-[]A/N: Things start to get more fluffy from here on out, so no more depressing moments! Yay!

Chapter 10

Dango Daikazoku

I took Ushio home with me that night. It was awkward but I knew it would get better. She seemed happy so I was, too. We ate dinner in silence, took our baths and went bed.

I woke up, not sure why. I glanced at the digital clock. It was 3:00 AM. Sheesh. I groaned and flipped over onto my back. I heard soft breathing and turned my head to my right. Ushio. She was awake as well.

"Daddy?" she said.

"Hmm?"

"I can't sleep. Could… could you sing to me? It might help."

I sighed.

"What song?" I asked. She thought for a moment, before answering.

"Dango!" she said.

I stared at her. She couldn't be serious? She gazed at me, hope in her huge orbs. I caved. I started to sing the song to her. She looked at me, gradually falling asleep. Soon, she was totally out. I watched her sleep. A strand of hair fell into her face. I brushed it away, causing her to twitch. I smiled slightly, and was soon asleep.

The sun shone brightly the next day. Ushio was very energetic, running all over my apartment as I watched. She was very amusing. Then, she stopped.

"I wanna go on a trip!" she shouted.

I raised and eyebrow.

"A trip?" I asked. She bounced.

"Yep! Let's go!"

"W-Wait!" I said, laughing. "You want to go now?"

"Yep! Yep! Yep!"

A trip, huh? It would be a great way for Ushio and I to connect. Plus, it would be kind of fun. I made my decision.

"Okay, we leave tomorrow."

"Yay!" Ushio shouted. I smiled.

The next day, we headed for Tokyo. The day was once again bright and sunny as we left for the train station. Ushio was so excited that she couldn't sit still. I smiled as I watched her antics. How could I have missed all of this? I didn't tell Ushio our destination was Tokyo. After she had fallen asleep last night, I had called Sanae and asked her if Ushio had ever been to the port cities. She said no. That was when I decided on Tokyo.

Soon, we reached the Tokyo train station and got off. We looked around the massive city for a while, admiring all the sights. I watched Ushio's face contort to one of amazement, awe and joy. I was in awe as well. Tokyo was an amazing city. It was full of neon signs, millions of people, more cars and trucks than I could count, hundreds of restaurants. I held Ushio's hand tightly. I did not want to lose her in this place.

"Daddy, look!" she squealed. I stopped and looked at what she was pointing at. It was a toy store. Ushio got excited.

"Can we go in? Please?" she begged. I smiled.

"Sure," I said.

Ushio immediately ran inside. I chuckled and followed.

"Hey, Ushio! Don't go too far!" I called.

"I won't!" she replied. I smiled as I watched her gaze at the toys. She was looking at dolls, but didn't seem too pleased. I noticed a toy robot and showed it to Ushio.

"How about this?" I asked. Ushio looked at it for a moment, then nodded her head vigorously. I smiled and paid for the toy. Soon, it was time to return home.

The train ride should have been uneventful, at least I had hoped it would be. In the seat across from us, a child would not stop screaming and misbehaving. Ushio totally ignored the kid, completely enthralled by the robot before her. I tried my best to ignore the brat, for Ushio's sake. I glanced at the little robot in my daughter's hands, curious.

"Hey Ushio," I said. She looked at me, her huge eyes glowing with innocence.

"Yeah, Daddy?" she said.

"Wouldn't you rather play with dolls? It's okay if you don't like the robot," I said. She shook her head.

"Girl toys are boring! I like the robot!" she said, hugging the toy close. I laughed and rubbed her head.

"Whatever you say, Ushio!"

Suddenly, the kid across the aisle screamed again, and climbed over the seat. I clenched my fists, gritting my teeth tightly. I could take it no longer.

"WOULD YOU SHUT THE HELL UP YOU DAMN BRAT! THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE ON THIS TRAIN!" I shouted in anger. Immediately the brat plopped down, silent at last. His mother picked him up, apologizing. I sighed, rubbing my temples.

"Ushio," I said. I got no answer. "Ushio?"

I looked in the seat next to me. It was empty. I panicked.

"Ushio!"

I jumped up, frantic. Where did she go? I asked around, but nobody saw her. I ran through the car, checking behind the blue curtains, opening doors, terrified for my little girl. I had never realized that terror like this could exist. Finally, I found her.

"Ushio!" I breathed, relief setting in. She didn't turn around. I touched her shoulder, and she turned to face me, tears streaming down her red face. She had been crying. I was taken aback. Had I scared her that badly? I wiped her tears away.

"Why did you run away?" I asked.

"B-because… Sanae s-said I can't cry," she heaved.

Wow, I thought. Sanae can be strict.

"Sh-she said that I c-could cry in p-private… or in D-daddy's arms," she said, stuttering through her tears. I knelt in front of her, wiping her tears once more.

"Ushio… is it… is it okay if I stay with you? Even though I've been a bad daddy?" I asked.

"Yes," she said. I was again taken aback. She really wanted me? A father who ignored her for most of her life?

"Are you sure? I've been a meanie and a bad daddy."

"I want you… Daddy," she whispered.

I gasped, tears welling up. Ushio looked at me.

"Do I have to hold it in still?" she asked, tears welling up. I shook my head.

"No. Cry. Cry all you want. Daddy's got you."

Ushio fell into my embrace, crying hard. I hugged her, crying as well.

"Ushio, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I've been such a bad daddy! I-I-m sorry!"

Ushio continued crying as I held her tightly. We eventually made our way back to our car.

"Ushio, do you want me to tell you about Mommy?" I asked. Ushio nodded and I motioned for her to sit next to me.

"Where do I begin? She… she… We met back in high school. Back then, Mommy didn't have a lot of confidence, and she was kind of a crybaby," I said. Ushio stared at me.

I paused, looking out of the window at the golden sunset.

"She was very kind and when she was sad or scared she would say the name of a food she wanted to eat. It was a funny habit she had…"

As I spoke, a tidal wave of memories rushed over me. Us meeting at the bottom of the cherry blossom hill. Eating lunch in the courtyard. Talking in the clubroom. At the Furukawa bakery.

"She… she…" I clutched my head, tears pouring. "Nagisa!"

I cried, saying Nagisa's name as the memories kept coming. I felt a tug on my shirt and saw Ushio crying again. I sat her on my lap, wiping her tears away.

"Silly, why are you crying?"

"Because I saw Daddy crying," she said. I laughed.

"Don't worry. Daddy was just thinking about Mommy. He loved her a whole lot!"

After I got control, I continued to tell Ushio about Nagisa. She was enthralled.

I did it Nagisa! I found something only I can protect! I did it!

Thank you!