Rescue Me
By: ShadowQueenGalactica
Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with Sailor Moon. I do not own the rights to any of the songs related/affiliated to Sailor Moon.
::::PLEASE READ::::
Author's Notes: Hello, all! Thanks so much for reading Rescue Me. This story is going to contain MATURE CONTENT, so I highly advise if the following makes you uncomfortable, please do not read Rescue Me. I have been sitting on this one for a couple of years and hesitated on writing it due to the nature of the topic. That is why I am advising readers of the Mature Content if you are uncomfortable in any way reading this, DON'T read this story.
*- Chapter 10 Note/Warnings: No content warnings, enjoy! -*
-There is going to be rape/mention of rape throughout this story (some graphic scenes, abuse, and torture) I will try to make these scenes as short and brief as possible. These topics are not suitable for younger readers. You've been warned. I will try to warn the readers ahead of time if there will be graphic scenes.
If you're alright with this, then happy reading, if not, no worries, I will see you in the next story! This chapter isn't very long, my apologies in advance.
Sorry for the delay!
I found a wonderful 45 chapter Sei/Usa fic and I couldn't put it down until I finished lol. xD I finished it this morning, and decided I better get this posted before you guys lost your wonderful patience with me!
Review Replies: THANKS AGAIN! :)
Jsanyaz: Yes, we will eventually have Usagi find out the truth about Nao being Kazan's grandfather. Thanks so much for reviewing! I hope you enjoy the chapter! :)
Oracle Sybil: Yes the scene with Kazan was rough to write, but I was wanting him to feel the horror and humiliation he made Usagi endure during the time she was with them. Lol, yes, I am going to take advantage of the banter between them. I just love having Seiya take a good jab at him, after all I am all for team Sei/Usa lol. Just this one time I am making an exception since this is a Mamo/Usa pairing. Oh, we have not seen the last of Ren's mother, and she's going to be a real bitch, so be prepared! Also, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, for sticking through to the end. I will focus on Desired Future next before starting anymore new projects, that way you can enjoy some Demande/Usa love. 3
Ilonanoda: Oh my goodness, that's so terrible. I cannot imagine what that poor girl's family must have gone through. That's so tragic and sad! :*(
SaphireShimmer: Yes, sadly sometimes there really isn't any kind of justice for the victims and it's so disheartening and heartbreaking. :*(
Cagalli-01: Thanks so much! We will all find out soon, probably in the next chapter. ;)
I appreciate you all so much for taking the time to leave a review! I hope you enjoy the chapter! Bit of a TIME JUMP in this one, you'll see why! :) Enjoy!
Rescue Me
:: Chapter 10: New Beginning::
(Nine Weeks Later)
Packing his overnight bag, Mamoru smiled as he glanced at the picture of him and Usagi sitting on his nightstand beside his lamp. 'I'm so glad finals are finally over.' He thought, looking forward to spending a week in Kyoto with his girlfriend after a brutal week of completing final exams for the first semester. 'Now I can focus on Usako for the next week without the worry of essays and studying.' He thought with a relieved sigh. 'I think I'll take her out tonight for dinner, then we can go see a movie.' He thought, wondering how they could spend their first evening together, happily looking forward to spending his first week of winter break in Kyoto, before Usagi traveled down to spend her final week of winter break with her family so she could have the baby in Tokyo. 'I can't believe the baby will be here in a week.' He thought with a small smile, looking forward to meeting the small infant who insisted on kicking his hand or arm anytime his touch was against her stomach.
Zipping his bag, Mamoru lifted the bag and glanced around his bedroom making sure he wasn't forgetting anything. 'Her gift.' He thought, suddenly remembering her Christmas gift which was safely tucked in his drawer. Walking towards his dresser, he soon opened the top drawer and smiled seeing the deep blue velvet box. Lifting the box, he tucked it into the pocket of his jacket and smiled as he walked to his bed to retrieve his overnight bag once again.
::Buzz...Buzz...Buzz::
Lifting his phone from his pocket, he smiled seeing Usagi was calling him. Pressing the button, he lifted the phone to his ear, smiling more as he greeted his girlfriend. "Morning Usako, I'm fixing to leave. I-"
"Mamoru-chan, this is Minako-chan." Minako excitedly greeted.
"Minako-chan, why are you calling me on Usa's phone?" Mamoru asked, then felt his grip tighten on the phone.
"Her water broke, Mamoru-chan. We were at the mall shopping, and well I guess the baby had other plans." Minako laughed, unaware of Mamoru suddenly panicking. "We're at the hospital now, Azumi-san is sitting with her so we stepped out long enough to call you."
"Is she alright, has she already had the baby?" Mamoru worriedly asked, his heart racing and stomach nervously twisting at the thought of missing out on being there to support her for the birth of her son.
"Relax Mamoru-chan." Minako laughed. "The doctor said she could be in labor for hours, so you should have time to get here." She assured the older teen.
Hearing someone say something in the background, Mamoru heard Minako giggle before she spoke once more with an amused giggle.
"She's not very friendly right now since the contractions are causing her a lot of discomfort. So far she's only allowing Azumi-san in the room." Minako said, then gasped as the phone was abruptly taken from her. "Seiya-chan!"
"Don't worry, Mamoru-chan." Seiya soon greeted the older teen. "We're here for Odango if you don't make it in time." She stated with a gentle laugh, already imagining the older teen had his jaw clenched and tense in the same way he always responded to her. "You better hurry if you're wanting to be here, this baby is ready to meet his family." She said before ending the call.
::CLICK::
Feeling his jaw clench more, as the raven-haired teen abruptly ended the call with a taunt Mamoru released a sigh of frustration as he shoved his phone back into his pocket with his car keys. Doing a quick sweep of the room to make sure he wasn't going to forget anything he quickly hurried not wanting to miss the birth and be there to support Usagi. "I'll be there soon, my love." He stated as he hurried from his apartment.
"Seiya-baka!" Minako whined watching Seiya abruptly end the call before handing her their friend's phone back. "What did you do that for, that was so rude." She scolded, watching her friend shrug and roll her eyes.
"Relax, Minako-chan." Seiya chuckled. "It's just going to push him to get here quicker." She explained, watching her friend ease slightly at the explanation. "Come on let's go check on princess cranky pants." She stated as she motioned the blonde to follow her.
"I don't want to get yelled at again." Minako pouted watching Seiya gently laugh at her comment.
"It's simple Minako-chan, just don't be a baka and ask stupid questions and you won't get yelled at." Seiya teased, then laughed as her friend swatted her arm.
"I was just asking how bad the pain was, I was worried." Minako pouted, feeling Seiya gently wrap her arm around her shoulder as they walked down the hall towards their friend's room.
"She's having a baby, baka. I'm sure it's going to hurt like hell." Seiya bluntly stated, smiling as Minako gave her a playful swat once more.
"You're so rude." Minako sulked, stepping from her friend's embrace as they reached the room. Exhaling a nervous breath, she gently knocked on the door before entering the dimly lit room. "Usagi-chan." She gently stated, seeing her friend was lying on her side, her back turned towards them. "We just called Mamoru-chan, he's leaving Tokyo now."
"She's sleeping, Minako-chan." Azumi said with a gentle smile, her hand still laced with her nieces. "The contractions eased enough to where she could rest." She explained, watching Minako stand at the foot of the bed and Seiya silently sit at the end of the bed. "She's going to be alright, it's just going to be a long and painful process."
"It will be rewarding though." Seiya responded with a gentle smile, watching Azumi smile and silently nod in agreement.
"Her parents are on their way now." Azumi said with a soft exhale. 'I hope my sister is ready to accept this child.' She worriedly thought, knowing Usagi was scared her mother would still refuse to accept the baby as her grandchild.
"What is it?" Minako worriedly asked, noticing how quiet Azumi had become.
"I was just thinking." Azumi responded, gently tucking some stray strands of hair behind her niece's ear before speaking once more. "She's still nervous about her mother's reaction to the baby."
"She should be." Seiya scoffed, watching Azumi look at her with surprise. "Odango has told me about her mother's feelings towards the baby." She explained, watching Azumi nod with silent understanding.
"My sister, she's dealt with Usagi's attack so negatively." Azumi softly stated, gently brushing her thumb against the back of her niece's hand. "I'm hoping when she holds this baby, she'll see for herself this baby is innocent in all this."
"If she doesn't?" Minako worriedly asked.
"It's going to break Usagi's heart." Azumi stated, glancing towards her sleeping niece. "I don't think she will be able to handle that kind of rejection." She worriedly stated, with a soft sigh.
"We'll be here for her always." Seiya responded, watching Azumi smile more at the comment. "We're this baby's family now, Azumi-san. As long as Usagi-chan is in our lives, this baby will know our love."
"Thank you, Seiya-san." Azumi stated, touched by the teens words, as she wiped a few stray tears from her cheeks. "She's so lucky to have each of you in her life." She stated, watching both Minako and Seiya tearfully smile at her words.
(Later That Afternoon)
Azumi: She's fine, onee-chan. They just gave her an epidural to help with the pain. I told her you were on your way to the hospital. Please be careful, it's supposed to snow in Kyoto today.
Lowering her phone, Ikuko nervously sighed her stomach fluttering and twisting with her worry and apprehension at the thought of the baby being born before they arrived at the hospital. 'She doesn't need to go through this alone.' She worriedly thought, snapping from her thoughts as Kenji spoke.
"What did she say?" Kenji curiously asked, glancing over at his wife.
"She's getting an epidural now, it must be getting closer to time." Ikuko nervously stated, easing as her husband slipped his hand into her own, giving her hand a gentle reassuring squeeze.
"It's going to be alright." Keji assured his wife, watching her tearfully exhale before silently nodding her head as she lifted her phone and sent a reply to her sister.
Ikuko: We're almost to Kyoto, about thirty minutes away.
Azumi: I will tell Usagi. We will see you soon, Ikuko-onee!
Lowering her phone, Ikuko glanced back and smiled seeing Shingo was still sleeping, his face pressed against the window. "That must be uncomfortable." She said with a gentle laugh.
"He's fine." Kenji chuckled, glancing at their slumbering son in the rearview mirror. "He's so excited about being an Uncle. I overheard him telling his friends the other night." He said with a proud smile. "It will do him some good seeing his sister, I know he's missed her."
"We all have." Ikuko gently added, smiling as her husband gave her hand another gentle squeeze. "I'll be glad to be taking her back home with us after she's released."
"Me too, it's not been the same since she's left." Kenji said with a sad smile. "We're going to be grandparents." He said with a tearful chuckle. 'I can't wait to hold him.' He thought with a proud smile, looking forward to meeting and holding his grandson for the first time.
'I hope she's ready for this.' Ikuko worriedly thought, still concerned that her daughter wasn't prepared to raise and care for the child that had been forced on her. 'Please let this delivery go without any complications.' She worriedly thought, hoping and praying her daughter would have an easy delivery. Glancing up at the grey clouds, she worriedly glanced at her husband, watching him smile at her as he spoke.
"Don't worry we should make it before the snow starts." Kenji stated, watching his wife ease before silently nodding.
(Four Hours Later)
Looking down at his watch, Mamoru exhaled out in frustration as he followed behind the slow crawl of traffic as the roads became more slick and hazardous as sleet began to fall from the sky above, mixed in with large snowflakes. Turning up the heat in his car, he pounded his fist against the steering wheel in his frustration as he softly cursed.
"Dammit!" Mamoru cursed, his jaw clenching more with his frustration. "I have to be there, I can't miss this." He snapped, knowing he'd never forgive himself if he wasn't there to give Usagi support for the baby's birth.
::HONK: HONK::
Glancing in his rearview mirror, he sighed out in aggravation as the vehicle behind him began to move closer behind him, soon laying on their horn more, urging him to drive faster on the hazardous roads. "You damn baka, do you not see the roads are not safe to go full speed?" Mamoru muttered, quickly losing his patience with the aggressive driver following behind him.
Turning his attention back to the road, Mamoru sat in shock as the car impatiently sped around him only to lose control moments later, gracefully spinning on the slick road and slamming into the back of two cars. "Come on! You can't be serious!" He shouted in his frustration, groaning out in defeat and anger knowing all traffic was at a standstill thanks to the careless idiot who had carelessly sped past him.
Knowing he had no other choice, Mamoru sighed in defeat as he removed his phone and dialed his girlfriend's number, his stomach tightly twisting at the thought of her disappointment in him. 'This isn't fair, I should be there.' He thought, briefly cutting his gaze towards the car responsible for his delay. Pressing the phone against his ear, he waited as the phone rang, hoping to speak with Usagi, knowing the sound of her voice would ease him.
"Where are you, Mamoru-baka?" Seiya answered instead, her voice sharp and annoyed.
Gripping the phone tighter, Mamoru tightly closed his eyes, taking a deep breath trying to contain his temper with the raven-haired teen who insisted on making his life hell. "Seiya-san." He calmly stated through gritted teeth, trying to keep his voice stoic.
"What's wrong?" Seiya immediately asked, sensing the sudden tension in Mamoru's voice.
"There was a wreck." Mamoru responded with a frustrated sigh.
"Are you alright?" Seiya quietly asked, worry evident in her voice, unknowingly shocking Mamoru in the process of her question.
"No, I'm fine. As far as I can tell, there's no one injured." Mamoru responded moments later, surprised by the concern in Seiya's voice. "This baka sped around me, and didn't put into consideration that the roads are icy roads, so they caused a wreck." He said with a defeated sigh. "I'm blocked here until the emergency responders arrive and clear the wreckage and redirect traffic." Mamoru explained, hearing a brief pause, then a soft exhale. Hearing the sound of a door opening and closing, he tensed when hearing the hiss in Seiya's voice.
"She's fixing to have this baby, Mamoru-san." Seiya snapped, not giving Mamoru time to respond. "What do you want me to tell her?"
"The truth." Mamoru responded with an exasperated sigh. "Tell Usako I'm sorry, that I'll be there as soon as I can. The snow is starting to really come down, I don't know how much longer it's going to take me since the roads are becoming hazardous." He said with defeat.
"It's alright, her family is here, and Minako-chan and the others are here as well." Seiya responded after a few moments of silence. "She's not going to be angry with you, Mamoru-san, she'll understand." She assured the older teen with an amused laugh, smiling when hearing Mamoru's soft chuckle before he sighed out in frustration once more. "Drive safe, it's snowing here as well." She said, pausing a moment at a thought, then spoke with amusement. "The baby picked one hell of a day to be born." She joked, hearing Mamoru genuinely chuckle that time.
"Yes." Mamoru responded with a chuckle. "Yes, he did. I'm going to have to give him a hard time about this when he's older." He muttered with a smile.
"Let us know when you're at the hospital, we'll let you know which room she's in. Later, Mamoru-baka." Seiya instructed before abruptly ending the call.
Lowering his phone, Mamoru softly cursed before pounding his fist against his steering wheel once more. "Could this day not get any worse?" He miserably muttered, then glanced in the rearview mirror to see the flash of red and blue as a patrol car carefully weaved through the traffic. "Hopefully this doesn't take too long." He stated with exasperation, relieved to already see emergency responders arriving at the scene.
(Meanwhile in Kyoto)
Turning her head as the door opened, Seiya smiled watching Minako quietly step out of the room with a worried look. "There was a wreck, some baka speeding on the ice. Mamoru-san is stuck in a traffic jam."
"Poor Usagi-chan." Minako softly stated with a small frown. "I know she was hoping Mamoru-chan would be able to be here. She was wanting all her family and friends here to meet the baby."
"I know." Seiya said with a soft sigh. "I like her family, her papa and brother are really nice and her mama is, well-" She paused trying to think of a polite way to express her thoughts on the quiet and reserved woman who had not spoken much since she arrived at the hospital.
"I know what you mean." Minako quietly stated, filling in the brief pause as she nervously glanced back at the door. "Since her mama arrived, it's been tense between her and Usagi-chan." She said with a frown.
"Why is she even here?" Seiya snapped, glancing at the closed door. "She obviously hasn't accepted this baby. Odango doesn't need this stress right now, she needs to be surrounded by those who are going to be supportive."
"It's going to be alright, she knows she has us." Minako responded, gently resting her hand against Seiya's arm. "Let's go tell her, at least she'll know where Mamoru-chan is now." She sighed as they silently turned and entered the quiet room once more.
"Just keep breathing, sweetie." Azumi stated, sitting on the edge of the bed, her hand tightly being held by her niece as she drew in a deep breath before shakily exhaling.
"How much longer? I want this to end already." Usagi miserably muttered, tightly closing her eyes as the pressure began to grow more. Glancing up as the door opened once more, she silently watched as Seiya and Minako quietly entered the room once more.
"Was that Mamoru-san?" Azumi curiously asked, watching Seiya silently smile and nod in confirmation before speaking.
"Yes, he's been delayed, the roads are icy and some baka caused an accident so he's stuck in traffic." Seiya explained, watching Azumi nod and Usagi frown. "He said he's really sorry, Odango." She said, walking towards the bed and sitting beside her friend. "Are you alright, are you in any more pain? I can go get the nurse, if you need me to." She worriedly asked, watching her friend tiredly smile and shake her head.
"I'm alright, Sei-chan. The epidural has helped ease the pai-" Usagi said, abruptly lurching forward while grabbing onto her stomach. "Something doesn't feel right." She whimpered, feeling the unexplainable pressure rapidly increasing.
"I'll get a nurse." Makoto stated, being closest to the door as she quickly hurried out of the room.
"What is it?" Ikuko worriedly asked, standing and walking to the bedside, worry shining in her eyes.
"What does it feel like?" Azumi worriedly asked, watching her niece tearfully look at her.
"I don't know, I- it felt like something shifted." Usagi's muffled reply came, then groaned as the pressure became more noticeable. "Azumi-oba." She whimpered, not seeing the hurt and rejected look from her mother as she called to her Aunt for comfort.
"Just keep doing your breathing techniques." Azumi responded in a soothing voice, glancing up as the door opened and a nurse quickly entered the room.
"Alright, I need everyone to leave the room. I need to see if she's dilated more." The nurse instructed, watching the group quickly begin to disperse. "Only one can stay with her." She reminded the group.
"Azumi-oba." Usagi urged, tightening her hold on her aunt's hand as she tried to stand. "Don't leave me, please." She pleaded, watching her aunt smile and return to her spot on the bed beside her.
"We'll be in the waiting room." Kenji stated, planting a kiss atop of his daughter's head. "Well be back in as soon as we can." Watching his daughter tearfully smile and nod at the response, he wrapped his arm around Ikuko leading her from the room, her face stoic not showing any emotion as she allowed him to lead her out of the room.
"We'll be back soon, Odango." Seiya stated, then planted a soft peck against her friend's cheek. "Hopefully it's time." She said, with an excited smile, watching her friend nervously smile in response. "You're going to be alright, you're going to be a wonderful mama." She reassured her friend, brushing a stray tear from her friend's cheek. "Don't cry, Odango." She urged, watching her friend tearfully smile at her. "We'll be waiting." She said, resting her hand against her friend's arm before silently standing and leaving the room.
"Alright, dear, let's see if you've dilated." The nurse stated at the sound of the door clicking shut. Placing her gloves on, she positioned the girls legs up before raising the sheets to examine what stage in dilation the young mother-to-be was currently at. "Oh, my!" She gasped, eyes widening with surprise. "I- I see the head." She stammered, dropping the sheet down and quickly rushing to the door to call out to another nurse. "Alright, the doctor should be here shortly." She said quickly, gathering the supplies she had positioned against the wall earlier that afternoon. "Whatever you do, don't push." She urged, glancing up at the small screen above the bed that monitored the teen's vitals and contractions
"What is it?" Asumi worriedly asked, noticing the nurse immediately frown at the monitors before easing as the nurse smiled up at her.
"Nothing to worry about, she's fixing to have another contraction." The nurse explained as she walked towards the bed, sitting on a small red stool. "Alright, dear, big push." She instructed, watching the girl raise and begin to push as instructed. "Good job, sweetie." She said with a proud smile, watching the teen collapsed back against the bed with a tired sigh.
"How's my patient?" The doctor asked, slightly out of breath as he entered the room moments later a smile across his face.
"She's crowning, doctor. It won't be much longer before the baby is here." The nurse explained as the doctor placed his gloves on before taking over the seat the nurse had been sitting in.
"Let's see where you're at dear." The doctor stated, rolling the stool forwards as he lifted the sheet, to be greeted by the sight of a small head. "Alright, Tsukino-san." He stated, glancing up at the screen to see another contraction would soon be occurring. "When I say, I need you to push as hard as you can, this baby is eager to meet his mama." He said, glancing up to see tears streaking the blonde's cheeks.
"I'm scared." Usagi tearfully stated, immediately turning her head towards her aunt, fear, and uncertainty shining brightly in her tear-filled gaze. "I can't do this, I can't-"
"You're stronger than you think, sweetheart." Azumi immediately interrupted her niece, giving Usagi's hand a gentle squeeze. "This baby is going to need you, he's going to rely on you for everything, your love most of all." She urged, reaching out with her other hand to wipe away the stray tears from her niece's cheeks. "It's going to be alright sweetheart, you can do this, I know you can." She said, placing a soft kiss atop of her nieces head.
"Alright, Tsukino-san, I need you to give me all that you have and push." The doctor quickly instructed, watching the teen lean forwards, her eyes tightly closed as she began to push.
Clenching her teeth as she pushed with all her might, Usagi felt the sudden pressure within her suddenly slip away, her eyes abruptly opening as the cries of an infant filled the room. "My baby." She gasped, tears streaking her cheeks as she felt an overwhelming, protective pull flood her senses as the desperate cries of the infant filled the room.
Feeling anxious the longer she waited to hold her child against her and soothe him from his desperate cries, she felt the feeling increase as the nurse carried him further from her. Tiredly watching the nurse carry her son towards a clear hospital bassinet, she tiredly collapsed back against the pillows and smiled as her aunt stood to go look at the crying bundle who was being swaddled in a soft blue blanket after taking his measurements and prints.
"Usagi, he's so perfect." Asumi tearfully stated, wiping the tears from her cheeks as she raised her phone and took a few pictures of the wailing infant.
"Alright, let's get you to your mama." The nurse gently cooed, lifting the small bundle into her arms once more. Walking to the bed, she smiled at how nervous the young mother looked. "Hold out your arms dear." She instructed, watching the blonde quickly comply. "I'll be back shortly so we can fill out the birth certificate form, then we'll get you placed into your permanent room after you have your golden hour with the baby. This is for you and baby to have skin-to-skin contact and introduce breastfeeding if you're planning to breastfeed." The nurse instructed, watching the new mother slightly lower her hospital gown for the skin-to-skin contact.
Nervously lowering her gown, Usagi grimaced at the dark scars that marred her chest, the physical reminder that would forever remind her of the hell she had been put through with her captors. Blushing slightly as the nurse lowered her gown down further, she felt the embarrassment cease the moment the tiny bundle was partially uncovered before was gently placed against her chest, his head gently placed over her heart. Hearing his cries instantly cease the moment he was placed against her chest, Usagi felt happy tears streak her cheeks as she nervously brushed her fingers against his tiny head, his soft blonde locks peeking out of the small baby blue cap placed atop of his small head. "Hiro." She tearfully stated, sniffling as she tearfully smiled at the small infant that was wiggling atop of her, his mouth soon discovering his closed fist.
"He might be hungry." Azumi gently urged with a tearful chuckle, awed by the tiny bundle atop of her niece. "I'm going to go show your mama and papa their grandson." She said, raising her phone with a proud smile. "I'll let you have some privacy with him." She said, leaning down and planting a kiss atop of her nieces head before turning and walking towards the door.
"Azumi-oba." Usagi tearfully stated, watching her niece turn and look at her. "Can you tell mama I want to see her?" She nervously asked, watching her aunt tearfully smile and nod.
"Of course, I'll go get her sweetie." Azumi responded with a happy smile, hoping and praying Ikuko would accept the small infant.
(Meanwhile in the Waiting Room)
"What do you think they're saying?" Makoto curiously asked, watching Ikuko and Kenji speaking with the nurse who had exited their friend's room.
"When do we get to see the baby?" Minako whined, eyes on the door as she could hear the muffled cries of an infant sounding from their friend's room. "His cries are so sad." She stated, her heart aching from the pitiful cries that sounded from behind the closed doors.
"We'll have to wait until the golden hour is up." Taiki reminded the blonde, softly sighing with dismay.
"The golden what?" Minako asked, quizzically looking back at their friend.
"The golden hour." Seiya stated, rolling her eyes with a mocking smile towards the blonde. "Odango has been eagerly talking about it for the past month. It's the time designated for her and the baby bond and where she can learn to breastfeed the baby." She said with a roll of her eyes.
"Oh, yeah." Minako answered with a sheepish smile. "I remember her talking about that now."
"Baka." Seiya muttered with a smirk.
"They're coming back." Makoto happily stated, stepping from the doorway of the waiting room to allow Usagi's parents to enter the room.
"What did they say, papa?" Shingo asked as soon as his parents entered the waiting room once more.
"He's here, Shingo-san." Kenji responded, unshed tears shining in his eyes. "We'll be able to see the baby in an hour." He said with a proud smile. "You're an uncle now, how does it feel?" He asked with a tearful chuckle.
"I don't know, I guess I'll know when I meet him." Shingo responded, nervous and excited to meet his nephew.
"Congratulations." Makoto happily stated to the family with a sincere smile, watching Usagi's father tearfully smile before speaking.
"Thank you, Makoto-san. I haven't met him yet, but I already feel so much love for my grandson." Kenji stated, lowering his glasses as he wiped away a few stray tears from his cheeks. Sitting down next to his son once more, he silently watched as Ikuko nervously paced, glancing towards their daughter's room. "Ikuko, honey, do-"
"I'm fine." Ikuko abruptly interrupted with a wave of her hand, her gaze darting towards the door once more. Watching the door open, she watched as Azumi exited the room beaming with a proud smile. Feeling a pang of jealousy she turned to retreat further into the waiting room, only to stop as Azumi called out to her. Stopping and turning, she watched her sister happily walk forwards and tightly embrace her.
"He's so beautiful, Kuko-onee." Azumi happily gushed as soon as she stepped back from her sister's embrace. "He looks so much like his mama, he has soft blonde hair, and Usagi's blue eyes." She gushed, watching her sister immediately relax under her words. "She wants to see you, onee-chan."
"Me?" Ikuko asked in surprise, tears welling in her eyes.
"Of course you, she needs her mama more than ever right now." Azumi said with a gentle laugh. "Go be with her, meet your precious grandson." She urged, noticing the uncertainty flash in her sister's gaze. "He's innocent, Ikuko." Azumi ushered, tears beginning to sting her eyes. "Surely you still cannot resent this innocent baby." She scolded, watching her sister tense and anger for a moment.
"I don't resent him, nor do I hate him." Ikuko immediately snapped at her sister. "I'm just scared and worried for Usagi, that's all, Zumi-onee." She honestly admitted.
"She loves him, Kuko-onee." Azmui urged, resting her hand against her sister's arm. "Go and see for yourself. She wants to see you onee-chan, don't keep her waiting." She urged, watching her sister nervously exhale before silently nodding and walking towards the room where Usagi and the baby were awaiting her arrival. 'It's going to be alright.' She thought, then smiled as she turned and walked towards the waiting room. "Who wants to see pictures?!" She excitedly announced once entering the waiting room, laughing as she was suddenly swarmed by five overly excited girls.
Gently brushing her finger against her son's cheek as he slept, Usagi could feel fresh tears well in her eyes as she smiled down at the tiny infant resting atop of her bare chest. Drawing the small blue blanket closer against his sleeping form to keep him warm, she smiled as he shifted in his sleep snuggling closer against her chest, seeking out the soothing sound of her heartbeat.
"My sweet, baby boy." Usagi tenderly stated, tears streaking her cheeks as she softly sniffled. "I see now what Azumi-oba meant, I feel so much love for you. I would do anything to keep you safe." She tearfully stated, then glanced up as the door quietly opened.
Feeling her stomach nervously flutter as her mother entered the room, Usagi silently watched her mother step into the room, an uneasy silence between them lingering uncomfortably until Usagi finally broke the silence. "Mama, do you want to meet Hiro?" She timidly asked, her voice nervous, already anticipating her mother rejecting her grandchild.
"Hiro?" Ikuko asked in surprise, watching her daughter shyly smile before silently nodding her head.
"Yes, Hiro Katashi Tsukino." Usagi said, watching her mother tearfully smile. "I owe my rescuers so much, without them my son and I would not be here today." She said, protectively drawing him closer against her, at the thought of losing her precious son.
Feeling her heart proudly swell at the tender display of protectiveness her daughter possessed for the small infant, Ikuko felt her stomach nervously flutter as she walked forwards and gently sat on the edge of the bed. Reaching out with a nervous hand, she lowered the blanket, a soft gasp escaping her lips as tears immediately began to streak her cheeks. "He looks so much like you, sweetie." She said, happily smiling up at her daughter.
"Do you want to hold him?" Usagi nervously asked, her stomach nervously twisting at her mother's hesitation before she responded.
"No." Ikuko said, tearfully shaking her head, then immediately regretted her words as her daughter flinched at her words, tears welling in her eyes. "He's sleeping, sweetheart, I don't want to disturb his rest." She quickly explained, watching her daughter immediately ease at the reason for her decline. "I would like to hold him as soon as he wakes." She said, carefully reaching out and brushing her finger against his tiny clenched fist.
Tearfully smiling as his hand twitched slightly under the gentle touch, she carefully leaned forwards kissing the top of her daughter's head. "I'm sorry." She tearfully apologized, as she sniffled softly while wiping away the stray tears from her cheeks. "I'm so sorry for all the thoughtless and hurtful things I've said to you. I wish I had never said any of those things." She apologized, watching her daughter tearfully smile at her.
"It's alright, mama." Usagi tearfully responded, wiping some stray tears from her cheeks. "You were hurting, and that's how you dealt with your pain." She responded with understanding, watching her mother look at her with surprise from the mature comment.
"You're right, but I never should have hurt you with my words." Ikuko insisted, brushing some stray tears from her cheeks as she shakily exhaled. "I love you so much, sweetheart. Please forgive me for being a stubborn fool." She tearfully apologized, a soft sob escaping her lips. "I never meant to hurt you, to push you away. We've missed you so much, it's not the same, we want you to come back home." She tearfully stated, looking up to see tears beginning to streak her daughter's cheeks.
"I- I can't." Usagi tearfully stated, shaking her head as she looked down at her slumbering son. "I can't go back to Tokyo." She softly stated, refusing to look at her mother when hearing her soft gasp. "I have a life here now, mama. I'm working at the cafe with my friends, friends who don't look at me differently or with pity." She tearfully explained. "I have Mamo-chan now." She shyly stated, a small smile spreading across her lips. "I love him, I couldn't imagine my life without him."
"You need to be home with us." Ikuko urged, her heart breaking at her daughter's words. "We can enroll you in Azubu, you don't have to return to Juban."
"No, mama." Usagi stated, firmly shaking her head. "Kyoto is my home now, I can't leave, not now." She stubbornly stated, watching her mother immediately tense, her gaze sadly averting as she silently nodded her head.
"If this is what you really want?" Ikuko softly stated, keeping her gaze lowered to hide her hurt.
"It is." Usagi responded, tears streaking her cheeks. "I want to stay with Azumi-oba."
"I'll speak with my sister." Ikuko softly responded, as she silently stood. "Get some rest dear, you need to rest when the baby rests." She urged, brushing some stray tears from her cheeks as she walked towards the door.
Watching her mother silently leave the room, Usagi shakily exhaled as she turned her full focus back onto the slumbering infant. Feeling her body begin to relax, she felt her eyes grow heavy as she gave in to her exhaustion and fell asleep, her arm protectively draped around her slumbering son.
(Two Hours Later)
"How is she?" Mamoru nervously asked as he and Minako stepped off the elevator.
"Exhausted, she's been trying to stay awake for us, but she dozes off at times." Minako answered with a giggle.
"The baby?" Mamoru asked, watching the blonde smile more at the question.
"He's so tiny and perfect." Minako gushed, beaming with a bright smile. "He looks so much like Usagi-chan, he has her hair and her eyes." She said with a giggle. "Yaten-chan took over holding him when I volunteered to meet you downstairs."
"Her parents are staying the week." Minako stated, noticing Mamoru abruptly tense at the information. "I thought you should know since you're planning to spend the night at Azumi-san's." She stated with a sly smile. "I also know you sleep in the same bed as Usagi-chan. Let's hope her papa doesn't find that out." She teased watching the older teen immediately pale at the thought.
"Perhaps I should get a hotel." Mamoru muttered, frowning at the thought of his girlfriend's father walking in on him lying beside Usagi in her bed like he had so many times before in the past.
"You can always crash with Mako-chan, she lives alone, she wouldn't mind." Minako suggested, watching Mamoru grow uncomfortable from the suggestion.
"I'll see what Usako wants me to do." Mamoru stated, then nervously exhaled. "Is her parents in the room right now?"
"Yes." Minako responded with an amused smile.
"Ugh." Mamoru groaned, growing more uncomfortable at the thought of being in the same room under the watchful eye of Kenji Tsukino. 'This is going to be so nerve wracking.' He nervously thought with a frown, part of him feeling as if he were being escorted to his own execution.
Stopping outside a door, Minako smiled as she glanced at Mamoru once more before gently opening the door. "Look who I found, Usagi-chan." She happily chirped, stepping aside so Mamoru could step into the room first.
Walking into the room, Mamoru felt his stomach nervously flutter seeing Usagi sitting up in the bed, her hair down, flowing around her in long golden waves. Noticing a small blue bundle lying in her arms, he felt his heart flutter at the sound of a soft fuss, a tiny hand peeking from the safety of the blanket. "Usako." He softly stated, ignoring the watchful gaze of her parents as he walked forwards wanting to be with the one he loved. "I'm sorry." He apologized as soon as he reached her side. Caressing her cheek, he leaned down pressing his lips against her in a soft, chaste kiss. "I wanted to be here, I'm-"
"I know, it's alright, Mamo-chan." Usagi gently responded as she pressed her fingers against his lips. Seeing the guilt and regret shining brightly in his gaze, she gently smiled as she tenderly caressed his cheek. "Hiro, had other plans for us today." She teased, watching him genuinely smile before chuckling.
"Yes, he did." Mamoru responded, missing the warmth of her hand as Usagi lowered her hand to gently tuck back the blanket revealing the tiny infant in her arms.
"He just fell asleep." Usagi stated, with a tired smile.
"He's perfect, Usako." Mamoru said with a small smile, watching the infant turn his face in search of the soft fabric of the blanket.
Tucking the blanket against his cheek once more, Usagi smiled watching her son soothe himself deeper into slumber as he found his source of comfort.
Watching the tender display between her daughter and Mamoru, Ikuko wondered how long the two had been together. 'I've missed out on so much.' She sadly thought with a pang of guilt. Glancing at her husband, she rested her hand against his arm, seeing he was struggling with the intimate moment the couple were openly sharing. "Mamoru-san, how are your studies going?" She curiously asked. "Are you no longer going to Harvard?"
"No, Tsukino-san." Mamoru politely responded. "I decided to stay in Tokyo for my studies."
"What about Harvard?" Kenji asked with surprise, shocked the young man had turned down such a prestigious honor.
"I have more important things here." Mamoru responded, with a small smile. "I can still get the same medical training at Keio." He explained, noticing Ikuko's understanding smile and Kenji's firm yet understanding nod.
"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm famished." Azumi announced with a smile. "Let's go to the cafe so I can make us something to eat. It will give Usagi and the baby some time to rest." She suggested, watching the group of teens nod in agreement.
"You don't have to leave, Azumi-oba." Usagi replied with a tired smile.
"You're exhausted, sweetheart, you need to get some rest." Azumi responded with a motherly smile then turned her attention towards Mamoru. "Would you like to join us at the cafe, Mamoru-san?"
"No, I'll stay with Usako." Mamoru responded, sitting on the edge of the bed next to Usagi. "I'll tend to the baby so you can rest." He stated, as he smiled over at Usagi to confirm the arrangement.
"You don't have to, Mamo-chan, he's my responsibility." Usagi insisted, then blushed as Mamoru tenderly caressed her cheek as he spoke.
"I know, and I've told you as long as we're together he will be my responsibility as well." Mamoru gently responded, watching tears shine in Usagi's eyes.
"He's right, Odango." Seiya responded with an encouraging smile as her friend tearfully looked at her. "We're all going to be here for you and the baby. He has five aunts who are ready to spoil him, you only have to tell us when you need a break."
"That's right." Minako happily concurred. "Though you may want to avoid having Taiki-chan watching him, we don't want little Hiro to become an obsessed bookworm." She said with a playful wink towards her scowling friend.
"What's so wrong with reading?" Taiki immediately scowled back, watching Minako immediately flip her golden locks behind her shoulder as she prepared to respond with a comeback.
"Enough, let's go before you two wake the baby." Azumi ushered with an exasperated sigh, gently laughing while ushering the teens from the room. "Usagi dear, I'm going to make some treats, do you have any requests?"
"Anything chocolate, Azumi-oba." Usagi pleaded, her mouth-watering at the thought of finally consuming chocolate without any unpleasant consequences. 'I can finally have sweets again.' She happily thought with an excited smile.
"Alright sweetheart, I will get you some treats and bring them when we return later this evening." Azumi promised, then turned her attention towards her sister. "Kuko-onee." She gently stated watching Ikuko immediately look at her. "Would you like to join us at the cafe for some dinner?"
"We need to find a hotel, then we'll be over." Kenji responded, watching Azumi smile and nod with understanding.
"I'll see you all later than." Azumi replied, then smiled at her niece once more. "Get some rest sweetie."
"I will, Azumi-oba." Usagi promised with a tired smile.
"I'll make sure she rests, Azumi-san." Mamoru assured, watching his girlfriend's aunt smile more, silently nodding her thanks.
Smiling at her friends as they waved and said their goodbyes, Usagi soon exchanged goodbyes with her family before they shortly departed after Azumi and her friends. Watching the door soon click shut, she was left to a soothing, comfortable silence as she rested back against her pillows, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Tiredly sighing, she smiled as Mamoru reached out and gently brushed his finger against Hiro's tiny fist which was tightly clenched around the blanket.
"Can- can I hold him?" Mamoru nervously asked, watching Usagi immediately smile and nod her head to the request.
"Of course, Mamo-chan." Usagi stated, smiling more as she watched Mamoru stand and carefully lift the tiny bundle from her arms. Silently watching Mamoru as he cradled Hiro against him, she felt her heart swell with love, watching as Mamoru carefully sat in a chair placed next to her bed.
"I'm sorry again, Usako." Mamoru guiltily stated, smiling as Hiro stirred slightly in his slumber, lifting his tiny hand to his face, small fingers soon finding their way into his mouth as he suckled his fingers in his sleep. Gently chuckling, he carefully tucked the blanket around the baby more, not wanting the infant to lose any warmth.
"Mamo-chan, you don't have to apologize." Usagi responded, watching her boyfriend look up at her. "You're here now, that's all that matters." She urged, happily exchanging smiles with Mamoru. "I love you, Mamo-chan."
"I love you too, Usako." Mamoru responded, then raised his brow to the blonde. "I believe your Azumi-oba gave you orders to get some rest." He teased, truly seeing the exhaustion that radiated from his girlfriend. "I'll watch him, he's safe with me." He assured, watching Usagi smile at his words.
"I know, Mamo-chan." Usagi tiredly responded, before stifling a yawn. "I won't sleep long." She promised, closing her eyes and getting as comfortable as she could. After a few moments, she easily gave in to her exhaustion, succumbing to a deep slumber.
Gently chuckling at how quickly the blonde had fallen asleep, Mamoru glanced down at the infant and smiled more, seeing blue eyes curiously looking up at him. "Hi there." He greeted the infant with a gentle chuckle. "It's nice to finally meet you, Hiro, I'm Mamoru." He said with a happy smile. "You'll be seeing a lot of me, your mama is so dear to me, I will always be here for you both." He promised, tears shining in his eyes as he felt Hiro's tiny hand grasp onto his finger. "Your mama is sleeping right now, so we need to try to stay quiet." He explained, smiling as a yawn suddenly escaped the tiny infant. "Are you still sleepy?" He asked with a soft chuckle. Feeling the small hand tighten briefly around his finger, he smiled down at the tiny bundle feeling a protective tug in his heart from the small fingers wrapped around him, seeking his touch. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Hiro, go back to sleep." He soothed while smiling down at the small infant in his arms.
(The Following Morning)
"You didn't have to stay the whole night, you could have stayed at my place and I would have stayed with Usagi." Azumi fussed, cuddling her great-nephew closer against her.
"It's fine, I wanted to stay." Mamoru responded, glancing towards the closed bathroom door where the nurse had ushered Usagi through after insisting she get out of bed and move around for a bit. Turning his head when hearing the sound of something fall, he worriedly glanced towards the door and watched Azumi glance towards the door as well.
"Will you hold the baby?" Azumi asked, gently handing Hiro to Mamoru before walking towards the door. Gently knocking on the door, she peeked in and smiled seeing her niece struggling to bend down to lift the small shampoo bottle she'd dropped. "Let me get that sweetie." She stated, glancing back at Mamoru with a reassuring smile before disappearing into the bathroom.
"I'm so sore, Azumi-oba." Usagi whimpered, tearfully smiling her thanks as she took the offered shampoo bottle.
"Don't worry, the pain will ease in time." Azumi reassured her niece, watching Usagi take the offered bottle. "As soon as you're done showering, I'm going to talk Mamoru-san into going downstairs to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Has he left your side since he arrived yesterday?" She curiously asked, smiling more when her niece silently shook her head with a small blush.
"No, Azumi-oba." Usagi said, with a shy smile. "He was up with me most of the night when Hiro would wake. He only stepped out of the room when I would breastfeed." She explained with a giggle.
"Do you need any help?" Azumi asked, watching her niece shake her head with a grateful smile.
"No, Azumi-oba, I'm almost done." Usagi responded with a grateful smile before speaking once more. "Thank you for helping with the shampoo."
"You're welcome dear if you need me, just let me know." Azumi insisted, before quietly turning and exiting the bathroom. Stepping back into the room, she stopped in the doorway and smiled as she silently stood and watched Mamoru gently rock Hiro in his arms as he tried to soothe the fussing infant.
"Is he hungry?" Asumi asked, walking towards the older teen.
"I think so." Mamoru said, with a soft blush, nervously chuckling when thinking about the night before when Usagi had lowered her hospital gown without thinking in her groggy state, exposing her breast to feed her crying son. He had been so surprised and startled by the action, he'd nearly face-planted onto the floor in his haste to leave the room and allow his girlfriend some privacy to feed the crying infant.
"I'll take him." Azumi gently stated, smiling her thanks as Mamoru placed the baby back into her arms. "Are you hungry, my sweet little Hiro?" She cooed, watching the infant fuss in response to her question. "Let's go tell your mama you're hungry." She stated, smiling as she heard the sound of the shower turning off. "Usagi, dear!" She called outside the bathroom door. "Someone is getting hungry and becoming very impatient." She announced, smiling as she heard the sound of the shower curtain sliding open, the door peeking open moments later.
"Let me see him, I'll feed him in here." Usagi said, her heart swelling with love while giving her son a sympathetic look as his pitiful cries began the moment he heard her voice. Stepping back as the door opened, she lowered the towel from one of her breasts, smiling her thanks as her aunt carefully placed Hiro into her awaiting arms. "My goodness, you were hungry." She cooed, giggling as her son immediately latched onto her breast and greedily began to suckle.
Tightening his grip on his briefcase, Zurui Akuma smirked as he lifted his ringing phone from his expensive suit pocket. "Kashikoi-san, thank you for returning my call. As promised, I've located the girl."
"What hospital, Zurui-san? When did she have the baby?" Mrs. Kashikoi immediately demanded.
"She delivered the baby yesterday at Kyoto Medical Center." Akuma calmly explained, then gently chuckled at her immediate response.
"I'll be there as soon as I can, I have every right to see the baby. I need-." Mrs. Kashikoi sternly stated, then angered at the lawyer's chuckle as he cut her off before she could speak.
"No, Kashikoi-san, I strongly advise you to stay away until we know the results of the paternity test." Akuma advised, then gripped his phone in annoyance as the woman began to immediately protest. "As I said before." He sternly stated, interrupting her once more. "Until we know for sure Ren-san is the father, you can not legally go near the baby without the mother's consent."
"If the baby is his?" Mrs. Kashikoi urged, smiling as the lawyer chuckled before calmly speaking.
"If the baby is your son's, and the blood test proves to be a positive match, I will begin the process of temporary custody if that is what you wish." Akuma responded with an amused smile.
"It is." Mrs. Kashikoi responded, gripping the phone tighter. "That little bitch took away my son. She deserves to know what it feels to have your child taken away." She sneered, stray tears streaking her cheeks. "She's far too young to be a mother, I fear for the baby's safety and well being." She added, gripping the phone tighter as she could hear the ding of an elevator in the background of the call. "Are you at the hospital now?"
"Yes, I'm issuing the paternity request to her now, she won't be able to refuse the blood test. It's a mandated blood test." Akuma explained, stepping off the elevator onto the maternity ward. "I'm here, I will know the results in two days, I've issued a rush on the test."
"Please let me know what you find out." Mrs. Kashikoi urged, then eased as the lawyer assured her he would. "Thank you Zurui-san, I look forward to your call."
"Goodbye, Kashikoi-san." Akuma stated, ending the call and placing the phone back into the pocket of his suit jacket. Stopping at the nurse's station, he smiled as he rested his briefcase on the counter and removed a judge's order and the request for lab work.
"Can I help you, sir?" The nurse asked, curiosity shining in her orange eyes as she looked at the sharply dressed middle-aged man.
"Yes, good morning, I'm Zurui Akuma." He greeted as he removed the paperwork from the briefcase as he continued to speak. "I'm a legal attorney and I'm here to speak with Tsukino Usagi in regards to a court-ordered request for paternity." He explained, watching the nurse turn and look at the charge nurse.
"What is this about, Mimete-san?" Eudial asked tucking some of her stray red strands of hair behind her ear as she walked towards the other nurse with short, wavy orange hair.
"This is Zurui-san, he's a lawyer. He needs to speak with one of our patients." Mimete explained, watching Eudial turn her full attention onto the lawyer as she spoke.
"Is our patient expecting you?" Eudial asked, watching the man smirk.
"No, I'm here for a blood sample. My client is requesting a paternity test, we need a blood sample from the infant." Akuma calmly responded.
"Viluy-san." Eudial stated, glancing over at the white-haired nurse. "Go to the labs and see if Cyprine-san or Ptilol-san is available to take a blood sample." She said, taking the court order and looking it over before turning her attention towards another nurse who was walking towards the station. "Tellu-san, have you checked on room 200, Tsukino-san?"
"Yes, did she need something?" Tellu asked, turning to go back to check on the young mother.
"No, did she have any visitors?" Eudial responded, sighing as she briefly glanced down at the two papers before glancing up as the nurse spoke.
"She has two visitors in her room." Tellu responded, eyeing the man that was standing at the nurse's station, a smug and arrogant smirk on his face.
"Tellu-san, I forgot to send this with Viluy-san, will you take this to the lab department?" Eudial requested watching the green-haired nurse smile as she took the form before turning and quietly walking down the hall once more.
"Do you want me to speak with Tsukino-san?" Mimete asked, watching the charge nurse frown and shake her head.
"No, I'll speak with her about this." Eudial said, glancing over at the sharply dressed man who was smugly watching them. "If you will follow me, I will show you to Tsukino-san." She stated, watching the lawyer lift his briefcase from the counter, nodding before silently following her.
Watching Eudial lead the way to the patient's room, Mimete wondered why she suddenly had an ominous feeling as she watched the two soon enter the young mother's room.
"Mimette-san." A masculine voice stated, snapping the nurse from her thoughts.
"Dr. Tomoe-san." Mimete stated, blushing slightly for getting caught staring off into space. "How can I help you, sir?"
"I'm going to be starting my morning rounds, have any of the patients had any complaints through the night?" He asked, sliding his glasses back up onto his nose.
"No sir, all the ladies assigned to our wing have had a restful night." Mimete responded with a smile, her attention turning when noticing Tellu and Viluy returning to the nurse's station.
"Where's Eudial-san?" Dr. Tomoe curiously asked, glancing around.
"She's escorting a guest to one of the patient's rooms." Mimete explained, watching the doctor nod and walk towards the small office located in the back of the nurse's station where the doctors could review the patient's stats and files before making their morning rounds.
Keeping his gaze out the window as Usagi finished feeding the baby on the bed, Mamoru blushed, faintly making out her reflection in the window. 'Keep your gaze out the window!' He chastised himself, only causing himself to blush more.
"Are you finally done." Usagi gently asked, watching as Hiro released his latch on her breast and turned his head away from her.
"I'll hold him, so you can get dressed." Azumi stated, walking forwards and taking the infant from her niece's arms. Turning her back to give her niece some privacy, she walked to the window, standing beside Mamoru as she looked out at the city with a smile. "Seiya-san and Minako-chan are planning to stop by this afternoon." She stated, with a smile.
"Azumi-oba, you didn't have to close the cafe. I'm sure mama, papa, and Shingo-san will be here soon." Usagi said with a soft sigh, as she placed the hospital gown on and returned to the bed. "It's not fair that your business is-"
"I'm here to support my family." Azumi immediately interrupted her niece. "Don't you worry, I will be opening the cafe again soon. It's been nice having a small break." She said with a small smile, enjoying the break of running her business. "I've needed some time off anyway." She said, smiling down lovingly as Hiro fussed.
"I'm done." Usagi responded, watching Azumi turn first, followed by Mamoru.
Walking back to the bed, she smiled as she rested her great-nephew into her niece's arms once more. "I'm sure your friends would much rather be here with you, then working at the cafe right now." She responded with a knowing smile.
::Knock Knock::
"Probably your parents." Azumi stated with a smile, then frowned as she watched the door open, a nurse and a nicely dressed man entering her niece's room. "Can I help you?" She asked, watching the man ignore her comment as he silently walked around the nurse and extended his hand out towards the paper the nurse was holding.
Taking the paper from the nurse, Akuma ignored her surprised look as he strode towards the blonde without any introduction."Tsukino-san?" The man asked, watching the blonde silently nod as she held a small blue bundle against her. "A boy?" He curiously asked, chuckling as the teen drew the infant closer against her, her voice small as she responded.
"Yes." Usagi softly spoke, glancing over as Mamoru quickly walked towards the bed, protectively standing beside her. "Who-"
"Allow me to introduce myself." The man abruptly interrupted the blonde as he extended his hand out giving the blonde the sheet of paper. "My name is Zurui Akuma, I'm an attorney who is representing Kashikoi Ren." He explained, watching the blonde immediately draw the baby closer against her refusing to take the paper.
"Why are you here?" Mamoru angrily demanded, watching the man give him a sideways glance before dismissing his question.
"Ren-san is requesting a paternity test." Akuma calmly explained, watching the woman standing on the opposite side of the bed step forward and wrench the paper from his grip.
"Everything has been arranged, the nurse has graciously begun the process of obtaining a blood sample." Akuma explained, motioning towards the nurse who was silently standing back.
"No." Usagi sternly stated, tears beginning to shine in her eyes. "You're not touching my son."
"You have no say in this, my dear." Akuma chuckled, watching tears beginning to streak the blonde's cheeks. "The form she's holding in her hand is a court order. There will be a blood sample collected and in two days my client will find out the results of the paternity test."
"Why?" Azumi sneered, angering as she read the court order. "Why does he want to know the baby's paternity?" She angrily demanded.
"That information is confidential between my client and myself." Akuma responded with an amused chuckle.
"I've already marked the father as unknown on the birth certificate." Usagi stated, her voice wavering as she spoke. "I'm not changing it, I'm not putting either of my rapists' names on the document." She said, taking a deep shaky breath before she spoke once more. "I'm not doing-"
"Actually you have no say in the matter." Akuma smugly interrupted the blonde. "If paternity does match with my client, then the birth certificate will be reissued with his name."
"No!" Usagi shouted, her shoulders shaking as tears streaked her cheeks. "I refuse!"
"Tsukino-san, unfortunately, we cannot deny him the blood sample." Eudial grimly stated, watching the teen look at her with pleading eyes. "I'm so sorry sweetie, our hands are tied on this matter." She responded, her heart breaking as the teen drew the small infant closer against her, her small frame shaking as a sob escaped her lips.
"Cry all you want." Akuma jeered, as he smirked. "This is going to happen regardless, my client deserves to know if this child is his son."
"Leave." Mamoru sneered, taking a threatening step forward.
"Not until I witness the blood sample being taken." Akuma responded with a smirk. "May I ask who you are?" He asked, eyeing the older teen.
"Chiba Mamoru, I'm Usagi's boyfriend." Mamoru responded, glancing over to see Azumi was sitting on the edge of the bed trying to console Usagi as she heartbrokenly cried.
"Why?" Usagi begged, looking up at the attorney with tear-streaked cheeks. "Why does he care if he's the father?" She angrily demanded, her stomach tightly twisting when the door opened and a young woman entered with blue hair.
"Good morning, I'm Cyprine." The young woman greeted carrying a small basket with supplies. "I was told I needed to obtain a blood sample?" She asked, turning her questioning gaze towards the charge nurse.
"Yes, the blood sample is for the infant." Eudial responded, watching the Cyprine immediately grimace.
"This is going to be tough to watch." Cyprine gently stated, turning her sympathetic gaze towards the young mother. "I need you to lie him down on the bed." She instructed watching the mother tearfully shake her head.
"Please." Usagi whimpered, stubbornly shaking her head. "Please, I'm begging you, don't do this." She pleaded to the smug attorney, who remained stoic and unphased by her pleads.
"I don't have all day, let's get this over with." Akuma snapped with a motion of his hand.
"Tsukino-san, please." Eudial gently stated, walking towards the young mother. "We'll be as gentle as possible."
"Yes, I'll be as quick and as gentle as I can." Cyprine promised, her heart breaking at the desperation in the young mother's pleading gaze.
"No!" Usagi sternly shouted, tightly closing her eyes as she tried to stay strong knowing she was already breaking her promise to keep her son safe and protected from harm.
"Usagi, sweetheart. We don't have a choice." Azumi gently stated, with a soft sigh of defeat. "Let's just get this over with." She urged, rubbing her nieces back to try and soothe her.
"No." Usagi softly stated, her voice almost a whisper. "I don't want to know, this wasn't supposed to happen." She whimpered, as tears continued to streak her cheeks.
"It doesn't matter who the father is." Azumi gently urged, watching her niece abruptly look at her with a desperate tear-filled gaze. "It doesn't matter, because if he is, he will never be allowed to see Hiro. We will make sure of it, I promise you, sweetheart."
Containing his smirk at the woman's empty promises to the teen, Akuma smiled as the teen released a defeated sigh before gently lowering the infant onto the bed. Patiently watching the nurse unswaddle the infant's arms, he watched the nurse gently take the baby's arm, gently pinning the infant's arm to the bed to prevent him from wiggling.
"Are you ready?" Eudial asked, watching Cyprine nod as she placed a tourniquet on the baby's arm and watched for the veins to appear atop of his hand.
Resting the sample tube atop of the bed, Cyprine felt her heart break as the young mother continued to plead and beg her. "I'm so sorry." She apologized again, removing the butterfly needle from the package. "I see a vein." She announced with a relieved smile. "This shouldn't take very long." She assured the distressed mother, noticing the woman seated beside the teen immediately wrapping her arm around the blonde's shoulder trying to soothe and ease the young mother.
"It's going to be alright, little guy." Eudial gently soothed, hearing the infant begin to fuss from his arm being pinned against the bed.
"Alright, big stick." Cyprine stated, flinching as the infant's pitiful pain-filled cries filled the room.
"Usagi, don't." Azumi urged, tightening her hold around her niece as she tried to spring forwards in response to the infant's pain-filled cries.
"Stop it, you're hurting him!" Usagi cried out, fresh tears streaking her cheeks. Watching with a broken heart as the small tube filled with her son's blood, she watched with agonizing anticipation as the tube was soon lowered back onto the bed and the needle carefully removed.
"All done, I'm so sorry sweetheart." Cyprine guiltily stated, as she wrapped the small infant's hand with gauze. Watching as the charge nurse carefully tuck the baby's arm into the safety of the blanket, she watched Eudial promptly hand the wailing infant back to his mother for comfort.
"I'm so sorry." Eudial sincerely stated, watching the teen carefully take the infant back into her protective embrace, immediately showering the infant with gentle kisses against his forehead and nuzzling his face as she gently spoke to him to try to ease him of his pitiful cries.
Surprised at how affectionate and competent the teen was towards handling the infant, Akuma tightened his jaw knowing the young mother's competency could potentially cause issues if the infant was his client's son. 'I'll need to be well prepared.' He thought, knowing he could easily find something to use against the teen if there should be a need for a case. "Thank you for your cooperation, would you like to know the results?"
"No." Usagi snapped, angrily glaring at the smug man who stood near the foot of the bed. "Get out of my room now and don't come back." She warned, angering when the attorney smirked at her warning.
"I'm done for now." Akuma responded with an amused chuckle. "I'll be in touch if the need should arise." He smirked as he lifted his briefcase and casually left the room. "After all, I will need both parents' signatures on the birth certificate." He taunted, watching the three immediately anger at his comment.
"Damn you." Azumi angrily snapped. "You've done enough, now leave!" She lashed out, angering more in response to the attorney's amused condescending chuckle as he exited the room.
(Later That Afternoon)
"You poor baby." Ikuko tearfully stated, carefully lifting her grandson's bruised hand and tenderly brushing her thumb against the dark bruise that marred his tiny hand. Gently placing a soft kiss against the dark bruise, she glanced over at her daughter who was finally sleeping after much reassurance that they would not allow Hiro to endure anything more.
"I don't understand." Kenji softly stated, shaking his head with frustration as he kept his gaze out the window. "Why?" He demanded. "Why does he want to know?"
"I don't know." Azumi sniffled, brushing a few stray tears away glancing at the court order they had been issued earlier that morning.
"He's not going to be permitted in the baby's life." Ikuko spat, immediately looking down as Hiro began to fuss. "Shh...little one, it's alright." She gently soothed. "Your sobo-san(grandmother) is here. I won't let them hurt you again." She promised, smiling as her grandson's tiny fingers wrapped around her finger in response to her words. "I love you so much, my little Hiro." She tearfully stated, her heart swelling with love for the tiny infant.
Smiling as her sister gently cooed at the tiny infant in her arms, Azumi watched as Mamoru tiredly yawned. Reaching into her pocket, she removed her car key from the keyring before walking forwards and handing the teen the keys. "Go to my place, go shower and get some rest." She instructed, then sternly raised her brow in a motherly fashion as Mamoru was about to protest.
"Alright." Mamoru reluctantly agreed, sighing out in frustration, knowing better than to argue with Azumi. "I won't be long, I'll-"
"You're exhausted, let us watch over Usagi and Hiro while you rest." Azumi interrupted, smiling as she rested her hand against his shoulder. "She should be going home tomorrow morning, she's going to need you well-rested, if you intend to drive her and the baby home." She stated, watching Mamoru smile at her words.
"Thank you, Azumi-san." Mamoru stated, watching the young woman smile at his words.
"Go now, go get some rest." Azumi ushered, smiling as Mamoru complied as he silently stood and stretched. Watching him lean down and place a gentle kiss atop of Usagi's head, she smiled at the tender moment, as he affectionately tucked some stray strand of hair behind her ear before reluctantly turning away from the bed. "Don't worry, I'll tell her you went to my place to rest." She explained, watching Mamoru ease more as he smiled his thanks.
Watching him silently leave the room, Azumi waited until the door shut before sitting in the chair he had been occupying. "I have a feeling he's the one." She said with a gentle smile. "The love between them is so pure and-"
"She's too young." Kenji immediately responded, not seeing Azumi smile, and playfully rolling her eyes at his comment.
"Oh, Kenji-san, if I can remember correctly, you were nineteen and my sister was barely seventeen when you two started dating." Azumi stated, smiling more as her brother-in-law immediately shifted at the comment.
"How old is Mamoru-san?" Shingo curiously asked, glancing up as his aunt spoke.
"He turned nineteen in August." Azumi answered, glancing towards Kenji who still had his back turned towards them with a small smile. "Same age as your papa when he met your mama."
Sighing at the comment, Kenji knew it was a losing battle to try to debate the issue with his sister-in-law. "She's been through so much, Azumi-chan, is it wise to allow her to see this young man?" He stated instead, turning and looking at his sister-in-law with worry.
"He is the perfect gentleman when they're together." Azumi responded, suspecting Kenji's initial worries were about intimacy between the young couple. "I never leave them alone and Usagi has to leave her bedroom door cracked open when he's in her room."
"You allow them to be alone in her room?" Kenji demanded, appalled at the thought of his baby being alone with the young man.
"Kenji-san, they're not doing anything." Azumi laughed with a wave of her hand, dismissing Kenji's panicked question.
"I just don't want another grandchild in the near future." Kenji muttered with an exasperated sigh, as he walked to where his wife was sitting with their grandson. "This little guy didn't have a choice, the next one, well, he or she better be the result of marriage." He stated, watching his wife smile and nod in agreement.
"I agree." Ikuko softly stated, smiling as Hiro began to fuss as he rubbed his face. "Go see your sofu-san(grandfather)." She gently stated, watching her husband smile as he took the small infant into his arms. "I'm going to go walk to the breakroom and get some tea."
"I'll join you, onee-chan." Azumi said, glancing over at Shingo and Kenji. "Do either of you want anything?"
"I'll have juice, please." Shingo responded, watching his aunt smile and nod her head.
"I'll take a coffee, thanks." Kenji responded, gently rocking his grandson as he began to fuss more. "Shhh...sofu-san is here. Close your eyes and rest." He soothed, gently bouncing the small infant as he walked around the room trying to ease the fussy infant into slumber.
Watching his wife and Azumi soon exit the room, Kenji smiled as he glanced over at his son. "Do you want to hold him?"
"I will after he's done with his nap." Shingo responded, watching his father smile and nod. "Papa." He quietly asked, watching his father look up at him in response. "Is onee-chan coming back home with us?" He worriedly asked, briefly glancing towards his slumbering sister.
"I don't know son." Kenji responded with a soft sigh. "She's made a life for herself here, she has so many friends who support her and she's been such a help at the cafe with your oba-san. I'm not sure if-"
"I miss her papa." Shingo interrupted, his voice soft, tears shining in his eyes. "I want onee-chan back home."
"I know son, so do I." Kenji stated, with a sympathetic smile, understanding wholeheartedly how his son was feeling. "I want her home too." He said with a soft sigh, then glanced down and smiled noticing Hiro had fallen asleep in his arms. 'I don't want to say goodbye to either of them.' He sadly thought, wishing he could see and spend more time with his grandson.
"So I've been thinking." Azumi stated, glancing over at her sister as she prepared Kenji's coffee. "Since Usagi is wanting to stay longer in Kyoto with me, I'm going to enroll her in a driver's education class." She suggested, watching her sister immediately look at her. "She already has the money saved up for a downpayment for a car. This way she will have transportation for her and the baby." She explained, then smiled. "I'm also going to have a stipulation."
"What's that?" Ikuko curiously asked, her heart panging at the thought of having to leave her daughter and grandson behind within a few short days.
"If I allow her to get a vehicle, she has to make at least two-weekend trips into Tokyo every month so she can visit you." Azumi explained, smiling more as her sister looked at her with surprise. "You haven't seen your daughter in months, Kuko-onee, and I know it was due to the tension of the baby." She said with a sad smile. "I'm hoping the weekend visits will start easing her into the thought of returning home. I love having her here with me, but she needs to be home with you Kuko-onee. She needs to be back home with her family."
"Thank you, Zumi-onee." Ikuko stated, abruptly embracing her sister as tears streaked her cheeks. "I would like that, please let me know if you need anything for Usagi. We'll do whatever we need to try to get her back home with us sooner."
Smiling at her sister's words, Azumi tightened her embrace around her sister when hearing her soft sniffles. "She's progressed so beautifully since she's moved to Kyoto. The wall she built around her has finally given way, it's nice hearing her laugh and watching her smile with her friends. She was so withdrawn and broken when she first arrived, seeing her like that broke my heart." She said as tears shone in her own eyes.
"She is happy here." Ikuko tearfully agreed, tightly closing her eyes, her heartbreaking a little more at the realization of her sister's words. "She can't come back home." She tearfully stated, a soft sob escaping her lips.
"What?" Azumi asked, shocked by her sister's sudden comment. "What do you mean? I thought you wanted this?"
"I do, but I agree with you, she's much happier here. Her friends are so wonderful and supportive, I- I can't make Usagi leave this life she's built for herself here." Ikuko tearfully explained, knowing if her daughter returned to Tokyo there would be a chance of her slipping back into her depressed state. "I agree with the monthly visits, but she needs to stay here in Kyoto. She needs to be with her new friends, surrounded by their love and support. She needs Mamoru-san in her life, I didn't know if she would ever open her heart to a man after what happened to her." She said, a sad smile spreading across her lips. "I'm glad she has him, he seems to want to be a part of this baby's life and that makes me want to support their relationship much more. I know he makes her happy and I see how much he loves my daughter when he looks at her."
"They love each other so much." Azumi assured her sister as she stepped back from her embrace. "Are you sure about this, Ikuko-onee?"
"Yes, I'll permit Usagi-san to stay here as long as she needs to." Ikuko responded with a tearful smile. "I just- it's going to be so hard having to say goodbye to both of them." She softly stated, not wanting to leave her daughter and grandson behind.
"I know, onee-chan." Azumi responded, resting her hand against her sister's arm. "You know she'll be safe here, I-"
"I know." Ikuko interrupted, brushing a few stray tears away. "It just doesn't make it any easier when it's time to say goodbye." She tearfully admitted.
To Be Continued...
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, I've already begun the next chapter so hopefully, it will be posted sometime next week. In the meantime, let me know what you thought of the chapter. Who do you think the father will be, Kazan or Ren?
*Note: I found mixed results on how paternity blood tests are taken. For the sake of the story, this is how it's going to be, same with the results and any other events that may occur in the near future. Please just go with it, for the sake of the story. Thanks so much! :)
Thanks again for your reviews/likes/favorites/follows! These all mean so much and keeps me motivated to keep writing!
-ShadowQueenGalactica