Chapter Six: Sakura Wagashi:

“Tell me again,” Tsuzuki said, holding the baby. “What are we going to do with this kid?”

“No idea,” Anna answered.

“What?”

“What else can we do? We couldn’t just leave the baby back there.”

“Well, we can’t take the kid with us!”

Anna glanced over her shoulder. “What if we get some baby supplies and work from there.”

Tsuzuki looked down at the child. "Poor kid. How long were you there in that house like that?" He cooed in baby talk.

“Hey, is your cell phone charged?” Anna wondered.

“Huh? Oh, yeah,” her husband answered. “Why?”

“My phone’s been trying to die on me. I think it needs replacing.”

“Do you need my phone?”

“In a couple of minutes, I will. Right now, we have to tend to the little survivor.”

“Ah.” He agreed.

Almost miraculously, the baby had been quiet in Tsuzuki’s arms for the last few minutes.

-------

The couple managed to find a konbini. “Oh small wonders,” Anna said in a cheerful sing-song. “Good thing I brought my wallet today.” Tsuzuki and Anna walked into the small store and made straight for the baby aisle.

“We just need enough until we figure out what to do next,” the wife recommended to her beloved.

“Got it,” Tsuzuki winked. The couple laid in a supply of powder, lotion, wipes, and diapers, along with a spare bottle, and a fresh blanket.

“That should do it,” Tsuzuki said. Anna strode up to the counter, laid out their spoils and made the purchase. She looked over at her husband.

“Care to do the honors?” she asked. Tsuzuki gave her a strange look.

“Me?” he asked.

“Yes,” she nodded.

“I don’t know anything about babies.”

“What makes you think I know any better?” Anna shrugged.

“We’re a mess, aren’t we?” Tsuzuki sighed as gathered the bags of baby supplies with one hand, slung the baby over his shoulder and padded off toward the bathroom.

Anna happened to catch the clerk watching them. He gave her a slight smile.

“First time parents, huh?” he asked. Anna narrowed her eyes, and furrowed her brow as she spoke.

“Oh, no. No-no-no. We found the baby just a short time ago in a ruined house around the corner,” she offered. The clerk gave her an odd look.

“Yeah, okay lady…” he scratched his head.

“Yeah.” Anna winced. Her eyes darted behind her to the men's room door.

Hurry up, Asato-kun. This is getting really awkward. Anna thought to herself. She tapped her foot nervously to calm herself down. At last, her husband emerged from the rest room with the baby. Anna whipped around with bated breath.

“Well?” she asked. Tsuzuki smiled, flashing a V-sign.

“She’s fine,” he answered. “I managed to change her diaper and get her nice and cleaned up.”

Anna raised an eyebrow. “She?”

“Yes. The baby’s a girl.”

The clerk gave the couple funny looks. “You didn’t know the baby’s gender?”

“We just found her today,” Tsuzuki answered.

“Does she even have a name?” the clerk asked.

“Uh…” Tsuzuki and Anna replied. The clerk frowned and shook his head. The couple chuckled somewhat anxiously with fake smiles plastered across their faces. Luckily, they were mercifully rescued by a distraction when Tsuzuki’s cell phone rang.

“Hello?” he breathed. “Oh, Hisoka, it’s you. You’re done?” He gave a nervous laugh. “Uh… Well… Things got a little complicated on our end.  I’ll explain when we meet.” Tsuzuki hung up and turned to his wife.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

“Yes,” Anna said with a smile and a nod. The couple hurried out of the store, baby girl in tow. The clerk gave them a little wave.

“Have a good day,” he said. That was weird, he thought. The bells on the door jingled as it opened and swung closed them.