It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

The Cup

The sun had come up, pooling through the slits of the drapes and leaking into the drawing room. It kissed the pale flesh of the pregnant vampire, warming her swollen stomach from where she stood before the large table, staring down at the strings pointing from multiple images. Her teeth gnawed at her fingernails, her free hand rubbing the side of her stomach as she waddled back and forth.

The Princess was dressed in a red gown, her blonde hair had grown, reaching her elbows when plaited. Her pink eyes squinted at the images before her, her mind racing... until Reiji broke her trail of thought. "I appreciate your help," he said, his voice raspy as he rubbed his temple, "but please, rest."

"I'm fine," the woman winced, looking at her brother-in-law who'd woken from his short nap, "you were only resting for twenty-five minutes."

"At least sit yourself down," Reiji sighed, running a hand through his dark hair.

"She kicks when I sit," Yui groaned, making her way to the long couch which had been placed recently. The cushions dipped as she sat herself, the woman frowning as she did so. "My feet are so swollen."

"Then why do you wear such shoes?" Reiji inquired, glancing at the heels on her feet.

"There are no other shoes," she sighed, "my maid laughed when I asked for flats." Reiji frowned, kneeling before her to gently unstrap the uncomfortable shoes.

"I'll have an order made," he said, "you should have said sooner."

"You're too preoccupied," she said, shaking her head, "you haven't slept properly in months."

"For some reason I sleep better with my wife kicking me," he forced a smile as he stood up, his knees cracking. He frowned as Yui winced once more.

"She's kicking," she said, "do you want to feel?" The man looked at her with wide eyes, causing her to giggle. "She won't hurt you. It's something humans do."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, come here," she boldly took the King's hand, placing it against the side of her stomach, "though I must say, I am pleased to be somewhere where people don't ask to touch your belly all the time - excluding Ayato." Reiji raised an eyebrow at her, staring at his hand before he felt the first kick. He pulled away, horrified.

"She does this to you all the time?"

"She's an active one." The woman chuckled, leaning back against the cushions.

A loud bang sounded at the door, startling the pair before Kou, Azusa and Yuma burst in.

The Queen had been transported to the infirmary instantly, needles prodded her skin and tubes were slipped into her veins, spilling blood into her bloodstream. Ruki Mukami stood at the foot of her bed, Shu's blood splattered across his face as he stared, horrified at the Queen's state. "Will she survive?" He murmured to a scurrying nurse who didn't reply. He dragged his hand through his damp hair, eyebrows furrowing as he began to pace frantically. He only looked up when the infirmary doors burst open.

His eyes softened at the sight of his brothers who darted forward, arms wrapping around his lean frame. Tears streamed from Kou's eyes as the younger boy cursed Ruki for staying with them. Ruki said nothing, his droopy eyes focusing on the King.

Reiji sprinted forward, his eyebrows knitting together as his large hand took Athena's. He collapsed to his knees, pressing her icy fingers against his forehead, mumbling some form of prayer before pressing his lips to each and every one of her knuckles.

Yui soon followed, her eyes tearful as soon as she spotted her friend on the bed. She pressed her fingertips to her lips, watching as the nurses hurried around. "What happened?" She asked.