Chapter 7: The Child

            As months past, Seto and Ryuko's relationship with each other grew stronger and stronger.  They discovered that they had similar interests and Seto would take hours out of his busy day to spend time with her, and help prepare for the coming baby.  At the five month mark of Ryuko's pregnancy, they were married to each other even though he was only seventeen and she sixteen.  Every night they slept by each other's sides, and everyday they would help each other with work and their lives.  The memory of the rape had faded in Ryuko's mind, but the more she loved Seto, the more it pained him.  Like his feelings for his brother, he felt that he could never let anything bad happen to the girl he loved.  He even felt that he would sacrifice himself for her if the situation needed it.

            At the nine month mark of Ryuko's pregnancy, she went into labor and Seto took her to the hospital.  They had made a joke bet on what they thought the child was going to be.  Ryuko betted for a girl while Seto betted for a boy.  Seto held her hand and comforted her during the delivery but problems arose.  Her body had not been ready to carry and have a baby so a greater amount of strength was needed on her part.

            One of the nurses called Seto aside.

            "I'm afraid," she said as if she was about to cry.  "…but your wife is dying.  She won't be able to regain her strength again…"

            "No!  Is she still alive now?  Why is she dying?"

            "She's still alive, but hurry, she is loosing blood quickly and there is nothing we can do."

            Seto ran into the room where Ryuko laid.  A baby girl rested in the gentle arms of his love.

            "Ryuko!  You can't die!  You can't!"

            "Seto, listen to me.  Promise me you'll take care of our little girl.  Promise me!"

            "I promise!  But you can't die!"

            "I'm sorry Seto.  I love you…"

            With the last bit of her strength, she pulled Seto close to herself and kissed him.  In the middle of the kiss, Seto felt her stiffen and her tongue stopped moving.

            "Ryuko!  NO!"

            For the first time in over ten years, Seto broke into tears.

            "No Ryuko!  No!  Don't go!  I…need you.  Please!  God damn it!  This is all my fault!  Please Ryuko!"

            A small hand reached up and touched Seto's cheek.  It was the small newborn girl, laughing a tiny laugh with the same smile that Ryuko possessed.  He lifted the little girl out of Ryuko's arms and held her caringly.

            "I promise you'll be happy," he told her, tears still pouring out of his deep blue eyes.  "Ryuko, I'm sorry.  I hurt you, you forgave me and loved me, please don't go!  I love you Ryuko!"

            "I'm sorry," said the nurse.  "There was nothing we could do."

            She paused for a moment.

            "What are you going to name her?"

            Seto looked at the dead mother and back to their little girl.

            "Her name is Ryuko.  Ryuko Kaiba, the same as her mother…"

            For the years that followed, there wasn't a single day where Seto didn't think about the late Ryuko or cared for and protected the little Ryuko.  To him, the child was a small version of his wife, for her looks and personality were just like his love.  In tribute to his wife, he placed a picture of her in his locket and always remembered the precious gift of love that she had given and shone him.

The End