4 A Long Train Ride II

Assisting someone through the birthing process was something Yuliang was considerably experienced in and able to go through with ease. However, Rupa's labor was long and painful, and her husband had been an absolute nuisance with his fretting. So Yuliang had Anil go out and ask the staff for some towels and a basin and to keep the curious visitors drawn by Rupa's screams at bay. The train staff members were very accommodating to their situation. Soon Yuliang had more supplies than he had requested at hand, including some food and drink for the mother for when she was feeling up for it and some baby supplies that Yuliang can only assume to have been from a generous passenger on board the train.

The baby was birthed safely, and the couple had been upgraded to a first-class compartment for the rest of their ride to ensure optimal comfort for the new mother and because their current compartment was sectioned off for a thorough clean. Yuliang had assisted them with the move and stayed with them overnight to ensure that there were no further complications with the mother or baby's health.

A knock on the door had Yuliang's hand pause his writing. His eyes immediately drifted to the sleeping family on the bed opposite him.

Neither the couple nor the baby had roused from the sound, fortunately.

Releasing a small sigh, Yuliang tucked his black leather journal into a pocket and quietly made his way out of the compartment.

Seeing who was on the other side, Yuliang pressed a finger to his lips in warning as he silently slid the door shut behind himself.

"You get caught up in the craziest things, don't you, brother," Yukio murmured, amber eyes glimmering in amusement in the dim lighting of the train corridor.

Yuliang shrugged, "Not like I actively go looking for it. How did you find me?"

"Asked around. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who the Healer that helped a woman give birth on a train could be. How did it go?"

"No complications. The mother experienced some tearing, but that was an easy fix. Their baby girl's fine too. Just slightly premature."

A small wistful smile crossed Yukio's face. "She must have been impatient to see her mom and dad," he said. "What's her name?"

Yuliang's face maintained careful neutrality, internally grimacing, as he replied.

"Yulia."

The smirk that spread across his brother's face said it all. "Yulia, hm? What a pretty name. Any particular reason for it?"

"Fuck off," Yuliang grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.

Yukio snickered.

A comfortable silence settled over them as they took a moment to bask in each other's presence and scents without physically scenting the other. After hours of smelling blood and other bodily fluids, the refreshing scent of apples that wafted over was a refreshing and comforting change.

Eventually, the comfortable silence that had settled between them was broken by a wide yawn from Yukio, who patted Yuliang on the shoulder and said, "I'm going to go get some sleep, see you when you get back, brother. Try not to stay up all night please, we have a lot to do tomorrow, and you should be well-rested."

Yuliang only nods. He knows better than to make promises he can't keep.

"Good night."