Author's note: I do not own Naruto or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list beta. This is AU. Theme 18: Endless.
Miracles Happen
Jiraiya was familiar with pain. Most ninja were. So he was doing his best to ignore the pain in his hand. Somehow he didn't think that Tsunade would appreciate his complaints. And he didn't dare leave. Tsunade would definitely kill him for that. Another contraction hit, and she gripped his hand even harder. He thought he could hear his bones cracking.
When Tsunade had told him she was pregnant, Jiraiya had been thrilled. Truth be told, he had been thrilled since the attack that turned them both into teenagers again, and Tsunade had agreed to try a relationship with him. He honestly didn't think he'd ever been happier. He had a relationship with the woman he had always loved, and now they were having a child together. He hadn't quite realized what it would entail. Jiraiya had taken the morning sickness and mood swings in stride, and Tsunade's odd cravings weren't really that bad even if they did strike at the oddest times.
But he hadn't taken labor into consideration. Tsunade had realized her contractions had started at about two this morning. By nine her water had broken. It was now almost lunch time, and he wasn't sure if the end was in sight. It just seemed endless. And he wasn't the one actually giving birth. Tsunade had his hand trapped in her own, and Jiraiya didn't think he was going anywhere until the baby was actually born or she tore his hand off, whichever came first. Jiraiya was beginning to think that surviving childbirth was an act of heroism.
"You're doing just fine, Tsunade," Sakura said in a soothing voice. "We're almost done. On the next contraction, I need you to push as hard as you can."
Tsunade's grip on his hand tightened as she bit her lip.
"The baby's head is out! Just a little more."
Tsunade whimpered. Jiraiya squeezed her hand back. "Come on, Princess. It's almost over."
Moments later Sakura was wrapping the baby in a soft blanket. She smiled at them.
"You have a healthy little girl." Sakura held out the little bundle to him. "Would you like to hold her, Papa?"
He held up his hand. "Why don't you give her to her mother. I think I need some splints first."
Tsunade blushed but took their daughter. As Shizune dealt with his hand, Jiraiya watched the two of them. Tsunade looked pale and exhausted, but there was a content glow about her as she held their child in her arms. She looked up at him with a breathtaking smile.
"Come here and see your daughter, Jiraiya."
It was an order he was all too willing to follow. He settled beside Tsunade on the bed, kissing her cheek, and took in his little girl. A soft blond fuzz covered the top of her head, and her eyes were dark.
"Do you have a name picked out?" Shizune asked.
"Miyako." Tsunade answered without taking her eyes off their baby.
Jiraiya smiled down at his daughter and brush her cheek with a gentle finger. "Hello, Miya-hime."
