Chapter three: something important to protect

It's been a week since Asami learned that Akihito was pregnant with his child, and true to her word, Akihito didn't return. She didn't run away either, she went to her parents' place (just as she said she would)

Asami leaned back in his chair, blowing out gray smoke. Why couldn't she understand, he had enemies, and it was not your average enemies. They will always be waiting to get ahold of his weakness and use it against him, so far he had managed to make it appear as though Akihito was nothing more than a pastime for him, and for that to work he had had to make it appear like that for Akihito too, but if she was to have his child… Akihito would surely be subjected to more dangers than she already was, and might even die in the process. He couldn't let that happen. If he wanted children he'd have them with some woman who he could afford to lose, but not Akihito. No, anyone but her. If it meant taking away this one thing from her, if it meant to lock her up forever, he would. Because his child would be seen as a weakness and so would the mother. Akihito would only be dragged further and further into his dark world. She did not belong there. Akihito belonged in the light, that's where she shone the brightest. She had already blinded him with her bright cheerfulness, her naivety and innocence. Him, a being that had lived in the dark for too long, she was his sole light, his sole warmth. He wouldn't allow any harm come to her.

Kirishima entered the office only to find his boss in deep thought. He'd done that a lot this past week. Come to think of it, Asami-samas "pet" had also been gone for a week. Could she be the reason for his boss's distress? Kirishima pushed that thought aside; it was not his place to comment on Asami-samas private life. Kirishima cleared his throat to bring Asami back from his trail of thought. Asami turned to glare at his secretary, clearly displeased with the interruption, but gave him an affirmative nod to continue.

"Asami-sama, here are the last reports for today."

With that he placed the reports on the desk. Asami took the files and started looking through them. He noticed that Kirishima hadn't moved from his spot.

"You are dismissed."

Kirishima just continued to stand there, looking for something to say.

"If you have something to say, then say it."

The irritation clear in his boss's voice, Kirishima bowed down and started to speak.

"Then, permission to speak freely? Asami-sama?"

"Granted"

Kirishima stood up, and met his boss's cold eyes.

"Asami-sama, I have noticed that for the past week you haven't been looking too well. I was wondering if this had anything to do with Takaba Akihito being away for one week?"

The temperature of the room went down, and Asami's eyes got colder, kirishima suppressed a frightened shiver.

"I do not pay you to worry over unnecessary things, now I suggest you return to do what I actually pay you for."

Kirishima felt his hands shaking, in fear of his life. Perhaps it had been best he hadn't asked. Just as he was to leave the office, Kirishima was stopped by his boss's voice.

"Kirishima what do you think about children?"

Kirishima truly startled by this question answered.

"That would depend on the person, sir? But, if you're asking me about in our line of work I would say; children do not belong in our world, they would constantly be in danger because of what we do. But, having children, might also make us stronger… by wanting to protect something precious to us…" Kirishima hesitated in saying the last sentence, not quite sure what he should have said.

Asami thought this over, and gave Kirishima permission to leave. Asami leaned back into his chair, the reports long forgotten. He took another cigarette to his mouth. Blowing out the smoke he muttered to himself.

"Something important to protect, huh?"

That might be true.

At that time Akihito was having her check-up at the local hospital.

"Well, Mrs. Takaba, congratulations, you are seven weeks pregnant."

The kind doctor announced to her after the tests, and of course she didn't miss the "Mrs."

"Ms. Takaba, I'm not married."

Akihito explained. The doctor looked at her with an apologetic smile, and patted her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, perhaps he just wasn't the right one. I'm sure you'll find someone who loves you and the baby just as much, if not more."

The doctor had clearly misunderstood what she meant. She didn't care whether Asami cared or not, she had always wanted to get away from him, right? She didn't care whether he cared about her and her child, right? It was also safer like this… if that was so then why did she feel so… abandoned? Why did her chest hurt so much? Akihito already knew the answer. She had tried to deny it, but she really wanted Asami to love this child, to accept it. She wanted this because she loved that cold man, the man whose hands had ended countless lives, but saved hers so many times. She wanted those strong arms to embrace her, and just snuggle into that heat and safety she felt. She missed him, she couldn't deny that, but she couldn't forgive him for wanting to take her child away from her.

When Akihito left the doctor's office, she felt another sting in her heart. Envy. She watched all those other pregnant women with their husbands, talking excitedly among themselves. Discussing names, gender, who they would resemble. All those women looked so happy. Some of them glanced at her with apologetic eyes, when they noticed she was all alone. She hated it here, she didn't want them to pity her. When had she ever felt sad about her situation? Before she could answer that thought she hurried out of the waiting room to the busy streets of Yokohama. The fresh gust of air on her face seemed to help her clear her thoughts. She was going to make this work, she would love this child, and do anything in her power to make it happy, and keep it safe. With that new determination Akihito was lost in the crowd of people.

I'm sorry not being able to post that regularly, right now I am in the process of moving, so I am very busy with many different things at the moment, but of course I will find some time off to finish this fanfic.