Sasuke awakened when Miko moaned softly. He cuddled her from behind and smiled as he rested his hand on her swelled stomach. As he lightly stroked it he felt a swift kick against his hand and he chuckled to himself. After her assessment, Chizu had concluded that Miko was expecting twins. It was even better than he had expected and he felt great satisfaction as her pregnancy started to show. Just the thought that their love now had a physical manifestation made him feel prouder than he ever had before. He pampered her and did everything he could to make her comfortable, especially since the twins movements tended to make her feel nauseous. It's incredible to think that we've created these little lives together. This…is what I've always wanted. I can't imagine reviving the clan without her. She is my everything, my weakness and my strength.
His grip tightened slightly as he tenderly kissed the back of her neck. "Don't," She groaned and squirmed away, taking most of the blankets with her. "I still don't feel well."
He frowned for a moment before reaching out to gently rub her back. "I'm sorry."
She sighed as she carefully rolled over to face him. Her skin looked a little pale, but her smile was as warm as ever. "Its ok, don't worry about it."
"Oh but I do," he murmured as he scooted a little closer and hugged her around the shoulders. "It's not fair that you're sick." He grumbled like a child. "This should be a happy time for us."
"And it will be," she giggled. "Morning sickness is just a temporary thing."
That may be, but he was worried about her. Ever since he found out that she was pregnant, her morning sickness seemed to be getting worse. He wondered if the smoky, claustrophobic atmosphere of Okunote was beginning to make her ill. At Chizu's suggestion they moved to little cottage on the surface. But the sun and fresh air still didn't seem to alleviate her discomfort. Chizu had said that morning sickness was very common during the first trimester of pregnancy, but Miko was seven months along now. Shouldn't she be feeling better and not worse?
"Do you regret it?" He whispered quietly.
"Regret what?" She asked innocently.
"This," he said as he rested a hand on her stomach. "I mean we never really talked about having a family before, it just seemed to happen all of a sudden."
"I don't regret it; not for a single minute. I love you so much Sasuke," she assured him as she leaned in to kiss him, her hand rested on his cheek. It set his senses tingling and he yearned for more of her. She let out a breathy moan as he ran his lips down the gentle curve of her neck. He always felt a rush of excitement to know the pleasure he gave her. He pulled her in closer, running his hand down her side.
Suddenly he felt a strong kick against his stomach and he pulled back with a laugh. "Looks like someone wants their space," he teased.
She giggled too. "It certainly seems that way."
He smiled as he ran his hand through her silky hair, letting to slip through his fingers. "I guess passion will have to wait until after they're born."
"What makes you think it'll be easier after that?" She teased as she snuggled close and rested her head next to his. He could feel her eyelashes flutter against his cheek. She wrapped an arm around his broad shoulder. "Just hold me then," she whispered as she closed her eyes.
He did so and together they quietly lay there until he heard her breathing slow down as she fell back asleep. As he softly rubbed her arm, his thoughts wandered to when he was fifteen and went back to visit her during his time with Orochimaru. He remembered how excited he was to see her again and how eager he was to prove to her that he was becoming a better man than Itachi. He never expected to see her with a small child, his nephew Yusei. Not only was he furious that his brother would abandon her like that, but also upset that she had to go through that all alone. She deserved better than that. But things are different now, he assured himself. She won't be alone this time. I can take care of her and give her everything she needs, just like I promised.
Sunlight was beginning to peek in through the curtains and he knew it was time for him to get up. Living on the surface didn't mean that he didn't still have business in Okunote. It took careful work to keep the balance of power in his direction. He kissed Miko's forehead before climbing out of bed and quickly dressed. As he made himself a quick breakfast in the kitchen, Chizu entered with a clipboard as she read off his itinerary for the day. She was very proficient and detailed in her summary, proving to be as skillful at secretarial work as she was at medical ninjutsu. After her report, she hesitated for a moment. "How is Miko-sama feeling this morning?"
He sighed. "Still unwell. Isn't there anything you can do to change that?"
"I am afraid not," she said sympathetically. "To be pregnant is to be uncomfortable. Most of her energy is exerted to the development of the fetuses and her body has to accommodate for their growth as well. This is all very normal I assure you."
"I hope so," he mumbled as he passed her, taking the clipboard she handed him. "See to it that she rests comfortably and inform me if anything worsens."
Chizu bowed respectfully. "Yes Sasuke-sama."
"I'll be back by sunset," he said as he stepped out the door.
Once he left, Chizu returned back to the tasks he had assigned for her. While he was the face of the company, she did most of the behind the scenes work. When it was close to noon, she set about getting breakfast ready for Miko. She couldn't help wondering if part of the discomfort had something to do with the mental trauma the real Miko was experiencing over this. It would certainly make sense that her agony was beginning to show, especially since the seal had to be weakened to let the pregnancy run its course. In one of the memories Miko had shared with her back during the first assessment, Chizu discovered that for years she had been trying to have a baby with her husband. How bitterly disappointing it must be to finally have her wish but with the wrong man. It was almost too cruel beyond words. For sometime Chizu had wondered if perhaps she should honor Miko's request. With so many things beyond her control, didn't she deserve to chose what happened next?
And yet…Chizu couldn't bring herself to honor it. She refused to think that this was meant to be her fate, to be enslaved by Sasuke's selfish will forever. It was obvious that he loved her but he didn't care about her true feelings. If he had, he would have left her alone to love who she wanted to. The very fact that he forced the seal on her was proof that he was more concerned about getting what he wanted. Chizu recognized her unique position of being the only one who really cared about this poor Kitsune. She couldn't just give up, not even if the real Miko had long ago. Unfortunately the fact that Sasuke's charka had infused with the seal proved to be problematic. If not for that, removing the seal would have been an easy thing for Chizu to do on her own. It was out of her hands now unless Sasuke was somehow tricked into releasing the seal and so far all of her attempts had failed. Of course she had disguised her intentions, claiming that the seal wasn't capable of working around a pregnancy. But he refused point blank on releasing it. "Adjust it, tweak it, do whatever it takes," he said firmly. "But releasing it is out of the question."
"Why is that?" She insisted.
He glared fiercely at her nerve to dare question him so she had to let the matter drop. She would have to wait for another opportunity and bid her time until then. Once breakfast was prepared, she carefully placed it on a tray and lightly knocked on the bedroom door. "Miko-sama?"
She heard a groan through the door. "No formality please, it's too early in the morning," Miko grumbled sleepily, apparently ignorant of the fact that it was the middle of the day.
Chizu opened the door and set the tray on the nightstand. "Good morning Miko-sama. I trust you slept well?"
She pushed herself into a sitting position and grimaced as she rubbed her sore stomach. "With what little sleep I managed to get. I can't tell if they're fighting each other or fighting to break free." She reached for the food and managed a sincere smile. "But thank you Chizu-san, this is very kind of you."
"Merely doing my job Miko-sama," she said softly as she sat in a chair by the door in case she was needed.
Miko sighed. "Is that all I am to you? Just another job to check off your to do list?"
"Of course not," Chizu frowned. Miko had a way of giving her the confidence to break through her emotional mask. It was not something she did around her employer though. "I only meant that I serve you because I wish for your health and happiness."
"And not because of friendship?" Miko ventured cautiously.
Chizu hesitated for a moment. "Why do you wish that of me?"
"Because," she put her chopsticks down for a moment as she bowed her head in thought. "For some reason I feel that both of us share some sort of connection." She blushed a little as she ran a nervous hand through her hair. "Does that even make sense?"
Chizu smiled. "Yes it does, and if a friend is what you desire I am willing to be one."
Miko brightened at this immensely and proceeded to chatter away about other things. Chizu had hoped that being friends would lift Miko's spirits and help her feel better. And for a time it seemed to work, until the night when she asked Sasuke who Itachi was.
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why do you ask?"
Miko pressed a hand against her aching head. "I keep hearing his name over and over in my mind and it doesn't make any sense." She lowered her gaze as she thought about it more. "And I can't help but feel-"
He abruptly grabbed her by the arms and she gasped at the painful grip, her eyes wide in terror as he glowered at her. "Sasuke! What are you-?"
"Don't ever say his name again!" He hissed in her face. "Do you understand?"
"But why?" She blurted out.
"Because I'm the only one who matters to you remember?" He said with smirk. "No one else cares about you but me."
Miko looked uncertain. "But…that's not true…" she whispered, referring to Chizu but Sasuke didn't know that. His paranoia assumed she was regaining her memories of his brother and that was something he would not tolerate. The seal was already weak and he couldn't afford to let it break completely…not when he was so close to everything that he had dreamed of. He wrenched her head to the side and bit the side of her neck. She screamed and wrenched away from him. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm not going to lose you now!" He growled as he yanked her towards him again.
"Leave me alone!" She shoved him back, threw open the bedroom door and ran down the hallway. He chased after her, grabbed her roughly and pinned her against the wall. She struggled against him, beating against his chest and kicking his shins. "Stop it! You're hurting me!"
"You belong to me now!" He seethed, too blinded by his rage to realize that he was scaring her. "He won't ever take you away from me again!"
"What are you talking about?" She cried out. "Why are you acting like this?"
Frustrated that she wouldn't stay still, he pushed her down the ground and she cracked her head on a small side table. He froze in horror to see her crumple at his feet as she began to bleed from the gash on the side of her head. He jumped back, eyes wide. "Oh what have I done?" He whispered hoarsely to himself. "Miko? Miko are you ok?" He reached out a trembling hand towards her before withdrawing it as he felt sick with regret.
Just then Chizu returned from her errand to find Sasuke crying over Miko's still form. She rushed forward, ignoring her grief-stricken employer as she tore off her gloves and rested her hands on her forehead. "She is alive, just unconscious," She said with a sigh of relief. "Get some bandages and the medical kit from the closet, second shelf from the bottom."
Sasuke quickly retrieved them, unaware that for the first time he was the one being ordered around. Chizu carefully cleaned and disinfected the cut before wrapping the bandage snugly. Sasuke watched on nervously as he continued to worry.
"Carry her to the bedroom so she can rest comfortably as I check to see if the fetus suffered any damage," Chizu instructed as she stepped back to make room for him to approach. He carefully did so and laid her gently on their bed. As Chizu made her assessment, she cautiously asked. "What happened Sasuke-sama?"
"She was asking about Itachi and I thought she was beginning to break through the seal. So I tried to enforce it that same way I had before-"
"She cannot break through the seal on her own. Your will keeps it in place." Chizu reminded him firmly, almost in a scolding tone. "There was no reason to reinforce it."
"But she remembered Itachi," he insisted, desperate to justify his actions.
"With the seals weakened state a few memories might slip through every now and again. But they will be meaningless to her because you made it that way."
Only then did he realize that when she asked before it was just for curiosity's sake. His name had no meaning for her. And like an idiot I freaked out over nothing, He thought as he collapsed miserably into a nearby chair. So I hurt her, terrified her, and pushed her around like a big bully. He sighed as he rested his face in his hands. "What about the children? Will they be alright?"
Chizu nodded as she pulled her gloves back on. "Yes they will be fine. I recommend that you let her rest for now. In the meantime, I have other work to do."
She bowed quickly and hurried out of the room, so very tempted to slam the door. It took her every ounce of self control to contain her temper. She knew Sasuke was selfish, cruel, and prone to emotional outbursts. She had been the victim of his violent temper on more than one occasion. But she had never worried about Miko's physical safety before. He had always treated her with such tenderness. Now it was clear that he would do anything to reinforce his tight grip on her. I will have to accelerate my plans for her escape, she determined.
Meanwhile Sasuke sat by Miko's side and held her hand as he silently waited. He thought about what he should say when she awakened and worried about what she'd do when she did. A selfish part of him hoped she wouldn't remember anything. But he knew that even if that were the case, he still owed her an apology. As the hours passed, his eyelids grew heavier and he'd start to nod off only to jerk awake. Eventually he fell fast asleep, his head rested on the bed.
As Miko stirred awake, she could hear him snoring. Her head ached incredibly and she groaned as she pulled her hand away to press it against her throbbing head. He jerked awake and blinked at her sleepily as she scowled at him. "See if I ever ask you another question, you jerk," she growled softly.
"I'm sorry," he blurted out. "I really am. I didn't mean to hurt you; I was only afraid of-"
"Of what?" She frowned.
He took a deep breath to steady his shaky nerves. "I don't want to lose you Miko. You mean everything to me and I couldn't live without you."
"Then you should treat me better," she said bluntly.
"I will. I promise," he quickly assured her as he crawled into bed and snuggled against her side. "Please forgive me Miko. It won't happen again." He held her close and kissed her mouth. "Please forgive me…"
She pressed a hand against his chest to stop him. "You really think you're gonna to be able to pillow talk your way out of this?"
"I was rather hoping too," he admitted sheepishly.
Her face fell and she looked about to cry. "Is that all I am to you? Just some girl to have your way with?"
"No, of course not!" He insisted.
"Then treat me with respect!" She said firmly. "Don't treat me like some treasure that needs to be hidden away! How can you worry about losing me when I don't go anywhere? I want to spend time with you outside the bedroom; have a picnic outside and feel the grass under my toes, the wind on my face." She sighed as she gently stroked his hair. "You know that I love you, but probably not for the reasons that you think."
"What do you mean?" He asked curiously.
"I love you for who you used to be, the boy who could make me laugh." She whispered as her gaze lowered. "I know you think you're big and tough but that's not who you really are. Daily you struggle to hide the vulnerable and sensitive side of yourself and I don't like what you're becoming. Sure you're stronger now, but at what cost?"
He held his breath as he remembered her saying this same sort of thing years ago. You are important to me Sasuke-kun, she had also said. And I do care about you, even if I don't love you the same way. I just hate to see you lose the best parts of your self… He tenderly stroked her cheek as he wore a small smile. "Only you appreciate my weak side…perhaps that's what I love best about you."
She smiled in return. "You were never weak Sasuke. Not to me."
He leaned close to kiss her but stopped himself mid-way. She giggled. "You can kiss me now, all is forgiven."
He grinned as he kissed her. "We'll go on that picnic whenever you're feeling up to it."
But over the course of the next few weeks, Miko began to get worse. She was bedridden with flu like symptoms and was lethargic, achy, and sore all over. Sasuke sat by her side and did what he could to ease her pain, but nothing seemed to work.
Chizu did daily assessments until she determined that her health was beginning to adversely affect the twins. "They will have to be delivered tomorrow," she concluded. "I will go make the necessary preparations."
When the time came, Miko was taken downstairs to the lab and surrounded by several Chizu clones that would assist in the delivery. Sasuke was forced to wait outside so he could better focus his will without distraction. He clasped his hands together to keep them from trembling. I hope this works, he thought to himself.
As one clone induced labor and another readied the tools for the Cesarean procedure, the real Chizu rested her hands on Miko's forehead and mentally entered her mind. Pushing through the seal was more difficult than it had been the first time and she wasn't sure if that was because of Sasuke or Miko's doing. When she finally succeeded, she was surprised to find herself all alone. "Miko-chan? Miko-chan where are you?" She panicked. This was even worse than she had imagined. Sure her will was weakened, but surely it hadn't disappeared all together.
"What are you doing here?" Miko's voice whispered faintly.
"I want to help you," Chizu said as she looked all around.
She felt a rush of wind at her back and turned to see Miko materialize behind her. She was still wrapped in white, but was nearly transparent now. Her hollow gaze lifted to meet Chizu's worried eyes. "So you are finally willing to do what I asked for?"
"You cannot give up hope!" Chizu said firmly.
Miko expression darkened. "What's there to hope for now? I've had enough of this and I refuse to let it go on any longer."
Now it made sense why Miko's physical form was weakening so quickly. "But the twins," Chizu insisted. "Do you not realize that you are hurting them as well?"
"I know that you can save them," Miko said softly. "I have every confidence in your medical ninjutsu. Do what you have to for their sakes, but don't worry about me anymore." Her words were faint as she started to fade away.
Chizu panicked. If she didn't stop her now, she had the feeling Miko would fade away for good. "And what about Itachi-san?" She snapped. "Is he not worth waiting for? Are you really going to let him down?"
Miko paused for a moment. "I already have. There is nothing left for us now."
"Liar!" Chizu yelled at her. "You do not know that for sure."
Miko chuckled grimly. "What are you getting at? If you've got something to say then say it."
"I have found a way to break the seal once and for all."
Miko smiled weakly. "You've already tried several times and while I appreciate your efforts, there's nothing more you can do."
"There is!" Chizu insisted. "So please! Please don't go away."
"Why not?" Miko countered softly. "All I want is some peace; will you deny me that as well?"
Chizu's bottom lip trembled and she fell to her knees, grasping the ends of Miko's robe. "I know it is very selfish of me." Her heart ached with a pain she hadn't felt since she learned of her family's deaths. "But you are my only friend and I do not wish to lose you."
Miko knelt down and hugged her tightly. "Oh Chizu-chan," she said gently. "Do you really mean that?"
Chizu nodded, too overcome to speak at first.
"Very well then," Miko said resolutely. "I'll trust you and place my fate in your hands."
"You will not regret it," She said with a smile. "Please be patient a little longer."
For the first time, Miko wore a warm smile. "I will. Thank you Chizu-chan."
Chizu left Miko's subconscious and returned to the present with a tired sigh. She still didn't understand why it drained her so much to do that, but it was worth it. Now Miko would pull through this. How ironic that this time…I was the one who would not give up hope, she thought with a side smile as she wiped the sweat from the brow. Now on to business.
Now that Miko's condition had stabilized, the procedure went very quickly. Sasuke heard their tiny cries as they took their first breaths and he felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. "I'm a father," he whispered to himself in complete shock. Of course he had always known that but for some reason it had never felt as real as it did now. He stood up and started to pace back and forth as he anxiously waited to be let back into the room.
It felt like hours until Chizu opened the door, though it had only been about ten minutes. He raced inside to see Miko sleeping on the operating table, carefully tucked in with a heated blanket to keep her warm. Chizu was placing the babies into incubators, a sign that something was wrong. They were only used in case of emergency. He hurried over. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Their conditions have stabilized," Chizu assured him. "But they are considered premature despite the fact that Miko-sama carried them for the full nine months. It does not make sense."
"But they'll be alright?" He asked worriedly. "And Miko?"
Chizu nodded. "Yes, they will be and so will their mother."
He let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding. Resting his hands on each incubator, he looked fondly down at his children. One was wrapped in a pink blanket, the other in blue with matching colored caps. A boy and a girl, he thought proudly. They both had his navy blue hair that stuck out in tufts all over their tiny heads.
"Hello Akiza," he addressed his daughter. "Hello Lauri," he said to his son, using the names he and Miko had decided upon months earlier. "Welcome home."