Okami-san and her Wolf Cub

Chapter 02: Okami-san and Ryoshi's Vow

Inside the doctor's office, Ryoko and Ryoshi quietly looked on at one another, having not said a word since the doctor told Ryoshi about Ryoko's pregnancy. Ryoshi finally worked up the nerve and approached Ryoko, sitting himself next to her.

"Ryoko...th-this is unbelievable. H-How did you...?" he asked, stopped by Ryoko putting her hand over his.

"Who do you think caused this you idiot?" she asked. Ryoshi remained dead silent until he gasped, recalling their last "close time" together months ago. That time was the closest Ryoko let Ryoshi come to her. Thinking back to that day, he began to blush bright red.

"Oh..I-I...geez! W-Wow." he stuttered. Ryoko blushed and looked away.

"Anyway, about that sickness she had earlier, it was only morning sickness. She should be fine as long as she keeps herself hydrated, well fed and gets plenty of rest. And as to her pregnancy, its still too soon to determine whether her baby will be a boy or girl." the doctor explained. Ryoshi nodded, thanking the doctor for the check up. Ryoko looked over at Ryoshi who turned back to her.

"Ryoko? I...I don't know what to say. But...now that I know about this, I promise...I TRULY promise from the bottom of my heart...that I will NEVER leave you alone. I'll watch over you and our child for the rest of my life." he said. Ryoko's eyes widened as she turned bright red across her entire face. She made a fist and began to growl, suddenly socking Ryoshi in the face.

"Y-YOU IDIOT! STOP SAYING STUFF LIKE THAT!" she exclaimed. Ryoshi groaned, rising up from the ground with his cheek bright red.

"Heh heh. Guess I'll have to get used to this. I just hope she doesn't get anymore violent if she has "mood swings"." he thought, rubbing his cheek.

~ OKAMI-SAN and her SEVEN COMPANIONS ~

Later that day, Ryoko was brought back to her dormitory room and was situated down on the bed. Around her was the likes of her friends from the Otogi Bank, Ringo included. They all began to stare at her, making her turn red and flustered.

"W-Will you guys cut that out?! You're creeping the HELL outta me!" Ryoko yelled, having had enough of the staring. Ringo lightly chuckled.

"Come on now Ryoko. You shouldn't have to be THAT embarrassed. You should be happy! You get to be a mommy!" Ringo laughed. Ryoko groaned, rolling over in her bed with arms crossed.

"Its still hard to believe. Out of all of us, Ryoko would be the first one to bear a child. It truly is a blessing, nothing short of a miracle." Liszt said. Alice nodded, adjusting her glasses.

"No kidding. With the way she always used to act, I never imagined anyone, let alone Ryoshi, could get close to her that way." she said, annoying Ryoko slightly. Otsu lightly chuckled.

"Don't worry Ryoko. You just relax and leave taking care of things to us. Consider this us repaying you for all the hard work you've given to the Otogi Bank and to us." Otsu said. Ryoko huffed.

"I'm not asking for your help you guys. I'm just fine. Besides, I don't see why you're making such a big deal out of this. I'm not THAT deep into it yet." she groaned. Ringo gently patted Ryoko, shedding a smile.

"Because we're your friends Ryoko. And, don't forget, this means soon you and Ryoshi are going to have a bright and happy little one to call your own. That should be your dream come true." Ringo said. Hearing those words, Ryoko's face turned bright red before she closed her eyes tightly, trying not to think about it. Nearby, Ryoshi sat in a nearby chair and watched the others consoling Ryoko.

"Hmm. I kind of wonder what it would be like...Ryoko and I having a little kid." Ryoshi thought. He began having daydreams about them being there when the baby started to walk and talk, teaching their child everything they know and Ryoko becoming a kind hearted mother, like a wolf to its cub. But as he continued to daydream, Taro glanced over at him.

"My guess is that he's imagining what life will be like from now on." Taro said. Otohime caught a glimpse as well, lightly chuckling.

"No doubt he is. That's our Ryoshi for you. But, you know, Taro? What's kept US from experiencing the same as the two of them?" she asked, leaning close against Taro. Taro gulped as his eyes started to bulge and he blushed bright red.

"O-Oh! Well, I uhh...!" he stuttered. Otohime continued to cling to Taro's arm as she suddenly started to drag him away with her, heading out of the room without anyone noticing. Meanwhile, Ryoshi decided to rise and slowly approached Ryoko's side as the others simply backed away.

"Ryoko? Listen. I know all of this is probably going to be a lot to take in. But I promise that I'll always be here for you. I want this to be a happy moment not just for me, but for you too. I'll always be at your side because...I truly love you." he said. Ryoko remained silent, her back still turned to the rest of them. Ryoshi felt as if his words didn't reach her ears. Liszt looked on before pretending to look at a "watch" on his wrist.

"Oh, would you look at the time? Everyone? I think its time we gave these two "lovebirds" some space." he said. They each nodded and followed Liszt out of the room, leaving Ryoshi and Ryoko alone together. Ryoshi sighed and rose from the bed.

"Okay. I guess I'll give you some space too. I'll come back later..." he said. But as he was about to leave, he felt something grab onto his wrist tightly. Froze in place, he looked back to see Ryoko's hand on his wrist.

"D-Do you really promise...?" she muttered. Ryoshi looked confused, looking on as Ryoko slowly looked back at him, eyes partially filled with tears. The sight of them caused him to gasp.

"You really promise not to...not to go?" she asked. Ryoshi nodded, turning around before kneeling down to Ryoko's eye level. She rolled over entirely to get a better look at him.

"Yes Ryoko. I swore I would always protect you since we became a team at the Otogi Bank, remember? I swear on my life that I won't let anything happen to you...nor will I let any harm come to our child." he said. Ryoko looked on at Ryoshi, seeing the determined stare in his eyes. It seemed to bring tears to her eyes as she wiped them away.

"T-Thanks...Ryoshi. You know? I guess you're not that "bad" of a screw-up after all..." she said. Ryoshi smiled, watching as she sat upright at the bed's edge. She put her hand to her stomach, lightly rubbing it.

"So, what do you think we should call this little life of ours?" she asked. Ryoshi smiled, looking on at Ryoko's stomach.

"Who knows? We can decide on that later...AFTER we find out what our little baby actually is." he said. Ryoko lightly chuckled, saying she wished it would be a girl.

"Heh. You never know..." he said, looking up at Ryoko "I bet she'll be as beautiful as her mother." Ryoko began to blush, looking away slightly as Ryoshi stood up.

"I'm...I'm totally glad we met each other Ryoshi. After...what happened in middle school, I never thought I could trust anyone again. But you...you and Ringo proved me wrong. Not only do I have two good friends, but I have a little bundle on the way as well. And...its all thanks to me finally opening up." she said. Ryoshi smiled.

"Okay. You get some rest Ryoko. I'll come back later to see how you're doing, okay?" he asked. Ryoko nodded, asking him to tell Ringo she could come back in. Ryoshi nodded, looking back towards the door to see it open slightly and Ringo's eye peeking in.

"Ringo? You can come in now." he said. The door slowly opened and in came Ringo, approaching Ryoko as Ryoshi left. Ryoko looked at her with a smile on her face, causing her to smile back.

"So...he finally did it. He tamed the "savage wolf" that was Ryoko Okami. Heh. I never would've imagined." she thought.

TO BE CONTINUED...