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It’s been about two weeks since the family settled down in Besaid to prepare for the arrival of the newest member. Ann was on bed rest for most of the day and wasn’t allowed to stray far from the community nor was she allowed to oversee her children’s training.

Kiba sat nearby, sharpening his dagger with slow, deliberate strokes, his dark eyes flicking toward Ann every few minutes. He wasn’t much for words, but his presence spoke volumes. He had been more attentive than ever, ensuring she was comfortable, that she ate enough, that she didn’t overexert herself. Ann appreciated it, even if at times she felt a little smothered. Koneko came over to Ann while the boys were near the entrance of hut playing a game of dice. She held her mother’s hand.
Koneko~Mom, are you okay?
Ann sighed~I’m fine, honey. Just...restless... Even when I was on bedrest with you three it wasn’t this boring...
Tenka~Shouldn’t the baby be here already? I thought pregnancy was 9 months
Reiketsu~The baby seems to have its own plans. Even Lulu said it’ll happen when they’re ready
Ann~It’s actually closer to 10 months. 40 weeks is the projected timeline
Koneko~Isn’t it about 40 weeks then? It's been like a month since we were in Macalania Forest
She climbed into bed with Ann, intending to take a nap with nothing else planned.
Kiba~All in due time. At least it won’t be a complete surprise like when you three came. It was the middle of the night.
Reiketsu~Ugh, that couldn’t have been very comfortable
Ann~Not in the slightest. My water broke and the contractions came hard. Couldn’t even give me anything for it because of how far the labor already was, but none of you wanted to start moving yet.
Tenka~Well, it isn’t like we had a choice, right?
Ann~No, but I can still complain about it.
Kiba~Oh Ann...

The next morning Ann had winced while they ate breakfast. Everyone looked up.
Reiketsu~Is it finally happening?
Tenka~Or is it more false contractions?
Ann~I'm not sure
She winced again.
Kiba~I suggest you finish breakfast in case it is. You’re gonna need your strength.
She nodded and everyone finished up breakfast. Koneko went ahead to find Lulu to inform her that it might be time. The boys cleared the table and Kiba led her back to bed.
Kiba~Does the contractions feel like it’s getting faster or longer?
Ann~Longer. *groan* Definitely longer.
Koneko came back with Lulu.
Lulu~Looks like the baby is finally on the move.
Ann~Not quickly enough though. It doesn’t quite feel the same as when I had the triplets.
Lulu~multiple births does feel different and usually happens faster.
She groaned as a contraction came
Ann~It doesn’t hurt as bad but it’s still painful.
Kiba~At least Lady Tsunade isn’t here to kick me out again, huh?
He gave a light chuckle while Lulu looked at him suspiciously.
Lulu~Koneko, dear, run off to the temple for the healers so they can start preparing for the birth.
Koneko~Yes, Lulu. What should I tell Wakka or Vidina?
Lulu~Just say it’s time if they stop you. They’ll figure it out
Reiketsu~What should we do?
Lulu~You and Tenka can clear the living space here. There’ll be a lot of things for clean up and just in case anything comes up.
Ann~I don’t need this child to give me any issues before she’s out of me
She gasped and wimpered, clutching one side of her stomach
Tenka~Mom?
Ann~I think the baby was kicking that side during the contraction.

Koneko soon came back with the healers, along with Wakka and Vidina, all carrying towels, jugs of water, and other things needed for the arrival of the new family member. Kiba stayed close to Ann, holding her hand.
Healer~Has the amniotic sack broken yet?
Koneko~What’s that?
Reiketsu~The thingy the baby floats in.
Ann~No, not yet.
Healer~Did it break on its own when you had your other children?
Kiba~It did. Does that make a difference?
Healer~We’ll give it a bit longer to see if it’ll break on its own then. Usually the process is about the same for subsequent children. Do you mind if we check to see how far along you are?
Ann~Not at all.
She took a breath and groaned as another contraction came. Once she let her breath go, her water had broken.
Ann~Oh this feels worse than when I had the triplets. Please tell me it’s soon though
Ann shifted a little as the healer directed a younger woman to inspect while some others came to the other side to help clean the fluid. Although she was young, she was able to quickly determine how far along so that Ann would not have to feel exposed until closer to when she needed to push.
Young healer~There’s still some time. You’re only about 5cm dilated.
Ann groaned from the news, then again while squeezing Kiba’s hand
Tenka~Is that a lot?
Healer~About half-way ready. Once your mother is at 10cm it’ll be safe for her to start pushing.

They checked the progression regularly to make sure the baby was descending without a problem. Everyone did what they could to help Ann stay comfortable and distract her from the contractions getting stronger.
Lulu~Are you doing okay, honey?
Wakka~Yeah. Reminds me of when you were having Vidina. I’m getting nervous.
He gave a weak chuckle. Lulu shook her head.
Kiba~Would you like something to drink?
Ann~No. I’m more hungry than– *sharp breath* than anything.
Reiketsu~Why can’t you eat anything again?
Ann~In case something happens then there won’t be a bunch of food in the way.
Tenka~What do you mean?
Kiba~At its simplest, if your mother or the baby is in distress then surgery might be required to save them.
Koneko~Oh...Does that happen a lot?
Ann~Often enough that doctors know how to fix it now.
Ann squeezed and pulled at Kiba’s arm from a particularly painful contraction making him exclaim as well. Once it passed, Ann tapped Reiketsu’s head.
Ann~Can you grab a healer? I think I'm ready to push.
He nodded and quickly ran off, then Wakka and Lulu came over.
Lulu~Does it feel like it’s time?
Ann~Yeah. It feels like it.
Tenka~How does that feel?
Ann blushed~Do you actually want to know, or do you want to wait until you’re older?
Tenka~I’ll...wait...must be weird or embarrassing if it can make mom go red.
Koneko~I guess this is something I’ll experience once I become a mom too.
Wakka~We’ll be right outside, yeah? Just like when you and Sir Auron were here for us.
Ann~Thank you Wakka, Lulu.
Lulu~All you need to do is shout.
They each patted her arm for encouragement. Ann nodded and they went outside as Reiketsu and the healers came in.

They checked again to see where the baby was and agreed that Ann was ready to push. They helped her get her legs in position and instructed her how long and when to push. The triplets took turns holding their mother’s hand and their father held her other hand. Minutes dragged on and felt like hours with each push, but soon enough Ann gave one last push and a wail pierced the room. The healers cleaned the baby then placed the baby on her bare chest after opening her shirt.
Koneko~Did you see if it’s a boy or a girl?
Healer~Just like you dear. A baby girl.
Ann~Kimahri was right then.
She gave a tired laugh and rocked side to side a little to calm their newest one.
Reiketsu~Does she have a name?
Kiba~Yeah. We decided on Chiyume.
Tenka~A lot of our friends will panic because of that name.
Ann~Yeah. Partially the point. But I also hope she carries my kekkei genkai too.
Healer~Lady Ann, pardon the interruption.
Ann~Yes?
Healer~Another push is needed still.
Ann sighed, not really wanting to do anything else yet, then nodded. She bore down again, and another healer pressed her stomach to help expel the remaining tissues. Once it was done, the healer approached Kiba with a pair of scissors.
Healer~Kiba, would you like to cut the cord?
Reiketsu~It wasn’t cut already?
They watched Kiba take the scissors and cut where indicated.
Koneko~What happens now with the baby?
Ann~Let her sleep a while. Then we’ll see how easily she takes to breast feeding.
Tenka~What about the rest of the cord?
Healer~We’ll trim more of it in a little while. A bit of it will still be left and that will make the belly button
Koneko~Oh so that’s how it got its name.
Reiketsu~What about a diaper?
Healer~In a little while. Let the darling rest for now.
The healer and the helpers cleaned up the area and changed the sheets before leaving the family.
Kiba~Do you kids want to get something to eat?
Reiketsu~Do you want anything, mom?
Ann~Whatever you kids can get will be great.
Reiketsu motioned towards the door and the three ran off.