"Is mama going to be here, daddy?"

Kojirou sighed at his daughter’s wishful expression and slowly shook his head.

"No, Reishi. Your mama won’t be coming."

"But why?"

"She just can’t."

Reishi stared at her bowl of untouched rice. "Mama never comes," she mumbled sadly. Kojirou sighed again. He didn’t know how to comfort her. He wasn’t certain what Musashi was doing now… he thought about the time one of Musashi’s ex-boyfriends had met up with her again and clenched his fists. Maybe he didn’t want to know.

"What do you want for your birthday, Rei-chan?"

"Mama."

"Don’t start…"

Kojirou hated it when Reishi was stubborn. Not only was it hard to speak to her, she reminded him of a miniature Musashi- even though Reishi looked more like him with her lilac hair and deep green eyes.

"Finished with that?" Kojirou asked abruptly, reaching for her bowl. Reishi looked up forlornly. Then her face turned spiteful. "Why? Do you want it? It wouldn’t surprise me." Kojirou scrowled at her and grabbed the bowl. He put it in the sink and turned the taps viciously.

Boiling water splurted over his hands.

"Damn it!!" Kojirou hissed through his teeth, desperately trying to turn the cold tap on with his scalded hands. Reishi appeared at the kitchen doorway, having heard her father’s yells of agony. She giggled with delight and ran back out, leaving Kojirou struggling with the tap. His hands slipped off it as he realised his hands didn’t hurt anymore.

"RESHI! Would you please listen to me!"

"Mama wouldn’t screech at me like that," Reishi called from inside her bedroom in a sarcastically hurt voice. Kojirou stopped banging on the door and winced at he looked at his red raw hands. "She bloody well would," he growled to himself. The music playing in his daughter’s room got louder, causing the door to vibrate.

"I’m going to the hospital. Don’t answer the door to anyone."

Reishi turned the volume down a bit so she was certain she’d be heard.

"Good. Hope it’s bad news!"

Kojirou held his breath for a moment. "I need a drink," he thought immediately. When he found the few cans of alcohol, he knew it was a bad idea. He didn’t have Musashi to care for him when he woke up with a hangover. Come to think of it, he didn’t have Musashi to take him away from the depressions of everyday life. What had he done to lose her?

Reishi gazed out her window longingly. "I miss you mama. I miss you so much. Why won’t he let me see you? She stretched upwards to view the beach up ahead. The waves rolled slowly and the sun made the deep blue glitter more than ever.

"I need you, mama. Why won’t you come?" Reishi turned around gulping. She brushed back her long hair and began to cry silently.

Reishi sniffed soon afterwards, knowing crying wouldn’t help her; and threw her soggy hair back. She wiped her face with her hand and darted into her father’s tiny bedroom. She peered at herself in the full-length mirror. Her eyes were puffy and red and her face was literally shining with all the crying she had done. She sniffed again out of misery and picked up a comb with a trembling hand. She brushed her fringe back. Reishi stared in wonder at how different she looked but the strands of hair simply flicked back into place. The photo of Musashi smiled at her from beside Kojirou’s bed. Reishi examined her perfect face, her pale skin, her thick deep red swirl or hair. "I wish I was as pretty as you…"

Kojirou looked up from his newspaper, his two hands heavily bandaged. "About time you showed your face," he said, turning the page. Reishi resorted to her old attitude. "Where’s dinner?" she demanded, ignoring his comment. Kojirou laughed shortly. "You obviously don’t need me. So why not get it yourself?" Reishi paused with anguish. She wondered whether Kojirou was being serious. He continued to read, occasionally skipping a page. Reishi walked into the kitchen. The oven knobs made no sense to her and she knew she’s end up setting the house on fire. She snorted at her worry- that would show him. She could walk out and leave him in the living room, none the wiser. But that wouldn’t result in her getting anything to eat. Plus she wasn’t going to give in to Kojirou’s suggestion that easily.

Reishi groaned as she tossed and turned. "I’m so hungry," she whispered in the dark. "How could he refuse to feed me?" She kicked the heavy duvet off her legs. Reishi lied on her back, watching the fan spin above her through the gloom. She thought of Musashi. She’d be happy with her. She couldn’t stay with Kojirou as he hated her so much. She had to leave… she’s end up starving to death if she didn’t… but where was her mother living?

She cleared her desk of screwed up paper and pulled up a fresh piece. She took a rather blunt pencil and raised it above the paper. This was the plan. Reishi sketched a house and scribbled in her grandma, Miyamoto’s face. She’d visited her before, and it didn’t seem that far away when Kojirou took her in the car that time. There she’d get food. Reishi drew an apple to signify that aspect. She’d ask Nanna where her mother was. Bingo. Happy ending. She smiled as she drew a picture of her mother hugging her- Crrrkkk. The pencil nib broke. Reishi gaped in disbelief and threw it angrily on the floor. Who cares. Reishi held it up to the light. It had broken when she was drawing the spiral of her mother’s hair, but it was a recognisable portrait. She put the paper back down on her desk and pulled a jacket on. As she tied up her shoelaces she pondered about hiding places for her plan. While she glanced around her room Kojirou mumbled in his sleep. Reishi decided to leave it. It would show Kojirou what a bad father he was to her. Closing the front door as quietly as possible, Reishi grinned. This was what she had been hoping for.

It was freezing outside. Snow lashed at her face and the icy wind constantly attempted to knock her down. Her bare legs turned a chilling blue. Reishi removed the one possession she had taken with her from her jacket pocket. She bounced the shining Pokeball on the ground. "Come out, Slithee!" Reishi coached bitterly. The tiny Ekans nuzzled against her sore legs, hissing happily. Reishi nodded gratefully, but couldn’t help wanting her beloved Slithee to be a fluffy Pokemon. Even so, her legs felt better with Slithee curled decoratively around them, although it was more difficult to walk.

Reishi had walked for a long time. Long enough for her ankles to wobble at every step and her heart to pound as it could take no more. "Nana’s house can’t be much further," Reishi told her Pokemon loyally. But soon her lungs ached uncontrollably at each breath she took. Slithee was fine- it was enjoying this new ride on its master’s moving legs. But even Slithee could now see Reishi was about to give up. After five more strides through the slush Reishi’s eyes closed and she fell forward. Slithee uncoiled itself and nudged at her face.

"Hissss…!"

"Mm…?" Reishi partly opened her eyes. "Slithee, am I going to die?" She tried to get up but her arms were moulded into the ground. "I…I can see heaven… is that the place I’m destined for?"

The alarm began to beep loudly. "God, did I sleep badly," Kojirou exclaimed throwing an arm behind him to switch it off. He yawned as he sat up. There was no sound coming from Reishi’s bedroom. Kojirou presumed she was still asleep.

"Reishi?" Kojirou said softly, gently knocking with his elbow. "Reishi, honey? Are you getting up?" No answer. Kojirou opened the door a gap. "I’m sorry I was so hard on you, I didn’t mean- Reishi?" He picked up the duvet sprawled out on the floor.

He checked the bathroom, the living room, the kitchen, shouting his daughter’s name as he went. He went into the garden, imagining Reishi sitting there constructing a daisy chain, adding his precious red roses to it without asking first. Kojirou’s precious Reishi wasn’t there.

Koirou ran back to her bedroom, believing there was some part of the room he hadn’t checked. A piece of paper caught his eye. He gingerly picked it up and scanned it. His eyes widened and the paper fluttered from his fingers.

"Reishi…"

Slithee hissed repeatedly, slithering around Reishi again and again, pulling her jacket around her with its jaws when it started to fall down. "Ekan!" It flailed wildly as it heard a nearby voice.

"I think I’ve found her!" A policewoman with misty blue hair ran up unsteadily in high heels. The Ekans bared shook it’s tail in a menacing manner. Someone else suddenly outran the police officer.

"Reishi! Reishi, please! Wakeup!" Kojirou fixed his coat around her and held her close to his chest.

"Don’t Reshi," he whispered, feeling the tears welling up.

"You shouldn’t have picked her up!" Officer Jenny screamed as she drew up beside them.

"She hasn’t been struck, if that’s what you think," Kojirou snapped at her. "She’s not evidence! She’s collapsed from the cold, she needs treatment…" Reishi mumbled and snuggled into her father’s shoulder.

"Oh, sweetheart!"

Reishi stirred and saw, sitting beside her, on a plastic chair, a familiar face.

"Mama!"

"Reishi, come here." Musashi hugged her and stroked her hair lovingly. "Thank God, you’re alright." Reishi held onto her mother tightly. "I’ve missed you so much, mama." Musashi rocked her slowly.

"So have I. I’m just so busy with my new job, it’s almost impossible to travel and see you. But we won’t worry about that now. I’m here now."

Musashi softened her grip on her daughter and Reishi lay back on the hospital bed. She saw who was sitting on her other side.

"Dad?"

Kojirou smiled at her.

"I… I didn’t mean what I said to you." Kojirou shook his head.

"Don’t say that, Reishi, you were right. You should be living with your mother. I’m not cut out to be much of a father."

"You are! I was wrong! I was upset, so I said things that weren’t true. I thought I wanted to be with mama instead of you, but that’s not it."

Musashi raised her eyebrows.

"I want you to be back together again. I need you both," Reishi wept. Musashi mopped her face with a tissue. "Don’t cry. Go to sleep Rei-chan. Daddy and I are going to talk in the lobby. We’ll be back by the time you wake up. Just relax now." Musashi smoothed the pillow.

"Alright, mama."

Musashi beckoned to Kojrou and lead him out the ward until they stood in the lobby corner.

"Kojirou, what went wrong?"

Kojirou stared at the floor. "That’s what I’ve been wondering for the past two years."

Musashi sighed despairingly. "I wondered too. I think I know. It was because no one could handle the fact we were lovers, and when we married and had Reishi, it was even more to take. No one wanted to accept it, and nor could we. We gave up everything we’d ever wanted in life just because of how everyone else felt."

Kojirou said nothing.

"It wasn’t your fault, my fault or Reishi’s. It was confusion about how long we could cope with other people’s attitudes."

Musashi put her hand beneath Kojirou’s chin. "But no one’s knows where or what we’re doing now, do they?" Kojirou blushed hotly.

"Musashi, how do you feel about me?" he laughed at her seducing remark.

She smiled in reply. The smile that could always made Kojirou feel like he wasn’t where he was. He was somewhere with her. And her only.

"I love you. Just like before. Did you think I’d forget you? I could hardly keep still watching our daughter asleep with you there as well. I wanted to kiss you so much, but how could I with Reishi being so sick?"

"You don’t blame me for her being in hospital?" Kojirou swallowed. "It was my fault."

"No it wasn’t. Nothing’s ever your fault. You’re just that kind of person."

"Mama? Daddy?"

The two gazed at each other a second, and retreated back to Reishi. She looked at them pleadingly. "Will you be married again?" Musashi reached over and took Kojirou’s hand. Kojirou squeezed hers.

"Musashi?" He asked. "I know you’ll kill me later for saying this in a hospital of all places, but… will you make me the happiest man in the world again?" Musashi laughed delightedly.

"I will!"

Kojirou clicked his fingers.

"How’s that, eh? Still got it!" He said to Reishi with immodesty. Musashi coughed.

"Er, Kojirou, love? Where’s the ring?" They both laughed until Reishi interrupted them.

"Can I be the bridesmaid?" She said with her emerald eyes shining. Then Musashi pulled at Kojirou’s arm.

"Seriously, I wanna ring."

"I suppose I’d better invite my parents, shouldn’t I?" Kojirou asked his fiancée, whilst writing hurriedly on a scrap of paper. Reishi bounded into his lap. "I’ve never seen my other grandparents! I want to see them! Please?"

Kojirou gulped nervously.

Musashi twiddled with her new engagement ring. "I think she should, Kojirou."

"Fine…"

Reishi gasped. "That’s where they live?! Do they have a swimming pool? Can I swim in it?"

"And where’s your bathing costume, missy?" Musashi laughed, ruffling Reishi’s hair. Kojirou used the knocker. In about a quarter of a second, the family butler opened the heavy door.

"I’d like to speak to my parents please." No sooner had Kojirou said that, his parents both rushed to the door. Kojirou swallowed a couple of times. "Mother… father… my daughter wants to meet you." Reishi stood in front if her father.

"Hi, nana! Hello, grandpapa!"

Kojirou’s mother clasped her hands together. "Oh, isn’t she just adorable!" Her husband nodded, looking highly impressed at his son.

"Reishi here wants to know whether you’ve got a swimming pool," Musashi told them. "I assume you do from what Kojirou tells me about his childhood."

"We do," Kojirou’s mother informed her. Reishi jumped in front of her new nanna excitedly to get her attention.

"Can I swim in it? Please, nanna? Grandpapa?" Kojirou’s father groaned. "I feel so old… I mean, yes, you can swim in it. Get this young lady a bathing costume if you please," he directed the butler.

Reishi was finally slashing about in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Musashi, Kojirou and his parents were sitting in chairs around it. "We’ve got two Nyasu living with us, now," Kojirou’s mother announced. "Look- they’re here now." Two Nyasu did come out by the swimming pool. But one was walking on two legs.

"Is- is that…?" Musashi stuttered. The oddly walking Nyasu stared back at her. "Musashi! Kojirou!"

"NYASU!" Musashi and Kojirou cried. The three hugged.

"That Nyasu can talk?!" Kojirou’s bewildered parents exclaimed.

"I’ve been living here for some time now," Nyasu gabbled. "That’s my girlfriend. She respects my talking ability and she’s decided not to evolve either. We’re hoping to have lot’s of Nyasu kittens and bring them up not to evolve. We want it to be a family tradition! Don’t we, Nyala?"

The female Nyasu beamed at him. "Nya!"

Nyasu shook his head.

"Yes!"

His girlfriend concentrated.

"Yessssnya!"

Nyasu shrugged.

"We’re getting there."

"It can talk," Kojirou’s father croaked.

"That’s really cool!" Reishi shouted above her parents and Nyasu’s happy crying.

Kojirou’s father sat up straight. "She’s right! It is cool!" He and his wife raised their wineglasses and clinked them together.

"Cheers!"

Kojirou turned quickly, causing Musashi and Nyasu to go flying into the swimming pool.

"Hey! You can’t have champagne without us!"

Nyasu screamed as he hit the water. Nyala held out her tail and Nyasu pulled himself out successfully. Reishi looked at Musashi, who was submerged in water beside her, looking murderous.

"Where’s your bathing suit, mama?"

Comments? Flames? Email your opinion to me at Rumika8@hotmail.com