Summary: Midoriko takes a tragic turn when she gives birth to a child who is ultimately rejected by her husband, Kirinmaru.
Priestess Midoriko, lay propped up in her bed, her slender form coated in a sheen of sweat as she labored through the pain of childbirth. She gritted her teeth as she pushed with all her might, the agony of the experience etched into every line of her face. Beads of perspiration dotted her forehead, and her hair was damp and tangled from the exertion.
A solemn hush filled the room, as the only audible sounds were the gentle murmurs of the female demon midwives and the occasional low groan that escaped from Midoriko's lips. The midwives worked with utmost precision and care, their expert hands attending to Midoriko's every need.
Despite the agony of childbirth, Midoriko's eyes shone with fierce determination and a fierce love for the life growing within her. As the midwives continued their work, the room remained hushed, with only the occasional whisper of encouragement to help the priestess push through the pain.
After what felt like an eternity of pushing and straining, Midoriko finally heard the most beautiful sound she could imagine: the cry of a newborn. She let out a deep sigh of relief, tears of joy streaming down her face as she looked down at the tiny bundle in her arms.
It's a boy! The baby was small and fragile, with delicate features. She felt a surge of love and protectiveness as she cradled him, feeling the warmth of his tiny body against her own.
As Priestess Midoriko's hand rested on her heaving chest, she could feel her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. It was a moment she had been eagerly waiting for months, and finally, it had arrived. She had given birth to a child - a precious life that was a product of her union with the great demon lord, Kirinmaru, her husband.
She felt a surge of love that was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. This child, born of her and Kirinmaru's union, was a precious gift, a symbol of hope and unity that transcended the boundaries of their respective worlds. The feeling of overwhelming joy and wonder washed over her as she gazed down at her newborn, marveling at the tiny fingers and toes that were so perfectly formed. The child was a miracle, a testament to the love that she and Kirinmaru had shared, despite the challenges and obstacles that had stood in their way.
As she gazed upon the small, delicate frame of her newborn, a sense of disbelief overtook her. She had anticipated something different, something otherworldly, a manifestation of her husband's lineage. But instead, her child was human in every way, with no discernible signs of demon heritage that she had expected.
A wave of shock coursed through her body, like a bolt of lightning striking at the very core of her being. Her mind raced with thoughts of what this could mean, of the consequences of having a child who appeared entirely human. She imagined the disappointment and anger of Kirinmaru, would surely feel upon seeing their child's unremarkable appearance.
As Midoriko looked up at her husband, Kirinmaru, standing at the foot of the bed, her heart sank with a heavyweight. His face was etched with a mix of emotions, a combination of confusion, and disgust. The disappointment in his eyes was palpable, a tangible force that made her feel small and insignificant. She had hoped that he would see beyond their child's physical appearance, and see the potential within his heart and soul. But it seemed that all Kirinmaru saw was a failure, a weak and unworthy offspring that did not live up to his expectations.
With trembling lips and tears in her eyes, she struggled to catch her breath as she uttered those words, "I-It's a boy, my dear." Her voice, still raw and weak from the arduous process of giving birth, quivered with emotion. "Would you like to see him? Come here."
Midoriko's heart was pounding so hard that she could feel it in her throat. As she held her precious newborn baby tightly against her chest, a wave of nervousness and worry washed over her. Would Kirinmaru reject their child, and see it as unworthy of carrying on his legacy? Would he turn his back on her, the mother of his child, for failing to produce offspring that lived up to his expectations?
As Kirinmaru gazes upon the small, fragile being before Midoriko, the Beast King cannot help but question its identity.
"What is that?" he utters, his confusion palpable. He concludes with a deep sense of certainty that this feeble creature cannot be his offspring. "That is not my child. It is just a weak human infant!" He states firmly, his words carrying a weight of disbelief. The child appears to be a mere human, vulnerable and delicate, devoid of any resemblance to him as a demon. The realization dawns upon him that he is witnessing a profound difference in nature between this helpless creature and the powerful beings that he and his kind represent.
As the angry voice of their lord echoed through the room, the midwives' hearts sank with fear. Their heads slowly bowed towards Midoriko, silently conveying their respect for the priestess. Yet, the terror in their eyes betrayed the truth that they were trembling with trepidation at the mere thought of facing Kirinmaru's anger. His wrath was legendary, and even the bravest of warriors would cower in his presence. As they left the room, the weight of their fear hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the power and influence of the Beast King.
The words cut through Midoriko's heart like a knife, and she felt a pang of guilt for not being able to provide her husband with the child he had hoped for.
Midoriko felt a sense of overwhelming sadness and despair wash over her as she held their infant closer to her, trying to protect him from his father's anger. Her heart shattered into a million pieces as her husband's words echoed through her mind. She had hoped that the birth of their child would be a testament to their love, a symbol of unity between the demon and human worlds. But now, it seemed as though her husband could not accept their baby because he was not what they had expected.
"Kirinmaru, please," she pleaded with a trembling voice. "He may look different, but he is still our son. He needs our love and protection, just like any other child."
Midoriko looked up at her husband with tears, hoping that he would understand the gravity of the situation. She knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but she was determined to face them head-on, for the sake of her child.
"Please, my dear. I need you to put aside your pride and embrace our son for who he truly is. Just listen to me with an open heart and mind. Our son may not possess any physical signs of demon heritage, but that does not diminish his worth or value. I know that you have always held a deep-seated pride in your demon heritage, but please don't forget the essence of what it truly means to be a demon. He may be human in appearance, but he carries a piece of both of us within him, and that alone makes him deserving of our love and protection."
The priestess knew that it would take time for Kirinmaru to accept their child, but she would not give up on him. She would continue to love and protect her baby with all her might, even if it meant going against her husband's wishes. She held their child tightly in her arms, promising to be the best mother she could be and to give their child the life that he deserved. "As his parents, it is our duty to protect him, to nurture him, and to show him the love and acceptance that he needs. We cannot allow the opinions of others to shape our perception of him or his worth. He is our child, and we will love him unconditionally."
Kirinmaru's eyes remained cold and unreadable for what felt like an eternity. The priestess held her breath, unsure of what her husband would say or do next. She watched him as he stood motionless, gazing down at their child with a mix of confusion and disappointment. Midoriko's heart felt heavy with worry and anxiety, wondering if their child would be rejected by his father forever.
Then, to her surprise, Kirinmaru's expression softened. He walked over to the bed and sat down next to her, his large hand gently stroking the baby's cheek, causing the child to stir and gurgle. The warmth of his touch was a welcome relief to Midoriko, and she felt her worries slowly dissipate.
"You're right," he said, his voice full of emotion. "I was foolish to reject our son because of his appearance. He is still our child, and we will love and protect him no matter what."
Midoriko could hardly believe what she was hearing. She had expected a battle, a long and arduous journey to convince her husband to accept their child, but instead, he had come to the realization on his own. It was a moment of pure joy and relief, and Midoriko couldn't help but let out a sob of relief.
As Kirinmaru held their child, Midoriko saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He had accepted their son, and she knew that he would protect him at all costs. It was a new beginning, a chance for their family to grow stronger and to show the world that love could conquer even the greatest of obstacles.
She felt an overwhelming sense of relief that her husband had accepted their child. She smiled at him, feeling grateful for his change of heart. However, her attention was suddenly diverted to their baby, whose eyes opened, revealing a deep green color. Midoriko was taken aback by sight, as she had expected the child to have human features.
But now, she realized that their son had inherited something from his father after all...
"H-He has your eyes," Midoriko whispered, tears of joy streaming down her face once again. The sight of the green eyes gave her a renewed sense of hope for their child's future. She knew that he would be a unique blend of both demon and human heritage and that this would make him powerful and special in his own right.
Kirinmaru gazed at his newborn son with an awe-inspiring sense of love and pride, his eyes glistening with emotion. As he held his son close, he felt an unbreakable bond forming between them, one that would endure for all eternity. With a voice filled with conviction, he spoke to his beloved wife, his words ringing with the certainty of a man who knew his destiny. "Yes, he does. He's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," he said, his voice filled with a sense of wonder and amazement. "I know he will grow to be strong and powerful, just like us as his parents, right Riku?"
Midoriko was suddenly curious about the name that Kirinmaru had mentioned. "R-Riku?" she asked, her voice tinged with a sense of curiosity and wonder.
Kirinmaru smiled at his wife, his heart overflowing with love and affection. "We will name him, Riku," he said, his voice resonating with a deep sense of pride and honor. "It is a name that carries with it a sense of power and prestige, a name of a warrior of unrivaled strength and courage. It's a name that embodies the very essence of strength, both physical and emotional, who stands firm in the face of adversity."
As he spoke these words, Kirinmaru knew that his son Riku would grow up to be a mighty warrior, a true champion of his people. He could already see in his mind's eye the image of his son, standing tall and proud, a beacon of hope for all those who followed him. For Kirinmaru, the future was bright, and the name Riku was the key to unlocking a world of infinite possibilities.
Kirinmaru's words filled Midoriko's heart with a sense of warmth and happiness, knowing that they would love and protect their child no matter what. At that moment, the priestess felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. She had brought a new life into the world, a precious gift from the gods. She knew that her life would never be the same again. She would raise him with love and care, teaching him the ways of their community and instilling in him a deep sense of respect for nature and the spiritual realm. She knew that Riku would grow up to be a strong and noble man, a true leader in their society.
The sight of their son filled the couple's hearts with immense love. Looking down at the little boy, they realized that he had brought them closer together as a family. They knew that no matter what challenges they faced in the future, they would always be there for each other and for their child.
Kirinmaru and Midoriko met as two individuals with different backgrounds and experiences, but had found common ground in their love for each other. The birth of their child had brought new meaning to their lives and strengthened their bond. They knew that raising a child would not be easy, but they were committed to giving their son the best life possible.
Kirinmaru leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Midoriko's lips. As their lips met, a warmth spread through their bodies, enveloping them in a cocoon of love and affection. It was a moment of pure bliss, one that they would cherish for years to come, knowing that they had each other and a beautiful child to share their lives with.