"What time is it?", Yuki said to himself. He rolled over to blink at the alarm clock by his bed- 7:03 a.m. He put the pillow over his head, but it didn't block out the sound of voices coming from elsewhere in the house. "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" Loud laughter rang through the hallway. Yuki bolted upright- he recognized that laugh. "Oh, please…" he moaned, and dove under the pillow again as the laugh grew closer. "YUKI!", a familiar voice boomed at the doorway. "Come out, come out wherever you are", Ayame's laugh rang through Yuki's room. Yuki debated whether to ignore him and play dead or not when the bed clothes were torn away from him. "No time to lose, sleepy head", Ayame quipped. "We have places to go and people to see", he added jovially. Yuki rolled over to face him and scowled. "What are you doing here?", he asked. Being awakened before noon was rude in Yuki's mind. "I've come to borrow you from Akito for the day", Aya smiled, hands on his hips. "I asked her at New Years if I could come take you home with me for a day or so", he smiled a huge smile at Yuki who was rubbing the sleep from his eyes "I told her how undying our bond of brotherhood was, and how we needed time together to nurture that precious relationship", he continued dramatically, "and here I am", Aya smiled as if he were bestowing a great gift on his little brother simply by his presence. "So hurry then brother", Aya instructed, "We have no time to lose". Yuki didn't fight him. He had no desire to spend the day with his brother, but anything was better than being under house arrest as he was there at the estate.
Once Yuki was dressed and had shoved down some breakfast, the two of them were finally off. Out front Hatori met them with the car. "He's coming too?", Yuki questioned. "Just get in", Ayame insisted. Yuki obeyed figuring it wasn't worth fighting. Once they were in the car Hatori said, "sorry, but I have to tag along", in his low indifferent voice. "Why, where are we going?", Yuki said warily. "Tohru is having her baby", Hatori said brusquely. "What?" Yuki's eyes grew huge and he he sat up and gripped the seat in front of him. "She went into labor early this morning", Ayame chimed in excitedly, "So we'd better hurry", Hatori added as they pulled away from the house. Yuki's heart was racing. He was excited to see Tohru, but the baby was on its way too. His brain was on overload, and the drive seemed to last an eternity. They finally pulled up to Shigure's house. "What? Shouldn't we be at the hospital?" Yuki said shocked. "No", Hatori replied flatly, "It would be too dangerous. Akito might find out about the child. We'll only go that route if there are complications", he informed him. "Complications?", Yuki echoed nervously. "Come on, let's go", Hatori said gruffly, and pushed the door open.
They all exited the car and started for the house. Yuki stopped short and stared with a look of panic at the doorway. He had no idea what to expect when he entered and it unnerved him. "Come on Yuki", Ayame insisted, "You don't want to miss the birth of your own son". He grabbed Yuki by the arm and pulled him the rest of the way. As they entered the house Haru and Momiji greeted Yuki at the door. "Hey Yuki", "Hi", they greeted. "You look a little pale", Haru deduced. Yuki had to admit to himself that he suddenly didn't feel that well. "How is she?", he asked nervously. "Let's go upstairs and find out", Hatori suggested. Shigure was coming down the stairs and met them. "It's OK Hatori, I have everything under control", Shigure said proudly. He had sat with Tohru since about three that morning, and had been at her beck and call, but the real doctor was there now. "Great", Hatori said without emotion. "I'll assist you Hatori", Shigure added with sincere dedication, "Just tell me what you need". "I need hot water. Lots of boiling hot water", Hatori said again without emotion. "Coming right up!", Shigure said enthusiastically, and he hopped down the rest of the stairs and went into the kitchen. Yuki and Hatori ascended the stairs. "What is all the boiling water for?", Yuki asked nervously. "To keep Shigure out of the way", Hatori said, and he pushed Tohru's door open. There she was lying on her oversized bed, looking a little tired, but otherwise fine. Her tummy made a small hill under the sheets. "Yuki!", she exclaimed and bolted upright in bed reaching for him. He hurried to her and they embraced Sohma style, and kissed each other emphatically.
Yuki sat down on the bed near her side. "I missed you so much", Tohru said sounding a little short of breath. "I missed you too", Yuki echoed, trying to hide his panic. She noticed he looked rather haggard, pale, and thin, and it caused her brow to furrow with worry. She put a hand on his cheek and started to mention it, but stopped short with a grimace. "Ah, Ahhhhhhh, AHHHHHHHHHH!", Tohru screamed and gripped onto his shoulders. Yuki was in shock. What was happening? Hatori stepped forward, and took a hold of her wrist to take her pulse. "Contractions coming harder now, eh?", he said reaching for his stethoscope, "and closer together" he added. Once Tohru calmed down he placed the membrane on her belly and listened. "Uh huh", he said expressionless, and then he pressed on her stomach with his hands. "You'll be in transition soon", he said without emotion, "we need to set up". Yuki looked at him and swallowed nervously, and then, steeling himself against the situation, he turned to Tohru. "Are you alright?", he asked, with concern. "I'm OK", Tohru smiled weakly at him, "it comes and goes". "Yuki", Hatori said firmly, "I'm going to need you to assist me". Yuki looked at him incredulously, but Tohru went into another contraction and he didn't have time to object. "Ahhhhhhh, HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!", she shouted at Yuki. His eyes flew open wide. "She's in transition", Hatori said without skipping a beat, and started assembling the instruments he needed. . Yuki, who was in shock, said "OK, breathe". Tohru started to blow short puffs of air quickly through her mouth. Hatori said," that's fine Yuki, you're doing fine", which perplexed Yuki- he had been talking to himself.
About this time Shigure and Ayame burst through the bedroom door. "What's happening?", Shigure said anxiously. It was obvious he didn't think his charge was being cared for well enough. "Tohru, I saw the nursery", Ayame interjected. "It's just adorable, really! But can I make a suggestion?" Hatori turned on them, "Out", he commanded sternly. "No one is going to be in here but Yuki and me". His two comrades looked crest fallen, "But I want to help", Shigure countered as if he had some say in the situation. After all, he had taken care of Tohru for the past several months. Tohru went into another contraction and let out another scream. "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!", she shrieked in Yuki's general direction. "OK, I'm out of here", Shigure said meekly, and ducked out the door again. Aya didn't follow his lead. "Wipe her forehead Yuki", he instructed, "mustn't glow all your makeup off dear", he admonished. "Aya, get out of here!", Hatori commanded. "OK", he chirped, and he was gone. Meanwhile, Yuki tried to calm Tohru down by holding her hand and stroking her arm. "DON"T TOUCH ME!", she shouted again. Yuki's hands flew up and away from her in a shot. "OK, just breathe", he repeated, and tried to help her focus. "Yuki, let me tell you what is going to happen, and what I need you to do", Hatori said. Yuki swallowed hard and tried to concentrate on Hatori's instructions.
Meanwhile, downstairs the crowd of Sohmas was growing. Hiro had arrived with an extremely worried Kisa by his side. "Is Oni-chan going to be alright?", she asked nervously as she heard Toru shriek. "Oni-chan is going to be just fine", Shigure assured her, "but I think Yuki might need some serious therapy once this is over", he chuckled. "Yes", Ayame chimed in, "who would have thought sweet little Tohru would have put him in his place like that", he grinned. "Well, how do you expect her to act?", an indignant voice boomed from the doorway. It was Kagura. "I mean, really, we are talking serious pain here", she continued, "Did you think she was going to bring him his slippers and serve him tea or something?", she scowled. A sheepish looking Kyo stood behind her. It was obvious he was uncomfortable being there with a birthing going on.
A sudden cry of agony rang through the house again as Tohru had another contraction. Kyo turned white, and was very quiet. Momiji noticed his distress. "It's OK Kyo, Tohru is going to be fine, and when it's all over there will be a beautiful baby, just like when Momo was born", he said chipperly. "I'm not upset, alright?", Kyo snapped at him. "I just don't like noise!" he shouted. "That's right", Shigure interjected, "it doesn't bother Kyo at all that Tohru is about to put her life on the line in order to bring another being into this world; that she is literally going to give of her own blood, sweat, and tears as she writhes in agony to…", "Alright, he gets the point", Kyo interrupted him, and grabbed him by the shirt. Another cry of pain rang through the house, and the color ran out of Kyo's face again. He unconsciously released his hold on Shigure out of distraction.
The bedroom door opened and Hatori stood at the top of the stairs and called to them, "It's almost time. We need some clean towels- STAT". Shigure was happy to be assisting again, and he gathered the towels and got upstairs in a flash. "I wonder what they have to eat around here", Haru said to himself as he wandered into the kitchen. Kyo followed him. "How can you think about food right now?", Kyo asked incredulously. He was feeling a little queasy. Haru shrugged, "I didn't eat breakfast". He opened the fridge, pulled out some left-overs, and started to make himself a plate. "Hey, looks good", Momichi chimed in after wandering in from the front room. Kyo rolled his eyes and got out of the kitchen fast. "Have they come up with a name?", he heard Kagura ask Ayame. "I don't know, but I do hope they consult me. I'm very good with that sort of thing" he boasted. "I already gave Tohru my list of suggestions", Shigure said proudly as he descended the stairs. "You're both so full of it", Hiro scowled. Haru and Momichi wandered back in with fragrant plates of hot food. Another cry from Tohru sounded just as Kyo caught a whiff. He turned green and made a quick exit towards the bathroom.
Back upstairs the new arrival was about to make his debut. "OK, on the next contraction I want you to start pushing", Hatori instructed. Tohru looked incredulously at him. She was tired and full of perspiration. "You can do it", Yuki tried to reassure her. Another contraction started, "NO I CAN'T!", Tohru cried. Her face was racked with pain. "Yes, you can", Yuki assured again. She calmed a bit, and started to bear down. "That's it", Hatori coached, "Nice and steady". "I can see his head!", Yuki told her excitedly", and he grabbed her hand. "It won't be long now", Hatori surmised.
Downstairs the group had settled into the living room to wait, when they heard a particularly impassioned cry from Tohru, and then silence. They all looked at each other, sensing something was afoot, and then the silence was broken by the faltering first cry of a baby. Gasps of relief sounded, followed by cheers and wide smiles, which were on every face- except Kyo's. He looked stunned for a moment, and then teetered over like a tree that had been sawed off at the roots. "Oh my gosh, I think he fainted!", cried Kagura, and she leaped to his aid. Ayame and Shigure were busy congratulating each other, while Momichi and Haru raised a toast, and Kisa hugged Hiro like she would never let go.
"Seven pounds, ten ounces", Hatori announced as he handed a freshly scrubbed little bundle to Yuki, who in turn laid the newborn in Tohru's waiting arms. A thick mop of brown hair peeked out of the soft white towel. "His eyes are blue", Yuki said, a little surprised, but obviously pleased. Tohru smiled, "I think he looks like you", she said as she uncovered her infant son. He started to fuss as she examined his tiny hands and feet, and counted his fingers and toes. "All there", she sighed contentedly.
Hatori quietly slipped out of the room in order to give the new parents some alone time. He headed off a group of anxious Sohmas who were clamoring up the stairs. "Hold on", he said firmly, disappointing the rest of the clan who let out wails of injustice. "Just give them a few minutes", he added and motioned for them all to go back downstairs, which they did unwillingly.
Yuki looked at Tohru with incredulous admiration. "That was the most amazing thing I have ever seen", he said softly, and added, "You're wonderful". Tohru smiled at him, her eyes full of love. "I'm sorry for the way I acted", she said with some embarrassment. "I would have said worse if I had to go through what you just went through", Yuki chuckled. They both looked down at the tiny squirming bundle. He was growing more impatient by the minute and finally screwed up his face and let out a squawk. Tohru put the baby to her breast, and that seemed to quell his anxiety. "What will we call him", Yuki asked her, looking on. "Ichiro", Tohru smiled and gazed at her baby as she called him by name for the first time. "Regal first born son", Yuki said not fully convinced, "isn't that a bit presumptuous?" "Well", Tohru countered with a grin, "he is the son of a prince; after all", she said flashing her blue eyes at Yuki. He chuckled, "Alright", he agreed, "Ichiro it is".
About this point the bedroom door burst open. Hatori had held off the family for as long as he could, but they couldn't wait any longer, and they burst through the doorway all speaking at once. "Congratulations!". "Let me see him!". "Oh, he looks like Yuki!". "Blue eyes, oh my!". "Look at all that hair". "How are you feeling?" There was happy chatter and comments about little Ichiro as he met his relations for the first time. Kagura and Kisa refrained from holding him for obvious reasons, but Kagura insisted Kyo give it a whirl. Still pale from fainting, Kyo looked down at his little second cousin as he lay in his arms. "Now doesn't that make you want one?", Kagura cooed at Kyo. Kyo wrinkled up his nose. "He looks too much like Yuki", he said flatly. "That he does", Ayame piped up. "I can hardly wait until he is older. Then I can play games with him, and read to him, and all the things I never got to do with my dear little brother". "Grand", Yuki rolled his eyes. Ayame ignored him, "yes, you like your uncle Aya don't you Ichiro", he cooed down at his new nephew. Ichiro wrinkled up his nose and squawked again. "Ata boy", Yuki said, grinning at his son's reaction to his outlandish brother.
Shigure went to Tohru's side and gave her shoulders a squeeze, "well, you did it kiddo", he smiled. "Thank you for everything Shi-san", she said as she gazed up at him with gratitude. Yuki appeared quickly and slid his arm around her. "Shigure", Yuki looked at him with earnest eyes, "thank you for letting Tohru stay here, and for taking care of her for me", he said quietly. He hadn't thought Shigure was capable of such an unselfish act. "Who said I did it for you?", Shigure countered with a smirk. "Maybe I have ulterior motives", he quipped, and winked at Tohru. She blushed as he walked away. Yuki gave her a sideways look. "What?", she countered, a little embarrased. Yuki smiled back, deciding to let go of his jealousy, "you're beautiful, that's all", he said with a grin.
After a few minutes Ichiro started to fuss, which quickly turned into a powerful wail. "Here's Mama", Momichi said handing the baby back to Tohru. "I think we had better move out and let Mother and child rest now", Hatori said firmly to the group. They reluctantly began to file out. "Oh I know!", Kagura said excitedly, "let's make a celebration dinner for everyone". Kisa and Momichi were quick to agree, while Kyo was heard calling after them, "Oy, woman, if you're doing the cooking then I'm leaving". "I don't want to go through that again". Haru lingered behind as the group exited, "nice work", he said to the new parents with genuine pleasure. "Thank you too, Ha-kun", Tohru offered, "for helping us to stay in touch. "My pleasure", Haru said to her with a simple bow, then he clasped Yuki in a heartfelt hug before following the others out the door.
As the afternoon wore on into evening Tohru finally rested. It had been an eventful day. Yuki sat by in an overstuffed chair that had been dragged into the bedroom. Ichiro lay bundled up; sleeping in his arms. Yuki was obviously tired, but he sat awake, watching over his little family, wanting to soak in every moment he could before he had to leave them again. Hatori looked in on them to find mother and child sleeping peacefully. "Yuki, you should get some rest too", he suggested, "and you can lay the baby down if he is sleeping. "I like holding him", Yuki said simply. It was true- he finally had someone he loved deeply that he could clasp to himself without fear of transforming. It was an incredible feeling to Yuki, and he wasn't about to put his tiny son down for a moment if he didn't have to.
It was a long night of being up and down with the baby and Tohru, but Yuki relished being able to be with her, and to care for her and their little son. It was, once again one of the happiest times of his life, but all too soon it would have to come to an end. After the other family members had dispersed Hatori had stayed along with Aya; the one so he could watch over mother and child, and the other so he could pester the new father. When morning came Hatori made one last check of the newborn. "He seems to be robust enough", Hatori confirmed, taking off his stethoscope. "Yuki, I hate to say it, but we need to get you back to the main house now before we arouse any suspicion in Akito", he said gravely. Yuki gazed sadly at Tohru, and then reached down and stroked Ichiro's fuzzy head as he nursed contentedly in his mother's arms. "Take care of Mom for me, OK big guy?", he said quietly. Ichiro made a tiny gasp and a loud swallowing sound, causing Yuki to grin. Then he turned back to Tohru again. She looked up at him with her large eyes where tears were starting to form. There were a million things they could have said to each other, but all too painful to put into words. "I love you', Yuki said simply to her. "I love you too", she echoed. He bent down and kissed her forehead, and the baby's head, and left quickly with Hatori and Ayame by his side.