Disclaimer: The characters within this story all belong to Yukiru Sugisaki-san.
Warnings: Clean.
Summary: Kousuke thinks about his life since meeting Emiko
Completed: February 18, 2010

Earnest Dedication
by: Kagome-reincarnation

There are days when Kousuke despairs of his role as father and husband. He married Emiko because of a mutual growing attraction – they'd fallen in love and he'd listened to her and she'd listened to him. Their communication had been excellent and they'd gone through the usual experiences a couple had. When he'd learned about the phantom thief that remained hidden away in her blood, though, he'd become nervous. Of course, on the outside, he'd been entirely calm, listening to her explain the entirety of the situation.

He'd waited, pausing to order his own thoughts and to decide on a course of action. It wasn't, he thought, very difficult. Not when he'd loved her as much as he still did today, and certainly not when she'd been looking at him with those beseeching eyes, begging him not to be frightened away despite the trust that showed through.

Of course he'd done it. How could he possibly not? He'd smiled at her, explaining that he'd give up his name to support her wishes. It was perfectly okay for him to be a Niwa if that was what it took to keep a smile on her face.

He'd given her the baby boy she'd wanted and he'd been more than happy to do so. He'd wanted to start a family, too – a happy one, perhaps aiding in the boy's training until he went through the trials and tribulations he'd have to endure as a Niwa male.

And even that had been taken from him. With the realization that they were on bad footing due to the forty year gap and could greatly use information, they'd agreed to leave Daisuke's training to Daichi, his father in law, as he went to seek out information and magical artifacts that they could make use of.

He left when Daisuke was two and couldn't return until his son turned fourteen. Twelve sets of missed birthdays for Emiko, Daichi, and Daisuke, twelve missed wedding anniversaries, twelve sets of missed holidays, twelve birthdays spent alone, and twelve years missing his family and the dreams that he'd accepted were without a glimmer of hope when he'd left.

Laptops, emails, phone calls and letters were all he had to connect himself with his family. Brief trips home to take breaks from the difficult tasks that had taken over his life allowed him to meet Daisuke – to grow familiar with the stranger that was his son – and to see Emiko again. Greetings, of course, to his father in law and affection for Daisuke.

And it hurt every time Emiko hung from his frame, her arms around his neck as she happily detailed events to her son about their dates or told him about the latest bits and pieces of mess that his son had gotten himself into. His mind knew that he'd had to do what he'd done in order to keep Daisuke alive in his exploits, but he was also aware of the fact that because his son carried the Dark who had never appeared before his wife, he would never be first in her eyes.

He didn't mind so much because Daisuke was just as important to him, but he couldn't help but wonder if she had time for him anymore. Sending out notices, setting up heists, and working on Daisuke's costumes had her busy. Her art collection, of course, also kept her preoccupied. And that wasn't counting all the other chores that she took care of as the only woman in the house.

There were times when he wondered if she even remembered she was married to him – if she'd ever thought to divorce him once she'd become pregnant. It's at these times that he scolds himself. Of course she loves him – she's promised and married him. They'll be together until they day as per their wedding vows.

So why, he thinks despairingly, does she feel so far away?