Shirahime

It wasn't supposed to happen, but exactly 38 weeks and 4 days ago it did. And now I'm regretting it, I never knew that it was going to end up this way. I had planned for XI to be at the receiving end, to pay him back for the countless times he constantly arrives in my lab or just hangs around for no good reason at all.1

Yet I feel something toward him, and despite my regrets and ill feelings about this latest development I am slowly letting my anger about this situation get the better of me. Oh right, I technically am not supposed to feel. However I know that our esteemed Superior and the two others above me, did not take into account that pregnancy does create hormones, despite the lack of a heart.2

And I was well aware that in less than two weeks, I'd be the one going through the pain of bringing a new life into the world. It was that constant reminder that got me more upset with the rose haired botanist. I haven't even really talked to him that much either, considering he is on missions.3

Then as the months wore on, I tried fervently to hide it. Or come up with an excuse and say that something else was going on with me. And not the fact that I was in fact carrying a neophyte's baby. That alone was just... degrading to say the least. But now I couldn't do anything about it. 4

But I digress. Today I had a feeling something was going to happen, especially since I noticed that I was not as hungry as I should have been. Earlier on I would eat as much as I can, claiming that I was just really hungry because I skipped breakfast and lunches. However that only held true for the first twelve weeks, however due to my thin build, my pregnancy was obvious by 11 weeks. Ironic... in some twisted way.5

I shook my head, shaking aside the possibility of anything going wrong. I went to my lab as usual, but I did know well enough to stay away from the dangerous materials. So I resigned myself to working on old reports, and some new ones about what I have experienced so far. 6

And ironically, no sign of XI anywhere. I actually didn't mind being alone, that was until I felt a sharp pain in my back. Which I didn't really take much notice to, considering aches and pains were common in pregnancy. Especially as one got close to the 40 week mark. 7

"You were always good... why are you kicking up a storm now?" I asked, knowing full well the baby couldn't answer me. I would be rather freaked out if it could though. I moved my hand over my stomach, the kicks getting harder. 8

I resigned myself to moving to the bed I had in the corner of the lab, considering I did spend the majority of the time down here. And I had little to no time, or was too tired, to head back upstairs and go to sleep in my proper room. Lately it had been because I was too tired due to the pregnancy. 9

After a few hours the pain seemed to be getting worse, which I found odd. The baby was too early, by at least almost two weeks. Granted I was considered full term, but I wanted to be right on the due date. Not end up early. It wasn't according to plan at all. This must have been XI's child, just as stubborn as him.10

But the pain soon got unbearable, and I knew that my water had broken a couple hours earlier. And the contractions were intensifying rapidly, which was unusual for a first pregnancy. Then again there was nothing usual about this whole thing. I was a male, we just didn’t get pregnant. I wanted it to go away, but it was not about to. And then there was the pressure, that got worse as well. 11

Eventually I decided that it was better for me to send a dusk for Marluxia than have to deal with this myself. But from the feelings I had, I knew that I had to push eventually. The pressure was just getting too unbearable. I just wasn't comfortable lying on the bed, it growing harder to find a good position. 12

As time wore on, I couldn't take it any more. I reluctantly stood up from the bed and leaned against the lab table for support. I breathed slowly, trying to make it through the contraction but ended up moving forward before I pushed as hard as I could. I could feel something move, so I knew I was making some progress. 13

But still no sign of Marluxia, and things were getting worse. Maybe Xemnas sent him on a mission, I didn't know. A low moan escaped my lips as I held onto the edge of the table, pushing harder this time with the contraction. I screamed as I felt something move further down, but I was too scared to actually reach down and see what was going on. 14

I tried to stay calm, regardless of the searing pain I felt. Then I soon felt like I was being split in half, I pushed again as I finally felt the head move out. I knew that had to be it as my body started to shake, and I knew I couldn't stay in this position. I just couldn't bring myself to move right now.15

The shoulders were next, I knew that much. I breathed slowly, but I ended up panicking in a few seconds. The pressure was increasing and I could barely stand now, instead I managed to shift my position so my back was to the table. But I was still standing slightly, my hands on the edge of the table still. 16

I lowered my head before I pushed again, this time putting more pressure behind it as a low moan escaped my lips. But I wanted this child out, allowing myself some time to relax before I pushed again. This time as hard as I could, screaming as I felt the shoulders move further down. 17

I moved a little lower, moving my hands slightly as I breathed slowly. This hurt worse than I thought, the pain slowly becoming unbearable as I felt like losing whatever I had eaten earlier that day. I heard a portal open, but right now I didn't care. I had one thing on my mind. I moaned lowly as I pushed as hard as I could, not seeing anyone in front of me. I just knew that I felt the baby moving out slowly before it was finally freed. 18

"You didn't tell me you were due today." I heard a familiar, but soft voice speak softly. I felt a kiss on my forehead, then a rather loud cry. But I also felt myself collapse onto the floor, my legs going out in front of me. 19

"I didn't know myself XI... I had two weeks...." I spoke weakly, looking up into sapphire blue eyes. Marluxia only chuckled softly, but it wasn't one of malice for once. I saw him holding a tiny bundle in his arms, and he handed it to me.20

"Well in the words of a great scientist, babies come when they want. I think she was just anxious to see us. So... come up with a name yet?" I heard him ask, then looked down at the little one in my arms. I was so overcome with emotion it never crossed my mind. 21

"Shirahime..." I finally spoke, kissing her on the forehead. I only saw Marluxia nod and smile in return. Now that this ordeal was over, I still think that he should do this next. 22