Forever With You

Four

By the time they reached Nekoma, Hitoka was almost dead on her feet, and followed behind Princes Kuroo and Tsuki as they made their way into the palace. Aiko was cooing softly, her beautiful blue eyes reflecting the way the light sparkled off the golden chandeliers, sconces, and candelabras. A little pudgey hand would sometimes reach up and grasp the air, as if trying to catch one of those sparkles. Normally, she'd marvel at all the finery along with her daughter, but tonight, she just wanted to get the children settled in bed, and then follow suit.

She was barely listening to the men as they walked, carrying their own sleeping children, but one thing snagged her attention more than she'd like to admit. They were discussing their plans for Kuroo's thirtieth birthday celebration, and he was more excited for this year than any other (according to Tsuki).

"Eita is due to arrive the day after tomorrow, isn't he?" Prince Kuroo asked as they went up the grand staircase.
"Yeah. He wanted to explore the islands a little more, but I think he saw everything he wanted to already." Prince Tsuki replied as if he were hinting at something.
Hitoka wasn't sure what it meant, and her brain was too tired to care, but she listened anyway.
"I think so, too," the former agreed. "Anyway, since it'll be considered a state visit, and all that nonsense, we'll need everyone on hand to help out. So Yacchan will need extra help, too."
"Wait. I will?" she asked as they passed through the halls toward the nursery. "I'll be fine, your highness. I can manage all three kids like I always have."
"Oh, we don't doubt it," he said. "But there will be more than our three, so you'll need the help."
"More than three?"
"Yeah, once the council got the idea of making Tetsu's birthday a big party, they sent an invitation out to everyone. Only one hasn't sent back their confirmation, yet. I should talk to Ukai if anything came in while we were gone."
"Yeah, do that, because it'll be better if they don't come."
"Right."
"Either way, Eita will be the first to arrive out of all of those coming. We should celebrate his birthday, too. Have a little party."

As the two of them quietly discussed making arrangements for their friend, Hitoka was struggling to understand more than putting one foot in front of the other. The door to the nursery opened, and a maid stood aside to let them in. She informed them that the twins' bed had been turned down, ready for them to be tucked in. When she turned to Hitoka, she rushed over to take Aiko from her.

"Come on, ma'am. You're about five seconds from falling over."
"Oh, but I should..."
"We'll take care of the children for you," Prince Tsuki assured her. "You go to sleep. We're just sorry we didn't notice it sooner."
"I'll wake up," she still tried to protest.
"Follow me, ma'am," the maid said gently, guiding her to the nanny's room. "I'll take care of everything."
"But..."
"Go to bed, Yacchan. We'll see you in the morning," Prince Kuroo ordered kindly.

Hitoka tiredly followed the maid into her room. It took a few minutes for her to put Aiko in her crib, and she stood there exhausted, unable to even think about moving. Smiling kindly, the older woman helped her out of her dress and into a night shift, guided her into the bed, and tucked her in like a child. She barely heard the woman whisper goodnight before she was fast asleep.

[Three Hours Later]

With a steaming hot cup of vanilla chamomile tea, Hitoka sat on the bench of her window seat, admiring the stars and the view she had. It was almost as pretty as the Crow Islands, she thought. Night dark water lightly choppy from the current and the breeze coming in. White sand beaches that almost glimmer in the faint moonlight. Palms swayed, while further inland leaves rustled on trees. There was so much... more here. Nekoma held its own beauty, but she loved it more on the islands she now called home.

Taking another long sip of tea, she tried to get herself back together. The dream that woke her had been unpleasant, to say the least. It wasn't more than flashes of memories; of her homeland, of her mother, of being sent away to live with family she'd never met, and who didn't care too much about her while she lived with them, of falling in love with a man who didn't love her back... and the result of that one-sided love.