Disclaimer:….?
Karine Dragon'sheart: Un-uh, not a
chance.
Kurama: Oh, please. You write a mushy fanfic about me, and
you won't even take responsibility?
KD: It's not that, I just
don't want to admit the embarrassment!
K: Embarrassment of what?
I'm the one who's saddled with a-OUCH!
Reiko: -holds Hiei's
sword, looking terrifying- Saddled with a WHAT!
K: Rei, I didn't
mean to…
R: The hell you didn't! Come back here, Kitsune!
K:
-yelps- RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!
KD:-sigh- I don't own YYH….
The months passed with a speed that even I found astonishing. I found out after my first trimester that just how impeding a pregnancy could be. Before long, I was eating some incredibly strange foods, waddling in and out of the house, and thanking Kurama profusely for taking Lamaze classes with me. The main massage itself appealed to his Healer senses, and after a while, other couples would start coming over just to have Kurama teach them, using me as the test subject, the proper technique. I didn't care, because it gave me an excuse to get an almost daily back massage done by a man who knew exactly where the pain was. What a man!
He and I progressed too, not quite as fast this time, but quick enough for me. I'm pretty sure that it became apparent that Kurama had finally made clear his feelings when the others came in on the two of us making out in his living room. Hiei caught us first, then everyone else came in. The uproar was understandable, but when I mentioned in a huffy voice that I was eighteen that day, they all shut up. Thankfully, that was when I wasn't so big. Because of the baby's growth, I've become quite large enough to knock things over if they are in my way. Hiei, Yusuke, and Kurama helped me around, though, making sure any lamps or coat racks were well out of my way. I always had a shadow flitting beside me or in front of me moving and repositioning things.
I asked them once whether it bother them to have to move everything for a pregnant girl. The staunch no's I received in return made me glow with happiness. I had some incredible friends, friends that I never would have made had I not gone out to end my life. They made up for everything I had lost when I lost Kai, and so much more. It was Yusuke's and Kuwabara's hilarious pranks on us that made me smile again, even when it was Hiei chasing them all around the house screaming curses and brandishing his sword, when it was Kurama coolly ignoring their taunts and casually entangling them up in his massive roses.
I'm sitting backwards in a chair right now, watching the sunset on my second trimester, my beloved's face resting on my shoulder. His arms encircled my waist, his hands cupping my stomach, his chest close as could be to my back. Kurama lightly brushed a few stray hairs from my nape and laid a few warm, sharp kisses on the soft skin. I knew now from experience that he rarely nipped, though if he was drowsy enough, his foxier self tended to extend it's reach. Not that I minded. The gentle tugging roused me from the trance the sun had laid on me. I had worn a strapless top today, partially because summer was finally here, and partially because I was sick of the straps rubbing my shoulder blades raw.
He pulled a hand from around my middle and stroked my spine with a solitary finger. We didn't need words to communicate, because touch worked all too well. I arced my back a bit and he chuckled deep in his throat. His hand moved up and rubbed my arm, and I sighed. The hand moved back down to my swelling belly, starting when a fierce kick shook me.
"Ohhh!" I cried a little and sat up, gazing down at my womb. I stroked the skin right below my breasts, and another kick, though this time softer, excited us both. I glanced back at Kurama, and his grin was infectious.
"You…oh, Kurama, you angel!" I whispered, turning back to my baby.
"I did nothing, darling. You, Reiko, are the angel. All I did was help." I felt tears in my eyes for the first time since Kai had died. But those were tears of joy.
-
--
-
I felt the kick just as Reiko did, and I felt the same exultation. Her child was not only alive, but kicking hard too! Her voice cracked when she spoke.
"You…oh, Kurama, you angel!" I was drunk with happiness, and when she glanced to me, answered with that same joy.
"I did nothing, darling. You, Reiko, are the angel. All I did was help." She had turned away to stare in wonder at her belly, her eyes wide and filled with tears. But she and I shared the same huge smile, and I knew whatever sadness her heart had once held was gone forever. She laughed out loud suddenly, and rose to her feet.
"Come on, let's tell the others and celebrate!" I got up too and had an idea. I picked her up, and held her close.
"We'll go down and celebrate. Together." I kissed her then and we went on down. We startled our friends with our arrival, the both of us rather unkempt from our affections. I didn't care, and when I set Rei on her feet and she told all of them, I was just thrilled to stand by my beloved's side. Genkai was actually here for a change, Koenma too. Both were happy, with Genkai truly smiling, hugging Reiko. Congratulations poured from everyone, especially Hiei. He came over and lightly pecked Rei on the cheek, a chaste, friendly kiss I didn't even raise an eyebrow over. He whispered something to her, and when he backed away, she was all aglow with happiness.
He came close to me and we shook hands, all anger at each other forgotten. He passed something warm and hard into my palm, and when we separated, I was left gazing at a beautiful engagement ring of a rose and a wave twining together. Both were incredibly clear sapphires, carved to unnerving perfection by a jewel smith friend of Hiei's. I knew what it meant, and I knew exactly who it was for. And more ever, I was ready to give it to her.
I knelt down on one knee, and held up the ring to an astonished Reiko. Clearing my throat, I asked the big question.
"Hijeki Reiko, Reiko of the Waves, will you marry this unworthy Kitsune?" Her eyes widened, and a slender hand stretched out and pulled me up. She took the ring, slid it deftly onto her ring finger, and proceeded to kiss me with an intensity I'll never forget. She was passionately strong, tightening her arms with a squeeze. We broke away, and smiled, the room silent all around. No one could believe their eyes and ears, that the ever reluctant, ever mournful Kurama could ever look that ecstatic. The transformation occurred in Reiko too. Every inch of her body seemed to glow and radiate, a far cry from the battered young woman we had brought home.
Suddenly, Hiei whooped and jumped up, his eyes dancing with mischief.
"A bachelor party for the groom!" Botan unfortunately caught his excitement too.
"A bachelorette party for the bride!" She cried, dancing with Hiei. I snorted and held my fiancé closer.
"Why don't we just have one for each of you? You two seem rather well acquainted." They both froze and blushed horribly, muttering something about "it's your wedding." Rei just laughed.
"Relax, guys! The wedding won't be at least until the baby comes, and I'll need time to recuperate. You can start planning them now, but I can guarantee that Kurama and I will just be working on the wedding. Now, though, I have a baby shower to arrange!" She grinned up to me, kissed me again, and slipped away to join Botan, Keiko, Yukina, Shizuru, and Genkai in planning the all important shower.
-
--
-
I simply plopped down on the couch, and was just about comfortable when Yusuke and Koenma dragged me away to my basement, and we joined Hiei and Kuwabara.
"Oh this is pathetic." I remarked, surveying the old milk crate seats and plywood table.
"Shut up and sit down. We're gonna do this right." I sighed at the sound of Kuwabara's voice. I held up a hand.
"Just one thing. No strippers."
"Awww…come on, Kurama! Let us have a little fun!" I glared at each of them, but especially Yusuke for that comment.
"Need I remind you all that only Hiei and Koenma are true bachelors now? I will not stake Reiko's love on a foolish romp, and if you two know what's good for you, you won't either. Kuwabara, isn't it to my understanding that if you don't take good care of Yukina, Hiei will rip your head off?" Hiei's eyes glittered at the unveiled threat. "Truth is, I'd let him. Also, Yusuke, Keiko's parents I know will have your head, and quite possibly your-"
"OKAY! OKAY! Sheesh, you don't have to remind me, ya know. Alright, it's agreed that we won't have strippers. Beer is okay, though, isn't it?" He eyed me now, expecting a rebuttal. I sighed.
"Yes, it is. Actually, Yusuke, beer makes me ill, so let's go with a good supply of Caribbean Rum." Hiei snickered in the silence that followed. Fine, fine, I'll say it. I enjoy a glass of rum, simply because it takes your cares away. Beer accomplishes that too, just not as peacefully. Yusuke looked at me with a new light.
"Alrighty then, on to food!"
-
--
-
Kurama finally joined me in bed after the 'guys' meeting was over, which meant I was awake until midnight.
"Sorry 'bout that, love. I didn't think it would take so long." I chuckled.
"Don't be. I'm fine." I stroked back his long red hair, unveiling a pair of mischievous green eyes from under the bangs. He grinned and swooped in for a kiss, his back arched carefully above my swollen body. We kissed for a few minutes, then he lay down and propped up my spine with one arm, the other encompassing my stomach. He curled around me, his head drooping tiredly to my heart. I just nuzzled those fiery locks and cradled him close in my own arms.
I am…so proud…(sniff)
To all the authors I've reviewed, PLEASE SEE THIS! I'll even take flames to get reviewed!
KD
