Chapter 1 - "Birth of Isamu"
I start quickly pacing around in the waiting room, waiting for the good news or the bad news. Has Shizune died during child birth or has she survived? I don't mean to be a Negative Nancy, but this is just how I am feeling. I hope my sweet Shizune is alive and well.
A blonde woman in her mid-fifties comes up to me, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Shizune will be fine, Genma. And even better news? You have a healthy baby boy. Congratulations!"
I smile and bow. Before I can stop them, warm tears of admiration are falling down my cheeks. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama. I couldn't ask for a better person to deliver our baby."
The elder woman smiles. "I am glad to do it. Shizune is like a daughter to me; I want her to experience the happiness that I never got a chance to."
I go into the emergency room, and I look at my darling wife of three years. Her eyes are tired and worn out but happy. She smiles at me. "Hello, sweetheart..."
She tries to sit up but doesn't have much strength. I smile and help her up. "I'm so proud of you for not giving in to the pain, Shizune."
She gives me an irritated look and is about to give me the lecture of a lifetime for being a smart ass. "Genma, you will never know how painful it is having something alive coming out of you, so don't give me any crap!" I hold her hand and kiss it.
"I'm sorry Shizu, I was only joking." Quickly, I change the subject. "Did you think of a name for our baby boy yet?"
She squeals in delight. "Why yes, I've decided to call him Isamu," she pulls on my sleeve and points over to the glass of water on the table. I get up and give it to her.
"Here." She holds it for a second, then spills it all over herself. I chuckle in amusement. "You're so clumsy." While picking up the glass, she gives me a dirty look I know far too well as the 'shut-up-you' type deal.
I walk out of the Birthing Room, and I ask one of the nurses to bring Shizune another glass of water. I sit down and wipe the sweat off my brow. I'll go in there as soon as she is done fuming. A girl in white walks up to me; she's about five feet tall, and she smiles at me with green eyes. She is holding a small baby in her arms.
"Genma-san, I thought this baby might be yours. He has your nose." She chuckles and hands baby Isamu over to me.
"Yep, indeed he does." I take my child from her and hold him close. He feels so small and fragile. Reluctantly, I look back up at the girl. "By the way, what's your name again Miss...?"
She moves one of the pink locks from her face. "Haruno Sakura...Seishou's Apprentice, well, Second Apprentice."
My eyes widen. "How stupid of me not recognize you, Sakura-chan. You look different with your hair tied up." She laughs a bit and begins to walk away.
"Well, I'll be back in about ten minutes. I have to check up on other patients." I nod slightly and cradle my pride and joy in my arms.
I can't believe this is happening to someone like me. I should probably be more grateful towards Kami-Sama, because He has given me so much: a lovely and beautiful wife and now, a son. I have a lot to atone for. The small infant starts to open up his eyes, and he gives me a small smile and looks at me. I notice that he has his mother's beautiful charcoal eyes. I hug him closer to me. I will protect you Isamu, as well as your mother. I won't let you grow up without having parents like I have; I won't let you become an orphan.
Sakura comes back from her rounds, and she takes my little one away to put him back in his crib. "Did you bond with him a bit?" She asks before she walks away. I nod softly and fall asleep in my chair.
Today is going to be a long day of filling out paperwork to get Shizune out of the hospital. Full of growing pains and a crying baby. I welcome this new blessing.
End of Chapter 1.