Chapter 47: It Takes Two

Shino

I jogged alongside Kiba as Akamaru led us to Riku's scent beginning to think about why Yuna was talking about me. Back then we weren't friends at all so no doubt it was all bad things, and I began to wonder what all was said. Thinking back, I was quite mean to her, I was always bad at keeping grudges with people.

Akamaru barked as I looked towards Kiba hearing him say, "We are closing in, he said he can smell him nearby."

"Good." I said as we all picked up our pace seeing a small cottage in the woods stopping suddenly.

My bugs began to leak out of my pores as they started doing a sweep of the area not sensing any traps or enemies nearby. Looking towards Kiba I nodded as he walked forward kicking open the door seeing a man scramble backwards behind a chair.

"Oi Mr. Hideiki." Kiba said seeing the man's head pop up saying surprised, "Kiba?"

"Long time no see." Kiba replied with a toothy smile as the man stood up but got defensive seeing me as Kiba stepped in, "This is Shino my teammate."

"Hi." I said simply as he waved while Kiba crossed his arms saying, "What are you doing here, your wife has been worried sick man."

Riku frowned looking down saying, "I'm not ready..."

"Eh? Not ready for what?" Kiba asked as he stared out the window saying, "To be a father..."

"You should have thought of that before getting your wife pregnant." I said in a serious tone seeing Riku frown replying, "I know that, but she's wanted to start a family for a while now and I couldn't say no to her."

"So, you left her instead to take care of a baby alone?" I said as Riku winched saying annoyed, "So harsh..."

"Look man we can't even begin to know what you're going through but you have to go back to your wife." Kiba said seeing him shake his head replying, "But I'll just screw it up."

"What do you mean?" Kiba asked seeing Riku grab a picture frame saying, "My father wasn't a rich man and would often leave my mother and I alone with my sister. We grew up never seeing him and resenting him for it and I don't want the same thing to happen with my child."

"So, you'd rather just abandoned them before they're even born?" I said glaring towards him seeing him flinch at my words before replying, "She could find someone who can provide better for them."

"You sound like a coward." I said crossing my arms continuing, "Your father worked hard for you and you sister to give you a good life. It's clear your wife's family are well taken care of but growing up with a father who isn't always there is better than none."

"Yea my mom scared my father off, trust me if Meeka didn't want you around, she wouldn't have sent us to find you. She said she can't have the baby without you." Kiba said as Riku perked up saying, "So she wants me there? She got mad when I didn't cook her favorite meal and I thought she hated me..."

"She's pregnant from what I understand high emotional episodes are common." I said as Riku tapped his chin saying, "Fine I will think about it but for now please leave me for a little longer."

"Whatever man..." Kiba said as we all walked out of the building hearing him sigh saying, "Man can't believe he's being such a wimp about this."

"Becoming a father can do that to some I suppose." I said as Kiba scrunched my nose replying, "I don't plan on ever having kids… they are annoying and messy."

"That is something we can agree on." I said suddenly thinking about Yuna stuffing my hands in my pockets.

Yuna

Meeka cried out in pain gripping her stomach as some maids began to gather around her hearing one say, "Mrs. Meeka you need to start pushing."

"I need Riku." she groaned in pain as I put my hand on her back saying, "Kiba and Shino will be back soon I just know it but yours and the baby's safety is my top priority."

She nodded seeing tears in her eyes as the midwife began prepping her for the delivery hoping the boys would come back soon. Once she was in position, they told her to start pushing as she gripped my hand tightly wincing at her strength.

"Ugh that jerk Riku why isn't he here?" Meeka growled seeing her sweet kind demeanor change with every push starting to make me afraid for if he did show up.

The door suddenly burst open seeing Kiba and Shino standing their awkwardly hearing Meeka say meekly, "Is Riku with you?"

"Ugh no he sa-" Kiba began as Meeka yelled, "Well then get the hell out!"

They both scrambled out of the room as I felt her grip my hand tighter while I rubbed her back trying to calm her down.

"I can see the head." the midwife said as the door burst open again hearing Meeka growl, "Boys now isn't the time to be disturbing me!"

"Meeka." I heard seeing Riku look over at us with flowers in his hands looking at the scene in shock while I angrily said, "Well don't just stand there idiot take your wife's hand!"

Scrambling to take my place I decided to sneak out of the room away from all the yelling and blood seeing Shino and Kiba on the other side staring at me.

"Is she okay?" Kiba asked as I nodded shakily saying, "Pregnant people are scary..."

Suddenly I heard crying on the other end of the door as we all waited quietly until Meeka's mother came out of the room saying with a smile, "You kids can go in now."

Walking into the room I saw Riku standing beside Meeka who was holding a little baby as they both had happy tears in their eyes.

"It's a girl." Meeka said moving the blanket so we could see her face as she slept peacefully against her mother.

"I'm so sorry for leaving… I was just so scared I'd screw this up." Riku admitted in shame as Meeka kept smiling at the baby saying, "It doesn't matter now, you're here and I hope intend on keeping it that way."

"Of course." he said as she handed him the baby while he held her awkwardly seeing Meeka beam with pride.

"Have you got a name for her yet?" I asked as they both looked at one another hearing Riku say, "We were actually thinking about Yuna… it's why Meeka wanted you both here."

"Really?" I asked surprised as she laughed replying, "You helped me back when we were getting married and helped me now, it seems only fitting."

"So does that mean if it was a boy it would have been Kiba?" Kiba asked as Riku laughed saying, "We were actually leaning more towards Akamaru."

Giggling at that Akamaru barked going closer to sniff the baby seeing his tail wag as Riku turned to me saying, "Would you like to hold her?"

"Ugh… I guess though I've never held a baby..." I said worried as Meeka said, "Just mind her head."

Riku awkwardly handed me the baby looking down at her seeing her eyes begin to open staring up at me cooing. I tried fighting off a big smile as she reached weakly up towards me as I put my finger down letting her grab onto it.

"Hello Yuna… I'm Yuna." I said gently as she blinked while I said, "You've got a bright future ahead of you and I have no doubt your father will be beating boys off left and right for you."

I could hear Riku and Meeka laugh as I handed the baby to Kiba hearing him say, "Make sure when you're old enough you convince your parents to get a cool companion like Akamaru here."

Akamaru barked as Kiba looked towards Shino who still had his hands in his pockets but sighed taking the baby from Kiba. I saw Yuna reach up for his goggles smiling towards them feeling a warm sensation waft over me seeing them. Maybe… just maybe I'd like kids one day.