No one could have been prepared for the resounding crack that echoed in the small motel room. Shinobu reached up to touch his face, where a reddening slap mark covered his cheek. A trail of blood ran down his face where an engagement ring had pierced the skin. Hiroki stood over him, panting slightly, his hand still raised. Miyagi fell over himself to shove Hiroki away and frantically wipe away the blood on Shinobu's cheek.

"You… you brat," Hiroki hissed lividly. "You fucking stupid brat."

Miyagi looked up at Hiroki, glaring.

"How dare you touch Shin-"

"SHUT UP!" Hiroki bellowed. Miyagi immediately backed down, and Hiroki returned his steely gaze to Shinobu. "Listen up, you worthless piece of shit. Who was the one who screamed and cried like a little baby for a whole-"

Shinobu flushed scarlet, knitting his eyebrows.

"Hey, I-"

"Shut your mouth! You cried like a little baby for a whole three hours to give birth to your brat. You whimpered like a little kid for nine fucking months. Don't deny it: I know you did, because I did too! I fucking know it's hard to give birth to a stillborn. I know you're upset, and you're bitter, but take some God damn responsibility!"

Shinobu and Miyagi stared fearfully up at Hiroki, who huffed above them, his breathing ragged and deadly. Shinobu's son, however, blinked obliviously at his surroundings, squeaking a little bit as Hiroki held him tighter.

"No matter how you look at it, one of your babies is still here! And he needs all of your love and care, regardless of what happened! In fact, he should get more love and care. I'm sorry for being blunt or insensitive, but be fucking grateful that one of them is still with you!"

Shinobu blinked away his tears and nodded jerkily.

"Sit your ass up. Right now," Hiroki demanded. Shinobu silently dragged himself up into a sitting position and leaned against the headboard. "Put out your damn arms."

Shinobu immediately outstretched his arms in front of him. Hiroki gently put his godchild in Shinobu's arms. The baby squealed as he finally looked up at his papa. Shinobu stared down at his son.

"He… he has my eyes," Shinobu whispered. Miyagi blinked.

"Really?" he asked, crawling up to Shinobu's side. "Let me see."

"Look," Shinobu murmured, leaning against Miyagi's shoulder. Hiroki's eyes softened as he stood over the couple, who were quickly descending into their own world.

"Did I hurt you?" Hiroki asked quietly. He reached down to caress Shinobu's reddened cheek. Shinobu glanced up at him and averted his eyes sheepishly.

"It was necessary," he said quietly. He looked back up at Hiroki. "I understand now. I am… I am truly sorry for everything I said."

Hiroki chuckled softly and cupped Shinobu's face in his hands before stooping down to press a kiss to his forehead.

"Stupid… don't ever offer your son to me again. I've already got a brat to take care of," Hiroki mumbled against Shinobu's skin. He pulled away, thumbing Shinobu's cheeks. "We have to be strong together, remember?"

Shinobu smiled waveringly as tears slipped from his eyes and rolled over Hiroki's thumbs. His face contorted and he sobbed, clutching his son to him.

"My baby… my baby," he moaned. Hiroki glanced sadly at Miyagi, who had looked down and was gently nudging Shinobu's shoulder with his head. Hiroki sat back and watched in silent vigilance as a dark, wet spot began spreading down the shoulder of Shinobu's shirt. Miyagi trembled and slumped against his beloved, wrapping his arms around him.

And they cried together in mourning for their precious lost son.

Miyagi-Takatsuki Yuji.
Born dead on December twenty-four, Christmas Eve.
Stillborn: a peaceful death within the warmth and love of his mother, and the caressing hands of his father.
His soul lives on within the heart of his twin brother.

That night, after the weeping had subsided, it was decided that the baby boy would be named Eiji in loving memory of his twin brother.

Eiji… when all of the translations are put together, it means…

"May the second son go into the next eternity in prosperity… and peace."