitement. "You really mean it?!"
Mitsukake smiled and nodded and Chichiri bowed slightly. "It would be an honor no da."
Myst smiled. "Good. Is that all right with you Hotohori?"
Hotohori nodded, his finger still being sucked on. "Of course. If you had not asked, I would have. If the other two seishi are anything like you, then we will offer the honor to them as well."
Myst smiled. "It's settled then. Ugh, I need a bath, and I'm hungry now too."
Once again as if on cue, Boushin let out a small cry when his father's finger no longer satisfied him. Nuriko leaned down and touched the baby's nose. "Looks like someone else thinks that's a good idea too."
They all laughed and Hotohori handed Boushin back to Myst. Myst gently took him in her arms and let the sheet fall to her waist, exposing her engorged breasts. "Okay Baby-boy, lets try these suckers out! Bout damn time too, these things hurt."
With that, Boushin latched on and began suckling. Hotohori stroked the back of Boushin's soft head and smiled. "I've never been so happy in my life as I am right now. What more could I want? My country is peaceful for now, I have true friends, I have a wife who loves me for who I am and whom I love more than anything, and I have a healthy son. A beautiful son. I'm a father. I. . .... Oh god! I'm a father!"
As the realization finally sank in, Hotohori promptly fainted off the bed. Tamahome caught him before his head could hit the corner of the bedside table and picked him up, laying him fully beside Myst and muttering something about catching nobles left and right.
Myst chuckled and leaned back, closing her eyes and just savoring the feel of contentment. She opened her eyes again when she felt something move on the other side of her. Yuiren had climbed up from the foot of the bed and was leaning against Myst's arm to see the baby.
Tamahome started to reach for her. "Yuiren, don't bother the Empress! She's very tired!"
Myst shook her head and stopped his hand. "It's okay Tamahome. She's only curious."
Yuiren smiled, then looked back down. "What's she doing?"
It's a 'he' Yuiren. A little boy, and he's eating. He's hungry."
The little girl looked up amazed. "Eating?! From there?!"
"Yes Yuiren. Mommies have milk in there that babies eat until they are able to eat other things."
Gyoukuran who was looking over Hotohori piped up, "What happens when you run out"
Myst turned her smile on her. "I won't run out, my body will keep making it until he doesn't need it anymore and stops nursing."
Yuiren leaned into her more. "Can I try some?"
Everyone else was horrified by the question, but tossed her head back and laughed. "No sweety. I'm sorry, this is only for Boushin. He needs all he can get to grow big and strong so he can play with you sooner."
The questions stopped when a knock came on the door. Myst called out to the person to enter. The door slid open to admit Tou-san. "I hope that I am not intruding, but I heard that the heir was born. I can leave if you wish."
Myst shook her head. "Oh no, Tou-san, you're always welcome. I'm glad to see you're keeping well since Mitsukake healed you."
"Thank you Empress. You're looking well too."
He stepped over and looked down at the unconscious emperor. "What happened to the emperor?"
"It finally hit him that he was a father and he fainted."
"I see." Then Tou-san's eyes focused on the bruise which was even now spreading around Hotohori's eyes. "What did he hit his face on?"
Myst smiled a little sheepishly. "My fist. Just before this one made an appearance."
Tou-san looked confused for a moment, then burst out laughing. "I see. Chen did the same thing to me when she was giving birth to Kishuku."
Myst looked down as the baby stopped suckling. She covered herself up then looked back at Tou-san. "Did you want to burp him?"
Tou-san smiled widely. "It would be an honor. What is his name?"
"Boushin."
Tou-san cradled the newborn in his arms. "Hello little prince. Boushin is a good name for you." He laid a cloth over his shoulder then laid Boushin, stomach down, against it. He rubbed his back gently and hummed as he rocked the baby.
Myst leaned back and ran he fingers lovingly through her husbands hair and thought about what a happy day this indeed was.
**********
A.N.: So, what did you think? I liked the humor and sweetness ion this chapter. Well, I'm not going to rant long right now, I just got into a car accident last night, and have whiplash, so it's killing my neck to type. Next chapter will be out so, and LOTS of sap! By the way. Did I mention that this story was about 90 to 95% sap? Enjoy!!!!!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman