Demonstar: Das Erwachen

Chapter 18 : Aiko

"We're going to have to name her eventually," Taka stated, placing a kiss on blonde hair.

His arm was stretched behind Demonstar's head, his hand resting on her arm as the two snuggled close to each other in bed. Her head laid on his chest as Demonstar held a blonde baby swaddled in cloth. The baby opened her green eyes to stare at her mother before closing them and going back to sleep.

"I know... I just don't know what name we should go with. Let's decide between a German name or a Japanese name," Demonstar replied.

"Hmm, Kokoro?" he suggested.

"No."

"Hinata?"

"Sounds like a ninja or something. Next," Demonstar's dismissed as her attention turned to the baby. "Tell Daddy to give you a good name, huh, my little love?"

"Hmm, love...little loved one... Aiko?"

The baby moved as Demonstar paused and started thinking. The baby's eyes opened again as she gave a toothless smile and gurgled.

"Oh, I think she likes that one!" Taka laughed.

"Blade," Demonstar stated. Taka gave her a puzzled look, and she continued, "Aiko is an old northern German name meaning blade. It's a variation of the names Ekke and Eike, traditionally male names."

"I didn't know it was also a German name... Even being a traditionally male name in German, it has female standing in Japan."

"I like the name."

Demonstar smiled at little Aiko and pulled her close before kissing her head. She then looked up at Taka, and the two shared a quick kiss. Taka removed the covers from himself as he got out of the bed. Demonstar watched him as he went to retrieve his clothing, taking in the sight of his naked butt. As he started putting his pants on, he noticed her gaze.

"What?" he asked as he gave a slight laugh.

"Nothing—just admiring the view."

He pulled his pants up and tugged his shirt over his head as he walked over to her. The two shared another deep kiss before he withdrew and grabbed his bow, along with a small sword.

"Well, I'll tell you what: When I get back with some meat and wood, you and I will put the baby in her bed and indulge ourselves in some heavy petting."

"Don't threaten me with your meaty wood there, buddy; I'm not scared."

They both shared a laugh as Taka opened the wooden door to the small, stone cabin.

Sometime later, Demonstar had Aiko on the bed, blowing raspberries on her stomach as the baby laughed and flailed at her mother. Demonstar smiled at her daughter as the baby laughed and grabbed at her mother's face. The door opened, catching her attention as Taka walked in. She greeted him, taking him out of his thoughts; Taka looked up at Demonstar, startled, as worried sweat dripped from his face. It was at this point that Demonstar became concerned due to the clear signs of distress he was showing.

"What happened?" she asked urgently.

"Oh, umm, nothing," he stated without making eye contact, simply placing the wood on the ground and a boar carcass on the wooden table. "Just missed you two, is all. If you want to start getting the cookware ready, I'll start butchering the boar."

He smiled at Demonstar before picking the pig back up and returning outside.

Demonstar prepared the clay bathing barrel for her and Taka. While Aiko slept in her cot, the pair showed their passion for one another till long past the water lost the warmth it had gathered from the fire. They only left the water to continue in their bed.