𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐑𝐄 | sasuke uchiha

Shisui

"If you want, I can show you where the family room is for you to put your things down."

The nurse who had helped me into my room spoke to Yukata and Kannon as I settled into my bed, sighing and staring at the ceiling. I had changed out of my clothes into the hospital gown they gave me, and my bag of belongings lay on the window seat, bursting at the seams with its contents.

"Sounds good," said Kannon, answering for the innocuously quiet babysitter. "Should we take Ayumi with us? We'll come back later."

I sat up and looked over at Ayumi, who was sitting in her pram and enjoying the company of her rattle. With a smile, I nodded and said, "Can you bring her over?"

Without another word, Kannon unclasped her and brought her to me, holding her close to my face so that I could kiss her easily.

"Go see your new room," I said, poking her on the nose. "With Yukata and Kannon. Okay?"

Soon, Kannon and Yukata had gathered their things, and followed the nurse out of the room wih Ayumi in tow. As soon as they exited, I was left alone, and looked around the room I was currently in. I was expected to do everything in here: the labour, birth and recovery all in one, so that I wouldn't have to move around as much. I was glad; once I got comfortable here, I wouldn't want to leave.

As I was left pondering my thoughts, my door slid open, and Shijima poked her head in.

"Hey, Amaterasu. How's it going?"

"Hey," I greeted, motioning for the midwife to enter. "It's good, it's good. Just getting some rest for now. I'll probably go for a walk later on tonight. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, of course," said the Hōki smoothly, pulling up a seat next to my bed. "I just wanted to check up on you. Can you believe it's nearly time?"

"Nope. But it's gotta happen one way or the other, right?"

With a chuckle, Shijima reached out and put a hand on my own, squeezing it reassuringly.

"You'll be fine."

***

Not long after Kannon and Yukata returned to the room, my contractions began, and I urged Yukata to take Ayumi back. Shijima had left already because she had another appointment scheduled, so couldn't stay longer. I was left with Kannon and the nurse, who was giving Kannon instructions on what to do next. As the nurse spoke to Kannon, she wore a brave face, listening carefully to every single word the nurse was saying so as to play her role effectively.

"... of course we'll be keeping an eye on her too, but you should make sure you're asking her about the pain..."

While the pain was uncomfortable, the thought of having Kannon by my side was great consolation. Compared to how I had had to deal with Ayumi's birth- not knowing anything about what was happening to my body, having to suffer through it alone in my isolated room- this time around, I felt much more prepared. Kannon's presence reassured me, and when the nurse left, she came to my side and grabbed my hand, holding onto it tightly.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, looking over my body as she clung onto me. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's all left," I joked, trying to get her to laugh. Although she was trying to play it cool, it was evident in her eyes that she was struggling not to let her panic show. I squeezed her hand back, and added, "How are you feeling?"

"Huh?" She blinked at me, her face going blank for a second before she realised what I was saying. "Oh, I'm fine! I'm not the one who's about to push a baby out of my vagina! I'm sorry, do I not look alright?!"