Mikoto landed softly among the trees, her ethereal wings fading into the night air like stardust. The familiar scents of her companions drew her forward through the foliage, each step weighted with the knowledge of what she must do.
"You know, for someone who just had a moonlit skinny dip with you know who? Ronan, you're looking gloomy," Little Misaka chimed in. "Though I guess dropping the 'hey, you can't come fight evil spider ladies' bomb isn't exactly a party invitation."
As she stepped into the clearing, Mikoto found herself facing a much larger gathering than expected. At least a dozen beast-folk females lounged in the moonlight - fox-folk with multiple tails curled protectively around their swollen bellies, feline women with ears laid flat against their heads, and various other species she couldn't immediately identify. All of them were heavily pregnant, and all of them were now staring at her with unnervingly focused attention.
"Oh great, we've stumbled into the world's most dangerous baby shower," Little Misaka quipped. "Think they'd believe us if we said we brought presents?"
The previously warm chatter died instantly. The air grew thick with tension as their collective maternal instincts kicked in, each shifting into defensive positions despite their pregnant state.
"Well, this is awkward," Little Misaka drawled. "Didn't Aikko mention something about pregnant females forming packs for protection? Though she probably didn't mean for us to test that theory personally. Maybe we should've worn a 'Not a Threat, Just Socially Awkward' T-shirt?"
"It's alright, everyone," Miriam's gentle voice emerged from the forest shadows. The young vampire stepped into the moonlight, her presence rippling through the defensive gathering like a cool breeze. She moved through the group with practiced grace, offering gentle touches and reassuring pats to the tense mothers-to-be. "This is my Mistress."
As Miriam wove between them, Mikoto could see the tension easing from their postures. Fox tails relaxed their protective curl, feline ears swiveled forward with curiosity rather than suspicion, and the air lost its defensive edge.
"Trust Miriam to know exactly how to settle a pack of nervous mothers," Little Misaka mused. "Though I have to admit, 'Mistress' still sounds weird every time she says it."
Miriam approached Mikoto with a gentle smile, bowing her head slightly. "Mistress, I hoped you would find us. These past few days, I've been tending to the gardens with them." She gestured to the gathered females. "Many are close to their time. They find comfort in each other's presence."
"I can see that," Mikoto said, taking in the group's size. "You've been busy."
"It helps pass the time." Miriam's eyes sparkled with genuine warmth. "The herb garden has been especially demanding - the mothers have specific cravings, and certain leaves help with their discomfort. I've learned quite a bit about medicinal plants from their healers." She paused, her expression growing softer. "Aya and Gallum are just beyond the group. Would you like me to take you to them?"
"How are they?" Mikoto asked, though she already knew the answer would make her task harder.
"Happy," Miriam said. "Very happy. Shall we?"
The gathering parted with gentle murmurs and curious glances, revealing Aya sitting propped against a fallen log. Her warm eyes caught the moonlight as she hummed an old lullaby, hands tracing gentle circles over her swollen belly. Galluh moved around the clearing with that fierce protectiveness that reminded Mikoto of their first meeting. Despite her intimidating presence, the tall warrior was arranging everything with meticulous care - checking sightlines and adjusting Aya's cushions, all while pretending she wasn't hovering like a protective shadow.
"The perimeter is secure," Galluh murmured, those earth-brown eyes scanning the treeline before settling back on Aya. Her hand rested casually on her weapon, even as she used her foot to nudge a cushion into a better position.
"My heart," Aya said with that gentle, knowing smile that seemed to soften even Galluh's hardest edges, "come sit with us for a moment." She watched her mate's restlessness with quiet amusement.
"Someone's still on guard duty even during cuddle time," Little Misaka observed warmly. "Some things never change."
Mikoto watched as Aya caught Galluh's hand, pressing it against her belly. The gesture transformed her expression from stern sentinel to absolute wonder. The warrior knelt beside her mate, all her attention focused on that point of contact, her usual fierce demeanor melting away completely.
"The pup is strong tonight," Aya whispered, her eyes twinkling with that same perceptive warmth that had once convinced Mikoto to accept shelter in their village. "Like my mates."
The intimacy of the moment made Mikoto's chest ache. This was what she would have to disrupt–this perfect bubble of joy and anticipation. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides as the weight of her responsibility pressed down on her shoulders.
"We can't put it off forever," Little Misaka said gently. "Better to tell them now. Give them time to accept it."
"I know," Mikoto whispered back, drawing in a deep breath.
"Aya, Galluh," Miriam called out softly, her voice carrying across the clearing. "Look who's come to visit."
Aya's face lit up with genuine joy. "Mikoto!" She began to shift forward, trying to leverage herself up from her position against the log. Before Galluh could move to help, Mikoto was already there in a blur of vampire speed, her hand gentle but firm on Aya's shoulder.
"No need," Mikoto said warmly, "please, stay comfortable." She could feel Galluh's approving nod behind her, the warrior relaxing her protective stance at Mikoto's thoughtful intervention.
"It should be soon," Galluh said, unable to contain her excitement as she knelt beside them. Her usually stern features softened with anticipation. "The healers say a week, perhaps two at most." Her hand found Aya's fingers intertwining as they shared a look of pure joy.
"The sooner, the better," Aya added with a gentle laugh, rubbing her swollen belly. "This little one is getting quite restless."
"Two weeks, huh?" Mikoto said softly, remembering Kuro's words about it being closer to four.
"Oh boy," Little Misaka whispered. "This just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?"
Without a word, Aya reached over and gently took Mikoto's hand, placing it against her swollen belly. The pup was awake, its movements strong and determined beneath Mikoto's palm. The simple gesture, filled with trust and intimacy, made the weight of what she had to say next almost unbearable.
Suddenly, Aya flinched and laughed as Mikoto's eyes grew wide. "The pup just kicked her hand!" Aya's voice was filled with delight while Mikoto remained frozen in surprise at the forceful little greeting.
"Strong!" Galluh said, nodding her head with unmistakable pride.
"Not sure if that's a good sign or bad," Little Misaka chuckled. "Maybe the little one's sensing we're predatory by nature?" her words ended with a smug look.
Mikoto sighed, whispering, "I will always protect you." A soft smile crossed her face, only to be quickly replaced by a frown. "She kicked again. Only it felt a little harder this time."
Aya and Galluh both laughed, looking at each other with such joy and connection that what came next was even more difficult.
"We should tell them," Little Misaka said quietly.
Mikoto withdrew her hand from Aya's belly, her fingers curling into a loose fist. "Aya, Galluh... you both need to stay behind." The words came out steady despite the ache in her chest. "When we reach Bahamuth City, there will be an army waiting. The Arachne... they burrow underground, emerge everywhere. And their second-in-command..." She paused, remembering Ronan's warning. "It's too dangerous. Especially with the pup."
"But we have traveled so far," Aya protested softly. Galluh leaned forward, her protective instincts flaring. "We should be with you to the end."
Mikoto raised her hand, stopping their objections. "We will arrive there in four weeks," she said firmly. "And I have been told you will give birth in four." She looked between them, letting the truth of her words sink in. "I am not willing to jeopardize you or the little one. Look around you," she gestured to the peaceful clearing, the gathering of expectant mothers. "This is where a pup should be born. A place of peace, calm, and filled with love. Not some battlefield filled with death and destruction."
Her eyes met Galluh's directly. "Galluh, how would you protect Aya and the pup while fighting a horde of little bugs like those on the little dragon?" The memory hung between them, heavy with implications. "Not something I want to see again."
Taking a deep breath, Mikoto's voice grew firmer. "I am more than happy to order you to stay, and I'm sure everyone around you right now is more than willing to keep you here forcibly." She softened slightly, turning to Aya. "Or you, Aya, could tell her you want to stay here, with Galluh, and wait for our return."
A sorrowful moment passed between them. Their faces were easily readable, and their emotions were clearly readable: acceptance warring with worry, duty wrestling with desire.
"Do you promise to return?" Galluh asked.
Mikoto hesitated, Ronan's voice echoing in her memory - not this older, wiser Ronan, but her Ronan, young and fierce and brutally honest. 'Fuck guarantees,' he'd said once, that familiar smirk playing on his lips. 'The only guarantee I know is that the sun will rise and set until one day it will just blow up!'
She thought for a moment, then smiled. "Of course, I will return."