Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ The Difference Between Love &Hate ❯ Small Blessings ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE
A Fruits Basket Fanfic

Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess


AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Ah, a spin-off...cause I don't think it could really pass as a side story. AU to the furuba universe, this story takes place several months following "That Fated Day" and this particular part takes place about six months after part six. Confused yet? Standard Disclaimer follows story.


Part Seven - SMALL BLESSINGS




What the hell is going on in there?

The door's closed and all I hear are hushed questions and equally quiet answers. Frustrated I turn my perspective within, my own thoughts running wild. Rin's in bed, in serious pain, and here I am stuck pacing the hallway while Ha-san performs a check-up on her.

Ever since our visit with Akito six months ago, she's had nothing but complications. They were minor at first progressing to light contractions and pre-mature labor. Good signs of a miscarriage.

Thankfully, Rin has a will to fight.

And so does our child.

I saw that all her things were moved from Kaede's apartment to my house. She didn't have much, which is good since I have very little room. Kyo's using Yuki's old room and Yuki still has some boxes he needs to move over to his apartment. Those boxes are sitting in what once was Tohru's room.

I told her I moved most of her things into my room. She scowled at me, calling me a mutt, but she didn't argue. Where else was she to go?

Akito was serious in his decree. He no longer wanted to see either myself or Rin. I made several attempts to visit him afterward, but he refused to see me. I could hear his curses and screaming from Ha-san's room.

We were truly on our own.

I'm still unsure if I should be happy or sad.

I'm fortunate that he didn't kick me out of my own home. Not that I couldn't have bought another, mind you. I have quite the saving account you see. But moving an entire house is not something I can do by myself and Rin would be either too tired or too ill to help.

Kyo finally went and got himself an apartment. I think he was tired of Rin's mood swings and my constant teasing. Either that, or he's just matured enough to finally be on his own.

I'm actually proud of him.

A month ago Ha-san ordered Rin to bed rest. Her earlier complications caused so much pain that it was difficult for her to function normally. She was too tired, too worn down. Her appetite was as erratic as her behavior. Hormones, Ha-san assured me.

Of course, she was less than thrilled, morose even, but didn't argue. It was for her own safety and the baby's.

The past five months have been difficult. Both Rin and I have made so many changes. Sacrificed a part of ourselves for this happy future we're working towards.

I've watched her change, watched our baby grow inside of her. I still think its strange that I'm going to be a father. Rin and I keep arguing over the sex of the baby, yet when Ha-san told us we could find out we both told him no. Let it be a surprise. *snicker* I already know it's going to be a boy.

"Do I want to know why you're smiling like an idiot, Shigure?"

I'm not really startled by Ha-san's remark. I heard the door to the bedroom open and close. Still I put on a mask of surprise which is quickly replaced by a look of concern. I find it hard to play my usual games, at least when it concerns our child.

And Hatori's usual straight face doesn't help.

"I was just thinking," I tell him. "How is she doing?"

"Rin is in good health. It looks like you've been feeding her more lately."

More like shoving it down her throat. Oh, if he only knew. I chuckle. "And the baby?"

Ha-san sighs and I can feel my heart drop into my stomach. "The baby is healthy, but...."

I know it's strong and healthy without Ha-san telling me so. I can listen to it's heartbeat with my own ears. I'm not totally appreciative when it tries to kick me, but it only makes me smile.

"But what?

He pulls a cigarette out of his pocket and heads for the front porch. I follow him, my own cigarette between slightly trembling fingers.

"It hasn't turned," he explains. He leans against a post, arms crossed. "Rin's close to the end of her eighth month. The baby should be turning, but it isn't."

I take a long drag from my cigarette, my stomach plummeting with my heart. "Is that really bad?"

Ha-san shakes his head, taking a long drag from his cigarette as well. "Today, no. We still have a week or two to see."

"And if it doesn't turn?"

Ha-san frowns. "If it doesn't turn, Rin will have to undergo a C-section."

I blink, blowing another cloud of smoke from between my lips. "Rin wants a natural birth. We've discussed--"

"I know what you've discussed, Shigure. And there is a way to manually turn the baby. But if that doesn't work, she'll have to be prepared for surgery."

I frown, taking another long draw from my cigarette. Rin is adamant about undergoing a natural childbirth. We've even attended a few Lamaze classes. Hell I know I'm looking forward to it. We've been through so much. It has to have a happy ending, doesn't it?

"Shigure?"

"Is Rin aware of her options?"

"Hai. We discussed them again today."

"Then I suppose there's little to worry about now," I say, hoping my voice is as confident as I want to feel.

"She's a strong woman, Shigure. And the baby is healthy. Things will be fine."

"I hope you're right, Ha-san. I don't--"

A scream from inside draws both of us away from our conversation. I'm the first to go running back into the house, stubbing out the butt of my cigarette and tossing it aside. Ha-san quickly follows suit.

As I round the corner to head back the hallway, I see Rin, clutching the bedroom doorframe. Her face in pinched together in pain, one hand grasping tightly to her swelled stomach. Tears flow freely down her cheeks and her breathing is harsh.

I'm immediately by her side, one arm wrapped around her shoulder for support. "You're supposed to be in bed."

"C-c-con-trac-act-tion-n," she manages between gasps.

"Contraction?" Both Ha-san and I are surprised.

Unable to speak, she nods emphatically.

"Are you sure," we ask in unison.

Flinching in pain, she screams again, nearly falling to the floor. I think that's a 'yes'.

"Kami," Ha-san mutters a curse, turning away from us. "I'll go get the car. Get a bag ready. We're going to a hospital."

"A hospital? Now?!" My mind is trying to comprehend the situation and failing miserably. All I know is that Rin is in pain and our child is in danger. I open my mouth to protest further, but Hatori is already disappearing down the hallway.

I mutter a string of curses as I half-carry, half-walk Rin back to the bed. Sitting her on the edge, I rush around the room in search of clothing and other necessities. I stop to look at her once in a while, making sure she's all right.

"S-sh-shigure?"

I stop in mid-stride in the hallway and look in at Rin. Tears are still falling from her eyes and she's clutching her stomach with both hands now. Her eyes are full of unshed tears. She's trying to be brave, but she's in a lot of pain.

Before she can say another word I walk into the room, kneel down in front of her and smile reassuringly. At least I hope it's reassuring.

"You'll be fine, Rin." I cup her face in my hands, placing a light kiss on her lips. "You'll be fine and so will the baby. You'll see."

"I-it-t hurt-ts," she mutters, the tears falling faster. "The p-pain-n--"

"Sshhhh." I kiss her again and she responds. Fear and pain blend into one and I'm overwhelmed. Tears sting my own eyes as I try to keep reassuring her.

Ha-san returns, carrying -- yes carrying -- Rin to the car. I finish collecting stuff for the bag and rush out after them. Sitting in the back seat with a tired and teary-eyed Rin, I realize that it's going to take some time to get where we're going. It's a good 30 minute drive to the nearest hospital and in-town traffic isn't always the best at this time of day.

Maybe we should've called an ambulance, but I know that it's not quite that easy. We are Sohma after all and we can't risk Rin transforming in her current state. There's no telling what effect it will have on her pregnancy.

When we arrive at the hospital, two nurses are waiting for us in the ER. Ha-san must've called ahead when he went to get the car. I'm allowed to push Rin in a wheelchair, but a nurse stops me to take over once we're inside the ER. I growl at her, literally, but Ha-san puts a hand on my shoulder to stop me. He looks at me seriously and I look back at him pleadingly. Puppy-dog eyes, Rin would call them.

Oh Kami, Rin!

"I need to be with her," I tell him. My voice sounds pitiful even to my own ears. "Ha-san, onegai...."

"I can't allow you inside the OR, Shigure," Hatori tells me.

"But--!"

"Don't argue with me, Shigure. Focus on Rin and the baby. This is best for both of them." He pauses, releasing my shoulder. "The surgeon on duty is an old colleague. He's excellent. And I'll be with her the entire time. Please, Shigure, wait out here."

I open my mouth to protest but in the end I can only nod. He's right. I hate it when he's right.

A nurse tries to make me comfortable in a small waiting room down the hall. She offers me a cup of coffee with a sympathetic smile. How many men like me does she see in a day? She asks if there's anything else. I shake my head, sipping at the coffee and watching a small 13" TV in the corner.

I know curiosity killed the cat, but it applies to dogs too. I hate not knowing. Not being in control of the situation. My heart is still in my stomach, beating frantically while my mind runs through a number of logical scenarios based on what Ha-san's told me.

//The surgeon on duty is an old colleague. He's excellent. And I'll be with her the entire time.//

Frustrated I start pacing the room like a caged animal. I can only imagine Rin, lying on an operating table, bleeding and screaming in pain. The baby hasn't turned yet. If she goes though a natural birth the child will be in danger. If she is really on the table, then the child's life and hers are in danger.

I can't stand to lose one, let alone both.

Kami, please! Don't make me beg!

I'm not sure how long I've been pacing, how long my coffee cup has been empty or how many cigarettes I've managed to smoke before a doctor enters the room. For a moment I think it's Ha-san, only to realize that this man is much shorter with lighter hair tinted with gray. He offers me a small smile as he closes the door behind him.

"Sohma-san?"

"Aa," I reply, sitting down my empty coffee cup. My legs tingle now that I'm standing in one place, but I ignore them, wanting to know what the doctor has to say.

"I'm Dr. Fujiya. I'm familiar with your cousin's practice. We went to the same medical school, graduated a year apart. I also saw to your wife's surgery today."

I only nod, not bothering to correct him. We share the same last name anyway. If Hatori didn't correct him then I'm not going to.

"How is she?"

"Oh she's doing just fine," the doctor says with a happy smile. "It was rough for a while. There was a lot of bleeding and hemorrhaging, but we were able to keep her stable." He pauses, rubbing the side of his nose in exhaustion. "After speaking with Hatori-san, I believe she needs to remain on bed rest for a while. We'll probably keep her in the hospital for a few days, strictly for observation."

"And the baby?" I can barely stop the question from pouring forth.

He chuckles. "She's just fine. Full of energy that one and eager to get out and see the world. Her weight is a little under where we'd like it to be, but she's happy and healthy."

She?

I can't help the stupid smile that comes to my face.

A girl. I have a daughter.

"Would you like to see your wife, Sohma-san? We've moved her to a regular room now."

"H-hai. Arigato."

As I follow the doctor to Rin's room I can't stop the spring that comes to my step. Nor can I wipe this silly grin from my face. Is this what all new parents feel? This sense of absolute giddiness. Of total awe.

Rin's all right and so is the baby.

A happy, healthy baby girl.

Thank you kami! Thank you!

Now there's just one thing left to do.



~TO BE CONTINUED~


DISCLAIMER:
Fruits Basket is owned by Natsuki Takaya/HAKUSENSHA - TV TOKYO - NAS - Fruba Project and licensed by FUNimation Productions, Ltd (for distribution in the USA). All copyrights go to them and not me. All characters are used here without permission. Some liberties have been taken...and not necessarily for myself.... ^_-