Dia smiled and ate her food rather quickly. She was actually eager, for the first time in her life, to go out without hiding. But that was also because Ala would be with her.

Ala didn't eat as fast it wasn't cause she wasn't eager more an attempt to avoid losing it a second time that day

Dia excused herself from the table to go change into something more suitable for walking around the village. She figured Ala could finish her lunch and finish talking to her mom.

Ala nodded to her friend glad to see her happier then she was when Ala had first joined her that day

Demona smiled at Ala, "you don't have to eat it all if you don't. I know how a pregnant tummy can feel." She stood up and went to her cupboard and removed a box and returned to the table. She handed the box to Ala. "these should held settle your tummy, if you need them."

Ala took the box and looked at it and chuckled "Thanks Demona, but I' think I'll leave the crackers with you" she lifted the pouch on her side and opened it revealing 3 sleeves of crackers one open and partially eaten "Torvil bought about 4000 boxes of them"

Demona laughed. "how sweet of him."

Dia came back down and into the kitchen, not wearing one of her Shinobi uniforms, which was rare. She dressed very causally, and very light, considering the weather. She smiled, "Are you almost ready, Ala?"

Ala chuckled and nodded "Yeah though I doubt I'll ever eat them all" she glanced up hearing Dia return "Yeah I think so" she glanced back to Demona "Thankyou for lunch" she gave a nod as she stood up

Demona smiled, "Thank you for coming! And for helping Dia so much. Sorry about the little scene tho." she said standing to clear the dishes in front of Ala.

Dia smiled, "need anything before we head out, Ala?"

Ala shook her head "No I think I should be fine, I used the washroom earlier but for losing it and using the toilet for normal purposes" she had to chuckle she had started to feel the weight of the baby on her bladder more of late

Dia nodded and said her goodbyes to her mom, and walked into the living room to wait for Ala to join her so they could head out.

Ala said her goodbyes as well and waddled out tot he living room munching on a few crackers

Dia smiled watching her pregnant friend. "this is still surreal to me...you being pregnant." she chuckled as she held the door open for Ala.

Ala laughed "Yeah for me too, mind you I was trying, but I also fully expected a pregnancy like the twins'"

Dia chuckled. "It would be neat to run into them on the way...see how they are doing." she said quietly as the walked.

"Don't expect to see Vin out much for a while" she laughed "Lene you might run into if you go to the park during lunch breaks and after final chime of the academy, she has told me she takes the kids there a lot to get to know other kids" Ala said half wishing she still floated as she waddled along

Dia chuckled, "Vin pretty busy, huh?" She stepped a little closer to Ala. "If you need to lean, my all means." She said cheerfully, as her tail swayed happy behind her. A sight not common for Dia.

Ala chuckled "No I'm ok, but yeah he's keeping.... busy... with his mate and likely all over his house" her own tail was being lazy behind her

Dia let out a healthy laugh. "Glad he's happy." she said wiping a tear. They neared the gate and Dia paused, and took a deep breath. "This is my first time...walking thru the gates...naked." she mused, trying to make light of the situation so she wouldn't get too nervous.

"Just take a deep breath and gather yourself. You'll be ok, some might be startled seeings they've never seen you with such, but I doubt they'll go running" she gave her friend's shoulder a reassuring squeeze

Dia took another deep breath, and nodded. "here we go." she said exhaling. She opened the gate, and let Ala step thru first. Dia stepped out, and closed the gate, then turned around and closed her eyes. "I'm ready." she whispered and slowly opened her eyes.

Ala smiled reassuringly at her friend and started waddling towards the direction Kal had mentioned the hospital had been several months previous

Dia took a few longer strides and caught up to Ala. "Have you ever met Kito's folks?" she asked.

"Kito's folks? no I can't say I have..." Ala mused "Are they nice?"

Dia smiled, "they are really nice. You'll meet them today." she said cheerfully as the passed by the Garyuu house.

"I will? oh.. they work at that hospital?" Ala was curious

Dia nodded. "Yeah, Kito's dad, Haku, is the Head Mednin of Kazeha. His mom is a great mednin as well."

"So the whole family are mednin then, wow, I wonder if that'll stay the same forever" Ala smiled

Dia chuckled, "not quite sure...I don't think Kito admires many of the single mednin currently...he actually complains about them a lot." she laughed. The two reached the intersection and turned to head towards the Town Square.

Ala laughed "I see Kito as a bachelor forever, I'm not sure how many would be able to handle his crazy personality"

Dia laughed louder. "I know what you mean! I've thought that for a while." She let her laughs die down a bit and started looking playfully shifty. "can you keep a secret?" she whispered.

Ala chuckled "Haven't I been doing that for a while now?"

Dia chuckled. "yeah, but this is juicy gossip." she giggled.

Ala laughed and leaned closer "I'm all ears girlfriend" she grinned

Dia giggled. "Nim has the hots for Kito, but will never admit it." she whispered, and kept her eyes all shifty-like.

"Nim? Now that would be an odd pairing, I don't know I could picture Kito with Nim as his mate" she laughed

Dia laughed. "unfortunately, Kito doesn't feel the same way." she looked behind her for a second. "He's kinda scared of her." she whispered.

Ala giggled "They'll find their mates eventually, who knows who it might be" she said looking at her with twinkling eyes

Dia smiled, "yeah...but like you said, I think Kito will be a bachelor forever." The Fountain was now in plain view as they approached. There were a lot of people out that day, and Dia was VERY grateful Ala was there to support her.

Ala took Dia's hand and gave it a supportive squeeze, they had to look like an interesting pair, Dia with her not-full-grown-wings, a set of tall horns and tail, herself with large unfurled wings small horns a long tail canines slightly visible even when her mouth was closed and a large belly

Dia squeezed Ala's hand. Her biggest fear at this point was actually not what onlookers would say.

A few people did turn their heads to look at the pair. But their confusion came because they knew of the young Muma girl, and that she didn't have those features before. A few of the more naive villagers thought the 2 girls were just being silly and dressing up. But for the most part, no one said anything or gave it a second thought. Kazeha was changing.

Ala hummed contently as they walked, she glanced out of the corner of her eyes but otherwise said noting to the villagers unless they greeted first

Dia would sniff a little in the air and her gaze would lock once in a while to the point where Ala would either be stopped abruptly, or pulled slightly as she walked.

Ala chuckled "trying to find something?"

Dia's attention was drawn back to Ala, and she blushed. She let out a small squeak, "no"

Ala chuckled and stopped letting her friend do what she needed to do. she didn't care that they were standing mere feet from the place Ala had landed the first time she flew with her wings to Kazeha"

Dia blushed BRIGHT red. "its okay, unless you need to rest for a few minutes." she said quietly, as her nose sniffed a little and she turned her head a little, but brought it back to look at Ala very quickly.

Ala laughed "You are the one stopping now and then, I figured I'd let you get it out of your system before we continued"

Dia's red face didn't fade. "its...best...we didn't." she chuckled lightly, sniffing once again, and fighting to look. Her tail was swaying rather fast behind her.

"All right then point to the hospital and I'll make sure you get that wagging tail in there" she smirked

Dia chuckled and started walking towards the hospital, the large building in plain view from where they stood. Dia sniffed once more and her gaze wondered...this time, it was a little more obvious as to what she kept sensing. There was a man, about their age walking, past them. She looked at him and her tail whipped a little faster, until she turned to watch the road in front of her, her face still bright red.

Ala was playing avoid the tail as she planted her hands on her friends shoulder and pushed her to keep walking without stopping

Dia let out a laugh and focused on walking, holding her nose closed with her fingers. "sorry Ala." she said, sounding a little funny from holding her nose.

Ala giggled "maybe you should charm your nose, or I'll trade you noses, I cant smell anything but pregnancy right now"

Dia chuckled, "I'd gladly change you...but...as much as a keen sense of smell as I would like...I can only smell one thing better than anyone else..." she blushed. "I hope that goes away...or its a sign I'm a better sniffer. I'd hate for the reason to be purely...uhm.. meant for this." she blushed brighter, pointing to another young man.

"March, close your eyes and march" Ala was laughing hard as she herded her friend towards the door of the hospital

Dia let out another healthy laugh. When the got to the hospital, she opened the door and help it open for Ala.

Ala waddled in looking back at her friend and hoped most of the staff here were FEMALE

Dia's face was still a shade of red, but not as intense as the entered the hospital with her friend. She led her over to the front desk and greeted the lady sitting there."Good afternoon, can we see either Dr. Garyuu's?" she asked in a polite tone.

Ala nodded "please and thanks" she rested her hands on her belly

The receptionist seen Ala's belly and smiled at her. "Sure, I'll check to see if one of them is free." she left the room for a few minutes.

Ala turned and leaned against the desk folding her wings in "Those can throw off my center of balance, not that I have one right now" she said with a laugh

Dia chuckled. "mine do too, but mine are smaller...so I can only imagine what yours do."

The receptionist returned, "Dr. Garyuu just came back from lunch and said she'd love to meet with you two." She smiled and motioned for them to head down the hallway.

Dia smiled, and led Ala

Ala nodded her thanks to the receptionist and followed Dia "Normally nothing, I got used to them, right now, a lot since my center of balance is constantly changing and I don't have time to adjust" she said

Dia chuckled. "oh." she said sheepishly. At the end of the hallway, she opened a door and held it open for Ala.

Ala smiled and entered the room looking around as she did , she'd never been in a hospital before, the closest to a doctor she'd ever gotten was the clinic

Dia sat down, motioning for Ala to do the same, in the chairs in front of the desk. There were photos hanging on the walls in this office, ones of Kito, and his parents and Dia and Nim were one as well. The name written on the hanging parchment on the front of the desk read. "Ika Garyuu, MN"

Ala nodded and took a seat her eyes still traveling over the room as they waited

A taller woman dressed in the typical Mednin robes entered the room with a bright smile. "Antidia! I'm so glad you are back! Kito will be so thrilled, he's been worried." she said as she headed over and gave Dia a hug. "And this must be Ala! I've heard so much about you from Kal and Kito and Dia." she chuckled and reached to embrace Ala.

Ala blushed lightly to have been talked abut and returned the embrace "Thanks, yeah I'm Ala"

Ika walked over and leaned on the small table that was against the wall, next to where Dia sat. "So what are you girls in for today?" She said smiling.

"Dia thought I might like to see this hospital, I've yet to have any checkup... anywhere" she smiled "I have not idea when I'm due, not likely today though" she laughed

Ika nodded. "Would you like just a basic prenatal exam? Are there any questions you want answered for sure?" Ika knew of Ala from Kito, because he talked nonstop about her and Kal for so long after he met them.

Ala chuckled "I have no specifics in mind, I haven't a clue yet what's happening when it comes time, will probably be at Gaia General... though that's always hard to predict as I don't know where I'll be when the time comes... last time I gave birth I just did it at home, but my mate has promised to let a doctor this time since it's so different this time around" Ala rambled

Ika nodded and smiled. "Okay, well, I can do what I can, if you would like to meet me in exam room 12b, in about 5 minutes, that would be great." she smiled and pushed herself from the table and headed towards the door. "I just need to get a few things from the lab."

Ala looked at Dia "There is no way I'm doing this alone girlie" she said as she pushed herself out of the chair

Dia smiled and stood up and gave Ala her hand to help her. "I wouldn't miss it." she chuckled.

Ala took her hand getting herself upright "ok 12b.... uhm D.... where's 12b???"

Dia laughed, "follow me, my dear." and she gave a playful bow imitating a butler, then holding her arm out for Ala.

Ala laughed and linked arms with her friend "lead the way"

Dia smiled and opened the door and lead Ala into the hallway. She led her thru what to a first timer, would appear to be a maze of always until Dia seen the room number. "Here it is." She smiled, and looked at Ala. "you ok?"

Ala nodded "A lil nervous, but then besides the clinic doctor the one time, this is the first normal doctor I've ever seen and most certainly the first exam of my entire life"

Dia smiled. "Ika's great. She's very smart and gentle. She actually does most of the births here in the hospital. Hake does the emergency ones and house call ones." she said.

Ala nodded and took a deep breath and walked into the room as usual her eyes roamed the room taking in the area she was in

The room was rather plain and white, with a sink in the corner and a small cart that held some medical supplies. Surprisingly, there was no exam table, only a few chairs along the far wall. A small table next to one of them.

"Ok... interesting..." she bit her lip and turned a circle in the middle of the room "Dia you sure this is an exam room?"

Dia looked around, "Ika said it was...doesn't look like one to me, either."

Ala shrugged and stood there

Ika came in, carrying a small medical bag and walked to the corner and put it on the table. She noticed the 2 looking around and looking confused and chuckled. "This IS an exam room."

Ala blushed slightly being /that/ obvious "Sorry, just wasn't sure, it kinda looks like an empty room"

Ika chuckled. "we have a new way to do exams, thanks to Kito and his dad...And your sister." she chuckled as she opened the bag and pulled out a few things and set them down. She had also had a rather large scroll that was strapped on her back that she set in one of the chairs before digging in the bag.

"Uhm ok" Ala said with a chuckle, she didn't know what the 'old' way was so it was all new to her

Dia laughed. "so no more prodding? I bet more people come to see you now." she laughed.

Ika chuckled. "most don't know we use it now, we don't advertise." She picked up the large scroll and motioned for the girls to stand back a little. She unrolled it so that a blank 3 square meters was visible. She stood back up and went for the stuff she removed from the bag.

Ala stared down at the scroll utterly bewildered

Ika smiled at Ala, "this is utterly painless, and you don't have to wear a funny gown." she joked as she pulled a tiny piece of parchment from a little box on the table, then picked up a fancy little ink bottle and pulled the stopper off. She set it down and dipped the quill in and wrote something on the tiny sheet of parchment. She rolled it up and put it in a tiny capsule.

Ala chuckled her gaze had shifted from the parchment on the floor to Ika when she had started to speak and she watched her

Ika took the same quill and knelt down and bent over the large scroll on the floor and wrote Ala's name in the center. She then placed the tiny capsule on top of the written name and proceeded to quickly draw several symbols all around the name and capsule.

Dia watched with interest.

Ala stared looking to Dia from time to time then back to the lady

Dia was as confused as Ala, she'd never seen this done before.

Ika then leaned back, still sitting on her knees and performed the necessary hand seals and ended with a loud clap, as she shouted, "HAI!"

The capsule glowed pink briefly, and the symbols that were drawn on the scroll seemed to move around on the paper, and go into the capsule. As soon as all the symbols and text had been absorbed by the capsule, it stopped glowing.

"Ok, that was definitely interesting" Ala said with a chuckle

Dia smiled, "that was so cool."

Ika smiled and stood up. She went to the sink and filled a small cup and walked to Ala. "Here, you should take this capsule. If you have questions about, don't hesitate to ask."

Ala took the two things from her "What is it?" she said with a laugh

Ika smiled, you've participated in a ceremony in the chamber building, right? with the large projection scroll?"

Ala nodded "Once"

"Its similar to that. That pill is connected to this scroll, and when you take it, your body absorbs the seal that was put into the pill, so that the scroll can project an image map of your body, life size even." she winked.

"A triplet... how cool" she wiggled her brows jokingly then stared at the pill for a moment before taking it and putting it in her mouth swallowing it with the water Ika had given her

Dia laughed.

Ika smiled and watched the scroll for the projection to show up. Within a few seconds of Ala swallowing the pill, the scroll lit up pink and displayed the 3-d holographic image of Ala's body. A second little body clearly visible in her abdomen.

Ala stared at the projection startled at seeing inside what would be 'herself'

Ika picked up the ink decanter and quill and circled Ala's belly and the little figure, causing the image to 'zoom in'. "Okay, Ala, there's your baby." she smiled, "anything in particular you would like to see or find out?"

Ala shrugged finding a seat to sit in still a bit shocked "Uhm whatever"

Ika studied the image and was seen pointing to certain things and and making little notes on a small scroll she pulled from her hip pouch. "Well, the baby's very healthy." she smiled.

Ala listened to each thing the mednin pointed out her expression changing from one of shock to one of intrigue

Ika explained to Ala also, that it was hard to determine a due date, because of the differences in the growth rate, as Ala described it. After telling her of all the information she could, Ika started to describe a couple other things to her, regarding the birth.

Ala nodded slowly "I don't know how I'm gonna deal with this one" she sighed "I have a feeling it's gonna take longer, just like everything else has"

Ika sat down in one of the chairs, "I know you are Kerrsal, Ala, but ... are you concerned with pain relief or comfort or are you able to control that?"

Ala sighed "No I can't control that, when my wings and horns did their thing I swore I was gonna die.. Now I know that's probably a lil more drastic then giving birth but I did birth two other kids they hurt, but it was quick. Ika I really don't know what to expect and that alone scares me" she admitted

Ika smiled and put her hand on Ala's shoulder. "Ala, its not going to be any worse than any other pregnancy. Everthing on the baby seems normal as far as placement and development." She paused for a moment and looked back at the projection, then back to Ala. "I know you mentioned you didn't know where you'd be when the birthing process started...but, I am fairly certain this won't be as quick as your last births. You might have time to get to where you will be comfortable giving birth."

Ala nodded "Time I hope you are right, nothing about this pregnancy has been either truly Dragonic or Kerrsalian"

Ika nodded, "that may be because of the clinics help in however they aided the fertility." she said, as if it was actually common information. "Well, I can offer you a couple of options for pain relief if you like. Kazehans usually have 2 options for birthing. They can be here, in our Birthing Room, or have them at their home, in which case the On-Call will come and help." She started explaining the pros and cons of both. The Birthing Room being a large room with a small, in ground-type tub, large enough for the expectant mother and whomever is there to help her emotionally, or even physically.

The thoughts and ideas of a birth that took place in water truly intrigued Ala and it showed

Ika explained that it was actually Kerrsals that taught them the method. They use it because it eases pressure on both the mother and baby and can reduce pain as well. Kerrsal waters are used, for their purification and healing properties, and Ika chuckled a bit knowing Ala is Kerrsal. "I know I'm telling you a bunch of stuff you already know, its habit when explaining these things."

Ala shook her head "Actually you aren't there's really not a ton I know about the Kerrsalian race, I didn't grow up the same way Kal did"

Ika nodded, "You didn't? She did say something about you two not growing up together." She gave Ala's shoulder a squeeze, and smiled. she then went on to say that before the birth, the mother can be anointed with ointments and oils, and that allows others in the room to channel their energy into the Mother, comforting and easing her pains. The baby can benefit from these ointments as well. There are also some elixirs and remedies she can take that will help her not feel the pain, however they are to be used sparingly because of the side effects. She told of the seal that is placed on all newborns to guard them against the illnesses and diseases that infants are more susceptible to.

Ala listened to all this information with interested, she wondered to herself how it would differ from what she would probably experience in Gaia, she wondered if they had anything even remotely similar

Ika smiled, and sat up a little straighter. "All this information is of course, if you happen to be in Kazeha at the time of your labor. If you wanted us to help you get to your chosen hospital, we could certainly do that as well. Its all about what you want." She smiled.

Dia was just listening with interest, never really knowing what went on for a birth.

Ala nodded and smiled softly, learning about birthing outside of what she had already experienced did ease a few worries though not all of them "Guess we'll see when the time comes where I wind up being"

Ika nodded, "do you have any other questions, ala?"

Ala shook her head "Not that I can really think of at this point in time"

Ika nodded and dispersed the projection and rolled up the large scroll. "It was great to meet you Ala, and good luck with your baby." she said as she packed up her medical supplies and headed out the door.

Dia turned to Ala, "so...what did you think?"

"Makes me hope Bump decided to come when I'm here... but I can't decide that I have no control over when bump wants to join the world" she admitted

Dia smiled, "This is the strangest pregnancy I've ever head of...but I bet its going to be the most blessed as well." She said as she stood up and held her hands out to help Ala stand as well.

Ala laughed "Yes it is the strangest, certainly not what I expected" she took her friends hands and stood up

Dia led the way for them to exit the room, and Ika had intercepted them in the hallway. "Ala, I wanted to let you know, if you need anything all, don't hesitate to send us a message. We're glad to help you." She smiled, and gave Ala a squeeze on her shoulder, "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to be seen in the next room." she flashed a smile and went on her way.

Ala smiled a grateful smile "Well lets find our way out of this maze then we can figure out what to do next...

Dia chuckled, "yeah, lets go." and she led her friend outside and back into the open fresh air.

Ala purred softly running her hands over her belly as they exited the building taking in a deep breath of air once outside and glancing at Dia

Dia smiled and looked to her friend. She was glad Ala wanted her to be a part of her pregnancy. Dia sniffed the air and her eyes started to wander, but she resisted and gave her friend a hug.

Ala and Dia spent the rest of the day idly visiting, near the end of the visit Dia gave her a gift, a 'birthbead' a custom of the Kazehan people. Ala is to keep the bead and take care of it, it will be significant down the road according to Dia.