by Max Jager
Stopping to sit on the bed next to the miko, Sorae was terrified right now. The pup's heartbeat was very high. Reaching out she touched her forehead. "She doesn't have a fever. Yoite what happened to her?"
"I do not know My Lady. She and Lady Imae told their goodbyes to her brother and then were going to pick cherries when she fell to the ground in tears holding her chest."
Before Sorae could say anything, Takahashi was there and rushed to her side. Forcing her eyes open to check her eyes. "She has no outward sign that anything is going on. But I do have to wonder."
"About what?"
Looking at Sorae he nodded. "If this has to do with the strong bond that she had with Lord Kiyoshi."
"Strong bond?" Sorae looked down at the miko and felt like her heart was going to break seeing her in such a state. "What does that mean?"
Placing a hand on her stomach, Takahashi could feel more movement than he really should have felt as he sighed. "Last week when she was getting so sick, My Lord asked me to look at her. She was annoyed and said she could already sense Lord Kiyoshi's emotions. Something I have never seen in a human demon bonding before. And to get pregnant so early even using her purification powers. This is not your typical bond that they have."
Her worried eyes turning back down to the miko, Sorae felt her heart start to race. "So what do we do?"
"The only way to know for sure if it is her bond with him is for someone to go back and get him. If that isn't it, it may just be she is miscarrying the baby. I know the rounds are important but they need to know what sort of bond they may or may not have as well." He turned serious eyes to Sorae as she looked up at him. "Send the fastest demon here. If it is the bond, bringing him back will stop it and save the baby."
Nodding, Sorae turned and raced from the room, colliding with Kamui and Yukani who had been on their way to see what was going on. Grabbing onto his arm as Kamui steadied her she gave him a pleading look. "I will explain what Takahashi said when you get back but you must go bring Kiyoshi back right now!"
"Sorae…"
Looking back at the crying heap on the bed Sorae kept her grip on his arm. "Their bond is not a normal one. He hasn't been gone long. She collapsed to this in the garden. It is the baby. The heartbeat is extra high. If it is their bond, when he gets back she will settle down. If not she will lose it!"
With a nod, Kamui smiled. "I'm gone." Then was quickly through the room, out the window and headed for Kiyoshi.
Yukani let out a small sigh as she walked into the room behind her mother who was already at the miko's side. She was trying to look strong for Imae, but there was fear in her eyes. She hadn't let the miko in like her mother did, but seeing that she did, she understood why she was so worried. And especially after the performance that she gave during her presentation, Yukani had to admit that she wasn't that weak after all. And that the thought of trying to be friends with her really wasn't as revolting as she thought that it was going to be.
But it was seeing Imae in the distress she was in that really bothered her. Going in and going to Imae she lifted her in her arms and smiled at her. "Don't worry Imae. Everyone is going to do all they can to make sure she is all better soon."
"But…."
"I promise it will be just fine."
Seeing where Yukani was going, Yoite smiled as he turned to Imae and gave her a bow. "My Lady. Why do we not let them do what they can for your mother. We can go and pick the cherries that you and her were going to go and do and surprise her when she is better with them."
Still worried about her mother Imae nodded as Yukani put her down and she and Yoite walked out of the bedroom. Looking up at him as tears welled in her eyes, Imae grabbed his hand. "Master Yoite she is going to be alright isn't she? I am not going to lose her?"
Lifting her into his arms, Yoite sighed as he went on with a smile. "Your uncle is going for your father. Takahashi thinks that will calm her down and make her all better. So not to worry."
"Good."
X
With his teeth ground together, his eyes narrow slits of rage, Kiyoshi was flying as hard and fast as he could on hi cloud. Once he got so far away from the palace, it was like something snapped in him. It was like his demon was trying to take control of him and force him back. He didn't understand it.
"Kiyoshi!"
Looking down he saw Kamui in full on dog form running as fast as he could along the ground. But something was different. A growl was the only answer he could give him right now.
Kamui knew that Kiyoshi had to get back fast, but it was the pure rage in his eyes when he looked down at him and flinched. Keeping his pace he never looked away. "You have to go back! It's Yokiyo! Something is wrong with her and the pup!"
His eyes going wide, Kiyoshi closed his eyes as he turned and fell from the sky into his dog form and raced even faster back toward the palace. He didn't know what was going on with him, but he would figure that out later. Right now his only focus was Yokiyo.
X
Everyone gasped as just as suddenly as it all started, Yokiyo's tears stopped and then she let her head roll to the side as she passed out. But the room was a somber state right now. Takara, Sorae and even Yukani were in tears already. Not long after Kamui left to go and get Kiyoshi, the pup's heartbeat wen erratically fast then began to fade out quickly, until there was nothing there. Takahashi confirming for everyone that she had miscarried.
Now, even Kurosai was in the room with them as they waited for Kiyoshi to get back. Sorae started to reach out to brush her bangs from her eyes as her head rolled again but gasped as Kurosai snagged her waist and had her on the other side of the room. Looking up she saw that her son was sitting there with worry showing clearly on his face. Dropping her head, Sorae held onto her mate's arms as tears fell. "Kiyoshi she…."
"I know. But why? Everything was fine when I left."
Stepping up, Takahashi held his hands behind his back as he sighed. "I suspect that it is your bond. Something was off about her smell when I looked at her last week but it wasn't because of the baby. We can find out for sure after she wakes and has healed from losing the baby. It may be that she has bonded stronger to you than most. It is odd that she was drawn into the bond at all."
"I see." Dropping his head with a sigh, Kiyoshi held his mate's hand in his own. "I would like everyone to leave for now."
With a nod, Sorae moved and laid her hand on his shoulder and smiled down at him as he turned his head. "It won't stop it Kiyoshi. I think Yukani is starting too and I have already accepted her. That won't change."
"Thank you mother." Once they were all alone, Kiyoshi relaxed his shoulders and dropped his head fully. "Damnit!" He didn't know that a pain like this could exist. He knew they talked about this happening, but didn't think it would be like this for him as well.
Blinking, Yokiyo slowly opened her eyes as she let out a small grown. But when she saw and felt Kiyoshi's pain filled eyes she shot up. "What happened?"
Reaching over and cupping her face, Kiyoshi sighed. "I don't know exactly. Kamui told me something was wrong with you, and I rushed back. But I was too late…"
Dropping her head as tears gushed from her eyes, Yokiyo curled her legs up to her chest as she had wide eyes. "So it wasn't a dream then. I did hear Takahashi Sai that I lost the baby."
"No it wasn't a dream."
Sobbing now she fell into his arms as she clung to him with all she had. She knew that there was a chance but everything seemed to be going great with the baby. She was actually starting to believe that she was going to do it on her first go. But now nothing. "I am sorry Kiyoshi."
Rubbing her back as he held her, Kiyoshi closed his eyes and sighed. "You have nothing to be sorry for Yokiyo. It just wasn't meant to happen now. It will happen again when the time is right."
Yokiyo could only nod as she sobbed into his chest. She knew that it could happen, but not that it would affect her like this. It cut her heart as deeply as it was cut the day her parents died. And now al
l she could do was hope that she could have another baby one day.
The Priestess and The Demon Chapter 80
"I swear I am going to hurt you!"
Hearing the malice in his mate's voice, Kiyoshi froze with a flinch as he looked at the door for a second before starting his pacing again. He was a nervous wreck at the moment. Two years. It has taken two more years for her to get pregnant again. And once it happened, she did nothing and used no more purification. He didn't even go on his rounds this time. And now five months later she was in labor.
"I swear I am going to kill him when this is over!"
With blinking eyes everyone save Kiyoshi who kept pacing turned and looked at the door with an odd look. Kurosai, Kamui, Umarus and Senri were blocking the door to make sure he didn't get in. However if there was even a hint of truth with her threats on him, they didn't really need to be there to make him stay out.
Shaking his head, Umarus elbowed Kurosai as he laughed. "I dare say that your son has a mate even more vocal during labor than yours was."
"What?"
Turning to look at Kiyoshi, Umarus laughed as he crossed his arms back. "Your grandmother barely made a single sound when she had your father. Your mother was vocal talking about how she was going to hurt your father. But not as much as your mate is, or with the threat of death."
Growling, Kiyoshi ran his hand through his hair as his pacing resumed. "I just want it done with."
Taking a deep breath, Kurosai sighed. "Women have been birthing children for thousands of years. Even women birthing children fathered by demons. She will be fine."
"I will believe that and settle down when this is done and I have her and my pup with me.
X
Falling back onto the pillows, Yokiyo was breathing hard as she ground her teeth together. "I swear it. I am really going to hurt him."
With a giggle, Izumi laughed as she looked down at her friend. "I won't say anything about it." Pulling giggles from both Zokeni and Yukani.
Whipping the sweat from the miko's brow, Sorae glared up at the both three of them. "Girls. Now is not the time for this. We have to focus on the task at hand. Soon enough there will be three babies in the room."
Looking over at her infant daughter and her son who sat with Zokeni, Izumi smiled as she gave a nod. "That's right. And Kazuo and Hana will have a baby cousin to grow up with and play with."
"That's right." Another wince as a smaller contraction ripped through her, Yokiyo growled. "And whether Itachi likes it or not. I swear how can he be this mad about it two years later."
Dropping her head Izumi sighed as she closed her eyes. "I don't get it either. He in a lot of ways isn't the same Itachi that he was when we were little that I fell in love with. But then again he is at the same time."
Grinding her teeth together as her body tensed through another contraction, Yokiyo held her breath. Once it passed she went limp as she breathed again. "He can just get the hell over it for all I care." She then looked up at the midwife as she came to check and see how she was coming along. "Please tell me that I am ready to get this over with."
Checking on her progression, the midwife smiled with a nod. "You are almost there My Lady. It has been too long since we last had little feet around the palace." Her eyes going to Yukani who smiled.
Looking up at Yukani seeing the sadness in her eyes, Yokiyo winked at her. "Don't worry about it. I know you are going to have some soon. Fate just made you wait till this one came along so that your pups could have cousins their own size to play with."
With a smile and a laugh, Yukani gave her a nod. "I think you may right about that one Yokiyo. And I wouldn't agrue with it." Though she and Kamui have been trying for more than three hundred years now to have pups with no success, she was starting to doubt that she would ever have any pups. But like Yokiyo, whom she has grown really close too over the last two years has said, if a miko human can have a demon's child. She will have some too.
Checking on her progress again, the midwife smiled. It was time. Looking up at her lady she gave a nod. "It is time My Lady. With the next contraction bear down and push with all you have. And we will see if we have a new heir, or a new princess."
"Gladly!"
As the next contraction hit her, Yokiyo grabbed Sorae's hand and Yukani's as she folded herself and pushed with all she had as she held her breath. Air forcing her to stop. She sucked in a wild breath and pushed again. Then a third time.
Finally on the fourth time, she pushed and just as she started to give up to try again, she felt the pressure give and felt as her child slipped from her body. The pain gone instantly. Just as she fell back to let her head rest in her best friend's lap, she smiled as tears streamed down her eyes as her newborn baby's cries rang out through the room. "I did it! I have a pup!"
Whipping the newborn down slowly, the midwife was in a state of pure shock as she looked at the now only whimpering pup. A human for a mother. A demon for a father. She by all rights should be a half demon. But this little girl, this princess of the South was born with her own scent being that of a full blooded demon. Not a half demon. "Oh my goodness."
Her eyes instantly filling with worry, Yokiyo looked up at the midwife who was still in shock as she looked down at her daughter. "What is it? Why are you looking at my baby like that? What is wrong?"
With a smile, the midwife turned and came closer to her as she laughed. "Nothing is wrong with your baby. You have a daughter and she is just fine. I do not know how you did it though, but your daughter is a demon, not a half demon."
Taking her daughter, Yokiyo couldn't deny that she was just a bit sad that she didn't give him a son. Even though he already told her that son or daughter this pup would be the heir to the south if she never had anymore. But to have had a demon! She didn't think it was really possible. "Is she really a demon?"
With wide eyes as she looked down at her granddaughter, Sorae was in shock. She was a beautiful little girl with her mother's black hair and dark blue eyes, but her father's iced blue markings. And she was in fact a full demon! "She is. She really is a full demon baby. How could this have happened?"
But before either Yokiyo or Sorae could say anything they looked up when Izumi, Yukani and Zokeni started to laugh. Yokiyo let her head fall to the side as she blinked at them. "What is so funny?"
Looking down at Yokiyo with a smile, Yukani winked. "Father still resents you and Kiyoshi mating because you are a miko. He wasn't thrilled when we started getting close either. But don't you remember what he told you? What one thing you had to do and if you did he would accept you fully no matter what?"
Gasping as she looked down at her now quiet little girl, Yokiyo had wide eyes as she smiled. "To give him a demon grandchild."
Standing as she leaned over and lifted her newest granddaughter into her arms, Sorae smiled as tears traced down her face. "Well I think it is time that my son sees his daughter. And my mate has to make good on his promise."
X
Frozen in the middle of the hall as he watched the door, they could smell tears, and Yokiyo was fine, but there was no half demon scent coming from the room yet. And only two wails from the baby was making him worry. When he heard footsteps reach the door he pushed past the four that were there just in time to see his mother standing there with a baby in her arms. "Mother?"
Gently handing the pup over to her father, Sorae smiled. "You have a healthy and beautiful little girl Kiyoshi. She is perfect." Once she was in his arms, she smiled up at her own mate. "And I do believe that your father has to eat his own words and honor his promise he made to your mate."
The same odd look from the both and Sorae laughed as she reached up to reveal the pup to her waiting father, sister, uncles and grandfather. "Because she did defy the odds and gave birth to a demon. This little one is a full blooded demon just like her father."
Everyone just stared down at the baby as she made eye contact instantly with her father. Kurosai most of all was utterly shocked. He didn't even m
ove when he felt Imae climbing up his back to look over his shoulder at the baby. "How the hell did she do that?"
With a true smile for everyone to see, Kiyoshi stood there and took in his daughter's face. "How she did it aside. She did what you told her to do Father." He then brushed past his mother as he made his way to his mate. "We have a demon."
With a laugh as she reached up and took her little girl, Yokiyo had more tears falling from her face. "Yes we do. Another little girl."
"Mama!"
Looking as Imae was there next to her on the other side of the bed, Yokiyo laughed. "Yes Imae? Want to see your sister?"
With a bright smile as she looked down at the new little pup, Imae was elated she was a big sister finally! But then she blinked as she looked up at her mother. "But Mama what do I call her?"