Ryuu tou Taiga 2

Ryuuji was exhausted. Dealing with a pregnant Taiga was not the easiest thing in the world, and even after seven years of knowing her, Ryuuji still had yet to get fully used to the insanity of living with her. He still had to cook dinner for her, which was equivalent to cooking for about eight normal people. He hoped that their baby would not inherit Taiga's eating habits, it cost enough to keep Taiga full without another insane eater.

As he put the rice in the cooker, he glanced over to where Taiga was curled up on a chair as normal. She was sleeping, as she often seemed to do when waiting for food. She had her arms wrapped protectively around her now very prominent stomach. The image made Ryuuji smile. This was how he put up with his life, this was what made it all good for him. That, and the occasions when Taiga was in a good mood. Then she could be very sweet.

Taiga was eventually woken by the phone ringing. She had been having such a nice dream too. She had been served all her favourite foods by Ryuuji, and had been allowed to eat it all herself. It was delicious, and she was somewhat unhappy to be woken. She heard Ryuuji answer the phone. He then looked over at her, "Taiga, it's for you."

Taiga pulled herself out of her chair. At six months, she was showing clearly, and it was getting to the point of being difficult to do a lot of normal things. She was also getting tired easily, hence her pre-dinner nap. She took the receiver from Ryuuji, then sat back down in her chair putting the phone to her ear.

"Hello."

"Hi Taiga!" Minori's excited voice cam through the receiver.

"Minorin, it's been a while."

"Yeah, I just got back from my big away match. I thought I should call to see how you are."

"Not so bad, all things considered. How'd the match go?"

"We thrashed them! We won by eight runs. They won't forget their defeat at the hands of Tokyo soon."

"That's great Minorin," Taiga humoured her friend. Minori tended to be a bit over-the-top when it came to her baseball team. "So how's the stupid Chihuahua?"

"Taiga, don't be so rude about my girlfriend." Taiga still could not believe that Minori, her best friend, and Ami, the person she had most contempt for, had ended up as a couple. She had never had a clue that either of them was bisexual until they told everybody that they were dating.

"You two may be dating, but that doesn't mean that I like her."

"Anyway, she's doing fine. She had some work off somewhere else at the same time as my trip, so we didn't really miss each other much."

"Well give her my regards, and tell me whether she believes you when you give them."

"Taiga, don't be mean. Ami thinks you a very good friend."

"Yeah right," Taiga wondered whether Minori was really that stupid that she did not notice the animosity between her and Ami, or if she was deliberately being an airhead again.

"Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to meet up some time."

Taiga thought about it for a moment, before replying, "If you're free tomorrow, then we could meet up and go to that restaurant, Jonny's for lunch. Ryuuji's out anyway, so he won't be able to cook for me."

"Okay. Ami's out as well, so I'm free, see you at... one o'clock do?"

"Okay then, see ya."

Taiga hung up, and looked over to where Ryuuji was finishing putting the dinner on the table. All thoughts in Taiga's head were immediately replaced by 'food.'

Taiga leaned back in her chair after eating, letting out a yawn. She was tired again. She knew it would be okay to fall asleep just there: Ryuuji would carry her to bed later if need be, she was always a light girl, even with the baby.

Ryuuji sighed happily as he watched her while clearing up after the meal. He briefly wondered about how long it would be until they had to shop for all the requirements for the baby. That would have to wait until they found out the gender though. They were due for another scan in a couple of weeks, when they should find it out.

As he finished cleaning up, he looked at Taiga again. She was fast asleep again. He walked over to her, and carefully slipped his hands under her, and lifted her up to his chest. Holding her tightly, he took her through to their bedroom, and gently lay her on the bed. As he put her down, she curled up into a ball, bringing her knees up to her stomach, and wrapping her arms around herself. Ryuuji smiled at her sleeping form, as he pulled the covers up over her.

As he left the room, he heard her mutter something, very quietly, "Ryuuji... love you."

He smirked and turned back, looking at the beautiful face that he loved so much. "Love you too, Taiga." He left the room to sort out his things for the next day. He was going to meet up with Yusaku. They had not seen much of each other much since they had each married, as Yusaku, who had eventually found and married Kano, and they now lived together in America, with the couple coming back to Japan every so often to see their old friends. This time, Yusaku was coming by himself though, as Sumire's work was getting very heavy.

Ryuuji eventually finished his preparations, and went back to the bedroom. He took of his trousers and jumper, then climbed in next to Taiga. He put an arm around the curled up girl next to him. He felt her shift slightly, to be closer to him. He whispered to her "Good night Taiga."

He heard her quiet reply, "Good night, Ryuuji."

A/N: Please review.

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