Here's the second part. Don't expect the third so soon. Took me a while to finish this after I wrote the first part, but I wanted to publish them together. Enjoy.
Report: Six-Months
"Ow!"
Shion winced, carefully prying the inquisitive fingers off a lock of his hair. They were hardly fazed, again reaching up to tug on another strand. Karan giggled quietly as the cycle repeated every few minutes.
"Tsubaki," It came out as a tired groan, "would you stop playing with my hair? Please?"
The baby smiled back at him cheekily, eyes glinting with a mischievous light. Shion sighed, a ghost of a smile dancing on his lips. He shifted her over to his left shoulder, and continued to stack the loaves of bread on the shelves using a pair of worn-out metal tongs.
"Honestly, you're so much like Nezumi…" Shion spoke, the words were out before he even realized it.
He slowly turned to face the window, searching. Karan paused, the helpless feeling creeping into her heart, resembling a dark shadow. She knew the yearning he had, the special tone he used when he called that name. Yet she could do nothing.
"Ah." Shion snapped out of his reverie, feeling a familiar warmth seep through his left sleeve.
And he left the room with much haste.
"Don't forget to pin it from the left side first!" Karan called after him, remembering a certain incident. "That way, it won't fall off like the last time!"
"Aren't you the cutest little thing? Aren't you? Aren't you?" Rikiga babbled using baby words, leaving Shion and Karan to try and decipher whatever that he was trying to say.
Clad in a soft lavender one piece and a cloth diaper, with beautiful brown curls like a halo over her head, a dimple in her left cheek and that lop-sided grin… Who couldn't resist? Tsubaki was being held up by the armpits, standing unsteadily on Rikiga's lap. The white booties she wore were soft and slippery, obviously not helping with her balance. Hamlet was curled up on the armrest next to him, keeping a vigil watch on the child. Rikiga nuzzled her cheek from behind, causing her to squeal—the beard tickled. Shion sat opposite Rikiga on a wooden chair, resting his chin on his hand as he too, looked on. Karan was in the kitchen as usual, preparing teatime snacks for all of them.
Tsubaki's joy was infectious as she continued to play, bouncing up and down on the grown man's knee. In the months that passed, Rikiga had reacquainted with his old flame, Karan, and Shion. Though admittedly, he took a while to find that place, thanks to Inukashi. That little rascal absolutely refused to give him their location that she had gleaned from her dog. So, he had to buy it. With a silver piece, cursing her to death. Since then, he'd drop by, often with presents for the little girl. It took a while (and she was not falling for any bribes), but eventually she warmed up to Rikiga.
"She hates it when I try to get her to face me though," said man pursed his lips, "because then it'll be harder to see where you are."
"Huh?" Shion lifted his head, puzzled.
"Don't you notice it?" Rikiga chuckled in amusement. "Her eyes follow you like a hawk's, Shion."
"Mama!" Little, stubby arms stretched to their limit, in Shion's direction, as if emphasizing what Rikiga had just said. "Mama!"
And she calls him 'Mama'… Rikiga thought, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
Shion stood and received her from Rikiga, pulling her as close as he could and staring into her big, soulful eyes, Their foreheads were touching, just touching. The baby gave off a contented aura, and there was this look on Shion's face so filled with emotion that made the older man's breath catch in his throat and his chest tighten.
All of a sudden,
Splat.
Both Shion and Rikiga flinched, turning to the source of the sound. Shion then realized that there was the sensation of flesh where cloth should be whenever he carried Tsubaki.
He bent down…
Lo and behold, now sitting on the paling Rikiga's knees was a very wet and soiled cotton diaper.
"Mom!" Shion cried indignantly, emerging from the back of the shop with Tsubaki, cheeks slightly coloured because of the memory. "I was still learning then."
Ah, he was pouting. Karan dismissed it with a small wave of her hand, unable to help the bubble of laughter that had escaped her.
"She must've been bouncing too much that it came loose." Karan exhaled slowly, trying to catch her breath. "But it wasn't the first time Tsubaki has called you 'Mama'."
Shion was letting Tsubaki playing with his pinkie instead, making sure that his hair was well out of reach. The baby had given up on the hair, reluctantly settling for a pinkie tug-of-war.
"She calls Inukashi 'Mama' too." Shion said, as a matter-of-factly.
"Not anymore." Karan sing-songed, coming over to caress Tsubaki's head.
The girl had ranted for a good one hour, barging into their bakery a week after the events at the Correctional Facility, momentarily forgetting that Shion lived with his mother. Upon catching sight of Karan standing at the counter, mouth agape, she caught herself. Her was face flushed from all that yelling, about how people shouldn't simply pick up babies from the street and 'shove them right under other people's noses'. Tsubaki blinked curiously at the young girl, as if confused.
'Mama?', she had said, and was surprisingly not intimated when Inukashi's head snapped to face her. Disgruntled, she walked up to her, hands on hips.
"No, that's your mama."
Inukashi had said, slowly, deliberately… all the while pointing at Shion.
"Ah, then would you have the honour of being her godmother?"
Shion, at that time, was pretty sure if Inukashi's eyes grew any wider, her pupils would fall right out of her sockets. She glanced at the baby, at Karan, and then finally at Shion.
Shion and his bloody, air-headed, hopeful face.
She clicked her tongue, half exasperated and half irritated, her hand coming up to rub at her head roughly. With a flustered 'do what you want' and a nod of acknowledgement to Karan, she left, all in a flurry.
"But don't worry," Karan nudged her son teasingly with her shoulder, "I'm sure she knows who her 'Mama' is."
Shion frowned, tapping Tsubaki's cheek playfully with his index finger, before proceeding to tickle her chin, "She'll grow out of it."
If I'm the Mama… Shion contemplated, with a rueful grin, then what does that make you Nezumi?
"Karan! Got any leftover meat buns?" The doorbell jingled brightly as a person entered the shop.
The question was accompanied by a well-known bark.
"Why, Inukashi-san! We were just talking about you." Karan greeted her just as brightly, kneeling down to pat the dog's head. "And Pochi's here too."
"Pochi?" The same question was raised simultaneously by Shion and Inukashi.
"Whoops." Karan quickly covered her mouth with a bashful hand. "I'm sorry. Somehow, I can't think of her as 'the dog who helped my son' and she didn't have a name so…"
"It's fine." Inukashi shrugged, though she doesn't have any spots… "By the way, it's Inukashi."
"Eh?" Came the response.
Inukashi resisted the urge to slap her own forehead.
"Drop the '-san'," The tanned girl muttered, the words almost like a grunt. "and I call you Karan. That's how I do business."
Karan's perplexed expression smoothed into that of understanding. She nodded, flashing Inukashi a warm smile. Inukashi averted her eyes, somewhat uncomfortable. Her occasional visits had not helped her get used to that sort treatment. The West Block was not at all that welcoming, that's for sure.
"Anyways," Shion adjusted his position on the chair that was placed beside a shelf, so that Tsubaki could see Inukashi, "it's good to see you, Inukashi."
"How is business?" Karan hummed as she packed the buns.
Inukashi leaned her back against the counter and crossed her arms, observing the lines in the wood, "Alright. Well, West Block's not lacking in homeless people." She then focused on Shion, and lowered her voice considerably, "Is he still thinking about Nezumi?"
"He doesn't say anything…" Karan did the same, sighing worriedly. "But we all know he wants to see Nezumi. Shion misses him… so much."
"They are really each other's weaknesses." Inukashi slid two copper pieces onto the counter.
"And each other's strengths." Karan scooped the money up and placed them into the bag of buns without missing a beat. "You are still young, Inukashi—,"
She stopped there, for the girl had narrowed her eyes.
"That was payment." Inukashi was as sharp as ever.
"And this is thank you…" Karan folded the paper bag, "for always coming to see Shion."
Inukashi fell silent, not moving to take the bag on the counter.
"You helped us so much by getting us baby supplies just when we needed them. And Tsubaki's always happy to have her godmother over."
They both stilled, with Shion and Tsubaki just happening to be in their line of sight. The young adult had his eyes closed, and was rocking the baby back and forth, singing ever so softly, laying his cheek on her forehead. It was a moment of peace…
"He really does remind me of my mother." Inukashi murmured, losing herself in certain childhood memories of her own.
"Does he?" Karan pushed the bag towards the dog-keeper.
Inukashi shot her one final look of defiance, before reaching out to take it. She began to walk out, choosing to stop at the doorframe, with the door itself half-open.
"Thanks then… for having Shion."
Another piercing scream.
"Shh," Shion patted the small back soothingly, face contorted with worry and fatigue, "Shh, shh.."
It was barely two weeks after Inukashi's visit. Karan, too, was filled with much concern. Tsubaki was still crying pitifully, even though three whole hours had passed. Shion had tried everything—changing the position of his hold (she was most comfortable when her chin was on his shoulder), getting her milk bottle (she turned her nose up at it and cried even louder), humming a soft lullaby (until his throat was sore) and still, nothing worked. The strain of getting a mere twenty-four hours of sleep over the past week was showing. Shion had dark circles underneath his tired orbs, shoulders slumped and voice raspy. He wasn't eating—the only thing Karan had succeeded in forcing down his throat was plain water.
"Shion," Karan stepped into his dark room for the umpteenth time, "you should at least eat something."
"Mom," Shion glanced up at her, and Karan's heart throbbed in her chest, "Sorry, right now I just—,"
The baby's crying had decreased, and she was clearly tired. However, her whimpers were still persistent, ringing painfully in Shion's ears. As Shion tried to put her back into her cot so that he could have a bit of rest himself, she began crying again, just as loudly as before. Shion picked her up once more, his face falling. The despair was culminating, being cradled resentfully in his heart, dangerously close to breaking point. He trembled.
Nezumi. He wanted Nezumi. Right now. By his side. Singing. Smirking. Reading. Laughing. Caressing.
Nezumi.
What am I thinking? Shion shook his head violently, the lone tear stung his cheek as it slid down. I can practically hear Nezumi laughing himself silly at me. Either that, he'd probably slam me into a wall to snap me out of it. He chuckled wryly.
Suddenly, Shion stood up, straightening his posture. He made a grab for his coat, footsteps firm as he headed downstairs. Karan followed, giving him a questioning look.
"I'm going to find a doctor. She's never been like this before. This definitely isn't some normal indigestion." He explained, meeting her gaze without hesitation.
"I'm coming with you." Karan announced, already loosening her apron.
It was a tone that left no room for argument.
"But Mom, the store—,"
"Shion," Karan had her hands on her hips, "which do you think is more important? My bakery or my first grandchild?"
As a practitioner in one of Lost Town's rare clinics, Dr. Rei had seen many things. He graduated with average grades in his class that consisted mainly of elites (it was a prestigious university in No. 6), so by right, he was sent to work in the 'commoners area', instead of Chronos—the city in which he lived in. He knew he was supposed to be disappointed, he knew.
But he wasn't.
It was more of a relief actually. Rei had this unease ever since he began his hospital attachment. It had settled over him the moment he stepped through it's main doors, heavy and as thick as molasses. Perhaps the nerves were getting to him. Perhaps it was something he ate yesterday. As he scrambled for a logical explanation, instinct took over.
The walls were white, too white. The doctors had this certain grin. The nurses were as efficient as robots. The patients were too silent, too happy. Even emergencies were too few.
He inquired about it, foolishly. In return, he received a sharp reprimand from one of his seniors about how he should be thankful for the fact that no one suffered. And just because of this, he was transferred straight to one corner of Lost Town, practically being ordered to start a clinic of his own since the last doctor was on the verge of dying.
His parents were distraught, overwhelmed by the very thought of his 'failure'. But he began to notice. Life at Lost Town was more real. There was still something missing though. Since surveillance was low in Lost Town, he sneaked out to West Block one day, and, by some insane stroke of luck, he was not caught and he came back alive. Rei was very much changed.
'No one suffered' was a big, fat lie.
People were out there, dropping dead like flies. Some died screaming. Some were blessed with a less torturous death. Some lived in pain for the whole of their lives. Rei had seen the world in all her ugly, raw form.
And he ignored it.
Something within him whispered a warning—now was not the time to act. Wait.
So he did.
Then came the day when he decided to visit his parents' house in Chronos sometime during mid-morning (they still had some sort of privilege because he was a practicing doctor)… No matter where he went, every citizen was in a state of rigor mortis. He used the whole day to scour the town, searching for one survivor. None had lived to tell the tale of what had happened. He returned to his humble abode, and realized he had to sit down. It was then the something inside him commanded—MOVE.
Let's just say within two weeks, he had hauled all the latest equipment and technology Chronos's hospitals had to offer, and converted his shabby two-floor house into a facility that was five Lost Town houses wide. The other four clinics in Lost Town collaborated with him, turning the clinic-cum-lab into the 'main building'. Plans to construct a hospital at his site were well on their way.
Fast-forward to the present.
Rei was enjoying a simple mug of coffee, skimming through several patient records.
Just another day at work… when he encountered something rather intriguing.
"It's nothing serious, really. She's just having a bit of colic."
"Thank God…" Shion let out a breath that he had been holding, visibly sinking deeper into his seat.
Dr. Rei carefully scrutinised the young adult before him, pushing up his glasses, "Is this your first child?"
Shion's hand paused in mid-motion, "Yes."
"You've probably been jumping from technique to technique while trying to calm her, thus, it's too fast for any to take effect." The doctor explained, giving a comforting grin. "Try belching her for more than an hour. Or any calming technique that you prefer. You'd be surprised."
"She's stopped crying." Karan said, the realization hitting her. "Shion, you've had Tsubaki on your shoulder and patted her back for about 25 minutes already!" She whispered excitedly.
"You're right…" Shion drew a quick breath.
"OK, so I guess that settled it." Rei scribbled a little something more on the patient card. "My nurse will get you the prescription. Please follow her to the waiting room."
"Thank you." Shion bowed his head slightly, the weariness spreading across his body.
"You should get some rest yourself." Dr. Rei chuckled, noticing shion's half-opened eyes. "You did well." He patted the boy's shoulder, nodding in approval.
Warmth came in waves, filling his heart and curling it's way down right to the tips of his fingers and the ends of his toes. For one moment, he wondered if Tsubaki would've been better off with another person. Who could take better care of her. Who wasn't as inadequate as he was.
But this was his decision. He would raise this child. The child was now his, and no one else's.
"I'm taking Tsubaki out for a bit."
"You go ahead." Karan rubbed her son's tired back. "You both need the fresh air. I'll wait here for the medicine."
Both Shion and Tsubaki were relieved to feel the fresh air once again beat against their cheeks when they exited the building.
It was supposed to be just a simple walk round the enlarged clinic. As Shion turned the corner, reaching the back of the building, he froze in mid-step, every single muscle in his body tensed and ready to spring. There was a blade, pressing firmly into his side. Shion did not, could not, retaliate—there was too much at stake here. Out of the corner of his eyes, he spotted the sneer on the man's face. The man approached me from behind, Shion bit his lip, tightening his grip on Tsubaki, I should've noticed! Sensing an easy victory, the man brought his mouth close to Shion's ear, his rancid breath making the boy's eyes water. In doing so, he saw the top of Tsubaki's forehead.
"Ho…" He snorted. "So we 'ave a baby." Draping a casual arm over Shion's shoulder, he raised the knife along Shion's side and angled it at Tsubaki's small frame. "Tell ya what, ya give me whatever medicine ya've got on ya, and I give ya back dis life."
"For you to sell?" Shion voiced out his words slowly, his brain working at the speed of light to find a way to keep Tsubaki safe.
The man was roughly 185 centimetres tall, with extremely broad shoulder and hands that could palm a watermelon. With a hard, square-shaped jaw, pointed nose and beady eyes as well as a stout, muscular body, it was obvious that one should not mess with this guy. His clothes were torn in some places, patched in others. His accent was thick—most likely he was from West Block.
The baby continued her deep slumber, unaware of the danger's maw, wide and open.
"Kid, not everyone 'ere has de privilege of goin' to a clinic. De prices are outrageous, y'know!" The man exclaimed, with a sort of disgusted growl. "And these No. 6 scum are too 'igh-classed to give out jobs dat pay." He prodded the blanket with the tip of his knife, nearly nicking the soft flesh.
It was instinct.
In less than three seconds, Shion had slammed his shoulder into the guy's chin, causing the man to cry out in pain, his teeth clicking together. The hand holding the knife loosened as Shion wrapped his arms around Tsubaki—in an attempt to shield her—and curled his back, throwing his entire weight onto the man's arm. He reached out and grabbed the fallen blade, scrambling to his feet before the man recovered and placed a firm foot on his assailant's elbow joint. The knife was positioned directly above his thick neck, it's tip barely grazing the bobbing Adam's apple. Crimson irises stared back at the man, instilling terror that pinned him down and paralyzed him.
"How dare you touch my child…" Shion's voice was dangerously low, laced with steel.
"Shion!" Karan's sandals were heard rushing to the scene, dropping the medicine bag upon arriving.
"What is going on here?" Rei asked, apparently having followed her out.
"I won't forgive you…" Shion continued before releasing a soft breath, "so easily, that is." The ice-cold told was dissipating. "But I won't kill you."
The pressure on his joint however, did not lessen.
"The bag of medicine on the ground," Shion gestured to it using his chin, "please take it and leave for today. Dr. Rei, I also heard from one of your nurses that you were looking for a deliveryman?"
"Yes…" Rei's confirmation was wary. "I can't promise the pay will be high, but to make up for it, the person and his or her family will get free healthcare up to a certain extent."
"Don't fuck with me!" The man jerked his arm roughly, causing Shion to stumble back.
The loud roar startled Tsubaki into waking and she began to cry once more, angry that her long awaited sleep was disturbed.
"Who would wanna work for arrogant little shits of No. 6?" He pointed fiercely at the clinic. "I refuse to be pitied by de likes of ya! I will not allow my Helen to be treated by any of ya bastards!"
"Is this the right time to be prideful?" Shion raised his voice, reproachful. "Isn't it your main priority to get her treated instead?"
There was thick silence, aside from Tsubaki's crying, almost instantly filling up the space between them. Karan made her way over to Shion's side, hands protectively on her son's shoulders. The man took a step forward… and fell to his knees, his shoulders visibly shaking. Shion picked up the medicine bag lying on the ground, dusted it and placed it beside the man. He then joined his mother, who was heading back to the clinic to ask for the same prescription.
Whilst trying to comfort Tsubaki, he sank into the myriad of thoughts occupying his mind. Indeed, there was still chaos running rampant, even after the walls had crumbled. Doors were to be shut, padlocked and barred at all times now. People refused to wander about alone, unless they truly had nothing to be afraid off. Many a time, simple walks and leisurely strolls ended up to be far worse. Robbery and extortion were becoming commonplace, and there were rumour of gang wars spreading like wildfire. Shion exhaled slowly, it's just like Nezumi had said.
The wind blew in their direction, ruffling Shion and Tsubaki's hair. What came with it were whispered words of a song, the melody lilting and haunting at the same time. Tsubaki quieted almost immediately, no longer flailing her tiny arms. Shion lifted his head in a daze, lost in the ethereal quality of the voice. His ears strained to trace the source of the sound, but it was gone. The corners of his mouth tilted upwards ever so slightly.
The world wasn't safe, Shion knew, even after the destruction of No. 6.
However, that didn't mean that Shion had no faith that the world could change.
He shoved his hands deeply back into his pockets. The blade was slipped back into the hollow of his sleeve, awaiting another day for it's use. There was no need for it after all. He was impressed, but not surprised. He knew that Shion could disable people with just his words, and nothing else. Those eyes… This time, they weren't dull and empty, like the eyes of a killer. They had an extremely fierce paternal (or maternal, he thought with an amused scoff) light shining within them, alert yet tender.
He… had been scared.
No, he still was scared.
It was unintentional, but he went and chose this particular route anyway, knowing that he would pass by the remains of what was once the Holy City. Yet, he could not muster up the courage. He was afraid of him. Of them. Of what he would become. And of what they would become. Now, there was an extra complication—that child.
There was fear… but not without a certain longing.
This was not the time to face him.
Nezumi opened his mouth, the notes rising from his chest, smooth as silk. He glided away swiftly, silently, along the many rooftops and the harsh orange glare of the setting sun.