Written for the LJ-community 30 shards.
Character(s): Souta
Summary: Bits and pieces of a forgotten character's struggle to accept his sister's life and death.
Shard: #4 - Kiss
Title: Futile
Author: Ziggimaguagua
Word count: 250
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A nurse comes out of the room and invites him in, and he jumps out of his seat. For the past three hours he's been ready to do anything to just make Machiko's screams stop, and he nearly can't believe it's finally over.
Rubbing his sweaty palms against his trousers he walks through the door, afraid of what he'll find, but it's nothing but big smiles and white linen. No more agonizing screams, no blood, and the only tears in his wife's eyes are of happiness.
For the past nine months he's been in near constant awe of the female body and its workings, and now, watching the outcome, he's completely speechless.
Shuffling forward, not sure what to do, he's encouraged by Machiko's warm smile, and when she lifts up the soft bundle in her arms he takes it and he's holding his daughter for the first time.
His first thoughts are of panicked fear. 'I'm too young for this!' He can't even imagine what it's going to take to keep a fragile little girl like this safe.
But his thoughts settle quickly. 'Whatever it takes...'
She squirms in his arms and he hands her back, watching Machiko press a soft kiss to her forehead before settling her at a naked breast.
Then he thinks of his own mother, and her daughter, and his face falls. 'What if it isn't enough?'
And, pressing his own welcoming kiss to his daughters forehead, he makes a futile oath to never say goodbye.