The synthetic lights overhead tried to dispel the gloom of the stormy skies outside the windows of the Zenshin Rihabiri Clinic, where Mitch worked each day since he came to Japan almost a week ago. Each day was a challenge for him because of the language barrier between him and most of the people who worked there and their clients...even though he worked hard to learn the Japanese language. On the plane ride here to Japan, on the subway he took each day, every morning and every night he was studying hard on how to speak with the help of the Rosetta Stone program he bought shortly after he accepted this over seas position. This program was an absolute gift from God...without it he would have been undoubtedly lost and unable to do the job he was sent to do. Another gift from God to him was his mentor, Dr. Yuriko Hiraoka, who was very patient and understanding with him...even to the point of laughing at him when he made such a mistake that anyone else would have been sent packing to go back home for. It happened on his very first day, when he arrived here at the clinbic...he had just walked in to the break room to see a older looking woman standing off to the side getting a cup of hot tea. He did not pay much attention to her name tag, thinking she was another therapist there, as he walked over to her to at least say hello since they would obviously be colleagues. She was an older woman with dark hair that fell to her shoulders and dark brown eyes that seemed friendly as he approached her...deciding to give his language lessons a try.

"Uhmmm Ko...Konichiwa (hello). Watashi wa Mitch to mochimasu (My name is Mitch)." he tripped over the words a little bit as he tried to make his mouth form the foreign words. He must have done somewhat alright because she softly laughed at his attempts but not in a mocking way..very friendly manner as she inclined her head at him.

"Ohayo gazaimasu Mitch-kun(polite good morning). Hajimemashite (Nice to meet you)." she was stirring her tea when Mitch made his faux pas...open mouth and inserted his foot- as the saying goes.

"So...I am very new here, obviously, and I don't know anything about my new Senpai (mentor) a Mr. Hiraoka. What's he like, do you know?" he saw the look of slight confusion coming onto the woman's face before understanding registered in her eyes and she chuckled lightly at him.

"ah...sensei Yuriko, is I'm told...a good person to work with." suddenly she turned around to face him fully as she held out a hand towards him. " I forgot to introduce myself. I am Yuriko...Hiraoka and you must be my new Kohai (protege), Ortiz, that I have been expecting." she saw his eyes go round in horror at his mistake. The whole time since he found out about this position he had assumed that his mentor was male because of the name...Hiraoka Yuriko. He had not realized that the Japanese do their names differently than they do in the states...it seems they switch the placement of their last name from the end to the front unlike Americans. So Hiraoka was not her first name but in actuality was her last name and her first name was Yuriko which did sound more feminine to him. In that moment he was mortified and expected for his new boss to send him packing back to the United States with his tail firmly tucked between his legs in shame. Suddenly she began to laugh at him and he turned red in the face as he began to stammer out an apology.

"Mo...moshiwake arimasen (I'm sorry)." he began to bow ,like he learned, at a 45 degree angle...making sure it was deep and long to show the extent of his contrition. "I assumed when I saw the paperwork that Hiraoka was your first name. I am so sorry. Please forgive..." he would have kept on with his apologies but she stopped him quickly when she set a hand on his shoulder in mercy for his misunderstanding. 

"Ortiz-kun...it is alright. This is not the first time my name has been confused by Westerners coming here. It takes some time to get used to how naming goes here in Japan." her smile was filled with compassion before turning stern. "Now, that you know, don't make the same mistake again. Remember the saying you Gaijin (foreigner) have...~ When you assume, you make a ass out of you and me~ So no more assuming here. i do not take kindly to made into a ass...I am no animal and will be insulted to be confused for one. Got it, Kohai?" he nodded quickly at seeing the hardness in her eyes before they softened once more with humor again. "Good, now let's get going so I can show you around...I want you to familiarize yourself with how we do things here. If at anytime you have any questions then you can come to me. I may demand perfection in everything that is done but I like to believe that i am easy to come to with questions. How can you learn to perfect yourself if you never ask?" she handed him a cup of tea as she led him around...showing him where everything was stored at and went. As they walked he was soaking up everything she said and done...occasionally he would ask a question that showed he was taking in all she said. She was impressed with how he carried himself, especially after his blunder, but she should not have doubted this man because her college friend Dr. Clarke would not have recommended him to her if he wasn't even remotely up to her level of standards. It seems this man would fit in nicely here at Zenshin...now let's hope he can get a better grasp on the language soon or there will be some confusion...he already messed up one word that had her snorting into her tea once already.

~This is a Kireina kuso (beautiful garbage)~ she had to try and not choke at what he said...when she asked him to repeat what he said she realized he got his words twisted...what he meant to say was  ~This is a kireina chiryousho (beautiful clinic)~ shaking her head she asked him to study more before speaking again...come to her with questions and she would help him since oddly enough she liked this man, shortly after that little tour their day began as they did their daily company exercises that was mandatory for everyone. Now here he stood in the storage room making sure everything was well stocked since there was no patients at this time because of the weather currently...when Yuriko popped her head around the corner into the room.

"Mitch-kun, can you come out here for a moment to take care of this gentleman for me? I need to make a few phone calls and he is asking for you by name." he gave her a nod and she smiled at him before leaving to go to this new patient who had come to see him specifically, which was a bit odd to him. He rounded the corner, hearing her talking to someone there, when suddenly he came to a halt.. a gasp of surprise left his lips in that second at who was there. There stood the very man he had yearned to talk to for the past month, looking even more gorgeous than he remembered, with his dark hair that framed dark brown eyes that made him want to gaze into for a long time. It was the smile upon that exotic face, directed at him, that broke him from his shock and got his feet moving once more towards where his mentor and Anji stood.

"Hello Mitch." his voice was just as deep...just as rich as he remembered , that he felt like he could easily lose himself in the sound of it. He came to a stop next to Yuriko who looked a bit perplexed at how Anji spoke her kohai's name in such an intimate tone and with such familiarity...Mitch's eyes were focused upon the man before him as he spoke.

"Kai-Anji...I...what are...you are here." all he could do was stammer at this man that had seemed to step right out of his very dreams and deep desires to stand before him in this moment in time. Those very lips that he had tasted in the airport before saying goodbye twisted up into a smile that warmed Mitch's heart like nothing had before...filling that space that was empty, when Anji had left, once more. The sight of that beautiful smile wrapped around him and broke down the control he was holding onto in appearing to be professional here in front of his Senpai. Without even thinking of what he was doing, Mitch reached out and embraced Anji tightly to him in a hug, who after a second of being surprised, returned it as he laughed.

"I missed you too Mitch...very much." his deep voice caressed the young man's ears, making a warm feeling spread through his body and faintly tinged his cheeks. There was a clearing of a throat next to them that made them both ease away enough to see Yuriko giving them both a look with her eyebrow raised...waiting for an explanation as both men blushed a bit.

"Ahh...sensai, this is my ...uhhmmm..." his voice hesitated as he realized he wasn't sure what their relationship was at this time. Were they just friends or were they maybe something more...Anji answered Mitch when he heard the younger man pause.

"Friend...we're very close friends Hiraoka-san. His nephew is married to my best friend O'Shea-san and...." as Anji was speaking his hand moved and a sharp pain shot up his arm, reminding him of the reason why he had come here in the first place as he let out a sharp gasp at the painful throbbing there. Suddenly he found his hand being gently braced in Mitch's hands as it was examined...concern clear in those blue eyes.

"What happened?" Mitch's tone was soft as he checked over each joint from the mid forearm down to those long slender fingers. As he inspected Anji's hand, the man related all what had happened last night to cause this injury...neither man took notice as Yuriko slipped away with a smile on her face. Mitch's eyes relaxed in relief that the injury was negligible and not broken like he feared at first...he smiled as he looked up into those dark brown eyes. "Have a seat while I wrap this up with some of our special medicine made from local herbs that can help ease the pain a little bit. Don't worry , it's not broken just a sprain that will heal quickly." the smile he received from the older man made his heart speed up a little and his breathing to hitch with a jolt of desire. Within moments he had the tools he needed and was kneeling before the relieved man as he applied the medicinal wrap to reduce the swelling there...his eyes never wavering from his task as he began to speak again. "So...Anji...I'm glad I got to see you again. I....I waited for you to call..." he felt Anji tense a little with an apology upon his lips...Mitch held up a free hand to forestall the words and he gave a soft smile to Anji." ...I know you were very busy. I heard. Please don't think I am angry...I understand. I just wanted to let you know that I am happy to see you once more so I can give you my new number that I just got this morning...so, if you wanted you can call me now. We moved here a week ago, as you can tell and in the move we canceled our land lines but during the move my mobile phone bit the dust when I accidentally dropped it, so I could not let you know about everything that happened." Mitch knew he sounded flustered and he blushed faintly as he kept his eyes focused down at what he was doing. It was the sigh of relief that drew his eyes upwards to see the soft smile upon that golden face before his deep voice echoed past those tempting lips.

"I heard about the phone issues and about your transfer here. I am sorry I did not take the minute to even send you a text message...my only excuse is I kept thinking about the time difference between us and how I was afraid to disturb your sleep." there was a bit of remorse in his deep voice and Mitch chuckled at the sound.

"We both are idiots. Listen to us, we both were so concerned about being a bother to the other that we were allowing distance to come between us." at first Anji was taken aback by Mitch's laughter and words, but within seconds he joined in chuckling at how right Mitch was. "how about we start again...this time, no matter the time, day or night, we send a text or call the other to keep in touch." tenderly Mitch reached for Anji's uninjured hand to hold in his own as his voice dropped into a caress upon Anji's ears. "For I don't want to worry that I lost you again." the smile that came his way was sweet and he felt this overwhelming urge to taste those lips once more...to see if he tasted as good as he remembered. Slowly he began to lean forward...his blue eyes moving back and forth between those bewitching lips and those sensually dark browns...hoping to not see rejection within them. He was only inches away when the sound of a door opening reminded them how public they were and neither were comfortable with many eyes watching their private moment. Quickly Mitch pulled away and finished up with the bandage as his face blushed...both of them smiled in understanding at one another...within moments Mitch sent Anji on his way with his new number and a fervent promise to call him later.

~Call anytime, day or night...for anything at all.~

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*4 days later*

Once again a storm was raging outside across the city of Kyoto....encouraging the denizens of this lovely city to stay inside where it was dry and warm. Only those who needed to be out in this atrocious weather dared to venture out to brave the chilling rain that fell down in thick sheets from above. One of those that defied this rain was Mitch, who had decided to accept some of his colleagues invitation to join them for a drink or two to bond over. When the clock struck closing time a few of the more plucky women and a few men had asked him if he wanted to go for some drinks...to get to know each other after all he had been there for almost two weeks now and they knew nothing really about him. He was hesitant at first because he didn't feel comfortable leaving Ana alone in the apartment by herself when she was so close to the end of her pregnancy...only a month to go till her expecting date. When he called her, she gave him quit an earful about how he was being such an over protective idiot...it was not like she was going into labor the next few hours, so he needed to go out and have fun with his co-workers...he needed some bonding time with them and she needed some alone time before the baby came. He conceded to her wisdom about it all and accepted the invitation...there was an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he brushed it off as he followed the group out into the light drizzle and quickly made their way to the Gion district where the narrow street was lined on both sides with restaurants and bars.

The group had dragged Mitch to one of the famous bars in downtown Kyoto called Bar Isn't It? that was a great gathering space for all sorts of groups of people who were seeking a casual bar atmosphere with dancing and decent priced drinks. The music was good and the ambience was very inviting as they laughed, danced and had a great time while drinking their beers together. At one point they even convinced Mitch to try sake.... telling him everyone who came to Japan had to try this drink just once sometime in their life, so he did. Throwing it back where it smoothly flowed down his throat warming along the path it took till it settled  in his stomach creating a pool of warmth inside. He felt the warmth then flow up his body and a rose tinge came to his cheeks which made the group laugh merrily at him , which only made his cheeks bloom even more from slight chagrin that maybe he could not hold his liquor as well as he thought he could. It was a few hours later, while he was on his way back from the restroom , heading towards the table, that his new phone chimed with a phone call that showed a unknown number on it. He almost did not answer it but something inside compelled him to...what he heard on the line sobered him instantly and sent him flying out of the door into the torrential rain that had gotten worse while he was inside enjoying himself. He stood there at the street searching for a cab to take him to the hospital when one of his co-workers, Namika Tsurimi, who came rushing up to him...realizing she must have seen him running out of the door in a panic and came to find out what was wrong.

"Ortiz-san!" her voice was filled with concern for him as she reached a hand out to place on his arm to calm him..the look he gave her was filled with such fear that she had to step back briefly and her voice trembled a bit. "Ortiz-san, what's wrong?" he had to fight the terror that was clawing at his chest as he practically shouted at her...his voice was laced with panic.

"I need to go to the hospital now Tsurimi! My sister....she's...she's been in an accident!" his loud voice carried over the rain as he turned back around to search for a cab to take him..not hearing her gasp over the rain that was soaking through his clothes into his skin, but he became aware of her again when she began to pull him back inside out of this weather which caused him to try and argue with her until she spoke sharply at him.

"Stop fighting! Let's call a cab to get us there. You will do your Aniki (sister) no good if you stress yourself out to much...I am coming with you for support,so let's call a cab." he nodded at her logic and allowed her to lead him back inside where he immediately dialed one of the companies while she went to gather their things and let the others know what was going on. It wasn't before long until he was speeding away towards the hospital with Namika by his side for support as his terrified thoughts flew towards his sister...his phone in his hand as he called the one person he desperately needed in this moment, praying they answered it. The phone rang only a few times before a very groggy Anji picked up...his voice was rough and deep from just waking up.

"Mi..Mitch? What's..." he never got the rest of his words out before the sound of Mitch's voice shaking over the line stilled any other words.

"Anji...I...It's Ana. She's been in an accident and was taken to the Kyoto University Hospital. I'm on my way there now...I..." he felt tears of panic burning his eyes as his mind envisioned all the horrible scenarios of what could have happened and the not knowing of what to expect when he arrived...he bit back the tears as he pressed on. "I don't know what happened. I don't know how bad it is...all I know is an officer called me to tell me that she was hurt and was on her way to the hospital." the fear that was trying to consume him could be heard in his tone by Anji who spoke the only thing that could loosen that hold upon him and allow him to focus on the here and now and not the uncertainty of the future.

"Mitch...I am on my way. I will meet you there." hearing the words spoken with such calmness into his ear reassured Mitch's nerves and helped him to not break down within the cab as it moved swiftly as it could through this Spring downpour. "Just breath suitoharto (sweetheart)..breath. We don't know what has happened, so don't stress yourself out till we find out what is going on, alright." hearing that deep voice coaching him into a calmed state was very soothing on his jangled nerves and Mitch was able to steady himself once more....hearing Anji fumbling on some clothes in his hurry to get to Mitch's side.

"Alright amor (love). I am breathing...just, please hurry Anji...I'm scared of what I will find and I don't think I can face this alone." he kept the hysteria that was trying to claw it's way up again inside of himself down enough  but it still radiated in his voice that told how close he was to loosing it.

"I am coming Mitch. I will be there in less than twenty minutes, so if you need to, wait for me outside. I am on my way right now." his movements came over the phone clearly letting Mitch know that he was moving swiftly through his residence...there was a knock on a door and a muffled reply...then the sound of Anji talking to another person, a woman, in Japanese.

"Kiri, watashi wa byoin ni kenekereba naranai (I need to go to hospital). Mitchsan no oneesan ga kagashitanda (Mitch's sister has been hurt). Watashi wa kare no soba ni hitsuyosareteiru ( he needs me there with him)." there was a clear gasp of dismay from the woman before her voice answered back quickly.

"Hai (yes). Kare to isshoni ikinasai (go be with him). Nani ka attara suga shirasete (keep me updated.)." her voice sounded soft and understanding to Mitch's ears.

"Arigato gazaimasu, Kiri. (thank you)." Mitch could hear Anji kiss the woman, then the sound of him running out the door and revving up his car as he sped down the lane to meet Mitch at the hospital. It was hearing a screeching of tires that made Mitch switch his worry from his sister to Anji as the sudden fear of the older man crashing because he was in such a hurry to reach Mitch...he tried to speak calmly so not to startle the hard pressed man.

"Anji...please be careful. I don't want you to get in a wreck. I promise I will wait for you at the desk. I will wait, so please, please don't get hurt yourself." a soft laugh was his answer but Mitch could hear the engine slowing down enough to let him know his words has some effect and was taken to heart. "I'm hanging up...see you in few." then the line went silent. They rode in silence for a few moments before Namika decided to distract Mitch a tiny bit and satiate her curiosity about him by asking him a question.

"So...Mitch...was that your boyfriend or family? Because that sounded like what a man would say to his lover and not just a good friend." she saw him flick his eyes over as a blush stole across his cheeks...she smirked at him. "Well, I guess that answers that question. Just so you know, Mitch-san...most men wouldn't do this for just anyone, unless they really have intense feelings for you." his blue eyes cut her way as if asking if she was telling the truth...she nodded her head and he smiled shyly at her. "Look, Mitch, I know he is on his way and will be here soon to be with you....so now that I know you won't be alone, as soon as he gets here I will go home to leave you in his hands. Here is my number...call me and let me know what happened, please." she quickly put her number into his phone and handed it back to him with a look of worry in her eyes. "Please let me know anything you find out...if there is anything I can do to help you, just let me know...ok?" he nodded at her...suddenly the vehicle was pulling up to the large white medical building and Mitch's heart began to pound once more in trepidation of what he was about to find out when he passed through those doors.

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*ANJI POV*

When Mitch had called Anji and woke him up, he thought it was him letting Anji know that Ana had gone into early labor or something more cheerful...not something so tragic. The moment he heard the distress in that normally smooth and silky voice, it made his heart ache to be there in that second to ease the younger man's turmoil. There was only one thing Anji could do and that was be by Mitch's side to give him support and comfort until they found out what had occurred, so he hastily donned a pair of denim pants, a white cotton t'shirt and a black leather jacket to try and protect himself a tiny bit from the rain. Rushing out of his room with Mitch still on the phone , he knocked briskly on his sister's door and gave her a quick rendition of what was happening...all it took was a few words from Kiri to validate how she was such a fantastic sister and he was very blessed to have her, with a loving kiss to her head he was running off out into the weather to get to Mitch. It took Anji less time than what he quoted to Mitch for him to get to the hospital, since he took the chance to speed even though it was pouring so heavily...he knew these roads like the back of his own hands for he has lived in Kyoto most of his life. There up ahead he could see a small yellow cab pulling up to the front of the emergency room doors with two people inside...a woman and Mitch. He grabbed his phone and quickly dialed the number of the worried man in the car in front of him...he answered on the first ring with a trembling breath.

"Mitch...I'm here in the car behind you." he heard the deep sigh of relief over the line.

"Thank you Anji. I need to pay the driver and I will meet you right back here, so go a head and park." he heard Mitch rustling around...looking for his wallet and Anji interrupted the search for the wayward leather.

"I'll pay him...how much is it hato (heart)?" he heard the surprised gasp and the refusal forming on those lips. "Please, Mitch...let me do this, so we can hurry inside to Ana, instead of arguing. How much?" there was a sigh of defeat before he answered him. ~3,000 yen~ both men peered out of their windows at each other before Anji nodded and motioned for him to come to the window to get it...Mitch rushed over to the window and retrieved the money from the older man.

"Domo Arigato (thank you very much) Anji." with a grateful smile Mitch took the money and rushed back over to pay the man while Anji went to park the car. Within a few moments, Anji was unsuccessfully dodging the rain drops as he jogged over to where Mitch was pacing...his turquoise eyes darkened in worry kept glancing back and forth between the entrance doors of the hospital and the wet parking lot where Anji was coming from. Finally, with huffing breaths, he came to stand by the dark haired younger man under the dry awning...shaking the droplets from his black leather jacket that protected his white shirt from being soaked through, but not his denim pants that were clinging to his skin from getting overly damp. Suddenly he felt his hand being enclosed inside a warm larger one and he understood Mitch needed the physical contact to face whatever laid through those doors...with a nod they strode in hand in hand together.

*A/N:Katy Perry-Roar (MACO VERSION) I heard this song and thought it was beautifully done by her...it symbolizes finding the strength to persevere against adversity that comes your way...no matter how old you are.*

https://youtu.be/8_adFXvcS2E

As Mitch and Anji strode into the sterile building they saw a woman sitting behind a desk with interest as they came closer to where she sat waiting.

"Konichiwa kangoshi-san (hello nurse). We are here to see Miss Ortiz. She came in a while ago to the emergency room. This is her brother, Mitch Ortiz." Anji spoke rapidly to the woman in Japanese, so fast that Mitch could barely understood what he said. The woman gave them a worried look as she nodded her head and held up a finger to give her a moment so she could make a phone call to someone in the back. The young woman spoke briefly to whomever was on the other end of the phone before hanging up and turning back to both men to speak.

"Asoko ni shoushou o machi kudasai. Sugu sensai ga chuushin shini irasharunode, onegaishimasu. (Please wait over there. Someone will be right out to talk to you.)" she directed them both over to some chairs located against a wall...Anji smiled at her and gave a small bow as he said ~Arigato (thank you)~ to her. The look in Mitch's eyes was nervousness because he understood practically nothing they said, but thank goodness Anji was there for he translated for him which eased his tension a bit as they both walked over to the chairs to wait. They did not have to wait for long, because within seconds of sitting down a very young policeman came from behind some doors and headed their way...his eyes looked like they had seen horrible things this night, a feeling of foreboding entered both of them as they stood to greet him.

"I am patrolman Yukata. I am the one who found your sister. These rains lately, have weakened some places slightly North of your building and caused a landslide of mud that tore down the apartment complex she was in. She was found trapped under some mud and debris...barely conscious. I got her name and your number to call you to let you know before the ambulance brought us here. The doctors rushed her into surgery for emergency delivery...it seems the disaster brought on early labor. I do not know anything else for the doctors are still with her and the baby." during the entire time Yukata was talking , Anji was translating what the young man was saying. At one point Mitch's hand began to shake as the blood drained from his face, hearing about his beloved sister...thankfully Anji was there to steady him as he helped the younger man to a chair.

"How bad was it?" Anji knew the question needed to be asked so they were prepared for what was to  come from this night and Mitch was sort of out of it as he tried to process everything so far ..he sat there not batting an eye as both men spoke in Japanese around him.

"It looked bad, Mr....?" ~Sakata and Ortiz~ "... Sakata-san, she had a broken leg...cracked ribs...and a knock to her head that looked pretty bad. When I found her, she was caught under some debris in the mud and her body temperature was low...it looked like she was in shock. I was able to get her to tell me her name then she reached out a hand and grabbed mine to pull me near. It felt so cold and she was shivering...she told me to call her brother and as I pulled her out, I...I...I saw she was with child." the young patrolman looked down briefly...there was a tear in his eyes at the memory. Seeing the look of despair upon that young face made Anji reach over to touch that arm in sympathy. "All..all, I could think about was my own wife who is pregnant herself." his voice dropped to a whisper and both men felt a touch of empathy for the young man. Just as Anji turned to relay Ana'a injuries to Mitch, a doctor came out from the Emergency room area...he looked around in concern until he saw the patrolman Yakuta and came over....all three men stood up and waited to hear the news about her condition.

"I'm Doctor Izumi Shinobu...are any of you related to Ortiz Ana?" Mitch stepped forward and the doctor turned to him to look into his worried blue eyes.

"How is Ana?" all it took was a look filled with sorrow for them all to know the news was dire and Mitch felt the ground cracking under him as he realized his sister was lost to him.

"She did not make it Ortiz-san. The trauma she went through brought on early labor where we had to do an emergency c-section, but her body was to weak and she went into shock and died. We were able to save the baby which was a healthy girl who weighed 3.23 kg and was 457 mm (7.3 lbs & 18") long. I'm sorry for your loss ...Ortiz-san...Ortiz-san?" suddenly Mitch could not listen anymore to what the doctor said and he dropped to his knees...a tormented cry burst from his lips as  he covered his face, sobbing in despair. Suddenly a pair of arms enfolded him tightly and a deep soothing murmur echoed in his ears as his body rocked back and forth. Not once did Anji try to get Mitch to stop crying, he just held him as he let him know he was not alone in his grief until, finally, those body wracking sobs eased up enough and numbness set in along with exhaustion. He could hear Anji and officer Yakuta talking briefly before he left the two men alone...those slender arms never left him as they held him close to that slender muscular body.

"What...what did he say?" his throat was sore and his voice was raspy sounding to his ears from all his crying he had done this night.

"He had to go home...to his wife and he says sorry. If we need anything to call him and he left his card for us to do so." slowly a hand reached up to wipe the tears off of Mitch's face ...each swipe easing the clenching pain inside, feeling like a caress to his beleaguered soul. "Sensai Izumi said , before he left, that your niece is in NCIU (neonatal intensive care unit) and if we want, we can go up to see her. She will be in Ward 2F and we can look at her through the window there." gently Anji leaned his head over and placed a comforting kiss on that dark head as Mitch nodded in compliance with the older man's statement. Both men knowing that they needed to see that little girl...that little piece of the sweet woman who had such a zest for life that it infected those around her wherever she went. With stilted movements, Mitch was able to stand...mostly with Anji's help...and they walked to the elevators that would take them to the nursery. Walking down the silent hallways neither of them took notice of the few somber stares or the soft whispers from some of the nurses as they passed...both had eyes fixed to the windowed glass ahead where the infants slept peacefully. One nurse did try to stop them, but when she heard Mitch's name she quickly gave them a visitors tag and showed them to where they could see the little girl. 

"Here you go Ortiz-san. You can see her here." she opened the door for them to enter and right before she closed it Anji heard the woman softly whisper. " I'm sorry for the loss of your wife." then the door closed. In that moment, Anji realized everyone believed that Ana was Mitch's wife and her daughter was his own child...not sure what to make of that yet, he figured later he would tell Mitch about their assumption. Within moments another door opened and an elderly nurse walked in holding a tiny pink bundle in her arms...Mitch's eyes were riveted to the precious bundle in her arms. Gently she placed the baby into Mitch's arms who trembled in worry that he may accidentally drop her for she was so tiny to him.

"Here you go papa-san (daddy)." those blue eyes glanced over to Anji in slight confusion for he understood the word for daddy, but he let it pass for the moment for that precious little girl began to squirm a tiny bit and he had to concentrate on making sure she was stable in his arms. He heard Anji translating the woman's words for him and then her leaving to give them privacy to visit with the newborn, but his eyes were focused on those little unfocusing brown eyes gazing up at him. He reached down to stroke a finger along her cheek and the tiny coo she emitted as her  hand curled around his finger stole his heart. Leaning down he kissed her delicate hand and huskily whispered at her.

"Oh, angel dolce (sweet angel). Tio (uncle) is here for you and I promise I will never leave you mi tesero (my treasure)...mi corazon (my heart), I will be here for you...siempre (always)." he tenderly rubbed her small hand across his cheek as he whispered his promise to her.

Watching the scene before him of these two despairing souls was heartbreaking to Anji and he felt a deep resolve to do whatever he could to protect them, growing inside of him. All his fears of opening up his heart to another on the off chance of experiencing pain and loss again vanished in that moment. He realized that bad things happened to even the best of people like the Ortiz family and they had the courage to keep living...to keep loving...Anji felt a thread of shame at himself. After Laurel's attack, he closed himself off from everyone but Keir and a few people..never allowing anyone to get close enough to harm him once more. It seems Keir was right, Anji had allowed Laurel to rule his life all these years...it was time to put his foot down and stop her...starting with this man who had slipped past all his defenses in that moment they laid eyes on each other at Keir and Jamie's wedding.