Hope & Faith

Kanae and Chiori laughed again as Kyoko broke down into another stream of appreciation at the bags of clothes the girls were carrying between them. This day out had been their little treat. At 33 weeks yesterday Kyoko, as Kanae put it, was blooming. They had spent the last 2 hours shopping and eating as they stopped often for Kyoko to rest before setting off again in the hunt for cute clothing. Kanae insisted on buying clothing from premature baby sizes up to 10lbs sizes which made Kyoko gulp as she held the large garments out.

"Surely they won't be coming out that big?" Kyoko asked, her eyes wide as Chiori and Kanae burst into laughter.

"Well some single children do yes, I think the largest baby born in Japan was about 16 lb 11 oz." Kyoko just stared at Kanae, her eyes bulging as she took in the implications of birthing a child that big, again her two best friends were laughing.

"Kyoko before you freak out just remember you are carrying two children in there and I doubt together they would even weigh that amount. Though they still have 6 weeks to gain a little extra poundage, a combined weight of 16 lbs would be good for twins." Kyoko wasn't moving or talking as Kanae shook her head. Tossing the large garment into the basket she was carrying and tugging Kyoko along with the other arm, she dragged her back over to the premature baby section.

"So why are we buying premature items?" Chiori asked. Kanae was the knowledge in this field for both girls as Chiori picked up two 3 pack, premature baby grows in neutral colours, popping them in the basket, while looking at Kanae.

"Well.." Kanae said, picking up two sets of premature baby mittens and hats before throwing them into the basket.

"Twins are not normally carried full term. There is no normal delivery date for twins but they have been known to come as early as 34 weeks right up until and after the given delivery date. So if Kyoko was to go into labour earlier than expected she would need the smaller sized clothes." both Kyoko and Chiori nodded. Kyoko had already been informed of the fact her babies could come early but she hadn't considered the size difference between a full term twin and a premature twin, Kanae was a blessing to her.

"Are you scared?" Chiori suddenly asked Kyoko in a rush as Kanae too turned to her golden eyed friend. Kyoko thought about the question before nodding.

"Terrified." was the only word she could use to even start describing her feelings at that moment in time as the fairies in her tummy squirmed and rolled. Kanae put her hand on Kyoko's shoulder and looked deeply in her eyes.

"You are not alone in this Kyoko. If you want to talk about it..." she never finished her sentence allowing Kyoko to come to her own conclusion of what Kanae was offering, but she already knew her friends were there for her, her family too and most of all Kuon. She smiled at them both the glow of her pregnancy radiating from her.

"It's fine guys and you don't realise how doing this has helped me so much already." the two girls just nodded. They understood that they needed to change the subject now without Kyoko even saying anything, joking, laughing and smiling as they piled more and more items in the baskets. The shopping spree was on Kuon today, so why not make sure they were doubly ready for their little bundles of joy?

They had just finished lunch at a local eatery and were heading back towards the LME car which was waiting for them. Lory had insisted the girls use the LME cars when needed and with the amount of items they had bought today they definitely needed something bigger than her own little run around town car. Kanae had called the driver and asked if he would mind collecting their shopping for them so they would be able to shop a little more.

They were now walking through one of the large department stores, Kyoko had mentioned she wanted a new robe for the hospital when she stopped suddenly. Kanae and Chiori who had taken a few more steps turned to see Kyoko clutch at her stomach as liquid poured from underneath her skirt.

"KYOKO!" Kanae screamed as her friends legs gave way beneath her, a store worker who had been stacking the shelves near Kyoko caught the young actress before she hit the floor, taking the store worker down with her yet avoiding more trauma for Kyoko. Kanae and Chiori where next to both of them within seconds as the store worker began pulling the bath towels off the shelves she had been arranging and stacking neatly.

"Quickly get them all down." she said as she started creating a makeshift bed for Kyoko, another member of the public who had been in the aisle was already on her phone to the emergency services as they tried to make Kyoko as comfortable as possible. Kanae eyed the fluid that she knew was Kyoko's waters breaking, her heart almost breaking at the sight of it as it was brown and blood-filled. This wasn't good.

Kuon sat on the sofa squirming slightly, he was currently on the set of a show which was a special on him and his family. Kyoko had been excused for obvious reasons as she was no longer working this late in her pregnancy. Julie looked over at her son.

"What's wrong?" she asked in barely a whisper. The show was filmed with a live audience and there was only a few more seconds left before they went back on air live, Kuon looked at her and she saw emotion in his eyes that didn't belong there.

"Kuon?" she asked a little louder sitting up straighter.

"I don't know mom I just feel... I don't know, it feels like something is wrong." she watched her son as he squirmed a little more before the show host got their attention. She had been caught up in an animated talk with Kuu but now duty called.

"OK we are live in 3-2-; Hello and welcome back ladies and gentlemen to our Hizuri special!" the show continued, Kuon's mask slipping on perfectly, but still in the back of his head he couldn't help but think something was wrong. It was 5 minutes into the show when the audience gasped. Yashiro strode onto the stage without stopping, bending down besides Kuon he said a few words before Kuon was on his feet and dashing off without any explanation to the host or anyone for that matter, with Yashiro following behind him. Kuu and Julie who had also heard Yashiro's words stood and faced the audience together.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I must apologise for our son's hasty exit, but it has just come to our attention our daughter-in-law has been taken ill. We are sorry but the show will be ending here for the day and we would be grateful for your full support at this crucial time." Kuu's words rang out above the crowd and live across the network as people sat there stunned and worried about the well-being of the well loved Hizuri Kyoko. Kuu and Julie exited as swiftly as their son had, a car was waiting for them as they stepped out of the side exit. For once no reporters or journalists tried to stop the couple and no pictures were taken. Julie's face was tracked with tears while Kuu's filled with worry. All they heard as they walked swiftly through the crowd were prayers, for Kyoko and for the babies.

Kyoko was slipping in and out of consciousness. Kanae held her one hand as she was swiftly wheeled into the hospital by the medical team. Yuri was there waiting for them a full team of medical staff along with Kazumi. Yuri grabbed Kyoko's hand, checking her eye reflexes with a little torch as they sped down the corridors.

"Stay with us Kyoko-chan, you've got to have hope and you've got to have faith so stay with us sweetling. I know it hurts and I know you're scared but you need to be strong now OK?" Yuri was talking as they wheeled her into the emergency labour room Kanae still holding her hand as Yuri and her team began other tests on the stricken actress. For those few moments when Yuri was talking to Kyoko, Kanae swore Kyoko's eyes focused solely on her midwife. The woman she had trusted with the care of her babies was there and even in Kyoko's fevered state Kanae felt Kyoko's hand soften in hers, relaxing a little before the next contraction ripped through her.

"What's wrong with her?" Kanae whispered as Kazumi pulled her away from Kyoko saying she would need to get into some medical clothing and a mask if she was going to be staying with Kyoko.

"Well it's rare my dear, but from the looks of it and what you told the medical team, Kyoko may be going through what they call a rapid ascension birth. What this means is the baby, or babies in Kyoko's case, may be trying to travel through the birth canal to quickly." Kanae's eyes full of fear for her friend and god children, stared at her as Kazumi caught the faint whisper that Kanae emitted.

"Is it dangerous?" she asked barely daring to breathe, all Kazumi did was nod her head once and Kanae was instantly in tears. Kazumi wrapped her arms around the young woman and held her as she cried, feeling the tremors through the actresses body. She was usually a strong independent woman, but the simple fear of losing Kyoko was too much for her.

"Now sweetie, it's OK she is in the best place possible for her and we will do everything in our power to help Kyoko and the babies. You don't have to go back in there if you feel unable to, I will go and be with her if you like. Has Mr. Hizuri been contacted?" Kanae nodded as she pulled away, wiping her eyes with swift fingers she stood tall.

"Thank you but I will be going back in there a soon as I am able. She is my best friend and I will not leave her when she needs me the most." Kazumi smiled at the courage of the young woman. Handing her the scrubs she stood outside the screened area as Kanae dressed.

"Now I have to warn you of possible complications as we can not have you panicking if the situation turns." Kanae made a noise in acknowledgement so Kazumi continued.

"If you are asked to leave at any point I must ask you do so and wait outside, with a rapid ascension birth the problems we may see are unnecessary tearing to the vagina or perineum which may cause substantial bleeding and even internal bleeding if she ruptures. With the babies it is common for dislocations of arms legs hips and in extreme cases twisting and damaging of the spine. We also have the chance of asphyxiation due to the speed in which they come through the canal or a common problem with the cord being wrapped around the child's neck at birth. These are our main concerns at the moment, but also the fact her waters where brown with blood means the babies are stressed already and with Kyoko's fever we are unsure what has caused it but we need to try and keep her calm and deliver the babies first." Kanae stepped out from behind the curtain dressed in full scrubs. Kazumi nodded at her as she lead her to the sink to scrub her hands and lower arms.

"OK so what should I do?" Kanae asked now fully in control of herself.

"I need you to keep her calm and awake." Kanae just nodded as together they turned and re-entered the emergency delivery room.

Kuon raced in through the hospital doors not caring at the looks he got from the other patients and staff. Yashiro was right behind him as Kuon raced to the reception desk.

"Please my wife came in here...Hizuri Kyoko." The young nurse behind the desk was just about to look at the roster before her as a voice Kuon knew sounded out.

"Kuon-san!... Yashiro-san!" Chiori was there clutching what appeared to be hers and Kanae's coats, plus 3 bags, one he instantly recognized as Kyoko's.

"Chiori!" Kuon almost shouted with relief at not having to wait for the nurse to instruct him. As soon as Kuon and Yashiro were beside her she set off in the direction of the labour emergency waiting room, Chiori filling them in along the way with what had happened. Yashiro wrapped a comforting arm around the younger girl as she spoke, tears cascading down her face as she told them everything. Kuon's mind was reeling. His babies were 7 weeks early and Kyoko was having complications, which was all Chiori had been able to tell him. As of yet no one had emerged from the emergency room not even Kanae who had entered with her. It had taken Kuon 33 minutes and 19 seconds to get from the studio to the hospital. He knew because he had counted every single one. They had just arrived at the hospital when Chiori had called Yashiro meaning Kyoko had been in the emergency labour room for just a little over that amount of time.

They approached the door and Kuon was ready to go bursting in when Yashiro pulled him back, the emergency in use sign above the door glowing brightly.

"Kuon you can't just storm in there, if they are having to operate, it is a sterile area you could cause more harm to your wife and your children." Kuon who had been struggling against his grip stopped at his last words. Yashiro was right of course as Kuon stared around for someone, anyone to ask. He wanted his wife. He wanted Kyoko.

He was just about to go running off to find a member of staff to ask about maybe going into the room when the doors opened.....

Kuon stared at the tall figure as she strode towards the three of them, standing transfixed in the corridor. Her face covered in a mask, her eyes unreadable yet slightly red and puffy. She spotted them instantly and Kuon's heart fearing the worst stopped. Kanae pulled off the hair cap first, her hair escaping in a long flowing black pony tail down her back, and just as she neared them she pulled away the mask over her face and Kuon cried out.

Kanae was smiling.

"Congratulations Daddy." she said as Kuon's legs finally gave way and he cried on the hospital floor before his three friends. He had missed the birth of his children yes, but at that very moment in time he didn't care. He was a father. Yashiro and Chiori where around him trying to pull him up, talking to him as Kanae waited to speak more. It was only when Kuu, Julie and Lory arrived with Sebastian in tow that they managed to get Kuon seated on one of the hard plastic seats against the wall his mind suddenly registering Kanae hadn't spoken again, she was waiting for him he knew this and he had to be strong now.

"And Kyoko?" he asked, suddenly realising she had said he was a father but not mentioned his wife. Kanae's face dropped slightly as she stood before the many pairs of waiting, worried eyes. Kanae looked at them all then locked eyes with Kuon.

"The birth was hard on Kyoko, it was a very fast birth and sadly it has caused a few complications." Kuon was instantly on his feet, hands on Kanae's shoulders squeezing them rather hard as Kanae gasped.

"Is she OK? Where's Kyoko." Yashiro pulled Kuon's grip from Kanae's shoulders as Kuu gripped his son's arm.

"Kuon you're hurting her." came his low voice which Kuon had known since childhood not to disobey he released her instantly, subconsciously as at that moment in time his body and mind felt disconnected. He was fully in a state of shock and fear.

"Mr. Hizuri." the voice was that of an angel, his mind and body recognised it as someone he needed at that moment as he turned to see a smiling Yuri before him.

"Would you like to come and meet your children, Kuon?" she asked, holding her hand out to him as if he was a small, lost child. His family and friends watched as he took Yuri's hand and followed her, looking exactly like that lost child in their minds as he followed meekly behind Yuri. Kanae was finally able to continue telling the others of Kyoko's condition.

Kuon looked on at the two small babies before him, small tubes in their noses, monitors on their tiny chests, and then the sweetest sound he thought he would ever hear: the twin sounds of strong heartbeats from the machines.

"They are very strong babies Kuon even though they are 7 weeks premature. They are not out of the woods yet but they have both had a full medical check up and for the moment they are both healthy, beautiful babies even if they are on the small side." Yuri looked at the man beside her still holding her hand as he looked on at the tiny twins. Kuon was openly crying again as he looked at two of the most precious things he had ever seen in his life, he already loved them.

"Now Kyoko was very lucky. Though she has sustained some internal and external tearing from the birth, I don't think you are fully in your senses yet for me to explain what occurred so I will speak to you about it once you have had time to calm down and you have seen your wife. Would you like that?" Kuon's eyes shot up from the babies instantly, Yuki was almost blinded by the love of this man for his wife. Yuri thought she had never seen truer soulmates as Kuon nodded and followed her with swift paces to the room Kyoko had been brought to for her to recover.

If anything Kyoko looked worse than the two tiny twins, she had tubes in both arms and monitors all over her chest and she was wearing an oxygen mask. Kuon looked at the 3 bags of fluid being delivered into her arms two were clear fluid the third was blood. As soon as he was in the room Yuri's hand was dropped and he was instantly beside Kyoko's bed her hand in his as he looked down at his beloved. Kyoko's eyes fluttered open.

"Kuon?" came her soft, raspy voice as Kuon looked at her crying. Bending over her frail looking body, he kissed her forehead softly.

"I'm here my love." he said as Kyoko's free hand with the blood drip in it came and caressed his face softly. Yuri left the room silently she knew they needed time alone.

2 Days Later.

Kuon and Kyoko both looked up at the knock on the door to see their friends and family all standing there. They both smiled and Kuon stood up, gesturing for everyone to come in. All eyes were drawn to the tiny bundles in Kyoko's arms, Julie was by her bedside in a heartbeat as Kuu strode over to Kuon, shaking his hand and hugging his son congratulating him again. This would be the first time for them to see the babies. Kuon had spoken to them all briefly before returning to Kyoko's side and staying there for the last 2 days straight. When it had been decided that the twins were fully viable and functioning normally on their own, they had been brought to Kyoko's room where she was able to care for them with Kuon's and Yuri's help. Kyoko was still bed bound and would be for a while yet with the extensive stitching and surgery she had to undergo after the birth and needed to be rested to heal fully. The babies were still kept in specialised incubators but Kyoko was assisted to get them out and feed them both now for bonding time.

Yuri entered the room a little while later to find the twins in the arms of Kuu and Julie who were both crying tears of joy as they held their grandchildren.

"So what have you decided to name them? Lory asked as he, Kanae and Chiori gushed over the small bundles in the arms of their grandparents. Kyoko and Kuon smiled, first at each other then at Yuri who blushed slightly which Lory caught instantly.

"OK" he said looking between the couple and their midwife." Kuon nodded to Kyoko who smiled and answered for them both.

"Well actually, it was Yuri that named them both." everyone looked up at the midwife who was truly blushing now, but smiling all the same.

"I can't remember much after getting into the ambulance, but I do remember 2 people holding my hands and a kind voice telling me, 'you've got to have hope and you've got to have faith so stay with us.'" Kuon strode over to his father and slowly took his son from his arms.

"This is Hizuri Kibou, he was born first weighing 4 lbs 7 oz." Kuon passed Kibou to Kyoko and then walked over to his daughter in his mother's arms, taking his precious princess from her with the greatest care.

"And this is Hizuri Shinko, born second weighing 4 lbs 3 oz." he said as the people in the room smiled at the loving couple. Lory wiped a tear from his eyes as he smiled at the two people he had fought so long for to be together and now here they were a proper family.

"Hope and Faith. I think they are perfect names."