She tried to stretch but couldn’t. It was beginning to feel very cramped. She didn’t like this feeling. Not being able to move and the darkness. She tried moving again, kicking her legs and moving her arms. She couldn’t move. She felt trapped. That was a feeling she didn’t like. Then came the soothing presence in her mind. A calming, loving presence that made her feel safe.
Mother? She thought. That was what the presence in her mind referred to herself. I’m here, my little fighter. Soon you and your sister will be out and you will get to see things for yourself. At the mention of sister, the little fighter reached out with her mind and found her. Mother referred to her as little princess. Little princess was the other presence that little fighter was aware of. She was like herself, trapped in this darkness that seemed to be growing small and smaller. Princess’ mind connected to Figher’s, giving her encouragement.
They began to hear music, they liked the music. Images came to their mind of an instrument and a beautiful woman playing it. Mother shared that it was her playing the music. Mother shared lots of images of her life. Some were of people she knew, others were skills and knowledge. Although those seemed strange as the two were trapped in darkness. But Mother assured them that soon these images would make sense. Very soon my darlings.
~
Setsunu set down her cello. It was time. She stood and stretched out her hand. Kuronosu flew to her hand. Leaning on her spear, Setsunu made her way to the Medical wing. There was a large group of people waiting for her. Every member of her Angels of Death squad plus some others. Setsunu smiled, touched by her friends' care of her. Amane let her inside the med lab. “Today is the big day. Are you ready?” Setsunu laughed. “I don’t think I could wait much longer. If I grow any bigger I won’t be able to fit through the doorway.”
Amane laughed as well and instructed Setsunu to undress and put on a medical gown. She then walked her through what to expect. The short, blue haired neko doctor had excellent bedside manner. Setsunu sat down on the bed and lay back. The doors opened and Thomas came in, looking excited yet apprehensive. He went to Setsunu’s side and held her hand. “You doing ok?” Setsunu squeezed his hand. “Proably better that you’re doing.”
“Captain, once we begin, I want you to stay up here on this side of the sheet. I’ll work down on the other side. Let us begin.” Amane hooked up an IV and a couple of monitors up to Setsunu. She began to feel the tightening of her stomach muscles. She maintained her breathing, holding onto Thomas with one hand and Kuronosu with the other one. No one was going to tell her she couldn't have her weapon in the delivery room, not if they wanted to remain in one piece.
~
Princess felt afraid. Something was happening. The cramped environment she had known was not only becoming more cramped, but was pushing hard against her. She could feel Fighter fighting against the pushing. Mother’s presence was there, reassuring them that it was time and that it was alright. Then suddenly, Fighter’s presence was gone. Where was she? What had happened?
~
Fighter found herself being grabbed by soft hands and a bright light shining in her eyes. She wasn’t sure what was going on. She could hear voices talking but was having trouble making things out. She got a glimpse of a beautiful green haired woman then her face was covered with a towel. She fought against the towel, not liking it at all. Without even knowing how, she grabbed the hand holding her and gave it a twist then bit hard. Amane yelped and realised her. “This one is a fighter.”
“I always knew she was.” Fighter looked over at the source of the voice. It was that green haired woman. She was smiling. Fighter felt calmer. She stood on the table, about 8 inches tall with a mess of red hair and fierce emerald green eyes. Then she saw someone else. A great big man with a red beard. Fighter knew him. She had seen images of him from her mother. The big man moved over to where she stood on a table. He smiled and she found herself smiling back. The picture on his face held her attention. What was that? She was about to speak when a voice from the sky thundered.
“Captain, I realize you’re busy with your family, but you are going to want to see this.” Inaho called from the Bridge. A volumetric display appeared in the room, showing different energy readings. Then a picture appeared. The attention of the entire room focused on the image. Fighter especially. She looked at the image then back at the red beared man. They were the same.
The Void Dragon flew towards the Wakaba and circled the ship a couple of times before stopping beside it. It looked at the ship. Fighter’s head turned and looked at the wall, as if she could see through the wall at the dragon outside. Setsunu watched the interaction. This one takes after her father. She thought. After a moment, the Void Dragon flew away and then disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Setsunu broke the silence. “Come here, my little fighter, my little dragon.” Thomas very gently picked up the red haired youngling and carried her to Setsunu. Setsunu set her on the bed beside her and wrapped her in a red robe that Tsuki had made for her. She glanced at Thomas smiling then looked back at their daughter. “Ryoko. Your name is Ryoko.” Ryoko seemed to process that a moment then smiled. “Ryoko.” She snuggled into her mother then suddenly looked up. “Princess?”
Setsunu smiled again and kissed Ryoko’s forehead. Then she pointed over to the table. Ryoko turned and saw another youngling being wiped off with a towel. She was smaller than Ryoko, by almost a whole inch. Her hair was black and where Ryoko had looked ready to fight, she just looked afraid. Ryoko pulled away from Setsunu and motioned for Thomas to take her over to the table.
Thomas looked as awestruck at the second youngling as he had at the Void Dragon. “Two?” He asked Setsunu. “Surprise.” She said smiling. Ryoko pulled at Thomas’ hand, wanting to be taken over to her sister. Ever so gently, Thomas again picked up his daughter and carried her over to his other daughter on the table.
“It’s ok.” Ryoko said. The black haired youngling looked at her, unsure of her yet also reassured at seeing someone more her size. Ryoko moved closer and gently touched her forehead against her. Black hair smiled. After a moment, Ryoko pointed towards Setsunu and Thomas carried his daughters over to their mother. Setsunu put a green robe around her daughter. “Hotaru.” Hotaru smiled and repeated the name. “Hotaru.”
After a few moments Amane spoke, “I need to run a few tests. Girls, please come over to the table.” The blue haired doctor then ran the girls through a series of tests, recording their moments, dexterity and knowledge. She held a scanner towards each girl, smiling at the readings she was getting. “Looks like you have two healthy daughters. Hotaru is a little on the small side but her vitals all seem good so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Twins are rare for Nekos, but not unheard of. Setsunu, you are doing very well too. I’m going to go ahead and discharge you all but I will be checking up on you every couple of hours just as a precaution.”
Thomas carried his daughters to their quarters, Setsunu following them, leaning a little heavily on Kuronosu. Raijin was waiting outside their door. She was a tall Nepleslian woman with brown hair tied up with a pony tail. She had a cart with several covered dishes. “I made some special broth for the girl’s first meal. I’ve also got something for you and Setsunu as well.” Whatever was under those lids smelled amazing. “Thank you Raijin.”
Ryoko and Hotaru sat on top of the table, each with a small bowl of Raijin’s broth. Thomas was wolfing down a large game roast. The same one he had hunted just a short while ago. Setsunu was enjoying several different kinds of sushi. Despite all the hardships that the Wakaba had been through, all the loss and destruction, this moment seemed to make it all worth it.
