(In the fated words of Nipa: Neeeeeeee! Oh, and BTW, this chappie is dedicated to Kiyama, my sister and my hundredth reviewer!)

Light the Flame

Chapter Eight

I Think I Know You

It seemed that Teana's pregnancy was, in fact, not a lie. Over the months, Teana began to grow bigger and bigger, eating more and more, still doing as much as she could, even with a huge, pregnant belly. It was a miracle that she had this child inside of her, and she was ecstatic.

Yami was sitting beside her one evening, just looking over the horses with her beside him, his arm around her, her head on his shoulder.

Teana placed a hand on her abdomen, six months pregnant, staring down at it. Yami followed her gaze.

"It's simply amazing," she whispered. She looked up at him. "All of the years I prayed the damage to be undone... All of the whispers and enchantments... I guess... something worked." Yami stroked the side of her face.

"I guess so," he whispered back. He placed his hand on top of Teana's. Suddenly, he felt a sharp movement beneath her hand. It felt like someone had tapped his hand.

"Wha…?" Yami asked, pulling his hand away. Teana giggled.

"Did you feel it, too?"

"What was that?" Yami asked, blinking in surprise. Teana settled her arms on her abdomen.

"A kick. The baby just kicked us." Yami blinked again, and then lowered his arms.

"Ohhh… Was that all?" he asked, obviously reassured. "Oh. Okay." Teana giggled again and settled her hands onto her abdomen. Again, she felt the same tap.

"It keeps kicking me," Teana whispered. "I wonder if that means he's active." Yami shrugged and settled his hand once again on her body. She leaned on him, glad for his support… She was so happy…

In Kemet, no one had any idea that, miles away, the predecessor to Yami was in the womb, waiting to be born.

Except Asenath. Because of her link, her bond with Yami as her younger brother, she knew something was up. Something was making Yami feel mixed emotions, something was making him excited and scared at the same time... Asenath was bent on figuring it out.

She was standing with her back to a pillar, eyes closed, trying to think of something that would cause such mixed feelings.

"Asenath? What are you doing?" a voice came from behind her. Asenath jumped. She was supposed to be getting ready for a ceremony that night, but she wasn't ready yet. She spun around, breathing hard. Sekhem was coming up behind her.

"Oh! I, umm..." Sekhem blinked, then rolled his eyes.

"Come on, get ready!" he commanded, walking away. Asenath dearly wanted to tell Sekhem what she knew, that something amazing was about to happen in Yami's life. But Sekhem, as well as everyone else, had given up. Given up the thought that maybe Yami would come back. Given up the hope he was still alive. No one was going to believe that Asenath knew, somehow. She was one person. Why would only one person know? they thought.

Asenath sighed, standing straight. She turned and ran back into the depths of the palace, wondering how long this would last.

After that moment, Yami felt a twinge inside him. A twinge of pain, something he knew didn't belong to him. He wondered, Could that be Asenath's feelings at this very moment? but he wasn't sure.

Months later, one night, Yami found himself sitting up in the horse pasture, on a rock, head in his hands, his entire body tingling with excitement and nervousness. Kenneth was standing beside him, pulling his cloak tighter and sighing.

Teana had just gone into labor.

"I'm so damn nervous," Yami said, looking up at Kenneth. Kenneth gave him a half smile.

"Hey, it's okay," he said softly. "She's gonna be fine."

"But, what if it's harder for her?" Yami asked, this thought striking him then. "Because we thought she couldn't have children?" Kenneth shook his head.

"No, my mother knows what she's doing," Kenneth assured Yami. That was Kenneth's job; to keep Yami from getting too nervous or antsy. Just to calm him.

"What's taking so long?" Yami asked, glancing back down into the village. A fire was lit, and there seemed to be a crowd around one tent.

"I dunno," Kenneth said thoughtfully.

Down in the tent, Teana was sitting on a pile of blankets, one thrown over her, breathing deeply. Scenna was kneeling beside Teana, holding her hand. Teana's eyes were squeezed shut, her teeth clenched, trying not to scream.

"It's okay, it's okay, Teana, you're doing fine..." Scenna coached.

"Wow-- this hurts," Teana said, smiling. Scenna laughed and sighed.

"Don't worry -- it'll be fine," she said. Savannah pushed back the flap of the tent, kneeling down next to Teana.

"Okay, Teana," she said, grinning. "While you were gone, I took your mother's job." Teana opened her eyes.

"Oh-- really?" she said, jokingly between breaths. Savannah nodded.

"It's my job to deliver this thing. Okay, Scenna, your gonna hafta prop her up more... Yeah, like that... Awai, could you get some water? And a blanket? Good..."


A good half hour later, Yami was sitting on the rock, his fists clenched so tightly, his knuckles were turning white. Kenneth had to pry his hands apart to keep from hurting himself.

"That wouldn't be very good for this new baby, eh, Yami?" he asked, grinning. Yami shook his head and glanced down at the tent. The entire area seemed silent.

"What?" Yami asked, staring down. "Why... Why are they silent like that?"

"I don't--"

A sharp cry cut him off.

"Teana!" they both cried, Yami standing up. But then, right after, a smaller cry was heard. It was small at first, and soft, but grew larger and louder.

It was a baby's cry.

"Oh, my God," Kenneth breathed, standing level with Yami. "D'you think...?" That very moment, Sati was running up the hill to them, calling their names.

"Y-Yami! Kenneth! Come down!" he called. "The baby's out!"

Yami and Kenneth looked at each other for one second, and then tore down the side of the hill after Sati. Yami slipped and slid, his feet getting caught in the long grass and small rocks of the area, grass that was wet and glistening after rain.

They finally made it, parting the crowd to get into the tent.

Yami went in first, heading to the back of the tent. Inside, women and girls were running around, doing things for Teana.

Teana was sitting on a different bed now, the blanket from their home thrown over her. She was sitting up, a bundle in a cream-colored blanket in her arms. She was looking down at it, speaking softly and smiling. Sweat beaded her paled face, and she seemed to be out of breath. Yami came over and sat on the edge next to her.

"Oh! Yami," she said in a hoarse voice. Her smile was huge, lighting up her tired face.

"Who's this?" Yami asked, leaning over to see into the bundle. He could see a tiny head, a tiny torso, a tiny figure inside the bundle. It was asleep, hands no bigger then Yami's thumb. Yami reached out and touched the top of its head. It had a little hair, and it was dark brown, matted to its head.

"It's a boy," Teana said, cuddling him. Yami smiled. He wouldn't have cared if it had been a boy or girl, only that he was alive and well.

"What should we name him?" Teana asked. Yami shrugged.

"Umm..."

"I have a suggestion," a voice said. Annuay walked over, crouching on Teana's other side.

"Mama! I thought--"

"You're my daughter, Teana," she said, placing a hand on Teana's shoulder. "I'm old, and I've done many things in my life. But I've never been able to see one of my daughter's have a child." She smiled at Teana, and then looked at the little baby. "I've been thinking about these circumstances. Yami, you believe that this baby was a blessing from the Gods, correct?" Yami nodded. Annuay smiled.

"I believe the name 'Zvallah' should suffice."

"Zvallah? What does that mean?" Yami asked. Teana smiled down at the baby.

"It means 'little gift' in our ancient language," she explained, smiling. Yami blinked, and then looked down at the baby as well.

"I think that's a good name, don't you agree, Zvallah?"

The baby only gurgled back. Yami took the bundle from Teana's arms and held it in his own. Looking at Zvallah, full scale right then, was overwhelming. He still couldn't believe that this was a person he had a hand in creating. If it weren't for him and Teana, there would be no Zvallah. He couldn't believe that this little baby had some qualities, some features of his own. This was a part of him, a part that he and Teana had to raise well.

Zvallah yawned and opened his little eyes. With his eyes completing his face, Yami was taken aback at what he saw.

It was almost like... looking in a small mirror. So many features about his own face and Zvallah's were similar... it was incredible. Zvallah's eyes, a deep amethyst, just like his own, were filled with curiosity and life. In his hands, Yami held a new life. Someone he would nurture and teach and raise his entire life. Yami leaned over touched his forehead. Zvallah reached out and grabbed his index finger, holding onto it. Zvallah's eyes were the same as his own. Yami leaned forward and kissed little Zvallah's forehead, touching his cheek as he did so.

Zvallah giggled and still held on. When Yami turned back to Teana, he had to wipe away the shining tears running down his face. He brought Zvallah closer to him, to his chest, and hugged the baby.

He had never felt so amazingly overwhelmed or happy in his entire life. He could feel Zvallah breathing against him, his little hands clutching his neck. Yami couldn't believe it.

Teana was laying back, her eyes closed, sweat dripping down her face. Savannah was talking to her and dabbing her face with a damp cloth.

"Are you alright, Teana?" Savannah asked. Teana, breathing hard, opened one eye and nodded. Savannah bit her lower lip in frustration.

Suddenly, a small cry emitted from Yami's shoulder. He looked to see it was Zvallah, crying very loudly into his ear. He pulled the baby away from him and carried him over to Teana.

"Why's he crying?" Yami asked. Teana took Zvallah in her arms. Zvallah laid his head on her chest, right where her heart was, still crying softly. Yami raised his eyebrows, confused. Teana closed her eyes and leaned against her blankets, worn out.

"He's hungry, the little bugger," Kenneth said from behind Yami. Yami jumped about a foot into the air, breathing hard and spinning around.

"K-Kenneth!" Yami stammered. Kenneth laughed and leaned down towards Zvallah.

"You're hungry, aren't you, baby?" Zvallah continued to cry.

"How do you know?" Teana asked. Kenneth pointed to Zvallah.

"See where his head is? See how he's moving it around? He can feel your breast; he's looking for milk."

"Ohhhh… Okay…" Teana said, biting her lower lip. Kenneth laughed. Savannah laughed and knelt down beside her.

"Here, I'll show you…" Kenneth placed a hand on Yami's shoulder.

"You don't need to know how to breast feed, do ya?"

"I don't think so…"

"Come on…"


Yami didn't think anything could ruin what had just happened.

He should have known he would have been wrong.

"Yami! Yami! Yami and Kenneth!" someone was yelling. The two were sitting amongst everyone else, happily chatting about the new arrival. Scenna, her face stricken with fear and pain, pushed her way through the crowd.

"Scenna? What's wrong?" Yami asked. He knew it… he knew something would disturb their bliss… Scenna, panting, stared up at Yami, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Te-Teana… she… she… fainted… Hardly… breathing…" Yami's eyes bugged, and his entire body froze. He seemed to go into some form of shock… "You… hafta come quickly." Kenneth rose, but Yami did not. He stayed where he was, feeling as if his body had stopped breathing as well. How come they hadn't been alerted of this earlier? People don't just spontaneously faint…

"Hurry! We have to hurry! Zvallah could be in…" Scenna's voice faded away. All voices did. Scenna was pushing Kenneth towards the tent, then going back for Yami. She knelt down next to him, her mouth moving frantically, but no words coming out. She grabbed his wrist and attempted to pull him up.

How could this have happened? People don't just faint! He thought over and over again. He felt as if his body were levitating; as if he wasn't really there… as if this were all a dream…

"Yami!" voices plunged his thoughts once again as Kenneth slapped him. "Snap out of it! Teana needs you now!" Nodding slowly, he stood, and followed Kenneth towards Teana's tent.

"Kenneth," yami said slowly, "tell me. How is it she fainted?" Kenneth stopped, then turned around. He took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh.

"I don't know. Scenna says she just fainted from fatigue…" Kenneth trailed off and pushed the flap back to go inside. Yami followed in pursuit of answers.

"Teana!" Yami cried, running over to her. Teana was lying in her bed, propped up, lying limply. Her lips parted slightly, her face stone white… How… could…

Zvallah was in Annuay's arms, his cries echoing around the room.

"What happened?" Yami hissed, glancing at Scenna. Scenna gulped.

"Well… s-she was really tired, an'… she fainted… And… we can't… wake her..." Was this how the gods thought about this birth? They let Teana live through only the first few moments, and then take her as their own?

"Teana!" Yami cried, burying his face into her shoulder. Teana remained still, breathing slowly, her raspy, faded breaths weakening with every precious second.

"Please, Teana," Yami whispered into her shoulder, "Please… tell me what's wrong…"

The next thing they knew, Yami had collapsed onto his side beside Teana, his hand wrapped around her wrist.

His plea had been answered.


(Ehhh, short, but oh well… I shoved 9 months into roughly 5 pages. Cool. :dances: Well, the next chap is the end to the cliffhanger! Buahahaaaaa! I rule! 3 I just… threw this in. Randomly. :D… tata! Next chap: The Little Gift. Also, next chap, the song that splits the sections will change. Tata!)

Shibby-One