I woke up in the morning, as the sun was just barely rising. I snuggled deeper into the feathered pillow, enjoying the softness. Kurama wrapped his arms around my massive belly and pulled me against his chest. I giggled.

"Good morning," he murmured, nuzzling my neck. I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling.

"Mmm. Morning." I replied, placing my hand on his. I traced the nerves in his hand, feeling the blood pumping through them. I brought his hand to my lips, and kissed the back.

"I like this," he said, his voice so quiet it barely seemed to disturb the silence of the morning. "I didn't realize how much I missed waking up next to you."

"Sorry." I was beginning to feel guilty about leaving with no word, but my trip certainly had been productive. No one could deny that.

Kurama didn't say anything. I felt his lips press again my neck, then his teeth. I pulled away from his mouth as his touch began to tickle.

"Hey!" I said, as he trapped my arms, rendering me helpless. "No fair!"

"All's fair in love and war."

I settled down as I contemplated that comment. Was all fair in love and war? If someone cheated on their significant other, was that fair? And was Otome's devouring of these poor girls fair?

It was difficult to remember that I was also one of the girls that Otome wanted to eat. But I wasn't going to let him. No way.

"Kurama," I asked in a normal voice, breaking the peaceful quiet. "We haven't visited her in a long time, have we?"

"Hmmm? Who?" Kurama was intrigued by my question. His arms loosened, and I was able to roll over to face him.

"Shiori. Your mother." Kurama's mother, Shiori, Kurama's stepfamily had moved out of Tokyo a little bit after Kurama and I had gotten married. I never quite understood their reason for moving. Shiori had said that Tokyo had become to noisy for her liking. Shiori's husband had said it was because they didn't want to intrude on us. I didn't know whose answer to trust. I also wondered what Shiori was going to do when she saw my baby for the first time. What if the baby looked nothing like a human?

**************

I watched the scenery pass by, similar to the train trip back from Hiroshima, except this time we were in a car, and I was with Kurama.

Shiori only lived in Urawa, which was a few hours drive from Tokyo. I felt at peace in the car, listening to J-pop. Safe. Maybe it was because this car could out-power a monster truck. Or maybe it was Kurama's fingers intertwined with mine. Whatever it was, I was grateful for it.

Shiori was delighted to see us. "Look at how big you've gotten!" She cried when she saw me. She touched one of her hands against my stomach, and I willed the baby to kick, just so she would be happy. Luckily, the baby obeyed my mental wish. Shiori laughed with delight. She ushered us into her house, and pranced to the kitchen to serve us tea.

I had always felt slightly awkward around Kurama's stepfamily. I had a hard time remembering his stepfather's name, but his stepbrother shared his human name. They were a kind enough lot. Too kind in fact - hence the awkwardness. I mean, I may be pregnant, but I was still capable of doing some things by myself. But none of Kurama's family would let me. It was taking chivalry to a fault.

"So…" Kurama said, trying to break the awkward silence, "how's school going, Shuichi?"

Shuichi made a face, and Kurama laughed. I didn't think Shuichi's father seemed to appreciate that much. I smiled, the first non-awkward moment I had had since coming here. I enjoyed it, although I knew it wouldn't last.

Shirori came back with tea, and sat down to talk with us. I tried to listen as she chatted on about her job, but I found my attention wandering. I hoped Kurama's family wouldn't notice, because it was rather rude of me. I pressed a hand to my stomach, feeling the baby kick, just thinking.

Something was wrong. I could feel it, like there was a snake twisting and writhing in my gut. It felt like I was watching a horror movie, and the diminished chords in the music were a promise that something very violent was about to happen.

I shot to my feet, and everyone's eyes flashed to me in alarm. I was gasping for breath now.

"Kurama…" Was all I had time to say before the glass window behind me shattered.

I screamed, throwing myself to the ground and covering my head. Arms seized me around my waist, and I felt momentarily reassured, before I realized that it wasn't Kurama's touch. I tried to scream again, but a wad of cloth was shoved into my mouth. I almost gagged. Something cold and metal clamped around my wrist, and suddenly, I felt as if all my energy had been drained from me. My vision dulled and my scent of smell felt like it had been shut off. I couldn't feel Kurama's aura, or any aura at all, and the din around me was just noise; I couldn't pick out individual sounds. My whole body felt like an electrical wire that had been cut, so that the electricity had been instantly vanished. It was an awful feeling. It felt like I was human again.

The baby viciously kicked into my ribs, showing that it didn't appreciate the loss of power either. But I didn't have enough strength to fight back anymore. I was dimly aware of being dragged backwards, through the broken window, and across the grass lawn. I was pulled into some sort of vehicle, and the cloth was removed from my mouth. Instead, another cloth was pressed against my mouth, smelling sickly sweet. I breathed it in, even though my instincts were screaming at me not to. The world around me was growing blurry, and I…I was…

I have forgotten Kurama's stepfather's name (if it was ever mentioned) and I think his stepbrother's is Shuichi, like him...But I don't remember for sure. Anyone know?