In early April she invited Hisana to her personal estate. They sat together in the common room on a comfortable couch while tea steamed over a small fire. Ayame was glad that hisana had finally come along to visit.

Hisana was completely enamored with the newborn, Gently taking him from Ayames' arms and rocking him. Hisana chuckled at the baby's soft coos and giggles. She would pressed him to her chest, rubbing his back to sooth him.

"He's so cute." She said after a moment of silence. She reluctantly returned the baby over to his mother.

"Where is his father, If I may ask?" Hisana inquired, Peering at the newborn's small face. He was sleeping now, His face pressed to his mother's shoulder. Hisana's words were polite and light, Yet there was a certain weight to them as well.

"He's out at the market right now." Ayame responded, Still gazing down at her child. Hisana hummed in response, A small smile on her face. A few more moments of silence passed before Hisana spoke.

"Can I say something that might irritate you?" Hisana's smile faded as quickly as it appeared and an uncharacteristic seriousness replaced it. She took a deep breath and held it for a moment before continuing, "I know that you and Tokinada have a difficult relationship. But, What made you decide to have a child with him?"

Ayame was quiet for a moment, Choosing her words carefully. She was aware of Hisana's disapproval of her marriage. She was also more than aware of her friends opinion of Tokinada, But she would not blame Hisana for that. After all; Many within the noble society shared her friend's disdain for her husband.

"The child... He was not exactly planned." She began, Her voice quiet and her smile uneasy.

Ayame blushed slightly, Her pale cheeks gaining a tint of pink. She refused to meet her friends gaze as she spoke, "...It was a night of... Weakness. I felt particularly lonely. I sought solace in the one person who would have me. And... " She drifted off, Her embarrassment getting the better of her, "And I was under the influence of a lot of sake. He took advantage of my feelings, And my vulnerability that night. And I suppose, The rest is history."

She knew that Tokinada was not one to respect boundaries, And she knew that he was a very opportunistic and manipulative individual... But even knowing this, She did not expect such a story from Ayame.

"Ayame... "

Her voice was soft; Like a mother scolding a child. She gently grabbed her friends hand and held it in her lap, Silently offering her comfort. Hisana gently squeezed Ayame's hand, Rubbing the top of it with her thumb. She was tempted to be more... Scathing in her words, But she held her tongue against her friend.

"He... He didn't force himself on you, Did he?"

"He didn't, No. I invited him in. I was inebriated but not that drunk. And it's not like I didn't want him. I was just... Wanted an escape."

Ayame was still averting her gaze from her friend, Her cheeks red and her voice soft. Hisana exhaled softly, Her tone holding a twinge of disappointment as she did.

"You do know that it wasn't a romantic gesture. Right? It wasn't love he had for you. Just.. lust. A way to fill a bed."

She wasn't trying to be malicious in her words, But it was hard to keep the bitterness out of her voice. She wanted to comfort her friend, But she also wanted to wake her up to reality.

Hisana's grip on Ayame's hand tightened again, Her voice taking on a note of firmness and sincerity as she spoke, "Ayame, He's using you. You know that, Right? He may be your soon husband... The father of your child but... He doesn't, And will never, Love you as you love him. "

Ayame's head snapped towards her friend, Her body going tense as she did. She knew that Hisana wasn't wrong, She knew that Tokinada held no affection for her. But, That didn't make the words hurt any less.

"What do you want me to say, Hisana?" She snapped, A bitter tone entering her voice.

"If Byakuya didn't put an end to our engagement, If my father didn't... Then I wouldn't be in this situation. None of this would have happened." Ayame said, Ripping her hand out of her friends grip. Her words were sharp and cold, And the bitter expression on her face made her look almost hostile. She was upset.

Hisana's eyes widened at her friend's comment and it took her a moment to process her words. Once the realization sunk in she almost let out a scoff.

"Ayame... Do you know how selfish you sound right now? Blaming your situation on Byakuya like that... It's his fault you're engaged to that... Snake?"

Her gaze held a mixture on incredulity and disbelief. Ayame was her friend but, At times, Her self-pitying attitude was almost too much. Hisana stood abruptly, Towering over her friend. She had enough at this point and decided to lay into the woman before her.

"Ayame, The entire world doesn't revolve around you! Stop acting like a spoiled child who didn't get her way. Tokinada is your fiance, A husband, You're the one who keeps having sex with him. It's not Byakuya's fault that all of this is happening to you. It's yours. Take some responsibility for once in your life, For your sake and your child's!" Hisana was angry now; More angry then she had been in awhile. Anger and irritation fueled her words, Causing her voice to become nearly a yell. "You have everything you ever wanted! You've had every privilege and opportunity handed to you on a silver platter since you were born. But, That's simply never enough for you, Is it? Everything has to go your way. And when it doesn't, You throw a fit and push the blame onto everyone but yourself. You're nothing more than a brat."

"Br-brat-?! How dare you!"

Ayame's eyes flashed with anger. Her friend's words were like a physical blow to the ego and the woman almost went to strike her friend in response. But she stopped herself; She hadn't completely lost her senses to her fury.

"And you, You have the audacity to preach of taking control of my own life? Coming from you? You're in no position to lecture me on taking responsibility!"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Hisana was more than irritated by this point. Her heart was beating in her chest and she could feel her breath coming in short bursts. There were a lot of things she could say to Ayame, But she was currently trying to restrain herself.

Ayame crossed her arms, Speaking up, "Care to elaborate. What, Exactly, Are you trying to insinuate about me?"

"Oh, Please. You might have everyone else fooled with your gentle, Delicate demeanor. But, I know you, Ayame. I probably know you better than anyone in your life. Underneath all that lady-like nonsense you're just as cold and calculated as Tokinada. The reason you got into this situation with him is because you wanted to; And the reason you continue to stay by his side is because that's what you think you deserve... And I almost feel sorry for you. You've spent your whole life being told your perfect. You've had everything you ever wanted handed to you without a single thought. But now that your faced with a little turmoil in your life... You crumble. You can't face reality, That things won't go your way all the time. You try to play the victim instead of pulling yourself up and doing something to change your life. But, You know what's worse though? I know deep down that your glad your fiance has no love for you. Your glad."

Ayame's face had gone pale, Her whole body trembling from a mixture of anger and shame. She was being completely exposed in a way she had never experienced before, In a way that she hated. She felt humiliated and trapped; Hisana's words had cut deep, And her friends gaze was intense and demanding.

"Your... Your wrong." Ayame said, Her voice hoarse and cracking with each word. "Clearly you did not listen to me when I told you that I grew up in a gilded cage, Why would I be happy with being a tool?"

"Oh, You think I believe that? I'm sure that's the story you tell yourself when you need more sympathy from others. Your parents didn't put you on a pedestal to love or care for you. They did it to force you to be their perfect doll. You're too afraid to let it go. Too afraid to break away from the role you've spent your life playing. To afraid to be... Real."

Ayame could feel her heart almost stopping in her chest. Hisana knew her in a way that she had never expected; Her friend was seeing through her act. Through the facade she had carefully built around herself. She was being bared and judged and every single one of her actions was being dissected. She could feel the panic and fear building up inside of her, And she needed to do something anything to turn the tide.

"Stop... Just stop! You know nothing of what I've went through. You know nothing of who I am. Stop trying to act like you do!"

Tokinada walked into the room, Carrying several bags in his hands. As he entered, The servants behind him began to set the bags down in a nearby corner, Taking their exit and closing the door behind them.

As Tokinada stepped more into the room, Eyeing the two women who sat on the couch. Immediately he could sense the tension in the room, The cold atmosphere. The air felt heavy and it was like a thick cloud of ice had settled across them.

Tokinada smirked and chuckled softly to himself, Setting the bags on the ground before casually sauntering over to the couch. He ignored the cold atmosphere, And casually sat next to Ayame with a nonchalant smirk on his face. He casually wrapped his arm around Ayame's shoulder, Drawing her in closer into his side.

"Am I interrupting something?" He inquired, A hint of teasing in his voice.

Ayame felt Tokinada's arm snake around her shoulder and drew her tight against his side. His voice entered her ears, His usual teasing tone. Ayame's cheeks flushed lightly when she realized that he could have possibly overheard some of the conversation. She was hoping that he hadn't.

Hisana was also blushing, But for a completely different reason as she shot a disapproving look at Tokinada. Her jaw was tense, Her body on edge at his presence.

Tokinada let his gaze flick over to Hisana briefly, Taking note of her uncomfortable expression and tense body. He chuckled softly, Enjoying the reaction he had gotten out of her.

His attention then turned over to Ayame, Noticing the light flush across her cheeks. He was now more than aware that something had been said between the two women as he was out. He turned his attention to the infant sleeping in the crook of Ayame's elbow.

"May I?" He gestured towards the baby, A gentle smile on his face.

Ayame nodded, Silently agreeing that he could hold the baby. She gently handed over the baby to Tokinada, Watching as he took the infant into his arms. The baby squirmed a bit as he was moved from his mother's arms to his father's, But after a few more minutes of rocking he settled.

Tokinada held the baby and rocked him gently for a few more minutes. Yoshitora cried due to bowl movements, That is, Until a stench coming from the infant hit his father's nostrils. Tokinada grimaced, Pulling the baby up a bit to get a better look at him.

"Did you just soil yourself? You little poop monster?" He said bluntly, Looking down at the messy diaper on his son's bottom. He glanced up at his wife, An almost irritated expression on his face due to the smell.

Tokinada wrinkled his nose as he held the baby close to his chest, Taking a look at the dirty diaper once more. He huffed in irritation and stood up, Walking over to the bags he had discarded on the floor. He began to rummage through the bags, Searching for the supplies he had purchased for the baby.

"I'll go change him." Tokinada said, Waving a hand at Ayame and Hisana before walking out of the room with the infant.

Tokinada walked into the bedroom and immediately sat down at the changing table. He placed the infant down on his back and got to work on changing his diaper. The baby made a few soft noises as he was moved around, But quieted quickly after Tokinada began to change him.

After a few minutes, The dirty diaper was replaced with a fresh, Clean one, And then Tokinada dressed the child in a 'ubugi no hosonaga' before picking the baby up again and walking back towards the common room.

Tokinada walked into the room once more, Holding the infant in his arms. The baby was wrapped in the child's robe now, Looking much more comfortable than before. A small, Content smile spread across his face as he looked down at his son, A rare moment where he looked to be completely without any negative feelings.

"Our little prince is all changed now." Tokinada announced as he walked back to the couch, Sitting down beside his wife once more.

Ayame and Hisana both stared at how Tokinada held the infant. They were almost surprised at how gentle he was with the baby, With how much care he was putting into holding the boy.

Ayame leaned back into the side of the couch and glanced at the baby Yoshitora in his arms. She commented, The first words she had spoken to him since he returned, "That's a cute robe."

A smirk spread across Tokinada's face, A hint of pride in his voice as he responded, "It's a traditional Tsunayashiro robe that's been passed down through many generations in our family."

He held the baby so that both Ayame and Hisana could see the robe more clearly, Taking a bit of satisfaction in how much more expensive and of higher quality it was than most regular infant clothes. Tokinada continued to smirk, looking down at the child fondly, "I wore this same robe when I was a baby. It's a family heirloom I stole." He said, Gently patting the baby's back as he did. Hisana was quiet, But it didn't seem that the revelation of the robe's origins surprised her.

Ayame, On the other hand, Had a more amazed look in her eyes as she looked at the baby's new light green robe.

The corners of Tokinada's mouth upturned further into a sly smirk as he looked at his fiancee's expression. He took in her amazed and almost in awe look as she looked at the baby's robe. That was the exact reaction he had wanted to see; and just as he expected, She was falling right into his hands.

"Don't you love it? Don't you? My little devil Yoshi?"

The baby made a soft, Almost happy noise as Tokinada brushed his black hair before looking up at Ayame.

Ayame couldn't help but roll her eyes a bit at Tokinada. She knew exactly what game he was playing. Still, She felt a small, Bittersweet feeling at seeing the baby in the robe of his ancestors.

Taking a deep breath, Ayame answered: "I like it, But actually… You had him take the surname of Utsunomiya."

The smirk on Tokinada's face faded into a more neutral expression momentarily as he took notice of her comment. He hadn't expected her to mention the family name of the baby. However, After a moment the smirk returned to his face as he looked down at the infant. He lightly tapped his finger on the baby's nose, Laughing softly.

"My lady Ayame." He looked back up at his betrothed. "Of course I did. He's more of an Utsunomiya then a Tsunayashiro, After all."

A frown crossed Ayame's face at his words. The frown of a wife who felt her husband was hiding the answer to something from her.

"And what makes you say that?" She asked, A hint of irritation in her voice. He better not be thinking he was going to get out of this with a simple discarding answer.

Tokinada raised an eyebrow a bit at his wife's irritation, But kept the smirk on his face. He had been expecting a less than pleased response from her. He chuckled softly to himself. "…Because he belongs to the Utsunomiya clan. You conceived him before marriage and contributed the most to creating him. Isn't it as simple as that?"

He looked down at the watching baby as he spoke, Avoiding any eye contact within the moment.

"That's not what I meant and you know it." She retorted, Her tone a bit higher than before. She turned her body on the couch so that she was now fully facing him, "What I want to hear is an explanation as to why you refuse to acknowledge that he's a Tsunayashiro as well."

Tokinada's smirk dropped at the firm tone. He knew that no matter what he said now, it wouldn't help him get out of this situation. He let out a soft sigh, Shifting the baby to one arm before resting his other arm along the back support of the couch, "He's better off not being a Tsunayashiro."

An expression of surprise and disbelief crossed Ayame's face at his response. She hadn't expected a straight answer out of him, Especially one so honest and blunt.

She leaned back into the couch, Her disbelief still on her face. "Wh…Why?"

Tokinada huffed, Resting his elbow on the top of the couch. He glanced down at the baby in his arms, Then back at his wife, "The senior Tsunayashiro members are not too fond of his existence, Despite the fact that a Tsunayashiro hasn't been born in four centuries. To put it bluntly: The Tsunayashiro clan doesn't deserve him. He's better off not being associated with that family..."

Ayame continued to stare, Her eyes fixed on his face. His serious expression showed that his words were not meant to be a joke or a tease, But he was completely sincere. She knew that he had a distaste for the Tsunayashiro clan, But she hadn't realized the extent of it until now.

She let out a soft, Shaky breath before she spoke, "…You really hate them that much?"

Tokinada's lips curled up in a scowl as he answered, His voice dripping with loathing. "I hate every single one of them. I've hated them since I first learned the truth of our clan. I hate them more than you'll ever understand. I wouldn't give a care if they all dropped dead tomorrow."

There was a short moment of silence from Tokinada after his last statement. The intensity of his hatred for the clan was clear in his voice, Yet there was something else in his words that was left unsaid.

He shifted his gaze down towards the baby in his arms, The small infant who had no idea of the conversation they were having. Tokinada continued to stare at the baby, His gaze somewhat softening. He had never held any hatred for his son, In fact it was the opposite. The small infant wasone of the things he actually loved, In a twisted, Possessive way.

Tokinada laid the infant on his lap as he began to sing a simple, Soft lullaby. As he sang, It was was as if all the anger and hate from before was gone, Leaving only a sense of peace and calm. His voice was smooth and soothing, The song being one of the many lullabies that only nannies of the nobility knew.