Chapter 10: First Steps and Nights of Talk

Princess Sango

Tohru smiled as she gently cradled Sachiko as she fell asleep, and Ayame placed a gently hand on her shoulder, "Soon she'll question how we're living." Tohru looked up at Ayame puzzled look and he smiled as he took Sachiko from her and placed her in the crib. Then kneeled down to level with Tohru, kneeling in front of the rocking chair, "She's getting older Tohru-chan, she's going to go to school before you know it, and she'll have friends and other influences."

"I don't get where you're going with this Ayame…" Tohru answered as she looked down at her hands, which were being held by Ayame's.

He sighed and then kissed her lips before backing away; savoring the warmth her lips had brought him, "Tohru-chan, Sachiko will find out sooner, if we don't start acting like we're actually well…in love, and acting like parents usually do." Tohru looked down, it had been a few days since her meeting with Yuki, but she had been feeling a lot better than she had in the last year. She bit her lip and Ayame squeezed her hand gently, "Tohru, I know you're not ready for anything, its okay. Yet what will happen when Sachiko is old enough to walk to our room? She needs to know how parents act, and since we're both playing related parents, we need to play the part the best!"

"I know Ayame, but I don't think I could move into someone else's bed or even in a room. I may still be trying to forget your brother, and…" Tohru stumbled on her next words.

Ayame interrupted her, "I know it's hard but Tohru, we have to play the part sooner or later, and she's starting to recognize her surroundings. Tohru, I'll sleep on the floor or something like that, but we just have to make it look like to her that we're parents."

Tohru sighed, "Can I think about it Ayame? I need just a little more time."

Ayame smiled and ran his fingers absent minded through her hair and kissed her forehead, "Okay, but please come up with your answer soon." Standing up he looked down at the beautiful woman and smiled, "It's getting late, why don't we go to bed?"

Tohru nodded and stood up, checked on Sachiko and then walked out of the room and into her room, and she felt the same gentle hand on her shoulder, "Tohru, be strong."

Tohru smiled and walked into her bedroom, shutting the door, and collapsed on her bed. Closing her eyes she thought, Mother what should I do?

Week later…

Tohru propped Sachiko up on her feet and held onto her hands tightly as Ayame stood across the room and smiled at her, "I think she's ready, Sachiko are you ready?"

Sachiko gave a small, or tried to yes, and Tohru held quickly to her fingers and gently and slowly helped her keep her balance. When Tohru let go she kept her hands behind Sachiko just incase and watched her daughter carefully as she moved one foot forward, or attempted to, only to fall down. Tohru caught her before that and gently helped her back up.

When she was then again positioned, Tohru let go and watched Sachiko move her right foot up and land on the ground. She took her first step and Tohru smiled, "Maybe she can do this the first time."

Ayame smiled, "Why not, it runs in the Sohma family, but I'm not so sure about the cat. Maybe Kyokichi might have known, for he was the one who well, you know…"

Tohru nodded and watched Sachiko move her feet forward in a cautious motion and when she kept going, it made her feel happy. Ayame held his fingers out and then Tohru watched as Sachiko wrapped her tiny hand over his finger and Ayame picked Sachiko up and jumped up with her gently. Tohru went over to them and took Sachiko in her arms, "You did it Sachiko! I'm so happy."

Sachiko giggled and smiled, "Mama, Dad funny…"

Tohru giggled and nodded, "We are funny huh?"

"Hai…"

Sachiko smiled as Tohru handed Sachiko to Ayame, "Why don't you guys play while I go prepare dinner. It'll be done soon." With that Tohru hurried off, and Ayame sat on the couch with Sachiko.

Sachiko giggled and pulled on Ayame's hair, "Teach me more dad…"

Ayame smiled and thought of something better to do, "Sachiko-chan, why don't I give you names to say? You're going to need to know these because it'll become useful to you later."

"Hai dad…"

Ayame smiled as he started to pronounce names of the Chinese Zodiac and the exact person who was possessed by that creature after she could pronounce the creature. Though, Ayame skipped over the rat's person, fearing something might stir in her mind later on. Ayame then heard Tohru calling from the kitchen that dinner was ready.

After Sachiko went to bed…

Tohru sat down on the couch and looked at the moving pictures on the television, and Ayame popped up from the hall, "I thought I heard someone up and around."

Tohru jumped slightly, "Ayame you scared me!"

Ayame chuckled and sat down next to Tohru, "What are you doing up so late at night?" His eyes darted around and saw a box of half-eaten chocolate and a can of soda.

"Just thinking to myself, about what you told me last week." Tohru answered, "I know I was putting it off, but I'm ready to move into your room Ayame. Now she can walk, and soon she'll have nightmares and will want us both there, to comfort her. She'll soon know what married couples, parents, do."

Ayame nodded, coming closer to Tohru and placing his fingers in her hair and surprised her when he kissed her lips and backed away, "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself Tohru." He had noticed her blush, even in the semi-darkness.

"It's okay…I guess I have to get used to it. Sachiko needs to think that we're together, so it's just another role," Tohru asserted as she played with her fingers.

Ayame smiled at her, "Wait here one second; I need to go get something."

Tohru looked up at Ayame confused but he winked at her and soon left the room. Within seconds he was back with a box and held it out to Tohru, "If you play the part, you must have this also." Tohru looked up at him and saw the box, which he had just opened and inside was a simple white-gold ring and an amethyst rock. Tohru gasped and Ayame smiled as she opened it and placed it on her finger, "I promise never to leave you princess, I promise to protect you and Sachiko the best I can."

Tohru had tears falling down her face and Ayame looked at her confused, "Do you not like it?"

Tohru shook her head, "I-iie it's not that, it's just that you've done so much for me. Taking Sachiko and I in, pretending to be Sachiko's father when you're really her uncle, it's so much kindness. Arigatou Ayame!" Tohru hugged hi, and a small snake withered out of her hands and looked at her.

"It's okay, to have help, to feel loved, not everyone will desert you." Ayame answered, hissing softly as Tohru held him close and cried.

"I know…I know…" Tohru whimpered and Ayame whispered soothing words to her while she tried to calm down. When she was finished she told him she was sorry.

"It's not your fault Tohru-chan," Ayame whispered and Tohru bobbed her head as Ayame swiveled and clung around her neck. "You are very special Tohru, very special. My brother…I've talked to him recently. He told me what he wished you to be happy and he wished the same for his daughter. He hasn't forgotten that he is a parent, he wants pictures of her, letters about how she's doing."

"R-really?" Tohru asked as she looked at Ayame's face.

"Really Tohru-chan, I seriously know what Yuki wants to know and what he needs to know. If Sachiko one day walks into his life, he wants to know about her, he wants to be able to at least know something. It's Akito's orders, bur Yuki couldn't stay around the child either, because…he had the urge to kill," Ayame answered truthfully, "And he couldn't do that to his own child, or even cause pain to you."

Tohru sniffled, "But why did Yuki not kill Kyo?"

"It was because they were separated at birth and when they saw each other they only wished each other dead. Tohru smiled as she re-thought of how Kyo and Yuki acted towards each other. "It's nice to see you smiling."

Tohru smiled and placed Ayame on the floor and then he soon transformed back and Tohru looked away. Ayame pulled on a pair of boxers and leaned closer to Tohru, "My dear Tohru-chan please, sleep in your bed tonight and we'll make the transfer tomorrow."

Tohru giggled and they both stood up and walked to their respective rooms, telling each other goodnight before going to bed.

TBC…