Chapter 17

"You're back!", Rouge greeted him cheerfully as she relaxed on the bed, tension leaving now that he'd returned and they were alone. It seemed she had in fact not showered yet.

"I'm back", he said, tilting his head questioningly.

"There weren't any towels so…", she shrugged

"I see", he smiled and leaned down towards her, using his arms to keep himself steady, his lips almost brushing hers.

She stared at him in wide-eyed surprise, about to protest when his eyes flashed red once again. She met his gaze, sure she hadn't imagined it this time.

"Don't say anything", his voice sounded beside her, making her reflexively turn her head. There was nothing there.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. This is an illusion. Only you can hear me. We're being monitored right now, so I can only talk to you like this. Don't react", he warned.

The panic had disappeared from her gaze and she was now staring up at him in question. He had mentioned his illusions before so she wasn't too surprised about it. He had even put her under one a few times during training so she didn't panic, she'd just not expected it this time.

Projecting his movements, he hugged her close and turned them around so she was lying on his chest, head tucked below his chin.

"I missed you", the real one said.

"Play along", the illusion instructed.

She huffed. "It hasn't even been an hour."

"I know", he agreed, gently running his hand through her hair. She couldn't help but relax at the familiar warmth of his hands

"We'll have to sleep like this later. I won't do anything untoward, just hug you like this. Do you think you can do it? If not, we'll have to think of something else. If it's alright just ask me if I brought towels, if not just say you will go catch a shower now.", the illusion instructed.

She hummed in thought, trying to ascertain if she was going to be fine with that.

"I hope you brought some. Towels that is.", she finally murmured.

"Of course", he assured, gently kissing her forehead, "let me get them for you."

"Thank you", she smiled.

They got off the bed slowly, as if reluctant and 'Coma' helped her to her feet, steadying her as she lost her balance when the ship rocket at an unexpected moment.

"Will you be alright?"

"Yea, I should manage. I'll shout if somethings wrong"

"Alright", he did as if to kiss her one more time and she wrapped her arms around his neck to support the act. 'Coma' reluctantly let go of her and opened one of the bags to get out the towels for her, as well as her nightgown and underwear.

"Here you go", 'Coma' breathlessly said, his voice sounding rough.

"Thank you", Rouge smiled and pecked him on the cheek before entering the shower and closing the door behind her.

'Coma' groaned audibly and let himself fall back onto the bunk they were going to share. Inwardly, Itachi was amused. This time was going to be hard on her. While they had acted like a couple for a while, they had never done so at home or slept in the same room. She had fallen asleep in his arms a few times but he had merely carried her to her room then.

She had known, in theory, that they may have to do this for a while but she couldn't help but be anxious regardless. After all, Itachi was a guy. She trusted him, even with her child but she'd have to get used to the new closeness first.

She didn't take long in the shower, merely cleaning herself off without washing her hair. She didn't want to fall asleep with wet or damp hair, that always gave her a headache.

When he heard the water of the shower turn on, 'Coma' heaved himself off the bed once more and busied himself unpacking their other necessities into obvious places, mainly a change of clothes and a small bag full of bathroom necessities, as well as his own towels. He left just one empty bag outside, planning to use it as a hamper for their used clothing.

When the water turned off, 'Coma' started undressing, folding his dirty clothes into the bag and wrapping one of the towels loosely around his waist.

Rouge was already under Genjutsu so he could tweak it slightly to make her think he was still clothed. He didn't want to make her too uncomfortable after all. The show he was putting on was merely for the benefits of the Marines no doubt watching. He would sleep in just pants though.

Rouge emerged not a moment later, braiding her hair into her customary braid as she walked. 'Coma' pretended to stare at her for a moment before snapping out of it, scooping up his own supplies and catching his own shower.

He didn't forget to fetch the clothes Rouge had forgotten inside and hung up their towels to dry.

When he emerged once more, topless, Rouge couldn't help but stare herself for a second. Those were some nice muscles he had after all. He hadn't bothered putting an illusion over them, a sailor did need some degree of muscle mass after all.

He put aside the now half-filled bag with laundry and settled down beside her.

"Shall we turn in? It's early but…"

She nodded. "Let's. I've been tired since this morning and it's already dark."

Her earlier anxiety suddenly returned, making 'Coma' smile at her fondly.

"Don't worry, love. It'll be alright. We can trust the Marines.", he soothed, pulling her into a hug and lying them down once again.

Rouge nodded, understanding the unspoken message and settling herself down next to him, fidgeting slightly until she found a comfortable position.

They still talked quietly for around an hour, about Ross and his reaction to everything, among other things, before she drifted off to sleep.

Itachi pretended to follow her example soon after but fell into a half-awake meditative state instead. He was in enemy territory, after all, this was as close to sleep as he was going to get.

Captain Zena couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile as the usually gruff man watched the couple interact. To think 'Coma' would be so forward. It was surprising, yet somehow also fit the man. When the couple finally quieted down, he got up with a sigh. He hated that he had to do this to the man but orders were orders. A bit of privacy wasn't really worth defying them over, even if he did feel like a lecher right then.

Luckily, there hadn't been anything suspicious. Even the search of their house hadn't yielded anything of the sort, merely confirming their stories and revealing that what Rouge had been studying so intensely that she needed the quiet was medicine. He could report to HQ confidently tomorrow. He hoped their observations, as well as witness accounts from other Marines and townspeople would be enough for him to be able to send the two off tomorrow.

If not, he at least had the authority to take 'Coma' along as well. He didn't think the man could take the separation if he didn't, judging by the closeness the couple displayed. Plus, they'd have another hand on board, someone his subordinates could relax a little around. The man had a weird air about him that just seemed to make one comfortable around him, and he and his subordinates had been way too high-strung to assure smooth operations the last few months.

Yes, he'd take 'Coma' along, even on the off chance that his superiors wanted the woman to undergo an ultrasound, a type of test their scientists had recently developed that enabled them to see inside the womb and check the state of development of a child, among other things.

If their story turned out true, which he didn't doubt, then it wouldn't even be grown enough to possibly be the fetus they were looking for.

As he had half expected, Zena informed them regretfully the next day that they'd have to accompany them to a medical facility a few weeks from here. Thus, Coma quickly packed a few more changes of clothes and necessities before they were off. He had only been able to leave a note for Ross to find.

Also as expected, the rocking of the ship had intensified Rouge's nausea in the mornings. As a result, she spent most of her time during the trip sleeping or powerlessly sitting on deck.

'Coma' in contrast, had little trouble fitting in with the Marines. He had offered to help out with cleaning and simple chores with the excuse of staying busy, which was thankfully accepted.

Currently, he was mopping the deck thoroughly, keeping an eye on Rouge who was sitting on a folding chair in the sun, enjoying the fact her stomach was leaving her alone for once.

"Hey, Coma, Rouge!", a voice greeted them from the side.

'Coma' paused in his work, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead as he turned around.

"Petty Officer Kuzan, how are you?"

It was the same guy who had overheard their conversation that day. He was the one among the crew they had gotten closest to during their time aboard. It'd been 2 weeks already and the man had apparently decided it was his duty to make sure they were alright.

"I'm well. How about you? Morning sickness still causing you trouble?"

"Ah, it's eased up a little the last few days, luckily."

"Yea, I still feel it a little, but I've been able to keep my arms off that toilet bowl recently", she commented dryly.

"I was starting to get jealous, you know?", Coma teased lightly, "There were days when you hugged it more than you hugged me."

"Aww, did little Coma feel neglected?", the Marine couldn't help but join in. In the beginning, he was only following orders by keeping an eye on them, but he soon grew to genuinely like the couple. They weren't overly affectionate in public, which would've caused him to feel like an intruder, but you could still tell they were very close. They included him in their conversations and banter effortlessly and always greeted him with a smile. It had been impossible not to grow attached.

"Why Coma", Rouge gasped, in shock, "are you jealous of a toilet right now?"

Coma shot her a look and only grumbled something under his breath before turning back to his work, nothing to say to that. That's basically what he'd implied after all.

"Also I've told you many times that just Kuzan is fine. You aren't part of us so the title's not necessary."

"Aah, sorry. I forget, Kuzan", Coma said sheepishly.

It was Kuzan's turn to grumble now, but he eventually let it go and changed the topic.

"So, does that mean you'll join us for lunch today? Or did you get addicted to Coma's cooking?"

Coma turned to Rouge at that. Due to her nausea, he had requested and been granted the privilege to cook their own meals, separately from the crew. As a result, they had never eaten with the other Marines, though none of them had been miffed about it. So, it was up to her if she wanted to try eating the normal meals today.

What he didn't know was that… Rouge had indeed become addicted to Itachi's cooking.

"If it doesn't trouble anyone, we'd be happy to", she finally decided, unwilling to admit that fact. She didn't think she could stand to see the smugness in Itachi's eyes if she did. Not without smacking him anyhow. Plus, she was indeed curious how food on a Marine ship usually tasted like. It was all for science!

If it didn't work out, they'd just have to return to the old arrangement for dinner.

"Let's go then, lunch is in 10 minutes. You can finish up later."

Coma nodded in agreement and packed up his equipment, stashing it in a corner of the deck where it would be out of the way and not easily displaced, even if the waves grew stronger.

Kuzan had helped Rouge up during that time and had folded her chair, placing it in the same corner for later.

"So, is there any word on our arrival time yet?", Coma asked curiously. While Itachi already knew they were around a day away from the facility in question, Coma had no way of knowing.

Kuzan nodded. "Around tomorrow evening, a little earlier if the winds favor us."

"Nice"

"Tomorrow, huh.", Rouge mumbled and gently rubbed over her still flat stomach. She had started showing ever so slightly now.

Coma wrapped an arm around her, squeezing her slightly in reassurance as they headed inside.

Kuzan just graced them with a knowing look but didn't comment otherwise.

Soon, the most difficult part of their plan would approach. Itachi almost felt guilty at the thought. Almost.

"Oh, petty officer! Coma! Rouge! Does that mean you won't vanish off to your cabin for lunch today? Nausea all better?"

They were greeted joyfully by the rest of the crew, laughter, and banter soon filling the previously silent mass hall. Captain Zena smiled in approval. For some reason, his subordinates always felt intimidated into silence in his presence, yet Coma's appearance made them forget about it in a flash. If this continued, he'd have to ask the man to work for him permanently. It wasn't like he had ever disapproved, yet he couldn't openly approve either. His non-actions should speak for themselves, but it seemed they would still need some time before they could relax like that in front of him.

Lunch went off without a hitch, and Rouge had managed to satisfy her curiosity. The taste was a bit bland, but it wasn't too bad for something served on a ship.

After the meal, when the Marines were heading off to get back to their duties reluctantly, Coma and Rouge went back on deck. He set up her usual chair, in the shade this time, since the sun burned too brightly during lunch hours, and then got back to work after receiving his quick peck to the cheek in thanks.

The day passed quickly after that and the morning of the next day dawned bright and early. If Rouge had hugged him a little stronger that night than usual, he never mentioned it.

When the crew began preparations for docking the next day, Coma and Rouge had already packed their things back into their bags, which he effortlessly carried. They were standing in an out of the way corner of the deck and watching the coordinated chaos of their preparations, as well as carefully committing what they could see of the island to memory.

Coma held Rouge's hand in his and squeezed reassuringly.

The island wasn't big, only a few km in diameter, and had a roughly oval shape. A large part of it was taken up by a huge building connected to the harbor. It had large windows to let in a lot of natural light and was painted a light grey. This was supposedly the medical facility. The building was surrounded by a large park on the other side of which lay a small town. Most likely, the staff working around the facility also lived here.

The Island itself was pretty isolated with the closest other being but a small rock roughly 2 days away by ship. The closest populated island was a whole week away. In that regard, they had been lucky that Baterilla was relatively close by. From the documents Itachi had been able to find on the matter, only women from this area of the sea were being tested since Roger had been seen acting weird around here. They weren't sure if he even had a lover and if so, which island in the area they may be living in. Even then, there was no telling if and when that lover had gotten pregnant. It was basically a chaotic witch hunt for the mere possibility of the man having sired offspring at some point before his execution. They had even had the already born young children tested, for Kami's sake. As for the pregnant women… the unluckier ones even had to spend over a month alone aboard the ship.

Did he mention that none of them had ever arrived accompanied?

Yes, apparently Coma had been the only one to be allowed to accompany their partner. Mainly, he suspected, because none of the others had come willingly.

In that regard, their situation was actually pretty suspicious. Yet, for their plan to work, they had had to risk it.

Finally, the ship had finished procedures and was securely anchored to the facility. Captain Zena then approached them.

"Here we are then. Let me accompany you inside."

"Sure. Everyone, thank you for your hospitality over the last few weeks. It's been pretty awesome, seeing you guys hard at work", Coma bowed to his acquaintances watching them from their individual stations on deck, waving to Kuzan in particular.

""Take care""

"Stay safe, Coma, Rouge!"

Goodbyes were said and with a last wave, Coma and Rouge followed the Captain down into the grey building.

They were greeted by a surprised nurse, who was accompanied by 2 marine cadets.

""Captain!""

"Welcome", the nurse greeted.

Zena nodded at them, motioning for them to stand at ease.

"This couple came forward themselves since they trust us not to harm them. They only met after this whole search started so I recommend doing an ultrasound first. That may already be enough. All the details should be in the report, you can ask them for any data you still need."

After that, he turned to Coma and Rouge.

"Stay safe, you two. This is where I have to leave you."

"Ah, alright", Coma smiled gently, "Thank you for everything, Captain. We appreciate it. Take care!"

"Thank you", Rouge added, a little nervously.

"Well then, follow me, you two", the nurse sounded a bit awkward, as if not used to having compliant patients around anymore.

Hand in hand, the couple didn't hesitate to follow her, turning around to wave goodbye to Zena, who was still watching them leave.

When they were out of sight, a person who had been concealed in a nearby room stepped out, fixing Zena with an angry stare. It was a tall Marine, broad-shouldered and muscular. His hair was in a dark brown buzz cut and he had a pissed expression on his face, a vein in his forehead even pulsed visibly.

"Zena", he said coldly, eyes narrowed.

"Read admiral Daizo!", Zena saluted, slightly confused.

"What were you thinking?", the admiral asked, more like hissed.

"Sir?"

"Bringing someone along. Didn't we instruct you only to bring the women?"

"Sir! The instructions were to only bring the women when they are unwilling to cooperate!"

"Show me your orders."

Zena saluted and quickly took out a copy from his chest pocket. He had made it a habit to always carry a copy for exactly these kinds of situations.

The admiral grumbled when he read through the document.

"We sent new ones not a week ago.", he said leadingly.

"Sir, we were on the move by that time and did not receive any other orders yet.", Zena said.

The admiral sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"I see. I'll have to think it over. For now, you are to stay in port for the day. I'll call you once I've made my decision on what to do with them. Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

He grunted and waved him off.

Zena closed his eyes, his heart sunk. If it was this particular man who'd make the decision on what would happen to Coma, then…

His heart sunk.

Zena hurried back to his own ship, expression serious.

"Kuzan!", he barked before he even properly set a foot on deck, "With me!"

"Sir!"

The tall man soon caught up with him and fell in step behind him. They wordlessly made their way towards his office where he didn't waste any time in closing the door behind them.

"Did we get any new orders?"

"We did, today. I think they arrived not an hour ago. I left them on your desk as ordered, sir."

"Nothing before that?"

"Nothing, sir. I check regularly. Nobody else signed for anything either or they'd have told me."

"Are you certain?"

"100%, sir."

"That's weird…"

"Sir?"

"Apparently they sent new orders regarding the current search a week ago. Rear Admiral Daizo is overseeing the facility currently. Apparently, no affiliated parties are to be brought along anymore at all."

Kuzan paled. He had heard of Daizo before. His reputation wasn't… stellar.

"Then, Coma…"

"He'll make a decision today."

Kuzan stared at him in silence.

"This… may be bad.", was all he eventually managed to say.

The Captain grunted and leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on a point above his subordinate's shoulders.

"Let's hope our suspicion is wrong…"

Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Daizo was watching his monitoring equipment with narrowed eyes, gaze focused exclusively on the figure of the male civilian accompanying the latest patient.

To be fair, the man was behaving himself, not getting in the way or hindering them, just silently supporting his lover and adding information here or there where he thought it relevant. She clearly clung to him as well, anxious and nervous in the environment and uncertain as to why she was even here.

He admitted that the way they were forced to treat some of these women because they wouldn't cooperate wasn't the best. Sadly, they had no way of ascertaining who the father was before the child was born, so the prolonged uncertainty and confinement were taking a toll on them. He would not be surprised if some complications happened during their pregnancy due to it.

Yet… there was nothing he could do about it. Orders were orders and this matter was way too serious to mess up due to something as stupid as sentiment.

Daizo frowned as he stared at the man reassuringly squeezing the woman's hand as the doctor performed the ultrasound.

The man gave him a weird feeling.

He didn't like it.

Not. One. Bit.

The doctor reported to Daizo an hour later.

"Sir, the fetus of the arrived patient clearly isn't old enough to have been conceived in the relevant timeframe.", he concluded, "Should we continue testing regardless?"

The Rear Admiral narrowed his eyes down at the papers in front of him, going over them a few times.

"Fine. Don't have them move into a room. I'm sending them off."

"Yes, sir.", the doctor smiled at him.

This was good. They could use this to calm down the other patients in residence a bit. They still half believed that they were sent here to die or for them to steal their children or something. The higher-ups were truly planning to take them back home if the test showed none of them carried Roger's blood. But, until then, the decision was his.

When the doctor left to inform them of his decision, his lips curled into a cruel smile. Oh, he would let them go, alright…