Hello! Here is the second chapter before I leave you for a month.
This has been beta'd by bleeding-roses-16 so enjoy!
That day was the first and last day that I ever drunk by myself. The reality of my situation never really sunk in until much later. So much could have gone wrong if Maki hadn't been kind and generous enough to make sure I was fine after leaving the bar. I knew that she hadn't helped me from the bottom of her heart, but she was desperate enough to help a stranger and hope they could repay her in some way that would both guarantee the safety of her and her unborn child.
That need to protect your child and ensure they would have a good life with them in it, was something only a mother would understand and it was also something I understood myself.
And taking such a huge gamble like that? Well that was something I could admire about her and I am certain that if I were in Maki's position I would have done no less for the life of my child and for the joy of watching them grow, something that most consider almost scared.
Excerpt from the memoirs of Akiko Hatake nee Reko
Page 130
x
Maki doesn't take long before returning with Akiko's bag. She's eager to see the birth of her child, that nervous energy was something that Akiko herself experienced and is something that she is glad Maki can feel it too.
Once Akiko has her hands on her bag, the first thing she does is go straight to the herbs to get rid of her hangover headache. She pulls put two things, one folded package and a small vile with a yellow liquid.
"Could I get a cold cup of water?" Akiko asks politely, she is under no illusions that Maki is helping her out of the kindness of her heart. Said woman nods and quickly leaves the room.
Akiko turns her attention back to the folded package, she opens it to double check that it is indeed white willow bark. And it is, the white willow bark along with the vile of turmeric extract would negate the headache and the nausea she would feel if she ate anything.
Maki comes back into the room and hands Akiko the cup of water. Smiling gratefully at the woman, Akiko looks around the room for a place to put the cup.
The room has a homely feel, there is a painting of two people who look deeply in love and the woman in the painting is the same woman who is seated next to her.
(Akiko doesn't know what happened to the man in the painting but she knows not to ask Maki, it would be painful.)
There is a vase sitting on a small stand, in the right corner of the room, with freshly clipped flowers that have a variety of yellows and orange petal. To Akiko's left there is a tiny window with no curtains and just below the sill is a small desk that looks cluttered with papers.
It's an ideal spot where Akiko can mix the herbs into the water and get straight on helping Maki.
Akiko stands and walks with shaky legs to the table, pulling out the chair before she sits. Laying out the wrapped willow bark, Akiko swiftly opens it, breaks off a few small pieces and drops then into the water. Re-wrapping the willow, Akiko turns her attention to the turmeric. Six drops are added and the cup is gently swirled, the yellow colour spreads and encompasses the water.
'This is not going to taste nice.' Akiko thinks to herself in apprehension as she stares down the concoction. Steeling herself, Akiko lifts it to her lips and drinks.
The bitter taste is all she can think of and it takes everything she has not to gag from its strength and spit it back out. When Akiko feels the bark collecting at her teeth, she knows that she is near the concentrated part.
The next few swallows are beyond bitter, almost vomit worthy but it is over in a few seconds. Akiko can feel the medicine flowing down her oesophagus and she shivers at the feeling.
'I hate that.' The after taste of the spice is something she can live with. The strength of the taste is enough to send her headache running and for Akiko to focus on what is coming next.
Maki is sitting on the bed silently, her eyes focused on every movement that Akiko makes, the intensity of her stare causes Akiko's hair on the back of her neck to stand on end.
Akiko clears her throat before speaking.
"Maki, Can I get you to sit here please?" Akiko stands and gestures to the chair she just vacated. Maki stands as quickly as a pregnant woman can and sits down with such grace that surprised Akiko, especially for someone almost due.
(She was certainly never that graceful when she was pregnant!)
Akiko retrieves her acupuncture set from her bag resting at the base of the table. She spreads it out in front of Maki and hears her breath hitch at the sight of the long needles.
Like a good doctor, Akiko starts to explain what is happening.
"On the top of your head is a pressure point that forces the baby to shift from the position...it is in now to the proper position for birth, but you are going to need to take the day off, relax for a bit and sleep. Either by late afternoon today or tomorrow the baby will have shifted position and then you have a much higher chance of surviving the birth." Akiko explains with practiced professionalism.
"O-okay. Please begin." Akiko can tell Maki is scared from the tremor of fear in her voice. Akiko gently rubs the centre of her head with a finger while taking one of the long needles out of its hold.
Akiko gently eases the needle in, twisting as she goes. Once done, she rummages through her bag for some spare paper. Finding a piece, Akiko rolls it up and uses her two pieces of flint to set it afire. Using the heat from the flame, she warms the tip of the needle taking extra care not to set the temperature too high.
Once the length of the paper had been almost completely burned, with parts of the burnt paper lying on Maki's black hair, Akiko gingerly removes the needle and places back in the leather pouch from where it came.
"Now you need to sleep it off and give time for the baby to change position." Akiko tells the woman and directs her to the bed from which Akiko woke. Returning to her bag, Akiko takes out another small vile of liquid, this time with a greenish tinge to it.
Akiko empties the cup still lying on the table of the white willow bark and rinses it of the turmeric before she pours approximately thirty drops in to her used cup before filling it with water from her water skin.
She takes the cup to the expectant mother on the bed who look at the cup with a wariness that Akiko approves of.
"This is extract of the passionflower which will induce sleep for a few hours and give time for your baby to change positions." Akiko speaks softly, her tone reassuring. Maki looks at Akiko once more before snatching the sedative and drinks it one go.
"How long will it take to work?" Maki asks as she resettles herself on the bed while handing the cup back to Akiko.
"About an hour." Akiko answers promptly.
"Right." Maki says, her tone leaking scepticism as she closed her eyes and prepared for sleep.
"I'll stay nearby and keep an eye on you? Alright?" Akiko asks, suddenly unsure with herself. Technically Maki hadn't given Akiko permission to wander the house and explore to her hearts content and there was the fact that she didn't know if there was anyone else living with Maki. Akiko didn't want to randomly intrude on someone in this place and gave a bad first impression.
"Right. I'm going to go and check the kitchen." Akiko speaks once more when it is clear that her previous question is unanswered and considering the faint snoring, Maki wouldn't mind if Akiko just explored a bit. Would she?
x
Just like the small room Akiko had woken up in, the rest of the small house has that homely feeling, that same feeling she would in her own home if she finds her ache and at times, in some of the rooms the warm feeling of the house makes Akiko feel like an intruder in a very private moment.
Akiko also stumbled on nursery that looked complete and at the same time there was the lingering emotion of sorrow and grief. Her brows furrow as the question of the where a bouts of father of Maki's baby is comes back to mind except with a more saddening answer than him just leaving.
The room is painted in the warm colours of yellow and orange with a small cot standing off the side, toys litter the floor but are covered in a thin layer of dust. There are more paintings of the pair and some of them have a third member, an older woman. Others have scenery instead of people.
Akiko doesn't spend long in the room and with a quiet sigh, she leaves the nursery and slides the screen door behind her.
(It is not her place to judge or see.)
x
Walking back to check on Maki, Akiko passes by what she assumes to be the front door which happens to open unexpectedly. Leaving her staring at the familiar face of an old woman who also stares back at Akiko with surprise, which quickly morphs into suspicion.
'This is not going to be fun.' Is the first thought that goes through Akiko's mind when she sees the narrow eyed stare.
x
"What have you done to my daughter?!" Is the first thing that comes out of the old woman's mouth upon seeing Maki's sleeping form. Her eyes are a hard green, steeled with surprising hate and not so surprising suspicion.
Akiko is taken aback by the blatant accusation in the woman's tone, enough so that it take her a few more seconds to even form a coherent reply.
"She's just asleep!" Akiko replies defensively, hoping that it would be enough to deter the old menace.
"I asked what you did to her! Not what she is doing!" The old...she-monster snaps at Akiko, uncaring of how loud her voice is.
"I gave her some herbs to help her sleep!" Akiko snaps back, her shock turning into indignation and anger just as fast.
"Oh! So you poisoned her!" the she-monster says loudly while taking a few steps forward.
(Akiko doesn't admit it, but this woman terrifies her.)
"I did not! I only did what she asked!" Akiko is now matching the strength, anger and loudness of the old woman.
"Oh, and what did she ask?!" The woman is now shouting above Akiko, her eyes cold and face stiff.
"TO FIX THE POSITION OF HER DAMN BABY!" Akiko's extra loud declaration cuts off what the woman was going to say, her mouth opens and closes but nothing comes out. This impromptu shouting match has Akiko panting from the effort and emotions.
"T-t-to fix the p-p-position of her b-b-baby?" She stutters, all fight drained from her body. She is stunned by the shout but more by the implications of what Akiko had said.
"Yes." Akiko nods and sighs. There isn't a place to sit to offer to the woman, who Akiko is certain is Maki's mother, and so she stands there awkwardly.
"Can you?" There is that same tentative hope aimed at her, just like Maki and just as her daughter, the woman has the same glean of suspicion under all that hope.
"I have treated her and hopefully either by the time Maki wakes or tomorrow morning, the baby will have shifted to the proper birthing position." Akiko explains gently while avoiding calling the baby an 'it', an extra precaution in case the woman goes off again.
"I see." The woman releases a sigh before turning away and gesturing Akiko to follow.
"You can explain the details in the Kitchen. I'm Isamu, Maki's mother." The she-... Isamu directs as she leaves the room.
Akiko casts a cursory glance at the sleeping form of Maki, who hadn't moved an inch during the loud shouting match between Akiko and her mother, as testament to who tired she must be from working while pregnant, and for that Akiko is very glad. It also shows that the passionflower is doing its job in keeping the woman asleep which also makes Akiko happy.
Once everything seems in-order Akiko leaves with a sigh and follows after the footsteps of Isamu.
"Hurry up! I'm not getting any younger here!" Isamu crows from the kitchen. Akiko clenches her jaw before taking a breath and continuing to make her way there, being deliberately slow in doing so.
x
"So you're helping my daughter from the goodness of your heart? I don't buy it" Isamu snorted, cynically amused by the explanation that Akiko had given.
Akiko sighed, that was not exactly what she had said but apparently it all that Isamu took from her explanation.
"Your daughter helped me first, I'm just returning the favour." Akiko simplified through grit teeth, this woman was really starting to annoy her.
"Oh? And just what did she help you with? Hm? Saving you from being raped by men?" Isamu snaps at Akiko coldly. Akiko reels back from the frontal attack as the woman says what could of happened, something she had avoided thinking about until now.
"That was your own fault! You were the one drinking and you were the one wandering the streets like a drunk. Now if my daughter doesn't wake up tomorrow or the baby doesn't change position I am going to call the city guards on you and have you locked up for lying and killing innocents." Isamu threatened and Akiko knew that this woman would keep her word.
"Fine. Til tomorrow." Akiko agrees to her terms with tense words, it wasn't like she could do anything else.
"Here is the address to the place, make sure you don't leave the city." Isamu hands Akiko a slip of paper, she doesn't read it, she's too proud to even look at the paper until either the woman is out of sight or Akiko is elsewhere.
With the paper tightly clenched in her hand, Akiko turns heel and grabs some money from her bag in Maki's room and leaves through the front door.
x
Akiko looked at the sky but couldn't see the sun since it was blocked by the other buildings surrounding the area. The streets weren't deserted but it was close.
Still fuming from her fight with Isamu, Akiko turns right and just walks down the street with no destination.
'That woman! That no-good arrogant bitch! How dare she threaten me with the city guards! I could leave and be gone without a trace and then how would you find me? Huh?!' Akiko thinks in fury which quickly deflates as she does understand the source of Isamu's anger.
'Isamu is Maki's mother and seeing her there and not waking up would put any mother into panicking. And what she said about it being my fault is also true. I did go to that bar and I did get drunk there. It's hard to get angry at someone when you understand why.' Her thoughts reason out as the furious pace of her walk slows down to a dawdle.
'Not only that, but my own conscious wouldn't let me leave.' Her own personal moral code made itself clear.
Akiko releases a heavy sigh before picking up the pace as she heads in the direction, she hopes will lead her to main shops and maybe some new clothes.
'I'll just have to wait until Maki wakes up.' Resigned to this thought, Akiko moves on.
x
Throughout her walk to what Akiko assumed is the city center, she could see a wall rising in the far reaches of her vision.
Akiko had seen the large gates and had known that this city has a stone wall surrounding it but for some reason, even though knowing this it does nothing to stop the feeling of being caged. It is a feeling she definitely didn't like, with that in mind Akiko decides not to stay too long in the city, planning to leave in a week rather than stay her usual month.
Arriving at a larger street, Akiko can see more shops and open bars signalling that she had indeed arrived at the main street. The air wasn't as fresh as the woods she had traveled, something that she noticed acutely. While a small detail it impacted her entire view about the place.
Akiko moves past the open bars in search for a clothing shop or stall, she does want another set of clothes similar to the current ones she's wearing and sturdy enough to last through months of sun and general travel wear and tear and she had given one of her extra sets to Kakashi.
It doesn't take long for Akiko to find a street vendor selling what she is looking for, there are clothes lined on a rack under a portable cover. The vendor is a man wearing what looks to be fine clothing but Akiko doubts it is.
She chooses a longs sleeve shirt that is a size too big, pants that require a small length of rope to keep them up and a nice red wool scarf. Akiko can feel the man's eyes on her back and doesn't flinch when she turns to meet his gaze.
On cue, a sleazy grin crawls on to his face made worse by his greasy hair. An uncomfortable pit forms in her stomach from his expression.
'I hate men like this. Going after people's money like a shark after blood.' She thinks to herself as she forces a polite smile.
"Ah! I see you've gone for the farmer's range and that's a fine scarf you've chosen. For the two it'll be 2000¥" The vendor says as he deliberately looks her up and down. Akiko's smile stiffens as the small pit becomes a ball of lead.
'Over pricing things too.'
"The shirt and pants are not worth that. 1500¥" Akiko snaps back immediately, her sense of excitement taking over.
"1750¥" The man snaps back instantly, his face souring.
"1450" Akiko returns with more vigor
"1550" The vendor's face starts to turn red, Akiko resists the urge to giggle.
"1150"
"1250" He says and Akiko grins.
"Deal." Akiko smiles as she hands over the amount agreed and swaggers out of the stall.
'I love bartering' Akiko thinks with a grin.
x
The smell of food wafted in Akiko's direction causing her stomach to grumble in response. She didn't know what time it was, but her stomach just said it was time for food. Any excuse for not returning to Maki's house was a good one.
(Even though it makes her feel like a small child avoiding her mother's wrath.)
Akiko enters the nearest noodle shop and sits at a small table in the centre of the room, while it might be awkward to be sitting alone, there are a few benefits to her situation. Such as listening on conversations and keeping track of the general world and the atmosphere in this town.
A waiter comes and she orders beef noodle soup, something that will take time arrive and eat. Something she has in excess at this very moment.
x
There is some trouble finding her way back to Maki's house, after her long meal of a few hours, mainly because every house and alleyway look exactly the same. Akiko is definitely not going to miss this place when she leaves.
But there are few kind people willing to help her out, no doubt to be the first ones to have new gossip to chat about to their neighbors if the excited gleam in their eyes is anything to tell.
The small wooden door looms before and Akiko dreads to return, if only to avoid Isamu. Taking one more deep steadying breath, Akiko knocks on the door and waits.
She can hear the sound of footsteps pounding on the floor as someone rushes to the door. Said door is violently wrenched open and suddenly there is a mass of black and grey hair in her sight, a sobbing Maki and from the doorway, a teary eyed and grateful Isamu.
Akiko stiffly raises her arms and gently pats the crying woman on the back, so very lost with what is happening.
Maki raises her head and grins despite the crying.
"Thank you for helping me and my baby!" Maki thanks her again, Akiko has a vague idea as to why but what has caught her attention other than the crying Maki or the smiling Isamu is the crowd the group are starting to gather.
Akiko can see open windows and door and it makes her uncomfortable. She would rather prefer it if she would remain anonymous for the rest of her life.
"Why don't we talk about this inside?" Akiko asks in Maki's ear. She nods tearfully and walks back inside the house.
Akiko hurriedly follows and when she passes Isamu, the older woman just grins with her teeth.
x
Akiko is seated at a small dining table with Maki opposite her and Isamu on her right.
The atmosphere is a mix between Akiko's confusion and apprehension and the happiness of Maki and Isamu.
"I have to apologize for my earlier actions." Isamu admits quietly, looking down at the table.
"You have nothing to apologize for. I understand the fear you had felt when you saw Maki and was unable to awaken her." Akiko refuses the apology, because in the same situation but in Isamu's shoes, she would have done the same there and in this time period, it was natural to be suspicious of unknown people.
The woman sighs at Akiko's words.
"You may understand but I still apologize. I was overly harsh with you and for that I am sorry." Isamu says while looking Akiko in the eyes.
"In that case, I accept." Akiko smiles at the woman who is much like herself when her own children had been threatened.
"And I have to thank you as well. Though you could have refused to help, I am eternally grateful that you did. Thank you Akiko" Maki stands and bows. Akiko rushes out of her seat and to Maki, urging her to retake her seat.
"You shouldn't do that in your condition! You're already so close to labour." Akiko chastises the woman who smiles back sheepishly.
"Akiko is right, you shouldn't even be working!" Isamu agrees with Akiko and joins forces in getting the woman to stop all strenuous activity.
"Alright! Alright! I'm go back to bed" Maki surrenders and waddles out of the room.
"That girl is going to be the death of me one day." Isamu mutters softly under her breath but Akiko could hear it and the unmistakable love and fondness in her words. Akiko grins to herself when a worrying thought comes to her.
"Do you have a midwife ready?" Akiko asks concerned, she remembered the pregnant women leaving the village earlier yesterday. She didn't know if they had one.
"Ha! I don't have a midwife, I am the midwife!" Isamu crows at Akiko with a grin that looks almost shark-like.
"So don't worry at all! I've delivered more babes than years you were alive!" Isamu continues, Akiko can only contribute her giddiness to the success of her procedure and with that woman so happy it makes her want to leave the town faster.
'Maybe tomorrow I'll get out of this place.' Akiko thinks as she grins back shakily at the woman who looked to be doing a...jig around the table.
'Or make that this afternoon.' Akiko's grin starts to feel uncomfortable as the woman continues to…dance.
x
While Akiko didn't leave that afternoon, she did stay long enough to witness and assist in the birth of Maki's son, Kei, who was born head first and screaming with his strong little lungs.
A birthing, while being utterly painful for the mother, was closer to disgusting to the outsider or someone not a midwife. A strong stomach was needed, and it was something she barely got through. Though it did provide insight for the other side of giving birth, now she understood why sometimes men fainted.
Akiko had left with the blessing and invitation to visit should she be in the area and Akiko assured that she would do so. Not only had she left with the blessings of her new friends but also a new hat, this time rimmed with red string on the outer edges and a place strip of cloth to keep her new straw hat in place.
x
Akiko once more walked down the road that she had arrived on, the gates behind her and the sun ahead.
'Perhaps now I will visit Konoha. I am curious as to what it will look like in person, I just hope I don't run into anyone important.' Akiko grins despite her apprehension follows the sign that says.
'To Konoha' chipped deep in the wood with an arrow pointing in the direction she walks.
So thoughts?
There, an alter-motive that turned out for the best!
I know that the acupuncture thing sounds a little far fetched but it is something that happened to my uncle. When he was still in the womb, he was also positioned the wrong way and a doctor came in and did the needle in the head thing and it work! The next day he was in the right position! I did add some stuff, but that was only because it was odd just having a needle being stuck in the head.
Passionflower is also a sedative but it is supposed to be more gentle than Hop and since Maki works so hard, it just relaxes her and then volia! She's asleep!
Isamu is a terrifying woman, at least I hope I portrayed her properly and we can all guess what happened to Kei's father. It would also explain why Isamu is so protective of her, a single daughter who had a husband who died and who is also having a baby while still working. I'd be damn worried too!
I will see you all next month!