This was formatted wrong in the first posting, no idea why but thanks so much to ChordOverstreetFan for the headsup!

Kilometers away from the Nura Headquarters, another woman rubs her own flat belly in the Youkai Capital. It doesn't show now since the woman still sports her usual graceful figure, but Keikain Nadeshiko expects her second child. She is a small woman with a lithe frame. Her long black hair is tied stiffly in a high ponytail that reaches her lower back in a typical eastern fashion.
Despite a traditional Japanese appearance, Nadeshiko's eyes break that line of thought. Coupled with sharp features and the pinkish skin is a set of ice colored eyes, a cool blue. No one has been able to identify the origins for them, though scandalous they have been considered too pretty to complain.
Sadly her first son was born with his father's visage, with delicate hollow features and black hair and eyes, Japanese down to his teeth. Although a distinct lack of baby fat causes Ryuuji to look older than he is. Usually, father and son look nothing alike despite sharing a face. Something that not many people understand. It is so because Ryuuji has his expression twisted continuously into a scowl while his father is all smiles.
It is a defense mechanism, his mother knows. He doesn't wish to be read. And the fact her son is smitten with the trickiest of onmyouji's techniques: deception. He is all about tricks under tricks, traps over traps, and lies inside lies. His expert of a mother can decipher the feelings of a wall by now; no scowl can fool her. (In the years to come, when Ryuuji's deception technique is refined, he will still be unable to fool his mother. A fact that will remain with him for life.)
Nadeshiko is hoping her future daughter will inherit them, though. Her eyes that is. Because she wants her daughter to look like her and not Natsume. For the baby is a girl. Everyone in the family wishes for a boy. Contradictory, her maternal instincts have declared her a girl already. When asked, she can only tell the truth: it is a matter of intuition.
A soft smile settles on her face as she remembers her father's expression towards her believes. Hidemoto 27th hasn't been as thrilled at the idea of a girl as his daughter has. The main house needs an heir. Boys do better, according to… boys, the thought makes Nadeshiko chuckle escape her.
She is so happy. She has so many things she wants to do. She wants to see her daughter get married. (Though that's a bit far away.) Wants to see her graduate. Teach her to drive. Give her advice. Take her the first day to school. Put her down for the night. Show her to Ryuuji for the first time. She wants to see her and Natsume play together. To get that feeling of… She can't explain it. It is just so comforting. It may very well be love or happiness. But whatever it is… it is incredible.
Nadeshiko sometimes can't believe how lucky she is. So many people wishing for love, for happiness, for family, for kids… And she has everything she could ever want. An amazing husband. Two kids – kind of. An extensive and loving family that cares for her. The world couldn't get better. As she thinks, she has the feeling that her baby may prove her wrong. With the little girl, perhaps life will get even better.
Her hands fly to her stomach. Caressing and feeling, despite its impossibility, she is dying for the baby to give a kick. It is much too soon, though. The news is recent. Recent enough so that Natsume has yet to know. He had left for a scouting mission a few weeks ago, scheduled to return today. Nadeshiko is giddy with excitement.
After her firstborn – a beautiful if taciturn boy – Natsume and her have been eager for another. They have discovered there isn't quite a joy like parenthood. There is something truly magical in seeing a child and realizing that you somehow had a hand in creating that. Children genuinely are an incarnation of love.
Though, Nadeshiko sweatdrops, with little Ryuuji's demeanor, some might disagree. Her husband, despite loving his child, is one of them. Slyly, she hopes to use her pregnancy to keep him a bit more settled in the coming months. Her husband is nothing if not dedicated: to his family, his wife, his kid, and, unfortunately, to his job.
Now, some men are lawyers or bankers. Nope. Such isn't Nadeshiko's luck. Her husband is nothing else but an exorcist. A real-life, annoyingly talented onmyouji. His job consists of endless patrolling and house visits to affected victims. In some cases, like this one, the new recruits are taken to the field for the first time.
As one of the head onmyouji, Natsume has the responsibility to accompany the group in case anything was to happen. It isn't as dangerous being an onmyouji as it had been two hundred years ago in the present time. It still keeps him away from home more than Nadeshiko likes.
In theory, the young woman is an onmyouji as well. It is for nothing else than her last name. The Keikain is the most ancient and renowned house of exorcists in Kyoto. If she dares say it, in the whole of Japan. Despite her position as direct main house heir, Nadeshiko had back out of the family business years ago.
Just her luck that she would fall in love with an onmyouji anyways. Her oldest son is well underway in his studies. He was quick to decide that he wants to kill demons as a job. A traitorous part of her is proud of his progress. Many call Ryuuji a prodigy despite his age.
Uncalled for, a dark shadow crept up her face. She is worried, though more like terrified, about the curse. She doesn't want to tell Ryuuji that he's fated to die. More so, she doesn't want him to die. It scares her. It just isn't a bone-chilling, heart-stopping feeling. Guiltily, Nadeshiko has resigned herself to the fact her male children will most likely die. And how the hell does one get accustomed to that fact?
Now, having Ryuuji in her life. Old feelings resurface and choke her. The fears have yet to crush the walls she had built long ago, but she isn't too confident about how well they will hold. Ryuuji is the best son anyone could ask for. As long as she keeps hope and fear away. Then maybe her heart can take on the future. (How wrong she is.)
The somber thought aside, Nadeshiko allows her mind to wander to the future. She and Natsume will raise another child. Maybe this one won't have to be an exorcist! Inside she knows it is most likely impossible. Hopefully, her daughter won't want to become an onmyouji… Suddenly and seemingly without reason, Nadeshiko feels as if the universe is laughing at her. She feels ridiculous as if part of some cosmical joke she doesn't know about yet.
She turns while aughing, face against the coming winds. The air currents are doing an excellent job of disrupting her black tresses, and it is annoying. Clear blue eyes observe the gardens lovingly. They haven't changed from the times in which she was a girl.
The same maze of flowers, where she scrapped her knees so long ago. The same elegant seals that have protected her – warning about the barriers surrounding the house – continued to do the job now. The bench in which she and Natsume had sat ten years younger remained untouched. The future couple talked away the nights on the days in which she had sneaked him into the property. Months before her family even knew they were dating.
The same bushes and grass in which baby Ryuuji has cuddled and hide within on the rare moments when he allows himself to be a child. At five, her son is unnaturally mature. Sometimes it worries her. Distracted, she realizes that it won't be long until sundown starts… It will be perilous to stay outside, even with all the barriers in place. One doesn't need to tempt fate.
With sundown also comes one fact. Natsume has to be arriving. Giddy and eager, Nadeshiko imagines her husband's reaction to the news. She knows he will be happy. Nadeshiko still remembers his gobsmacked expression from when she had announced the conception of Ryuuji. She sure hopes his group isn't delayed. It will beat-up her excitement to wait another day.
Today. Today they continue to build their family. It will probably be their last child. The Keikain is an extensive clan. With the new addition, there will already be two direct descendants and heirs from the mainline. A small number of children are advised to maintain power struggles to a minimum.
Jealousy is hard to counter and much too easy to spread. Too many protests at the time of succession risk the Keikain succumbing to inside forces. That won't do.
Gently, Nadeshiko brings her hands to her womb. Caressing the baby inside. Her baby girl will be amazing. Her child is destined for great things. She isn't sure if that meant as an exorcist, though. But of one thing she is confident: the little princess will grow up very loved. Nadeshiko will make sure of it.
"You know, sweetie? I am dying for you to meet this world," Nadeshiko says aloud. For some reason, she doesn't feel silly at all. "You will love this family. You have such a courageous dad and a protective brother. No one will give you advice like your grandpa, and no one will love you as I do," she continues, hands settling once again. "I want to see you. To hold you. To tell you how beautiful and small you are. I want to see your dad carrying you around. To see Natsume look like an everyday dad instead of the fearsome onmyouji. Something that only ever happens when he's changing diapers! Unfortunately, Ryuuji hasn't needed those for a while now... We'll take care of you, my darling. Until one day, you will have to take care of us."
Eventually, she and Natsume planned to forego the expansive city for a small house in a nearby rural area. It will be their private piece of paradise.
At the time of leaving, Natsume has promised to resign his job. In the countryside, they will not need much money. A small sealing here and there will pay the bills. Their children are welcome, though Nadeshiko pictures them as onmyouji by then.
She snaps her gaze to the far horizon. The sun is halfway gone! Where is her time going lately? Has she been that out of it? Suddenly, she feels her stomach sink. Nadeshiko can't control the desire to cry in agony. What is this tortuous feeling? A warning? Chills crawl along her arms and legs. She can't control the waves of panic that course violently through her.
Is it an ayakashi? She has never felt such fear. One of her hands goes to her tummy, mannerism protective. And while she sinks to her knees, panic pulsating through her… As quickly and sudden as the lousy omen has come, it suddenly is no more. No pain. No panic.
"What…?" Nadeshiko asks, feeling faint. Is she going to pass out? She should fall backward…
"Lady Keikain," a voice calls out. The cry sounds winded, bordering on exerted. It is one of the new recruits. Nadeshiko can tell by his pastel blue outfit that he is still stuck doing chores and taking messages. He is running towards her. Apparently, he has been searching for the Keikain's heir for a while now. If his panting breathes are any indication. His voice brings her out of the episode. No lingering feelings or faintness remains. Suddenly the scene is dreamlike in her mind. Had it really happened? Hadn't she been on her knees just now?
"Lady Keikain," he says, much calmer. He is stressed, that much is obvious. What could be making him so upset? "News on your husband has arrived." Monotonously, he frowns.
This guy has a talent; who could look expressionless while frowning? But the look seems as if the following sentence brought within him great displeasure. The memory, which feels older than it should, comes to mind, of that paralyzing fear that has descended upon her. Has something happened? Nadeshiko worries.
"Has he arrived yet?" she sounds hopeful, but her chest is hollow. The onmyouji shakes his head. "Don't tell me he is delayed! Argh. That man! He's going to get it! I tell you… I'll be… mad?" Momentarily ire has overtaken any fears. Natsume had promised that he will be on time. She has things to tell him, dammit! And she misses him.
Nadeshiko is routinely entering the nonsensical rambling characteristic of this situation when she notices the onmyouji somber expression. These guys are usually a bit too eager to please. This one is… too severe, upset.
"Where is my husband?" The question comes more forcefully than she intends. She will look really stupid if she is panicking for nothing. Nadeshiko hopes fervently she is just overreacting. Images and unrequited fears are bumbling along, screaming their horrors with all their lungs inside of her. Deafening levels of panic are displayed at the forefront of her mind. In the calmer, saner parts, there is just an overwhelming sadness. She knows. But she has to confirm it.
"Onmyouji, where is Natsume?" she asks miserably. Voice clogged in worry, words empty in knowledge. She has already figured it out. She feels like a criminal sentenced to death row. Already dead on the inside, silently awaiting the finishing touches of the guillotine.
"Lord Natsume was ambushed on his way back to the Main House," the onmyouji relents. And so, her personal guillotine falls. In one deadly swoosh of mortality. Severing her from her dreams, from her happiness, and from her husband. The kid's voice is sympathetic, but all Nadeshiko feels is the iciness of his words. Like a freezing hand is squeezing her heart in a merciless grip. Suddenly, she isn't breathing.
"Reinforcements were… too late. The threat has been eliminated, but Lord Natsume has been killed in battle." This time. Keikain Nadeshiko does faint. Thankfully, she fell on her back.
She is carrying the remnants of her husband; her kids are all she has left of him, like a reminder that is a sign of masochism but brought forth an unearthly pleasure. The woman's last thoughts are that all her precious dreams have ended and died. There won't be a future as bright as before. She is a widow, and that is one chilling thought. Her poor Yura… Her poor Yura will live without a father…
…When did she name the baby Yura?

How do we feel so far?