Progression pt 3
Mahrayne smiled; either Pirum had finally realised that not everyone had the same basic knowledge of medical subjects as she did or she was getting better at explaining things. Her elder sister could almost follow what the young female was chattering on about…
Pirum, 'selaan and Buahan had joined Mahrayne and Kel for the midday meal at the Academy's eatery, along with Kinu and 'jau and Kuri. The little bondmates as usual sat beside each other, striped and silver tails twined lovingly together. 'tiisaan was eating with them as well, accompanied by his entourage of 'viirel, Tion and Solarial. Tion in particular was hovering protectively by the hostling; after rescuing 'tiisaan from the snow the Korijin female had taken it upon herself to look out for him, just in case his single-mindedness where dance was concerned made him oblivious again to danger. Mahrayne knew that Tion was at the age where Korijin females began to think about mates and children but it wasn't simply a maternal urge that made Tion so attentive to 'tiisaan - the female genuinely liked the hostling and it looked like they'd settled into a close friendship.
"Hey, 'rayne-chan – " Pirum had taken to using the Saiyan term of endearment with her sister, " – do you know Kinu is almost a year old?"
Mahrayne blinked.
"He is?"
"Uhuh, I worked it out," Pirum said smugly, leaning over to ruffle the object of discussion's silver mane. "Kinu was born twenty days after midwinter last year."
Mahrayne smiled at her beaming son. Almost a year – a Vejiitasei year - old? Already? So much had happened since his birth.
"I was thinking," Pirum chirped on, "seeing as we're living on Vejiitasei now we should measure things by this planet's calendar."
Mahrayne nodded slowly; it made sense, Vejiitasei's definite days made it easier to keep track of specific dates, unlike Hassina's variable 'seasons'. Mahrayne stifled the wave of despair that threatened – and Vejiitasei was their home now, there was no going back, even if Pirum didn't realise that yet.
"That's a good idea, Pirum," Mahrayne smiled at her sister, then at her son who was watching her, wide-eyed and ... wary? The Hassinan could feel the prickling of his concern along their empathic bond; had Kinu picked up her fleeting distress? Kelapa hadn't, Mahrayne glanced sideways at the unconcerned warrior. She smiled reassurance at the little hybrid sitting beside her, pulling him into a cuddle and letting her love for him flow through their link. "Almost a year old, sinam?" Mahrayne chuckled, kissing his mane. "It is traditional for Name-days to be marked in some way rather than birth days…"
"We could celebrate birthdays instead of Namedays!" Pirum was getting enthusiastic, "After all, someone's birth is just as important as their Naming!"
"We could." Mahrayne was less enthusiastic, shivering with a chill of premonition; she could see her people's traditions being blown away like smoke on the wind...
"… what do you think, Kin-chan? Let's have a birth day celebration for you!"
Mahrayne blinked back to herself, disoriented.
"Takibi?" Kelapa spoke softly, her tail tightened around Mahrayne's thickened midriff.
"Just tired, I think, jha-tunovahn," Mahrayne murmured, leaning into the solid comfort of Kel's embrace.
"I fucking knew it!" Kelapa growled, "You should rest more, baka."
"I will," Mahrayne smiled, kissing the corner of her lover's jaw, "I promise."
It wasn't a big celebration that Pirum organised but there was a significance about it that evoked an uncomfortable feeling of inevitable change for Mahrayne. 
Most of the Academy was there for the early afternoon party plus all of the Hassinan, Dignusia and Peruro accompanied by Zyelenyi. Kinu was inundated with gifts, mostly jewellery and clothes, until the little hybrid started to look a bit overwhelmed. But he thanked everyone graciously before he and 'jau headed back to the family's suite for the second celebration that Pirum – in a rare moment of tact – had also organised so the rest of the family, primarily Zorun, could participate without any awkwardness.
"Pirum's talking about doing this sort of thing for fucking everyone!" Kel was in her customary position, standing behind Mahrayne, arms and tail wrapped around the Hassinan, her chin resting on Mahrayne's shoulder. "At this rate there'll be a party every tenday!"
Mahrayne laughed, leaning back into her lover.
"The idea may not catch on before my sister's enthusiasm wanes."
"Don't fucking count on it." Kelapa smirked, nuzzling Mahrayne's ear. "Come on, you're due for a check-up this afternoon."
Mahrayne and Alida were sitting close together on the suite's tiny balcony, soaking up the faint warmth of the afternoon sunslight. The cold season was well past, the last of the snow had fallen days ago and already the weather was noticeably warmer. Mahrayne was happy, *singing* to her child in Hassinan as she had with Kinu, and almost she could believe her daughter was *listening*.
At Mahrayne's last check-up, after Kinu's party, Ayva had frowned and told her she had to rest now - proper doing nothing rest, not merely teaching while sitting down. This hadn't pleased the Hassinan at all but Ayva was insistent. Mahrayne was nearing the end of her pregnancy and the cub - while not as big as Kinu had been - was extremely active; the physical strain was starting to show. Mahrayne had kept up with all the language classes but cut her dance classes by half, her students happy to take turns teaching the classes she couldn't attend.
Alida grinned as she rubbed her twin's distended belly, laughing with delight when the child rolled, moving as if she was trying to stretch against her confines. Mahrayne grinned as she winced, she was convinced her daughter had long, long legs. The Hassinan was impatiently looking ahead to when her child was born, to finally hold her daughter in her arms and look into her face.
*I wonder what colour her eyes will be? Or her tail?* Mahrayne smiled dreamily - the medical scanner had revealed a Saiyan tail. *I wonder if she'll have a mane, or hair like mine?* Mahrayne absently twined a lock of thick white around her finger. Alida just smiled, her twin had been asking these sorts of questions for most of the pregnancy.
*Not long to wait 'til we find out,* Alida kissed Mahrayne's cheek, the faintest hint of warmth against the Hassinan's golden skin.
*No.* Mahrayne's smile broadened and she lovingly stroked her abdomen.
Vinas reckoned the birth could be as little as twenty days away, or as long as fifty; Mahrayne hoped it was closer to twenty even though she was not looking forward to the labour. And after the birth…? Well, Mahrayne had some things to sort out.
The major 'thing' Mahrayne was worrying at was whether to stay in the palace or not. 'tiisaan had suggested she and Kel move into the Academy. It was tempting, certainly; Kelapa wasn't averse to the idea and Mahrayne would be closer to her students, and 'tiisaan and the Hassinan who'd remained on Vejiitasei. But she was still a little reluctant. Moving away from the palace would take her away from her son.
*Kinu can fly, heart's-light, you'll see as much of him there as you do here,*Alida had made this argument before, *and you'll be happier…*
Mahrayne sighed, she knew what her sister was obliquely referring to. If they moved into the Academy Mahrayne wouldn't have to have as much incidental contact with Saiyans. The Hassinan couldn't help it, the Saiyans had been scary enough when she'd first arrived and been no-one in particular but now they actually had a grievance against her…
It wasn't all Saiyans, though. Zyelenyi and Ayva still treated her as they always had, as did the Thinkers she was in contact with, and her Saiya-jin students didn't seem to have an issue with the double claim. But none of them were Elite and they all had lots of contact with aliens, maybe that had given them a certain flexibility of thought? Maybe they were just different? After all, she was hardly typical of her race.
Mahrayne had to admit she found the idea of being close to her people very appealing; close to, but not in the same quarters, that wouldn't please Kelapa at all. The warrior already considered the females, especially Merces, as being wholly too familiar with her mate. The last thing Mahrayne wanted to do was upset Kel, but she yearned to have people around her all the time. Being solitary by choice was one thing but it would be comforting to have a friendly group of people to return to. Mahrayne felt so vulnerable when she was alone. True, Kelapa was with her most evenings and nights, and true, Mahrayne had lots of visitors, but not many of them stayed. Kinu and 'jau slept over occasionally, as did Pirum and 'selaan, which was wonderful and at those times Mahrayne's sleep was deep and restful, and then there was Kuri…
Mahrayne loved Kel's cub as much as she loved her own. The little male was loving and protective, so much so that he'd wanted to stay with her when his mother had a night shift, even when it coincided with a night he was supposed to be staying with his papa. Mahrayne had very gently dissuaded him from that, knowing how much the cub loved being with his sire.
"You sure, maaziRayne?" Kuri had scowled doubtfully at her when she'd refused.
"Yes, I am, sinam," Mahrayne smiled confidently, cuddling the cub and nuzzling his mane, "but thank you for being concerned."
"Hn." Kuri frowned, folding his arms across his chest - he could be the image of his father at times. "A'right."
Mahrayne was worried about Undosus. The rest of the Hassinan seemed to be settling in to their new life quickly and easily, but the young singer... Whenever Mahrayne saw her she was forcefully reminded of someone in mourning. It was clear Undosus hadn't wanted to be parted from Inaratus even if she had been keen to stay on Vejiitasei. The only time the female seemed at ease was when she was singing - though even then there was a heart-tearing poignancy to her voice – or when she was with Lefelial, her Shimosein. Merces had told Mahrayne that Undosus still slept with the rest of them and that as far as she was aware, the pair hadn't had sex yet.
Mahrayne was oddly relieved to hear that, despite her curiosity. How did the Shimosei reproduce anyway? The little she'd gleaned from the library database indicated they lived in small, loosely structured family groups, and they mated for life though not necessarily just with one partner. She'd like to find out more. Merces – who looked liked she'd become the surrogate mother for all the Hassinan - obviously approved of Lefelial and his gentle, courteous behaviour towards Undosus. The older female thought they were a good match and Mahrayne trusted Merces' instincts. If Undosus and Lefelial were destined to be together then so be it.
Kinu grinned, watching Kuri stare Kiraz down. The young cub stood with his tail lashing behind him and his arms folded across his chest scowling grumpily down at the young prince who was sprawled on his stomach on a cushion. The flame-haired young Saiyan didn't want to spar with the infant right now but Kuri wasn't taking 'no' for an answer.
*Kir-kun is going to get a faceful of brat if he doesn't give in.* Kinu *communicated* his amusement to his bondmate cuddled beside him on the mound of soft floor cushions.
*Uhuh.* 'jau smirked as Kuri growled and launched himself at Kiraz, the elder child having to react quickly, lifting himself out of the way as Kuri attacked.
"I said no, brat!" Kiraz dropped back down over Kuri, pinning the furious child beneath his heavier body. "Tomorrow, properly, in a training arena."
"Promise!" Kuri had stopped squirming, but he was still scowling ferociously.
"I promise," Kiraz pushed himself upright, smirking down at his dark-eyed shadow.
"If Rad-san says you can," Kinu, ever the voice of reason, prompted, and Kiraz rolled his eyes expressively.
"If Rad-san says we can." he intoned heavily making Kuri giggle.
Zorun's youngest loved to fight, unlike his older half-brother; Kinu was altogether a calmer, gentler soul, more interested in talking than sparring. Not that he couldn't give as good as he got when he had to despite having considerably lower ki than any of the other children. But Kuri was a warrior born, and with his High Elite potential there was no doubt he would choose the military as his career. He was already asking - nagging - about starting training.
Tia-chan was at the medical centre with Zorun again. Kinu sighed: through the empathic bond he shared with his maazi he knew she was conflicted about it. She was still carrying the King's Guard's second child while papa'd already sired a fourth. It didn't help that she still desired both Zorun and Ti'aasaan despite her grim determination not to mess things up with Kelapa. Nonetheless, she was pleased for them both, though worried about Tia-chan's health. The nurturing instinct was never far from the surface in Mahrayne and her need to help was being frustrated by her knowing that she had nothing to offer, or at least nothing that would be accepted. She was also genuinely happy that Zorun had found a place with the family, however – jealous wasn't the right word, but ... his maazi felt so lost sometimes. Having spent a fair amount of time with his mother's people now, it had become clear to Kinu that if Saiyans were pack creatures, Hassinan were happier as a herd. Mahrayne craved that sense of community, had found a similar sort of thing with the family and it hurt to be excluded from it – even though she accepted it as her deserved punishment.
And then there was that deep sadness, almost a despair, he could sense in his maazi. It wasn't always visible though, like something caught in a narrow crack it could only be viewed at certain angles. Kelapa didn't seem to notice, which was puzzling given the depth of their relationship, and then there was Zha'zhasaan... Kinu didn't know how he knew but he was certain Zha'zhasaan was aware of whatever it was that was bothering his maazi. Kinu had asked the beautiful, ethereal hostling directly and 'zhasaan had only grinned down at him, tapping him lightly on the nose.
"It is not yet time for you to know, little bridge-builder."
Kinu had scowled – 'zhasaan was just weird sometimes.
Kinu had finally found out why his maazi and Kel weren't in the suite any longer and why they were regarded so hostilely by people who'd once been their friends. In hindsight he had to admit it was a bad idea asking 'raadiin, in fact Kinu didn't know what prompted him to ask 'raadiin in the first place! The young warrior was his least favourite person in the family and in his explanation 'raadiin spared the cub none of the vitriol he felt towards Mahrayne and Kel. Later, Kinu had sensibly gone to ask maaziZak for a more balanced opinion.
"So papa claimed maazi, even though she didn’t want him to?" Kinu frowned as he tried to understand. "And then maazi asked Kel-chan to claim her?"
"Essentially, yes…" Zha'haarak treated the young hybrid's enquiries with all seriousness. "Your papa loved Mahrayne deeply and her choosing Kelapa-san instead hurt him terribly."
Kinu nodded, remembering the pain he'd scented and sensed from his sire since his parents had separated.
"But, maazi didn't hurt him deliberately?" This was the impression he'd gotten from 'raadiin and Kinu was anxious to know if it was true or not.
Zha'haarak sighed.
"Not deliberately, no… But whether she meant to or not, your maazi has hurt a lot of people - not just Zorun, but in the family as well. It may seem unfair, but can you understand why the Saiyans don't want Mahrayne and Kel here?"
The cub nodded again, feeling miserable and 'jau tightened his tail comfortingly around his bondmate's waist.
"I'd kill anyone who tried to take you 'way from me, zkai'da." 'jau growled.
"Me too," Kinu confirmed vehemently, winding his own tail tighter around 'jau. Still troubled, he gazed entreatingly up at the gentle zn'hre. "But maazi didn't really belong to papa, not truly, in her heart, like she does to Kel-chan…"
Zha'haarak stroked his mane.
"But your papa belonged to Mahrayne, in his heart…"
Kinu bit his lip.
"But papa has Tia-chan now… Doesn’t that make things better?"
"A little," Zha'haarak said quietly, "but it will be a long, long time, if ever, before your maazi and Kelapa are forgiven." He gazed sadly at the cub. "I'm sorry, zk'vissin. Whether we want to or not, we can't intervene."
Kinu had cried then, cuddled protectively by his bondmate, angry with himself for being too young to think of a way to mend the mess and make everyone happy again…
Cold season was well and truly done with when, during the midday meal, Kinu felt his mother's sudden mingled fear and elation and knew she'd gone into labour. A few days previously the cub had - not so much asked permission as simply informed the family that he was going to be there when his sister was born, no matter what time of day or night it happened. Grinning now, he hastily crammed the last few mouthfuls of his meal into his mouth, swallowing quickly as he stood up ready to go. 'jau, eyes sparkling, bounced to his feet as well. Pirum looked up from her discussion with 'selaan.
"It's time?" she asked the youngest bondmates.
"Uhuh." Kinu smirked and Pirum laughed, clapping her hands happily. The young Hassinan scrambled to her feet, catching Buahan's hand as she stood. "Come on, Bu-chan!"
"What? No!" the princess protested with a blush, "I don't want to go!"
"Oh, come on!" Pirum insisted, "You've never been to a birthing before, it's interesting." The Hassinan smirked at the look on her friend's face. "You're not scared are you?"
"No, of course not." Buahan scowled before rather reluctantly standing up, "But if I miss out on anything important in this afternoon's lesson I'm going to blame you!"
"Kuri, I think it's best if you stay here…" Zha'haarak gently informed the young cub who'd very quickly worked out what was happening and was standing beside his elder brother, bouncing up and down impatiently.
"Nuh-uh," Kuri's face creased into the stubborn scowl everyone knew so well, "my sister - I wan' see her."
"He'll be all right, maaziZak," Kinu took hold of his brother's small hand, "We'll take care of him."
"Let's go!" Kuri bodily tried to tug Kinu towards the balcony.
"It will be quicker if we fly," 'selaan observed with a small smile as he scooped Pirum up into his arms.
Sasa accompanied the six youngsters to the medical centre.
"Will someone need to tell Zorun?" Pirum whispered to her research mate as he took off from the balcony.
"No, he'll know." 'selaan answered solemnly.
"How?" Pirum's innate curiosity asserted itself. "He doesn’t have a link with 'rayne anymore."
"Saiya-jin parents have a kind of 'pathic link with their children almost as soon as they're conceived - he'll know through that."
"I see." Pirum lapsed into silence as she pondered the implications of this, making a mental note to find out more about this particular form of link…
Mahrayne, supported by Dignusia and Merces, paced her room in the medical centre. It had been prepared a few days previously in anticipation of the birth and currently Ayva was checking the water temperature of the large, deep bath that dominated the stark room. Mahrayne desperately wanted to get into the tub and ease her aching body but she would not do that without Kelapa.
Where was she?
Mahrayne burst into tears when the anxious warrior arrived, subjectively a long time after the Hassinan's pains had first begun.
"Ah, takibi," Kelapa smiled and gently brushed a sweat-soaked lock of white hair away from her lover's face, "They may not fucking like me very much but they wouldn’t try to keep me away from you now."
"It hurts," Mahrayne sobbed in the warrior's arms as Dignusia and Merces deftly undressed her.
"You got through Kinu's birth, you'll get through this one," Kel kissed her forehead, "And both Vinas and Ayva are here - everything will be fine. Let's get you into the water."
The heat of the water felt so good. Mahrayne hung limply on to the side of the tub, relishing the warmth seeping into her bones and muscles, soothing her enough that she dared to try and relax a little before the next contraction. Kelapa, her wonderful Kel, was with her at last, the Saiyan's strong body partially supporting her weight, her tail caressing Mahrayne's abdomen, her presence more comforting for Mahrayne than she'd probably ever be able to express.
"I love you," Mahrayne whispered, resting her head on Kel's shoulder.
"Love you too," Kelapa whispered back, warm brown eyes shining.
Dignusia and Merces made themselves comfortable on the benches around the tub, silent but excited, ready to lend their support however they could. Ayva had cheerfully stripped and entered the water, and now with gentle fingers she manually checked the Hassinan's progress as Vinas pressed a medical monitor to Mahrayne's neck. Mahrayne was no happier that the bio-tech was here this time than the last but she didn't protest; that the Feeodoreean had readily agreed to a water birth Mahrayne felt was concession enough.
Vinas nodded his head fractionally at the readings; things were progressing smoothly. There was a commotion outside and suddenly the door burst open and a gaggle of excited children - plus one bemused female Elite – tumbled into the room.
"'rayne, are we too late?" Pirum darted anxiously over to the tub.
"No, brat," Kel half-smirked, half-grimaced, answering for Mahrayne as the Hassinan was currently dealing with another ripple of pain by biting down hard on Kel's shoulder. "If last time was anything to go by we'll be here for fucking hours yet. Kuri - " This last was growled at her son who'd already pulled off his brief bodysuit and was clambering into the bath.
"Don' make me go, maazi, cos I won't!" Kuri warned, insinuating himself next to his mother, reaching out with his tail to stroke Mahrayne's quivering back.
"Is there room for me?" Pirum chirruped, squeaking happily when Ayva nodded.
With Pirum in the bath and out of the way, Kinu could finally reach his mother.
"How are you, maazi?" the little hybrid couldn't hide his anxiety - he was getting a strong echo of Mahrayne's pain through their link even though he was managing to block most of it.
"Your sister and I will both be fine, sinam," Mahrayne reassured her son between panting breaths, "thank you for coming - you too, 'jau," she smiled at Kinu's bondmate. "And you 'selaan - " the hostling was peering at Vinas's monitor, " - and you, Oujo." Mahrayne finished softly, inclining her head to the young princess, who'd crept closer to the bath, morbidly fascinated despite herself.
A little over three hours later it was all over and Mahrayne held her healthy, perfect, tiny daughter in her arms.
"Oh, she's lovely!" Pirum cooed, "Can I hold her?"
"In a little while," Mahrayne spoke to Pirum though her gaze never left her child's face. The infant looked as if she'd taken on rather more of her father's genes than her mother's. Her mane, though still wet, could already be seen to be a rich, dark brown shot through with the occasional flash of gold, as was her long, slender tail which coiled tightly around her mother's forearm. Mahrayne giggled tiredly.
"See? Long legs. I said so."
Kelapa bent down to nuzzle the tiny female's mane, breathing in her scent. There were tears in the warrior's eyes as she brushed a kiss over Mahrayne's cheek.
"She's beautiful, takibi."
"She has her father's eyes," Mahrayne murmured, seeing herself reflected in the fathomless black.
"And she was born on Kinu's Naming day," Pirum announced with satisfaction tickling the infant's tummy gently while Kinu beamed proudly.
Kelapa stiffened, then sighed.
"He's outside." she said softly to her lover.
Mahrayne bit her lip then called Buahan closer.
"Oujo, could you take Zorun's daughter to him...?"
Buahan cradled the sweet-smelling little bundle close to her chest, measuring her tread carefully as she walked out to meet the King's Guard; it didn't bear thinking about what would happen if she dropped the baby. Walking with her were Kinu and 'jau on one side, and Kuri, naked, still wet and unconcerned about it on the other. Sasa watchfully brought up the rear, completing the baby's honour guard.
"Papa!" Kuri called out happily at the sight of his father, "She's here!"
Zorun smiled, though there was a hollowness about his eyes as he went down to one knee bringing himself to the children's level.
"I've always wanted a little sister," Buahan murmured as she carefully deposited the tiny female in her father's waiting arms. The children clustered around as he lifted her up to nuzzle against his neck.
"Maazi asks if you'd like to name her," Kinu said softly, feeling a profound sadness at the look on his father's face as he scented his daughter.
"Call her?" Zorun murmured. Supporting the baby's head he took a good look at his child. The infant's mane was forming into long soft spikes as it dried, reaching half-way down her back and flopping untidily over her face. "Heh, she looks like my sister." he said with a lop-sided smirk. "Korena," the big male said after a moment, "her name's Korena."
The newly-named infant squirmed in his arms, radiating hunger. Zorun gave her one last lingering cuddle then reluctantly handed her to Buahan.
"Take her back to her mother," he stroked the back of a finger against a small soft cheek, *I'll see you soon, little one.*
"Don' worry, papa," Kuri wrapped his arms around his father's neck, "I'll 'tect her."
"I know you will." Zorun hugged his youngest son, giving him a small smile.
"We'll see you soon, papa." Kinu happily snuggled into his father's side, reaching up to kiss an angled cheek. Zorun nodded and released his sons, then smoothly got to his feet.
"Thank you, your highness." He bowed formally to the little female, who accepted his thanks with a gracious nod before heading back to the birthing room.
The big male stood motionless, arms folded across his chest, watching expressionlessly as the children and their guard took his daughter away…
© 2003 June 10th Amanda Mullane
