Chapter Six- Birth

Yusuke rubbed her swollen month and a half belly with contentment. It was amazing how big she had gotten in the past few weeks and was convinced that there was definitely more than one baby growing inside her. She was advised to take it easy to insure that the babies wouldn't be harmed. She also didn't want to harm them and so did as she told. The news that Colaban was married and was soon to be a father, drew attention and jealousy from all over Demon World. Some of Colaban's rivals sent assassins to eliminate Yusuke and all were unsuccessful for the guards and the roof weapons annihilated most attempts. Some got inside but were brutally killed by Colaban. His murder of the assassins was viewed as protecting his wife and unborn children and no one suggested otherwise.

After one attempt with two assassins, Colaban ordered two guards to be stationed outside the bedroom at all times and he worked from his home office to further insure Yusuke's safety. He reflected on his life since the wedding. He had stopped raping people, but still murdered and sold slaves in addition to his business of jewelry and clothes designing. Yusuke contributed to his jewelry division by providing Hiruseki stones whenever Colaban asked for them. The stone she produced were far more beautiful than the ones she had produced when she had been raped weeks ago for love was a wonderful feeling as opposed to pain.

A nursery was being decorated next door to the master bedroom and Yusuke was asked her opinion of what colors she wanted in the room. She had originally asked Colaban for his opinion, but he simply smiled and kissed her cheek. "It's up to you, dear. Whatever you decide is fine by me." So, she went with shades of white and ice blue to reflect her ice apparition heritage. Once she had selected the colors and how she wanted them, some furniture was moved in: Cribs, changing tables, and a rocking chair.

She had found a book on her kind shortly after the wedding and read in earnest since she reasoned that staying female meant that she needed to learn everything about being an ice apparition. The more she learned, the happier she was that she chose to remain as she was. Her pregnancy also kept her busy as she was often hungry or tired. She wondered if she was going to have twin girls, twin boys, or one of each like Yukina and Hiei. She was advised to refrain from using her powers, reminding her that defending herself was not necessary with heavily-defended house, loyal guards, and of course, Colaban himself. Her husband cuddled with her every night with her against his chest and her hand over her belly and his hand on top of her hand in a protective manner.

Yusuke let out a scream as she felt as if the skin between her legs was being torn apart. Being pregnant was far more preferable to giving birth that was for sure! The female servants flitted around her, dabbing at her forehead, patting her hand, and standing by for the arrival of the babies. I wonder what they will look like. I want them to get here soon, but first I have to deal with the labor pains. She screamed again as a stab hit her and she pushed as hard as she could.

"That's it, Mistress. Push when you feel the stab," one servant said encouragingly.

"Funny that I know… what to do, considering I've… never been pregnant," she panted. She gasped and pushed again.

"I think I see something," a servant by her legs said.

"I feel it," Yusuke countered. "Trust me, something's definitely coming." She pushed again and again, feeling whatever it was sliding out from between her legs. She gasped as a tear slid down her cheek and a baby's cry sounded. There were gasps and all sorts of happy sounds from the servants as the baby was bundled and taken to the other side of the room to be washed and diapered. Yusuke wanted to know what the baby was and what it looked like, but the labor pains prevented her from asking and reminded her that the baby's twin was ready to come into the world as well. She repeated the same process with the second baby, including a tear when it was born. The second child was bundled and taken to be washed while one servant dabbed her forehead and collected the two stones that had been shed for the twins; each stone would be placed on a cord before being put on the babies.

Yusuke struggled to prop herself on the pillows before saying, "Will someone tell me about my children?"

"Yes, Mistress. You have one boy and one girl. The firstborn is the boy. Might I say, Mistress, both are beautiful."

"I was hoping for one of each. I'm glad I got my wish." Two servants came forward and each put a baby in the crook of each elbow. At that point, the door opened and Colaban came striding in.

"I was told the children are here and came as fast as I could."

"Dear, we have a boy and a girl," Yusuke said. "Come see."

Colaban sat beside Yusuke and gazed at the babies with her. Both had Yusuke's red eyes and Colaban's tanned skin, but the boy had Colaban's brown hair and horns while the girl had Yusuke's black hair with a white starburst.

"They're wonderful," Colaban said softly. "Tell me, sweetheart: Have you thought of any names?"

"I had one in mind for a girl, but none for a boy which is odd considering I wanted one of each. I was thinking of naming the girl Hina."

"That's a perfect name. I had a boy name in mind for some time as it turns out: Yuto."

Yusuke smiled. "Yuto and Hina. Perfect, just perfect."

"Just as we are a perfect pair."

Yusuke nodded. Colaban was right: They were a perfect pair and together they would raise two perfect children to either follow in their father's footsteps or their mother's one day.

The End

Sorry, it's so short and sporadic in the last chapter, but it was the best I could think of.