Buckle up, folks, this is probably the most angsty chapter I have ever written in this trilogy. (So far...)
Chapter Thirty-Seven:
Suddenly, they were in an underground room, what appeared to be a bedroom. There was a petite young girl, probably no older than Pudding and definitely not taller, standing shyly, tugging at a strand of long pale pink hair. Across from her was a smiling young man…
Who looked exactly like Kish.
The two could have been twins. They were the exact same in size and height and appearance. The only difference was that the other boy's eyes were a sky blue. Ichigo clamped a hand to her mouth, feeling her eyes water. She knew exactly who he was. She had spoken to him only hours before in her sleep.
"You… you are not mad, Alec-Chan?" The girl asked.
"Why should I be, Diamond?" The boy, Alec, who also sounded exactly like Kish, asked. "The arrangement was made by our parents. You have a right by law to refuse me at any time."
"But, but you did not, so I thought," The girl, Diamond, said, her almost white eyes wide. "That, that you wanted to—"
"Diamond-Chan, no matter how hard I try, you will still just be a childhood friend to me," Alec said. "Practically a sister. I love you, but not in a way that would make us happily married."
The girl relaxed and smiled.
"So? Who is the lucky gentleman to hold your affections?" Alec asked, smirking slightly as Diamond instantly straightened, eyes wide.
"T-There is not, I am not," She stuttered, averting her gaze.
"Is it Tanaka?" Alec asked, smirk growing as her ears and cheeks turned as pink as her hair. "You are always looking at him, and everyone knows you two are close friends."
Diamond was quiet for a moment, then,
"Yes," She whispered. "It is Tanaka-Kun."
Alec smiled. "He will make you very happy," He said, patting her shoulder. "He is strong, and smart, and I know he loves you as well. He is a lucky boy, too."
Diamond's blush was now accompanied by a smile as she looked up at Alec. "Thank you."
Alec pulled her into a hug, which she returned. As she pulled away from him, she grinned slyly up at him.
"Now how about you and Lila?" She asked.
Alec immediately turned red and averted his gaze. It was clear that Diamond enjoyed the turned tables as her grin became more smirk-like.
"So, now, the breaking of the arranged marriage will not be official until you turn sixteen," Alec said, trying to change the subject. "And that is still two years from now and—"
"Avoiding the question, as usual of Alec-Chan," Diamond said with a laugh. "Which means you are crazy about her. Did I not see you following her between classes, always trying to occupy her attention? Stalking the poor girl… I do wonder what you are going to do to amuse yourself now that she is no longer at the Academy."
"Oh, shut up," Alec snapped, causing Diamond to laugh harder.
The scene shifted. It was a familiar room to the Cyniclons, but not to the humans, but they quickly realized where it was: Cynnth's first military academy.
All of the students, boys and girls of all ages, stood in neat, orderly rows according to their ages, the oldest students towards the front of the room. Along the walls of the room clung other people, one of which they recognized at the girl—Diamond—who had been speaking with Alec before.
There was also a small teenager, maybe barely fifteen, standing along the wall beside Diamond, with long purple curls hanging loose around her, indigo eyes wide. It was a younger Risa, standing there clutching the arm of a red-haired girl with golden eyes, lips formed in a small frown as she comforted her friend. Lila.
A man stood at the front, reading off a list of names.
"Ikisatashi Curry," The man said, quickly followed by: "Niroshi Alec."
Alec and a younger Curry stood side by side in the row, both frowning deeply as they glanced at each other before returning their blank gaze to the front. The Risa of the past gasped 'no' before burying her face in Lila's shoulder, the red-haired girl affectionately trying to comfort her while herself looking angry about the situation, and the Risa of the present cringed, fists clenched.
Time seemed to skip and the man said,
"Tanaka Mylo."
In a line of fourteen year old boys, one boy cringed as the name was spoken. His hair—hanging loose with a half-ponytail in the back—was stark white. His eyes, while sharp, were also warm. And pitch black.
"No!" Diamond whispered, tears already flowing down her face, fleeing from the room without another word.
The next thing that happened was that the room was empty. Chai—a good twenty years younger—the man who read the names and Rishi-Sobo remained in the room.
"They are all so young," Chai said solemnly.
"All boys," Rishi-Sobo pointed out.
"I… I am not one to question Deep Blue-Sama," The other man said softly. "But, really, this mission is too dangerous. There are twice as many as previous assignments similar to this. More than that, even. Three hundred and fifty trainees, mere children. How many of those boys are coming back?"
"Stars only know," Chai said painfully. He couldn't stop thinking about Curry and Alec, the two boys that had become sons to him and his childless wife. "It is not worth the risk. Why not use only older students, or graduates? All the way down to second years…"
"Is it not obvious?" Rishi-Sobo snapped irritably, smacking her cane against the stone floor. "He knows it is a suicide mission for those trainees. That is what he is hoping for."
"Hoping for?" The other man said, eyes wide. "Why, Rishi-Sobo, why would Deep Blue-Sama hope for our young men to die on a mission in his name?"
Rishi-Sobo glared at him.
"Our numbers have grown," She said. "This is not the first dangerous assignment that few have returned from. Few males have returned from. Women die every day, primarily from pregnancy and childbirth. I know. I perform the rites almost hourly. It is horrible, but is natural and comes from living on this horrid planet. But the males do not die as easily. Out of two hundred and fifty trainees leaving on this assignment, not a single one of them is a girl, though they make up over quarter of the student body. But not one was selected for this 'lottery'. Do you not see? This is the glorious Deep Blue-Sama's way of thinning the herd. The girls will die on their own to bring in a new generation of warriors and the boys will die in Deep Blue's name, fighting someone else's war in hopes that a few dozen children will not go to bed hungry."
Neither man spoke.
The scene shifted to a forest, but a forest like no other. The tree trunks were green and the leaves were brown, the sky was dark green and there were two suns in the sky. Alec was bent over a younger boy, white hair covered in red mud and dark eyes glassy. There was dark red blood seeping from a wound in his stomach, where a spear was.
"Stay with us, Tanaka," Alec said, trying to tend to the boy.
"I'm not going home, Niroshi," The boy muttered. "At least, not alive."
"Do not say such things," Alec scolded. "You are going home, where Diamond will be waiting for you."
"Diamond," Tanaka whispered with a small, wistful smile on his face as he leaned his head back. "Deep Blue-Sama, I love her." His head tilted forward and he reached up to grab Alec's arm, causing Alec to turn to him with shock on his face.
"Take care of her for me," Tanaka whispered. "Diamond… Please, whatever you can do, look after her in my stead."
With that, his eyes drifted shut, his grip on Alec slackened. Alec pressed his fingers against the boy's neck and his shoulders slumped, eyes squeezed shut.
"Sleep well, Tanaka Mylo," He whispered.
The scene shifted. Young men stepped off a spaceship, all wounded in some form and weary. Many were carried off on stretchers, waiting to be tended to by Healers, while few walked into the arms of loved ones. But still even more were carried out on stretchers, their bodies covered entirely by white sheets to be met with mournful keens and sobs.
Alec walked out and looked at his comrades with a sigh. He adjusted his arm in its sling and turned to see Diamond running up to him, tears in her eyes, her face a little bit paler.
"Alec! Tanaka-Kun! Mylo, is he—where is he?" She asked as she grabbed hold of Alec.
Alec sighed and hugged her to him with one arm.
"I am so sorry, Diamond," He whispered into her hair, his eyes squeezed shut.
"No!" Diamond cried out, sobbing into Alec's chest. "Oh, stars, no… No, this cannot be happening… Mylo, he cannot be, no…"
"I am sorry, Diamond," Alec said sadly. "He… there was nothing that could be done. He did not suffer, though, I promise you. He was thinking of you, though, he always was. He asked me to take care of you…"
"Alec…" Diamond whispered, swallowing her tears. She looked him directly in the eye. "Alec, we need to talk…"
The scene shifted to a small, simple room.
"I am pregnant, Alec. Three months now."
Diamond sat on the bed while Alec leaned against the wall.
"Tanaka is the father," He said, knowing that it could be no one else. Three months had been the duration of the mission.
Diamond nodded as the tears began to flow.
"What am I going to do, Alec? My family does not know yet, but I cannot hide it forever. My parents will not support me, they will be so ashamed of me, and now Mylo is dead… How am I going to raise this child?" She whispered.
"Simple. We will continue with the plan that our parents made for us," Alec said. "However, we are going to be fulfilling it a little earlier than planned."
Diamond's head jerked up.
"But… but, Alec, you love Lila," She said. "You should marry Lila."
"Diamond, I promised Mylo I would take care of you," Alec said, kneeling down to take her hand in his good one. "He was my friend too. I will marry you and raise his child. This is not out of a sense of duty, but a sense of love. Yes, I love Lila, but I love you, too. I will make sure you are protected."
Diamond withdrew her hand and clenched her fists.
"I cannot ask you to make this sacrifice," She said.
"I do not need to be asked," Alec said, bringing her hand into his again. "Please, Diamond. I am prepared for this."
"I… I am uncomfortable with it," Diamond said, now blushing. "Being married to you. As long as I have known you, it would be as if I am marrying Quartz or Amethyst."
"I understand, and have similar feelings in the respect that I believe you are alluding to," Alec said, coming to sit beside her. "If married intimacy is not what you want, I promise you now that we will not broach it."
"That really is not fair to you," Diamond muttered.
"I have come to realize that as long as we are living here, our lives will never be fair," Alec said softly. "Mylo's death, and those of the others, were uncalled for. All we can do now is learn how to adjust and wait until Earth is once again ours. So, Diamond, will you marry me, if only in name alone?"
Diamond hesitated, then nodded.
The scene shifted yet again. Sixteen year old Alec and sixteen year old Curry stood off to the side of what appeared to be a wedding party, Diamond dressed in white, her small baby bump evident through her gown, and smiling shyly as friends and family hugged her. Her parents, however, seemed to be putting on a happy appearance, and there was a girl who could be Diamond's twin (or, perhaps more accurately, Topaz's twin), but was just a little younger who seemed obliviously happy as she squealed and hugged her sister. A tall boy with short white hair and icy gray eyes who bore similar facial features to Diamond and her sister stood nearby, a small frown on his face as he glanced over at Alec.
"You did not tell me that you were going to elope with Diamond before we left for the mission," Curry said to Alec. Alec's arm was still in a sling, covered by the sleeve of his military jacket, and Curry was leaning on crutches, favoring his right leg.
"If I had, I knew you would rush to copy the gesture with Risa-Chan," Alec said, gesturing to the smiling Risa who was currently hugging Diamond, Lila at her side, both girls smiling brightly.
Curry grinned. "If nothing else, I would be angry that I did not think of it first."
"It was dangerous, though," Alec said. "We should have waited. If I had known that she would become with child that night, I would have waited."
"Until you knew if you would be dead or not?" Curry asked.
"Among other things," Alec said softly. Curry clapped him on the back gently.
"Does it matter now? You are home and safe now, with a wife, child and future to focus on. No need to dwell on the past," Curry said. He then frowned. "Are you alright, Alec?"
Alec smiled at his friend.
"Of course," He said. "Just… well, just a lot to think about. Being married, a child on the way… It is a lot to think about." His grin grew into a smirk. "And soon, you will understand what I am talking about."
Curry grinned as he looked over at Risa again.
"I cannot wait for those thoughts, then," He said. Then he turned back to Alec, a small frown on his face. "But, I do want to know… I had always been under the impression that Lila…"
"Lila," Alec said softly, turning his face away so Curry couldn't see the sadness there. "Merely a crush, I am afraid. Perhaps denial, or rebellion, against the fact that this was more or less arranged. But I love Diamond, I really, truly do. With all my heart."
Curry smiled softly and said, "Then how about I let you get back to your lovely bride?"
Alec smirked. "And I will let Risa have her fiancé's full attention again," He said. "Besides, you need to get off that leg of yours."
Curry groaned as the two started to move towards the group again.
"You sound like Risa," He chastised his friend. "Always telling me to lie still, rest my leg."
"I would not know why," Alec said dryly. "It only took six hours and four surgeons—one of whom being the girl you proposed to only hours before—to piece the entirety of your leg back together two days ago. Honestly, I do not even know how you are standing right now."
"Lots of pain medication, my friend, and a refusal to miss being the best man at my best friend's formal wedding ceremony," Curry told him.
"In short, the infamous Ikisatashi stubbornness at work," Alec said with a smile. "As usual."
The scene shifted yet again, once more to a small room. Diamond sat up in bed, her hair tied up and her face covered in sweat. But she smiled down at the blanket-wrapped bundle in her arms.
"You have a strong and healthy son," Lila said as she packed up her bottles and jars of herbs. She smiled warmly at Diamond, whose attention was solely on her baby. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Diamond whispered, tears in her eyes as she glanced up. "Thank you, Lila."
Lila smiled.
"I did practically nothing. You were the one to do all the work. Now both you and the baby need to rest," She said. "I see no apparent issues, and the baby is latching on fine, but I will check on you again in a two hours' time. Alec, come to me immediately if something happens."
Lila then started to leave the room and Alec followed her, muttering to Diamond that he would be back.
"Thank you, Lila," He said softly. "For taking such good care of Diamond. I could think of no one better to care for her during her pregnancy and labor."
"Like I said, she did all the hard part. Regardless, this is my job," Lila said with a small shrug. "I do what I can to help. She was very strong, stronger than most women having a baby, especially at that young of an age."
"Lila, there was another reason why Diamond and I requested you," Alec said softly. "It is because we can trust you to keep a secret and to lie as necessary to anyone and everyone."
Lila frowned and adjusted her stance slightly, her head held high. "Continue."
"I need you to not be surprised if any of her relatives or mine explain that she cannot have more children. Say it was a complicated labor, that her body could not handle another childbirth, or is incapable of doing so," Alec said.
"Ah, is this why her mother and sister were not summoned to assist?" Lila said, tilting her head. "And why you requested for me alone, not even the assistance of Risa or Rishi-Sobo?"
"Yes," Alec said with a nod. "When we contact her family, we are going to say the babe came too fast, that it was by mere chance that you were here to check on her when he was born."
"I will not ask the reasoning, but I will do as you ask," Lila said softly. "You trust me, so I will trust you."
"Thank you," Alec said with a small bow.
Lila nodded and turned to the door. She paused.
"You and Diamond never said," She said. "Did you pick a name for the boy?"
Alec swallowed, knowing his answer would solidify her theory. But she would find out sooner or later…
"Mylo. After Diamond's close friend who is no longer with us."
Lila nodded softly and Alec held his breath.
"Funny," She said with a small smile. "He had white hair, too, did he not?"
Before Alec could respond, Lila said, "I will keep your secrets, Alec-Kun."
Then she left, leaving Alec standing alone.
The scene changed again, but back towards the room. Diamond lay on the bed, eyes glassy and sweat dripping down her face. Alec knelt beside her, mopping her face with a wet rag.
"Mylo?" Diamond groaned softly.
"Diamond, your son is with your mother and sister," Alec said, calmly and carefully, making sure to emphasize that he was talking about the toddler, not the father.
"Mylo!" Diamond keened mournfully as she threw her head back. She let out a dry sob and whimpered. "It is not fair! Why must I leave one to join the other? Why did he have to leave? Why do I have to leave?"
"You are not going anywhere," Alec said firmly as he grabbed hold of her shoulders. "You are not, Diamond! It is only your fever talking. You will be well soon enough."
Diamond lifted her teary eyes to Alec and grabbed hold of his shirt. The cloudiness in her eyes cleared as she stared at him. His heart was pounding. She hadn't been like this in days, not since she collapsed with a burning fever.
"Alec," She whimpered.
"I am here, Diamond," Alec said gently, stroking her sweaty cheek. "Stay with me."
"Alec," Diamond said, voice cracking some as she began to cry. "You have to keep him safe!"
"Who do I need to keep safe, Diamond?" Alec asked, trying to calm her and get her to lie down again.
"Mylo!" Diamond cried. "You cannot let him get my son!"
"Who am I protecting Mylo from?" Alec asked, not expecting this at all and now frantically worrying about the boy he called his son.
"Quartz! You have to protect Mylo from Quartz!" Diamond sobbed.
"Quartz?" Alec whispered. "Why your brother?"
"He has the power… Mylo's power… He is the first son, he will have it, I am sure of it!" Diamond cried hysterically. "You cannot, please, you cannot…"
"Diamond," Alec said, pulling her into his arms and holding her. "Though I do not know why, I will protect Mylo from Quartz. I promise.
Diamond looked up at him and gently caressed his jawbone.
"And protect yourself," She whispered. With that, she released a small sigh and fell asleep against Alec. Carefully, he shifted her back to the bed, continuing to bathe her face.
"Just rest, Diamond," He murmured. "It sounds like we have a lot to talk about when you are well again."
The scene shifted. Alec sat at a table, his fury seeming only to increase by the second.
"I know what you want, Quartz," Alec said bitterly to the male slowly pacing across the room. "Just say it."
"As you wish, brother-in-law. Or, should I say, former brother-in-law," Quartz, the young man they had seen at the wedding, said coolly. "Clearly the shock of losing your young wife, the woman you were promised to and the love of your life, is overwhelming. You are incapable of raising a child on your own, especially given your military duties. So it would be only natural for the boy to be raised by his mother's family."
"You dare lay a hand on Mylo, and I will cut it off," Alec said through gritted teeth. "Mylo is my son, and I will raise him."
Quartz paused and turned to face Alec.
"Alec, please, do not make this difficult," He said calmly, with a large smile that looked fake. "Give yourself time to heal. You are still quite young. Perhaps you will fall in love again. Marry. Have children. Legitimate children, instead of raising a bastard. Leave him to his blood relatives."
Alec was on his feet in a flash, hand wrapped around Quartz's throat.
"Never, ever, call my son that again," He snarled in Quartz's face. He looked remarkably calm for someone with an angered and grieving man in a position to kill him.
"It is, I am afraid, the technical term," Quartz said. "I did not intend to offend."
"Yes, you did. You have hated Mylo since the moment you realized that he is not truly mine," Alec snapped, removing his hand from Quartz's throat. "Your mother dotes on him regardless, but your father refused to give him a second glance. The old man died secretly loathing his daughter. I watched how he treated Diamond and Amethyst. Like they were his property. He arranged for Amethyst's marriage to be brought forward after realizing that Diamond was pregnant by an orphan of no connections who died serving his people and god. It would horrendous if innocent, naïve Amethyst learned of this and had delusions of grandeur of true love herself, now would it not? I know you look at your niece—tiny, innocent, perfect, brand-new Topaz—the exact same way your father did your sisters: a piece in the game of life. I refuse to let Mylo become the same as you."
"He already is, by fate," Quartz retorted. "It is his birthright and his duty to his god. It will not show till much later, though. That neither my father nor I could ever possibly deny. Now, Alec, be reasonable and sign over custody of Mylo to me."
"Never," Alec spat.
Quartz frowned and glared.
"Very well, then," Quartz said coldly. "I was loathe to resort to this, but you leave no choice."
Quartz's eyes narrowed and focused on Alec, who tensed and found himself staring back, his slit pupils dilating.
Quartz snapped his fingers and pointed at the table. "Sign the paper, Alec."
Alec's hand slowly reached for the pen, shaking as ink dripped onto the paper Quartz held out.
Suddenly, though, Alec's eyes widened and with a howl of rage dropped the pen before he brought out a sai—a sai that usually Kish's fingers were wrapped around—from nowhere, lunging, aiming at Quartz's neck, who deftly blocked the blow with his own katana. Neither moved for a moment, the sound of the swords meeting echoing in the room, both men standing perfectly still as their blades kissed in front of them.
"Now I see what Diamond meant by protect myself," Alec said after the moment of silence that passed. He withdrew his sword and sheathed it by making it disappear again.
"Now you know," Quartz said coolly.
"You will never come near my son, so long as I live," Alec said coldly. "I will do anything within my power to ensure that."
With that, he stormed out of the room.
The scene changed to a crowded hallway, people talking and arguing and bartering. Alec was easy to find though, his green hair shining in the dim light. He glanced down at the small white-haired boy fearfully clutching to his hand, desperately trying not to be separated from him. Alec smiled and picked up the four year old Mylo, holding him tightly to his chest.
"Now, for supper," He said. "How about we try—"
The two accidentally bumped into a small woman, red hair poking out from underneath her hood, the objects in her basket spilling.
"I am terribly sorry," Alec said, setting down Mylo to help her pick up her things. "Mylo, stay close, ah, thank you, son, you are such a big help—"
Mylo held out the small piece of fruit out to the woman, who lowered her hood and smiled at him.
"Niroshi Mylo," Lila said softly. "Well, now, it has been too long since I last saw you. You are four now, yes?"
The boy's eyes widened.
"You know me?" He asked in surprise.
Lila nodded, her smile growing.
"I took care of you and your Mama when you were born. I saw your face first," She said. "Before your Mama and Papa did."
Mylo's eyes momentarily lit up, but then they dimmed, looking sad.
"You knew Mama?" He asked softly. Lila nodded sadly.
"Yes, I did," She said softly. She glanced up at Alec, who also looked sad. "I am so sorry that I could not attend the funeral. I had to attend to a birth."
"Understandable," Alec said. "It is your job, as you have said before."
"Still, she was my friend. I wished I could have been there to give a final farewell," Lila said softly. She stood up, her basket refilled. "I should let you two be. I am sure there is somewhere you need to be."
"Are you still living with Curry, Risa and the twins?" Alec asked suddenly.
"I am indeed," Lila said. "Rishi-Sobo chastises me and says I should stop imposing on them, but Risa loves having a live-in baby-sitter, especially with Curry working nightly sentry duty as of late."
"Surely you must have some man desperate to have you become his wife," Alec said, trying to sound nonchalant but both adults knew he was failing.
Lila laughed.
"No," She said. "No, at this point in time, no man has asked for my hand."
"Ah," Alec said, his eyes unable to leave hers. "Well, then it is their loss."
Lila smiled shyly.
"Well," She said. "I really must be going… Ja ne, Mylo-Chan. Ja ne, Alec."
With that, she started to walk away.
"Lila!" Alec suddenly called. She paused and turned to look at him. "Are, are you available tomorrow evening?"
Lila nodded. "So long as no babes make a surprise, early appearance."
"Then, would you like to join Mylo and I for an evening meal?" Alec asked.
Lila smiled again.
"I would be honored," She said. "Till then, Niroshi men."
Alec smiled as Lila walked away, then glanced at Mylo on his hip.
"Well, son, it looks like we have a date tomorrow evening," He said.
Mylo nodded, his eyes still on Lila's red hair as she walked through the crowd.
"She's very pretty, Papa," He said. "And nice."
"She is indeed," Alec said softly.
"I like her," Mylo declared.
Alec grinned.
"So do I, son, so do I," He said.
The scene shifted and the toddler Mylo peeked out from behind the wall as he watched Alec say good-night to Lila, affectionately kissing her. Slowly, the door closed behind Lila.
"You really like Lila-San?" Mylo asked as Alec turned around. He smiled.
"I really do," He said, coming over to swoop Mylo up into his arms. "And you should be in bed, my little warrior."
"Do you like her more than you like Mama?" Mylo asked seriously.
Alec paused, considering the child's request.
"I like Lila-San as much as I like your Mama," Alec said. "Which is how I know she is a good person."
Mylo frowned as Alec brought him over to the sleep mats.
"Do you like her enough to marry her?" He asked as Alec brought the blankets over him.
"Yes," Alec answered, shrugging out of his over-shirt and kicking off his slippers. "I would like to marry her."
"Then, are you?" Mylo asked as Alec laid down beside him.
"Well, I need permission from someone first," Alec said.
"Who?" Mylo asked, his brow furrowing. Alec reached over and gently tapped the little boy on the nose.
"You," Alec said. "So? What do you say? Shall we ask Lila-San to join our family?"
Mylo considered for a moment, then nodded.
Alec smiled.
"Then ask we shall," He said. "Tomorrow, will you help me choose a ring to give to Lila-San?"
Mylo nodded eagerly.
The scene shifted and Mylo was picked up by Lila, who hugged him tight.
"Thank you for helping your Papa choose a ring," She said. "It is wonderful. And thank you for letting me become part of your family."
"You're welcome!" Mylo said, beaming. Then his brow furrowed. "But, Lila-San, what do I call you now? Do I call you Mama-San?"
"Well," Lila said. "You could still call me Lila-San, or Lila-Chan, or even Oba-San which is what my godchildren call me. Or even just Lila. I will not ask you to call me Mama, though, only you can make the decision as to whether or not to call me that. That is very a very special name, and I do not want you to believe that I am taking your own Mama's place. But just know that I will love you as if I were your Mama."
Mylo nodded with understanding.
"Then, Lila-Chan," He said determinedly. "For now, at least."
"Lila-Chan it is," Lila said, gently kissing his forehead.
The scene shifted.
"Now, Mylo, Pie-Kun and Rin-Chan are just a bit smaller than you, so you will have to be gentle with them," Alec said as he, Mylo and Lila walked down a chamber. Lila scoffed.
"It is not Mylo you need to worry about, Alec." She said. "Or, at least, worry about him for a different reason."
Soon enough, Mylo was staring inquisitively at the two-year-old twins, Pie more or less hiding behind his sister, clutching her dress and staring blankly at Mylo with big indigo eyes. Rin merely studied Mylo like she would an experiment before nodding and grabbing his hand.
"Come," She ordered, dragging Mylo and Pie behind her. She let them go and pointed at the floor. "Sit!"
Pie immediately sat and Mylo hesitantly followed suit.
"Now, we play," Rin said, drawing a pattern for a game in the dust. After a while, it appeared she was bored of said game and stood up, hands on her hips. "We're playing family now. I'm the mama, Mylo-Kun is the papa and Pie-Chan you're the baby."
Pie just nodded, fate seemingly accepted, while Mylo looked peeved.
"Who put you in charge?" He demanded.
"You did, when you married me and we had a baby," Rin said, already in the role she had picked.
"What? I didn't marry you!" Mylo said, very confused.
"Well, of course not, you haven't asked me yet," Rin said with a tilt of her head like he should have realized that.
"Huh?" Mylo said, now even more confused. Rin sighed and rolled her eyes.
"You tell me you want to marry me and I say yes, now do it!" Rin demanded.
"Why would I do that? You have cooties!" Mylo said angrily, folding his arms over his chest and turning away from her.
"Only babies think cooties are real," Rin said smugly. "Do you want to play or not?"
Still frustrated but still wanting to play, Mylo grudgingly said,
"Fine! Rin-Chan, will you marry me?"
"No."
Mylo's eyes widened and his mouth went into an 'O' as he stared at a defiant Rin, hands on her hips.
"That was pathetic," She stated. "But I guess for now we'll say we're married. If only for the sake of our baby."
"Then why did you make me ask?" Mylo said, still confused as Rin grabbed hold of Pie's wrist and began to drag him off. Rin looked at him and smirked with a small nod.
"Well, what did I have to say to make you say yes?" Mylo asked. Rin's smirk grew.
"You need to keep asking to find out," She said haughtily. "Come on, Mylo-Kun. Let's play."
Still very confused, Mylo followed the twins anyway.
Time skipped and Curry held a half-asleep Pie against his chest while Risa had Rin on her hip, the little girl waving at Mylo.
"Can Mylo-Kun come tomorrow?" She asked.
"Perhaps," Risa said. "But for now, it is time for bed."
As Alec, Lila and Mylo started to walk away, Lila asked,
"So, Mylo, did you have fun with Pie-Kun and Rin-Chan?"
"Are all girls that bossy?" Mylo asked instantly with wide eyes, causing Alec and Lila to laugh.
"I am afraid so," Alec said, picking up Mylo, putting the boy on his shoulders. "But it is the pretty ones that make you not mind the bossiness."
Mylo nodded with a small smile.
The scene shifted as Mylo sat up, noticing that Alec was kneeling over Lila across the room, gently stroking her forehead.
"What's wrong?" Mylo asked as he walked over. His eyes widened as he saw that Lila looked very pale. "Lila Mama-Chan, are you sick?"
"No need to worry, Mylo-Chan," Lila said, voice slightly hoarse as she smiled at him. "Yes, I am a little sick, but this is a good kind of sick."
"Good?" Mylo repeated, looking shocked and feeling afraid. The last time he had seen anyone look like this, his mother had died. He didn't want to lose Lila, not after she had just become part of his family.
Alec gave Mylo a small smile.
"This sickness means that soon, you will have a little brother or sister, Mylo," He explained.
Mylo's eyes widened as he smiled.
"Really?!" He said excitedly. "I want a brother!"
"We cannot make any promises as to which you will have," Lila said with a small smile. "But we do know that, boy or girl, you will be a wonderful Onii-Chan."
Mylo beamed as he hugged Lila.
The scene shifted.
Lila laid propped up on her mat, hand gently going over her swollen stomach. She smiled softly, though her eyes were heavy and she had dark circles under her eyes, veins prominent, her skin paler than it should have been. Mylo entered softly.
"How are you feeling, Lila Mama-Chan?" He asked as he came to sit beside her.
"Better today," Lila said. "Here, give me your hand."
Mylo held out his hand and Lila brought his hand to her stomach. His eyes widened.
"What is that?" He asked.
"That is the baby's foot," Lila said. "He has been kicking all day. That means he is very excited to come out soon and see us all."
"I can't wait!" Mylo exclaimed. He gently pat Lila's stomach. "Just be patient a little while longer, baby, that's what Risa Oba-Chan says you need to do."
Lila chuckled.
"I hope he heeds your advice," She said sadly as she ran one hand over her stomach and the other through Mylo's hair.
The scene shifted. Mylo laid on a sleep mat not too far away from Pie and Rin, curled up together sound asleep. Suddenly, Alec entered and knelt beside Mylo.
"Onii-Chan," He whispered. "Onii-Chan, wake up."
Mylo blinked open his eyes and looked up at Alec blearily.
"I'm an Onii-Chan now?" He said with a yawn. Alec nodded, smiling at him, though his eyes had a lingering sadness.
"Yes," Alec said, picking him up. "And Lila-Chan wants to introduce the baby to you."
The two teleported and found Lila resting against pillows, a small bundle wrapped in her arms that she smiled down at. She smiled up at Mylo.
"Come meet your little brother, Mylo," She said, voice soft and hoarse. Mylo instantly ran over, crouching beside her.
"Whoa!" Mylo said, eyes widened as he glanced at the green-haired infant in her arms.
"His name is Kisshu," Lila said.
"He's so tiny!" Mylo said with wonder. Tentatively, he reached over and stroked Kish's hair. "It's so soft!"
The baby squeezed his eyes shut before yawning and opening his eyes, revealing brilliant golden eyes like Lila's, blinking up at Mylo curiously. Mylo smiled.
"Konnichiwa!" He said. "I'm Mylo, your Onii-Chan!"
Baby Kisshu smiled and cooed before snuggling against his mother again. Lila smiled and gently kissed the top of Kish's head before doing the same to Mylo.
"Come here," She said as Alec climbed onto the mat on Mylo's other side. "Let's all just lie here, together, as a family."
Mylo contently snuggled against Lila, already falling back asleep. Alec reached out to place his hand on Lila's. There were tears running down his cheeks. They both knew she wasn't going to survive the night.
"Lila," He whispered.
"Alec," She whispered back, giving him a soft smile. "Let us just enjoy this moment. Let me enjoy this moment with all three of my boys."
Alec swallowed hard, but nodded.
"Anything for you, Lila, my darling." He said.
For he knew too well that this was the last thing he could give her.
The scene shifted again. Mylo woke up on the sleep-mat near Pie and Rin, both of whom were still asleep. He blinked, confused. He knew he had fallen asleep with Papa, Lila Mama-Chan and the new baby—his little brother, Kisshu. So where were they?
He climbed out of the blankets and walked down the hall. He saw Risa Oba-San gently rocking the green-haired baby, and his father sitting with his head in his hands, Curry Oji-San rubbing his back sympathetically.
"What's going on?" He asked.
Alec looked up with his blood-shot blue eyes. He licked his dry lips and wiped away his tears quickly.
"Mylo, my son, come here," Alec said, holding out his arms for the boy, who crawled onto his lap hesitantly. Alec wrapped his arms around Mylo before saying softly, "We need to talk…"
The scene shifted again. Curry and Alec sat across from each other, Curry holding a sleeping infant with bronze curls—Rirī—while Alec stared down at Kisshu's face. Across the room, Risa was sound asleep on her sleep-mat, dried tears on her cheeks. Sleeping beside her was Pie, curled up against her. Mylo and Rin slept on another mat, Rin's arms around Mylo protectively as he sniffled in his sleep.
"Rindou's been a Mama to Mylo these past few days," Alec observed without having to look up.
"She has both our little boys wrapped around her finger, but she cares deeply for them," Curry said softly.
Alec leaned back in his chair and looked up at Curry, his eyes still blood-shot.
"Thank you," Alec said. "For all that you and Risa have done for me, Mylo and Kisshu over these past few days. We could not have gotten through the funeral today without you."
"The thanks is unnecessary," Curry said. "We consider all three of you family, and Lila as well, and family helps one another."
Alec stayed silent for a moment, then said,
"Curry, promise me something, and I will make a promise to you. If I die before Mylo and Kisshu are at an age to care for themselves, take them into your family, both of them. In return, I promise you that if something happens to you, I will marry Risa in name alone and raise your children as if they were mine, protecting them as I know you would. And if Risa were to die and we were to live on, promise me that we shall try to raise our children together as a family."
"I promise," Curry said solemnly. "And I accept your promise." He studied his friend, now focused on Kisshu again. "This has been on your mind the past few days, has it not?"
"I am now twice a widower, and neither of my boys have a mother," Alec said softly as he trailed a finger over Kish's cheek. "I will do what I can and what I must to raise them alone."
"You will not remarry?" Curry asked. Alec shook his head and met Curry's eyes.
"I love Lila. I love Diamond. I love Mylo and Kisshu. I love Chai-Sensei and Gama-San. I love you, and Risa, and Pie, and Rindou and little Rirī and I already love whatever children you may have to follow." He said. "But I can love no more."
"Are you wary of having your heart broken again?" Curry asked gently.
"Yes." Alec said. "But not for my sake. I love Diamond, and together we raised a son, whom we love and he loves us, and she dies. I am left with Mylo, who kept me going. I fell in love with Lila all over again, and so did Mylo. Lila is gone now… And now I have Mylo and Kisshu. Two reminders from the two women I have loved. I see how Lila's death has affected Mylo. He's lost both of the mothers he has only known, and he has just barely been alive for five years. There is so much heartbreak and sorrow in our lives, but as adults we have come to expect it. Children do not. I cannot, will not, put him through this pain again, nor will I do it to Kisshu. My boys have kept my heart intact. But I will not tempt fate. And I daresay I will never be able to find a woman I love again."
The two sat in silence as the fire crackled beside them.
The scene shifted.
A bunch of children gathered around a little boy with orange-red hair and green eyes, seemingly shrinking against the sudden onslaught and kept his mouth clamped shut despite the slew of questions.
"Jalapeno-Kun, do you want to play?"
"Jalapeno, don't you have a baby brother?"
"Jalapeno-Kun, who's prettier, me or Furījia?"
"Come on, Capsicum, just say one word."
"Can he speak at all?"
"Leave him alone."
The children turned to see an angry white-haired boy glaring at them.
"No wonder Jalapeno doesn't talk," Six year old Mylo snapped. "You're all pestering him."
"Come on, Mylo, we all know he probably can't talk at all," One boy said. "He never has."
"I wouldn't talk to you either, if this was what I was always surrounded by," Mylo said. "Would you? Besides, even if he can't really talk, so what? He's still Jalapeno. Isn't that what matters?"
A teacher came over and scurried the kids off in different ways. Mylo turned to go back to what he had been doing when he realized that he had a follower. He turned to see Jalapeno standing directly behind him, blank-faced but looking otherwise a bit shy and abashed.
"You don't have any friends, do you?" Mylo asked. Jalapeno shook his head. Mylo grinned. "Well, you do now."
Jalapeno gave the smallest of smiles and followed Mylo.
The scene shifted. Deep Blue examined the records before him with a small frown. Too many people, and not enough food… He noticed that some families had a lot of children; a few were second wives or husbands, but there were many where a man was still married to his first wife, a wife to her first husband. There were a lot of children, some families having as many as a dozen children. There was even one that had fifteen under the age of sixteen. It had to end.
"Goki-San," Deep Blue said. "Gather the soldiers. There is a new assignment."
The scene shifted. Rishi-Sobo frowned as she listened to the names being called, especially when one of those names was Ikisatashi Curry.
"Another thinning of the herd," She observed to Chai-Sofu.
"They all have more than three children," Chai-Sofu said softly. "And I heard from Goki that Deep Blue wants to limit a family to three children."
Rishi-Sobo turned her burning blind eyes to Chai.
"The monster will soon pay for this," She said.
The scene shifted. Curry sent Pie, Rin and Rirī off while he cradled Taruto in his arms. The toddler was much smaller than he should have been for his two and a half years and even smaller in Curry's long, thick arms.
"Go on," Curry encouraged. "You will be late. Have a good day at school."
The three chimed their responses, and soon Kisshu and Mylo's voices were added into the mix as they joined. Alec softly entered the home, studying Curry, who looked tired.
"How is Risa this morning?" He asked. "Has she eaten?"
"A little," Curry said with a sigh as he started to feed Tart, his mouth hanging open like a baby bird till Curry put the food in his mouth. "She is resting at the moment. I fear she will either miscarry or that we will lose both the child and Risa." He looked sad. "Her pregnancies have never been like this… I believe this pregnancy—no matter how it ends—will be her last. I worry that her body cannot tolerate another. We had wondered, when Taruto came too soon into our lives…"
"Taruto is a stubborn little boy who likes to do things on his own terms," Alec said with a small smile, reaching over to tickle the toddler's foot, eliciting a giggle. "Even if that means inconveniencing his Mama and Papa. But that is Ikisatashi stubbornness for you. No, I would blame this little warrior before I suspected that Risa was not strong enough to carry him much longer."
"Regardless," Curry sighed. "I cannot help but worry about my family… and now with the assignment…"
Alec's ears jerked up.
"What?" He demanded, eyes hard and face serious.
"I leave in two days, Alec. I only found out last night." Curry said. "Another mission I do not know if I will return from or not. I have no other choice."
"This… this is foolishness!" Alec exclaimed. "You certainly cannot go!"
"I must do what Deep Blue orders," Curry said, shushing the crying Tart in his arms, surprised by Curry's suddenly loud and angry voice. "Alec, the only thing I can do now is ask that you look after my family. Please, I know this is an inconvenience for you—"
"You will not be inconveniencing me, because you are not going if I have anything to say about it," Alec said, lip curled and eyes burning before he suddenly teleported away, leaving Curry and Tart alone.
Alec marched down a hall and stormed into an office.
"Thank you for knocking, Colonel Niroshi," A man said dryly.
"What is the meaning of sending Major Ikisatashi Curry off on assignment?" Alec demanded. "He has several children, the oldest two are barely eight years old, his youngest being prone to illness, and a pregnant wife who is ailing. His orders should be nullified."
"It is Deep Blue-Sama's orders," The man said with a sigh. "We did appeal Major Ikisatashi's case to him, but Deep Blue-Sama was firm, no exceptions."
"Then send me," Alec said firmly.
The man looked taken aback.
"Colonel?" He said in surprise.
"Curry's family needs him now," Alec said. "Deep Blue just needs another warrior. I will suffice."
"We do not know how many will return from this mission, Alec," The other man said softly. "Think of your boys. They have each lost a mother. What if they lose their father?"
"Mylo and Kisshu will be in good hands," Alec said, voice still firm. "I am doing what I know Curry would do for me if I were in his position. Please, allow me to do this for my friend who is more than my friend. He is my brother."
The man closed his eyes.
"Very well," He said softly. "You have two days, Colonel, to arrange care for your children and prepare to leave."
"Thank you, General Goki-Sama," Alec said with a sharp bow.
The scene shifted yet again. Mylo and Kisshu were sitting at a table, both swinging their legs underneath. Gama-Sobo was cleaning up something on the counter when Chai-Sofu came in, face pale and eyes full of tears.
"Gama," He said, voice choked. "We… we need to talk. In private."
Gama frowned but followed her husband, telling the two boys to stay at the table.
"When do you think Papa's going to come home, Mylo Onii-Chan?" Kisshu asked.
"Soon," Mylo answered, giving Kish a smile. "Just four more weeks now."
"That's not soon," Kish complained, resting his chin on the table.
"Well, it's sooner than it was yesterday," Mylo pointed out, reaching over and tickling Kish on the stomach, making him giggle and return the tickle.
"Mylo… Kisshu…"
The boys stopped immediately, turning to Chai and Gama, the latter of whom now had tears running down her face. Chai licked his lips briefly and said,
"Come here, my boys. We… We have something we need to tell you."
As Kish bounded over to Chai, clearly not understanding the mood, Mylo sat there, eyes widening.
He didn't need to be told.
He had already had this discussion twice before, each time with his father.
And now, he knew, it was about his father.
Alec Niroshi was dead.