Rock the Cradle
Chapter 7
A month had passed, and Akabane was running on little sleep due to the nightmares he had been having about Sayaka's possible death during birth. He felt himself isolating at times away from Sayaka to fear her getting hurt. Waking up, he saw Sayaka was not in bed. He figured she was cooking breakfast again, yet he didn't feel hungry this morning. His stomach was in knots as the nightmares he had been having were growing more intense, heading down the stairs, he figured he would find Sayaka in the kitchen — she wasn't there. His heart sank for a moment as he tried to remain composed, especially when he promised to protect her in her condition.
Where is she? Akabane thought to himself I hope she is okay…
His cell phone rang, it was Himiko calling him. Akabane picked up, "Speaking.." He said over the phone.
"About damn time you have picked up, Jackal." Himiko answered over the phone.
"What is going on?"
"If you're wondering about Sayaka, she is with me."
Akabane paused for a moment before he resumed, "Why didn't she call me?"
"She didn't want to disturb you. Jackal, you haven't been completely open with her have you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Really? You haven't told her about your nightmares and restlessness?!"
"… I… I didn't want her to panic…" He paused, letting out a sigh. "I need to talk to her…"
"Well, if you want to talk to her, she's at the coffee shop on the corner with me. I treated her to a couple of pastries to satisfy her cravings."
"I'll be there in a moment then."
Akabane ended the call and placed his phone back into his pocket. Adjusting his hat, he then set off to meet Sayaka and Himiko there.
At the coffee shop, Akabane arrived and found Sayaka there, who was taking a few bites of a pumpkin spice pastry. Himiko got up from her seat to let Akabane sit across from Sayaka at the table by the window while she went to go buy another coffee. Once he took a seat across from her, he sensed the tension coming from her as she didn't even look up to give him eye contact. It was clear that she was indeed mad at him.
"I know you're upset with me, but we need to talk.." Akabane commented
Sayaka sighed as she took a sip of tea, "Why? You'll just end up lying to me.."
"Sayaka-Chan… I haven't been able to sleep because I have been having very bad nightmares, and they were about you."
Sayaka paused as she began to wonder about these nightmares he had been having. It was clear that they were not from Ban's use of the Jagan. They clearly really were nightmares he had been having, making it hard for him to sleep all those nights. She was hesitant, but she wanted to remain loyal and supportive to Akabane despite all this.
"… What were they about, may I ask?" Sayaka asked, slightly tilting her head.
"… You were dying… from complications while giving birth to our child. I am sorry, Sayaka-Chan, I know I should have told you sooner, but… I didn't want you to panic…" Akabane answered as he lowered his head, holding back his emotions. Taking a moment, he resumed, "I vowed to protect you, but even I feel I have failed doing that…"
"Akabane-kun…" Sayaka extended her arm out to place her hand over his for comfort, "You didn't fail… I know you'll find a way. You may be a stubborn butthead sometimes, but I still love you. Like I said before, the choice is yours." She smiled warmly.
Akabane smiled as he held her hand and kissed it. He didn't want to let go as he caressed it gently, "Sayaka-Chan… Thank you." He couldn't help but shed a little bit of tears. However, they weren't tears of sadness. In fact, it was more tears of joy. He took a moment to compose himself before he resumed, "I will find a way to save you.."
Sayaka noticed Akabane's slight tears of emotion. It was the first time she had ever seen him become quite emotional. She couldn't help but smile softly,
"Kuroudo Akabane, are those happy tears I am seeing?" She chuckled a little bit with a smile.
Akabane quickly wiped the tears away, "My my, not sure what you're talking about my dear Sayaka-Chan."
Sayaka giggled, "Oh come on, I think it's cute. It shows how much you have grown, and you'll become a stronger person in the end."
Akabane chuckled with a smile, "I guess you got me there, Sayaka-Chan."
It wasn't long until Himiko had returned to the table where they were sitting. She had noticed that they were both joking with each other and had made up. She couldn't help but smile.
"Well, I see this all turned out well in the end. You manage to tell her, Dr. Jackal?" Himiko asked.
"Yes, we're good now. Thank you for the support, Miss Himiko." Sayaka commented with a smile.
"No need to thank me, it's just something that needed to be done." Himiko grabbed her motorcycle helmet and her coffee and started heading out, but turned back to Akabane and Sayaka, "Well, I must be going. Jackal, I'll see you tonight, and Sayaka… take care of yourself."
With that said, Himiko headed out of the coffee shop and got on her motorcycle to ride away.
End of Chapter 7
