Chapter 12: Protective

That night after the baby's rescue was rather tiring for Agent 3. She didn't blame 8 for what had happened as her friend had done everything she could to protect the baby, but Octavio had surprised her. And then going in with everyone to save Saki.

The baby had already drunk her milk, having two bottles that night, before falling asleep, but the Inkling couldn't sleep, instead staying up to do a bit of paperwork until she felt a headache starting. Going over to her daughter, she picked her up and lay down on the bed, the baby next to her while she made sure her ink gun was beside her, ready to grab if someone with ill intentions knocked down the door.

She closed her eyes and surprisingly fell asleep, waking up a few hours later when Saki began crying. She sat up in bed and held her baby close, rocking her gently. "Mommy's here, sweetie," she cooed softly. "Shh. No monster's going to get you with me here."

The baby calmed down a little, snuggling into her mother's arms, but still whimpering a little. Agent 3 went over to the crib and found the dog that played music and gave him to her daughter, pressing the paw that played the music.

A soothing melody filled the room and the baby stopped whimpering, settling down and resting her head on her mother's chest, listening to her heartbeat, which further soothed her and she fell fast asleep. Her mother followed suit not long after.

Cuttlefish was at his boat and he saw all were there save for Agent 3, but he knew why she wasn't there. "Alright, listen up," he said. "We're going to teach that Octopus a lesson for kidnapping our little Saki."

Agent 4 picked up his gun. "Just say the word, Captain, and we'll make them wish they had stayed in bed," he said.

Agent 8 looked down, feeling very guilty still that Saki had been kidnapped on her watch. Pearl noticed and placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "8, it's not your fault," she said gently.

"But it is," the red-haired Octoling said softly. "I shouldn't have let him kidnap Saki."

"Honey, you didn't let him kidnap her," Marina said. "You stood up to him and tried to keep him from getting Saki. You did the best you could."

"But she still got kidnapped," 8 said, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yumi's never going to trust me to watch Saki again, not that I blame her."

"Hey, whoa," said Marie, feeling very concerned. "8, did she tell you that it was your fault?

She asked this gently and the girl shook her head. "Then Yumi doesn't blame you," the singer continued. "It could have happened if any of us had been watching Saki. Octavio would have gone after anyone all the same to kidnap the baby."

"Even me," said Cuttlefish, looking at the red-haired Octoling he had trained. "8, don't let what happened get you down. You fought back with all you had to protect Saki, just as any of us would have done."

"But you guys wouldn't have let her get kidnapped like I did," 8 said sadly.

Callie had been quiet the whole time and finally stood up. "Maybe you should go talk to Yumi," she said gently, her voice and demeanor uncharacteristically somber. "It's not good for you to feel this guilty."

"I agree with Callie," said Pearl with a nod. "Yumi is a lot of things, but she doesn't hold a grudge and she certainly wouldn't blame you for something that was beyond your control."

Cuttlefish nodded in agreement. "8, why don't you go talk to Yumi?" He suggested. "The rest of us will work on the mission plan and we'll head out when you get back."

Nodding, the girl headed out, dreading the moment that she'd talk to Agent 3, but she knew her friends were right. The green Inkling wasn't one to hole a grudge, but that still didn't ease the red-haired Octoling's guilt over the baby being kidnapped while she had been watching her.

Taking a deep breath, she continued on her way and soon made it to her friend's house. She knocked politely on the door and Agent 3 opened it up moments later. "8," she said in greeting, her voice soft but tired.

That made the Octoling feel guilty all over again and tears built up in her eyes. "Oh, Yumi," she said, her tears spilling over and down her face.

Seeing this, Agent 3 pulled her friend into a hug and guided her inside. "8, what's wrong?" She asked gently. "Did you have a bad dream last night?"

Agent 8 shook her head. "No, but...oh, Yumi, how can you ever forgive me for letting Saki get kidnapped?" She asked, feeling her throat get tight as she tried not to whimper. "I should have been watching her more closely and I should have stopped Octavio from taking her."

The green Inkling could see that her friend was not only feeling guilty about that, but was also blaming herself for not doing more. "8," she said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Did you let him in and tell him he could take Saki?"

"No," the Octoling said softly.

"Did you welcome him in?"

"No," came the soft reply.

"Did you kiss him back when he kissed you?"

8 made a disgusted face at that. "No," she said a bit more firmly.

"Did you try to stop him from taking Saki?"

"Yes," she said. "But...I failed."

Agent 3 pulled her into a hug. "You didn't fail, 8," she said. "You protected Saki with all that you had. The rest of us didn't know that the other Octolings were planning an ambush and we didn't know Octavio would pull such a stupid move."

She gently let her friend go and lifted up 8's chin with a gentle hand to look at her. "Octavio is powerful and dangerous, 8, and it's not wise to take him on alone," she continued gently. "But you bravely did, because you were protecting Saki."

The baby, having been watching them while playing with one of her toys, now crawled over to her mother and aunt, holding up her arms to her aunt, who looked surprised. Smiling, Agent 3 picked up her daughter and placed her in her friend's lap. "See? Even Saki knows that you did your best to protect her and she still loves you."

"Auntie," Saki said with a giggle.

Agent 8 felt more tears sting her eyes as she gently hugged the baby. "Oh, Saki," she said softly. "Auntie's sorry she couldn't have stopped that mean old octopus."

Saki reached up and gently patted her aunt's face before resting her head on her aunt's chest, arms outstretched as if trying to hug her. Agent 3 smiled.

"See?" She said. "And 8, just because Saki was kidnapped doesn't mean I won't trust you anymore. You're one of my dearest friends and I know you have my back and you're protective of Saki as I am."

The red-haired Octoling sniffled. "I won't let anyone kidnap her again," she said.

"You didn't in the first place," 3 pointed out gently. "And you went in to help save Saki. You didn't give up."

3's words hit 8 hard and she looked at her before looking back at the baby and saw her smile. The last bit of guilt she felt vanished as she looked at the baby.

"You really are special, Saki," she said softly.

"And you're special to her, 8," Agent 3 said. "You're her hero just like me, Cuttlefish, Pearl, 4, Callie, Marina, and Marie."

"She's right," said Marina, who had come by to check on them. She smiled. "Besides, something tells me Saki won't let her auntie leave the family so easily."

Agent 8 chuckled. "I don't think I ever could," she said, seeing the baby had fallen asleep on her and seeing 3 was looking a bit more tired. "Yumi, why don't you get some rest and I'll watch over Saki?" She suggested and then turned to the teal Octoling. "Marina, would you tell the Captain that I'll be watching Saki for a bit?"

"Of course," said the singer, smiling as she headed out.

Agent 3 nodded. "I could use a small nap," she admitted. "Thanks, 8. Just so you know, I never once blamed you for Saki being kidnapped. And I never will blame you for it."

The red-haired Octoling smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Yumi," she said, feeling better as the guilt that had plagued her finally went away, thanks to her understanding friend and the love of a small baby.

Next up: we get the whole gang coming together to show that they're there for Agent 3 and Saki.

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