A Nursery Rhyme

The afternoon sun slanted its rays through the living room window, bathing the room's lone occupant with warmth that was welcome. It would be fall soon, and already a slight chill was in the air.

Nadeshiko loved this time of day. All her photo shoots would be done, and she had a little time to clean up the house and wait for Touya to come home from school.

But today was different – today was a very special day, and she couldn't wait to give her news to her little family.

As she waited, she sat by the piano organ and played her favorite music.

The organ had been a gift from her Grandfather. It had suddenly been delivered at their doorstep a few weeks after the wedding, without so much as a note as to who it was from – but she knew, and was glad. Perhaps one day her Grandfather would find it in his heart to accept Fujitaka-san – but for now she would be content with sending him flowers, letters and handmade gifts on his birthday and all the other holidays…

Nadeshiko looked at her little boy fondly as he sat beside her, practicing the scales.

Touya-kun was entirely too serious for a six year old. She had remarked about this once to Fujitaka-san, and the dear man had snickered.

Now, Fujitaka wasn't a man given to snickering – he was a man full of half-smiles, grins and chuckles – never snickers, and so she asked him what was so funny.

"He reminds me of Sonomi-kun," Fujitaka replied blandly.

"Fujitaka-san!"

"Well, he doesn't take from my side of the family, that's for sure."

"That's just because you don't know any of them," she retorted – and then she wanted to take it back. Fujitaka didn't need reminding that he came from an orphanage, with no one to call a family until now.

But Fujitaka never got easily offended, and he brushed aside her attempt at an apology with a grin. She never brought it up again, but she often wondered about her husband's family – what had they been like? What had made them give up their little boy?

Looking down at her own little boy beside her, she tried to imagine giving Touya away. No, no! She couldn't even imagine she would willingly give her boy away – never! She gave Touya a quick hug, and he stopped fingering the piano keys and looked up at her.

"What's wrong, Okaasan?" His eyebrows knitted as he looked at her, and she laughed, smoothing the creases on his forehead.

"Nothing's wrong, Touya-kun." She picked out a music sheet. "Here, this one's a funny rhyme. I'll sing this one while you play -- you remember how to read the notes, don't you?" At his nod, she settled down as he concentrated on reading the notes.

What are little boys made of, made of?

What are little boys made of?

Frogs and snails

And puppy-dogs' tails,

That's what little boys are made of?

What are little girls made of, made of?

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice

And all things nice,

That's what little girls are made of.

She sang with gusto as Touya accompanied her, and she laughed as she saw that Touya had that serious look on his face again. He's probably going to say that he isn't made of frogs or snails or whatnot, she smiled to herself.

"I had a dream last night, Okaasan."

That gained him her full attention. Her little boy had a strange ability to see things that other people couldn't see, and he often had dreams that were omens of the future. He never told anybody about his dreams, only her, because she understood him and reassured him. "About what, Touya-kun?" she finally asked.

"I dreamt of a little girl…she looked like you, and had big green eyes. She kept tugging at my clothes, and kept asking me 'Would you be my onii-chan?'" Touya pouted a little bit, showing his exasperation.

"I called her a little kaijuu 'coz she wouldn't stopuntil I finally said 'Yes'. And then I woke up."

A girl? Nadeshiko's heart beat faster – and her hand unconsciously went to her still-flat belly. Touya's dreams were never wrong – oh, a girl!

"Would you like a sister, Touya-kun?" she asked quietly, and waited for his reply.

He considered thoughtfully, his hands still on the keys.

"Hai, okaasan," he said finally. "Even if she turns out to be a real kaijuu, I think a little sister would be okay." Nadeshiko laughed, tears in her eyes, as Touya went on, "I'll take care of her and make sure nobody makes her cry."

"And her name's going to be Sakura," little Touya added decidedly. "That's what the man said in my dream."

"What man?"

Touya smiled. "The man who looked like Otousan, except he had really long black hair, and he was wearing something black. He looked as nice as Otousan, and he said that the girl's name should be Sakura. I like it – can we name my little sister Sakura, neh Okaasan?" he asked her with pleading eyes. She laughed once more, ruffling his hair and pulled him close, savoring the feel of her child against her skin.

"Hai, I think Sakura's a very nice name."