Chapter 5- Life Goes On
Youko wakes up to a bright light. A very harsh, bright light directly above her. It hurts her eyes, and she whimpers. She wants it to go away. Why isn't it going away?
Her skin feels warm. Burning. Her throat is parched and she aches all over. What happened? Where is she?
"Mmm… mommy?" She tries to say, calling for one of the few constants in her new life. Mom must be near. She always is in the mornings. But her voice is even more rough than before and incredibly weak.
It hurts.
To move, to talk, to even breathe.
"Youko?!"
It's her mom's voice. Ah, so she was nearby. Good.
"Ko-Chan! Oh thank goodness." That's her grandpa's voice. Odd, usually only one of them is with her to get up in the mornings.
"Nurse? Nurse, please, someone! She's woken up!" Her mom calls frantically. "Yakumo, come in here! Oh, thank the gods, thank you".
She's crying. Or she sounds like she's crying. Youko still doesn't want to open her eyes all that much - her vision is blurry, anyways. But… why is her mom crying? Did something happen. And why would she call for a…
Oh…..
…...That can't be good.
Someone walks into the room and then there is a cold hand on her forehead. She tries to move away from it, but it stubbornly stays there. She makes a displeased little noise in the back of her throat, mumbling a weak "no" before breaking into a painful coughing fit.
"Well, it feels like her fever is down," a new, lighter voice says. "And she's responding to touch. But we can know anything for sure until we've taken her temperature".
Youko whines in pain when the coughing finally subsides. It hurts. "M'hurts mommy." She whimpers, her eyes clenched shut tightly, a few tears escape them though.
Yume sobs. "Oh, my sweet baby. I know. I'm so sorry," a familiar hand grabs her own tightly. "We're going to get you better. Soon it'll all be over and you'll be as good as new".
She hopes that her mom is telling the truth. She doesn't want to feel this tired and hurt anymore.
"M'tired." She croaks out weakly.
Her father's voice joins in. "Sleep then, Chibi. Rest," he says. She can feel his hand running through her hair gently.
"You'll feel better soon Ko-chan." Her grandfather's calming voice says, she feels him hold her other hand gently. Nearby, her mother is humming a lullaby.
Slowly, it get darker again. More quiet.
She sleeps.
There is nothing more terrifying to a parent than to receive a call and be told that your child has collapsed and been rushed to the hospital.
No. That's not quite right, as Yume comes to realize. The most terrifying thing in the world to a parent is to have your child rushed to the hospital, and then that child just won't wake up.
It's been three days.
Three hellishly long and heartbreaking days.
She feels terrible for envying Marie and Osamu and their happiness, when Hinata had woken up after just two days. She'd even been half-aware of her surroundings, looking at things through hazy eyes. Marie had been crying for hours at it, over-joyed.
Yume herself had just sat quietly by Youko's bed, silently begging her girl to just open her eyes.
When she finally does open them, it's not for long. But she is relieved, even if her child is in pain and weak. She's alive at least.
She's going to survive. That's what the doctors tell them. Soon, her baby will be up and running around like before, causing all sorts of mischief and looking at the world with those bright, curious eyes. Soon her little girl with sunshine hair (that has been darkening more and more each day, making it look adorably like the fur of a little tiger) will be back to her old routines.
Back to playing with the three friends, not counting Hinata, that they had known nothing about until their parents showed up at the hospital with their worried offspring.
A little girl and two boys… who would've thought.
Neither Youko or Hinata had shown any….interest in others their age. So to see not one but three little children claiming to be their friends is quite the shock indeed.
Hinata, in one of her moments of being awake, had reluctantly explained that it was their way of getting justice for being left at the daycare. They wouldn't make (too big of) a fuss going there, but they weren't going to make it easy for them to learn anything. And they weren't happy about it. A mumbled "be thankful we didn't do worse" was given before the little girl passed back out.
Marie had just sat there in shocked silence, same with Yakumo, while Osamu, Solomon and herself had burst into helpless laughter. Because of course. Of course their children would do something like that. What had they even expected, when they had gotten annoyed looks and cold shoulders from their little girls after that first day? (Especially with how smart and knowing the two were).
"'Ko-chan and Hina-chan are heroes!" The girl, Tea, had proclaimed. "They stood up against Sung-Min Kim the bully!"
The two boys had shouted their agreements and babbled on about what they had done and how awesome they were, before the hospital staff had made them quiet down.
"I told you so," Yakumo had said, when they were sitting in the hospital's cafeteria that evening, trying to eat. "They are going to rule the world with their friends one day. Just you watch!"
Yume hadn't been all that amused at the joke, but she had appreciated the effort.
Solomon had made no attempt to hide his amusement however, and had laughed boisterously at his son's joke. "Either that, or they'll become magical guardians of some big secret that saves the world from great evil."
That had gotten a snort out of Yume. "Don't be silly, magic doesn't exist," she'd said weakly, but still managing a little smile. "It doesn't really matter what they become… though it would be funny to see them as magical girls, all dressed up in those frilly dresses".
Osamu was the one who had snorted at that. "Yeah. Right. Hinata and Youko? In frilly stuff? They would rather be trapped in some weird object with no memories than be caught dead in frilly dresses. Like an old oil lamp or something, like genies".
Solomon had gone oddly quiet at that, but Yume had paid it no mind.
Marie tutted at them, shaking her head. "How can you joke about this? Our daughters are fighting for their lives," she'd said, though her voice was a little lighter, a little happier, as well. Then she'd sighed and mumbled: "Although it'd be so romantic if some foreign diplomat or a prince or something of the sort suddenly swept Hinata off her feet one day".
Yume had smiled softly, a dreamy look appearing on her face. "Imagine… our little girls, dressed up all pretty, in a ballroom somewhere, with their princes… oh, what and I doing, making up fairy tales".
Fairy tales she'd been unsure her little girl would ever live to experience.
But Youko lives. She's going to get better. Both her and Hinata are going to get better.
Being in the hospital, to put it plainly, sucks.
She thought the fan fics she had read were all exaggerating whenever the characters ended up in the hospital. Guess they weren't.
They smell funny, you never get any true peace, they're loud - especially if you don't have a private room - and, most importantly, it means something is wrong with you.
And knowing something is wrong with you is never comforting. It's terrifying.
Not to mention the lack of control - that makes it even worse. She doesn't have that much control of her life in the first place, given that she's a little kid still, but this is even worse. A nurse or one of her parents has to escort her to the bathroom, because she's hooked up to an IV and she's not allowed to leave her bed except for those moments. The food is bland (her appetite may be low, but she'd still like something that tastes good) and doctors and nurses regularly visit her to poke at her and take her temperature.
She feels like an experiment.
It's also so very boring in the hospital. The only saving grace is having Youko with her. Not that she's wants her best friend to be sick with her but she's glad for the company.
It had been horrible to learn when she woke up that not only was Youko in the hospital as well, she was even worse off than Hinata herself. Barely even reacting to anything at all.
So she is so incredibly relieved Mrs. Mutou arrives to tell them that Youko's fever had broken and the doctors were predicting a full recovery. Even if she takes another half day to wake up completely, Hinata is happier simply by knowing her friend was safe and awake elsewhere in the hospital.
So as soon as Youko is fully awake and better, Hinata makes a bit of a fuss, demanding to be brought to her best friend.
While there had been some apprehension from the nurses at first, the doctors had accepted the request after a quick examination of both of them, and they were joined in a two-person room.
Youko looks terrible.
She's pale, paler than normal. Her hair is limp and damp. Her normally raspy voice is even more hoarse and rough. Her eyes are glassy, and she keeps squinting. Like she's got trouble focusing.
"Wai', Hina…? What're you doin' here?" She's slurring her words, unable to speak clearly. It breaks her heart to see her best friend like that.
"Hina-chan got sick as well," Yume explains quietly. "Remember how we talked about this earlier? How Hina-chan asked if you could share a room?"
"Jus' thought… switchin' rooms," Youko mumbles back, smiling weakly. "'M happy Hina here. Not because you're sick, but'... it's lonely. Boring".
"So boring. I'm glad you're here too 'Ko-chan." Hinata tells her friend.
It's still boring, even after they've been united. They're both achy and sleepy most of the time - Youko even more than her. But when they're both awake and aware, it's fun to just talk. Their mothers are there most of the time, along with Grandpa.
The best time is at night though when they're alone. They can talk more freely and be more open, when they can stay awake that is. It's done in whispers, so the night nurses don't realizes they're awake (somehow they just know their schedules, know what to listen and look for).
It's like a long sleepover.
A sleepover in a half-cold, chemical-smelling place, granted, but still a sleepover.
They also have control of the TV so when they can, they watch some old cartoons. Well, old from her first childhood anyways. They're brand new here. She can't believe the graphics were once considered the best of the best, but she can admit that it's impressive for an age where computers are still big, but steadily getting smaller and more advanced.
God does she miss smart phones and all of the modern technology. She can't wait for it all to come back. It'll probably be sooner than what it was in her first life, she's noticed some discrepancies and changes compared to her first life.
On their sixth day of being in hospital, they are judged to be well enough to walk around the children's ward on their own, provided an adult is with them. They're rather quickly directed towards the little play-area. It takes a lot of energy to stagger there but they manage it. They're winded and exhausted but happy to be out of the beds and stuffy room.
"Mental stimulation," Hinata thinks happily. "Sweet relief".
They can't handle much, and there really isn't much to do. They join forces around a picture book, too exhausted for their usual tricks. (Not to mention that it feels wrong to prank kids in a hospital. They're good-natured trolls, not bullies). After thirty minutes or so they've gained enough energy to get back to their room again.
Their seventh day brings visitors.
Tea, Tristan and Joey - equipped with little surgical masks so they don't breathe in any germs - enter their room bearing flowers and plushies.
"We decided to get you get-well presents!" Tea says. "Mama says flowers are normal, but we thought you'd might like new friends, too".
It's a sunny-yellow tiger for Youko and a dark-blue bunny for herself. It's soft and just the right mixture of firm and squishy. She can imagine resting her chin on this ridiculous thing.
As a joke, she names it "Akefia", because why not? Youko isn't the only little troll around. Not that anyone else will get the joke really. (She vaguely remembers an old fanfic that she read of Yami Bakura from Yugioh being a bunny. It stuck since and she associates him with snakes and bunnies now.)
Youko looks troubled, though. She's not sure if it's because of what she's named the rabbit or something else though. "Help me," she says, holding up the tiger. "Is he Tigger or Hobbes?"
Hinata blinks slowly, heart stuttering before beating fast. She shakes her head, and dislodges any thoughts before they form. "Ugh. That's a hard one! He looks perfect for both!"
Eventually the group as a whole decides that he's a Hobbes and that they'll get him a "Tigger" friend in the future so he's not lonely.
Later in the night, when Youko is asleep, Hinata lays awake, confused beyond reasoning. They've watched the Japanese dubs of Winnie the Pooh, of course. But Tigger has a different name. And Hobbes… is that a reference to Calvin and Hobbes? But they've never even been near anything related to Calvin and Hobbes, let alone anything to do with philosophy. Aside from the fact that it's an American comic series.
"Where does she know that name from?" Hinata thinks, glancing at her best friend. Could she be…?
But no. It's not possible. The chances of even one person being reborn, memories intact, is astronomically small. So there being two? Impossible.
It has to be
Little does Hinata know that Youko is having a similar reaction to Akefia the Bunny.
Akefia. Only fans of Yugioh would know that name. Hardcore ones at that. It's not even canon. It was a big controversy over the name. Most leave it be, if someone liked it and used or not is up to the fan. (Or, Youko wonders, would it be more appropriate to say whether not they would like it? Does Yugioh even exist in this place?)
Still….
It's just a coincidence right? With Osamu being an archeologist, surely Hinata simply heard of the name from another culture. Heavens know that Youko has heard her fair share of stories, and names, and tales from Grandpa.
Surely she couldn't… there was no chance.
But what if there was?
"How dare you be sick," Amane tells her baby sister, when Mommy finally lets her go to the hospital with her to visit Hina-chan and Youko-chan. "That's forbidden! Bad baby sister!"
She wants to poke Hina-chan's head, but Mommy's told her not to be too rough or too touchy-touchy with her, because she's sick and already in pain and if Amane touches her too much, she might get sick too, and that's the last thing her Mommy wants to happen.
Her Mommy has been acting funny lately. Even more when Hina-chan and Ko-chan got sick. It makes Amane sad and scared to see her Mommy like that. She tries to be good and helpful so her Mommy doesn't have to worry too much, but it doesn't seem to work too much.
"Sorry, Ama-nee," Hina-chan says sheepishly, her voice all rough and weak. "But… not my fault".
Amane is tempted to declare her baby sister a liar. She thinks Hina-chan and Ko-chan would get sick on purpose, just to annoy Mommy and Daddy. Then again, they wouldn't get this sick on purpose. They like to tease and pull pranks on other people, Amane has been the unfortunate victim of a lot of them, but she knows they're never cruel.
And she loves her sister and cousin too much to think so bad about them.
"Fine. But you need to hurry up and get better! It's so boring without you guys!." She whines. It's also strange being with Mommy she thinks. Maybe Mommy is sick too? She has been very silly and tired a lot. Maybe she can ask Daddy or a doctor even if they know what's wrong with Mommy.
Mrs. Mutou enters the room and smiles at them. "Amane-chan, visiting hours are over. We have to go home".
Amane does not want to leave. The hospital is big and scary and she can't believe her sister and cousin/sister-by-choice has to stay there any longer than they already have.
"Why can't they come home with us Auntie? Aren't they better now?" She asks curiously. They are always fine at home when they get colds, so why is it different now?
Mrs. Mutou shakes her head. "It's going to take a little longer this time, I'm afraid. Youko-chan and Hinata-chan are really sick right now. And it's not something we can fix at home, unfortunately." She raises her head and looks at the two in the beds, frowning, though it quickly disappears and turns into another small smile. "But you can help out at home, so it'll be ready for them when the doctors decide they're well again, okay?"
Amane still doesn't understand. Not quite. A lot of what's been said to her today has been grown-up-speech and she's mostly just smiled and nodded in order to look like she understands.
But she knows that she wants to help them get better. In any way she can. And so she swears to do everything Mommy and Daddy ask her to do at home. She'll even clean her room!
Anything that will help them come home sooner.
Their stay at the hospital was eleven days. Long days. It's been a total of eighteen now, the last week spent being at home, recovering and taking it easy.
Yakumo is seated, as usual when his daughter has a playdate involving Hinata Bakura, at the kitchen window, glancing out at them every so often.
If he is just a little more cautious, a little more hawk-like in watching her, nobody comments on it.
Certainly not the parents of the three other children currently running around, lifting the usual amount of three to six.
It's a relief, to him and the others, to know that their girls made friends and were socializing instead of being withdrawn.
And what a strange, but lively, little bunch they make.
They're all pleasant children. Good manners, strong personalities, a good understanding of morals for their age, and very loyal. Apparently taking down a bully together makes for a strong friendship.
Tea Gardner is a kind-hearted girl and just as stubborn as Yakumo's daughter and Hinata combined. From what he understands, she's the most grounded of all of them. The support, something stable for them to lean on when they're all tired from running around and causing trouble. She also loves to dance and manages to get all of the others to dance with her.
Tristan Taylor is a bit similar to Tea. He's got the same air of stability to him, a little hesitant almost, but loyal and kind to a fault. From what he can see, based on their vigorous game of tag, he's careful with the girls and always helps them when they stumble or fall. Even Amane, a girl he has only just met, is treated to the same kindness. He is pleased to see that chivalry isn't dead.
Finally there's little Joey Wheeler. Poor kid, Yakumo thinks. He's a good and sweet little boy. He is, by far, the most loyal of the bunch with a very strong sense of justice, he understands from what Youko and Hinata has reluctantly told them. How their friendship was built on Joey wanting to make sure Youko hadn't done anything to break the rules. He's not the voice of reason… most of the time –that's Tea. But his heart is in the right place and he does his best.
If only he could say the same about his mother...
That was a condition Marie had made, upon their girls demanding that they arrange a playdate with all of their friends as soon as they were considered well enough to do so. That she (she said they, but it was worded in a way that made it clear that it was a demand from her) would have to meet the parents' of their friends as well.
Now, the Gardners and Taylors are all good, decent people in his book. They're doing well for themselves and are as kind and as just as their children. Mrs. Wheeler, however, is an entirely different case.
The woman has been smoking almost non-stop since arriving. She doesn't interact with the others, through no lack of trying on their end, appearing utterly bored and disinterested in everything. She's also young. Perhaps a couple of years younger, and it makes him wonder exactly when she had Joey.
Marie looks like she's about to have an aneurism… he hopes she won't blame the kid for having such a (he doesn't know the woman and doesn't want to label her as rude, but that's what she comes off as) mother.
"So you own a flower shop Mrs. Gardner?" Yume asks, interested.
"Oh, please call me Anzu, Yume-san," the woman says, smiling warmly. "But I do, down on Checker Street. It's a bit far away from home, but it's a nice area and there's good business".
"Oh how lovely! I will have to stop by sometime!" The other woman, Suzuki Taylor, exclaims. "And what do you do Mr. Gardner?"
"I am a lawyer," Adam Gardner says proudly. "I originally came to work for a company, but… then I met Anzu and decided to go independent".
"Good for you Adam-san, it was no easy feat i'm sure." Osamu says, glancing out the window to see Solomon with the children, he seems to be telling them a story.
"You are an archeologist right Osamu-san? Along with Solomon? And Yakumo is a businessman while both of your wives are stay at home mothers?" Adam asks in return.
"That's right Adam-san." Yakumo confirms. "And you Mr. and Mrs. Taylor? What do you both do?"
"We also have our own little businesses," Suzuki says. "I've set up a little music school on the bottom floor of our house, and Todd is a psychologist affiliated with Domino City Hospital".
"That's amazing, good for you both," Marie says with a strained smile.
"Don't let the girls know." Yume adds with a grin. "They'll be begging you for lessons before you can blink."
They descend into pleasant conversation, then. They learn that Todd has an interest in archaeology on a hobby-level and has read several articles by both Solomon and Osamu, and they descend into a discussion on the current finds and what they might mean.
It's all very nice, and Yakumo sees possible friendships with these people.
Marie is even relaxing and enjoying herself (which is big) so it looks like this could really work out.
So of course, just like their luck usually is, something goes wrong.
Mrs. Wheeler snorts, suddenly. Condescendingly. Yakumo narrows his eyes as she says, "So what I understand is that all of you, all of us, are independent people… and then there are Mrs. Mutou and Bakura over here, unemployed and catering to out-dated gender norms?"
Everything goes quiet around the table. Yume gasps, shocked, and Marie stiffens in her seat.
Osamu sighs in defeat and puts his face in his hands. "Why?" He thinks despairingly.
Yakumo isn't sure if he should respond or let one of the woman answer.
"Now, now, Mrs. Wheeler - no need for such hostility. It's their choice whether or not they want to stay home and take care of their children," says Suzuki calmly, trying to help. "And don't you help out with the game shop, Yume-san?"
Yume nods, looking relieved. "I do! Solomon can't do everything on his own, after all, and I am more than happy to help".
Mrs. Wheeler (Yamuko believes her name is Sally, based on her mumbled greeting) raises an eyebrow at them. "So that is explained. Somewhat. But what about Mrs. Bakura here? You have no excuse to stay at home all the time - why even put your child in daycare if you're just going to stay here all the time?"
The silence is deafening. It's like a thin layer of ice has covered everything, and Yakumo knows their pleasant chat is over. If there is one thing you do not do, it is insult Marie Bakura in her own home.
And then... it get's worse.
"Also, what is up with your daughter? Hinata, was it?" She asks, her voice light and airy, like it's just an afterthought. Like she is completely oblivious to the damage she has just caused. To what is going to be unleashed very soon. "She's so distant from you, isn't she? I'll admit that I don't have the best relationship with Joey, but she doesn't even call you "Mommy" or something. She's so formal, it's weird. I mean no offense, of course, Mrs. Bakura, but… one does wonder".
You could hear a pin drop in the silence. The second Marie starts moving, Osamu is right behind her, his hands hovering behind her cautiously, as if debating whether or not he should hold her back. Yakumo is reminded of Yuki-Onna herself, ready to freeze Mrs. Wheeler to death.
"I do not know where you've gotten your head that you have a right to attacking me like this in my own home," Marie says, her voice biting and harsh like the winter winds. "But if you think I am going to tolerate it, young lady, you have another thing coming".
Sally looks at her, incredulously. "Listen. I'm sorry if what I'm saying offends you, Mrs. Bakura, but do you not think your daughter is weird? Joey tells me both she and Youko are quite smart, but really, don't you think it's a little odd? Even Youko is more normal than this".
"Aaaaand we're doomed. God save her," Yakumo thinks as Yume stills beside him, her hands clenching and unclenching in her lap. Calmly he reaches out and takes her hand in his, letting her squeeze the life out of it.
Marie stands up straight, her eyes harsh and cold. "I do not believe that you have any right to judge what is and isn't normal. I could say a lot about your smoking and normal and health around children, Mrs. Wheeler, but you haven't heard me saying anything about it out of politeness. But there is one thing I will tell you now," she raises her hand and points to the door. "Get out. Leave my house. Now".
Sally Wheeler takes a harsh breath through gritted teeth, her own eyes narrowing. "Fine," she growls. "Be blind to the traps or patriarchy and ignorant to your daughter's behavior. But don't come crying and telling me I was right when you realize your daughter doesn't love you and you're alone with no way of supporting yourself!"
Before anyone can react she's picked up her purse and jacket and is storming out of the house. They follow her as she storms down the garden path towards her car… leaving Joey behind.
"She… did she just leave her child behind?" Mrs. Gardner says, horrified. "No… no, that isn't right. Oh no, oh no".
All the adults are jerked from their staring when they hear Joey yell for his mom. And it's sad to watch. He doesn't cry or freak out, he simply shrugs his shoulders as if it's normal, and turns back to the others.
They are all frozen for a moment as they process what happened. The next second, Hinata and Youko have tackled Joey in a hug while screaming "SLEEPOVER!" This causes Tea and Tristan to cheer happily and join the group hug pile.
Solomon is heard chuckling at their antics and pulling out a camera (where on earth did he get it even?) and taking a picture.
Yakumo can tell Marie is torn. Same with Yume. He knows they are not happy with the idea or what's happened, but they all know their daughters will win any argument they give.
"That boy needs help," Mr. Taylor says. "Acting so calmly to something that should be traumatizing at that age… this has happened before," he frowns, while Mr. Gardner nods in agreement.
"She could get in serious legal trouble for this as well. Abandoning your child like this… I know we leave our children in daycare most days of the week, but they are trained and educated people. He could have medical needs none of us know about and are untrained to deal with, for all we know," he says, his example reminding Yakumo of the weeks his daughter just spent ill, making a shiver go down his spine.
"Right, we need a plan for this," Yakumo says.
"At the moment, I don't care what we do," Marie finally says, looking out of the door. "But know this: I do not want that woman anywhere near my house again".
Solomon is in love. Grandfatherly love, specifically. He has not felt happier as he does, when he is around Youko and all of her friends, in ages. They are all sweet, well-behaved children with hearts of gold and he could not be more proud of what they've accomplished so far.
The fact that they all call him "grandpa" without any prompting warms his heart.
Thus it hurts him to see Sally Wheeler storm out, leaving behind her child, though it is nothing compared to the agony of the boy shrugging and telling them that it's happened before. A lot, apparently.
When that had happened, he had had to keep down the urge to embrace the boy, unsure if it would be appreciated. Fortunately all of his lovely grandchildren (bless Youko's heart, she is so smart and compassionate) beat him to it and all he had had to worry about was taking the perfect picture.
Happy memories to ease the sadness.
The rest of the day passes pleasantly, even with the overhanging melancholy and unease.
The children spend the time playing games, listening to his stories, telling their own, and watching cartoons. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are kind and bring Joey some of Tristan's to borrow. When it's time for them to sleep, they have a pillow fight instead. Their laughter and joy is wonderful, none of the parents, even Marie, have the heart to stop their antics. So they let them fall asleep at their own time.
Solomon is pleased with how it ends, and for all of the wonderful pictures he got to take. There is also the relief that Amane got along with them all and fit in nicely.
The next day, when Solomon brings the five children to daycare, he gets Joey's address and phone number from the staff. Just in case. When he returns to pick up Youko and Hinata he encounters Mrs. Wheeler, who is looking at the ground resolutely. He just greets her calmly and mentions that the Taylors are probably going to want the clothing back by the end of the week. She just mumbles a "thank you" and takes Joey with her.
For a few weeks, almost a month, things are back to normal.
And then… then Youko and Hinata get sick again.
It's almost as bad as the first time. They're hospitalized again but only for 3 days this time. Then they're home and being watched like hawks by both Yume and Marie.
A week later they're well enough to go back to daycare, only…...there's a problem now.
Marie refuses to let her daughter go back.
"It is nothing but a building of death that harms my baby girl".
"Marie, please. All children get sick while in daycare. It's an effective way to make them immune to a lot of things, aside from vaccines".
Solomon is witness to this discussion, if only in the background. Osamu is there with him, not even trying to stand up to his wife. Yume and Yakumo are also there, having had a similar discussion just the day before, but they are torn.
Hinata and Youko are…..were on the couch, they're now standing in the doorway watching the argument progress.
"If Grandpa can watch us and you can get Tea, Joey, and Tristan to come, we'll gladly stay away from that disease ridden hell." Hinata finally says a few moments later.
"Yeah!" Youko agrees. "It's boring, anyway, and noisy and the adults barely give any kid any attention, other than the troublemakers".
Solomon can see Marie go to protest before she stops and appears to really think it over for a moment.
Surprisingly….
She agrees to the girl's suggestion (demand really but….), on a few conditions.
They are to behave for Solomon and whichever mom is around at the moment (either herself, Yume or Suzuki, if she is available), they will do more than play games inside all day, and Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are not going to be allowed access to her home. Ever. (She does seem a little hesitant whenever the "Wheeler-problem", as she so tactlessly calls it, is brought up, but Solomon knows that she knows that their girls would rather stay in the daycare than leave Joey behind).
And so the Kame Private Daycare is set up. Primary caretakers are at least one mother and a kind grandpa.
The kids are thrilled. They think it's the most amazing thing ever. Not just being together all the time, just them, but also learning. Yume teaches them how to cook little snacks (Hinata takes to baking immediately), Suzuki introduces them to music (one of Youko's favorites) and Marie makes it her mission to teach them letters and numbers with a few of Amane's old school books.
Even Anzu and Adam get involved, taking days off now and then. Anzu teaches them basic business things and about flowers and their meanings. Adam teaches them basic law and political things (which Joey seems to pick up and enjoy quickly). The children absorb it all like a bunch of sponges. They're all smart and love what the parents teach them. (Amane is jealous of what she's missing out on while at school. The children come up with the idea to save very fun things to do for when she's home and can participate.)
Their absolute favorite lessons though, are with Osamu (the rare times he stops by) and Grandpa. They love the history and stories that they share. And even, after many days of begging, the children convinced grandpa to start teaching them to read hieroglyphs and Egyptian.
Solomon can't help but feel smugly proud about it. He had been so disappointed when Yakumo hadn't shown any interest in archaeology, but now the new generation is smitten with it.
It's about three months after they made the daycare, (and four more times that the girls have gotten sick, luckily only minor sickness) and Solomon decides they deserve a treat. It's been raining all day and while they'd normally go stir-crazy, there hasn't been so much as a peep from them. They're just gathered around the kotatsu, colouring and chatting and generally being quiet and calm. Youko and Hinata are bundled up, recovering from their latest sickness, but they are determined to not let it stop them.
So Solomon sneaks into the shop, to a corner in the backroom nobody but himself usually goes to, and climbs the step-ladder to get to the golden box sat on the top of a shelf.
It's not quite time, Solomon knows. He is certain that he will know when to pass on this legacy, but for now… he thinks the kids are allowed this one experience. And so he returns to the living room and disturbs their calm afternoon.
"Come here, children. I've got something to show you".
A/N:
Surprise duckies! Welcome to the next chapter of CitG!
Nordic luckily has a few day break in between her big finals projects. So we took advantage of that and wrote another chapter! Woo!
So this chapter we have a lot going on and some more time passing. I say maybe 3 months or so. The girls are getting closer to 3! Which, wow, it's sometimes easy to forget their actual ages I guess.
We have the girls being sick. References to their first life and things from it. And references to other things too (like the many AU ideas we've come up with) ;) we have the families learning about the girls having friends and some drama and angst in there too.
Parents are met and new friendships are born. ;) we decided since we were sticking with the American version of some things that we would incorporate some of the original Japanese aspects into this. Hence why Tea's moms name is Anzu (for those of you who don't know, Anzu is Tea's Japanese name)
Nordic and I love to troll, reference, and foreshadow a lot. So be sure to keep an eye out for things. Almost everything we do is for a reason. Little hints or suggestions at things that will come. So don't take anything at face value or to be nothing, most likely it has to do with something.
There were definitely some challenging pieces to write (and read) but we deemed them necessary. Life isn't easy or perfect, there are moments that make you feel like that. We want this to be realistic in many ways, so that's why there are moments like that.
Another happy note is that the adorable Nordic has celebrated her birthday! (Im happy that my present was well loved) so be sure to wish her a belated one. ;D
A shoutout to all of the views we've had and all of our current followers and faves and our new followers and favorites (Harry Abbot,Integral16,Kashlazy, Lightsbane1905, SashaPayne56, The Ninja Camel, Toaneo07 Ver2.0, Crystal Blue Butterfly, and Tsume Yuki).
Please leave comments and reviews! We love them!
Thanks again to the amazingly talented and lovely Moirei for Beta-ing for us, as always :)
Well that's it for this time, so thanks again for reading my duckies and we'll see you all next time on Caught in the Game!
-Counting Sinful Stars
A/N: What's up guys, Nordic Twin and Counting Sinful Stars are back again!
I have finally had a break from finals (I had three in a row - two of them essays that took days to write), and what a better way to spend it than writing the next chapter! (And turn 22. It was my birthday back on May 30, yay!)
So quite a lot going on. Like Stars has already said, we're referencing quite a lot of things (which may or may not have to do with future side-AUs) and hinting at future conflicts.
Something I would like to clarify specifically is Sally Wheeler's age. While there's no set age for her, she got pregnant young - around 18 years old. She married Jared Wheeler out of convenience, and as you can probably tell, it is NOT a happy marriage. It was a heartbreaking part to write - Sally just leaving Joey behind and his calm reaction. Actually, the entire confrontation between Marie, Yume and Sally was horrible to write, but it is a very important part to have as well. Because life is harsh. You just have to make the best of it.
Another thing I'd like to point out: with this set-up we have three mixed-race children, one "full blooded" American and one "full blooded" Japanese. Hence the western names and such. (Yes, the joke on Suzuki's name is intentional, because the Japanese family-name is Honda, and they're both car-brands). We see Domino City as being an international suburb to Tokyo (I don't remember if we've said this before), so it made sense to us for them to have western names instead of Japanese.
So! The mini-gang is established and the parents are introduced. Youko and Hinata's health is proven to be absolutely terrible and uncomfortable truths are brought to the table, quite literally, and "enemies" are made amongst the parents. Next time we'll take a look at what could be inside Grandpa's little box (gee, I wonder) amongst other things. Surprises await!
Thank you so much for all of the follows, comments and kudos! We appreciate them, and it honestly gives us a boost of motivation whenever we see them!
Also a huge, HUGE thank you to Tsume Yuki who wrote a little cross-over on Tumblr with CitG and her One Piece fanfiction "Tell it to the Marines" for my birthday (in return for me writing an AU short for it). If you're not familiar with her writing already, go seek her out and read everything, because it's awesome.
See you guys next time!
-Nordic Twin
Edited/Beta by Moirei
Finished & Published June 8th, 2017