So, uh…hey. Hi. I'm terrible, I know. It has been far too long since I have updated anything and I am sorry. Life has been… odd lately. Things came up one after another for a while and I was kind of pulled away from writing. That being said, I know this chapter is not necessarily my 'best work' but I have been struggling with it for months and I want to get something up for you guys… if any of you are still around :p I am going to do my best to get back into writing (how many times have I said that?) and I do intend to finish my NH Month contributions. Give me your opinion on that, some of the prompts overlap with things I've already written. Like, heavily overlap. How unclassy is it to simply submit those pieces instead of writing new ones?
This particular chapter is in response to a wonderful little review, asking for Naruto taking care of a sick little Froggy. I believe it was famine club that made the request. So, uh, yeah. Here it is!
Anon reviews:
Guest#1: Thank you so much for your prompt! I will try to get it in the works, however, I feel the need to change something. I cannot find it in Hinata's character to be anything but honest with Naruto. I don't think she would ever try to go behind his back to get pregnant. And I've already laid the groundwork for Uzumaki Baby #2 in The Path We Walk. But the idea of Naruto being nervous about another pregnancy is fascinating and I will do my best to write it!
Guest#2: Thank you! It's much appreciated!
Mai: Wow, what an incredible review! Thank you so much for taking the time to go over each of the chapters! I'm so glad you enjoyed 10 and 12, and I kinda know what you're saying about 11. I had a lot of trouble with it when I was writing it. I'm afraid this chapter will probably be a bit like it. Sorry about that. As for little Froggy, I will try to work him in more! Especially with Sasuke. There is at least one scene with the two of them in the sequel for TPWW, but that is fighting me, so it's still got a long way to go. Please, be patient with me!
Hqhqhq: Thank you so much!
Guest#3: Holy cow! Thank you so much for your absolutely amazing review! I truly appreciate your wonderful compliments. However, when you were referring to my earlier writing, did you just mean from my Naruto stuff, or were you going ALL the way back to my cringe worthy avatar stuff? Because I know there is a noticeable difference between the two, but I haven't seen a whole lot of improvement between when I started writing Naruto and now. Just curious.
As for your prompts: Drunk Naruhina will never work for me. I have this headcannon that Naruto can't even get drunk, and Hinata doesn't like drinking, so she never would.
The nightmare idea though! Good Gracious, I want it! It's on the list!
Naruto waking up with Hinata in his arms for the first time has already sort of been done. I think it's in ch10 when he wakes up after their wedding. However, I may do something like right after they've gotten together and they fell asleep after training or something.
Waiting at the Gate. I love it! It will also be on the list! Thank you so much for your wonderful prompts, and I will do my best to fulfill them! It is much appreciated!
NaruhinaLove: Thank you! I agree, there are not many 'fights' between NaruHina and the ones that are I can't really believe to be realistic. I am over the moon to hear that mine is! Thank you so much!
Guest #4: Well, yes, I suppose I can update :) Sorry it took so long!
XXX
A miserable wet cough made Naruto look up from his book. Standing in the doorway between the hall and the living room, his little son, Jiraiya rubbed one tired eye with his blankey.
"Papa?" he asked hoarsely accompanied by another wet cough and a long sniffle.
"What are you doing out of bed, Froggy?" Absently, Naruto marked his place in his book and set it on the coffee table before beckoning his toddler to him.
"I don't feel good," Jiraiya mumbled, rubbing his eye again. He stumbled across the room and slumped over Naruto's knee. Naruto could feel the heat from Jiraiya's fever through his sweat pants, waves of warmth instantly heating his skin. Gently, he lifted Jiraiya from under his arms and settled him against his chest as he reclined back into the couch.
"I know, Froggy. That's why you're supposed to be in bed." Jiraiya had been sick for several days, a slow fever that had been running amok with the children of the village lately.
"I want Mama." Naruto almost didn't hear his son, the words mumbled into his shirt as the boy cuddled under his chin.
"I know," Naruto repeated, rubbing circles on the boy's back to sooth him. "She'll be home tomorrow." Another harsh cough ripped through Jiraiya's small body before he moaned, his little hands holding his throat.
"It hurts, Papa," he whimpered and Naruto's heart twisted painfully. He had already taken his son to Sakura and Tsunade for help. Sakura had prescribed some medicine but ultimately father and son would simply have to wait out the illness. The fact that Hinata wasn't there to help him through it only made Naruto more anxious. He hated that his little boy was hurting.
"How about I tell you a story?" Naruto suggested, hoping to distract Jiraiya. The toddler didn't perk up quite as much as he'd been hoping for, but he did nod weakly against Naruto's chest. With a grin Naruto settled deeper into the couch. "All right! What story would you like to hear, Froggy?"
Although it was still subdued, Jiraiya's response came faster and with more energy than Naruto had been expecting.
"How'd I ge' my name?"
"Your name?" Naruto exclaimed, feigning shocked surprise. He was overacting and was rewarded with a small smile from Jiraiya. The toddler giggled weakly at his father's silly antics. "Well, I know I've told you this story before! Back when you were a little baby, still inside Mama's tummy," Jiraiya giggled more and squirmed when Naruto tickled his belly for emphasis." Mama and I went to see Granny Tsunade and she took a picture inside Mama and we saw you! And I said, 'Granny, that doesn't look like my baby! That looks like an itty bitty Froggy!'"
Jiraiya caught Naruto's tickling fingers in both of his hands and held them away from him, shaking his head. "Noooo, Papa, no' that name. My real name. Ji-raiy-a." He pronounced his own name carefully, not used to using it himself, and Naruto looked down at his bright little boy.
His cheeks were flushed from his fever and his hair was a wild mess. Naruto hadn't combed it in a few days, not seeing the point when he would just be sick in bed. His little toad pajamas were a little crooked and he was still holding his blankey in one hand, and even as Naruto examined him, a wet cough shook his small body.
Naruto had only ever discussed his son's name with two people before: Hinata and Tsunade.
It had been a deeply personal decision for him, giving the name of his beloved sensei and godfather to his first son. Nearly everyone had been surprised by the decision. More than a few people had lost bets, sure that he would name his first son after his father, and while Naruto did still hope to one day name one of his children Minato, Jiraiya's name needed to be first.
Naruto loved his parents. There was no doubt of that, and he did not blame them for the decisions they had made concerning his birth and the sealing. He understood, better than most that the Fox had needed to be sealed and his parent's faith that he would one day be able to control the beast had been a source of great confidence for him throughout his life.
But because of those decision the fact remained that Naruto had grown up alone. He had not even known who his parents were until he was sixteen years old. And only by the brilliance that was the seal and a ferocious war had he been allowed to meet them.
Naruto's godfather had played a far more influential role in his life. After an unpleasantly rocky start the old hermit had taken Naruto under his wing, teaching him everything from seals and jutsu to business, economy, and how the world functioned. He had been a badly needed influence in a young neglected boy's life, and Naruto still cherished those three years he had spent on the road with the old Sage.
Naruto was proud to say he had many incredible bonds with many amazing people. His bonds with his friends and teammates were what drove him. His friendship with Sasuke had been so strong that many had questioned if Naruto was sane. His relationship with Hinata was even stronger, built on an incredible foundation of strength, love, loyalty, and a deep set desire to bring the other happiness.
His relationship with Jiraiya the Toad Sage had not been perhaps as glamorous or heroic as some of his other bonds, but it was undeniably one of the strongest bonds he had enjoyed the privilege of sharing.
His godfather had been the one to give him his name, his identity. From the very beginning, Jiraiya had influenced Naruto's life in ways no one could have ever foreseen. He had taken a pathetic loser that no one cared for and refined him, crafting him into an incredible shinobi and an even better man. He had taught Naruto not only how to take care of himself, both in a fight and among people, but how he should live his life.
Jiraiya had taught him the principles of faith in humanity, trust in one's comrades, and perhaps more importantly than anything, empathy and the value of forgiveness. Jiraiya had died believing that he had failed but that perhaps Naruto would be able to succeed in his place.
And he had.
Jiraiya's dream that people would one day be able to truly understand one another had finally been realized. Naruto's son had been born into a world of peace, where the nations gathered often to discuss troubles and celebrate accomplishments. Old feuds had been forgiven and forgotten in favor of peace.
Names were important to Naruto. His own name was a gift and he treasured it. He had wanted to give his son something that would be loved and mean great things. And what better name than that of the man that had given Naruto so much?
He also hoped that one day his son would value the same principles that his godfather had cherished.
But how do I describe all of that to a two-year-old? He asked himself.
A small hot hand patted his cheek, wrenching him from his thoughts. Looking down, Naruto realized Jiraiya was still waiting for an answer. Cuddling him closer, Naruto chose his words carefully.
"You were named after a very special man. The gallant Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku." Jiraiya's eyes grew wide in awe as he listened to his father's quiet voice. "He was a very important man to me. He taught me almost everything I know. And he died to protect me.
"When you were born, your mother and I talked a lot about what we should name you. I told her how special your name was to me, and we decided it was what we wanted to name you."
Naruto had discussed everything with Hinata at great lengths. He had petitioned her, doing his best to convince her to agree, not knowing she had already decided that she loved the name and the reasoning behind Naruto's desire for it.
The only reason he had spoken to Tsunade about the name was because she had been brought to tears when they had explained they wished to honor her oldest friend.
Naruto was quickly caught up in recounting some of his favorite memories of his godfather, embellishing some parts and heavily editing others. He told his son about Jiraiya's love of writing and his favorite book, and that after a hard day of training he always brought Naruto a popsicle for them to share, a tradition Froggy recognized because Naruto always treated him to the same on special occasions. Nearly an hour later, the toddler was beginning to nod off and Naruto stood to carry him back to bed.
"He sounds nice," Jiraiya mumbled, snuggling under Naruto's chin again. Naruto smiled as he held his son close.
"Yeah, Froggy. He was."
XXX
Naruto glanced anxiously at the clock as he scrubbed the dishes from supper.
Only a quarter past six he grumbled to himself. Relax! She's not expected till late tonight. Staring out the window at the miserable drizzling rain, Naruto guessed his wife would be even later than they expected. It's perfectly normal he reminded himself, trying to stamp down the needling worry in the back of his mind.
She and her old genin team had been sent on a simple diplomatic mission to the Village Hidden in the Rain. All villages had been on good terms since the end of the war, but Rain had gone above and beyond the call of duty. When it had been revealed that the Akatsuki were using the village as a center of operations they had been mortified. They had done everything in their power to atone for the atrocities carried out by the terrorist organization and to help establish peace.
Hinata's mission was more of a formality than anything else. There was no reason to worry over her or her team, who had all been promoted to chunin a few years before. Although he couldn't remember which one, one of them would be taking the Jonin exam soon.
Still, Naruto couldn't help but worry over his wife. He knew she was a capable and strong, even dangerous, shinobi. He knew she could hold her own in a fight and that she had come a long way since their first disastrous chunin exams, but she was his wife, and as long as Hinata was not safely tucked away in his arms, Naruto would worry for her.
He knew Hinata felt the exact same way. If anything, Hinata was even more protective of him because of his tendency towards recklessness. The sound of the front door opening and then closing drew him from his musings.
Poking his head around the corner, elation settled in his chest as Naruto spotted his wife leaning against the door. She was completely soaked, her hair tied back in a long wet braid that draped over her shoulder, water dripping from the end. Her eyes were closed as she leaned her head back against the door and she looked completely exhausted, but there was a small smile on her face that told Naruto she was glad to be home.
"Hey, Hime," he called softly, stepping into the small entryway of their apartment.
She lifted her head and smiled at him, that smile that made him feel warm right down to his toes because it was like a physical wave of affection, before pushing away from the door and beginning to pull off her boots. "Hi." She sniffled delicately, rubbing her nose with her soggy sleeve.
"How was it," he asked, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he waited for her to shed her sopping gear. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and keep her there for the foreseeable to distant future, but he knew she would want to get out of her gear.
"Wet. We brought some of Rain back with us." Leaving her flak jacket on a hook she turned to him, smiling before sneezing delicately.
"That doesn't sound good," Naruto observed, concerned for her health. Winter was beginning to move in and he doubted running through a rainstorm would do he any favors but Hinata just shook her head, dismissing his worries.
"I'm fine, just cold. How's Jiraiya?" She took his hand, her fingers like ice in his warm hand, and began leading him back toward their room.
"Getting better, but he's still pretty sick. He fell asleep at dinner but he'll probably be up in a few hours. He hasn't been able to sleep through the night since you left." Following her into their room, Naruto dug out some dry clothes for her as she stripped out of her wet uniform. Pulling on her robe, she tossed the clothes he offered on the bed.
"I'm just going to check on Froggy, and then I think I need a warm bath," she told him, her entire body seeming to sag with exhaustion, but she headed for the door anyway.
"I'll get it ready for you," Naruto offered, slipping into their bathroom. When the tub was filled with hot water, the air thick with steam, Naruto went in search of his wife.
She was perched on the edge of Jiraiya's bed. Her skin must have still been very cool because the little boy leaned into his mother's touch in his sleep, pressing his fevered skin against her palm.
"Is he still alive?" Naruto asked, leaning against her back and resting his hands on her shoulders. She smiled up at him, her fingers stroking through the toddler's blond hair. "Come on," Naruto prompted, pressing a kiss into her hair. "Your bath is ready."
He helped her stand and supported her when she leaned against him tiredly, steering her out of the room. She wrapped her arms around his waist tightly and tucked her head into his chest when he paused to quietly latch the door behind him. When he looked down at her, his arms securely around her back, she lifted her face and smiled up at him again. "You're a good papa," she told him, once again warming him right down to his toes. She tucked her head back under his chin and he squeezed her tightly.
"Thank you."
Hinata released a slow hiss as she eased her cold body into the steaming water, one hand clasped in his as he helped her keep her balance. Her eyes slipped shut as she relaxed and her blissful expression drew a fond smile across Naruto's lips. He dropped to the floor beside her, crossed his arms on the lip of the tub and propped his chin on his wrist to watch her. She sniffled, less delicately than she had when she'd first arrived and spoke without opening her eyes.
"You may have been right," she murmured reluctantly. "I think I may be getting a cold. I feel awful." Her quiet admission was followed by another sniffle as she rolled her head toward him and opened her eyes.
He smiled at her sympathetically, raising a hand to her forehead.
"Well, you don't feel warm, but that could just be because you're still half frozen." His hand slid down to cup her cheek and gently he urged her forward. There were a few surefire ways he knew to warm her up, and a kiss was the simplest and most pleasant, considering she was practically falling asleep in the tub!
She hummed absently as she leaned in to him, guided by the hand on her cheek before recoiling.
"No," she told him firmly, seeming to wake up a little. "You'll get sick," she insisted, grasping his wrist and pulling it from behind her neck when he tried to pull her forward again.
He scoffed at her and rose to his knees to lean across the water toward her. "I don't get sick," he told her cockily, but she brought a wet hand out of the water and clamped it over his mouth, holding him at bay as she leaned farther away.
"That's what you said last time," she reminded him with a delicate laugh followed by a quiet sniffle. "I spent a week and a half nursing you back to health because Kurama took it as a challenge and shut down your entire immune system!"
Naruto gave her only the barest of warning, his eyes hardening, before he grasped her wrist, freeing his mouth, and lunged forward, capturing her lips. She tried to evade him, twisting and splashing water, soaking the front of his shirt, but he still had ahold of her neck as well as the grip on her wrist and he caught her. After only a moment, she gave up trying to get away, resigning herself to the kiss and returning his affection.
When he pulled away he was grinning widely and she gave him a small amused smile. If she had been anyone else she would have rolled her eyes at his ridiculous antics. As it was, she just smiled fondly at him and blushed prettily when he nudged her nose with his and told her, "Totally worth it."
XXX
There it is! What did you think? As always, please leave me a review letting me know. If it wasn't exactly spot on, please tell me why! Help me improve a bit!
Also, really quick. I have received more reviews than I can count about a particular moment in chapter 1. That little part where Naruto says Sakura doesn't love him. Here's the deal. The reason Naruto ended up with Hinata and not Sakura is because he loves Hinata. We know this. More importantly, Naruto knows this. It is a fact. It is so undeniably, simply, true, that he doesn't even think about it anymore. By that point he had been with Hinata somewhere between two and three years, I believe if memory serves. Everyone he knows simply knows that Naruto Uzumaki loves Hinata Hyuga. So when Sasuke asks him, he doesn't even think about it. It is such a blatantly obvious fact to him that he just kind of forgets it's not necessarily obvious to everyone else (although anyone not as emotionally constipated as Sasuke could see it in a glance). So when he says 'Sakura doesn't love me' it is more because he has completely lost track of the conversation. Sasuke's comment hit him from WAY left field and he can't quite wrap his head around it. Also, it's sort of an obvious thing to him that if someone doesn't love you, there is little point in pursuing a relationship with them. Note, it may not have always been obvious to him, but it is now. Does that make a little more sense? I hope so, if not, feel free to ask me more in a review or PM! Thank you all, very much!
Happy reading! Tenneyshoes