Riku's alternate story line:

A/N: This is a Prequel to part of Darker than Black: Sentimental Black Reaper. If you have not read it, please do first. Thank you.

Chapter one: The Birth of Kirihara Riku

Misaki lay in the hospital after giving birth to her daughter. Kanami was by her side holding her hand. Even though she didn't want to admit it, Kanami's hand was throbbing from Misaki squeezing it like a clamp as she had given birth.

A nurse wrapped up the baby in a warm blanket and laid her in Misaki's arms. Misaki smiled down at her and began twiddling with her tiny fingers. Her daughter had her eyes closed, as she balled her hand around Misaki's finger.

"Hey there," whispered Misaki. "I'm your mommy."

Kanami smiled down at the girl and said, "She's adorable, Misaki. You think of a name yet?"

Misaki nodded. She had thought of a name a few months ago and had asked Li if he liked it. He had said he loved it.

"Riku," she said.

Kanami looked at her flabbergasted; knowing she had decided on the name because it was close to Li-kun. Kanami settled down and smiled at hers and Li's decision.

"Gomen, miss, but I have to take her and clean her up," said the nurse.

Nodding, Misaki handed over her daughter. The nurse carefully took a hold of the baby and exited the delivery room.

A tear escaped from Misaki's right eye. She was heart broken to be apart from her daughter after carrying her for nine months, but she was also heart-stricken that Li couldn't be by her side.

Because of his occupation, it was impossible for him to be here. Yamato had a majority of the police department around the hospital with Saitou and Kouno standing near the delivery room entrance.

News of his identity had been leaked by the Foreign Affairs when Misaki was four months pregnant with Riku. After people across the globe had heard of a human and a Contractor having a baby, a worldwide uproar surfaced.

How cruel life could be. She wondered how Li would get the chance to see his daughter in the future, and when he did, how much would she have grown from his last visit.

"You all right, Misaki?" Kanami asked.

"Hai," replied Misaki. "It's just that…"

"I know, and I'm sorry he couldn't be here."

Misaki smiled at her friend and wiped away her tear.

Xxx

In the cleaning room, the head nurse was washing Riku with the help of an assistant nurse. They looked down at the baby displeased and unsettled.

"Wouldn't it be best if we drown this thing?" said the assistant.

"Ah, it would," nodded the head nurse. "This thing is the spawn of the Kuro no Shinigami. No doubt she will turn into a Contractor and wreck havoc upon the city.

"However, we can't do that. It's not our place since our job is to help save lives. I couldn't live with myself if I did such a thing."

"All right, how about you split for a few seconds and I do it."

The nurse looked over at her assistant flabbergasted. She looked down at the child, taking in her feature, and then turned away.

"I'm taking a quick break," she said, and then walked out of the room.

The assistant gulped slightly before wrapping her hands around the child's neck. Heart beating fast, she began to hesitate. Why? The child was only a thing, wasn't she? She had to be a Contractor since her father was, right?

Xxx

The head nurse returned to the cleaning room to see her assistant holding an alive and kicking child in her arms. Narrowing her eyes, she looked at her baffled.

"I couldn't do it," her assistant said. "I couldn't."

Sighing and pleased a heavy burden was lifted off her shoulder, the head nurse took the child and headed over to enter the incubator room. She walked over to an empty incubator and carefully laid the child on her back. The nurse took a pen and wrote the child's name on the side.

"I hope you don't turn out to be like your father," she said.

She turned on her heels and exited the room.

Outside the room, Kirihara Naoyasu was looking through the glass displeased at his granddaughter. How could his baby girl fall in love with Hei and then have his child. No doubt she would find a way to let him see her.

However, Naoyasu would do what ever it took to make sure he didn't: even if it meant fighting for custody.

He turned around and left the hospital without checking on Misaki.

Xxx

Saitou and Kouno walked through the hospital, keeping a sharp eye out for Li. It was hard on Saitou to believe that Li was the infamous Black Reaper due to his behavior. As a detective, he should have seen through his honest integrity, but he figured even the best could be fooled since Misaki had been.

"Man, I hate being on patrol," said Kouno. "Now that Misaki's out of the delivery room, I'd like to know how she's doing."

"Ah," nodded Saitou. "Although, I figure we'd sneak a peek at her daughter. I swear by the law I'd protect her with my life."

"Saitou, you don't have to go all overboard on the matter."

Heading for the nursery, Saitou smiled sheepishly. Once they arrived, they saw Kanami staring through the glass. She looked over and waved them over. The two detectives stood on either side of her to stare at Misaki's daughter.

"She's ugly," said Kouno.

In a split second, he was struck in the back of the head. He looked over his shoulder to see Ootsuka had struck him with her purse.

"That was mean, Kouno!" she barked.

"Ootsuka, when did you get here?" Kouno asked.

"Just a minute ago. Unfortunately I had to walk up and hear you say that about Misaki's daughter."

"You haven't seen her. Besides, she looks like all the other babies. She looks nothing like Misaki."

"She's a newborn. It'll take months before her facial features show."

"And you know this how?"

Ootsuka reached into her purse and pulled out a nursery book. Saitou, Kouno and Kanami looked at it baffled. Suddenly Kouno's eyes widened, as he pointed at her dumbstruck.

"No way! You're knocked up!" he shouted. Ootsuka blinked, flabbergasted at his comment. While balling up his fist and grinding his teeth together, Kouno continued, "Who's the jerk that had done that to you?"

"Matsumoto," Ootsuka blushed, placing her right hand to her cheek.

"Seriously? He can still get it up?"

"Hai, he takes Viagra."

"Really?"

Ootsuka smacked him across the face with the book, and shouted, "Of course not! I was only joking! I bought the book for Misaki. I got a little bored on the train heading here so I read the first few chapters."

"Oh."

"Well, if you ask me, she's adorable," said Saitou, smiling at the baby.

Apart of him was happy for her, but the other part felt sorry for her since he knew she was going to have a bumpy road ahead. He also felt pity towards Li. It was going to be hard for him to be in her life, and it might be best if he stayed out of Misaki and her daughter's life, but Saitou knew he wouldn't.

The thought pleased Saitou. However, if Li did abandon them, then Saitou would personally hunt him down and bring him to justice.

"Oi, Saitou, Kouno, I didn't order you two to take a break yet!" yelled Yamato, as he approached them. He stopped before them, fury burning in his eyes brighter than a Contractor's. "Get back to work!"

"Hai, Commander," said Saitou and Kouno, and then stormed off.

Yamato looked into the nursery, and noticed Misaki's baby sleeping quietly.

"That's one thing my wife and I sometimes regret," he said. "We had said we weren't going to have kids, so we didn't. Five years ago we decided we wanted a child, but the doctors had said we waited too long."

"Have you tried adoption or a surrogate mother?" Ootsuka asked.

"We've thought about it, but both ideas are too expensive. We figure we'd let it be. Make sure you're on time for work tomorrow, Ootsuka."

"Hai, Commander."

He departed their side and disappeared around a corner. Ootsuka and Kanami stared at Riku for a few more minutes before heading to visit Misaki.

"She's so cute," said Ootsuka. "You think Misaki will be all right if I get her hooked on anime and cosplay?"

"I don't think she'd mind," said Kanami. "I, on the other hand, have to make sure I don't smell like smoke or Misaki will get mad at me. You know, I'll laugh if Riku starts smoking when she reaches her teens. Misaki would have a field day with that. And don't tell Misaki I had said that."

Ootsuka made a zipping gesture across her lips, pretended to turn an invisible key, and then threw it away.

As they continued walking down the hall, a doctor passed by them. He had black hair, blue eyes, and wore a surgeon's mask to cover his face. Stopping to turn her head around, Kanami narrowed her eyes at the doctor. Baffled, Ootsuka came to a halt as well and followed Kanami's line of sight.

"Everything all right?" she asked.

"Hai," said Kanami.

She turned around and continued forward. Perplexed, Ootsuka blinked and wondered what had made the lab woman on edge. Shrugging it off and following suite, she figured Kanami thought he was cute and wanted a personal exam by him.

However, that wasn't the case. The doctor in question was really Li.

Kanami smiled.

Xxx

Hei held his breath, figuring Kanami had recognized him, but if she had she had kept it to herself. He knew it was a risk, but it was worth it to see his daughter.

He stepped before the glass that separated him and Riku. She looked so peaceful and adorable sleeping in her incubator. He wanted to slip into the room and cradle her in his arms, but now was not the time.

Hei placed his right palm on the glass and smiled at his baby girl: his Ri-chan.

Xxx

Entering Misaki's room, Ootsuka walked over to the left side of the bed and hugged her, as Kanami rounded the other side.

"How're you feeling?" Ootsuka asked, pushing away from Misaki.

"I'm fine. I would like to go see Riku, but the doctor said I need to get some rest before I can move around."

"And that you should," stated Kanami. "We just came from there and she's doing fine."

Misaki smiled up at her friend.

"Oh, Misaki, I got you something to pass the time away," said Ootsuka, pulling out the nursery book.

"Another one?" questioned Misaki, as she took the gift, and started flipping through it.

"This one goes into more detail."

"That's what you said with the fifth book you gave me." Misaki looked up at Ootsuka. "At least it's the thought that counts."

Ootsuka smiled.

"Your daughter is cute, Misaki." Ootsuka leaned to whisper into Misaki's ear. "However, Kouno doesn't think so."

Ootsuka quoted Kouno to have Misaki shake her head. Men like him worried her once her daughter turned thirteen. No doubt dear old daddy would put a fright on her boyfriends and scare them off.

"Has your dad been by yet?" Kanami asked.

"No, and I got the funny feeling he won't," said Misaki.

"That's got to make you mad," said Ootsuka.

"Not really. After my mother's passing, we haven't been on talking terms."

"You hate him?"

"No. I just don't trust him anymore. But I don't want to talk about that. What's the security like here right now?"

"Like America's Fort Knocks," stated Kanami. "Yamato's got men at every exit, checking badges and IDs, and guards roaming around on each floor. He's got more men on this floor though."

"In other words, it would be impossible for Li to come marching in here," said Ootsuka while pointing her index finger upwards, as if making a statement.

"Ootsuka," began Misaki, "from what we've seen at the Foreign Affairs, you yourself should know nothing is impossible."

"Err, right," mumbled Ootsuka, averting her eyes sheepishly. Suddenly her eyes focused on a clock, and then she stared down at her watch. "Eh, it's already seven fifteen? I had wasted too much time in the book store." Ootsuka looked back at Misaki and bowed. "I'm sorry, Misaki, but I have to get going since Bara no Morris is coming on at eight. I can't miss it since the giraffe shows how much he really likes Morris."

Ootsuka stormed out of the room quicker than Li vanishing in mid air. Misaki sighed at her love for anime.

"Misaki," spoke up Kanami, as she sat on the bedside, and leaned next to her ear. "Li's here."

Kanami sat up straight, as Misaki's eyes widened, and said, "Seriously?"

"Hai," nodded Kanami, also mentioning his disguise and where he was heading.

"He went to see Riku?" Misaki questioned.

"Ah," said Kanami. "I don't know, but I think I should be leaving for the night too. I must be getting tired. Goodnight, Misaki."

Misaki looked on clueless, but then it came to her. It must have been from the medication pouring into her that gave her a slow response time.

Kanami stood from the bed, winking, and left the room. Misaki huffed out her exhaustion from the ten-hour labor she had endured.

She closed her eyes and thought about hers and Li's future with Riku. Would they even have a future? Would her beloved be caught by the Foreign Affairs and locked up for eternity, or would the Syndicate sink their claws into Li and kill him?

Misaki didn't want either. She wanted to pack up her bags, move to America with Li and live their lives in peace.

Somebody took her hand. Misaki opened her eyes and saw Li looking at her. She smiled, drawn towards the man she loved dearly, and kissed him.

"I knew you'd come, Li," she said. "Have you seen Riku yet?"

"Hai," said Li. "She's beautiful."

Misaki felt bitterness overwhelm her to where she found herself crying.

"What's wrong?" Li asked.

"Us," she said. "How are we to raise Riku together when you can't be by my side?"

"I don't know, but we'll find a way. Right now, get some rest. I'll be by your side for now."

"Li, Yamato…"

"I know, but they won't catch me. Get some rest."

Nodding, Misaki closed her eyes while lying on her side, and took a hold of Li's hand. He leaned forward, brushed back her hair, and kissed her forehead.

She felt safe with him nearby and believed they would overcome the obstacles before them.

Within minutes, Misaki was fast asleep and dreaming of a perfect world.