Chapter 9
"Natsuko. Natsuko, wake up."
She felt a gentle hand shaking her. Her red eyes opened to reveal the smoky waiting room of Yushido Hospital. She rubbed her eyes, only to discover her face was wet.
"Natsuko, there is no need to cry."
She found her body pressed in a hug which she gladly fell into. She could feel the warmth radiate off his body.
"It's nothing, Yukio. I was just…dreaming."
"About us I hope," he gave her a warm smile, trying to lighten the mood.
"As a matter of fact…"
"Mommy! Yamato is ok! He just woke up!"
Natsuko felt a whump as a small object collided with the side that Yukio did not have possession of. She looked up at Yukio for confirmation. He gave her a small nod.
"Oh!" Before she knew it her face was wet once more. She got up to find a doctor.
"Doctor, is it ok, for me to see my son now?" her eyes pleaded with the young doctor.
"Well, alright, but we can only let the parents see him for now. We don't want him to get too excited," the doctor gave the children a meaningful gaze and a wink.
Yukio made a reflexive, involuntary move for the door, but thought better of it. Natsuko gave his hand a squeeze and went in with Masaharu, who only glared at him.
Yuko watched as her figure disappeared from the view of the small window on the door. He let out a sigh and flopped down into a chair. He wondered if he should leave, now. He looked over to the huddle of children talking intently amongst themselves. He listened to them for awhile before he noticed the small figure whom had rammed against Natsuko's leg staring at him. Now things were getting very uncomfortable.
"Hello," he told the puzzled boy.
"Hi," the boy tugged at his shirt," Are you Mommy's new boyfriend?"
Ah, the innocence of youth. He let out a small laugh.
"Yes, you could say that." 'Hardly new,' he thought to himself.
He looked at his watch; he really should be going. He stood up and stretched his long limbs. The boy really did look tiny from his height. The boy seemed equally amazed at how large the man seemed; his large blue eyes spoke a silent 'wow'. He patted the boy on the head. It gave him an odd sensation.
"Tell your mother I will see her tomorrow night, Takeru."
"How did you know my name?"
"Your mother speaks often of you and Yamato."
"Oh."
He couldn't shake the feeling that the boy was suspicious of him. Not in the 'you're a stranger going out with my mother' suspicious, but an 'I know your secrets' type. He wondered if the boy was really so cleaver.
"And what should I call you sir?"
A million things danced through his mind, but settled on "Yukio".
He started to move to the exit, highly aware that the eyes of six children were on him. Of course the ones most intent on watching him felt like a drill was being used on the back of his skull. He could almost see the wheels in Takeru's head turning, and knew it would not be long until he figured out everything. He hoped he could talk to Yamato and Takeru before they did though. It was coming together faster than he had hoped. 'Or thirteen years too late,' he thought bitterly as he went through the doors.
Takeru couldn't help but feel like he should know who Yukio was. He looked so familiar, and his laugh-where had he heard it before? He felt that Yukio was hiding something, something horrible.
He moved over to Patamon and gave him a hug, hoping that he could warm the sudden chill that had come over him. He suddenly felt scared and with it came the knowing that everything was going to happen tomorrow, and he would not be ready for it.