Age 12 – New Arrivals

Fuyuhiko wasn't much of a problem after the children entered their preteens. All three shared their rebellious phase. Though Kyouhei still carried his teddy-bear everywhere (it went into his backpack at school), he was becoming the perfect little nightmare of a spoiled brat many families had. Ishida had given up on trying to control his younger brother. He was now more interested in his school studies and his female classmates that were hitting puberty. Maria was also concentrating on her school work, but she was more interested in her friends, music, and older boys.

As the triplets began to notice the opposite sex, and the same sex for someone in particular, Akihiko began laying down dating rules. For Ishida there weren't too many restrictions because the girls he would date would have their daddies test him. But he was to find someone suited to him, but he wasn't in any hurry; his standards were high. For Maria and Kyouhei, who had fancied other boys since the first-grade, all boyfriends were to be brought home and interrogated by Akihiko. The interrogations earned Akihiko the nickname Boyfriend Killer.

Kyouhei didn't think much about the rules his father had laid down. Akihiko thought that his laws couldn't be broken, because the triplets would tell each other who they were dating, so he would find out in the end. Being the cunning, little brat that he was, Kyouhei dated in secrecy, only telling his most trusted friend, Takatsuki Noriko, who he was dating. Of course, this presented him with problems. Problems like, "Why are you going out so late?" "What are you doing on the weekends? You're never home." And of course, "Where have you been?" Naturally, Kyouhei had his excuses, and his pretty, round green eyes to get out of trouble.

Misaki was adapting to the life with whiny teenagers he now had, but for the past week he had been feeling ill. Akihiko, thinking it was Misaki's illness was extremely harmful, rushed the boy to the hospital when he refused to go. There the doctors did a few tests, and asked about any medications that Misaki was taking. After waiting for about 30 minutes, there doctor came back into the small hospital room with a clipboard in his hand. He flipped to a yellow sheet of paper on the clipboard and scanned it over with his eyes. The doctor glanced up at Misaki.

"When did you stop taking the birth pills?" the doctor asked. For a moment, Misaki was confused; he didn't remember taking birth pills. But his memory caught up with him shortly.

"Uh…um, years ago, doctor," Misaki answered, "My children are eleven." The doctor nodded.

"We've seen this before," he explained to the confused couple, "Sometimes traces of the drug are withheld in the hormonal glands a patient has. Sexual intercourse can activate those drug traces again." Misaki glanced up at Akihiko, and then back at the doctor.

"What are you saying?" Misaki asked. The doctor looked at him, as if he were baffled that the boy didn't understand.

"Why, Usami-kun," he said to Misaki, "You're pregnant."

Nine months seemed to past by more quickly the second time Misaki was carrying a baby in his stomach than the first time when he was carrying three. The ultrasounds had revealed that there was only one baby this time. Misaki was grateful, but for the longest time Akihiko seemed upset. Of course, the triplets had been thrilled and for nine months they'd been arguing about what sex the baby was going to be. About three months after the triplets' twelfth birthday, Misaki went into labor and was rushed to the hospital. Akihiko's family, Misaki's family, as well as their friends were soon gathered in the waiting room.

Akihiko was pacing anxiously, while the triplets attempted to occupy themselves by talking with their friends. Misaki had only wanted two people to go into his room when he was giving birth. They were, Manami, who had been there the first time, and his trusted friend Hiroki, who had gone through two births already. The hours ticked by slowly before the doctor came out to the waiting room and asked Akihiko if he wanted to see his daughter.

Once inside Misaki's room, Akihiko located his sweating, still panting lover and the pink bundle of joy in his arms. The little baby girl had her fingers in tightly curled fists that were pressed gently against her round cheeks. Her eyes were closed for the moment, and her tiny chest heaved as air passed noisily through her. The triplets were allowed in next. They peered over the arm of the bed, and found the tiny face wrapped in pink blanket. Even the boys were satisfied with their new baby sister, though they had been hoping for another boy.

"What are you going to name her?" Maria asked. Misaki smiled at his daughter, and stared lovingly down at his new baby.

"Chihiro," he answered quietly.

Chihiro was a fast learner. She picked up on walking, and talking very early in her young life. In later years, she would find she was also a victim of her father's spoiling habits that he had used with the triplets. She would find most joy being around her parents, Kyouhei, and Maria. Ishida was also fun to be around, when he wasn't studying, or waking up from any type of sleep. Like his father, he was a horrible morning person. Chihiro received attention from everyone. Her skin was extremely pale, and her eyes were such a wonderful blend of blues that if you just glanced at her they appeared to be bright purple. Her chocolate brown hair was curly and she planned on growing it down to hair waste.

When she wasn't with her father, she was with her mother. If she wasn't being watched by Maria, she was off bothering Kyouhei. The two youngest children seemed to understand each other more than they understood anyone else in the house. Chihiro even knew Kyouhei was in lover with Ishida's best friend, and no one else even noticed. She had a special gift for sensing things about people. Unknowingly, she would offer some of the greatest advice to her siblings in the future.

Thanks for readng and reviewing eveyone. I really look forward to the reviews! Anywho, I'm leaving on a vacation for a week, so I will try to make another chapter before I leave, but I'm not making any promises. So if there isn't another installment, see you guys in a week!

~Jack