The next day found itself full of noisy arguing.
"Tomoe will you please just let me look," Nanami yelled.
"And I said I'm fine, " Tomoe yelled back, flinching as he put his more damaged arm into his yukata. "You should be resting anyway."
"I'll rest when I know your wounds are properly cared for," she said more calmly.
He looked at her, his heart racing when he saw the sadness in her eyes.
He quickly raced up to, gathering her into his arms, "If it will please you then very well but I must ask of you something."
Her eyes lit up, "Anything!"
He drew her into a heated kiss that left her so dazed it nearly left her forgetting her name let alone how to stand.
She stood breathless when he released her, her blush making him smile.
She shook her head, "That's cheating."
He smiled slyly, tapping his right index finger on her forehead, "It's not my fault you are easily distracted."
She huffed at him then began to giggle.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing, just the thought of our kits giving you a hard time as much as you give me."
He smiled, looking down at the futon where the newborns dozed.
Then his expression changed to sadness, "They do scare me though."
"Why?"
He knelt down, brushing the knuckles of his right hand against his son's cheek.
"They are so small and fragile. I worry that I may break them."
She gently wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on the back of his head.
"That's why you are a perfect father. You're so strong and hot headed but yet you're also so kind and gentle. You protect us from those who mean to harm us and yet you bring us so much happiness."
He placed a hand over her arms, smiling.
She kissed the back of his head, "Let me tend to your wounds."
He did as he was told, sitting cross legged as she removed the bloodied bandages.
She frowned as she cleaned the more severe wound at his left shoulder which still oozed freely, the edges of the wound were red and raw. Nanami was thankful that it was a clean cut meaning it wouldn't take long to heal with the peach pills she had sent Mizuki after the day before.
Tomoe flinched at her gentle touch, a hiss escaping his teeth.
"This isn't good," she said, tears brimming her eyes as she tightly wrapped new bandages around the wounds, watching as the blood began to soak through them as well.
He smiled, "That's why I didn't want you to see."
He took her hand, kissing the palm.
She smacked him in the face with the wet cloth she used to clean with, "So you were just going wait and die? You're such a jerk."
He drew her into his arms, "You know I don't remember you being this mean to me when I lay injured all those years ago."
He leaned in to kiss her but she placed her palm against his lips.
"Yes but you were also disguised as a human child and I thought I was helping someone else."
He took her hand, trailing kisses along her arm to her elbow then up to her shoulder, "Shall I do it again?"
She let out a moan as he nipped her shoulder with a fang.
There was a soft knock at the door followed by a gentle voice, "Lady Nanami."
Tomoe growled, "Go away snake."
Nanami giggled as she playfully pulled his left ear, "Come in Mizuki."
Mizuki entered the room with an annoyed expression, "Nice to see you're still alive fox. You know I don't have to give these to you."
Mizuki ground his foot into Tomoe's head as he removed the small jar of pills from the sleeve of his kariginu.
"By all means I should let you die for making my Mistress suffer so."
Tomoe sprouted a tic at the side of his head, "You know what you dec..."
Pain tore through his chest as he collapsed.
"Tomoe," Nanami cried, "Mizuki stop it. Save your screwing around for when he can fight back, now give me the pills."
He did as he was told, worry crossing his face.
She placed Tomoe's head on her lap, frantically ripping the cork from the bottle and dumping a pink pill into her palm.
"Tomoe open your mouth. I have a peach pill for you."
He obeyed, swallowing the pill.
She smiled in relief, kissing his forehead, "Rest love."
She laid his head on a pillow and stood.
She then took Mizuki by the sleeve and led him from the room.
Once the door was shut, she turned to him, "Have you heard anything on Lady Mizuumi's verdict?"
He scratched the back of his head, "
Lord Ikusagami had called for her to be put to death."
"What! Take me to her."
"My Lady I dare not. Have you already for..."
"She is a mother in mourning. To die because of a misunderstanding is just wrong."
"Lady..."
He saw her determination and knew his argument was lost.
"Tomoe is going to skin me."
He led her to the lower levels of the shrine, not passing a single being.
When they reached Mizuumi's cell Nanami was horrified.
The woman was chained to the wall, her arms unable to move.
Tears rolled from Nanami's eye as her hands covered her mouth.
"What do you want," the oni woman sneered. "Come to laugh?"
Nanami shook her hands as she placed her hands on the cell bars, "I came to talk."
"I have no words for you."
"Will you please just listen?"
The woman looked away.
"Please!"
She let out a harsh huff, still exhausted from the day before.
"Nanami," Mizuki said as he took her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist.
The woman watched the two intently.
"How is the little whelp?"
Mizuki hissed at her, ready to lash out but Nanami spoke, "My children are fine."
"Oh?"
She smiled, "I had twins, a girl and boy."
The older woman looked away, "I see. There isn't anything like it, is there?"
Nanami smiled, "No. They are our little blessings."
"Yes...all children are blessings."
Mizuumi looked at the wall next to her, "How is their father?"
"Alive and well," Mizuki charged in.
"I see."
"Lady Mizuumi won't you please listen to what I have to say?"
She shook her head, sadness crossing her voice, "I welcome my punishment. I was a fool. I suppose I was too blind to see that yes maybe my son's death was an accident. I wanted someone to blame."
"Lady Mizuumi..."
"My life ended the day Hasu died. I welcome my death so I may find peace."
Tears rolled down Nanami's cheeks, "After seeing my children's faces I understand why you did it. In all honesty I think I too would have done the same if something happened to my children and my husband. I would lose all parts of me."
Mizuumi smiled, nodding.
"May I ask? Why, of all people did you choose Lord Ikusagami," Nanami asked.
She smirked, "I knew those two were at each other's throats. I had seen Ikusagami's incompetence and figured they would kill each other."
"I see."
Mizuumi looked at the two, "Give my thanks to your fox and tell him I'm sorry."
"Mizuumi please, allow me to speak to Ikusagami."
She shook her head, "How hard is it for you to understand that I have nothing else to live for. To die at the hands of the gods is better than living an empty existence."
"It seems I have found a better use for you," a voice said, startling everyone.
The war god stepped from the shadows, a stern look on his face.
"What do you mean," Mizuumi growled.
Ikusagami looked away, "It seems Lady Izanami is in need of a caregiver in the underworld. Apparently young human and yokai children who have passed on need guidance to reach their final rest."
"What, really," Nanami cried.
"Yes."
She looked to Mizuumi who was on the verge of tears.
The woman looked away, "So I will be a babysitter."
"So it would seem."
She smiled, "Very well."
The god snapped his fingers, releasing her from the chains, "Go clean yourself up. You will be leaving soon."
She bowed, leaving the cell for the upper levels.
Nanami smiled up at the god as he turned away, following the woman.
Mizuki helped Nanami return to her room in time for the twins feeding.
She smiled as the two looked out from their father's protective arm, their violet eyes looked about the room while they made sucking noises.
Mizuki excused himself, "If my services are no longer needed then I shall return home and ready the shrine."
Nanami smiled, kissing his cheek, "Thank you so much Mizuki. Please have a safe trip. We shall follow shortly."
He smiled, blushing, "Yes my Lady. You as well."
He bowed, walking away.
She closed the door and walked up to the futon.
Kneeling down, she brushed her hand across Tomoe's arm, "Love."
He opened his left eye to look up at her.
She kissed his temple, "I need to feed the little ones."
He slowly moved his arm, sitting up to give her room to sit.
She sat down, taking the little girl into her arms and once she was certain she was feeding she asked Tomoe to hand her their son.
Tomoe looked on in amazement as his mate expertly fed their little ones. His eyes wide with awe.
He blushed, looking away when she noticed his stare.
"I'm sorry I..."
She giggled, "Relax love now help me hold them."
He sat behind her, wrapping himself protectively around them. His hands gently caressing the newborns heads as he laid his chin on her right shoulder.
"Tomoe?"
"Hmm?"
"I was thinking."
"About what?"
She blushed, "We have yet to name them and I was hoping we could head home today."
"Yes. I too wish to get us home as soon as possible. As for names, what do you think?"
She smiled and the two spoke as the little ones watched them as they ate.
After a few hours the lovers settled on names.