Chapter 5: New Life

In the suburbs of Washington D.C.

In a waiting room outside of a delivery room in one of the local hospitals, there are 2 men waiting in nervous excitement. The first of which, can be seen pacing anxiously. He has features that seem to be a mix of both eastern and western, with deep brown irises that have a cherry blossom colored ring around their outer circumference and black hair tied into a ponytail that falls just past the base of his neck. Clothed in a white dress shirt with the top button undone and sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows. He has his shirt tucked into a pair of light brown slacks held up with a brown leather belt. Topping off the outfit with a pair of brown loafers.

Seated near the first man, is another man with obviously western features. His face would best be described as masculine yet beautiful. With blue-green eyes and unbound Crimson red hair, he exudes a devilish charm. Dressed in a stylish black business suit with a white shirt, black tie, and black dress shoes. He covers most of his ensemble with a deep brown trench coat.

Looking at the black haired-man, the red-haired man said, "Shinichi, you need to believe in Lauren and the child. Lauren knew what she was getting into by giving birth to your child. She is a strong woman. Even if it is tough, she should be able to handle giving birth to a half-devil."

"Yes Lord Lucifer." replied Shinichi, stopping in place while running his hand through his ponytail. "Even so, I can't help but worry for my wife and our first born."

Letting out a sigh, Lucifer said in exasperation, "Shinichi, though I may be the leader of the four Satans, we have been friends for over 500 years. How many times do I have to tell you to drop the formalities in private settings?"

"I know... I know... But, I'm afraid..."

"Are you going to give me that same, tired excuse like always? 'I'm afraid I'll slip up in a public setting.' If so, just stop." Said Lucifer as he interrupted Shinichi. "When was the last time you even returned to the Underworld?"

"300 years, or so? Maybe?" Replied Shinichi, unsurely.

"It has been 347 years." Corrected Lucifer. "Shortly after Ajuka created the 'Evil Pieces'."

Shinichi could only lower his head while running his hand through his ponytail, with a sheepish smile.

"You know, I'm kinda jealous that you even get to be worried." Said Lucifer with a sigh. "Grayfia and I have been trying for 500 years. But you only married Lauren 3 years ago... How did you do it?"

"*Chuckle* Well, I don't know what to..."

Both Shinichi and Lucifer Stiffened as they heard the energetic cry of a newborn. There was no happiness to be seen on their expression, however, because the sound of panicked hospital staff could be heard alongside the newborn's cries.

"Oh, my Satan, please..." prayed Shinichi after hearing the frantic movement in the delivery room.

Turning slowly toward Lucifer, Shinichi asked, "Sirzechs... What am I supposed to do if I lose her?"

"..."

Lucifer... Rather Sirzechs Lucifer, did not know how to respond.

After half an hour of waiting anxiously, the delivery room door opened. Out stepped a doctor and 2 nurses with fatigue evident on their faces.

Seeing that, Shinichi rushed up an grabbed the doctor by the shoulders. "Doctor, how are my wife and child?" He asked with a trembling voice.

Seeing the look in Shinichi's eyes, the doctor was intimidated. Making it even harder to give him the bad news. He could only lower his head in the face of the worried husband and father.

With the doctor not responding, Shinichi's agitation increased. He began shaking the doctor and raising his voice. "How are my wife and child, damn it!"

Having followed Shinichi, Sirzechs placed his hands on Shinichi's shoulders from behind in order to calm him down.

After separating Shinichi from the doctor, Sirzechs looked the doctor in the eye, and asked, "Are Lauren and the baby... Okay?" Eyes glowing subtly as he asked.

The doctor visibly relaxed before responding.

After taking a deep breath, he finally answered the pressing question. "Mr. Senbonzakura, Firstly I would like to congratulate you. You're the father of a healthy baby boy." He paused momentarily before continuing his report. "Unfortunately, your wife... Her body couldn't handle the stress and she refuse a cesarean"

Upon hearing the doctor's words, Shinichi fell to his knees, his world slowly losing its color.

"Shinichi!!!" Sirzechs shouted, pulling Shinichi's attention to himself. "Wake up!!! There's still something, no, someone she left you! Someone that proves how much she loved you. Are you going to leave the fruit of that love to die along with her?"

Light slowly returned to Shinichi's eyes. He lifted himself to his feet and looked around at everyone present. "Where is my son? Please, let me hold my son..." He said as the tears rolled down his cheeks.

Seeing Shinichi's emotions stabilizing, the rearmost nurse stepped forward holding a bundled newborn baby boy. Stepping in front of Shinichi, she carefully handed the boy to his father.

Taking the boy into his arms, Shinichi carefully cradled the child in his arms, using his bicep to support the newborn's head. Looking down into his son's face, Shinichi couldn't help but smile. "Sirzechs, look at my boy, he takes after his mother."

Smiling gently at his good friend and his son, Sirzechs asked, "Have you decided on a name?"

"Yes, Lauren and I decided to use a Japanese name 'Ryuken'. His name will be 'Ryuken Senbonzakura'. However, I think a little extra is necessary."

"Huh, what do you mean?" asked Sirzechs in confusion.

"So that he will always have a piece of his mother with him, his full name will be 'Ryuken L Senbonzakura

Seeing his friend intended to move on while not forgetting, Sirzechs smiled and patted Shinichi on his back.

"Congratulations, my friend."

"Thank you." Replied Shinichi with a sad smile on his face. "I'm glad you are here, Sirzechs. I don't know how I would have handled this alone."

In response, Sirzechs just patted him on the back again before saying, I think you should let me hold Ryuken for a while. You need to say goodbye to Lauren."

Nodding his head, Shinichi carefully handed Ryuken to Sirzechs, then walked into the delivery room to say his final goodbye to his wife.

Left alone with the newborn baby boy, Sirzechs began speaking to the child unaware that the boy was fully aware of his surroundings.

"My younger sibling will be born in less than a month. I pray you can be a friend and pillar of support to them, just as your father has been to me." Said Sirzechs while smiling at the seemingly asleep newborn.

'So, this guy is my father's friend, huh?' Thought the infant formerly known as James Warren.

'And from what I can tell, it looks like I already lost my mom. That's something I never experienced in my last life.' Ryuken frowned at the thought, causing Sirzechs to begin rocking him gently.

'Damn it, would you all stop with the fuckin' rocking? It's hard enough to stay awake in this infant's body, how am I supposed to get any thinking done?'

'Calm down Ja... Wait... I have a new name now. What was it again?' With that thought, the fact that he had been reincarnated really hit home.

'… I am Ryuken L Senbonzakura. With that L, I know my mother will always be with me. Since Moms can't be here, just thinking about it makes me feel guilty, I'll make Pop proud enough for both him and Moms.'

With that thought Ryuken made a personal vow to always be the best version of himself that he can.

'Wait... My name is Ryuken, right?' He thought to himself. "Ryuken translates to Dragon Fist, … right? … Fuckin' … Awesome...'

With that final thought, Ryuken involuntarily slipped into the land of dreams.

Shortly after Sirzechs noticed that Ryuken had fallen asleep, he handed the newborn to a nurse who, in turn, moved Ryuken to a crib in the maternity ward. Taking a seat in the waiting room outside of Lauren's delivery room, Sirzechs clinched his fists in frustration.

"This is all because of those snakes in the Great King Faction." Sirzechs hissed through gritted teeth. "Refusing to allow Shinichi to create his own peerage. With a self-serving excuse like: 'He might be a pawn planted by Hades.' All because they want to hold the Satan's power in check."

While trying not to allow his rage to consume him, Sirzechs heard the door to the delivery room open. Looking in the direction of the sound, He saw Shinichi exiting the room, tear stains dried on his face. Seeing this, Sirzechs stood.

Making his way to Shinichi's side, Sirzechs apologized. "Shinichi, my friend, this is my fault. If I were more ruthless, Lauren would have been a member of your peerage and---"

"Aniki," interrupted Shinichi, "We both know the real reason they will never allow me my own peerage. Even so, Their reason is so solid that attempting to fight against it would lower your standing with the populace."

Audibly gritting his teeth, Sirzechs replied, "I know, but---"

"More important than that," Continued Shinichi, interrupting Sirzechs again, "Even though Lauren loved me, she told me that she was not willing to give up her humanity for me. She believed that life was beautiful just the way it is. And beliefs like that are what made me love her so much."

Allowing himself to calm down, Sirzechs forced a smile. Patting Shinichi on his shoulder, Sirzechs said, "Instead of dwelling on the sadness of loss, let us celebrate the birth of a new life."

"Right," said Shinichi, some of the sadness having left his smile, moving toward the maternity ward he continued, "I really want to see Ryuken right now."