After some much-needed rest time the day before, Kiyo was ready for action. Her son and Venom had decided to promote her to the lead healer position, something she certainly hadn’t expected. Kiyo’s healing skills were certainly above average, she was confident enough to admit that, but that they both trusted her enough to do such an important job for their pack...it nearly brought tears to her eyes. So, it was time for check-ups! Of course, she first needed to start with the Shogun and Empress. She’d been giving Venom a check-up twice a week since her arrival, making sure she stuck to her regiment of high-nutrition foods and immune-boosting herbs to make sure both her and the precious cargo she was carrying were in tiptop shape. So, with her med-pack strapped to her shoulders and Yui following after her, she wove her way through the palace until she came upon the Great Hall, where she found her son and future daughter-in-law engaged in a quiet conversation.

She gave a chuff of greeting, a gentle smile on her features. “Hello, my dears. I’m here to give you a check-up. We certainly can’t have our leading pair in anything other than the best shape, especially not you, my lady,” she said as she entered, her warm silver gaze turning to Venom with the last bit.

Venom was nearly ready to announce her pregnancy to the pack and Empire. She was sure those who were most perceptive might already have their suspicions and Venom was just glad she already made mention of her connection to the Shogun. Venom was becoming quite accustomed to the sense of propriety and honor that bound Hattori and his actions. As much as she was influencing her soon to be husband, he was shaping her as well. Their children would not be born out of wedlock, of that she would make sure.

Kiyo’s biweekly check ups reminded her of the importance of the bundles nestled under her heart. She felt stifled, much like when she’d broken her leg, but she was much more willing to take life easy while pregnant. Especially with the nausea that accompanied her condition. She had bad and good days, sometimes swinging between both. Today was more of the former and as she was saying as much to Hattori, who was ever watchful and even more devoted these days. If that was possible. Anko announced Kiyo’s presence quietly before the woman appeared at the entrance of the great hall.

Sunset gaze shifted from Hattori’s silvery gaze to his mother’s. Venom knew bits and pieces of the woman’s life, but of anyone who knew so far she seemed to deserve the joy the most. She was nothing but helpful and supportive during every step of the way, and she did much to soothe Venom’s anxieties about the whole affair. She still hadn’t completely wrapped her head around the fact she was carrying Hattori’s children. Venom had only just barely claimed him for herself and already they were hurtling towards parenthood together.

”Lady Kiyo,” Venom returned with reverence as she lowered her head in greeting. The Empress was curled close to Hattori, her form surrounded by thick furs, but her now visibly rounding belly was exposed for her mate to see.

To call it a conversation was a bit of an exaggeration. Venom had been speaking and Hattori had listened, interjecting here and there when he thought of something to say. Seeing the physical changes in Venom's form made the reality of the situation hit just as hard as it had when he'd first learned of the news, it was good but also a change he had not anticipated. And whilst adaptable and quick on his paws he'd never been very fond of change. But if this was what Venom wanted and if it made her happy then he would do all he could to support her, both as a husband and as  Shogun. He somewhat reluctantly averted his gaze to his Mother and offered her a reverent dip of his head, he understood why Venom needed tending to but why him? He was fine, as always. The Shogun remained as he was, huddled up beside the Empress, even if only to ensure her comfort.

"Mother I do not think it is necessary, I am well." He held her gaze for a long and lingering moment. " But if you insist...." Which was to say he'd comply but he wasn't happy about it. Not at all.

Oooh how Venom’s rounding belly made her happy. Her grandchildren were growing larger and larger by the day, likely to the chagrin of the mother who had to deal with the effects, but to know that they seemed healthy put a little pep in her step. Of course, the real test would come in but a few weeks when the little ones would be old enough to be felt moving around. When she’d been young and naive, she hadn’t known that she’d been supposed to feel them moving inside her. Never once had she felt kicking or any signs of life, but she’d felt so swollen and horrible that it had gone over her head. It wasn’t until she’d birthed 6 stillborns that she’d known why she hadn’t felt any movement. Oh, how she’d clung onto Hanzo and cried for days, a mixture of seemingly unending grief and pure joy that at least he had survived, somehow completely healthy.

She could do everything she could to make sure her son and her daughter-in-law never knew that pain.

The ghostly lady wasn’t surprised by her child’s displeasure at being examined. He had always been so stubborn at such things, but he’d grit his teeth and bear it. With the help of Yui, she slid the pack off of her pack and opened it to remove a few things. First, a bottle containing small peppermint leaves. Now that the Empress was past the beginning stages of her pregnancy it was safe for her to eat peppermint, and dare she would even say necessary, given the nausea that came with child bearing. She pulled out 3 leaves along with some dried ginger, putting them into a separate container as she’d done before. She picked it up and moved to the woman, placing the bottle down near her. “Here is another mixture for the nausea tea I prescribed. This amount should last you another week, as the last one did,” she commented.

“Is it alright if I check your pulse and hydration, my lady?” she asked. The pair had been through this several times before, but Kiyo always made sure to ask before beginning the physical part of her examination.

Venom could see the change in Hattori along with the development and changes of her own body. She knew his devotion before but as their lives continued to become more tightly intertwined so did his commitment. This sudden change in their lives was far from planned, but both wolves were eager to take on the challenge. The pair faced a mountain of challenges before they welcomed new life into the world, but Venom knew she could fully rely on the man beside her.

She never expected to have someone like Kiyo here to help either. The relationship she had with her own mother was nearly non existent these days, and the comfort such a motherly presence settled many of the Empress’s anxieties. Venom had no choice in if she was going to be seen by Kiyo or not, she had more than just herself to think about. Hattori protested lightly as the Apothaker approached.

Beyond the uncomfortable swelling of her middle Venom did not enjoy how sick she was made to feel at random intervals of the day. She thanked Kiyo silently every time she sipped on the anti-nausea tea. It didn’t completely cure her, but it made the phases livable. Kiyo brought some more to the Empress and explained softly again.

Hattori might have protested, but he was a second thought to the Empress and her growing belly. Venom was familiar with the routine by now and as Kiyo sought permission Venom nodded slightly as presented herself to the healer. ”Of course,” they’d only been acquainted for a short time but she put Venom at ease despite the personal nature of healer and patient. ”What should I expect over this next week?” Venom asked softly, trying to hide the anxiety in her voice but she knew both wolves wouldn’t be fooled by it. Venom’s nervousness about the whole experience was a poorly kept secret.

Hattori sat back and said nothing as his mother began her examination. He wasn't overly surprised to learn she'd given Venom a tea to help with the nausea and now that he thought about it he could recall a time or two in which he'd seen Venom drinking something that smelled a little too bitter for his own tastes. But as long as it did as it was supposed to he would not protest, not that he thought he was in much of a position to do so. The Empress went onto ask a valid question and Hattori turned his expectant gaze to Kiyo, knowing and trusting in whatever she had to say.

For the most part he'd just remain silent unless spoken to, there was no point in interjecting when he had nothing useful to add. Besides, he was mostly here to support Venom, to be her shoulder to lean on if need be. But he knew his Mother was gentle and caring, she wouldn't overstep her bounds or even need correcting. There was no one else he trusted to do this, Venom was in good paws.

With permission given by the Empress, the smaller woman stepped forward and pressed her nose just next to her throat, against her jugular vein. This was another reason she always made sure to ask permission; the best way to take a pulse was to use this vein. It flowed heavily with blood and was arguably the most vital line in the body, therefore it provided ease of access. Instinctually wolves were very cautious of letting anyone too close to it, especially expectant mothers whose lives were not only at stake, but also the lives of their unborn pups. Hormones and the primitive urges of protection could rile themselves up at any moment so to avoid being maimed, she made it an explicit intention every time. She closed her silver gaze, pausing a few moments to get a gauge on whether her pulse was weak or strong and, pleasantly, found it as lively as ever. A weak, thready pulse would have concerned her greatly, but so would an abnormally fast heartbeat. No, this was swift and steady, albeit a little fast, but she knew it was just the other woman’s anxiety.

“Your pulse is strong and healthy,” she commented as she stepped back, auds tilting forward as Venom asked a question. She waited for her to open her mouth and stick out her tongue as she’d done so many times before so that Kiyo could check her hydration. She wanted nice, deep pink pigmentation. Too light and it would mean that she needed to drink more water to avoid dehydration. Finding that acceptable as well, she finally moved to answer her, “Unfortunately, I will have to report that you’ll only grow bigger in the weeks ahead,” she replied, a humored smirk on her velvety pale lips. “You’ll also likely start producing some milk. Mostly importantly, however, you should start to feel the little ones moving around. Make sure you pay close attention to this and let me know if you feel any unusually sharp pains or simply nothing at all.” Her expression had turned serious, the painful memories in the back of her mind fighting to make their way to the surface. She shoved them down. Hard.

Hattori was silent and supportive as Kiyo stepped forward to begin. She leaned against him lightly as she lifted her head to better expose the vulnerable place on her neck for Kiyo’s exam. The close proximity was foreign to Venom, she didn’t allow anyone but Hattori so close. Especially now that she was developing rapidly in her pregnancy. She felt relieved as Kiyo pulled away and commented on her findings before moving on. Venom’s deadly jaws opened for Kiyo’s observation as her forked tongue fell to her chin.

When Kiyo seemed satisfied Venom closed her mouth and perked her ears at Kiyo’s answer to her question. Hattori seemed just as interested in what she had to say. Venom tried not to feel dismayed at her words, her belly would only get bigger and the milk she’d use to nourish them would begin to develop. All were natural and expected but that didn’t make Venom entirely thrilled about them. She was never particularly vain nor did she much care for the traditional sense of beauty. Her best attribute was her strength, something that was difficult to show when she was as round as a peach and waddled everywhere.

She hadn’t truly second guessed herself until that moment, but as she felt Hattori’s warmth at her back his support urged her onward. Pregnancy was no easy task, and she was forced to wonder if she could manage without her mate’s support. Her respect for Toxicity was only strengthened through the entire process.

”Oh,” she offered with mild surprise. ”Like right now?” She didn’t think anything could be seen or felt on the surface, but the strange feeling of movement within was unlike anything she’d ever felt. Purple pink gaze fell to her stomach as though she could see the movement within.