Reliving the Past
By: CallxMexSenseixSenpaixSama

Kya. I love Fruits Basket. How many times can I say that?

A hundred billion times more.

For days he put on a mask. For days he wore a smile that had no sincere feelings. He would laugh and talk as if nothing was bothering him. The lid was closed again.

Machi watched him as he came home from work and his days out. He was back to that isolated Yuki. What could have happened to make him like this again? Silently, days passed. The weight and burdens of her pregnancy held her down. Her beloved would help her around but sometimes it seemed out of pure courtesy. His mind was somewhere else. Once again, she felt like back in her highschool year. Watching like a wallflower. Noticing odd bits and things about him. But she didn't want that. That was the last thing she wanted.

Yuki... Where are you... ? Where have you gone?

"Hey, Yuki. Are you okay?"

"What the hell, Kakeru? cough cough Did you chase cough me the whole way here?" Yuki covered his mouth while having his coughing fit.

With a smirk, Kakeru said slyly, "Wow. Someone must be talking up a storm behind your back, princess."

In a flash, Yuki slugged him. "Was it you?" he grinned, pretending he wasn't doing anything. Kakeru dramatically covered the spot where he was hit and backed away a few steps, moaning like a dying man. "We're 21 years old now. Don't disappoint the little kids," Yuki sighed.

He stopped his act with a laugh and playfully punched Yuki in the shoulder. "We've got 60 or so years to go. I'd like to be young while I can. Live it up." Yuki watched him laugh and felt a throb of jealousy. Taking on a more serious tone, he asked, "Is there something going on between you and Machi? She called me the other night... well, I'm sure it was Machi... well, there was no one talking on the other line... maybe I'm wrong.. Hmm. Ok. Before that, she called and told me she was pregnant. That's great isn't it? Come on! Smile more. You'll scare children away."

What to say... ? Yuki kept finding himself in situations where he couldn't think of something to answer with.

"Ok. Princess. Spill out all your inside problems to Papa like a good little girl." He sat down, gesturing for him to sit on his lap.

When Yuki sat down, he was lying on the ground, bruised up everywhere. To spill out all his problems...

"What if... What if my child turns out to be a monster... ?"

Kakeru got up. "A monster? I don't know if your genetics contain monster-like traits. You are the lady-like man. But it's going to be alright. You're human. Machi's human. Your child will be human. Maybe my meat angel would explain this better. I guess she would say, All parents go through these fears. What if my child doesn't like me. What if I'm a bad parent. What if I raise them wrong. What if they go through this horrible traumatic childhood and get left with emotional scars that they carry for life because of me." Yuki winced. Right on the point. "But, then, why be scared? If you show them love and love them no matter what they're like, you're good to go. Be there for them at all times. Because that's what parents should be to their children. Their sense of security. And if you make a mistake, say sorry. Life is all about screwing up and then learning how to fix it. Right?"

Yuki smiled. "I guess there is an appropriate reason as to how you graduated high school."

"Wah! I just spouted logical nonsense and he insults me!"

But he's right. He could only learn from his past experiences. Not dwell on them and fear for it to be relived again. All he has to do is be there and help out when he can.

"Of course, it's only natural if your child might say at a point in his life that he hates you. Or get that feeling. But when that happens, he'll just come running to me crying."

Leaving Kakeru for dead, Yuki walked back to his house. His child wont end up as he did. There wont be a black room or loss of hope. Because him and Machi will be there to love them. No matter what.

Opening the door, he called for his wife. She appeared looking tired. Kissing her, he smiled warmly. Squatting down, he patted her stretched out stomach.

"We haven't had a proper greeting yet, have we? I'm so sorry to be rude. Hello. I'm your daddy-to-be."

Machi was surprised to see him do this, but expressed tenderness. "Yuki, you're so weird."

He chuckled. "I know you like it. Or we wouldn't be married and having kids, would we?" They kissed again and hugged. How good it felt. To be able to hug the ones he loved with no worries. As much as he wanted.

Suddenly, she gave a gasp. Two pairs of widened eyes looked down. Their baby had just made their first kick.

Laughing together, they hugged more, happier than ever. Because everything was going to be all right.