"Ugh!" Paninia groaned, "When it rains my joints hurt."

She started to vaguely stretch out her automail in an attempt to lessen the awkward feelings no doubt shooting through her faux limbs.

Toshiro was vaguely listening from outside the door as Winry had managed to goad the girl into her story of how she had lost her legs in the first place.

He realized then that it might be a good time to contact his zanpaktou. Hyourinmaru had been oddly quiet lately, though, Toshiro supposed that wasn't completely abnormal considering the fact the ice spirit could be just as, if not more antisocial than he himself at times.

He set the blade on his lap, letting it rest in a balanced position on his crossed legs. As soon as he closed his eyes he was within the realm of his soul.

"You wish to talk." It wasn't a question.

"I have a theory." Toshiro confirmed, "I simply wish to know what you think of it."

The great dragon silently waited for his master to continue.

"This world…from the moment we entered it, it felt wrong. The only words I can think of that describe the feeling is 'off balanced.'"

"I've been thinking the same thing." Hyourinmaru said nodding his great head.

Toshiro wasn't one to normally go off of gut feelings, but something within him was nagging at the back of his conscience, telling him that he was getting closer to unraveling the mystery of how he had come to this world, and maybe even closer to the answer of how to return to his own world.

"I think—" But he was immediately pulled from his soul at the sound of Winry's screams.

"Riddel, come quick, it's your wife!" she shouted.

Toshiro's eyes widened, It couldn't be, could it? It was too soon after all.

He quickly followed the small group into the kitchen, where Satera, the lady who was obviously ready right then to have her baby, was crumpled on the ground.

"T-the…the…" she mumbled.

"The what?" Riddel asked his wife dumbly.

"The baby's coming." She said confirming Toshiro's suspicions.

"I thought it wasn't due until a few more days!" Riddel yelped.

"I think that's up to the baby, isn't it?" Toshiro said rolling his eyes and hoping to save Satera from the stupidity that was rolling over the room.

"What's going on!?" Dominic shouted, barging into the room.

"Ride into town and get a doctor." Toshiro told him calmly, trying to diffuse the situation.

Toshiro, was in command now, in his element, well, sort of.

That was the thing about being a captain, even when everyone else was afraid, you weren't allowed to be.

He took in a deep breath, trying to gather himself. He had worked in the fourth division for about a year, and even though his stay had been short, he had once helped Unohana Taichou deliver a baby.

Well, he'd say he helped, but he was worse off than he had ever been. He had not been cut out for being a doctor, despite Unohana Taichou's denials of this fact. There was something about the medical arts that he had always feared.

As a captain he was in charge of the lives of his men, yet as a doctor it was more…individual. It was too difficult for him to phrase into words, but he always felt that whether a patient lived or died was too far out of his own control. Maybe this was just his own insecurities, but he had always handled himself best as a fighter.

Now though, now he suddenly dreaded having left the fourth as early as he had. If he had stayed a little longer would he have been better prepared?

Toshiro shook his head, trying to focus better on the situation at hand. It would do him no good thinking about 'what if's.'

Suddenly the front door shot open.

"T-the bridge…" Dominic stuttered, walking back in.

There wasn't anything anyone could do for the broken bridge. Ed had tried, but failed miserable. Yet his attempt to build a bridge had given Toshiro an idea…

No, he shook his head, best not let them know about that now. They could make do without knowing about his zanpaktou's ability. It would all work out, right?

He swallowed hard, fearing that his pride may in fact be getting in the way of a human life, no, two human lives.

If they die, it's my fault, Toshiro conceded.

Dominic had decided then that he would take the long route around, while the rest of the group returned to the house to support Satera as best they could.

As soon as they entered Dominic's home, Paninia burst out of Satera's bedroom.

"Winry!" she shouted, her face was pale and damp with sweat and the panic in her voice was distinct, "W-what should I do! T-there's water everywhere. I-it's coming out of Satera!"

Winry nervously rubbed some of the water off of her face with her coat,

"U-um, I'm pretty sure that would be her water breaking."

"That means the baby's coming." Toshiro frowned.

That's when all hell broke loose. It started with Ed screaming,

"What are we gonna do!" the rest seemed to take this as their cue to run about the room like headless chickens.

"Urusai!" Toshiro shouted, causing everyone to freeze, only Winry looked even remotely ready to do something useful.

Toshiro wasn't going to lie to himself, he felt pretty nervous about the whole thing. Not to mention it was partially his own fault that the mother and unborn child were in as much peril as they were. He'd studied healing kidou and medicine under Unohana for a single year. During that time he had never delivered a baby, but he had watched the fourth devision captain do it once…

"Edward, go boil some water. Alphonse, go get some towels. Paninia, I'm going to need some alcohol for disinfectant. I expect you know where that is. Now go."

Surprised by the sudden onslaught of orders, and a little relieved that someone knew what they were doing. They all scampered off to do as Toshiro had said.

"Winry, come with me." The white haired boy said coldly, a slight frown on his face.

He hadn't really liked the fourth division. Unohana-taicho had told him he had talent for healing, if only his reiatsu wasn't so cold…

That wasn't the only reason he'd quit his studies in medicine, however. The main reason was that it felt too personal to him, having another person's life in his hands, looking them in the face and reassuring them they'd be fine, when he knew they probably wouldn't be.

But he was to blame if the doctor didn't arrive on time. He had to take responsibility for his actions. So with all his courage, Toshiro entered Satera's bedroom, motioning for Winry to follow him.

Riddel was by his wife's bed, holding her hand and trying to assure her it would all be okay, only…from the way they interacted it seemed that his wife was trying to reassure him.

"W-why do you need me?" Winry asked uncertainly.

"You seemed the most calm out of the group." Toshiro said carefully, "And you work with automail. From what I have learned, that requires an understanding of the human biology. Which, in turn must mean that you have some medical knowledge."

"W-wait, you're going to deliver the baby?" Riddel asked looking at Winry with panic.

"I will." Toshiro said coolly, "I studied under a medical practitioner in my country. And though I never delivered a baby myself, I watched my teacher do it, and I've read up on it." He frowned, "I understand it's not ideal, but please let me help."

Riddel blinked a few times, Toshiro's words seemed to actually reassure him somewhat,

"Well, you're the best we've got." He decided.

Toshiro gave a small nod,

"Winry will be helping me."

"My parents were doctors." Winry said hesitantly, "And…I did learn some things from them."

Satera let out a scream.

Ed and All entered the room with a bucket of water and some towels. Paninia wasn't far behind them. All three of them looked shaken.

"Set them over here." Toshiro ordered, having them place their things on the other side of the bed so they wouldn't get in the way, but would still be within easy reaching distance.

"Now get out." Toshiro ordered.

The three of them jumped, then scampered out of the room. Toshiro let out a sigh, running through the things they'd brought back in his head and wondering if he was missing anything. Sometimes it was difficult being a captain.