I stopped my car outside the dojo and turned it off, sighing. I was tired. I tried to find the energy to move my five month along belly out of the car, but it was lost. I looked up as the door opened and Akisame reached into the car, lifting me into his arms.
"Why didn't you call for me?" he asked.
"That would require energy," I moaned.
"I think a nap is in order," he declared, carrying me towards the house.
"But I was supposed to make dinner so Miu could go out," I moaned.
"Kensei can get it," Akisame assured me.
I yawned and rested my head on his shoulder.
"Man, is she tuckered out," I heard Sakaki comment. I opened my eyes and saw him leaning over me.
"You have no idea," I said.
"I'll have to tell Shugure," he said. "She's been waiting for you." I nodded as my eyes drooped again. Since that day on the porch, Shugure seemed more at ease with me and would sometimes wait for me to get home from work so she could rub my belly and ask me questions. She also seemed to have gotten a bit protective.
She hovered around me when I was cooking or doing laundry. She would pull out a fan at meal times and carefully cool my food. She also sat on the counter in the mornings with my vitamins and a glass of milk in hand.
I thought all of this was very sweet.
I looked up as Akisame stopped in front of our room.
"Is she…okay?" Shugure asked.
"She's fine," Akisame said. "Just tired. I thought a nap would help."
I gave Shugure a tired smile. Her violet eyes studied my weary face for a moment.
"I'll help," she said and darted into the bedroom. I looked up at Akisame curiously. He just shrugged and walked into the room. I giggled when I saw that Shugure had turned down my blankets, fluffed my pillows, covered the window so it was dark and put a shamisan CD in the boom box so the soft music filled the room. It was perfect. She stood next to the bed, holding my favorite nightgown in her hands. I gave her a tender smile and allowed her to help me out of my work clothes and change me into the gown. Akisame watched all of this with an affectionate smile.
When Shugure had me changed into my sleep clothes, I reached over and hugged her. She was surprised by this action and stiffened, before relaxing and returning the hug.
"I'm so lucky to have such a person taking care of me," I said. Shugure smiled, a true smile, and pushed me back on the bed to lie down. She pulled the covers up and stepped back, leaving the room. Akisame sat at my side, smiling.
"First Kenichi and then you," he mused, "She's really coming out of her shell."
"I'm glad," I said, yawning. He patted my leg and leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek.