Lacrymosa

Notes: Introducing… a new character, Nazza. Mer and Asp will be mentioned, but not a main focus of the fic. Sort of like a cameo appearance. And NEPi gave me her permission to use Killian as long as I give her credit. So I’m happy. However my new character is a midwife of sorts, so he’ll be helping Yami and Anjay. Of course no one really knows about Anjay’s pregnancy yet, but there are hints flying around if you can catch them.



Warnings: Blood, minor language, Killian’s usual attitude and of course male pregnancy. And egg laying. Nagas can get away with it since they’re part snake anyway and have some snake attributes along with human.



Thank yous: To all that reviewed. Sorry if I didn’t respond to all of your reviews.



Lacrymosa



© Motsumi



~*~



A week after the first confrontation with the humans Seto was preparing to go out and do a reconnaissance mission with Killian and Anjay again. He knew Asp was spending time with Mercury since in a week’s time the red headed naga started feeling ill. So that only caused Seto to smile, but he knew that Asp would show up that afternoon. Killian didn’t want to hold a meeting until after everyone got their personal affairs in order. He knew the green naga was dealing with a personal matter that would evidently be a secret for awhile to come.



“How are you feeling? Do you think you’ll be fine while I’m out with Killian and Anjay? Or do you want me to stay here and help you if needed?” Seto asked softly, slithering over to his mate. He noticed Yami was sleeping more, and spending more time around the nest than in their bed. He just didn’t understand why he was so listless and not even willing to get up and watch the sunrise.



“So many questions and not so much as a good morning? I’m sure I’ll be fine… Just feeling weird this morning. I don’t want to move from this spot though… something tells me today is the day. If anything happens I’ll send for you. I’m sure one of our friends will stop by and check up on me.” Yami spoke softly, moving the furs closer to him with his tail. He wanted to make himself as comfortable as possible.



“Make sure that you do. I love you; I just don’t want to find you dead with an egg caught somewhere. Not that it will happen, but you never know. Things can easily happen and the next thing I know you could end up dead.” Seto protested, crossing his arms.



“I’ll be fine. I don’t want Killian to kill you for not even showing up on time. Mer said he was coming over when Asp goes with you this afternoon anyway. I know he hasn’t been feeling well, but he promised. And I’m sure he can rest on the other furs so he’s comfortable.” Yami smiled, ignoring the strange feeling that he felt deep inside his body.



“Alright, if you insist. I’ll be home this evening or sooner if you need me. I love you.” Seto spoke softly before he kissed Yami gently on the lips. He sighed and slithered out slowly, closing the door behind him. He saw Asp come out of his house and he decided to join up with the other naga so they could meet up on the hill together.



---



A half hour later the feeling was worse, and Yami knew he felt something moving down his body. He instinctively built up the nest so he was more comfortable, he didn’t even hear the door open. Part of him wanted to tell whoever it was to go away, but the scared half didn’t want the newcomer to leave. He wanted to be reassured that everything would be alright. That nothing would ever go wrong and that he could make it through this.



“Yami? Oh my… you look worse than I feel. Do you want me to get Seto for you?” Mer asked softly as he slithered into the house. He wasn’t feeling quite as bad as he did earlier in the day, but it was rather obvious Yami felt a lot worse. Then he saw some blood and tried to stay calm.



“I’ve felt better… Nazza should be coming soon… I know Seto is with the others.” Yami spoke softly, curling his tail around the furs. He hated the feeling he had, he really did. He breathed out slowly, feeling one egg move further down.



Just as soon as his name was mentioned a pale skinned naga slithered into the house with a light smile on his face. His deep blue eyes scanned the area as he saw Yami lying on the furs with a pained expression on his face. He moved closer, knowing what was going on. He smiled toward Mer, gently moving him aside.



“Looks like you’re ready to lay, Yami. Just follow what your body tells you, this is easier than having live young in some aspects. But it is still painful; I won’t lie to you about that. I’ll just move the eggs to a safe place so they won’t get crushed accidentally. Although the shells will be leathery.” Nazza smiled as he prepared to help Yami with the laying.



“Doesn’t matter… still hurts…” Yami spoke softly as he felt the first egg move further down. He had no idea where it was going to come out, but when he saw the blood he understood. He put his head back on the pillows, not really knowing how he should be positioned for this. But he found a good position for the time being on his side.



Mer watched intently, but he knew he had to go back to his own house soon. He promised Yami that he’d be there for him though, so the red headed naga was torn. For now he stayed, watching to make sure everything was alright.



Yami took a deep breath as he felt pressure at his slit and he pushed as hard as he could, arching his back slightly to aide the egg in coming out. He relaxed for a brief second, feeling the egg go back in. He whimpered softly before he pushed harder, the tip of the egg finally coming out to where it was visible.



“It’s alright. You’re doing very well; don’t worry if it goes back in. It will come all the way out soon. Just one big push should do it.” Nazza smiled, getting ready to move the egg to a warm location for the time being until Yami was done. Then he’d move it back next to him.



Yami nodded, giving one last push before he felt the egg come all the way out. He lay down on the furs, panting heavily. One down, and probably at least two or three more to go. He hoped the blood was normal, but he knew the clear fluid with the egg was. It helped make it easier instead of having a totally dry egg with nothing to help it along.



“This one is gorgeous. Not too many blue eggs out there. Relax; it will be awhile before the next one. But if this was the largest, the others may come quicker. You’re doing fine.” Nazza smiled softly, watching Yami rest for a few minutes.

Meanwhile up on the ridge, Killian was trying to get Seto’s attention. A feat he had been trying to accomplish for the last ten minutes but to no avail. He sighed and shook his head before tapping the other’s shoulder with the tip of his tail. That caused him to turn around and have a more alert expression on his face.



“Seto, pay attention. I was telling you what our plan was today. Now what did I tell you about personal affairs? I took care of mine before we came here, you should have done the same.” Killian crossed his arms, looking down at Seto once he got his attention.



“Of course I did. But I left my mate in a rather bad spot. I’m sure you understand how that is. What if your mate was in the same position and due to give birth at any moment? Well in my case lay eggs… but same principal. You would want to be there.” Seto started, blue meeting with yellow green.



“Yes I would, but my mate is not due to give birth any time soon. I will allow you to check on Yami for a half hour, no longer. However you cannot go right at this moment. I will let you go when Anjay shows up.” Killian started, but deep inside he was smiling. He knew that Seto had been waiting for this moment for a long time now.



“Very well. Thank you. But I don’t think I’ll need a half hour, I will go in and come back out quickly. But if he is laying the eggs, I’ll just see how he’s doing and come back within 10 minutes.” Seto spoke, looking up at Killian.



“A half hour is plenty of time. It takes five minutes to get from here to the village and two to get to your house. If he is laying, you can spend a few minutes with him to console him and whatever you do. Then you can come back and inform me of what is going on.” Killian spoke before directing his attention to the human village down below them. He sighed, crossing his arms. This was a dangerous time and they were getting closer.

A few minutes later Anjay finally arrived, he had an apologetic expression on his face but he had news as well. Not pertaining to himself, yet. He knew what was going on, but he was not about to tell anyone until Killian gave him permission to do so. He slithered up to Seto, ignoring the feeling he had at the moment.



“Seto… I have news. Don’t worry, it’s very good news. You’re a father. So far there are two eggs, and a third coming soon. Yami’s doing very good right now. He just wants you there.” Anjay smiled, having heard the news from Nazza who was present.



Seto nodded, looking at Anjay before he slithered down the path. Killian gave his permission so he wasn’t going to be breaking any rules at the moment. He just wanted to be there for Yami, he was probably tired and understandably hurt right about now. Mostly from laying the eggs than anything else, or so he hoped.



Killian sighed, watching Seto leave before he put a hand on Anjay’s shoulder. He knew Asp was taking his turn scouting the area. He would make sure Seto would join up with him when he got back. And he wasn’t about to leave Anjay alone again. But he did have a job to do.



“What about us? I don’t lay eggs… You’ll be up here when the time comes. And the only one I’ll have is Yami or Mercury. When I first found out you said you would be there.” Anjay sighed, staying close to Killian.



“I will be there. And even if I am up here doing surveillance I’ll arrange for someone to come and get me. Even if I don’t show it, I do love you Anjay. You are the only one that can keep me calm.” Killian replied, offering a faint but honest smile toward his mate. He rarely said those three words, but he felt that Anjay needed to hear them today.



“Better me than someone else right?” Anjay spoke softly before looking over the cliff. The next few months would be interesting to say the least. He sighed, not knowing when the humans would strike again. Or if they would.



“Of course. We’ll worry more about this later alright?” Killian replied, crossing his arms over his chest. He loved Anjay, but he still had his reputation to maintain. If Asp or the others saw him smiling, he’d never hear the end of it.

“Ah, Seto. So good to see you. You’re just in time for egg number 3. Someone has been holding out for you. Which is not healthy Yami.” Nazza chided, narrowing his eyes a little at the python. But he knew that the younger naga wanted his mate to be there for him.



“I didn’t want him to miss it…” Yami breathed, but his body was saying enough of holding back and push already. He panted lightly, leaning against his mate once Seto got to his shoulders. This time he knew he could push so the third egg could come out. He didn’t know how easily it would, but he wasn’t alone any longer.



“Very good love…” Seto spoke softly, rubbing Yami’s shoulders. He smiled as he could see the egg coming out a little more. He was so excited; he had three eggs so far. And maybe a fourth coming soon, it was hard to tell. However he felt for Yami, considering the smaller looked very tired.



“I know you didn’t, but it’s still not good for you.” Nazza shook his head before he noticed the egg come out further. This would probably go easier since it was apparently the last egg. “Just one more…”



Seto smiled as Yami gave one last push, the egg coming all the way out onto the furs. He looked at the position of the sun, he wasn’t even gone that long. So Killian wouldn’t kill him for showing up later than a half hour. He brushed Yami’s bangs back before kissing him on the forehead.



“You’re leaving again aren’t you?” Yami asked softly, a pained expression still on his face. There wasn’t another egg coming, he just didn’t want his mate to leave him right now. But he couldn’t really do anything about it.



“I have to. Killian and I were going to be joining Asp for the surveillance of the village. We’re closer now, and almost know what the humans are planning. But I’m sure he’ll have me go along with him and have Asp watch over Anjay. Personally I think something is going on… but they aren’t saying anything.” Seto smiled softly.



“I haven’t even talked to Anjay in awhile. As soon as you know something is going on with him, let me know. Or at least ask if he could talk to me. We are still friends, I’d hope.” Yami spoke softly before curling up with the eggs.



Seto nodded, before he headed out of the door. He looked toward Nazza as the young naga helped clean Yami up and stitch up any tears that may have occurred when the eggs came. He had to get back to the ridge before Killian had his tail.

“There he is.” Anjay spoke softly, seeing Seto come back over the ridge. And in plenty of time too, there was only a few minutes left before a half hour was up. He looked over at Killian who was still watching down below the ridge.



“Took him long enough.” Killian spoke, narrowing his eyes. But he knew that Seto did come back in plenty of time, but he hoped that the other would have been a little bit faster in returning than 20 minutes.



“Killian…” Anjay sighed before he slithered off to let Seto come up next to his mate. He couldn’t keep this a secret for much longer, he knew that. In the next month it would be obvious to everyone, and he didn’t want to give them a nasty surprise. Or have them yell at him for being up here in his condition.



Seto blinked, seeing Anjay slither off to some bushes. He had a light smile, knowing what was wrong with the anaconda. But he would let Killian or Anjay tell him themselves before jumping to conclusions. He looked up at Killian, seeing the look in his eyes.



“What is it that you would like me to do?” Seto asked with a serious tone of voice. He didn’t mention his eggs, or Yami. He just hoped that was the right thing to do. Even though inside he was more excited than he showed about being a father. Right now he had to try and make amends for being gone for over twenty minutes.



“Go down with myself and Asp. I want you to come with me into the village; Asp will stand guard in case something goes wrong. We need to figure this out quickly. Anjay will be fine.” Killian replied before heading down the path, not waiting for Seto to answer him.



“Of course. And I know you wouldn’t keep anything from me.” Seto started before he shut up, not wanting to bring up anything he shouldn’t. But he was a little surprised that Killian didn’t have anyone watching over Anjay.



“I keep nothing from the village, Seto. If this is about personal lives…” Killian hissed, looking over his shoulder. He had a feeling that Seto couldn’t go five minutes without talking about his new eggs. Even if they weren’t hatched yet.



“No, of course not.” Seto protested, but sighed softly. Maybe it was about what had happened to himself and Yami. But right now he wanted to live so he could see the eggs hatch. He wanted that more than anything really.



Killian sighed, and then nodded to Asp. This was going to be a long reconnaissance mission, part of him was wondering if he shouldn’t switch his partner. But he had to get Seto as far from the village as possible so he could get the python back to the task at hand.

“Anjay… what are you doing up here? I told you to be resting.” A soft voice spoke softly, the same belonging to Nazza. He had left Yami for now, considering the larger python was now sleeping. He did have a bad habit of sneaking up on the other though.



“Nazza… I’m fine. Killian has me keeping an eye out up here while he, Seto and Asp are down there. I’m being careful, and no one is going to hurt me.” Anjay replied, having returned from the bushes a few hours earlier.



“It’s not you I’m worried about. At least not entirely you.” Nazza sighed, putting his hands on Anjay’s stomach. He moved one slowly, pressing in gently under the navel. A smile crossed his lips, glad that the anaconda was doing well.



“I haven’t told everyone yet. Killian doesn’t want me to until he knows I’m out of danger. If it was up to him it would be after the baby comes… then I’d be like ‘Oh yeah, I was pregnant. Now I’m holding a new nagaling.’ They would hate that. Can you at least tell Yami for me please?” Anjay asked, a soft smile crossing his lips.



Nazza nodded, chuckling softly before he pulled his hand back. He was a little surprised by what he had felt, but right now it was none of his concern. The small naga had to try and make sure the larger anaconda was resting and happy.



“Anjay Iswara… I swear. I’ll tell Yami, since Killian is in his weird mood. You know the ‘I’ll protect the village, and forget I have a mate and child on the way’ one. I know that has to annoy you.” Nazza smiled softly.



“A little, but I know it’s important. He told me before that we are mates, but for me not to get used to it. Since he doesn’t do everything a mate should do. He said he’d be there, but I don’t know. This situation is getting worse.” Anjay sighed, but he knew Nazza should get back.



“And I’ll be at the field when or if a battle breaks out. You’ll be fine Anjay. You have six months left before we have to worry about you delivering.” Nazza smiled before he slithered off, hoping that Anjay would be alright.



~*~



Next chapter: Will Anjay tell everyone that he’s pregnant before Nazza spills the beans? Will Killian ever get Seto to listen to him? Will the humans ever strike? Will I stop asking questions? XD. All this and more in chapter 3 of Lacrymosa. Please read and review.