Rengoku had promised you he would return from his mission before your child was born. You had believed him, clung to his words like a lifeline, but now, as sharp waves of pain wracked your body, doubt crept in. Your contractions had grown stronger, more frequent, and with a sudden rush, your water had broken. Panic welled up inside you, but you forced yourself to remain as calm as possible. You quickly sent a crow to summon the village nurse, praying she would arrive in time.

Now, you lay on your bed, gripping the sheets as another contraction tore through you. Beads of sweat formed on your forehead as you tried to steady your breathing. The house was silent, save for your own strained breaths and the distant rustling of trees outside. You told yourself not to hope—not to expect—but the sound of the front door creaking open made your heart skip a beat.

Your breath hitched as footsteps echoed down the hall, growing closer with each passing second. Your tired eyes flickered to the doorway, and there he was.

Kyojuro stood before you, slightly disheveled but very much alive, his golden eyes burning with warmth and relief. A small smile played at his lips as he took in the sight of you, his gaze instantly softening.

“I came just in time, I see,” he said, his voice filled with both exhaustion and joy.