stardust in your eyes, love [birth]

Hattori’s large form flew into the room like a bat out of hell, his silver gaze only for his wife as he went to her. Kiyo felt her chest warm with pride and she stifled an approving nod at his actions, pleased that he was paying such close attention to her. This moment was really just between them, she was a bystander, an onlooker to the next step in their lives but she couldn’t be more grateful to be able to be a part of it.

The contractions began to increase in pace and intensity and she knew it wouldn’t be long before the first pup was born. The Empress leaned heavily into the Shogun, her eyes squeezing shut in obvious pain before opening to look to the healer for guidance. “It’s alright, my lady. You’re doing amazing, just let your instincts guide you. Push when you feel the need, take deep breaths in between,” she instructed, her voice a gentle coo in an attempt to relieve the woman’s anxiety. Being a first time mother, the experience could be quite scary. Even if you had watched someone else give birth before, it was a completely different experience going through it yourself.

Kiyo watched as the woman bore down and pushed, a cry escaping her lips before the first little bundle came from her. Aki was quick to come forward with the bowl of water, as was Yui with the rags. The ghostly woman was quick to nip the sack then dip a rag in the water and gently rub the pup clean. She used her nose to massage his chest, pushing the mucus from his lungs and mouth and a few seconds later, his loud cry filled the room. With a grin she gently placed the child at his mother’s teat, “Congratulations, your first-born is a healthy little boy,” she said, pride filling her silver gaze.