Chapter Twenty Five: That Was… Unexpected

Naru gazed out from the balcony at the wet March weather, Hachi laying at her feet. With the school year ending later this month, most of the girls were spending extra time at their schools or Todai. This was especially true for those preparing to graduate: Mutsumi, Su, and Kanako. But even Sara was having to hit the books more, which made her surly… well more surly than usual.

That made things hectic and quiet at the same time. Hectic because the girls always were as they were and she needed to play referee. Quiet because for most of the day, it was her, Kitsune, and Haruka.

"Hey, Naru," Kitsune said in a cheerful tone. "I'm off to Dae-Jeong's for lunch. You wanna come?"

Dae-Jeong's was the name of the restaurant that she, Shinobu, and Hyun-Sil had visited when Hyun-Sil had been here last month. Kitsune insisted it was "research" for her article, but if that wasn't a cover, it had to be the most in depth research for a restaurant ever.

Naru shook her head. "No thanks. Dr. Juse said I've reached the point where I shouldn't do any travel outside of what's necessary. That way, if I go into labor unexpectedly, I'm near a phone."

"Okay," Kitsune nodded. "Haruka said she'd be over soon. She's feeling better now."

"That's good," Naru nodded. Haruka had been laid up over the last two weeks with something nausea inducing. Naru had stayed away on those grounds. "Mutsumi's still avoiding her?"

Kitsune chuckled ruefully. Apparently Mutsumi had given her diagnosis and Haruka called her a quack in response. The result being that the two were never seen in the same place at the same time. "Yeah, but Haruka said she was ready to apologize for that."

"That's good," Naru said. "I'd like to have the rest of my pregnancy in some level of peace."

"So would I," Haruka said ruefully, joining them on the balcony.

Haruka and Kitsune exchanged a nod, and Kitsune excused herself.

Passing me off one to the other, Naru thought wryly.

She was a bit surprised by the older woman's appearance, though. She looked haggard and exhausted. "I'm glad to see you up and around. Have you been to a doctor?"

"Yes I have. Don't worry. It's not contagious, Naru," Haruka said gently.

"Sorry," Naru blushed. "I guess I'm becoming overprotective again in my final month… Kuwabara, Kuwabara." I sure hope you're on time, little girl, she thought as she caressed her abdomen.

Haruka nodded and fumbled for a pack of cigarettes, then stopped herself, scowling. "I think there's a lot I can learn from you on that."

"You mean with my pregnancy building my character in some way from how I was at seventeen?" What can she learn from me?

"No," Haruka said bluntly. "I mean there were consequences from my wild time with Seta last month. The doctor said I'm pregnant."

Naru's jaw dropped. Then, feeling foolish over her display, you're twenty five Naru! she embraced Haruka. "Ara ara!" She gushed. "I didn't think it was possible at your age…" mortified at her new faux pas, her voice trailed off. "Er… I mean…"

Haruka produced her harisen and lightly bopped Naru on the head. "Yeah, I thought the same thing when Mutsumi told me. I quit using contraception because I figured I didn't need it. But Dr. Juse told me that, no, fertility slows down at my age, but doesn't stop. Live and learn." She fumbled for her cigarettes, then pulled her hand away, annoyed with herself. "I guess that's what happens when you spend a month with a randy husband."

"Ah," Naru shrugged. At seventeen, she would have been mortified by this talk, but being married to Keitaro, it wasn't anything she didn't already know about. "You worried about telling him?"

Seta had flown back to Molmol about a week ago. If he knew, he didn't let on.

"Nah," Haruka shook her head. "I'm sure he'll be as absent minded as always but happy. I'm worried about telling Sara."

"Sara? Why's that?" Naru asked.

"Because I worry how she'll take it. With Seta leaving us to fly all over, we bonded because we had each other and we had ties to him, even though we weren't related. But now that I'm having his baby, how's she going to take it when that's something she can't be a part of ? She might feel squeezed out."

Naru nodded. "I imagine my blowup with my stepmother probably wouldn't inspire confidence on how that might go. We did have that problem, but part of that was the fact that we both had a lot of baggage and years of hurt. You and Sara aren't there yet."Hmm," Haruka grunted. "So, based on your experience, what do you think I should watch out for so I don't fuck this up with Sara. She's pissing me off a lot lately, but I love her like a daughter."

"Then you make sure she knows it," Naru said bluntly. "Bring her into this as much as she wants, but not less. Let her know that while babies require a lot of work and attention, that doesn't mean she is less important." She paused and blushed slightly. "That probably sounds arrogant considering I haven't even had my first yet."

"Nah," Haruka waved dismissively, "I think it's good advice. I'm just wondering when I should break the news. It's almost the end of the year and she has tests. But if I start showing before I tell her, she'll be mad."

"Well," Naru said, finding it hard to grasp that Haruka was looking to her as the mature one, "it seems to me that if you don't let her know soon, she'll resent it if she discovers it on her own. And, if she catches on that you're hiding something, she might start mistrusting you."

"Life was much easier before she became a teenager," Haruka groused. "But you're probably right. I'll hope I can catch her in a semi-good mood so she'll listen."

"Try it when she's playing with Hachi," Naru suggested. "She's usually in a good mood then."

Hachi raised his head and wagged his tail, then curled up again, forcing her to move to avoid being tripped.

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"Hey, Dae-Jeong," Kitsune said as she entered the restaurant. "How are ya doing?"

"Not bad, not bad at all," he replied, grabbing a menu and walking over. He pulled out a chair for her. "How's the arm doing?"

Kitsune looked down at her cast. "I'm supposed ta be out of it next week. I can hardly wait." She sighed. "Then maybe I can start fixin' my life up some."

"I don't know," Dae Jeong shrugged. "You seem to be much more confident each time I see you."

"Yeah, probably'cause I'm getting more experience in picking out non fermented foods." She sighed. "I'm thinking more along the lines of moving past the party girl mode I've been in since I was a teenager. My friends are moving forward. Hell, even the teenagers where I live are starting to pass me there."

Dae Jeong sat down next to her. He could get away with it because he and Kitsune had reached the level of friends and, because he was the boss and could decide for himself when he could take a break. "Finding the right thing is good. But only if you know what you're looking for."

"Well, sometimes I think of what the others have. They either have their marriages slash stable relationship or have the potential ta go into one. Me, not all the parts work and I think my past would scare a lot of guys off. I don't think I'd be a movie marriage."

"Sure you could," Dae Jeong grinned.

"Oh yeah? What movie was that?"

"Jopog Manura?"

Kitsune laughed and swatted him with the menu. "You dope!" She'd never be able to act like this with a Japanese guy. They would think of her as too loud and obnoxious. But she could at least be herself here. "Anyway, my fine is mostly paid off, and I'll be able to do more outta the sling. So, maybe after Naru has her kid, I can try out options."

"Well, today the non-fermented option is on the board." He gestured to the listing.

"Thanks, Dae. I do wish I could eat more of your menu."

"You're a lot of trouble, but you give me a great challenge. Making good food without fermentation."

"Don't worry, you'll get it right someday!"

Dae Jeong laughed and swatted her with the menu. This woman was the only one he ever let make jokes about his food like that.

I do need to think seriously about settling down, Kitsune thought, but for now it's nice hanging out with a friend outside of Hinata House.

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"Oh, come on Shinobu!" Kyoko pleaded. "You've been with your boyfriend for close to six months at this point. We just want to know how things are going with you!"

"I'm not telling you!" Shinobu snapped. The three of them were sitting around a table at a college cafe. She'd fallen out of touch with Kyoko and Mari since she got in trouble with Naru over her stepmother. She knew the two women were at least as interested in lurid details as they were in catching up with her, and had no intention to share that information. Not that there are any lurid details, but I'm sure not telling them about my near miss or his desire to remain chaste until marriage!

"Okay, back off Kyoko," Mari replied patiently. "Not all women are like you. Some like to keep their personal life personal."

"Oh, yeah I can see… HEY!" Kyoko snapped, suddenly noticing the barb.

"So," Mari continued, ignoring her, "what are you willing to tell us?"

Shinobu looked up. "Well," she finally said, "I think he's a great guy and a gentleman." She emphasized the word to get Kyoko's mind out of the gutter. "We were planning on a Christmas date and dinner with his family before a crisis popped up where I live. So, we're taking it slow and seeing if we're right for each other for the long haul."

Mari sipped her tea. "I can actually see that fitting with how I see you, so I hope it works out."

"He's a year ahead of you, right?" Kyoko asked.

"That's right," Shinobu nodded. "He's preparing for his finals."

"Does he have a job proposal yet?"

"Yes, I think he was hired on at a company called Manpan. He wants to work on his own before he joins his father's company to prove he's not just there because of who his dad is."

"Ooh, reliable!" Mari smiled. "If things work out, he could be established by the time you graduate next year! Could mean you get your own proposal…."

"I wouldn't mind," Shinobu smiled, blushing slightly. "But I think it's too early yet to make plans on that."

"That's a quaint concept… not at all like the modern girls," Kyoko said, teasingly.

"I don't know," Mari said. "Sometimes I think the older ways had some wisdom in them."

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Unfortunately, Sara was not in the best of moods when she returned to Hinata House. She was terse when she came to pick up Hachi and the leash. "Come on, Dumbass," she grumbled. A small smile escaped her lips though when Hachi began thumping his tail on the floor.

Haruka was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. "Mind if I walk with you while you take the dog out?"

Sara grunted. "If ya want. What did I do this time?"

Haruka sighed. "I'm not aware of anything… I'm sorry if I've been acting in a way that leaves you thinking I've come to yell at you when I come by."

"Oh…" Sara couldn't bring herself to say, I'm sorry, but she nodded. "Sure, I guess so. I'm guessing something's up?"

"I'd… say so," Haruka said sheepishly. "But let's get out of the range of gossip before I start."

Curiosity piqued, Sara nudged Hachi and they headed up to the hill behind Hinata House. "Okay, so what's up?"

Haruka almost lost her nerve, imagining all the resentful responses Sara might make. But she forced her way forward. "Well, I've been to see Naru's doctor and I've found out I'm pregnant."

Sara facefaulted. Getting to her feet, she stared. "Wha-? You? At your age?"

Haruka resisted the urge to smack her with her harisen. "Yeah… I'd thump you for that, but I did think the same thing. So I quit using contrace—"

"Too much information!" Sara said hastily.

"Right, anyway, I thought I was sick with the flu."

"Did Mutsumi get it wrong?" Sara asked, warily.

Haruka hesitated, seeing that Sara was teetering between emotional outburst and some faint wisp of compassion. "No, she got it right and I didn't believe her. Then she flat out said I had to quit smoking, and I practically threw her out of my room."

"You gave up smoking? No wonder you're so pissy all the time?"

"LISTEN YOU—" she broke off seeing Sara's smirk. "Anyway, I remembered what Naru had been complaining about when she and Keitaro got back and I figured I better see a doctor." She spread her hands. "And then I found out Mutsumi was right. I guess I owe her an apology."

"Does Papa know yet?" Sara asked.

"No, I'll wait until it gets to be morning on Molmol, and I'll call him. If you want to be there, you're welcome to join me." She paused. "So, I'm the first person to know besides Mutsumi?"

"Well, actually I needed to talk to Naru first." Haruka braced for the explosion.

"How come you told Naru first?" Sara growled.

Haruka internally sighed and tried to keep her tone calm. "Because right now, she's the resident expert on being pregnant and I need an expert to help me deal with it."

"Oh," Sara faltered. "Is it hard?"

"It's uncomfortable right now. For me, it's less the needing to pee that Naru had and more the feeling simultaneously hungry and nauseous."

"Man, pregnancy sounds like a drag," Sara said sympathetically.

"It is," Haruka said, caressing her abdomen. "But on the other hand, it feels kind of special that Seta and I have this…" her voice trailed off, as she realized she had probably led with the worst phrasing possible.

"So!" Sara snarled, "now that you and Papa are going to have a baby together, you won't need me around!"

"Sara! Wait!" Haruka called. But it was too late. Sara was sprinting down the hill, leaving Haruka to drag Hachi away from the hole he was digging to America,

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Author's Notes

Well, for awhile, I was wondering if Life Moves Forward was going to be yet another unfinished story on , but I decided to keep at it and remove what I thought were less essential elements to cut down on bloat. I suspect I won't be holding to the one chapter a month standard though.

In the Chapter 20 Author's Notes, I listed several reasons as to why I chose not to have Shinobu go all the way with Takane and wind up pregnant. To avoid spoilers, I omitted one reason: That I wouldn't be able to do it with Haruka. I thought that with Haruka, it would fit with Naru's pregnancy instead of conflicting with it, and perhaps give Sara ease off teenage rebellion.

"Kuwabara, Kuwabara." This is the Japanese equivalent of "knock on wood." It literally means "mulberry field" (which were believed to be immune from lightning strikes)

"Jopog Manura?" The Korean title for "My Wife Is A Gangster." A 2001 Korean film.

In case you've forgotten, Mari Saionji and Kyoko Hayakate are Shinobu's friends from college. They haven't shown up since Chapter 11. They're sort of like the female equivalent of Haitani and Shirai.

"Yes, I think he was hired on at a company called Manpan." I've mentioned it before, but I do like the Live Action series Shomuni and wish a licensed subbed version was available in the US.