Old Memories

Happy sounds continued to escape Kaimu now that he'd won and earned his victory~ He would definitely show Lakshmi all the affection and love he had~ He had won, so he could~ He would not die now due to lack of giving her attention~!

His legs were indeed kicking in happiness, unable to help it; he was perfectly pleased with himself.

Aaa! Could he feel movement too! Ahaha~! That only seemed to make him happier.

"Aaa~! Lak-tan~ I think I can feel him move!" If the man had a tail it'd be wagging uncontrollably, he was practically shining right now.

Was it really necessary to rub it in by making such cute sounds? Lakshmi felt her fiance was going overboard, but was completely shattered and broken. There was no way for her to fight him, not and come out the victor it seemed...

If she said this she was sure to get moped at and thus would end up losing once more! How dare his legs kick with such joy... At least... at least there was now a happy distraction and she found herself smiling and chuckling despite the blush.

"Oh? You felt him that time... Let us see if he will move more for his daddy then..." Settling her hand on Kaimu's, she tugged it away from being wrapped around her and slid it down to her stomach while attempting to figure out if the baby would move more. Kaimu was overjoyed and being so cute, and since he was doing so in a manner towards their son she was immediately less...less testy over it. He was shining... she couldn't resist him like this.

Unfortunately for the man, it seemed he had settled down again after that stomach jolting movement.

"I'm pretty sure!" He was almost positive he'd felt him! No...no, he was positive! "I definitely did, Lak-tan~!"

Kaimu was overjoyed, and allowed Lakshmi to place his hand properly on her stomach, though...it didn't seem like the baby was willing to move anymore, he'd settled down it seemed. Weeeeh, but...he was resting then!

"Uuu, it woulda been nice to feel more, but...he's resting! He should definitely rest!" There would...would be more chances! He knew there would be!

"I was not disbelieving Kai, I was merely making sure. He really did move rather strongly... I wonder if I am further along than I have been thinking... Possibly further into my fifth month..." Worrisome, very worrisome indeed. Lakshmi's happiness for Kaimu though overrode that, he'd finally felt his child inside of her... Though really, now that he had this time it was almost positive he'd begin to feel even more movements.

"Mmm, perhaps he is resting, but I think it is quite rude of him to ignore his father." Taking Kaimu's hand as he allowed her to, she lifted it up before patting her growing stomach a few times. Maybe that would tempt or annoy him?

It seemed to do something, as her stomach jolted a bit again. It wasn't visible and if Kaimu's hand hadn't been settled against her stomach, he wouldn't have felt it, but there was definitely some response. She smiled, knowing he couldn't see it but her tone positively glowed with happiness at least. "It would be much easier if I was naked, though this means you are going to get to feel him more and more now. Please ignore the weird faces I am bound to make, Kai."

Mm~! He'd definitely felt, and he would certainly feel more in the future; he wasn't all that knowledgeable when it came to when they should and shouldn't feel things, but he trusted Lakshmi's word. If she figured around now would be the time they'd start feeling more activity from the baby, then he would pay attention!

He hadn't been able to do this before, and that one small movement he'd felt earlier had made him really, really happy.

??

Kaimu watched as Lakshmi took his hand, watching as she used it to pat her stomach a few times in order to perhaps rouse some movement, which...oooh! It was small, but there had definitely been a response!

"Aaa, he heard us!" He chuckled; "and I won't think anything bad of any faces you may make in the future, Lak-tan, promise!"

"Good, because his movements feel weird... If I jolt or jump from now on unexpectedly, blame your son." Her emphasis on that word made it all the more apparent who she would in turn be blaming for making her jolt, Kaimu himself.

He had gotten her into this~ A rogue stealing her heart and sanity after all was entirely to blame for this situation, as she uncharitably thought for a moment. Chortling, the woman moved to pull herself away a bit from his hold. At least the child had moved for Kaimu, Lakshmi felt relieved he could finally feel it. It had been something that left Kaimu sad and feeling mopey, and this was quite a bit of a surprise for him now.

It...was settling in her mind, or had at least, that she was pregnant and having a child now. Maybe this would allow Kaimu to really and truly accept it too now? A living, breathing, child of their own...

"Our food is so cold now~ I wonder if I can even reheat it..." Safely at least... Lakshmi pondered this while looking to the side, her focus drawn to the tons of food sitting cold on the low table.

Eeeeh~ So when the baby did things it would be his kid only? Eeeeh~ Well, at least he knew Lakshmi was teasing, or well...this was something to expect! The baby baby was theirs and when he was here they'd show him plenty of love!

They were really having a child... They'd been forced to get out of their denial after the bubbles, and now it was getting even more real...

His eyes shifted over to the food as Lakshmi brought it up, blinking; "Aaaa, there has to be some we can reheat!" He answered, moving to sit up from his previous positioning. "Maybe...not all of it, unfortunately, but maybe something like the meat buns? Udon? Hn..."

There was plenty they could try to reheat...and hopefully they would be able to...it was a lot of food, a lot of...good food...but cold now...

Focusing on their food now, she stared for a few moments before chuckling and getting quite the idea. Lakshmi gave a short sigh before turning to look at Kaimu, the tiniest hint of a playful air growing and radiating from her. Maybe this would cheer him up?

"You really expect me, the Head of the Fourth Division and the leading expert in reiatsu and reshi manipulation this side of the realms to use my precious and hard earned knowledge..." Lakshmi paused and raised an eyebrow up as she gestured towards the table lined with cold food. "To heat up a dinner. A cold dinner that would be perfectly fine cold. This is what you wish me to use such magnificent powers on? A parlor trick for your amusement?"

Her arms crossed after her pronouncement, a hip cocking to the side as she waited for Kaimu's reply. That smirk never left her lips, if there was one thing she was proud of it was her intensive healing and energy controlling skills at least.

...E...Eh...Eh!?

A parlor trick!? It was their dinner! Lakshmi deserved hot food! If they couldn't make it hot, then warm was...somewhat acceptable, but she deserved good food! The taste wouldn't be nearly as good if it were all cold...

"Lak-taaan, it's not a trick, it's our dinnerrr~!" He retorted in a whine, "You want me to help!? I was in Ninth after all, I can manage something to just...warm it!" He had smarts when it came to kidou, it was a specialty!

"A simple dinner, easy to replace? Bah. Fine then. You think you can handle it? I shall leave this all to your own impressive skills." Lakshmi's quirked eyebrow stayed in place, because quite honestly Kaimu had been in Ninth quite a few centuries ago... Was he truly up for handling something that was a highly regulated and rather hard balancing act of energy required?

In Ninth, back then, he hadn't been a Captain's level at all... So the techniques would have to be dialed back...

Instead of saying such things, she gripped the edge of her dress and gave him a sweeping bow, almost mocking though definitely intended to be more playful. "If it is what My Lord of Ninth desires to do of course. I am ever his humble servant~"

A few sputters escaped at Lakshmi's tone. Did she not think he could!? She was teasing him! She was teasing him, and...handing him the task of this! Fine! He would just have to prove that he was fully capable of warming their dinner!

Warming up a bit of food shouldn't be a problem at all!

"I can! Easily, Lak-tan!" He stated, his tone a pouty confidence as he put his attention on the various items of food sitting at the low table.

What first... The udon! There was a lot of it, and it should certainly be easy enough!

That in mind, he moved his hands to the bowl and began focusing; all he had to do was warm it up...easy! He could feel the bowl getting warmer as he held it! He would show Lakshmi! Dinner was no problem! It was just heating it u-

Ghgha!?

Fire! With a yelp the contents of the bowl suddenly caught flame before Kaimu quickly went about extinguishing them, ignoring the fact that that yelp had even escaped in the first place; his arm moved over the dish, hiding what remained and what had become of its contents from sight as he kept his back to Lakshmi.


"....T-There... It's extra spicy now..."

Y...Yes...

Oh this was a rare treat~ Lakshmi had utterly set Kaimu off onto his confident and show-off mode, which was quite fun to do sometimes.

Especially when he got overly cocky as he seemed to be now, causing her to stop bowing and move to seat herself near him but on the adjoining side of the table to his. Tucking the hanfu's long skirt under her butt carefully, she settled down with more than a bit of regality before nodding. "I shall patiently await my dinner then."

Her hands folded on her lap as she kept a carefully blank smile, watching Kaimu reach for the bowl and begin to heat it up. Already she could sense he was pouring too much in, though she merely hid her amused smile behind her long sleeves.

As it caught fire, a short laugh did escape her though she didn't seem too startled otherwise and covered her mouth with her sleeved hand to keep the laughs in while the man tried to put it out.

It was lucky that took all his attention, because Lakshmi could get herself under control enough to not burst into unending laughter once Kaimu attempted to cover up his failure. Well well well~

"I see, if it is extra spicy now it must be just perfect for me~ Thank you so much Kai, here let me try it!" Calling his bluff, Lakshmi continued to suppress her sheer amusement though it danced behind her icy eyes quite obviously. Yet she smiled so sweetly and held out her hands for the udon. "Spicy food made extra spicy just for me! How wonderfully sweet of you. I bet it is so delicious~"

!?!

Was she... Was Lakshmi calling his bluff!? Kaimu still had yet to turn to face her properly, continuing to hide the contents of the bowl as well even... Let... Let her try...it...?

Aa...Aha...

"Lakshmi, on second thought, what if it's too spicy? Wouldn't that be bad?" He questioned, though his words were wavering as he still tried to cover up his failure. Too spicy, yes...that couldn't be good...not at all...yes...

Lakshmi smiled even more sweetly, tilting her head and closing her eyes as she continued to call such an obvious bluff. Such a silly fox man... Such an ego on him that she could quite easily pop for now in the best manner. "Not at all. In fact it is rather good for both of us, due to the capsaicin in spice being quite healthy for all sorts of bodily functions."

Should she apply more wood to the fire and use his own overprotectiveness against him? Why yes it was.

"...Kaaai, I am starving, you are starving your poor pregnant lover. How can this be healthy for our child to not get the nutrients he needs over such silly worries?" She sighed and opened her eyes, pretending disappointment as her head and smile began to droop. "Whole body...weakening immediately... need...delicious, spicy, special Kai udon..."

Gh-!...

..........

Hgh....g....

Lakshmi's tone, he wasn't facing her but...weh... He knew what she was doing, but...but he couldn't stop... What... How was he going to...not have her try to eat this, and also come out unscathed!? How!?

...

Should he...he...take the plunge, take one for this solo team and try to down this...? The thought was obviously lingering in his mind as he waged war within himself.

"I...Didn't you want...especially...o-one of the other things...Lak-tan? Aha... Wouldn't that be much better? Something you were...really wanting? U-Udon had just been a suggestion by me..."

Really? Reallllly...? That hadn't worked? Kaimu really was trying here... And of course he was only feeding her amusement and confidence herself.

"But I wish the Udon my dearest oh so kindly prepared for me. Hand it over, now." Lakshmi was almost tired of his attempts to save his ego, her smirk finally showing as she settled her cheek on one hand. The other beckoned... But it wasn't as if she gave him a chance to do so. As her fingers waved lightly, the strands of energy she controlled shot out and wrapped around the udon bowl.

Making a net with her control, she yanked it out from under his failed hiding attempt while not even spilling a drop of the rather charred looking food. It took only a few seconds for her to do so, and she merely continued to smirked and glanced at the charcoal food before looking back up at him. Her eyes dared Kaimu to comment now that she had the proof in a crackling, icy blue energy net.

He...He would...would have to take the plunge it seemed... Lakshmi wasn't buying his excuses in the slightest! He needed to dispose of this udon in the only way he knew ho-Aagh!

A shriek escaped as the bowl was ripped out from under him by Lakshmi, his eyes wide with terror as he jerked his body around to face her, moving quickly as if he were about to grab it, but...unfortunately in his quick attempts his foot had caught on his yukata, which sent him face first into the floor.

"Lakshmi don't eat it!" Even in this humiliating state he tried to move, reaching out to try to grab the bowl he could not reach. That...That damn smirk on her face! Weeeh!

Lakshmi burst into laughter as Kaimu shrieked, keeping the almost forcefield of her energy around that burnt bowl of udon because she was sure he'd try to take it. Her laughter only grew as the moments passed, Kaimu's failure to even get to the bowl causing her more and more chuckles. In fact, his face first smacking made her burst out in tears, the happiest tears, as he still attempted to keep what little remained of his dignity and pride intact.

She laughed and laughed, and fell onto her back on the floor, still laughing and crying. "I-If you think...! I am g-going to... eat that! Y-You are mistaken!"

At least she got that out... More giggles filled her, almost shrieks of laughter as she rolled back and forth on her back. What minuscule amounts of pride and dignity the man had left was obviously not even bothering her.

"Eeeeeeeh!? Lakshmiiii!!" Kaimu continued to squirm, his tone taking on complete and utter whining as he shuffled further towards her. She was laughing, laughing that hard at his actions and him... Laughing... Lakshmi was this amused!

She wouldn't eat it, but...but... He didn't want her to eat it, but...the laughing!

"Lakshmiiii....!!!" His hands finally found her as he took a hold of the fabric of her outfit nearest to her side, pulling himself somewhat over to her as his head sunk further to the floor against her leg. The whining didn't stop, it was muffled, but it was as strong as ever.

Was he squirming?! Was he really squirming...?! Reminding her of the mopiest worm or even snake, Lakshmi's laughter paused very briefly for her to stare... Before bright peals of giggles once more started up.

His whines of her name only caused more rolling, as she began gasping lightly for air. Just too much laughter! She could barely breathe at this rate! Luckily for her sanity, Kaimu was now holding her still as his hands held the edge of her hanfu. It didn't stop the giggling but it definitely slowed it down, her attempts to breathe becoming more apparent as his face settled on her leg.

...Muffled whines...

That set her off into gasping giggles again, one arm thrown across the stitch forming in her side while the other raised up to cover her eyes. "S-Stop! Stop being... so ridiculous! I'm going to die!"

"Laaaakshmiiiii..." What did she mean stop!? He was completely broken here! A shell of the man he was so proud of being! He had told her he would heat up their dinner, had...had done...what he had...and she had called every bluff he'd thrown at her!

His pride had been decimated.

"Uuuu...uu...uuuu..." Lakshmi...Lakshmi.... Was she proud? Was she proud of this...?

Nooo she'd said stop! Lakshmi's arm moved to cover her mouth, attempting to stop the laughter by force since nothing else was working. Her side hurt, she could barely breathe, her eyes were burning from how much she'd cried...

His broken whines were just fuel and she needed to ignore them! Instead she attempted deep calming breaths, only broken by the occassional giggle as she began to recover... Still, there was no use beating around the bush... As her breathing slowed, she finally spoke up in a rather smug and pridefilled tone. "Kaimu. Have you learned a lesson about egos today?"

She snickered a bit, still full of herself and amusement at this but at least it wasn't full fledged laughter again...

Lakshmi's response was just more muffled whining, neither confirming or denying her question. She was still immensely amused, that laughter had died down but the amusement was radiating off of her. She couldn't even hold back some laughter still!

"Uuu..."

More whining, it was all he could manage in the broken state he was in... Completely and utterly broken...

"Is that a yes or a no? Come on, I need some form of coherent response~" If it wasn't obvious by now, it should be apparent that Lakshmi's utter amusement wasn't going anywhere at all. She was far too smug, pushing herself up onto one hand and staring down at the broken man on her lap now. "Though, it has been a long day. Maybe I should go take a bath? I could leave you alone to your moping."

"Your moping and the burnt food you failed to heat up."

Would he just admit he failed outright? Would he admit he had been too smug and overconfident? Or would she have to go bathe alone~

An even more pathetic whine came out at Lakshmi's words; go and bath...alone!? She planned on just leaving him here in this state!? He was in a highly fragile state of being right now! His pride...his pride of all things had been brutally shattered, beaten and battered right in front of him!

"Uuuu..uu...Lak...shmi...iiii..." He sounded utterly destroyed, as if nothing in the world could save him right now, as if he were truly about to die, breath his last breath of sweet, sweet life...

She couldn't do this to him! Couldn't leave him like this! His hold manged to tighten somewhat in an attempt at securing her in place.