Northstar Vale You're different from the rest, sister

As the rain drew out the sweet perfume of the blossoms, it lulled the Empress into a sense of serenity. Even with the puppies doing cartwheels within her, it didn't break her moment of peace as the rain rang her a melody and the twinkling grasses in the moonlight offered a hypnotic view. The thought of sleeping here under the tree tonight did cross her mind, but if she were to get wet and cold; well, there was no way it would be good for the puppies.

Fighting off the heavy lids that threatened to take her here and now, it was the voice, that voice of someone unfortunately very similar that gave her the energy to look up and around to meet the face of Hime. The beautiful, dangerous, woman who had brought so much pain to both Reiko, her own sister, as well as those she loved like Yuudai and Hiromi.

With every word she said, Reiko's heart thudded faster. Her head felt like it would spin out of control. What was she doing here? Why? Hopefully, it was for some reconciliation between sisters and nothing else. Nervously she smiled, offered a slow thud of her tail. Hime. The name felt bitter on her tongue, she was afraid. Yes, I— An anxious swallow of that hard lump that formed in the back of her throat. I'm pregnant. Pushing herself up to a sit, she hoped that Hime was nothing but a cruel illusion, and yet, as she sat up, Hime remained. What brings you here?