Chapter Thirteen

Over the next few days Xaldin became overly protected of Aerith. He made her stay in bed and he waited on her hand and foot. She did not enjoy the new attention she was getting and it was evident to everyone else, except Xaldin. Xigbar finally managed to distract his younger brother leaving Aerith alone.

"How's my little prego future sister in law doing?" Xigbar asked as he stepped into her room.

"Wow that was a mouthful." She replied.

"Has the morning sickness hit yet?"

"Don't even get me started on that." She stated as she shut her eyes and pulled her pillow close.

"How long have you been in bed?"

"Four days…he won't let me leave." She informed.

"Well he isn't here." He said stepping into the light.

She saw that a huge bandage covered the left side of his face and she began to feel guilt creeping up in the pit of her stomach.

"How is your face?" She asked as she threw the covers back.

"It's fine…how's your wrist?" He asked as he set down on her bed

"It's okay."

"How's the kid?"

"Fine…as far as I know. I'm still a little nervous though." She informed.

"Let's get outta here. Xaldin is busy and I know you don't wanna be in here anymore."

"Sure."

Minutes later Xigbar and Aerith sat in the middle of a hallway somewhere between the ninth and twelfth floor.

"So has Xaldin told you everything?" Xigbar asked.

"What do you mean?

"About the mark." He answered.

"Well, he told me that it was reason we were meant to be together or something like that." She replied.

"That's it?"

"Yeah, is there more to it?"

"Yeah…much more. Do you know who Xemnas is?"

She shook her head no.

"You know that waste land of darkness that is outside this city? Well Xemnas rules that, but he wants more. For awhile now he has been trying to overthrow the Kingdom…and that's where you two love birds come in." He began. "You two are supposed to have a child that will be more powerful than Xemnas and it will successfully kill him."

"Do you think it could be this one?" She asked.

"Yeah I mean it could be any kid you have, but you do know that Xemnas will not stop his attacks until you, Xaldin, and your kids are dead."

"Or until we kill him…" She added. "I took care of his guards didn't I?"

"Yes, but you haven't seen what Xemnas can do…" He began. "…the fact that something will be more powerful than him scares me."

"But it will be on our side." She stated.

"You're right…"

There was a long bit of silence that seemed to last for hours, but actually only lasted for a few seconds.

"So…what can you do?"

"Like, what do you mean?" He asked.

"Do you have fire, ice, water, earth…anything like that?"

"OH…no I have all of those, but something a little extra…a power better than yours or my brother." He said with a smirk.

"Oh really? Please do tell."

"Actually I would rather show you."

With this Xigbar disappeared. Aerith felt something tap her right shoulder and turned to see Xigbar hanging upside down in midair.

"Boo."

"Whoa nice." She said standing up.

"Yeah I try." Xigbar replied with a laugh. "What can you do?"

"Lightning."

"Nice." He informed

"Yeah, I try."

"So what do you think this thing will have?" He asked pointed to her stomach.

"I have no idea…is there a way to tell?"

"Hell if I'd know."

"Hey Xigbar?"

"Yeah."

"What does a Queen do?" She asked softly. "Please don't tell me I'm destined for a life of sitting on my ass and pushing out kids."

"You know there can be Queens who are hardcore. It's not all just having kids, sometimes the most spoiled Queen can find herself in battle."