The Altruistic Caregiver
CHAPTER THREE
Emiko didn't want to get up.
She was laying in her messy bed, butterscotch hair strewn around her. As she rolled to her side, the curly locks cascaded over her pillow and face like a wild heap of tangled vines. Emiko had a restless night— honey-dew eyes proved it with prominent bags underneath her tired eyes. The anxiety she had for the upcoming day had caused her to toss and turn all night, unable to find a comfortable position to sleep in. She tried her best to sleep, really. But every time she got close to it– her heart would jump abruptly and she'd find it hard to breathe.
Despite her exhaustion, she opened her eyes when she heard Naruto coo softly. It appeared he had woken up just as the sun had finished rising. She was facing the crib as she stayed lying on her side, honey-dew locking with cerulean. Naruto was nestled comfortably in his crib, laying on his side, just like she was— facing each other, close enough to gaze at one another. Naruto's sparkling blue eyes brightened with joy as their eyes stayed locked, a series of melodious coos escaping his mouth with happiness. The sound brought a smile to Emiko's face, but it also brought a twinge of sadness to her eyes.
A new wet nurse would be arriving to pick up Naruto today. The three weeks had gone by fast, much too fast for Emiko. She knew it wouldn't be her last time with the bundle of sunshine— she'd apply for him again, of course. But. . . She knew it wasn't certain when that would be. The wet nurse program was flawed, much like the adoption system Konohagakure had. Even more so after the destruction and death left behind by the nine-tailed fox. There were hundreds of parentless children already, but the number doubled after that. Being an orphan, Emiko understood the reality of the situation.
Even though she was extremely tired and felt sad, Emiko summoned the strength to pull herself out of bed to start preparing Naruto for the day— determined to make the most out of the remaining time they had together before the next wet nurse arrived. She started her day the same way she has been since she had started taking care of Naruto.
Emiko gently undid the white buttons on the infant's blue onesie– the same shade of cerulean as his eyes, with fluffy clouds randomly spread out like a beautiful sky. She thought it was fitting for his bright energy, and his vibrant hair could almost resemble the sun— fitting indeed. After removing his pajamas; she carefully lifts his legs before wiping him clean and sliding a clean diaper underneath. Emiko fastened the new diaper with practiced ease, putting him in an all-orange onesie that had a single sunflower on the chest.
She picks the infant up, beaming as he lets out an excited squeal. He knew what was next by now due to Emiko's planned schedule. Emiko leaves the room, still carrying Naruto. They make their way to the kitchen and Emiko opens the fridge, retrieving a bottle of prepared breastmilk. She warms the milk, setting the bottle in some hot water for a few moments before bringing the bottle to Naruto's mouth which he accepts, eager with hunger. Emiko watches as he eats, honey-dew eyes full of affection and warmth. She caresses his whiskered cheek softly with her index finger, letting out a gentle sigh. "I'm going to miss you."
Knock, knock, knock!
Emiko jumps lightly at the sudden knock. She was doing tummy time with Naruto in the living room, and he was improving with each session– getting closer and closer to being able to hold his head up without as much help. She gently picks him up off the fuzzy blanket he was on, cradling him as she makes her way to the front door. She bites her lip, brows furrowed with nerves. She knew it was probably the new wet nurse. Yet, she finds the confidence to open the door anyways.
A young woman stands at the door, she looks maybe ten years older than Emiko– give or take. She has pin-straight brown hair and a heart-shaped face with soft, slanted brown eyes. She wore a long, casual olive green, open-style kimono over a loose, teal sundress and a pair of sandals. The woman bow's politely once Emiko opens the door and Emiko does it back respectfully.
"I'm Satori Kana- is your mother home? Or sister?" The woman, Kana, asked kindly. She had a soft- almost motherly voice as she looked at Emiko, smiling. "I'm looking for Tachibana Emiko."
"I live alone." Emiko could feel her eyebrow twitch. Do I really look that young? Emiko frowns slightly as she opens the door wider, honey-dew eyes drawn on the woman. "That would be me. I'm Tachibana Emiko."
"Oh!" Kana blinks, brown eyes full of surprise. Her gaze shifted towards Naruto– who was unusually quiet compared to the babbling he always does. Instead, his eyes just seemed to be looking between them during the conversation. She speaks with a tinge of disbelief in her voice, "I didn't expect you to be so young."
". . ." Emiko shifts her eyes, uncomfortably. She never knows how to respond to things like that. Instead, she avoided acknowledging it all together . ". . . Are you the wet nurse sent by the program, Satori-san?"
"Yup, that'd be me." Kana moves her gaze back to Emiko and beamed, perhaps she could tell it wasn't something Emiko wanted to talk about as she didn't seem to push the topic anymore. "I'm assuming the dependent is the little guy in your arms?"
Emiko looks down at Naruto, his baby blues looking up at her at the same time. With a soft smile, she gently squeezed him as he gazed up at her, his innocent cerulean eyes tugging at her heartstrings. "Yeah. . . This is him."
Emiko moves her gaze back to Kana, who had her arms reached out for the infant. She smiles kindly, "May I?"
Emiko could feel her heart drop as she reluctantly handed Naruto to Kana. She knew she would see him again– eventually. But that didn't make it any easier for her to give up the sweet little infant she's been taking care of. However, She felt slightly better when she saw the affectionate, motherly gaze Kana had as she held Naruto. Kana's brown eyes moved back up to Emiko, smiling empathetically. "It'll get easier the more dependents you go through."
"I know." Emiko smiles with a tinge of bittersweetness behind her eyes.