I don't own Naruto.

Chapter One: Countdown

3 hours, 45 minutes and 36 seconds…

Kakashi, during his ninja career, had faced countless enemies, had numerous injuries including his own eye being destroyed, and witnessed several wars. However, nothing he had ever experienced compared to the fear and nerves that he was feeling right now. Sitting in the hard, white hospital seat and staring at the clock opposite him, Kakashi was counting time in his head. He knew exactly how long he had been waiting- in fact, the counting was the only thing keeping him sane. There was a slight shift in the air next to him, and he felt Naruto and Hinata's presence beside him. He nodded briefly in acknowledgement, but did not take his eyes from the clock.

4 hours, 57 minutes and 14 seconds…

Kakashi was getting tired by now, but was in no way able to sleep. He had raced back home from his mission the moment he heard that Sakura had gone into labour, his mind racing all the way back to Konoha. When he had reached the hospital (there had been a brief discussion about whether Sakura would give birth at home or at the hospital, but in the end it was decided that the hospital would be better. Kakashi had visited said hospital shortly after nursing a broken arm from the punch Sakura had given him) the waiting had begun. Footsteps and a chakra signature announced the arrival of several more people, but by this time Kakashi honestly did not care who it was, especially as said persons walked straight on past.

7 hours, 26 minutes and 49 seconds…

"Does it always take this long?" It was the first time Kakashi had spoken since taking up his seat opposite the clock.

"Yes. When Hinata had Hotaka, it took ages," replied Naruto whilst Hinata squeezed the older jounin's arm sympathetically.

"Sakura-chan will be fine. Tsunade-sama and Ino are both in there," she said, before resting her head on Naruto's shoulder. Kakashi nodded, and the three of them fell silent once more.

10 hours, 38 minutes and 59 seconds…

Unable to control his pent up energy any longer, Kakashi had stood up and had started to pace. It was unusual for him to show his agitation, and Naruto was beginning to become concerned for his former teacher's sanity. Suddenly a high pitched wail was heard from the hospital room opposite them, and Kakashi froze. Seconds later, the door slid open and Ino stuck her head out.

"It's a girl." Slowly, Kakashi turned round, an expression of shock evident on his face.

"Congratulations!" squealed Hinata, and Naruto grinned. When Kakashi still showed no signs of moving, Ino came out of the room completely and dragged the copy-nin bodily into the room. Sakura was sitting up in bed, her face coated in sweat and her pink hair pulled back into a sloppy ponytail, but she was smiling radiantly.

"Hey, Kakashi. Meet our daughter." Her words broke Kakashi out of his trance, and slowly he made his way in to the room. Sakura held up a bundle of blankets, and Kakashi awkwardly took it. Nestled inside the blankets there was the small face of baby. Kakashi caught a glimpse of silver hair, which had a pinkish tint to it. The baby yawned, and Kakashi gasped as she opened her eyes. They were a dark, stormy green like the sea. Kakashi stroked his finger along her cheek, tracing the outline of her face. She reached up and caught his long, slender finger in her small hand and held it tightly. Kakashi's visible eye crinkled up in a smile, and he looked over at Sakura.

"She's beautiful."

"I know."

"What are you two going to call her?" asked Tsunade from the corner of the room, everyone else waiting outside.

"Sakiko," murmured Kakashi. Sakura nodded- they had picked the name about a month before hand. Sakiko started to wail, and panic flitted across Kakashi's face. Sakura laughed lightly.

"She's probably hungry. Pass her over here, I'll feed her." Kakashi reluctantly passed over his daughter to Sakura, and turned away in slight embarrassment as she began to undo her top.

"I'll… uh… go tell everyone." With that, Kakashi left the room at top speed, leaving the two adult females in the room to chuckle quietly.

A/N: This has been bugging me for a while. Actually, lots of little SakuraxKakashi one shots have been bugging me for a while, and so I decided to just make them into a story of one shots. I'll try and write them chronologically, but if they aren't for some reason, I'll tell you at what stage the chapter is. Not sure when the next chapter will be… I have exams coming up that I have to revise for. But after that I'll have lots of time to write! ^^

Please review!

Fallen Quills.