Baby Love - A Hakuouki Fan Fiction

Chapter 22

"Um, Shinpachi? I'm standing by the gate at the moment," she pressed on the intercom.

"Alright, you can enter now."

She listened to the distinct sound of the gate unlocking as she steps inside the apartment vicinity heading off for the lobby. Cradled in her arms was a gift wrapped fruit basket as she peers around the spacious room of the elevator the cabin bobbing ever so slightly as it ascends. A wry smile lifted the corner of her lips recalling the awful job and her frightful experience. 

Treading along the corridor she eventually stops by the entrance, her heart nervously beating almost ditching the idea of visiting then. Squeezing her eyelids shut before springing them open, one trembling fist tapping against the door. Several minutes ticked by when she overhead the clicking of the locks inwardly.

"Miyuki-"

"For you and Akane!" she bowed extending the gift hiding behind the floral plastic.

"Oh, thank you even though you shouldn't have troubled yourself coming here."

"It's okay!" she beamed feeling the weight of the basket and satchel of preheat porridge retrieving from her arms.

He stood there accompanied by a friendly smile but Miyuki was stunned by his attire: a loose fitting muscle tank top "RAMONE" spelled across the front. Bottom, he wore a grey sweatpants which outline his assets. Realizing at the direction of her wide gaze, she jerked them upward.

What is he wearing? her inner distressed voice screaming in panicked state.

"Are you coming in?"

"Alright," she fumbled hopping over the threshold. He carefully closed the entrance so as not to make too much ruckus leaving her alone to put on a pair of home slippers.

Once again, he appeared without the gift in hand watching her, his poker expression a little concerning. Both hands placed in front of her. She had an inkling at how her face must be looking now: cherry-red and a little skittish. She made a show as if searching for someone else.

I can understand why he was bothered by the idea of me dropping by, we are alone.

Saved by the whimper of a child somewhere inside he told her to follow as they made their way towards the source of sound. The bedroom was shrouded in darkness, Akane was sitting in her cot a wet fever patch on her forehead. She wore a pyjamas that was covered in perspiration.

My poor baby.

Her dazed ocean-blue eyes locking onto hers as she reached closer to the cot, Miyuki had sanitised her hands ahead. A folded napkin drenched beneath the bowl filled with cold water. Her hands automatically touching on the girl's cheek to gauge the temperature. It was still slightly hot to the touch.

"What happened to you?" she crooned in a low voice.

She sensed movement from behind before she could move aside, Shinpachi was close arm to arm as he lifted the child up in the safety of arms. Just like that, Akane stopped her tears rather, she was eying Miyuki, her cherubic frame flinching ever so and then from hiccups.

"What has the doctor told you?" she glances away from the curious toddler to study the suspiciously quiet adult.

He let out a sigh, "well, I have to accept the blame because if her fever does not subside by evening she has to be admitted in."

"What?" she gasped, one hand covering her gaping mouth. "How can she develop high fever?"

He haltingly proceeded to explain to her by the time the man ended the story she was both livid and also, discerned his motive behind failing his temper. Still, he chose the wrong method on disciplining his daughter. She outstretched her hands wondering if Akane would fall into them naturally when her prayers were answered.