Okay, first off I want to apologize. I've been trying to get a chapter up a day and yesterday, I didn't get to my computer to finish this chapter - but I finished it today! Also, this chapter has parts of a lemony nature - so if you can't stand that kind of stuff, just scroll down to end of the italicized part. If you don't care either way, read it - I'm not so sure about it, seeing as how it's the first love scene I've written. Also also (:P), this chapter takes place six months after chapter four. Also also also, I tried to drop hints about the sex of the baby but then gave up and pretty much told. Well, I'll stop rambling and let you read - Enjoy!:P
It had started with a look. And the rest was history.
Genkai had thrown a party at her temple, inviting their small group. They had sat around, laughing and talking and making fun of Yusuke and Kuwabara whenever they randomly started fighting – it was always over something stupid.
"What was that look for?"
"What look?"
"That look!"
"What look, dumb fuck?"
"I said something about the salted peanuts and ya gave me a look!"
"I didn't give you no damn look, Kuwabara!"
"Oh, it's on, bitch!"
"Let's do this!"
The rest would watch as Yusuke and Kuwabara's fight began, the two slapping at each other's hands frantically with their heads turned as to not get slapped in the face. One would accidentally throw a punch, hitting the other in the face then it really was on.
Shizuru sighed and got up, going to the door.
"Shizuru, where are you going?" Botan asked, watching her open the door.
Shizuru turned and smiled at Botan, her hand on the doorknob.
"I'm just going out for a cigarette."
"You want me to come with you?" She asked, sounding worried. "It's really dark out, you could be attacked –"
"Botan, really it's fine."
"Oh . . . okay."
She smiled at Botan again before walking out the door. She closed the door behind her, inhaling the crisp night air deeply through her nose. She took out her pack of cigarettes, plucking one out and putting it to her lips. She crushed the empty carton and shoved it into her pocket with one hand as she lit the cigarette with the other. She took a slow long drag, a smile on her face that could only be caused by nicotine cravings being satisfied. She walked around to the side of the temple, finishing the cigarette. She dropped the butt to the ground and stepped on it with her toes, crushing it.
She rested against the wall, her eyes closed. She was deep in thought about something unimportant when rustling in the bushes caught her attention. She opened her eyes to see Hiei. He froze like a deer in headlights, staring at her. They stood there a few minutes, just staring directly into the other's eyes, afraid to break contact. He jumped towards her, keeping eye contact.
She drew in a deep breath as he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips against hers hard. The kiss was nice - sloppy and inexperienced yet sexy and dominant. She moaned softly as his tongue darted into her mouth, invading it. His hands slid down her body, caressing her. She moved her head, breaking away to breath. He kissed at her neck, licking at it with his tongue.
She grabbed his hips, tugging at his pants. He groaned against her neck as she cupped him. He began to unzip her pants as she pulled his down to his knees, letting them fall to his ankles on their own. Quickly, his fingers worked at unbuttoning her shirt and exposing her breasts. She gasped as the cold air caused gooseflesh to pop up on the bare skin of her chest. She delved her hands into his hair as he continued to kiss at her neck, his kisses becoming more urgent and intense.
Somehow, he had gotten her pants down and off. He gripped her hips, pulling down her panties with his thumbs. He jerked his own underwear down to his ankles and grabbed her hips tightly, digging his nails into her skin as she wrapped her legs around him and hooking her ankles behind his back.
"You're mine." He whispered right before he sunk his teeth into her neck.
She cried out softly at the pain in her neck, tossing her head to the side. He groaned into her neck as he pushed himself inside her. She gasped, digging her nails into his back as she moaned.
"Oh, Hiei."
He kept a tight grip on her hips as he thrust inside her. He kept his teeth in her neck, licking at the blood that escaped in droplets. She bit her lip, holding onto his shoulders and tilting her head back. He grabbed her wrists, pinning her to the wall. His thrusts began to quicken as he kissed and bit her neck.
He kissed her lips, engulfing them in his. His tongue dived into her mouth to explore it. She poked at his tongue with her own, receiving a low groan from him. He bit her lip, pulling it back then letting it snap back.
Shizuru's body convulsed as Hiei continued to grind his hips against hers, thrusting deep into her. His breath quickened and he closed his eyes tightly, listening to her moan in his ear. He pushed himself deep into her once more before tossing his head back and moaning up at the sky.
He fell against her, letting all his weight on her. The two breathed heavily, their chests heaving as they did so. They were drenched in each other's sweat. Hiei kissed at her neck once more, softly this time.
"What is that?" He whispered, licking at her neck. "You smell like . . . flowers."
"It's a . . . jasmine body wash."
"I love that," He whispered against her skin, kissing her shoulder as his hand slid down the side of her body. "Don't ever stop using it."
He let go of her arms and unlocked her ankles from the small of his back. He grunted, pulling out of her. He yanked his underwear and pants back up, watching her do the same in a way that portrayed that she was in no hurry. They shared one last look with each other before he flitted off.
Shizuru smoothed out her hair then buttoned her shirt, tucking it into her pants. She closed her eyes and breathed in and out slowly, calming herself down. She walked around the corner of the temple, her face neutral as always. She opened the door to see Yusuke lunging at Kuwabara.
"I'll show you a cashew that looks like Jay Leno!" He shouted, his arms reaching out to strangle Kuwabara.
Kuwabara yelped like a frightened Pomeranian, dodging Yusuke. Yusuke flew face first into a wall. Everyone except Shizuru laughed as Yusuke chased Kuwabara around Genkai's temple. Her arms were crossed under her chest and she was staring at nothing. Botan looked at her and her smile slowly faded.
"Shizuru?" she asked, jerking her from her trance. "Are you okay?"
"What?" Shizuru nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Shizuru stared at Botan who seemed to be staring at something on her.
"What're you looking at?"
"Shizuru . . . you're neck's bleeding."
Shizuru sighed at the thought of the act that had taken place six long months ago. She smiled, putting her hands on her bulging pregnant belly. She knew exactly what it was – she wasn't going to tell anyone until she gave birth, she wanted it to be a surprise. A big surprise. She had even hid the ultrasound pictures in a shoebox under her bed in an attempt to keep it away from Hiei.
She smiled at the thought of Hiei. He had made it a habit to 'be in the neighborhood' whenever she had an appointment at the clinic. He also been sleeping in her bed with her every night, an arm draped protectively over her stomach. They still hadn't told Kuwabara yet so his rampage across the city continued as he searched for the 'fuckin' creep that knocked up my sis!'
She felt bad, but she knew that they were still not ready to tell him. She sighed again, closing her closet door to look at herself in the full-length mirror attached to it. Her eyes widened when she saw Hiei slip his hands in through the crack of the window and pushed it open. He smirked at her reflection, jumping in.
"Hello, my love."
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, putting his hands on her pregnant tummy. She looked more beautiful than ever. He smiled at the thought, resting the side of his face on her back. She turned suddenly and smiled as she looked at him.
"Hey, sweetheart."
Hiei lifted her shirt and kissed that round full moon stomach of hers, rubbing it. He whispered sweet things to the child inside her.
"I love you, baby."
Shizuru smiled and ran a hand through his hair as he continued to chant 'I love you' to her stomach. He stopped and looked at her, his seldom smile on his face.
"Do you have any idea what it is?" He asked for the millionth time.
"No, Hiei, I'm not going to tell you."
He groaned and sat on the edge of the bed, bouncing slightly.
"I'm so excited that I really can barely contain myself."
"Relax, you have three more months."
He growled and fell back against the bed, looking up at the ceiling.
"Tell it to hurry up."
"Hiei, I can't 'tell it to hurry up'. This takes time."
He was quiet, lost in thought as he stared at the ceiling. He sighed deeply, his chest heaving. She smiled at him, watching his legs dangle over the side of the bed. She lied down next to him and took his hand.
"You want to feel something cool?"
"Is the baby kicking again?" He asked softly, his voice excited.
She just smiled again and put his hand on her stomach. She enjoyed the feeling of his calloused hand on her smooth stomach, rubbing gently as the kicking in her stomach became more powerful.
"Wow . . ." He whispered.
A soft knock came from the door then the sound of the doorknob rattling. Shizuru and Hiei sat up and looked at the door.
"Shizuru?" Kuwabara's muffled voice came from the other side of the door. "Why's the door locked?"
Hiei helped her up then hid in her closet. She went to the door and opened it, sticking her head out. She smiled at Kuwabara, who stood in front of her with a brown paper bag in his arm and his goofy half smile on his face.
"Did you get it?"
"Yup," He answered, walking into her room when she stepped out of the way for him. "I had to run all over town for this."
He sat down on her bed, setting the bag down next to him. He took out half a watermelon wrapped in saran, three or four large cartons of Chinese food, a jar of pickled green tomatoes and a carton of ice cream. He looked up at her, an eager look of wanting approval on his face. She smiled at him, putting her hands on her stomach. Kuwabara fished a plastic spoon and a pair of chopsticks out of the bag and held them in his hand as he looked at her swollen stomach. He dropped the eating utensils on the bed then looked up at his sister.
"Can I . . .?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
Kuwabara dropped to his knees, walking on them to his sister. He put his ear to her stomach, a large goofy smile on his face.
"Hi, little baby! I'm your uncle Kazuma Kuwabara!"
Kuwabara stumbled and fell back onto the floor when he was kicked in the face by his future niece or nephew. Shizuru laughed as her brother rubbed the side of his face, looking at her stomach.
"Yeah, I probably deserved that." He mumbled.
Hiei watched from the closet, a wide smirk on his face. His body shook from the laughter that rose inside of him, threatening to escape. He was so sure that he was having a boy. Absolutely positive.
"Good job, son!" He thought to himself. "Way to go! You're uncle's an idiot and you figured it out before you're even born."
Hiei watched as Kuwabara hugged Shizuru and she thanked him for the food. He mumbled something that Hiei couldn't hear before leaving the room.
Shizuru locked the door, resting her head against it. She sighed deeply.
"You can come out now."
Hiei slid the door open and stepped out. He eyed the food on the bed, his lip curled at the sight of them.
"Pickled green tomatoes?" He asked, absolutely disgusted.
"Yeah, it's so strange – all these weird cravings I've been having lately. It seems like half of the baby wants something really sweet and then the other half of baby wants something really sour. Like it's two completely different babies."
She smiled at her attempt to drop a hint about what was growing inside of her. Hiei just shrugged, opening a carton of Chinese food. She laughed; she thought the clue was a bit obvious.
"What is this?" He asked, poking at the food inside the carton.
"It should have shrimp in it. If it doesn't, I'm going to be pissed."
Hiei pulled the chopsticks apart and began eating whatever was in the carton. He held up a big piece of shrimp with the chopsticks, holding it out to Shizuru.
"It has shrimp in it."
He popped the shrimp into his mouth as she sat down next to him. She watched him as he continued to eat the shrimp out of the carton.
"Hey, you jerk! That's mine!"
She leaned forward to snatch the carton away from him, struggling when he held it away from her, out of her reach with a smirk on his face.
"You're such a dick!" she laughed. "I'm pregnant and you're going to make me struggle to get some shrimp fried rice?"
"This is really good!" He taunted, jumping away from her. "Oh, too bad you can't get any!"
She attempted to lunge at him, but fell back onto the bed. She smiled at him as he held a shrimp in front of her face. She opened her mouth and let him drop it in. She sat up, propping herself up on her elbows.
"Hiei, are you really excited?"
"Yes, I really can't wait."
He smiled at her, feeding her. She had changed him so much; it was crazy. He felt happy. He hated to put on that rude, uncaring façade whenever the two of them were around her brother and everyone else. All he really wanted was to put his arms around her and nuzzle against her. He looked at her smiling face, sketching it into his mind. She tilted her head to the side, her smiling widening.
"What? What're you thinking about?"
"I love you."
She laughed, tossing her hair back. She grabbed his hand, kissing his knuckles. She entwined her fingers with his and gave his hand a little squeeze.
"I love you, too." She scooted to the edge of the bed and struggled to get up.
Hiei scrambled over to her and jumped off the bed. He stood in front of her, holding out his hands to her. She smiled at him and grabbed his hands. He held onto her tightly, pulling her up onto her feet. Her lips puckered as she leaned towards him. He stood on his toes, giving her a quick peck on the lips.
"Botan's taking me shopping." She stated, stretching. "Wants me to get some last minute things."
"Like what?"
"Like a crib, a stroller, one of those baby swings, a sling."
"A sling?"
"Yeah, it's to carry the baby around. It keeps the baby close to your chest and your arms don't get tired easily from holding the baby."
"Oh . . . Can I come?"
She sighed, shaking her head.
"You know you can't, Hiei."
"Damn it."
"We really should tell my brother soon. I really don't feel good about lying to him."
Hiei crossed his arms over his chest, his normal bored look on his face.
"Don't look at me like that." she said, grabbing her purse from her bedside table. "I hate that. You have such a great smile."
"Hn."
"Oh, stop it." She kissed him on the cheek. "I'll see you later tonight, all right?"
"Hn."
"Hiei, please don't pout. It makes you so irresistible."
"Why can't I come with you?" He whined slightly.
"You know why. I think Kazuma might be catching on."
"But Botan's going to pick things that are pink!" He groaned, flailing his arms. "I don't want my son to have a crib or a stroller or a . . . a . . . What was that thing called?"
"A sling."
"Yes, a sling! I don't want my son to have anything that color."
"What's so wrong with the color pink? Kurama wears pink and you two are best friends."
"There are some people who can work the color pink – Kurama is one of them. My son is not."
"What makes you so sure that we're having a boy? It could be a girl."
"I can tell – he kicked your brother in the face."
"I've kicked my brother in the face. That doesn't make me a boy."
"I can just tell."
"I'm not getting anything just blue or just pink. I'm sticking with neutral colors until I give birth."
"All right, all right."
He climbed onto the windowsill, pushing the window open. He looked back at her and smirked, making a 'come hither' motion with his finger. She laughed, going to him. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. He pulled away, looking at her lips.
"I love you." He said softly. "I'll see you later tonight."
"Bye, sweetheart. I love you too."
He hopped out the window and flitted away. She smiled to herself as she turned towards the door. Her smile faded when she looked at her desk chair. Hiei's cloak was draped over the back of it. She grabbed it quickly and hung it up in back of her closet. She opened her bedroom door, hearing Botan talking to her brother and Yusuke.
Botan smiled at Shizuru when she walked into the living room. She squealed, looking at her best friend's pregnant stomach. Shizuru, Kuwabara, and Yusuke rolled their eyes at her. That was almost what she always did ever since Shizuru started showing; squeal happily, cry tears of joy or rub Shizuru's stomach, gurgling in baby talk.
"Are you ready to go, Botan?"
"Yes." She rubbed Shizuru's stomach, poking at her protruding belly button.
They rolled their eyes again as she began to babble incoherently in baby talk to the stomach.
"Watch out," Kuwabara warned. "The kid's a beast. He kicked me in the face earlier."
"Ha, ha! You deserved it!" Yusuke taunted, poking his friend in the sides.
"Urameshi, I oughta –"
"So, what're you guys going to do all day while we're gone?"
"Probably go out and chill at the park or somethin'."
Shizuru kissed Kuwabara on the cheek then left with Botan.
Botan dragged Shizuru into another store, insisting that she see the pink flowery bassinet the she had seen inside. Shizuru smiled and rolled her eyes, taking a sip of the berry smoothie in her hand.
"You have to see it!" She giggled. "You just have to!"
"Botan, Hiei really hates the color pink. He can't stand it."
"Oh, I know, but you really must see this!"
She pulled Shizuru to the back of the store, giggling as she motioned to the bassinet. Shizuru crossed her arms under her chest, resting them on her stomach. She gave Botan a small smile, her head tilted to the side. She had confided in Botan, telling her the sex of the babies. Yes. Babies.
"Botan, it's only going to fit one of them."
"Oh, I know but I was thinking that –"
"We can't get two. We don't have enough money or space for two. By the way, where are you getting this money anyway?"
"Koenma!" She chirped.
"Botan . . ."
"What? He said it was okay!"
Shizuru opened her mouth to speak when something caught her eye. She turned to see a white bassinet with black lace. She didn't take her eyes off of it as she slightly waddled towards it.
"Shizuru?"
She examined it, her eyes moving up and down as she took it all in. It was big enough to fit two averaged sized babies, it rocked, it had wheels, it had a small tin basket underneath that held things like diapers, bottles, baby wipes.
"Botan, come here!"
Botan scurried over to it and made a slight grimace that twisted up her pretty face.
"It's . . . black."
"It's perfect."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, it's absolutely perfect."
Botan picked up the price tag and smiled her wide chipper smile, throwing up a peace sign.
"It's in our price range!"
Yusuke and Kuwabara walked down the street, their hands in their pockets. They had just been kicked out of the arcade because Kuwabara had started a fight with a guy who had been friends with Shizuru, but hadn't been around since she found out she was pregnant. Kuwabara wasn't listening when the young man continuously shouted "I'm gay, you idiot! I'm gay!"
Yusuke had dragged Kuwabara out before he could throw a punch and get sued for a hate crime. There they were now, completely bored out of their minds. Up ahead, there was a tall girl with short pink hair and sunglasses on looking into a store window. Yusuke snickered and elbowed Kuwabara in the side.
"Hey, check out the hotty!" He joked.
"You shouldn't be looking at other girls, man. What about Keiko?"
Yusuke looked at Kuwabara. He could be so slow at times. Yusuke shrugged and bounded towards the girl, tapping her on the shoulder.
"Hey, pretty lady." He joked through a laugh. "What's up?"
Kuwabara walked up and stood next to Yusuke just as the 'girl' took off her sunglasses. Kuwabara's eyes widened when he saw those familiar calm intense jade green eyes looking at him and Yusuke.
"Ku . . . Kurama?"
Yusuke held his sides, laughing hysterically as he pointed at the embarrassed Kurama. Kuwabara stared at him, dumbfounded.
"What . . . what happened?"
"Yeah, Kurama, what happened?" Yusuke snorted as he laughed.
Kurama glared at Yusuke. He knew damn well what had happened. He had threatened to tell Kuwabara that Hiei was the father of Shizuru's baby and Hiei had snuck into Kurama's room in the middle of the night and had cut his hair off, leaving a girly A-line haircut.
"I decided that I needed a change." Kurama said calmly and clearly, looking at Kuwabara.
"But . . . But you love your hair!"
Yusuke fell to the ground, laughing uncontrollably as he writhed. Kurama wanted nothing more than to kick him right in that sensitive spot between his legs. Kuwabara looked from Yusuke to Kurama, confused beyond belief.
"I don't . . . I don't understand."
"Well, that's a shock!" Yusuke stated as he scrambled to his knees, wiping away tears and holding his sides as his laughter began to die down.
"Shuddup, Urameshi!"
"Yes, please do."
Yusuke's chest shook as he kept his laughter contained inside him. He snorted, his cheeks puffing out. He covered his mouth, letting a small giggle escape. Kurama crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Yusuke through narrowed green eyes.
"Well, Kurama. What happened to you?"
The three turned to see Hiei standing in between Kurama and Kuwabara. Yusuke erupted with short snorting hiccupping laughter. It was all too much; it was killing him!
"I decided that I needed a change, Hiei." He said forcing a smile. "Don't you like it?"
"Oh, as a matter of fact I love it." Hiei answered with a smirk on his face. "Kudos to your stylist."
"I am so confused." Kuwabara mumbled.
"Well, surprise, surprise." Hiei rolled his eyes.
"Shrimp, I will kick the shit outta you!"
"Ew, dude!" Yusuke giggled, his face red. "That's so gross."
"I'm dead serious. I'll freakin' kill 'im!"
"You might not want to." Kurama warned in his cool calm soft voice. "I'm sure there's a certain someone that would be devastated if you did."
Hiei shot Kurama a death glare, his lip curled in anger.
"I will shave your head!" Hiei thought evilly, hoping his glare would make Kurama's head explode.
"Ya mean Botan?"
The three stared at Kuwabara, who looked at them with a confused look as his eyes darted from one to the other. Yusuke covered his mouth to stifle another fit of giggles as he stared at the horrified opened mouth look on Hiei's face. Kurama tried to hide a smile behind his hand. Hiei stared up at Kuwabara, his eyes wide and mouth open in horrified shock.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Yeah, aren't you two together?" Kuwabara asked, tilting his head to the side. He looked like a confused mentally challenged puppy. "I mean, you two are always together, hangin' around with my sister."
Yusuke and Kurama began laughing again and Hiei glared at them, baring his teeth.
"Shut up." He growled. "I will kill you."
Botan helped Shizuru shove the boxed double stroller into the back of her closet, alongside the boxed bassinet. Shizuru wiped her forehead, breathing heavily.
"I really shouldn't be doing this." She laughed.
Botan giggled as she started to close the closet door. She stopped as something caught her eye. She reached in and grabbed Hiei's cloak, pulling it out. She swung it around, holding it on a hooked finger. She giggled, looking at Shizuru.
"What's this, Shizuru?"
"Nothing!"
She smiled, trying to swipe the cloak away from her friend. Botan jumped back, laughing.
"So, this is why he doesn't wear his cloak that much anymore." She jumped out of the way as Shizuru tried to jump at her. "Does he forget this here a lot?"
"C'mon, Botan!" Shizuru laughed. "Don't make me do this – I'm pregnant!"
"Like that's any excuse!"
Shizuru snatched the cloak from Botan and folded it over her arms, a smile on her face. Botan crossed her arms over her chest, popping a hip out and putting her weight on one foot. She smiled at the look on her friend's face.
"Oh . . . you two really love each other, don't you?"
"Yeah." She sighed, sitting down on her bed. "Botan, I can't wait."
"I can't believe you haven't told your brother yet!" Botan exclaimed, sitting down next to Shizuru. "He's going to kill Hiei . . . or at least try to."
"I know, I know." Shizuru sighed again, running her hands through her hair. "I just can't . . ."
"Why not? He's not only going to be angry with Hiei, but he's going to be very angry with you. Not to mention hurt. He might not trust you for a while."
"Oh, God. I know . . . I don't want to hurt Kazuma. He's always left in the dark . . . But he's not only going to be mad at me and Hiei – he's going to be mad at you, at Kurama, at Yusuke."
"At me? What –"
"You guys knew and you didn't tell him. You three are accomplices."
"You're right . . . Oh!"
Botan put a hand on Shizuru's shoulders, turning her towards her. Shizuru looked confused as Botan smiled widely, giggling.
"Tell him at the baby shower!"
"B – baby shower? What – Botan, we can't have a baby shower. We don't –"
"Genkai said we could have it at her temple! She actually suggested it! Oh, Shizuru, Genkai's really excited about this."
"Okay . . . as long as she's okay with this."
"She is, don't worry."
"No stupid little games, okay?" Shizuru pointed a warning finger at Botan. "I mean, no games."
"All right, all right."
Shizuru winced as she felt an intense kick from her stomach. Botan squealed and put her hands on her friend's stomach.
"Oh, my god! Oh, my god!" She chanted, feeling the foot against her palm.
Hiei snuck into the bedroom, looking around. It was empty and dark, haunting. He wondered where she was; she was usually in bed by then, waiting for him. He hopped into the room, silently closing the window behind him. He heard water running and knew that she must have been in the shower. He opened the bedroom door a crack and peeked out, just to make sure. He knew that Kuwabara was staying at Yusuke's that night, but he still wanted to make sure.
He stepped out of the room and raised his hand to knock on the bathroom door. He lowered his hand, hearing Shizuru singing softly inside. He put his hand on the doorknob and turned, smirking when he found out it wasn't locked. He stepped in and was surrounded by steam and that wonderful jasmine scent of hers, clouding around him. He quietly closed the door behind him and sat on the top of the toilet, listening to Shizuru sing.
" . . . I want to walk in the open wind I want to talk like lovers do I want to dive into your ocean Is it raining with you . . ."
He smiled, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hand. She had such a beautiful voice. He marveled at how much he had changed – before, he wouldn't have care whether she had a heavenly singing voice or if she sounded like a dying cat. Well, maybe he would have – if her dying cat voice irritated him.
The rushing water of the shower stopped and the shower curtain was pulled back. Shizuru's eyes widened when she saw him sitting there. He smirked at her and straightened up.
"Hello, lover."
"What're you doing here?" She asked, sounding surprised to see him.
"I sleep here at night."
"Really? In the bathroom?"
"You know what I meant."
She laughed and grabbed her towel from the towel rack. He watched her dry off, his eyes watching and envying every single little water droplet that skied down her body.
"You are so beautiful." He whispered.
She laughed and wrapped her hair up in the towel. She put her bathrobe on, smiling at him as she tied the sash. She leaned towards him to kiss him on the nose but he bounced up and kissed her on the lips, retrieving a surprised giggle from her.
"Can't you sleep naked tonight?" He asked from his side of the bed, watching her search for a nightgown in her dresser.
She gave him a look, her eyebrows quirked and joking smile on her face.
"No, why?"
"You have such a beautiful body."
"You mean I did have such a beautiful body." She mumbled. "The pregnancy has done an number on me."
"Oh, shut up and take the compliment." He playfully snapped, smirking at her.
"You're lucky that I love you." She warned.
"Just get in here." He stated. "No nightgown, no pajamas. Just get in here."
She laughed and crawled into bed with him. She turned the light off and snuggled with him the way they snuggled every night; their legs entwined, her arm over his neck, his arm over her pregnant stomach.
"I love you." He whispered, closing his eyes. "I love you so much, Shizuru."
"I love you, too."
"Do you want to know something strange that your idiot brother thought?"
"Was it about flying space cats?"
"No, it was about Botan and I."
"What about you and Botan?"
"He thought the two of us were together."
She laughed, kissing his cheek. He smiled at her in the dark, nuzzling against her neck and biting softly. She giggled again, pushing his head away.
"Stop that. Last time you kissed my neck like that was six months ago and look at me now – I'm pregnant."
"Don't tell me what to do." He mumbled against her skin, his lips brushing against her shoulder.
He opened his mouth wide, his chin touching her collarbone. He sunk his teeth into her neck, groaning as the taste of her blood dribbled into his mouth. She gasped, biting her lip. She tried to pull away but he held her close.
"Hiei . . . Hiei, stop." She whispered. "We can't . . . we can't."
He lapped up the droplets of blood from her neck, growling. He let of her and rolled over onto his back, looking up into the darkness of the room. She rested her head on his shoulder, sighing.
"I'm really sorry, but we really can't do that. Not while I'm pregnant and not for two weeks after, I think."
She kissed his jaw and he sighed, closing his eyes.
"I'm sorry." He muttered. "I love you. Good night."
"It's all right and I love you, too. Good night, sweetheart."