Somewhere on Autumn Woods Drive

By Rikku Minouke

Disclaimer: ugh… no YYH for me

AN: I want to dedicate this next chapter to FireStorm1991 for being so awesome and helping me get over all my personal shit. It wasn't much but it was exactly what I needed at the time.

Chapter forty eight

It took me a really long time to figure out what my mother meant when she talked about my control. For a long time I thought she meant I had more of her in me than my father. But as I went through the pregnancy, I realized that it wasn't what I was born with, but what I surrounded myself with. I had so many positive people in my life that I couldn't help raise my child in a positive and up standing fashion.

I sat on the balcony with Keiko next to me. Her brown hair fluttered in the light breeze as she closed her eyes, basking in it. "I wouldn't mind if it was just a few degrees warmer so we wouldn't have to wear these zip ups, but beggars can't be choosers."

Giggling, I lifted my water glass to my lips. "I don't mind the temperature actually," I told her sipping the cool liquid. "I've been so overheated with the baby, that this is kinda nice."

"This is, what, twenty nine weeks, right?" She asked, opening her eyes to look over at me and I felt the need to give her a smile that I didn't quite feel.

"Yep, the third trimester is well on its way now," I nodded and set my drink down in the cup holder.

"What's up, Botan?" Keiko said seriously. "You've been kinda zoned out the last few weeks. Was it because of Maya coming in to the shop?"

When I shook my head, I couldn't meet her gaze. "No. Well that sucked but, that's not what's on my mind." She didn't speak as I pushed a strand of light blue hair behind my ear. "Keiko, I think …. I think I'm in love with Kurama."

She blinked several times. "Well of course you are."

"Excuse me?"

Laughing, she waved my concern away. "No, I mean that I knew you were. It's not hard to tell. Keep in mind I've known you a very long time. Botan, your pregnant and hormonal, but I've still never seen you this happy." I stayed silent as I thought about every single word she said. "Seriously, you go out of your way to bring him things. You don't really fight. I mean, yeah sure you argue. But that's not fighting. I've never once have had you call me looking for a place to cool down after an argument with this guy."

"I haven't slammed a door after talking to him," I nodded to myself.

"It's been months and you haven't wanted to tuck tail and leave yet," Keiko leveled me with a stare. "Or is that why you've been looking like someone ran over your cat."

"No, I don't want to leave him," I sighed and let my fingers fidget with the hem of my black shirt. "I'm just really scared."

"What do you have to feel scared about?" I could hear the serious twinge in her voice.

"I'm not sure if he loves me, Keiko," I explained.

"Don't be silly." I had no doubt that she rolled her eyes.

"Seriously," I shook my head more to myself than anyone.

"I am serious," Keiko laughed. "That man loves you one hundred percent."

"How can you tell?" I looked into her brown eyes.

"Why don't you just tell him how you feel?" she asked. "Instead of sitting around stressing yourself out about what if's and why not's."

"Do you remember when Shishi and I broke up?" she nodded at my words. "He told me I was just a damsel in distress and he was done being my hero."

I heard Keiko scoff, "That man was no hero."

"He wasn't," I smiled slightly. "But he told me that I had damsel in distress tattooed on my soul and that the only men who would want me are villains and heroes."

"Well Kurama for sure isn't a villain," Keiko told me and I took a deep breath.

"But I don't want him to be my hero." I could feel my pink eyes start to itch and I knew that was a bad sign. They were drying out before the storm hit.

"He'd be a pretty hot hero though," Keiko smirked at my blush.

"But still," I tried to hold back my giggle. "I mean look at me, Keiko. I'm obviously in need of a hero. I get it. But I don't want him to feel compassion toward me because deep down he knows he's doing the right thing. I want him to love me like I wasn't pregnant. Like I didn't need someone to take care of me."

"What makes you think he doesn't love you like that?" Keiko asked me and her voice was quieter this time.

"I'm just nervous," I sighed. "I'm letting Shishi's words get to me. I don't want a hero. I want the villager."

"The villager?" Keiko's eyebrows raised as her tone hitched slightly like she forced back a giggle. "I didn't think that was an option."

"It is now," I gave her a fleeting smile. "I want the man who has worked in the market his whole life selling fish or apples or something. I want the man that when he gets the girl that she's the treasure. I don't want the hero who goes off on adventures to save the girl and find a treasure chest."

"You want to be the treasure," Keiko nodded in understanding.

"What happens if he's the hero and after the girl is saved and the town celebrates," I started. "What if after a while he gets bored of the lack luster life and wants another quest? What if he doesn't want that used to be damsel anymore?"

"I think you're reading too much into this," Keiko pressed her lips together and intertwined her hands.

"Maybe I am," Shaking my head, I felt the hair tied up on my head swish from the hair band.

"Why can't the hero and the villager be the same?" Keiko asked after a moment. "Why can't the villager find and rescue the girl and become a hero in the act?"

I listened to her words and thought about the possibilities.