AN: Because we haven't seen Kurenai for a while.
Edit: Redid the end of this, hopefully it's better now. Tell be what you think
WARNING: Contains some SPOILERS for up to chpt. 450 of the manga.
A piercing wail cut through the air and Kurenai closed her eyes and sighed in relief. Wiping the sweat from her brow she sat up and looked across the tent that was serving as a makeshift birthing ward to where a med-nin was quickly wiping the new bundle of squirming life clean. When the med-nin finished and turned around Kurenai smiled and extended her arms.
"Congratulations," said the nin as she handed the baby over, "it's a beautiful, healthy baby girl."
Kurenai smiled down at her new daughter and rocked her gently as she watched the little girl open her tiny mouth wide to yawn and start to close her eyes. Kurenai's heart was fit to burst as she felt it swell with an emotion that she new she would never be able to name.
"Hello my beautiful little one," she cooed, trailing a finger down the baby's pink cheek, "it's so nice to finally be able to see you. I was so scared that I had lost you for a minute there."
The med-nin smiled as she watched mother and daughter bond.
"What are you going to name her?" she asked.
Kurenai looked thoughtful for a minute before a wide smile split her face.
"Mikomi. I'm going to call her Mikomi." Kurenai answered, "Because she's been my hope for so long now; and with her I know that tomorrow will always be better and brighter than today."
"I think that's a lovely name," the med-nin smiled, "especially for the first child born since the attack."
Kurenai smiled at the shadow she saw nodding in agreement just outside the tent, from the place he had taken up to protect her, just in case.
"Why don't you come in and meet your god-daughter Shikamaru," She called out, shifting the sheets to ensure everything was covered.
Shikamaru lifted the tent flap and wandered over to Kurenai's side, crouching down to get a better look at the child in her arms. He traced a finger over the back of her hand, only to have the little girl turn to firmly grasp his finger, and Shikamaru raised his eyebrows in surprise at how strong she was.
"So," he said in a teasing tone, "A girl, huh?"
Kurenai simply smiled and flicked him in the forehead. He chuckled, rubbing at the spot, and looked back to the face of the sleeping baby she was holding. He felt the lines around his eyes soften as he took in her tiny features.
"She's beautiful Kurenai," he said sincerely.
"Yes," Kurenai answered, "yes, she is."
AN: To the best of my knowledge, Mikomi is Japanese for Hope.
