The next day Kawana was seated in Aoi's kitchen pale with fury. The glass she was holding was beginning to crack. "After you left yesterday Shigure almost died. If Hatori hadn't been there to stop me there would be no Shigure right now. I'm beginning to wish that I had murdered him. Gosh Aoi…I feel as if this is my entire fault. I pushed you to go after him…" Aoi rolled her eyes and said, "Don't worry about it. I didn't have to listen to you. Anyways…I kinda like this married stuff. I get to hang out with you more often." Kawana sniffed and said, "Thanks but I still feel stupid. By the way I was talking to Kazuma before you came to the door and he said that you haven't been eating. If you don't start I'm going to bring Tohru."
Aoi sighed. Sometimes friends were too caring.
Time seemed to run into itself. The minutes melted into hours and the hours melted into days. The weeks slipped by and Aoi found that she had an easy companionship with Kazuma. During the day she would do whatever household chores called her attention and at night when he returned from the dojo they would eat the simple meal she had prepared. They hardly talked but there was no longer the tension in their movements. One day nearly a month after the wedding Aoi said softly after dinner, "Kazuma…I wanted to tell you that in an hour I have an appointment with Hatori."
Kazuma put the book he was reading down and concern radiated from his being. "Are you alright? Do you want me to drive you?" Aoi blushed faintly and shook her head. Lately when Kazuma looked at her she felt her insides turn. "No I'm going to walk and get my daily exercise in. it's just a small checkup anyways. I think I'm coming down with a cold." Again that intense look filled Kazuma's eyes. "Aoi I think I should take you. Besides when you're finished it'll be getting dark…"
That fluttering feeling filled Aoi again. Blushing she said, "Nope. I'm positive. Well I better go and…er…change." Kazuma nodded and couldn't help but smile at Aoi's flustered movements. A while later as he watched Aoi walk away beneath the cloudy sky he wished he had been more firm about driving her.
"How do you feel?" Hatori asked Aoi as he checked her pulse. Aoi sighed and said dutifully, "well lately I've been feeling kinda weak and I'm hungry all the time. I can't seem to eat enough. And when I do eat I can barely keep it in my stomach. And in the mornings I feel feverish. I think I might have the stomach flu. Hatori why are you putting that stethoscope thing on my stomach?" Hatori frowned at her and motioned for her to be quiet.
Aoi sighed again and allowed her thoughts to drift away. Maybe she should have let Kazuma let her drive her. He was so nice. And he was handsome. All the Sohma men were handsome. But Kazuma…Kazuma seemed different. He reminded her of Kureno. Handsome and gentle. Was she starting to fall for him? Lately just one look from him sent her heart in fifty different directions. And… "Aoi?" she looked up and found Hatori giving her a strange look. Blushing faintly she said, "You done?" he nodded and said, "You can change back to your clothes. When you're done come into my office."
A few minutes later Aoi was seated in Hatori's spacious office wondering what he had to say. Seated before her, Hatori took a deep breath and said, "Well you certainly don't have the stomach flu." Aoi brightened and said, "Well that's good. So can you tell me why I'm all feeble?" Hatori took a deep breath; this was going to be difficult.
Kazuma sat on his porch and watched the rainfall. Aoi had been gone for an hour and he was wondering whether or not he should go pick her up. Just as he had decided that he would get her, Hatori's car pulled up into the drive way. Aoi jumped out of the car and dashed up to the house. She was moderately soaked by the time she reached Kazuma. They both waved bye to the doctor and Kazuma asked expectantly, "Well? Are you sick?" Aoi blushed at his concern and said cheerfully, "I'm perfectly healthy. Just a little sleepy from the rain. By the way look at what I found." From her large purse she pulled out a drenched cat.
Kazuma frowned at it and said, "That's nice. Now put it down so that it'll go away." Aoi's eyes widened like saucers and she pleaded, "Ka-zu-maaaa! Why can't we keep him! She promises to behave. And look isn't she adorable?" Aoi held the cat against her face and gave pouted. Kazuma rolled his eyes saying firmly, "you're cleaning up after
Her."
A few more weeks passed. Aoi was too proud to admit it but she was happy. Her days were full from caring for Gaoth (the cat), cooking, cleaning, and painting. She would do this after Kazuma left for work so that he wouldn't see. Then one day Kazuma came home early. He found her painting and an embarrassed Aoi had to explain her love for the hobby. A few days later she had awoken to find a new set of paints by her old ones.
Twice a week Aoi went to the dojo. It was rather fun watching Kazuma unseat the students. Then after his lessons the two of them would walk home. One particular day Aoi told Kazuma rather shyly, "Kazuma…don't get mad but I think that Gaoth is in the family way." Kazuma had stopped short. "What! I thought you took her to get neutered!" Aoi blushed and said, "I took her two days ago but it was too late." Kazuma sighed. "Oh Kazuma, I think it'll be fun to have kittens in the house. They're so tiny and-!"
Aoi stumbled over a rock and Kazuma immediately grabbed her upper arm. When she was steady he dropped his hold and gently touched her wrist. "Are you alright?" Aoi, red as a baboons butt, nodded and continued walking wishing furiously that Kazuma would hold her hand.
That night after dinner as Aoi painted a tiny watercolor of Gaoth, Kazuma sat next to the window. "A penny for your thoughts." Aoi's voice startled him. He glanced over at her and found her smiling at him from above the canvass. He blushed and wondered how she would react if he said, 'I'm just thinking of how earlier I wanted to hold your hand' or how about 'I think your absolutely beautiful.' Or maybe 'kiss me now before I die.' Instead he said, "nothing just the…dojo." Aoi looked slightly disappointed as she put away her painting equipment. "Oh…Kazuma sit over here. I want to show you something."
He stood and walked to the couch. "Wait here." She ran to her room. As he waited he absently petted Gaoth. She was sorta nice in a cat way. Aoi returned with a large brown bag. Sitting next to him Aoi said seriously, "Kazuma, I've wanted to tell you something for a long time. Promise me you won't get angry or ask too many questions." Bewildered Kazuma nodded slowly. What was going on? Taking a deep breath Aoi whispered, "Alright. Shut your eyes." Kazuma obliged, his curiosity spiked. Paper rustled and finally after what seemed like ages Aoi said softly, "Open…" Kazuma slowly opened his eyes to find Aoi holding up a tiny yellow blanket. A tiny BABY blanket with little ducks on it. Baby. Blanket. Baby.
Pale as a bed sheet Kazuma managed to say calmly, "Am I to understand from this tat you're…you're…" his voice trailed off and Aoi lowered the blanket pink from shame. "Pregnant. Yes…remember that appointment that I had with Hatori awhile back? Well…I found out then." "Aoi! That was a little over 2 months ago!" Kazuma could scarcely believe it. If what she was saying was true then she was almost 4 months along.
"I know! And I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It's just…I wasn't sure how you'd react. I don't know what to do…" taking a deep breath Kazuma asked weakly, "And the father…?" Aoi looked up then and a look of hate came over her features. "He doesn't know and I don't ever plan to tell him. If he couldn't handle me how do expect him to handle a child?" "A-are you keeping it?" Aoi sighed and said, "I want to. I understand that you wont have anything to do with it but…" her voice faltered when Kazuma reached over and cradled her cheek with his hand.
"Don't finish that statement. If you think that I would abandon you in such a fashion then you are sadly mistaken. I would be honored if you allowed me to act as the father of the child. Please let me Aoi…" he slid his hand down her neck and shoulder till it reached her hand. As the warmth of it enveloped her Aoi closed her eyes against tears and whispered, "Yes…"
Sort of sentimental but it was necessary. I'm glad Aoi and Kazuma are becoming closer. I wonder what Shigure will do when he finds out that he is a father?