Chapter 1: Prologue
Senju Nawaki thought he would never again feel as helpless and scared as he felt during his first real mission – during the Second Shinobi War – where he had almost died. However, as the saying goes: time will always prove you wrong.
Needless to say, Nawaki remembers that awful mission as if it had been yesterday.
It was right after his twelfth birthday. Tsunade had tried to give him Senju Hashirama's necklace as a present in hopes of helping him achieve his dream of living up to his grandfather's legacy.
Keyword: Tried.
Obviously, the younger Senju refused the necklace, much to his sister bewilderment.
The collar was the most valuable object of Hashirama and Nawaki knew he hadn't done anything to be worthy of it. So he vehemently refused to receive it as a mere gift and bowed to obtain the necklace through actions that would make his grandfather proud.
"It's not just a necklace; it is the symbol of Grandpa's legacy. The village was his greatest treasure and I will protect it with my life just like he did. I am proud of being the grandson of the founder of Konoha, the very First Hokage, but I refuse to wear his necklace before becoming worthy of it!"
Nawaki smiled affectionately while looking down at the same collar currently hanging around his neck. He received it weeks later anyway, after he miraculously survived an explosive trap by creating a wood dome to protect himself. He had awakened his grandfather's kekkei genkai Wood Release by pure surviving instinct.
By the time Nawaki returned to the village, he was enveloped in a bone crushing hug from his beyond relieved sister, who had been eagerly waiting for him at the gates. He was the only close family member Tsunade had left so his near death experience had terrified her. Once Tsunade was sure her baby brother was pretty much alive – by crushing the life out of him – she took out the necklace of Senju Hashirama and ignored Nawaki's complains while putting the collar around his neck. She had assured him over and over again that he was already living up to Hashirama's legacy and that he would be a shinobi as strong as their grandfather, if not more. He deserved the necklace.
That was the beginning of the living legend that currently is Senju Nawaki, one of Konoha's most powerful shinobi, barely second – if not equal – to the Hokage. The wood user was one of the few privileged to have a "flee on sight" warning in the bingo book. He certainly accomplished his dream of living up to his grandfather's legacy.
Abruptly, an ear piercing scream brought the Senju back from his musings to the present. The echoing sound was like a mocking reminder of his hopelessness against his current predicament, assuring him that this was even scarier than that damned mission. Hell, even a S-ranked mission would feel like a walk in the park compared to this.
With a wry smile, Nawaki thought that, ironically, it didn't matter if he was part of the elite ninja from Konohagakure. It didn't mather if he was one of the few ninjas who could be a real challenge to Namikaze Minato, the fourth and current Hokage of the Village. It didn't matter how wide his set of skills and fearful reputation after the third shinobi war was, nor how he could bring down dozens of enemies by himself. Right now, Nawaki could only feel utterly useless and about to collapse while hearing the oh so agonizing screams of pain that his wife was emitting from the delivery room of his clan's compound. He could only pray to all the gods that Sayumi and their baby would come out just fine.
Who would have thought that The Senju Nawaki – the practically invincible Grandson of the God of Shinobi – was unable to stay collected and calm – as he usually was – facing his own child's birth?
The young man was striding back and forth in the tiny hall, outside the room where his wife was giving birth, while looking intently – almost glaring – at the floor. He even had to keep his hands clasped together to prevent them from shaking because of his nerves. His usually perfect dark blond hair was a complete sweaty mess because of the ear-splitting screeches and short breaths his wife was emitting inside the damn room, followed by loud encouragements from the midwives. Nawaki's helpless state was so obvious that people who walked by could almost feel the mixture of powerlessness, anticipation and excitement that he was emmiting.
And just when it seemed that the Senju was about to collapse, a firm and supportive hand clasped his shoulder, making him look up. He could only feel relief as he met the calm cerulean eyes of Namikaze Minato and his wife, Uzumaki Kushina, alongside with him. "Thank god you are here." he blurted out feeling automatically comforted by the company of his two closest friends.
However, another set of screams made Nawaki return to his nerve wrecking mood.
"For god's sake Nawaki-chan, seems like age is finally getting to you! You didn't even sense us coming!" Kushina teased to lessen Nawaki's anxiety. He smiled but she noted that it did not reach his green-gray eyes that were a perfect reflection of worry.
The Uzumaki probably was one of the few people that knew just how scared Nawaki actually was at facing this. He had a slight trauma from his own mother death due to labor complications while giving birth to him after all.
Her eyes softened seeing the person she saw as her own brother – Uzumaki Mito treated Kushina as her own granddaughter so they had practically grown up together – in such state. She immediately hugged him and started rubbing soothing circles in his back, just like he did when they were younger and she was feeling homesick because of the villager's rejection. "Everything will be alright, Nawaki-chan. Your little one just wants to make a big entrance, dattebane!"
The hand in his shoulder gave him a gentle squeeze as Nawaki leaned in Kushina's embrace. "Kushina is right, Nawaki. Sayumi is a strong woman and your clan has the best medics in the village, you have nothing to worry about. Your wife and child will be fine." Minato said as he gave a reassuring and gentle smile to the Senju.
Feeling more confident after his friends' support, Nawaki separated himself from Kushina and allowed himself to smile at them, a real smile this time. "Yeah, I guess you're right." he said and added with amusement "This is a good practice for both of you, isn't it?" as he looked at the growing bump in Kushina's stomach, trying to change the mood. A new set of cries surrounded them, making the couple realize the true weight of Nawaki's words.
Minato and Kushina paled and shuddered visibly, appearing to be in a slightly traumatized state after the realization. While a pair of terrorized and understanding blue eyes turned to him and all that Nawaki could do was look at the man empathetically, sending his silent support with a nod and a gloomy smile.
And just as the Senju was about to start his little parade again, the loudest scream yet sounded. The three people in the hall paralyzed and looked at each other with wide eyes.
Then, the miraculous sound that he'd been waiting to hear since her wife entered that room ages ago surrounded the hall.
Nawaki swore he hadn't heard anything more menacing and beautiful as the cry of his child, announcing their awaited arrival. He let out a long sigh of relief, the loud screams of his newborn were music to his ears.
A few minutes later the door slid open revealing his aunt Chihiro. She looked totally worn out, strands of light brown hair were plastered with sweat to her face and there were rings under her equally brown eyes, reflecting a long struggle. Which wasn't surprising after spending about 5 hours inside the delivery room.
Chihiro greeted the newcomers with a bow before turning to the new father with a proud and excited smile on her face. "Congratulations Nawaki-kun! You are now father of a beautiful baby girl. Sayumi-chan and the baby are in perfect condition, so you may now enter and meet your new family member." She said with triumph.
Nawaki felt as if the total weight of the world had been lift up from his shoulders at her words. He felt like jumping and screaming from pure joy.
"You should enter first Nawaki, we will be there in a few minutes" Minato said seeing the excitement of his friend. Said person didn't wait to be told twice and entered the room as fast and silently as he could, closing the door behind him.
The first thing the Senju saw was his exhausted wife, holding a wailing bundle of blankets with both arms. Sayumi had small bags under her eyes and rebellious pink strands were covered in sweat while she was still trying to recover from all the effort.
The wood user stood a few seconds by the door, just admiring and trying to memorize the scene in front of him. His wife had never looked more beautiful to him; Sayumi seemed to be glowing while looking at their child with such adoration that he felt his chest spread with warm.
Nawaki thought that it wasn't possible for his love to increase, but when their eyes met – making him feel all the love, joy and excitement that she was feeling – he felt his love grow a thousand times more.
"Nawaki-kun" she called softly, almost whispered, breaking his love-struck mesmerism.
The Senju approached her hesitantly in slow and calculated paces, careful to not startle their newborn, while Sayumi looked at the new nervous father's antics with fondness.
Once Nawaki stood next to his wife, he gently placed the few pink strands that where covering Sayumi's face behind her ear, then he bent down and kissed his wife's forehead softly.
"Sayumi-chan, are you feeling alright?" his wife only nodded in response, while he concentrated in the small bundle containing their daughter. The Senju could see the too familiar pink color on top of his baby's head. "She has your hair color." He said filled with affection, while caressing the short strands. "I'm afraid that she will be as beautiful as you are, my love."
His wife chuckled, blue eyes shining with warmth. "Do you want to hold her?" Nawaki turned his gaze to her, a little afraid of holding their little and delicate child.
"A-are you sure? I don't know how, I mean, what if…what if I hurt her?" Sayumi started to laugh softly. She had to wonder how a man like her husband – who could affront the most deathly and dangerous situations without batting an eye – was stuttering and feeling very on edge on the prospect of holding his own daughter.
"It will be alright, I trust you Nawaki-kun. I know that you would never do something to hurt her." She said confidently, looking at him straight in the eyes with an encouraging smile letting him know that she trusted him completely. He smiled catching the meaning of his wife words and slowly – and a little awkwardly – began to take the small bundle in his arms until he finally managed to hold her properly.
The wood user couldn't help the tears of joy accumulating in his eyes and the fond smile – that didn't seem to want to leave his face – as he carefully examined the small girl in his arms, while feeling the almost unnoticeable rise and fall of the tiny baby's chest that was confirming she was indeed here, pretty much alive and breathing.
She was so perfect.
He noted that she held great resemblance to her mother, from the color of her hair to the little nose and rosy lips – which were common features of her wife's family. However the distinctive blushes adorning her face screamed Senju – Nawaki and his sister used to stand out for their rosy cheeks when they were kids. Plus, she also had Tsunade's heart shape face as well as a similar forehead, but of course her daughter's didn't have the 'Strength of a Hundred Seal' diamond…yet. He smiled sadly and suppressed a sigh, how he wished his sister was here.
Leaving the thoughts of Tsunade aside; Nawaki kept staring intently at his daughter, trying to memorize everything about her, not wanting to miss a single detail of his child.
"What should we name her?" he suddenly asked his wife.
Sayumi glanced at her daughter, trying to think of an appropriate name for her. "I think that we should name her Sakura."
"Sakura, huh?" And just like that, the baby girl opened her eyes as if she knew she was being called.
The Senju was left breathless seeing the most beautiful and unique shade of green displayed in his daughter's eyes – which were cat-like just like his own, as well as her long eyelashes. "Yes, Sakura really suits her and it seems she is already responding to her name" he said amused as his daughter gave him a toothless grin which he returned without a second thought. "Senju Sakura." He repeated lovingly.
I promise you that I will protect you with my life, my little girl. I will make sure that nobody hurts you as long as I live. Nawaki promised while smiling at his baby. I want to teach you so many things, sweetheart. I want you to know and understand the importance of love and bonds. I hope that one day you learn to love the village and its people as much as I do.
He could already imagine his daughter all grown up taking the same life philosophy his grandfather initiated. Fervently loving, cherishing and fighting to protect their village as well as her family and friends with determined shinning green eyes filled with the Will of Fire.
"I love you so much, my precious daughter." He said with a fond smile looking at her tenderly while caressing her rosy cheeks.
A/N: This is my very first fan-fiction story, so I hope that you had as much fun reading it as I had writing it. I appreciate any suggestions/ideas/critics you may have as readers since I am really new to this.
Thank you so much for reading!...and perhaps reviewing?
Ps. English is not my native language so I'm sorry if you see any mistakes.
Pss. I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
Hey, I am currently reviwing the older chapters and will be updating this story soon. If someone is interested in being a beta ready please let me know.