This has been an English only day. I had my last English exams ;)

Here's the next chapter, and guess what? Ah, you'll just have to guess ;). And a special guest appearance too.

Here goes…

Okaerinasai.

16/2 2006, lunch.

"Rei!" Turning, grinning like a fool, Rei let himself be hugged to death by the mood swinging Russian.

"Hey Yuriy…"

"Hungry? Good let's order." He barely had the time to nod before the redhead latched onto his wrist, dragging him towards the line. Chatting of this and that, with the Russian warning and telling tales of his pregnancy and what Rei should be on guard against, they slowly came closer to order, until all of a sudden it was their turn. "A pizza please, with pineapple and…just pineapples, please, and some lemonade. Rei?"

"Hm? I want chicken and rice and a strawberry milkshake, please."

Nodding, the cashier wrote it down, accepted their money and gave them a number, told them to help themselves to some salad and asked them to take a table before turning to the next costumer in line.

They sat down by a nearby table, Yuriy's back was aching and his baby was kicking. "I think I want some salad, Yuriy, be right back…" Rei then walked to the bread and salad with a slight limp. What to have, what to have…breadsticks? He smirked, glancing back at Yuriy. And then he caught sight of the ketchup. "Yoshi!" He grinned like a Cheshire cat, they even have fresh bean pods! Looking much like a child on Christmas Eve, Rei stocked up on as much as he figured he would be able to consume. Limping back, he slowly eased his way down in the chair across Yuriy, who was leering suggestively, eyebrow raised.

"Sore?"

Grinning impishly, Rei shrugged and started nibbling on one of the pods. "Oh yeah…" Yuriy looked as if he was about to question Rei further, but something on Rei's plate stopped him.

"Breadsticks…" Eyes narrowing, lips pursed, Yuriy threw Rei a calculating glare. Rei smiled innocently. "Give me!" Nodding, the neko-jin obediently pushed the plate to sit between them. It was soon clean, not the tiniest crumble left. "So, I take it the day after you wedding day was satisfactory?" Letting a goofy grin stretch out on his face, Rei sighed dreamily.

"Oh yeah…"

"Kai's good."

Nodding, the Chinese sighed again. "Yeah, he- Hey! How-?" Yuriy smirked.

"How do you think I know?"

"But-! You and Boris-"

"-Were still together back then, yes, I know. But the abbey was a cold, small and lonely place." Eyes twinkling, Yuriy winked.

Rei's form slumped together, crestfallen.

He sat upright, slightly horrified, he hadn't meant… "Hey, kitten, he never slept with us. It was just touches and kisses, besides, Borya would never allow me to sleep with anyone else, not that I would want to, and Kai would never allow himself to do it either.

"It was just comfort, just to know that someone cared. Ivan and Sergei had a similar relationship, with hugs and stuff. There was never anything sexual involved. Thank god! Kai's my brother, it'd be incest, you know?" Somewhere along his talking, Yuriy had taken a hold of one of Rei's hands, while his other hand was stroking the side of Rei's face, slowly coaxing him back into his previously good mood.

The neko-jin sighed, attempting a smile, wavering slightly. "I know, it's just all these hormones! I cry over shitty things and I get upset over nothing and, and…" Rei halted, watching Yuriy's face come closer and closer, as close as he could get, and pulled the neko-jin's face the last bit to close the distance between their faces. He looked questioning into the cool eyes of the Russian, who smirked, and planted a soft, formal kiss on his mouth.

"We won't leave you, none of us will, least of all Kai. We all love you; you're our brother now. Kai's husband."

The sound of a microphone calling out number 425 drew them out of their serious talk. "Food!" Standing abruptly, Rei grabbed their number and walked towards the small booth in the corner, put the number in the box and took their plates and drinks, carrying it on a tray.

"Here we go, one pizza á la pineapple for Mr. Kuznetsov and a glass of lemonade. And chicken á la rice and a strawberry milkshake for myself. And, not to forget, ketchup!" Sitting down again, Rei handed Yuriy a knife and fork. "Dig in!" The neko-jin promptly followed his own advice, only drenching his food with the ketchup before starting to eat.

He swallowed, suddenly remembering the news he was supposed to share with Yuriy, the whole point of their outing in the first place. "The baby kicked."

"Really? When?"

"I didn't quite understand it was the baby at first, you know?" Yuriy nodded, swallowing a mouthful of his pizza around a knowing smile. "I thought I was nerves, and then I thought it was Kai, or well…rather his hands…"

Yuriy smirked. "I knew you limped a tad to much from just 'celebrating' your marriage!" Rei winked, a happy flush to his cheeks.

"Sure you did. This food's amazing!"

"Uh-huh. Why else would we go here? They've got the best pineapples ever here."

Rei coughed discreetly. "Pineappleoholic." Quickly grinning sweetly at Yuriy, whose eyes narrowed suspiciously at him. "Kai's grandfather called."

Yuriy froze, unconsciously brining a hand down to his stomach. "Did he now?"

"Yeah…I- He…He didn't- He congratulated us…" The redhead blinked.

"He did?"

Rei nodded, mouth full of food. It really was good.

21/4 2006, evening.

"Kai! Kai!" Rei waddled towards the study, his large stomach preventing him from moving at a greater speed, where he expected to find his husband. Halting, fists balling, he whined, face scrunching up. "Kaiii!" There was a crash sounding from inside the room, followed by cursing and loud footsteps as Kai slammed the door open.

"What?"

"Yuriy's at the hospital!"

"Shit! He wasn't supposed to go in until next week! What happened? Is he alright? We have to go there! Come on Rei, get your coat." Kai ran to the front door, pulling on a pair of shoes.

"Kai!" The man looked up, and cursed.

"Coming, Rei." He then walked back and half carried, half led Rei towards the front door, pulling his shoes on for him and pushed the neko-jin out, hot on his heels.

"Lock the door!" Kai stopped, cursing, produced a key and managed to lock the door on his third attempt. He then picked his husband up and carried him down the four sets of stairs, cursing that they hadn't chosen a ground floor apartment.

Kai didn't put Rei down until they reached their car, and it wasn't even on the ground, Kai sat him down in the front seat of the car. He then got in the car himself and speeded down the roads towards the hospital. "Kai? Calm down, he's alright. He just went into premature labour, it happens all the time. There's nothing wrong. He's alright, the baby's alright. Calm down. Everybody's alright." Intertwining their fingers, Rei's calm, relaxing aurora and soft spoken words slowly made Kai calm, taking deep breaths. "Shh, I know, I know."

"…and they wonder why I love you…" Rei purred at Kai's words, fangs peaking out, closed his eyes and dozed the fifteen or so minutes it took to reach the hospital.

The Russian sighed soflty, stopping the car. He brought a hand up to Rei's face, lightly caressing. "Kitten?"

Kai was most reluctant to bother his beautiful sleeping mate, he looked so…"Mm…" Comfortable.

"Wake up, were there." Golden eyes fluttered open, and he waited for Kai to help him out of the car. He could get up by himself, but cars were difficult, and it took forever. Besides, Kai was more than willing to help him.

Slipping into Kai's arms, they made their way to the reception as fast as possible. "Hi, we're-" The nurse behind the dish snapped into attention immediately, waving to another nurse behind the couple who produced a wheelchair in no time.

"Don't worry Mr., we'll take care of your wife, when did the contractions start?" Kai blinked.

"…contraction?"

Rei was pushed into the wheelchair and halfway down the hallway before it clicked. "Wait! Kai!" The nurses were talking, throwing medical terms to their left and right when Kai finally caught up with them.

"Nurse. My husband is most definitely not in labour." Kai tapped his foot impatiently.

The women gasped, hastily releasing the wheelchair. "Oh. We're terribly sorry, sir!"

Rei smiled, easily charming the middle-aged nurses, and aimed an annoyed glare at Kai. "It's alright. If I really were in labour your efficiency would've been most welcome. Our friends came in earlier today, Kuznetsov?"

The nurses exchanged wary looks. "The red haired man?"

"Yes, is-"

"Room 301, one floor up, on the left. May I please have the wheelchair back, sir?" There was a beeping sound, and suddenly the nurses rushed back towards the reception, leaving the Hiwataris on their own. With the wheelchair.

"Well then Kai, what are you waiting for? Push!"

"Can't you walk?"

"Nope. This wheelchair is most comfortable, my feet hurt and my back is aching. Now push!"

"As you wish, Mrs Hiwatari." Smirking, Kai steered Rei towards the elevators.

"I'm pregnant, and it's all your fault!" Sighing, the Russian dedicated the elevator trip to sway Rei out of his hormonal outburst. "I hate you!"

Halting, Kai and Rei found themselves staring at a white door, with a small rectangular yellow sign in the upper left corner. There, clearly written, the numbers 301 proudly stood. Rei knocked, and anxiously they waited for someone to let them in.

A tired, distant but happy looking Boris opened the door, his eyes holding a faraway, disbelieving gleam. "Come in…" A waver to his voice. As if he was caught in a dream.

Kai's hold on the wheelchair tightened, his knuckles turning white, and slowly pushed himself and Rei into the room after the older Russian.

Yuriy was lying in the bed, hair in disarray, leaning against the raised headboard. There was a bundle in his arms. A small bundle wrapped in a baby blue blanket. "He's so small…" The redhead smiled patiently at his husband.

"I know Boris, he's just a baby." The lavender haired man turned towards Kai and Rei, a serious expression on his face.

"I'm a dad."

Rei caught Yuriy's amused/worried look, and slowly got onto his feet, his too large stomach for his small frame making it harder. "Borya? How about a cup of coffee?" Boris nodded, then frowned. "Don't worry, Yuriy and the baby won't go anywhere. They'll be safe, Kai won't leave them." Talking slowly, Rei led the newly made father towards the cafeteria, speaking softly.

"Kai, would you like to meet your nephew?" Kai nodded, not trusting his voice and edged his way to the bed.

There, nestled in Yuriy's arms, was the smallest little creature he'd ever seen. Big, clear blue eyes, almost identical to the man's holding him, stared up at him. The baby gurgled, cooing, waving a small hand in the air.

Kai's voce came in the sound of a broken whisper. "Yuriy…" His hand came to hover just above the baby, who grabbed one of the fingers, pulling at it. "He's beautiful…"

"Would you like to hold him, Kai?" Kai looked away, hesitant.

"I don't know, I-" Yuriy laughed softly.

"Here, hold him like this, like I'm holding him. See?" Kai nodded, then carefully took the offered baby from his best friend's arms. "Under his head, support it, and cradle the body- Yeah, like that. You'll be a wonderful dad."

Kai's face held a somewhat disbelieving look filled with wonder, as he held the small life for the first time. "He's so little…" The baby gurgled, waving his arms in the air, kicking slightly. "What are you naming him?"

"When Borya comes around, I'll let you know…"

22/4 2006, midnight.

Rei was dozing on the couch, curled up in a big, soft blanket. Mishmash snuggled up to his chest, purring contently, just a notch lower then Rei's.

"Here." A cup of hot chocolate was carefully placed on the small table, just within reach for Rei.

"Thank you. Come here." Kai smiled, standing up from the armchair he's seated himself in and laid down next to Rei instead, placing his head on Rei's belly, accommodating the blanket to cover the both of them instead. The cat meowed, shifting, tail swishing, annoyed. The neko-jin grinned, pulling her back on his chest. He heard Kai chuckle, and felt his baby moving to kick in response.

"Hey baby…" Kai pressed a gentle kiss to the clothed stomach.

"You like that, don't you?"

"Mm…it's my baby too, you know? And you feel it all the time…" The baby kicked again, landing soft blows on Kai's cheek. "I just can't seem to get over the amazingness…there's a baby in there. Our baby."

"We'll see the baby tomorrow, at the doctor's…that's…"

Kai sighed, brining a hand, softly stroking. "I know…it kicks an awful lot doesn't it?" Rei nodded, running his hand through Kai's hair. "Isn't difficult-?"

"Oh it is…it keeps me from sleeping at times, as you know. But it's worth it. I think."

"You think? Don't you want the baby? I thought-" Kai swallowed, nervous.

"Of course I do! I just meant, seeing Yuriy with his baby, and Boris'…childlike-seriousness today…it must be worth it, and we're not there yet, so I can only hope and believe for now. Seeing our baby for the first time, holding it, hear the first word…" Rei sniffed, voice becoming choked with emotions.

"The first step…reading bedtime stories…" A smiled grazed the Russian's face.

"I want my baby, Kai!"

"I know you do, love…I want it too…"

2/7 2006, breakfast time.

Rei laughed. "I know Yuriy, That's so-" The Chinese man winced, rubbing his stomach, damn, that was a hard kick. "That's typical him." Nodding, Yuriy threw Rei a calculating glance, then slowly put Mishka down in his crib, stroking the tuft of vibrant red hair.

"Rei?"

"I'm alright." Ow. Gasping, Rei clutched the railing to the baby's bed tightly, unconsciously rubbing his stomach. Icy blue eyes narrowed in his direction and Yuriy swiftly led Rei towards an armchair standing in a corner of the nursery.

"Sit." The redhead winced as Rei squeezed his hand tightly. "Deep breaths, deep breaths. I'll phone an ambulance. Alright?" The neko-jin nodded, a nervous panicky expression on his face. "Everything's alright, just stay calm and take deep, slow breaths."

"Yu-" Rei breathed out loudly, panting slightly and clutched the redhead's forearm tight with his hands, digging his nails in.

"Sh, relax. You're making it worse by stressing, just relax. Shh…the baby won't come for another couple of hours, you know that. Breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth…there you go. Just stay calm." Rei nodded, and desperately tried to calm down, managing quite well considering the circumstances, and smiled shakily at Yuriy, who nodded. "There you go Rei. Just focus on your breathing and you'll be fine. I'll be right back, okay?" Rei nodded, reluctant to let go off the Russian. Yuriy smiled, and gently pried Rei's fingers off of him. Kissing his cheek, the redhead slowly walked away, giving Rei a reassuring, calming smile. "It's alright."

"Angel-" Boris halted in the doorway. "Rei?" Having approached the room from the other way, and missed his husband's retreating form, he knew nothing of Rei's condition. The married Hiwatari tried to smile and greet the tall Russian, but a loud gasp was the only sound to escape his lips, as his hands once again flew to grip his stomach, alternating between that and ruining the armrests. "Oh."

"K-Kai." Boris nodded. "Get him." The Russian nodded again, still doing nothing. "Now!" Rei hissed at the stunned Boris, who numbly turned around. "Oh god!"

"Kai!"

"Yeah?" Smiling, the dual haired Russian made his way towards the nursery. He spotted his friend standing in the doorway, and glanced in over his shoulder. A gentle smile grazed his features at the sight of the two months old baby gurgling happily.

"Kai, baby." He gazed curiously at Boris, then followed his stare, and froze on the spot.

"Ah! Kai…" Kai just stared dumbly at Rei, his mind unable to grasp the fact that his nine months pregnant husband was in labour.

"Kai? Boris?" Two pair of eyes swirled towards him.

"Baby." Yuriy sighed, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Ah. Shock." Kai was going to be like that. Walking forwards the last couple of feet, Yuriy stroked the side of his oldest friends face, and slapped him. Hard. "Snap out of it Kai, your husband's in labour."The redhead then slapped his husband as well, who snapped out off it enough to grab Mishka, clothing him in outside clothes and a blanket.

Kai nodded, still with that childish look full of wonder and shock on his face. "Rei." The redhead smiled, obviously amused.

"Yes, Rei. The ambulance is on its way." Rei sighed, relived, and Kai finally walked over and kneeled beside his lover.

"Baby."

Just then, the baby kicked particularly hard, and Rei groaned. "Augh! Dammit, that hurt!" Kai yelped as well. The neko-jin had latched on to Kai's hand the minute it came within reach, and squeezed hard.

Same day, early evening.

"K-Kai!" Watery, beaming, exhausted golden eyes focused on his husband, a small screaming, red-faced, squirming baby in his arms. "W-We have a baby…"

Thump!

"Kai!" Rei cried panicked, rocking the baby.

"Oh dear," An old nurse smiled, clearly used to passing out fathers. "Would someone please rouse the father and show him his baby boy and husband?" A young nurse nodded, and swiftly, with the help of another male nurse, placed Kai on the vacant bed beside Rei's. The young female then waved something under Kai's nose, who started to groan softly, before the crimson eyes flew open.

"Rei?"

"Over here Kai…"

The Russian's head turned towards his husband, and the small bundle in his arms…"Our baby…" Kai struggled into a sitting position, before unsteadily stumbling towards Rei. Curious blue eyes stared up at him unblinkingly. "It's so tiny…"

"It's a boy Kai. Not an 'it'" Kai's eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"A boy? W-We have a son?" The neko-jin nodded. A Proud, but tired, smile on his face.

"Yes. A perfectly healthy baby boy."

"He has blue eyes…" The Russian stared at his son in wonder, taking in every little detail, the tuft of black and blue hair, the catlike shape of the eyes and the slightly pointed ears.

"All newborns do, they'll fade into their true colour soon enough, like Mishka's did, remember?" He nodded, biting his lip hesitantly.

"Rei…" Rei chuckled silently.

"Here." Kai smiled widely, and shakily held his son for the first time.

"H-He's so tiny…" He sniffled as a few tears made it down his face. "W-What are we going to name him?"

"I don't know…" Rei yawned, blinking. "I-I thought maybe Cheng, as a middle name…"

Kai nodded. "Sasha."

"Sasha Cheng Hiwatari…beautiful, just like him. I like it, it fits…" Kai hummed, gazing down at the baby, who was starting to cry.

"What's wrong?"

"He's probably hungry, here," The nurse handed Kai a bottle of formula. "Try and feed him." Taking hold of the bottle, and carefully balancing his child with only one arm, Kai held the bottle just above Sasha's mouth.

The crying lessened, and big eyes blinked up at his daddy in confusion, who placed the bottle by the baby's lips. Instantly small hands attempted to grip the bottle, curling, sucking greedily; the baby evidently was very hungry.

It was with a warm heart Rei fell asleep, his husband's soft voice and son's gurgles lulling him.

3/7 2006, lunchtime.

Kai smiled, rocking his newborn baby, and gazed at his napping husband, still exhausted from yesterday's procedure. The door opened behind him, and Kai lazily turned around, expecting Yuriy and Boris. Who he saw made his insides freeze. "Grandfather?"

The stern old man nodded, sneering slightly, and moved forwards to Kai and the baby, who was gurgling happily, unknowing and unaffected by the cold atmosphere the room had taken. "I forgot they were that small." Forgetting momentarily that the man was his grandfather, Kai smirked proudly.

"Yeah…it's because of the neko-jin blood. Rei said their babies had a tendency to be…smaller." Hesitating only for a second, Kai continued. "It's a boy."

The cold eyes took on a satisfied gleam. "Have you named him?"

Kai hummed. "Sasha Cheng Hiwatari." His grandfather nodded, raising his hand, he stroked the baby's head with surprising gentleness, looking peculiarly disgusted while doing it.

"The box by the door is filled with your old toys, make good use of them and keep me informed, boy."

"I will." Kai's eyes widened a fraction in surprise, and his mouth curled upwards in a sincere, albeit small, smile.

"Hn." The man halted, Sasha had grabbed a hold of one if his fingers, gurgling happily he waved it back and fro in the air, sounds of nonsense leaving the small lips.

"Wa-wa!"

"Kai?" Startled, the men turned, coming face to face with the wide-eyed neko-jin lying on the bed. "What's he-"

Sasha's gurgling stopped, and he put the finger he was holding into his mouth. "What's with babies and putting everything in their mouths?" Growling, Voltaire pried his finger loose, only to have the small child's eyes tear up. "Here." Kai stared wide-eyed at the offered stuffed animal toy in his grandfather's hand.

"…Kiska…" Sasha cooed happily, waving his small hands towards the obviously loved old cat.

"Boy." Kai nodded, and reached out for the toy, holding it in front of his baby.

Staring with surprisingly soft eyes at the baby, Kai's grandfather spoke up one last time before leaving. "He has your mother's nose." He turned, and strode out of the room, pausing in the doorway, a sour glare fixed at his grandson. "You did well, boy."

Then the door was shut and the only thing left from his visit was a box of toys and the stuffed cat Kai had loved as a child, given to him by his parents.

"Kai?" The neko-jin's voice once again cut through Kai's thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"What was your grandfather doing here?" The question was apprehensive, and Rei held out his arms, silently demanding to hold his baby. Kai slowly walked over and placed their child in Rei's awaiting arms.

"He came to see Sasha…" Turning, Kai walked towards the box and picked it up, placing it on the chair next to Rei's bed.

With trembling fingers Kai pushed the box open. In a jumbled mess lay Kai's old beloved toys, a couple of old photo frames with pictures in them and an album. Picking up one of the frames with shaking hands, his breathing hitched.

There, staring up at him was the familiar, smiling face of his mother, snuggled up to his equally happy father. The five years old Kai was laughing, sitting in his mother's lap, clutching an all too familiar stuffed cat.

"Kai, did we just see- Kai?" Sniffling, Kai wiped his eyes and turned towards Yuriy.

"Yeah?" His voice was thick with emotion, eyes red rimmed and tearful.

"Oh…" Silently, Yuriy walked over and hugged Kai. "We'll go visit their graves tomorrow, alright?" Kai sniffled, and nodded.

"I just…. I didn't expect him to have saved-" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "I-I- He, he never-" Closing his eyes, the crimson eyed man composed himself. "He never mentioned them, not even once…"

Ne?

Yoshi is a Japanese exclamation, roughly meaning, ok! Alright!

Okaerinasai means welcome home.

Next time, look into the future ;) (I'm in a good mood.)

Well, let's see. Rei's ill, Kai's worried, Sasha's talking, and the doctor…? It's a rather short chapter, but it's quite juicy ;)

Now, R&R. Please? Have to know if you like it, you know. ;)