Hello everyone! This fanfic sure has gotten long...Its like never ending :/ Anyways. I'm loving all the support I get from everyone. Often your PMs and reviews really brighten up my day. Anways a bit of random news. I'm college visiting this weekend so I'll still try to update from a hotel room possibly? Anways I thought that was so exciting.

Cheers xoxo

Chapter 30: Woman's fight

Usui ran his fingers through his hair. Parts of his armor were strewn across the hall while he sat in a chair right outside the door.

"Would my lordship care for a bath?" Honoka asked. Surely the Duke was exhausted.

"No...I can't go anywhere until I know Misaki is alright" Usui said.

"This could be all night" Honoka warned. "My lord should wash up and rest so he has strength to tend to the Duchess later"

Usui couldn't tear his gaze from the closed door. "I can't just leave..."

"I will have a bath set up in this hall then" Honoka said departing. Servants brought a screen and a steaming tub. Usui finally gave in. He stripped off his clothing and stepped into the warm water. He washed quickly and changed into the simple tunic and breeches.

Honoka had a table set up with food and drink. Usui couldn't swallow any food but downed three goblets of wine quickly, his throat burned from the alcohol but he didn't mind.

Inside the bedchamber Satsuki shook her head. Misaki was bleeding heavier now.

"Where is the medicine?" she asked the doctor.

"I had my assistant brew it" the doctor replied. "It should be ready by now"

"I shall fetch it" Erika said rushing off.

Satsuki turned to attention to Misaki. "My poor child" she consoled.

"Is...it bad?" Misaki rasped.

"Tis still manageable" Satsuki said. She didn't want Misaki to worry more than she had to. So far it wasn't life threatening.

"...before...I die-"

"None of that" Satsuki said gently. "You will not die"

"I feel...like...I am..." Misaki whispered. A tear escaped the corner of her eye. She didn't want to die. There was still so many things to do. Misaki couldn't bear leaving her two children without a mother.

"Hush child" Satsuki soothed. She wiped the tear away.

"Here is the medicine!" Erika announced. She quickly brought the bowl over.

"My lady, you must drink. It will help" Erika coaxed. Misaki took a sip of the bitter liquid. She shook her head.

"No..." she murmured.

"You must" Erika said. "Your body needs the nutrition."

Misaki swallowed another spoonful of the bitter concoction. Erika quickly blew on the broth and fed it to Misaki.

Misaki jerked to the side. She screamed. "Satsuki! It's hurts!" Misaki yelled. Her body tensed up as she coughed up the medicine that Erika had so painstakingly fed her.

"Misaki!" Sakura exclaimed.

"She can't hold anything down" Erika said.

"We have to try again" Satsuki said. "Her body needs to have the broth or else..." Satsuki shook her head. "Try again" she ordered Erika.

Sakura wiped Misaki's face. "Stay strong"

"...Takumi..." Misaki whispered. Her voice had become too weak for anyone to hear.

Satsuki checked on Misaki again. "Soon" she promised. "Now we begin the real work"

Misaki mustered up all her strength yelled a very unladylike word as loud as she could. Everyone including the Doctor winced at the crude language.

"It's alright" Satsuki amended. "The babies are coming soon"

Usui was on the verge of pulling his hair out when he heard a curse ring out of the room. Usui almost smiled. His Misaki never changes...

There was a horrible scream followed by silence. Usui's heart skipped a beat when the door opened. Honoka, Erika, the doctor, and Satsuki filed out. Everyone looked exhausted. They all dropped to their knees and bowed.

"All hail Duke Usui!" they chorused. "Congratulations on the birth of your son and daughter!"

"Thank God!" Usui yelled, as he bolted into the bedchamber. He grabbed Misaki's hand. "Misaki Misaki" he kept saying over and over. Misaki's lips lifted slightly. Usui knew it was a smile.

"Duke Usui" Sakura and Shizuko greeted. They dipped a tiny curtsy.

"Your son and daughter" Sakura giggled. Both girls had a bundle in their arms. Usui didn't even know what to say. He had not one but TWO children now.

"Oh they're beautiful" Usui said, holding each one. "Misaki, you are amazing" Usui said kissing his wife's hand.

Satsuki came in with a bowl of soup. "Duke Usui" she chirped. "You better love the Duchess right for she just bore you two children at once. First time I ever birthed twins for anyone"

Usui took the bowl from Satsuki. "I will love her for the rest of my life" he promised. Satsuki fluffed out several pillows to prop Misaki up. Her and Erika quickly began cleaning up the room.

"Perhaps it would be best to move to a different room" Usui suggested.

"Indeed" Honoka said, coming into the bedchamber. "I have prepared the other room. I hope it is to your liking"

"Thank you" Usui said handing her the bowl. He carefully picked Misaki up and carried her down the hall. Erika followed with a basin of hot water and a clean nightgown draped over her arm. Misaki had a quick sponge bath and changed into clean clothes. Erika brushed out the tangles in her hair and Usui sat at the bedside with the bowl of soup.

Usui's eyes were gentle and full of light. If Misaki had anymore energy she would laugh. But for now she was content with sipping the delicious soup Usui hand fed her. The flavor was a mixture of meat and fresh vegetables.

"Is everything fine with the troops?" Misaki asked.

"I have to all taken care of" Usui reassured her. "You can rest and recover now"

Misaki smiled. "Never want to go through that again..."

"You gave me an heir" Usui said.

"...and a daughter" Misaki added. "I want to raise both of them equally" she continued. "Women deserve-"

"Yes yes" Usui said, setting the empty bowl on the nightstand. "What wouldn't I give for a second Misaki? One beautiful and smart like her mother"

Misaki looked away. Usui grinned.

"Time to sleep my lady" he said, helping her lie down. "I'll see you when you wake up" he whispered. He pressed his warm lips to Misaki's forehead.

"I love you"

"I love you too" Misaki murmured. Her eyes already closing. Usui's face blurred as she drifted off into a deep slumber.

Misaki had never been ill for a day in her life but now she spending the entire day in bed. Misaki was propped up by many pillows as Sakura and Shizuko all sat on the bed. Misaki cradled her son in her arms.

"He's going to look like Takumi" Misaki said, smiling.

"Really?" Sakura asked. "I think he looks more like Misaki. Both are fair haired though" Sakura added.

"But they have those beautiful gold eyes" Shizuko cooed. "I can't wait until their eyes always stay open"

Misaki laughed. "They are my precious angels"

"Has Takumi decided on names?" Sakura asked

"What of their nurse?" Shizuko added.

"Takumi says he will definitely decide today upon the names" Misaki told them. "As for the nurse...I believe Honoka found a very good one. She arrives today"

"Oh good" Shizuko said. She took Misaki's son into her arms so Misaki could hold her daughter.

"Both my children will be well educated" Misaki said firmly. "Especially my daughter. Women must learn to fight such oppression"

"I'm sure the Duke won't mind" Sakura said smiling. "He could hardly say no to you before and absolutely won't now. Not after having two children"

Misaki laughed. "Perhaps you two could teach her the way of the needle?"

Sakura squealed. "I can't wait!" she exclaimed. "I am her godmother after all"

Misaki examined the beautiful blanket her baby was wrapped around in. The girl's blanket was embroidered with lavender water lilies and forest green lily pads. The boy's had sparrows and autumn leaves. The bright orange leaves had tinges of gold thread.

"Misaki do not worry about anything for the babies" Shizuko said. "We have blankets, clothes, pillows and anything else you can think of...Sakura had already started the baby bonnets"

"I can't help myself" Sakura giggled. "I just want to make everything for them. They are so precious"

There was a knock on the door.

"Misaki" Usui called. "Am I interrupting?"

"Of course not" Misaki replied. Sakura and Shizuko got off the bed and dipped a small curtsy.

"What is it?" Misaki asked.

"I wanted to see you and the children" Usui said causally. "But I also decided on the names."

Misaki smiled. "Enlighten us" she said.

"Our son shall be Usui Hiro" he announced.

"And the girl?!" Sakura asked. The name sounded so beautiful.

"Usui Harumi" Usui told them.

"Hiro and Harumi" Misaki said. "It's perfect"

"I'm glad you like them" Usui said.

"Perhaps we should give my lord and lady some privacy" Shizuko said.

Misaki nodded. "Very well then," she said handing Harumi to Sakura.

The two dipped around curtsy and departed.

Usui tucked a lock of hair behind Misaki's ear. "How are you feeling?" he inquired.

"Quite well. Much better actually"

"That's good" Usui said. "I hope you know this isn't a small event"

Misaki groaned. "Please not a ball..." she begged.

Usui squeezed her hand. "There will be a banquet" he admitted. "And grandfather and your mother and written me letters to visit"

"Mother?" Misaki asked. "When?!" she asked excitedly.

"I sent for them in a few weeks" Usui told her. "They may stay here until the banquet"

"We certainly are going to have a full house" Misaki remarked.

"Tis a time for celebration" Usui said. "The more the merrier"

"Takumi?"

"Yes sweetheart?"

"...I'm glad to be alive"

Usui grinned. "As am I" he told her.

"Were you frightened?"

"Terrified" he said.

"Are you happy?"

"Overjoyed" Usui said. "I never really expected to want a family so much. I always assume perhaps one day Grandfather would force a bride upon me and we'd simply have a family just to continue the lineage"

"So it's more than that with us..."

"Much more" Usui said. "There's love, trust, more love and most all...you"

Misaki blushed. "I see..." she said. "How long am I confined to bed?" Misaki asked, changing the topic.

Usui smirked. "You my lady will be resting for at least a week and possibly more"

Misaki frowned.

"I will not change my answer" Usui said putting a finger to Misaki's lips. "Don't even try to use those beautiful eyes against me"

Misaki sighed. Usui wasn't going to budge on this one.

Time passed quickly though. The twin's nurse arrived the next morning. She was a tall slender woman with long dark hair that was swept out of her face into a ponytail. She wore a crisp black dress with a white bonnet.

"Duke Usui, Duchess Usui" she said, bowing. "My name is Subaru. I hope to serve my lord and lady well. I swear my loyalty to the Usui household and promise to dedicate my life to your precious children"

Misaki and Usui were sitting in the study. Honoka stood to Misaki's side. Honoka knew Subaru from her hometown and assured Usui that Subaru would make a wonderful nurse.

"Rise" Usui said. "Honoka has praised your child rearing skills"

"Thank you, my lord" Subaru said. "I grew up in a household of six and have a daughter of my own."

"I will be entrusting my son and daughter to you then" Usui said. "Honoka?"

"Yes my lord" Honoka smiled at her friend and showed her to her room.

At night Misaki poured water into the basin. She quickly washed her face and brushed out her hair for bed. She liked Subaru. Misaki saw how gentle and sweet the woman was. Misaki smiled to herself as she set the brush down.

Misaki felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist."Takumi" she greeted, looking up into those emerald eyes. .

"Misaki" Usui said bluntly. "I hope your feeling well because you're not sleeping tonight"

Misaki felt her cheeks flush. "Don't say such strange things!" she exclaimed.

"Oh I'm not" Usui said, pulling her closer. "I believe I made a promise to you a long time ago" he said.

Misaki swallowed. "I do not remember"

"I promised that I will be interested in no other woman in my bed but you..." he whispered.

Misaki tried to pull away. "I-I..." she stuttered. Usui turned her around and captured her mouth with his. His kiss was demanding. His hand snaked up behind her head and deepened the kiss. Misaki began feeling that lightheaded feeling. Her fingertips to her toes were flooded with warmth.

Usui swept her up and deposited her onto the bed.

"Too long..." he said.

"I thought you said you could do without a while" Misaki accused. Usui smirked.

"Oh I have endured it..." Usui said. "But I'm at my breaking point now..." he warned. His lips left burning paths along her neck and to her collarbone. Misaki's breath hitched as he pinned her wrists above her head.

"What are you feeling?" Misaki asked curiously.

"Like a starved madman" Usui teased. "I plan to have my fill tonight though"

Misaki wrapped her arm around his neck and kissed him again. "So I see..."