"Yoh, it's Pilika. You need to come home right now. Anna's in labor.
Try to call me back; I have my brother's cell phone. Bye." She hung up the
phone and sighed.
"Was he there?" Tamao asked.
"Just his voicemail," Pilika sighed.
"He's not going to make it, is he?" Anna gasped as a contraction gripped her. Jun was still holding her hand, calming her down like a big sister would.
"He'll be here," Jun said. "Stay calm, Anna."
"I'm trying," Anna sighed, settling back in the waiting room chair as the contraction subsided.
"You have plenty of time," Jun said. "Your contractions are still far apart."
"Anna Asakura?" the waiting room nurse called.
Jun and Pilika helped Anna stand. "Oh, you're Dr. Faust's patient, aren't you?" the nurse said. "He gave me instructions for when you come. We can go ahead and put you in one of the rooms."
"We'll stay here, Anna," Tamao said.
"Please tell me if Yoh calls," Anna pleaded.
"Do you think he'll make it?" Pilika whispered in Tamao's ear.
"It'll take a miracle," Tamao answered.
*****
"Anything interesting happen yet?" HoroHoro asked his sister.
"Not really. Her contractions are still far apart," she said.
"Um...is that her moaning like that?" Ren gulped.
"I think so," Tamao said.
"Why do girls make so much fuss over having a baby? It's nothing compared to the fights we guys participate in," HoroHoro boasted. "Hey, if I was having a baby, you wouldn't hear me make a sound."
"HoroHoro, do you have any idea what it's like to have a baby?" Tamao asked.
"Not really," he admitted.
Pilika crossed her arms. "Ni'san, imagine there's a bowling ball lodged in your head. Now imagine you're pushing it out through your nostril. That's what it's like to have a baby," she said.
HoroHoro paled. "In that case, never mind," he said.
*****
They expected Anna to be writhing in pain when they entered. "How are you doing?" Jeanne asked.
"No screams? No cursing? No shouting at Yoh?" HoroHoro asked.
"No," Anna said. "I had an epidural. I can't feel a single thing."
"Well, I'm glad you're so perky," Ren said.
Anna pushed herself upright. "Has Yoh called yet?" she asked eagerly. "Is he coming?"
"He hasn't called yet," Pilika said.
Anna settled back against the pillows. "Oh," was all she said.
"He'll be here," Lyserg said.
"I hope so," Anna sighed.
*****
Several hours had passed already. HoroHoro had fallen asleep and was snoring blissfully with his head on Tamao's lap. She ran her fingers through his spiky blue hair. "Are you going to try to call again?" she asked.
"I've been trying, but it's not picking up," Pilika said. She ended her attempted call and set the phone down.
Suddenly it rang. She scrambled to pick it up. "Pilika!" Yoh shouted. "I've been trying to call you! Is Anna okay?"
"She's fine," Pilika said. "She hasn't had the baby yet. Where are you?"
"I'm on the train. It's just pulling into the Funbari Hill station," he said. "Let me talk to Anna."
"Okay!" Pilika said. She jumped up and dashed into Anna's room. "Anna, Yoh called. He's coming. He wants to talk to you!"
Anna's pale face brightened as she reached for the cell phone. "Yoh!" she cried. "I need you! Please come!" She paused to listen. "All right. I trust you. But Yoh, we haven't even decided on a name for the baby!" She paused again, and then said, "Hai. But you'll be here, right? Hai." Anna turned her head away from her audience and whispered into the receiver, "I love you." Then she closed the phone and handed it back to Pilika.
"You don't have a name yet?" Jun said.
"Yoh has a few ideas," Anna said. "He wants to name her Hoshiko if it's a girl, but he hasn't decided what we should call him if it's a boy."
"You have time," Pilika said. "He's at the Funbari Hill station. He should be here any minute."
"I hope so," Anna said. Her back arched all of a sudden. "Oh! I felt that!"
"Your contractions are closer together," Jun said. "Pilika, go get Faust."
"Is it-"
"It might be time," Jun said.
"No! It can't be time!" Anna wailed. "I need Yoh here first!" Another contraction gripped her.
"It looks like the baby's coming now," Jun said.
"Are you sure?" Faust asked.
"I don't want the baby to come yet! Yoh needs to be here!" Anna insisted.
"Anna, you're fully dilated. The baby's coming whether you like it or not," Faust said.
"Do you want me to stay with you until Yoh comes?" Jun asked. Anna nodded miserably and closed her eyes.
"Hey! Have I missed anything?"
Yoh was standing in the doorway. His hair was a mess, his clothes were dirty, his headphones were cockeyed, but he was there, in the flesh.
Anna bolted upright. "Yoh!" she cried. "You came! You came!"
Yoh swept her into his arms and kissed her on the lips. "Of course I did, anata," he said.
"I'm going to take my leave, then," Jun said, smiling. "Good luck, Anna."
"So you made it, Yoh," Faust said. "Go get cleaned up and get back here right away."
"Sure," Yoh said, pressing one last kiss on Anna's mouth. "I'll be there in a second, Anna."
Faust pulled the stirrups out on the edge of the bed and helped Anna get situated. "You ready, Anna?" he asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be," she said.
Yoh reappeared, his hair pulled back and his clothes replaced with scrubs. "Okay, Anna. I'll be right here the whole time," he promised.
Anna slipped her hand into his as the first big contraction gripped her. Her body tensed and she squinched up her face in an effort not to make a sound. Yoh stroked her hand.
"Good, Anna. Don't push yet. Just relax," Faust coached.
"You can scream if you want to, anata," Yoh said.
"I don't want to be weak," she said, her body relaxing between contractions.
"You aren't weak. Go ahead and be as loud as you want," he reassured her.
Another contraction made Anna's body shudder. This time she cried out in pain, her hand tightening on Yoh's. He kissed her fingers. "How many minutes apart was that?" he asked.
"Too few," Anna moaned. "Yoh, it hurts..."
"I know, honey," Yoh said. "It'll be okay."
Two more contractions came, one right after another. Anna screamed. Yoh held her hand against his cheek.
"Keep going, Anna. The baby's head is coming. I'll tell you when you can push, but for now stay calm," Faust said.
"It's hard to stay calm," Anna panted. Her body tightened abruptly in another contraction and she screamed again.
"Don't be scared, Anna," Yoh said.
"But I am scared," she sobbed. She leaned back on the bed.
"Just a bit longer, Anna," Yoh encouraged. "Keep on trying." Anna went through another contraction.
"All right, Anna. When I tell you to start, I want you to push, all right?" Faust said. Anna nodded, her teeth clenched. "All right. Now."
Anna pushed through the contraction, sobbing. Yoh stroked her hair away from her hot face.
"Good girl," Faust praised. "I know it hurts, child. Just one more good push. Now."
Yoh seized Anna's hand. "Come on, angel," he urged. "Come on, sweetheart." Anna screamed and gave one final push.
"Good girl!" Faust said.
Anna fell back on the bed. "Please don't make me push again," she begged.
"You don't have to, Anna," Faust told her.
A thin, tiny wail broke the silence.
"It's a boy," Faust said. "A healthy little boy."
Anna burst into tears. "He's okay," she sobbed.
Eliza held the baby as Faust cleaned him up and wrapped him in a blanket. "Here, little mother," he said. "This is your son."
Eyes wide, Anna stared up at Yoh. "I can't," she said. "I'll break him."
Yoh laughed softly and kissed the top of her head. "No, you won't, you silly girl," he said. "Hold out your arms."
Faust set the crying baby in Anna's arms. Her mouth parted in a surprised little O, and her arms curved around the baby out of instinct. "He's so cute," she cooed. "Yoh, look! He had blond hair!"
"Just like his mommy," Yoh grinned.
Anna kissed her little son's forehead. To her surprise he stopped crying and squinted up at her with big, dark eyes. "Oh, he's precious," she sighed. "And he's ours."
"What's his name?" Faust asked.
Yoh stood up. "His name is Hana," he said proudly. "If you combine the kanji for Anna and Yoh, it comes together as Hana. And that's what he is," Yoh said, smiling at his wife and child. "The two of us together as one."
Anna kissed little Hana again. The baby nuzzled against her breast, his small mouth opening. "Poor thing. He's hungry," Anna said. She tugged aside her yukata to let the baby nurse.
Yoh snuggled against them, sliding his arms around Anna. "He looks just like you," he said.
"But he's got your appetite," Anna said, making a face as the baby drank. Then she smiled. "I love him already."
"That's a good thing," Yoh grinned, resting his cheek against her hair. "And do you know what? I love both of you."
*****
Anna cuddled baby Hana against her as she carried him into the house. He was snuggled in his yellow baby blanket, his little head poking out. Anna patted the baby's back as he made little mewling noises.
"Glad to be home?" Yoh asked.
"Yes," she sighed.
Anna's old room had been converted into Hana's nursery. Yoh slid down the crib's bar as Anna set the baby down carefully. "Sleep tight, baby," Anna said as she drew the blanket around Hana.
Yoh scooped up his wife in his arms. "Bedtime for you too, anata," he said.
Anna yawned. "All right," she said. She was fast asleep by the time Yoh tucked her into bed. He climbed in beside her, turned off the light, and fell asleep with his arm draped over his little wife.
*****
"Oh, he's so precious!" Pilika cooed. Baby Hana batted a tiny fist at her, tangling his fingers in her long hair.
"So you named him Hana?" Ren said, his chin resting on Pilika's shoulder as he grinned at the baby.
"Hai," Yoh beamed. "It was my idea."
Tamao touched Hana's soft cheek. "He looks so much like you," she said.
"Let me hold him!" HoroHoro begged.
Pilika raised an eyebrow, but handed Hana to her brother. As soon as HoroHoro touched him, Hana burst into tears. "Oh, now look what you did!" Pilika scolded. She tried to calm the infant down, but he kept sobbing, big tears flooding his dark eyes.
"What's wrong with him?" Tamao asked, trying to calm the baby down.
Yoh smiled. "I know," he said. He poked his head into the kitchen and said something.
Anna came in, holding out her hands to her son. "Why are you crying, Hana?" she asked.
At the sound of Anna's voice, Hana squirmed around in Pilika's grasp and stretched out his little hands, wailing even louder. Anna picked him up and snuggled him in her arms. "There, baby," she said, kissing the top of his blonde head. "Kaa'san's here." Hana babbled at her, patting his little hand against her cheek.
"Oh, that's so cute," Jun said.
"Hana loves his mommy," Yoh said, slipping his arms around Anna's waist. "And I love her too."
"Thank you, Yoh," Anna said. "Now give Hana a kiss. I have to put him down for his nap."
Yoh obligingly kissed his sleepy-eyed son's round cheek. "Night, Hana," he said. Hana gurgled something at him and cuddled up against his mother's breast to fall asleep.
"Yoh, you've got that sappy look in your eyes again," Manta commented.
"Well, can you blame me?" Yoh shrugged. "I'm a daddy, and I'm married to the cutest girl in the world. I have a right to be sappy."
"Did you just call me cute?" Anna asked.
"Yes," Yoh said. "And you are."
Author's Note: *dies of kawaiiness* Wouldn't Yoh and Anna's baby be the cutest little kid ever ever ever?!?! I want to cuddle him!!! Yoh: *sweatdrop* Anna: Yoh, don't let the crazed authoress get our baby!! Keelty: I'll help you out!! *bangs Keitorin on the head with frying pan* BWUAGH!!!
Anyways... Please review. The story is now complete.
I don't own Shaman King (or Funbari no Uta) because if I did I would have a little chibi Hana to cuddle. Actually, I do have a chibi Jim Hawkins doll...I'll go cuddle him...he might get jealous...
"Was he there?" Tamao asked.
"Just his voicemail," Pilika sighed.
"He's not going to make it, is he?" Anna gasped as a contraction gripped her. Jun was still holding her hand, calming her down like a big sister would.
"He'll be here," Jun said. "Stay calm, Anna."
"I'm trying," Anna sighed, settling back in the waiting room chair as the contraction subsided.
"You have plenty of time," Jun said. "Your contractions are still far apart."
"Anna Asakura?" the waiting room nurse called.
Jun and Pilika helped Anna stand. "Oh, you're Dr. Faust's patient, aren't you?" the nurse said. "He gave me instructions for when you come. We can go ahead and put you in one of the rooms."
"We'll stay here, Anna," Tamao said.
"Please tell me if Yoh calls," Anna pleaded.
"Do you think he'll make it?" Pilika whispered in Tamao's ear.
"It'll take a miracle," Tamao answered.
*****
"Anything interesting happen yet?" HoroHoro asked his sister.
"Not really. Her contractions are still far apart," she said.
"Um...is that her moaning like that?" Ren gulped.
"I think so," Tamao said.
"Why do girls make so much fuss over having a baby? It's nothing compared to the fights we guys participate in," HoroHoro boasted. "Hey, if I was having a baby, you wouldn't hear me make a sound."
"HoroHoro, do you have any idea what it's like to have a baby?" Tamao asked.
"Not really," he admitted.
Pilika crossed her arms. "Ni'san, imagine there's a bowling ball lodged in your head. Now imagine you're pushing it out through your nostril. That's what it's like to have a baby," she said.
HoroHoro paled. "In that case, never mind," he said.
*****
They expected Anna to be writhing in pain when they entered. "How are you doing?" Jeanne asked.
"No screams? No cursing? No shouting at Yoh?" HoroHoro asked.
"No," Anna said. "I had an epidural. I can't feel a single thing."
"Well, I'm glad you're so perky," Ren said.
Anna pushed herself upright. "Has Yoh called yet?" she asked eagerly. "Is he coming?"
"He hasn't called yet," Pilika said.
Anna settled back against the pillows. "Oh," was all she said.
"He'll be here," Lyserg said.
"I hope so," Anna sighed.
*****
Several hours had passed already. HoroHoro had fallen asleep and was snoring blissfully with his head on Tamao's lap. She ran her fingers through his spiky blue hair. "Are you going to try to call again?" she asked.
"I've been trying, but it's not picking up," Pilika said. She ended her attempted call and set the phone down.
Suddenly it rang. She scrambled to pick it up. "Pilika!" Yoh shouted. "I've been trying to call you! Is Anna okay?"
"She's fine," Pilika said. "She hasn't had the baby yet. Where are you?"
"I'm on the train. It's just pulling into the Funbari Hill station," he said. "Let me talk to Anna."
"Okay!" Pilika said. She jumped up and dashed into Anna's room. "Anna, Yoh called. He's coming. He wants to talk to you!"
Anna's pale face brightened as she reached for the cell phone. "Yoh!" she cried. "I need you! Please come!" She paused to listen. "All right. I trust you. But Yoh, we haven't even decided on a name for the baby!" She paused again, and then said, "Hai. But you'll be here, right? Hai." Anna turned her head away from her audience and whispered into the receiver, "I love you." Then she closed the phone and handed it back to Pilika.
"You don't have a name yet?" Jun said.
"Yoh has a few ideas," Anna said. "He wants to name her Hoshiko if it's a girl, but he hasn't decided what we should call him if it's a boy."
"You have time," Pilika said. "He's at the Funbari Hill station. He should be here any minute."
"I hope so," Anna said. Her back arched all of a sudden. "Oh! I felt that!"
"Your contractions are closer together," Jun said. "Pilika, go get Faust."
"Is it-"
"It might be time," Jun said.
"No! It can't be time!" Anna wailed. "I need Yoh here first!" Another contraction gripped her.
"It looks like the baby's coming now," Jun said.
"Are you sure?" Faust asked.
"I don't want the baby to come yet! Yoh needs to be here!" Anna insisted.
"Anna, you're fully dilated. The baby's coming whether you like it or not," Faust said.
"Do you want me to stay with you until Yoh comes?" Jun asked. Anna nodded miserably and closed her eyes.
"Hey! Have I missed anything?"
Yoh was standing in the doorway. His hair was a mess, his clothes were dirty, his headphones were cockeyed, but he was there, in the flesh.
Anna bolted upright. "Yoh!" she cried. "You came! You came!"
Yoh swept her into his arms and kissed her on the lips. "Of course I did, anata," he said.
"I'm going to take my leave, then," Jun said, smiling. "Good luck, Anna."
"So you made it, Yoh," Faust said. "Go get cleaned up and get back here right away."
"Sure," Yoh said, pressing one last kiss on Anna's mouth. "I'll be there in a second, Anna."
Faust pulled the stirrups out on the edge of the bed and helped Anna get situated. "You ready, Anna?" he asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be," she said.
Yoh reappeared, his hair pulled back and his clothes replaced with scrubs. "Okay, Anna. I'll be right here the whole time," he promised.
Anna slipped her hand into his as the first big contraction gripped her. Her body tensed and she squinched up her face in an effort not to make a sound. Yoh stroked her hand.
"Good, Anna. Don't push yet. Just relax," Faust coached.
"You can scream if you want to, anata," Yoh said.
"I don't want to be weak," she said, her body relaxing between contractions.
"You aren't weak. Go ahead and be as loud as you want," he reassured her.
Another contraction made Anna's body shudder. This time she cried out in pain, her hand tightening on Yoh's. He kissed her fingers. "How many minutes apart was that?" he asked.
"Too few," Anna moaned. "Yoh, it hurts..."
"I know, honey," Yoh said. "It'll be okay."
Two more contractions came, one right after another. Anna screamed. Yoh held her hand against his cheek.
"Keep going, Anna. The baby's head is coming. I'll tell you when you can push, but for now stay calm," Faust said.
"It's hard to stay calm," Anna panted. Her body tightened abruptly in another contraction and she screamed again.
"Don't be scared, Anna," Yoh said.
"But I am scared," she sobbed. She leaned back on the bed.
"Just a bit longer, Anna," Yoh encouraged. "Keep on trying." Anna went through another contraction.
"All right, Anna. When I tell you to start, I want you to push, all right?" Faust said. Anna nodded, her teeth clenched. "All right. Now."
Anna pushed through the contraction, sobbing. Yoh stroked her hair away from her hot face.
"Good girl," Faust praised. "I know it hurts, child. Just one more good push. Now."
Yoh seized Anna's hand. "Come on, angel," he urged. "Come on, sweetheart." Anna screamed and gave one final push.
"Good girl!" Faust said.
Anna fell back on the bed. "Please don't make me push again," she begged.
"You don't have to, Anna," Faust told her.
A thin, tiny wail broke the silence.
"It's a boy," Faust said. "A healthy little boy."
Anna burst into tears. "He's okay," she sobbed.
Eliza held the baby as Faust cleaned him up and wrapped him in a blanket. "Here, little mother," he said. "This is your son."
Eyes wide, Anna stared up at Yoh. "I can't," she said. "I'll break him."
Yoh laughed softly and kissed the top of her head. "No, you won't, you silly girl," he said. "Hold out your arms."
Faust set the crying baby in Anna's arms. Her mouth parted in a surprised little O, and her arms curved around the baby out of instinct. "He's so cute," she cooed. "Yoh, look! He had blond hair!"
"Just like his mommy," Yoh grinned.
Anna kissed her little son's forehead. To her surprise he stopped crying and squinted up at her with big, dark eyes. "Oh, he's precious," she sighed. "And he's ours."
"What's his name?" Faust asked.
Yoh stood up. "His name is Hana," he said proudly. "If you combine the kanji for Anna and Yoh, it comes together as Hana. And that's what he is," Yoh said, smiling at his wife and child. "The two of us together as one."
Anna kissed little Hana again. The baby nuzzled against her breast, his small mouth opening. "Poor thing. He's hungry," Anna said. She tugged aside her yukata to let the baby nurse.
Yoh snuggled against them, sliding his arms around Anna. "He looks just like you," he said.
"But he's got your appetite," Anna said, making a face as the baby drank. Then she smiled. "I love him already."
"That's a good thing," Yoh grinned, resting his cheek against her hair. "And do you know what? I love both of you."
*****
Anna cuddled baby Hana against her as she carried him into the house. He was snuggled in his yellow baby blanket, his little head poking out. Anna patted the baby's back as he made little mewling noises.
"Glad to be home?" Yoh asked.
"Yes," she sighed.
Anna's old room had been converted into Hana's nursery. Yoh slid down the crib's bar as Anna set the baby down carefully. "Sleep tight, baby," Anna said as she drew the blanket around Hana.
Yoh scooped up his wife in his arms. "Bedtime for you too, anata," he said.
Anna yawned. "All right," she said. She was fast asleep by the time Yoh tucked her into bed. He climbed in beside her, turned off the light, and fell asleep with his arm draped over his little wife.
*****
"Oh, he's so precious!" Pilika cooed. Baby Hana batted a tiny fist at her, tangling his fingers in her long hair.
"So you named him Hana?" Ren said, his chin resting on Pilika's shoulder as he grinned at the baby.
"Hai," Yoh beamed. "It was my idea."
Tamao touched Hana's soft cheek. "He looks so much like you," she said.
"Let me hold him!" HoroHoro begged.
Pilika raised an eyebrow, but handed Hana to her brother. As soon as HoroHoro touched him, Hana burst into tears. "Oh, now look what you did!" Pilika scolded. She tried to calm the infant down, but he kept sobbing, big tears flooding his dark eyes.
"What's wrong with him?" Tamao asked, trying to calm the baby down.
Yoh smiled. "I know," he said. He poked his head into the kitchen and said something.
Anna came in, holding out her hands to her son. "Why are you crying, Hana?" she asked.
At the sound of Anna's voice, Hana squirmed around in Pilika's grasp and stretched out his little hands, wailing even louder. Anna picked him up and snuggled him in her arms. "There, baby," she said, kissing the top of his blonde head. "Kaa'san's here." Hana babbled at her, patting his little hand against her cheek.
"Oh, that's so cute," Jun said.
"Hana loves his mommy," Yoh said, slipping his arms around Anna's waist. "And I love her too."
"Thank you, Yoh," Anna said. "Now give Hana a kiss. I have to put him down for his nap."
Yoh obligingly kissed his sleepy-eyed son's round cheek. "Night, Hana," he said. Hana gurgled something at him and cuddled up against his mother's breast to fall asleep.
"Yoh, you've got that sappy look in your eyes again," Manta commented.
"Well, can you blame me?" Yoh shrugged. "I'm a daddy, and I'm married to the cutest girl in the world. I have a right to be sappy."
"Did you just call me cute?" Anna asked.
"Yes," Yoh said. "And you are."
Author's Note: *dies of kawaiiness* Wouldn't Yoh and Anna's baby be the cutest little kid ever ever ever?!?! I want to cuddle him!!! Yoh: *sweatdrop* Anna: Yoh, don't let the crazed authoress get our baby!! Keelty: I'll help you out!! *bangs Keitorin on the head with frying pan* BWUAGH!!!
Anyways... Please review. The story is now complete.
I don't own Shaman King (or Funbari no Uta) because if I did I would have a little chibi Hana to cuddle. Actually, I do have a chibi Jim Hawkins doll...I'll go cuddle him...he might get jealous...