Memories of a Pureblood Princess

Chapter 11: Love, Death, Birth

"Yuki, are you almost ready?" Yelled a woman with long, curly hair from the bottom of the stairwell. "Just a minute Ruka!" Answered Yuki and she waddled down the stairs with her pregnant belly. "I'll take that for you." Said a man with orange hair as he grabbed Yuki's suitcase.  "Thank you, Akatsuki." Said Yuki as she smiled. "Well, I guess this is it!" Said Yuki as she turned to face the ones who were gathered at the Kuran mansion. "Yuki, be safe. I know you'll be a great mother." Said Yori as she smiled and touched Yuki's belly.

"I'll be waiting here for you and that little one. Everything at the Association will be taken care of in your absence." Said Zero as he pulled Yuki in for a hug. "Thank you, Zero." Said Yuki as she kissed his cheek. "We will take excellent care of her." Said Ruka as she smiled. They waved their goodbyes as the time came that Zero had been dreading. He knew why she had to leave, as a vampire pregnancy takes far longer than a humans, there have to be special precautions when giving birth.

Still... he was excited to see who Yuki has been carefully protecting for almost a year since Kaname sacrificed his heart. Zero felt a sense of guilt that Kaname's fate ended the way it did, but he was glad he could still be there to protect Yuki and their child. "Zero?" Yori asked as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'll be alright." Said Zero as he smiled at her. I'll be waiting here for you, Yuki...

"Yuki, feel free to drink my blood. You need to be at full strength when you give birth." Said Ruka as they settled their things into the house. "Thank you, Ruka." Said Yuki. As the hours passed, Yuki knew it was almost time. Her contractions came in waves of immense pain. "Ahhhhhhh!" Screamed Yuki as she squeezed Akatsuki's hand. "Just breathe Yuki, you're doing fine!" Said Ruka as Yuki cried out in pain. She thought about how Kaname would react to seeing his child, and how he wouldn't be able to see them grow up.

The birth seemed to stretch on with no end in sight, until finally, there was a strong cry that rang throughout the room. Yuki gasped for breath, tears welling in her eyes as she heard the cry of her baby. It's a girl!" Said Ruka as she wrapped the baby and handed her to Yuki. Yuki gazed in awe at the little life she was holding in her arms. "What are you going to make her?" Asked Ruka as she grabbed Akatsuki's hand. "Ai, for love." Said Yuki without hesitation. Yuki looked out the window and noticed the snow falling. She was holding a new life, in a season that symbolizes death. She thought the notion was quite beautiful. "I love you, Ai." Said Yuki as she kissed the infants forehead. "There are so many people who can't wait to meet you."