Chapter 9: DiaKanaMari with baby Ruby
A/N:
So, no one asked for this, I know… but it's been haunting my mind for weeks now, so…
(Crowd: Booo!)
A-anyway, feel free to add the tag "Hurt/Comfort" for this chapter… Also, please keep in mind that the Kanan, Dia and Mari on this story are all MILF (they still look very young – like 30 years old people – despite being older than that)
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The autumn sky was dark gray while the brown-colored leaves were falling. It was rather cold, so most people who were out of their room were wearing coats and scarf in addition with their usual attire. It was a Sunday morning and the scholars like busy workers were resting… well, most of them were.
For few people who were gathered at the cemetery, it was a sorrowful – see dark day for them. Several people wearing black outfits – from dresses, coats, shoes, scarf, shirts and even gloves – were gathered at a certain spot, a coffin in front of them. Near said coffin were several bouquets of white flowers and the portrait of the person who was going to be buried soon.
The man wearing a priest's outfit slowly closed the book he was reading minutes prior and asked for five last minutes of silence in memory of their friend, daughter, niece, sister, wife and mother. It felt like an eternity – especially for the people who were closer to Matsura Kanan – and once the delay passed, few men took a shovel while the women and childrens stepped back.
A young girl with past ear crimson red hair was slowly sniffing – trying to be strong and not totally break in tears. Holding her hand was an older woman with hips-length raven hair. Said woman's eyes were dull from any expression. She was a widow now and yet she wasn't prepared for the suit of events.
Ruby understood that her Mama was very fragile and might break any time if she didn't stay strong. She was only 10, but knew more than anyone that it is sometimes better to keep her own frustration inside. "Mom…" The crimson-haired girl looked down, trying to avoid looking at Dia's pitiable sign or at the coffin who was being buried under several kilograms of soil.
She couldn't – she didn't want – she didn't have the strength to watch as the men burying the person who raised her for 7 long years. Sure enough, she was adopted while still being a baby of 3 years old. Her biological family died in a car accident and she was put in an orphanage for one long year. She was so glad that the two women – Matsura Kanan and Matsura Dia – who just got engaged were looking for a daughter to adopt.
Ruby was thankful of them. She didn't want to loose them. She would have used everything in her power to protect them… and yet.
They knew from the start that the blue-haired woman was ill. It was an hereditary illness spread in her vital organs. Like her father before her, Kanan was told that she wouldn't be able to live for more than 40 years and accepted the fact. Dia agreed to marry her knowing that… but yet… her death just came out of sudden.
Without any of the two remaining Matsura, the ceremony was almost over as the gravestone was already on its spot and the priest has finished the last prayer. The other guests were already leaving one by one, grim expressions on their face. No one could blame them, though. They just assisted the burial of someone very close to them. Her sister Chika, her mother, her cousin Hanamaru, her coworker Yoshiko and even her rival from high school Yô were looking down, unable to meet anyone else's gaze.
15 minutes passed, then 30 minutes and finally one hour later, the cemetery was desert, except for Dia and Ruby who were still glancing emptily at the gravestone. Slowly but surely, the previously composed woman started sobbing and kneeled down as to embrace the most important thing that her wife left for her: their daughter. She hugged the poor girl and buried said red-head's face in her cleavage so that Ruby wouldn't see her tears.
Dia was a good mother who did care a lot about her daughter. She will never do anything low as to cry in front of her beloved child. But now that she couldn't hold her tears anymore, what left to do was to try everything in her power to avoid Ruby from seeing her in a more pitiable state than she actually was. It started with low sobs and transformed into loud crying not a minute later.
Caught by surprise, the 10-year old girl unconsciously moved her hands behind the woman's back and drew circle as to comfort her mother. She didn't mind the lack of air. All she was thinking about was to comfort the crying woman and nothing else. The world could stop spinning and she wouldn't mind. All she cared about was to be there for the woman who has the most meaning in her life.
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"Matsura-chan…"
A pair of emerald green eyes slowly opened at the mention of her name and it didn't take her long to adjust her vision. Ruby was in detention for a misunderstanding with one of her classmates and decided to learn mathematics, but fell asleep. The red-head lifted her head to meet up with a pair of sapphire blue gentle eyes piercing into her soul.
"Did you have a nightmare?" The blonde-haired teacher asked with concern in her voice. "I mean you are all sweaty and you were all in panic."
"I-it's nothing, Ohara-sensei…" Ruby slightly backed away, flushed all over by the closeness. "I'm sorry for falling asleep."
Said blonde just smiled and backed away into her seat that was at the opposite of the desk that the red-head was sitting in. She was supposed to be keeping an eye on the red-head but just decided to watch the later sleeping until Ruby's expression turned into a sad one and she decided to wake her up. "It's nothing! Never mind!" Her smile widened as the red-head blushed and looked down at her notes. "That aside, I already told you to call me Mari."
"B-but…" The red-head wanted to counter, but she didn't have the words to describe her point of the argument.
The older woman just smiled. "It's all right! Most of the other students are already calling me by my first name, so it will only be fair if you do it as well." True enough, the all-girl school – Uranohoshi – that they were at was full of young girls full of energy and most of the teachers were friendly women. That resulted in the teachers and students referring to themselves in first name basis. "That aside…" Mari turned to the window and watched at the scenery of a settling sun at the horizon. The two of them were the only resident of the room… maybe even the whole floor since most students and teachers already left hours earlier. "How is Dia doing?"
"Mama?" Ruby lifted her head and saw an expression on the older blonde's face. She knew that expression more than well – after witnessing it on her Mother's face these 6 past years since Kanan's burial. It was nostalgia. Sure, she knew that Mari and her Mothers were friends back in high school, but the blonde had to go oversea and was only back two decades later. "She is becoming better lately… The flower shop is doing well and seeing lively people at the shop everyday helps her cheer up a little."
"Is that so…?"
Ruby didn't know what to respond. Sure, Mari was a weird person. She was always unpredictable and all, but the actual situation was confusing the high schooler. "Sensei…?"
The blonde suddenly turned toward her and she couldn't help but to flinch a little from the sudden eye contact. She shyly averted her gaze, but for some odd reasons couldn't. Mari's expression turned into a serious one for a brief moment before she displayed a gentle smile. "I know that I am asking a lot from you but… please take good care of Dia for me."
"S-sure…" Ruby was more confused now. She didn't understand. "Why is sensei so serious-looking? Sure, they were friends, but…" To be honest, the crimson-haired girl was getting anxious from being in the same room as the actual Mari – not the playful and energetic Mari, but a mysterious and intimidating one. She didn't feel at ease and a question was burning her tongue, debating against the owner's willpower to find its way out. After a long minute of silence, the red-head finally decided to gather her courage and asked the question, the happiness of her Mother in mind. "S-sensei… if I may… Why are you always so concern about Mama?"
The woman looked surprised for a split second before giving another nostalgic smile. "You really don't beat around the bush, don't you?"
Ruby's face turned scarlet red at that statement. Sure, she was always the shy and shrinking violet type, but she was always willing to do anything in her power if it would help for her Mother's happiness. She would have stand up against bad girls if it would have make Dia proud. She would have gotten out of her little shell if that would have make Dia proud. She would have attempted to speak to other people if it was for Dia's sake. So, yes! She would be bold about a question if the result might bring happiness for her remaining Mother.
Mari looked down after a minute of silence from the two. She played with the hem of her dress' skirt and averted eye contact with the younger girl. "As Dia might have told you, Kanan, Dia and me were best friend from middle school until we graduated from high school." Ruby nodded, motioning the blonde to go ahead and split the bean. "We were always together and always shared what we had. We went through joy and sorrow and always stood strong together." Mari finally lifted her head, but instead of looking at Ruby, turned to the window to watch the dark sky as the sun has completely disappeared behind the horizon. "But then, my Mother insisted that I go to an University oversea and I couldn't say no… Our goodbye was sorrowful, but couldn't have been helped." She gulped, readying herself to tell her next phrase. "That day, I confessed my love for the two of them! I've fallen in love with both of them, but always remained silent because I was scared of society… scared of my family. They both smiled at me and confessed back, despite the fact that I was still going. After thinking about it, I decided to give the two of them my benediction. I wanted them to be together even if I wasn't there… and I was so glad to hear that they got married."
Ruby was surprised to hear that truth from the usually carefree teacher. Her mind was still in panic as it didn't seem to fully understand everything, but she did her best not to panic and cause more confusion. "So…"
Mari closed her eyes. "I was so sad when hearing about what happened to Kanan. To be honest, I wanted to go back in Numazu, but my duties didn't allow me to." She opened her eyes, a pained expression painted on her face. "That was my worst failure!" She still averted her eyes from meeting the younger girl's. "I should have been there to comfort Dia and you, but decided to be a coward and just waited in my office, continuing my dull life as a salary woman." She let go of a heavy sigh and finally turned to the younger girl, tears in her eyes and falling on her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Ruby-chan! I know that the two of you were really hurt and needed someone for comfort and yet, I didn't…"
The younger red-head, still confused, unconsciously grabbed Mari's hands. "You are not at fault! No one could blame you! After all… you are back now… right?"
The blonde was surprised at first, but slowly smiled again, tears still flowing. "Thank you, Ruby-chan!" She tightened her grip on the young girl's hands and lifted them closer to her. "You know… I've decided to give up on all my titles. I asked my parents to disown me… because I didn't want to be someone who works for themselves… I want to be someone who works for people I really care about. I want to wake up every morning and see the face of the people I care about… to smile and laugh with them… to cry with them… to be with Dia and you."
A shock of electricity traversed through Ruby's heart. She felt surprised and warm, comforted by Mari's words. "Ohara-sensei… no… Mari-chan…" Her thumbs unconsciously started drawing circle on the older woman's palm. "No… Mommy… Thank you for coming for us."
The blonde smiled back and slightly moved her right hand to pat the girl's head. "I will do everything in my power to protect that smile of yours!"
"So…" The young girl closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Mari's hand playing with her hair. Unconsciously, the desk was pushed aside and Ruby's head ended up resting on the blonde's lap, the crimson-haired girl kneeling, but didn't mind as she was enjoying the little spoiling. "Does that mean…"
Mari continued to stroke Ruby's hair and closed her eyes. "If Dia is OK with it… I would happily ask her in marriage. I have to make out for the bad things I did in the past. I have to heal the scars that I left behind for being a coward."
"Is that so…?"
The two of them quickly turned to the source of the new voice and their mouth fell agape at the sign of a certain ravenette who was standing at the door. "Dia?!"
"Mama?"
The repunzel-haired woman shyly smiled and nodded at the two before getting inside the room and joined them by hugging Mari from beside. "I was worried for Ruby since it was late and decided to pick her up, but just stood at the door since the two of you were still having such heartwarming conversation."
Mari was the first to calm down at the feeling of Dia's fingers playing with her strands of blonde hair and she looked down while resuming the patting of Ruby's head. Said red-head managed to calm down and closed her eyes before fully resting her head on Mari's lap. The blonde's left hand moved until it met with Dia's. "How long have you been here?"
"Since when you told her about your confession."
"So, you heard everything…" There was a minute of silence. The blonde was the first to break the awkwardness and decided to be direct with her question. "And what do you think? Do you need some time to think about it? I know that it won't be an easy choice. Kanan was very important for you and I know it, so I can't force you to accept my feelings. After all, I…"
The blonde was silenced as the ravenette moved away and stepped in front of her before pressing their lips together. The kiss only lasted few seconds, but it felt like hours for Mari since it was her first. She has lived 45 years and never kissed anyone. She always had a little voice inside her telling her to reserve it for the people who would deserve it the most… and she was glad she listened to it since she now was happy by her beloved Dia and Ruby's side.
"Thank you!" Mari smiled as the two parted and she looked at Ruby – who was also smiling. "I promise that I will do anything necessary to seek your happiness… to seek our happiness as a family."
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The three women/girl stood in front of small a two-story building that had the sign 'Matsura flower shop' on top of its main door. Mari smiled at the sign. "I am glad you still kept Kanan's name!" She turned to the two others. "I hope that I will not be too much of a bother."
"Of course not!" Dia returned the smile. "You are always welcome to our humble domicile and we will always welcome you open arms into our little family!"
Ruby stepped in between the two women and grabbed both women's hands. Her Mama and new Mommy smiled before looking forward. Their new life as three has just begun. They will have to go through hardship. They will share tears, joy, sorrow and laughs… but Mari was ready to confront them all. She was ready to shoulder any possible consequence to her actions and so were Dia and Ruby.
No more word was shared the following minute as they fully understood each others. They took one big step and got inside the house… their house. They were not mere parents and children. They were a lot better! They were closer! They were sturdier! They were happier! They were the Matsura, despite the original bearer of the name being six feet under earth. Death wasn't enough to separate them. They family was composed of Kanan, Dia, Mari and Ruby and no one could say elsewhere.
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Fin
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A/N: That was a while since I last updated anything…
I just found some free time in my schedule and some inspirations at the same time and decided to write this. Please note that I will be still working on the requests, but just did this as to change air from time to time.
Good day to you all!
