Story Six: His Pride and Soul

Sanosuke's hands were slick with sweat, like the dew on the morning grass. They shook, the tremors leaping up his arms and jiggling his shoulders, which were hunched up near his neck as Sano crouched against the clinic wall. His breathing was quick and frightened; nervous and worried like the fighter had never before.

Gulping, as he heard approaching footsteps, Sano anxious chocolate orbs flickered up to peer uneasily at the gray-haired doctor standing next to him. The doctor looked down gently at the shaking man, while Sanosuke gaped back at him like a frozen owl. The doctor's hands smelled of blood. A shiver ran up Sano's spine—blood? Blood? Why did—blood? What did blood have to do with this?

"Gensai-sensei?" Sano whispered in such a small, trembling voice, so tiny that it was nearly unbelievable that it had issued from Sanosuke's throat.

Doctor Gensai smiled tiredly at the boy's trauma, and immediately Sanosuke leapt to his feet and nearly tackled the old man with fret. "What happened? Is she okay? What's wrong with Megumi? Why—why do you…? I mean—did something go wrong?"

"Sanosuke-san," Doctor Gensai gently pushed the hysterical fighter off of him, chuckling slightly. The man was in such a fluster that suddenly seemed so simple and obvious of why Sanosuke should be dubbed a Rooster—though, he rather worried like a hen. "Calm down. Nothing is wrong with Megumi; everything is fine. She's waiting for you."

Sano's wide, staring eyes were glued to the doctor's worn face, attempting to comprehend Gensai-sensei's words. "Y…ya mean…?"

"You can go and see her," Gensai chuckled, amused by the boy's utter distress and worry. The expression truly did not suit Sanosuke, not one bit. "Right now."

Doubting Sano's legs would move on their own, Doctor Gensai took the latter's shoulder and guided him down the hall. It seemed like the walk to death row for Sanosuke; the small patter of his feet echoed like execution drums in his ears; could he do this? Could he survive? It was his fault this all happened, anyways. Without him, this would have never happened—

But they reached the door. They reached Megumi's door. Sanosuke swallowed loudly, glancing at Doctor Gensai for reassurance. The old man rolled his eyes and nudged Sano's shoulder, making the other feel a little silly as he shyly pushed open the door.

His hands shook like earthquakes were devouring them, so Sanosuke shoved them both into his pockets as he shouldered his way silently through the curtains. He almost considered squeezing his eyes shut; the room smelled a bit of blood and fluids… normally it would not bother Sano, but this case was an extreme exception.

Sanosuke took a deep breath as he looked over to the surgery bed, his hands clutching the insides of his pockets so tightly that his fingernails nipped crescent-shaped wounds into his palm.

Megumi lay there, watching him with a sort of tired amusement. Her usually orderly hair was frayed and ruffled, her eyes half-closed with delight and exhaustion; and Megumi's pale, unpainted lips were upturned in the fond grin Sanosuke loved. Despite her informal appearance, Sanosuke paid no mind—heck, he looked like that all the time.

And in her arms…in her arms—Sano felt a chill skate up his back—a little shifting bunch of warm blankets was snuggled against Megumi's shoulder. Sano looked up at Megumi with a sort of fascination, unsure if he should speak or not.

"Are you scared?" Megumi laughed, causing Sanosuke to flush red to the roots of his hair. "Get over here. It's not going to bite you."

It might, Sano though anxiously, later feeling a little ridiculous as his feet carried him over to Megumi's bedside. Megumi's long fingertips brushed away the cloth to reveal…well, the most beautiful thing Sanosuke could have ever imagined.

The soft curves of the child's cheeks were round and flawless, the flushed ivory skin that was obviously inherited from Megumi icing the baby's features with a childlike elegance. Thick lashes covered the little one's closed eyes, dark as the night; and its wee little nose protruded from its face with a cute pride. Brightening black hair covered its little head in thick locks, though Sano wondered if by the weird tint of the fuzz, if it might turn brown. The rest of the baby's form was wrapped in peach cloth, shielding the beautiful child from the new world's cold.

Sano felt his breathing quicken—surely, it had not been he who had made this baby… this child, this—this miracle. Simply seeing this creature enthused Sanosuke, as he wondered if there really might be someone out there, someone who really did create the Heavens and the Earth so delicately and with such precision. After all, this child so wonderful couldn't possibly have been made by only he and Megumi. Something bigger…there had to be more to it than this. It was just too unreal and lovely to comprehend; thus Sanosuke found that all he could do was stare.

"What do you think?" Megumi chuckled, perpetually pleased with Sano's awe.

Finding his voice, Sanosuke uttered softly, stepping closer, "Beautiful…" He looked so frightened and mesmerized, overjoyed and seemingly ready to burst into tears—or maybe even pass out.

"This is your daughter, Sagara Sanosuke," Megumi whispered softly, smiling brightly as she stroked the little girl's hair lovingly.

Sano gaped some more; it was really all he could do. He had a baby girl? A daughter? Sagara Sanosuke was a father? In all his years, he had never supposed he might be blessed like this. Like this, with such a faithful wife and a beautiful daughter… Kenkaya Zanza was truly gone forever; he had no place in such happy lives as the Sagara Family. Sanosuke was happy as can be, just like this.

Blushing, Sanosuke wiped the smoldering tears perched upon the lids of his eyes with the back of his hand. Gulping, Sano couldn't prevent a little sniffle from escaping; but at the moment it seemed unimportant. He was happy, so what if he cried?

A warm hand covered his own as Sanosuke knelt down on the floor, beside Megumi's bed. Megumi's free hand stroked Sano's face, wiping away the remains of his tears with her thumb. She smiled at her husband, reminding him, "I love you."

"I love you, too…" Sano mumbled back, blinking nervously. What was he supposed to do now? Hold the little girl? Kiss Megumi? Cry like a little boy with a scraped knee? Faint? What?

"What do you want to name her?" Megumi asked, smiling still.

Sano quieted, unsure of how to reply. So many names, all of them undeserving of this tiny miracle that someone out there had so graciously given him. He wanted something beautiful, something—some name that could be spoken with utter love, some name that could do some form of justice to the complete splendor of Sano's baby.

And then, she opened her eyes. Sano's baby opened her eyes. Not very wide, but the child peered out in her fathers general direction with a sort of fuzzy curiosity. The expression was so familiar; Sano almost laughed—it was his exact expression, on those disgusting mornings when he awoke from an awful night of drinking. Had his baby been born with a hangover? Sano smiled wide, scooting nearer to the fascinating one.

Then, she gave him—Sano's eyes widened in surprise—a sort of glare. Yes. She positively glowered at her daddy, as if to say, "What took you so long, knucklehead?" Sano chuckled, and Megumi snickered as their baby growled at the both of them in an obnoxious manner, which evidently drained all of the baby's energy; because she fell asleep moments after.

"Seiko," Sanosuke murmured happily.

"Child of spirit," Megumi sighed the meaning of the name, again lifting her empty hand to run her hand through her husband's wild hair. He hummed softly, watching Sagara Seiko sleep with contentment.

"She's so perfect." Sanosuke couldn't help but continue his remarks about his Seiko; completely fascinated with this new creation; for it hit him like a lovely, warm wave of balmy water… he had a family. Sanosuke really had a family again, one who loved him and cared for him like no one else.

Megumi laughed. "You just wait until she starts crying. Seiko-chan may have inherited some of my facial traits, but she's got your lungs. She is loud. Not to mention she's just as violent."

Grinning wide, Sano replied, "I won't care too much."

"You will when she starts talking," Megumi snickered, rolling her eyes.

Blinking curiously, Sanosuke asked, "How long until that happens?" What kind of voice will she have? Sanosuke wondered. Will it be regal like Megumi's? Will she talk like me? Will she have a husky and rude tone? I don't know what I'll do if Seiko has the voice of a mouse.

"Seiko-chan will be speaking around a year of age," Megumi explained smugly, proudly. A dangerous flicker came into her magenta eyes as Megumi smirked slyly at her husband, who cowered under the calculating gaze. "Of course, by then I shall have you properly trained on how to feed her, burp her, do laundry and dishes, and of course of how to change her diapers."

Sanosuke didn't reply; instead he smiled as if to say, "You wouldn't dare." However, he knew very well that Megumi would try—and Sano knew he would have to do his best to help. It was his job, wasn't it? To uphold his house?

"Sagara Seiko," Sano sighed again, resting his chin on his folded arms with satisfaction. His wife continued to stroke his face, and for many minutes the three Sagaras simply sat together in silence. Such a strange and new unity existed between them.

Looking at Sagara Megumi, Sanosuke awkwardly inquired, "Will I wake her up if I…?"

"Go ahead," Megumi whispered, removing her fingers from Sano's hair. He stretched forwards to gently, nervously pick up his daughter; anxiously standing up with Seiko in his arms. As Sano held his baby for the first time, all his emotions clashed again; and for a second he thought he was going to pass out.

But he didn't. Instead, he found himself kissing Seiko's little forehead, and whispering softly into her ear, "Your daddy loves you, Seiko-chan. You are his pride and soul."

Sagara Seiko sniffled, grumbling and turning her face to her father, burying her tiny nose into his chest. It was so brief that Sano wasn't sure if he had really seen her do it, but Sanosuke was nearly positive that she smiled.

OWARI

MadiSano: What's this? I lied? Yeah, I know...bleah. LOL! I was actually supposed to post the AU fic about Sano moving in next door to Megumi this time, but I'm having a bit of trouble with the details. Besides, I felt I was keeping you waiting for way too long! So I decided to post my Sano-Daddy fic for you. I know it's nothing special, but I thought it was sweet. And if you are wondering when I will reply to your request, fear not! I have a list of them going on, and I promise I will write every single one of them. (dramatic music)

Well, this is it. Sorry it was a bit short, but I didn't want it to go on and on forever with only little happy things occuring, you know?Lol. I remind you to review (please!), and if you have an idea, I'd be glad to write it. Let my list grow! Ja!