Kurama stifled a yawn as he climbed the stairs. He grabbed the banister tightly as he asecended the dark staircase his eyes watering over tiredly. Night school hardly proved a challenge for him, day school had been no different, however he needed his high school degree in order to attend college and was now hoping to receive some sort of scholarship to help. The account his father had set up for his college funds had been closed much to Kurama's dismay. What his mother had done with the money remained a mystery. As fate would have it Kurama had met up with an old acquaintance of his fathers and offered him a job as his personal assistant. Given the circumstances Kurama took it gratefully of course knowing well ahead of time that the title really should have been called what it was; errand boy. Still he remained grateful working during the day and attending school at night. He was content in the fact that not only was he putting money away for his child but was also able to contribute some to the household as well. He turned the door to now his and Keaka's room and walked in closing it behind him. His tired expression relaxed as he took in the sight of his lover. The moonlight cascaded into the room illuminating it brightly. Kurama walked over to the bed and sat down placing a hand first to her cheek before traveling it down to her stomach. As if his presence had been detected the child began to stir and kick against his gentle touch. Kurama smirked rubbing at the spot.
"It's alright my child, I am home." He said placing a gentle kiss against Keaka's swollen abdomen. Kurama watched as an arm or possibly a foot protruded out slightly for a moment and moved across before the baby settled back down. "I understand it's getting difficult for you in there my love. Just be patient.
You will be born soon." He cooed. Keaka's eyelids fluttered open at the sound of his voice.
"Hi." She said sleep coating her speech thickly. "Is that all just a simple 'hi'." Kurama said settling down to lay next to her.
"Well what do you want me to say?" She asked smiling. Kurama shrugged.
"I suppose it will suffice." He replied. "How are you feeling"
"Tired. Very, very tired." She said resting her head against Kurama's shoulder. Kurama wrapped his arms around her tightly holding her close to him. Kurama fought sleep his eyes closing of their own accord when he felt Keaka tremble. He reopened his eyes alarmed.
"Is something wrong?" He asked concerned. He received a heavy sigh in return for his question.
"I've just been thinking a lot is all." She said.
"What about?" Kurama asked.
"This baby, I'm so scared Kurama." She said.
"That's normal Keaka." He stated.
"Yeah but I mean, I'm not scared to have it. We don't know if that was what Karasu really looked like. I guess I'm afraid that our baby is going to be, well a monster." She said softly. Kurama felt his breath hitch and his stomach clench.
"Keaka there is something I haven't told you which I know I should have however I've been putting it off." He said.
"What's that kitsune?" She asked.
"It is about hanyo's." He said.
"Hanyo's"
"Yes. Hanyo is an old demon word for half breed, a being born from the union of a human and demon. For every hanyo born physically attractive there are five whom are born deformed or mentally incompetant." Kurama explained. "So you're saying that even if Karasu wasn't some weird looking demon there's still a possibility that the baby could be." She said. Kurama sighed.
"No matter what this is our child and we will accept it for whom it is." Kurama said. "I'm not worried about us Kurama. I'm worried about the rest of the world." She said. "That is why I'm glad we decided for you to give birth at Genkai's compound away from the city. I believe it will be beneficiary for you to deliver there." Kurama said.
"I talked to Genkai and she agreed that next week would be good for us to start staying there." Keaka said. Kurama nodded in agreement. Silence passed betwen them causing Kurama to glance down. Keaka had fallen back to sleep. Kurama allowed his eyes to close heavily silently praying to Inari that for Keaka's sake the child would be nothing short of perfect.
(((------)))
The scream pierced through the early evening dusk causing birds to flutter away out of their tree perch's. "Why is she screaming like that?" Keiko asked glancing at the door to the room where the baby would be born. "Because she's consciouss." Genkai said walking by quickly before entering the room and closing the door. Botan sat next to Keiko glancing outside at Hiei who stood at the foot of the stairs keeping the barrier in check. In order for him to comply his freedom had been threatended however Botan had the sneaking suspicion that he would have even if it hadn't been. "Hey what kind of a part is this?" Yusuke asked talking his shoes off before walking in. "Yusuke!" Keiko said happily. "Keaka's in labor." "Really? Well it's about time. So how long's she been in there for?" Yusuke asked.
"Three hours so far." Botan replied. "Why you looking so glum chum?" Yusuke asked slapping Kuwabara hard on the shoulder. He stood against the wall with his arms crossed in front of him his face drawn down. He had caught enough of Kurama and Keaka's conversations to know that things could turn bad. He shrugged not saying anything. Inside the room Shizeru sat against the wall watching the scene unfold before her ready to be by her sisters side whatever happened. Kurama sat behind Keaka propping her up to lean against him and gently pushed down on her swollen stomach. Yukina stood at the receiving end being accustomed to child birth from her years on Koorime. Genkai stood against a wall as Shizeru did on the opposite side of the room from her ready to act if needed be. "One, two, three, four, five; again..." Yukina said. Keaka felt her body tremble on it's own as her entire body tensed from her excursions. "Okay relax." Keaka let out a sigh and settled somewhat against Kurama closing her eyes and breathing deeply. Her body was exhausted causing her mind to dull and her surroundings to haze out. Where was that buzzing sound coming from? Another contraction griped her body bringing her back to crystal clairity. "P-push." She said. Yukina nodded. "Oh the head is crowning." She said happily. Keaka pushed hard her eyes closed tightly. "Stop. Stop pushing." Yukina said suddenly. Kurama glanced down past Keaka and gasped. He brought a hand down to rub his childs cheek as Yukina cleared the baby's airway. "Keaka look." He said his voice choking. Keaka shook her head forcefully.
"I have to feel it. I dont wanna have to look too." She said. "Alright Keaka one more little push and you're baby will be born." Yukina said. Keaka nodded her head once baring down gently. She screamed as Yukina pulled the baby out of her body feeling her flesh burn as it ripped. She settled back against Kurama again whimpering softly. Yukina rubbed a warm blanket over the baby her face serious with her mouth drawn down. "What is it?" Keaka asked. Yukina glanced up at her slightly clearing the babys airway some more.
"It's a boy." She said. Shizeru stood up thinking the inevitable question but not wanting to voice it, why wasn't the baby crying? No sooner had the thought crossed her mind the child let out a wail letting his existance to be known. Kurama exhaled forcefully without even realizing he had been holding his breath. Yukina sighed relief and smiled handing him to his mother. Keaka held her child as tears fell down her face.
"oh wow." She said. Kurama stroked the infants cheek as he bellowed.
"See I told you. No matter what he will be perfect." He said. Genkai smiled walking out of the room. She closed the door behind her looking up to be met with eager faces. "It's a boy." She said walking past them.
"Yeah and what else? Does it have five eyes and six horns...what?" Kuwabara asked impatiently. She glanced back at them with a small smirk on her face.
"He has red hair and green eyes." She said walking down the hall grinning even wider at the happy shouts they uttered.