They arrived home a short time later.
"Hey," a familiar voice called.
They looked up to find Kurama waving at them, Ami smiling shyly beside him.
Nanami smiled, waving back, "Hey you two. What brings you here?"
"Lord Mikage asked if we would like to help out with the festival," Ami said, hugging her friend.
"So where have you been," Kurama asked, putting his arm on Tomoe's shoulder.
Tomoe had long since accepted the crow's friendship but it annoyed him how he was so informal.
He looked to Nanami who was excitedly speaking to Ami, remembering their discussion on the way home.
"I think we should wait to tell the others until I'm further along," she had told him.
He had agreed, "Yes it would be best."
He shifted the Tengu's arm off of his shoulder, "We had to go into town. Nanami wanted to take a break from the festival preparations."
Kurama smirked, "Since when do you let anyone take a break when it comes to the shrine?"
His grin grew, "I see you two finally gave into your needs."
Tomoe bristled, ready to let loose a barrage of fox fire on the crow for trying to mettle in his and Nanami's affairs but then he over heard the girls.
"Will you be dancing again," Ami asked.
"Y...," Nanami began but Tomoe stepped in.
"No she will not. She will be resting and watching," he said, walking up to them.
Nanami glared at him, "Yes I will. Tomoe has been teaching me a new dance and I can't wait to see what everyone thinks."
Kurama snickered, "Ouch, trouble in the bedroom?"
Tomoe huffed, sending a blaze of fox fire at the crow then went into the shrine.
After Ami and Kurama left Tomoe and Nanami informed everyone at the shrine of their news.
"That's wonderful," Mikage cried, embracing Nanami. He clasped his hands together and happily exclaimed, "I'm a grandfather oh happy day."
The Will-O-Wisp sprites danced happily around them while little Mamoru also danced on Nanami's shoulder.
Mizuki sat in the corner watching the excitement not feeling at all like being happy.
Nanami saw this from her familiar and walked up to him. She sat next to him, bringing her knees up to her chin, "Hey Mizuki what are you thinking about?"
He shrugged, pouring himself some sake, "Knowing that I am no longer needed and before long I will be kicked out."
Nanami smiled, "Now what would give you that idea?"
He shrugged.
She placed a hand on his shoulder, "My sweet Mizuki, you are needed and you are wanted. You are family. My family. Is it because you think the twins will push you out."
He nodded.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, "They will never do that. They will adore you because you are Uncle Mizuki."
The man smiled, "Really?"
She nodded, and with a giggle she looked at Tomoe who was still being coddled by Mikage, "Between you and me I want you to be the one to teach them to be mischievous like foxes are supposed to be."
Mizuki smiled broadly, "It would be my pleasure."
He shifted into his serpent form and wrapped himself around her arm and slithered up to encircle her neck.
She patted him and stood, walking them over to enjoy the celebration.
That night Tomoe and Nanami looked over the photograph. Tomoe sat against some pillows on the futon while Nanami lay with her head in his lap.
"I wish you would reconsider the dance," he said stroking her hair and allowing it to slide through his fingers.
"I'll be fine. Besides it will be good exercise."
He smirked, bringing a bit of her hair to his lips, "I can provide you with all the exercise you need."
She giggled, "I swear, that's all we ever do."
"Are you complaining?"
He slid out from under her head and crawled on top of her, supporting himself on his arms.
"Most certainly not," she smiled as he kissed her hungrily.
The two rolled in bliss in each other's arms the rest of the night until exhaustion dragging them down to slumber.
Tomoe woke some time later so he lay watching the woman he loved doze peacefully against him, her naked body covered in tiny love bites.
He smiled knowing that he would be the only one to know her so intimately.
His eyes fell to her stomach noticing the small lump that formed just below her belly button.
He sat up, placing his hand protectively over it.
"My children. Mine and Nanami's," he thought, a smile of awe crossing his lips. "No matter what may come, I will always be there for you and your mother. I will be sure to make you all as happy as you have made me."
He kissed the soft mound then lay next to his mate, holding her close.
The day of the festival arrived and the shrine as well as the grounds were brimming with people from all over.
Nanami looked out over the vast sea of patrons, smiling.
"I've never seen so many people," she said. "Even mine wasn't this big."
Tomoe put the last few touches on her kimono and hair before hugging her, "It is because there are now two gods here and thus more wishes are being granted."
She placed her hands on top of his arms enjoying their moment before she had to go on stage. He always calmed her when her nerves would charge in.
He nuzzled his nose into her hair, sensing her anxiety, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine though a bit dizzy."
"You don't have to you know."
She stepped from his arms, turning to face him as she drew herself into his chest, "I know but we worked so hard and I don't want to disappoint Mikage."
He smirked, "You know very well he will understand and besides you could always ditch and we could go have our own fun."
She giggled as he proceeded to nibble at her neck.
"Tomoe..."
There was a knock at the door as the Will-o-Wisp sprites entered, "It's time Lady Nanami."
"I'll be right there."
Tomoe sighed, "I suppose I should let you go." He placed his right hand over her stomach, his fingers spread to hold his children, "I have to say I'm jealous they get to join you and I can't."
She smiled placing her hands over his, "You can always join us."
He smiled, shaking his head and leading her to the stage, "This is your time to shine."
He kissed her forehead then disappeared.
Nanami stepped out onto the stage in a flowing white silk kimono, her face shielded by a wagasa.
As the music began the crowd quieted.
She moved her body to the tempo making it appear as though the butterflies and flowers embroidered onto the kimono were coming to life with every sway.
Tomoe reappeared, lounging on the branches of a nearby tree to watch her, her body enticing him so much he forgot about his pipe that he held in his hand.
He smiled as the people below whispered praise for his mate.
"She is quite beautiful," he heard next to him.
He was drawn from his thoughts so quickly he nearly fell from his perch.
Kurama laughed as he alighted on the branch next to him, his wings shuffling as they closed, "Wow never thought I'd catch you off guard."
"What do you want crow?"
"Oh nothing...just admiring your woman."
"Well you may stop," he growled.
"Relax. I wouldn't dream of taking a woman who has already been claimed. So...when is she due?"
Tomoe sat up quickly nearly smacking his head off the branch above him, agitation gripping his voice, "What are you talking about? Due what?"
Kurama smiled, "I'm just asking. Have you forgotten I've spent nineteen years in the mundane world. I've come to notice things about girls that only happen when they are going through some change in their lives."
Tomoe looked down at Nanami feeling bitter for knowing that Kurama knew their secret.
"I swore I wouldn't say a word to anyone. We want to keep it a secret until she is further along so I will say we will make a formal announcement in a few months."
"Why so long?"
Tomoe tried to take a drag on his pipe and realized it had gone out, "As you know it is forbidden for yokai and humans to raise families together and those that do conceive will often miscarry. Nanami doesn't want to burden anyone if that happens."
Kurama folded his arms over his chest, leaning against the trunk of the tree, "I see but she should know by now that she can never be a burden. She's been there for us more than we could ever imagine being there for her."
"Yes but we are taking everything day by day. Always on guard as we are committing a heavy infraction on the human-yokai boundary line."
Kurama scratched the back of his head, looking down at Ami who was watching her friend, "Yeah I heard about that law. It's kinda crappy but I guess it's meant to protect us more than them." He smiled, "I guess we're all a bunch of rebels."
Tomoe nodded, his attention restored back to his love, "Nanami wants to bring up an abolishment or at least an amendment of it at the next summit."
Suddenly he noticed Nanami falter and before Kurama could ask what was going on the Fox was out of the tree and on the stage.
Nanami noticed him and shook her head, regaining her steps and finishing her dance.
The crowd applauded and cheered as Tomoe gathered the woman into his arms and fleeted them from the stage reappearing outside the shrine away from onlookers.
She was covered in sweat, breathing heavily.
"Are you ok," he asked, worry making his voice a growl.
She pushed away from him as nausea swept over her.
She dropped to her hands and knees as she released what little she had eaten before.
He stroked her back, allowing her to finish, "I knew this was a bad idea."
He handed her a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.
She yanked it from his hand, snapping back, "Well excuse me for doing what I love. You never let me have any fun. I'm pregnant, not broken."
He looked at her, startled by her outburst but then smiled as tears sprang to her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I screwed up and the final part was a disaster."
He hugged her close, "Don't worry about it. No one noticed because you were too beautiful for them to even notice your dance."
"Really?"
He smiled, nodding.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
He lifted her in his arms, cradling her close as they walked through the crowds enjoying the remainder of the festival.