ACADEMY DAYS XX - NEXT GENERATION
Once the joyous news spread throughout their friendship circle, Hinata received wave after wave of guests, most only briefly dropping by to say their congratulations. From their closest friends and teachers, to the Union ambassadors, to fellow clan leaders.
No one wasted any time to give their best wishes to the family, some already dropping gifts for the parents-to-be and some even meant for the baby, like toys and clothes.
Among the first, however, was someone Naruto expected to sit back and wait for things to blow over. Much to his surprise, Sasuke visited them in broad daylight and through the front door. A rare occurrence lately as Sasuke prefers to not really be a major presence around the streets.
The two opted to sit on the roof rather than the comfort of the couch, although looking over the lively Uzumaki compound is relaxing in its own right.
Once sat on the tiles, Sasuke worlessly offers a closed fist.
Naruto looks at him in confusion but grins when he realizes the intent, and returns the fistbump.
"Congratulations. Truly."
"Thanks! I seriously still can't believe it's happening."
"You've changed so much these past 10 years." Sasuke looks over the newest clan's district. "First leading a revived clan, now becoming a father. Who would've thought?"
"Not like you're that different." Naruto chuckles. "You're a whole different person, too."
"Yes, well, I had someone knock some sense into me." Sasuke leans back, taking in the clear skies above. "If you hadn't beaten some sense into me, I don't know where I'd be right now. But I know I wouldn't have been this…" He pauses, trying to find the words.
"Happy?"
"I guess that's part of it. Feels a bit more complicated than that."
"It usually isn't." Naruto shrugs. "You might just be overthinking it." He taps him on the shoulder.
"I might be."
From below, a familiar voice grabs their attention. "What're you two doing up there?" Tsunade calls out to them.
Peering down, they see the Hokage and her cousin, Fusuma Senju, standing in front of the house.
"Granny, Fusuma, hey!" Naruto waves to them. "We're just hangin' out."
"Is Hinata home?" Fusuma asks. "We bring gifts."
"She's taking a bath, but I got a few Clones in there so make yourselves at home."
Sasuke stands up from his spot. "I'll just take my leave. You see to your guests."
"You know," Fusuma speaks up before he can go. "You don't have to leave. We haven't had the chance to speak and I'd like the chance to."
"We don't have much to speak about, do we?" Sasuke says bluntly.
Fusuma laughs at his openness. "No, but it all starts with something small, doesn't it? There's been a lot of bad blood between the Senju and the Uchiha. I wasn't in a position to do anything about it back then, but I can at least do something now, no matter how small."
"Come on, man." Naruto pats him on the back as he stands up. "It'll be fun."
Sasuke sighs. "Alright."
Naruto grins and Flickers down to the ground where Tsunade immediately drapes a hand over his shoulder and locks his head in her arm. "You been taking good care of your wife, kid?"
"Of course I have!" Naruto grumbles.
Sasuke follows him down, exchanging a nod with Fusuma, as the two follow inside the Uzumaki family's home.
1st month
May
From practically the moment they received the wonderful news, Naruto became Hinata's shadow every step of the way. Wherever she went, he'd be around to make sure she doesn't overexert herself to the point of fainting again. On the plus side, that does mean he insists on doing more chores more often so it's not entirely a bad thing.
His help even extends to something as simple as reaching for a cupboard to get a glass.
"Here you go." Naruto reaches from behind her to get the glass she was about to get.
"Thank you." She takes the glass from him with a faint smile. "I really appreciate everything you're doing, dear, but I can do this much on my own."
"Yeah, I know! I just… don't wanna risk something like that happening again."
"That happened because I didn't know I'm pregnant, but now that I know…"
Naruto looks down to the ground in defeat. "You're right. I'm sorry."
She caresses his cheek and kisses him on the nose. "I love you."
He smiles and kisses her back. "Love you, too."
"Mom! Dad!" Kotori's voice comes calling from the front door, just now returning from the Academy. "I'm back." She comes running into the living room, followed by Yokumaru and Shoto, who walk at a more normal pace.
"Hello, sensei." Yokumaru waves.
"Good evening." Shoto bows as he tends to do. "Pardon the intrusion."
"Hello, you two." Hinata greets them. "What brings you here?"
"We wanted to see how you were doing." Shoto answers.
Yokumaru nods. "You don't feel ill again, do you?"
Hinata chuckles. "Now you're sounding like Naruto."
Kotori leans over to them and stage whispers. "Dad's been really overbearing lately."
"I heard that!" Naruto protests.
"Would you like anything to drink?" Hinata offers.
"I don't think we'll be staying for long." Shoto looks to his friends for confirmation.
"Yeah," Kotori answers, "We're gonna go play with Mirai and Tama!"
"They really like hearing stories and seeing jutsu." Yokumaru smiles.
"That's very kind of you. I'm sure they'll appreciate you spending time with them."
"Oh!" Yokumaru remembers. "Mom wanted to invite everyone to dinner at home next week. You and your parents, too, Shoto."
"That'd be awesome." Naruto grins. "Been a while since we all got together."
-x-
2nd month
June
Two regulars at the Uzumaki residence have been the Hatake and Umino, providing a great deal of support for their little makeshift family. They often bring little Azuki and Shohei around, seemingly growing with each passing week, even though they really don't. It won't be long before the toddlers are all grown and moving around on their own.
With Shizune and Anko spending time with Hinata in the living room, Kakashi and Iruka take Naruto back to the yard where a large wooden statue of the Uzumaki couple decorates the scenery.
"You know you need to give her space, Naruto." Iruka laughs. "We've been through this."
"Hinata's more patient than Anko, I can tell you that much." Kakashi adds.
Naruto slumps his shoulders. "Did you two come here just to tease me?"
"More to give advice." Iruka pats his adoptive son on the back.
"I know everything you're gonna say already, alright? I'm not dumb. I just…"
Kakashi finishes the sentence. "Want to show her how much you care. Yeah, we know."
"But that also comes with a limit." Iruka adds. "She doesn't want to feel like a burden, either. It's just who she is."
"It's just… I feel like I wasted so much time, you know? She's been cheering me on since we were kids but I was too stupid to notice. I gotta make up for it."
Iruka leans and smirks. "I thought you said you weren't dumb?"
Naruto snorts and smacks him on the leg. "You know what I mean."
"I do." Iruka pulls him into a hug.
"I can assure you she doesn't feel that way." Kakashi reassures him. "You don't have to prove anything, Naruto. Just be happy together and love each other."
-x-
4th month
August
As much as Hinata wouldn't like to admit it, it's already becoming more difficult to do everything she usually does. Tiredness comes much more easily as her belly grows and Naruto has gotten even more protective, doing everything he can to make sure she's not overexerting herself.
At times, his worry for Hinata's safety almost feels supernatural. Currently, he and Kotori are in the yard practicing and there's a good few rooms between them.
When a sudden jolt in her belly makes her yelp in pain, she immediately sits down on the couch, not wanting to faint as she did before. She looks down at her stomach in disbelief and feels around where she felt the jolt.
"HINATA!" Naruto immediately rushes into the room after hearing her discomfort. Supernatural. "What happened?" He kneels down in front of her and holds her hand.
"Is mom okay?" Kotori runs in a bit after him, unable to even come close to his speed especially when he's worried.
"I'm fine, I promise." Hinata reassures. "The baby kicked! I felt it just now." She says with the widest of smiles.
"For real?! Already?" Naruto presses his ear against her belly, trying to feel the baby.
Kotori jumps over the backrest of the couch to land next to her mom. "Is this the first time it's kicked?" She asks with excitement.
"It is! At first I was so certain but it was definitely the-." She stops mid-sentence with a light gasp.
"AH!" Naruto snaps his head away, grinning wildly. "It kicked again!"
"Lemme see, lemme see!" Kotori now presses her ear against Hinata's belly, impatiently waiting for another kick. Her enthusiasm drops after a bit of zero movement. "Nothing."
"That's okay." Hinata brushes her hair. "There'll be plenty more where those come from."
Naruto kisses and rubs her belly. "Soon, buddy. Just wait a bit more and you'll kick all you wan- Again!"
"Ahh!" Kotori starts pounding him on the shoulder. "Stop hogging all the fun moments!" She presses herself against the belly again. Round 2. This time, it doesn't take long for her to feel a kick herself. Satisfied, she lifts her head and rests her head on Hinata's shoulder, grinning the whole time.
Naruto kisses his beautiful wife on the lips and his lovely daughter on the head and sits on the couch, embracing them both.
-x-
5th month
September
While Hinata has received many guests over these past months, and even gotten advice from the more experienced Kurenai, Shizune, and Anko, over the months, it's come to light that she's not the only one pregnant. Her classmates and friends have also progressed their relationships, with Tenten finding out she's pregnant with Lee's child not long after Hinata did, and Sakura and Ino only a couple months after that.
They've taken to regularly meeting for a chat, or as regular as they can, given Hinata and Tenten's more advanced stages of pregnancies.
On one random day, Hinata opens the door to find all three of them in front, carrying take-out.
"Oh no, had we agreed to lunch?" Hinata looks between them in a panic.
"No, we hadn't, don't worry." Sakura calms her. "Ino and I just grabbed Tenten and thought to come pay a visit. If… that's alright, of course."
"Yes, of course, come in." She steps aside to let them all enter. "I wish you'd called earlier, I could've made something for us."
"We know." Ino chuckles and wiggles the take-out box. "That's exactly why we didn't."
"You overdo it when you don't have to." Tenten gives her a quick hug as she enters. "It's why Naruto's such a mother hen."
"I'm not that bad, am I?" Hinata mumbles to herself and closes the door, heading into the living room where Sakura and Ino are already going through the familiar ritual of setting up the food for a day of movies and mindless entertainment.
As usual those two do the majority of setting up, while the more heavily pregnant Hinata and Tenten are pushed to rest despite their numerous protests.
"You two sit back and rest, we got this." Ino scolds them, herself not even showing obvious signs of pregnancy, being still in her second month.
Sakura, in her third month, already has a bump growing. "Are Naruto and Kotori home?"
"They're out training with Yokumaru and Shoto. They should be back in the evening."
"Perfect!" Tenten exclaims. "That gives us plenty of time to eat everything in existence."
"I'm surprised Naruto let you out of his sight." Ino teases.
Sakura laughs. "Like you're one to talk. Isn't Kiba even worse than Naruto?"
"That's..." Ino stumbles over her words. "That's neither here nor there." She looks away, prompting Sakura to laugh.
"Honestly, that's super sweet." Tenten smiles. "Of all the people, I didn't really think those two would be the most attentive."
"The Inuzuka clan value friends and family above all else." Hinata says. "It's just who they are. They feel the joy of a newborn much heavier than most."
"Yeah, I've noticed. Lady Tsume and Hana have been around a lot, too, offering to help. Still miss my privacy, though." Ino sighs. "What about Lee and Sasuke?"
"Lee is… well, Lee." Tenten gives a hesitant laugh. "He's as enthusiastic as ever, it's just his enthusiasm has shifted to the baby. He and Guy-sensei already have a training schedule."
"You have my sympathies." Sakura pats her on the shoulder. "Sasuke's… trying. I think he was expecting the news even less than I was. He's not sure what to do."
"Well, he better figure it out!" Ino crosses her arms. "He can't stay uncertain forever, he has a family to take care of now! Just say the word and I'll smack him over the head."
"That really won't be necessary." Sakura laughs.
"I'm just glad you two realized where you stand." Hinata smiles. "To think just a few months ago you weren't certain about the two of you."
"You don't have to bring that up." Sakura puffs out her cheeks.
-x-
7th month
November
When Naruto opens the door to a series of consistent knocks, he's met by Kurenai carrying a couple bags and Mirai continuing to knock on the doorframe.
"That's enough, dear." Kurenai moves Mirai's hand.
"Okay!" Mirai enthusiastically says before running into Naruto and hugging his legs.
Naruto laughs in response. "Hey, Mirai, Kurenai-sensei." He leans down to pick up the girl glued to his legs. He can hardly believe just how big she's gotten, at nearly 4 years old, it feels like only yesterday that they visited Kurenai at the hospital after the birth.
"Is the baby here?" Mirai asks.
"Not yet, no." Naruto answers with a laugh.
"Oh." Mirai looks down, dejected.
"The baby will be here soon, Mirai." Kurenai brushes her daughter's hair. "Be patient."
"So what brings you here, sensei?" Naruto looks at what she's carrying.
"I come bearing gifts." She holds up her bags.
When they get inside to the living room, they're met by Hinata sitting on the sofa with all the possible comfort in the world. Multiple blankets for extra softness, pillows so she can have a cushion any way she chooses to sit, a smaller pillow on the table if she needs to lift her feet, and even an ottoman if she wants to rest her feet there.
Naruto lets Mirai down and walks over to her and kisses her on the top of the head. "Do you need anything else?"
Hinata looks around at everything around here. "I think I'm fine, Naruto." She says with a chuckle.
"I'll say…" Kurenai laughs. "I was thinking of asking how you were, but I'd say you're doing fine."
"Naruto has made sure of that."
The man in question begins walking away. "I'll be in the yard if you need me. So just call, okay?"
"I will."
He abruptly walks back to the sofa, leaning over it to look at Hinata. "If I don't hear, just call again. I might-"
"I'll be fine, dear." She pats him on the cheek. "Kurenai-sensei is here with me."
"Right, yeah." He finally walks out the room.
Kurenai watches their interaction with a wide smile. "How things have changed from when you gave him that healing salve, huh?"
Hinata looks away blushing. "You don't need to bring it up."
Meanwhile, Mirai looks all over the room, watching and listening for any signs of the person she primarily came here for. "Is Kotori here? I wanted to play."
"I'm sorry, honey, Kotori's at the Academy. She'll be back later, though. I'll tell her you were looking for her and she can go play with you."
"Can Tama come, too?" Mirai asks for her friend.
"Of course!"
"Yay!" Mirai plops herself on the sofa next to her mom.
Kurenai then opens the bags, revealing their contents to Hinata. "I found some of Mirai's baby clothes. I figured you could make use of them. Don't worry, their unisex, so your boy won't look weird in them."
"Sensei, that's so kind. You really didn't have to."
"But I want to. I might have more for you soon. I've saved some for when we find out if Kiba and Shino will have boys or girls."
"I'm excited to find out, as well."
January 21
On the fateful day, Uzumaki family experienced a level of joy and love they'd never thought possible; the joy of holding their baby in their hands and becoming closer than ever.
Hinata lies in bed with her baby, all wrapped up in a blanket, still wondering if this is all reality. It feels far too good to be true; being with her love, being this close with her father and sister, having an amazing daughter and now son… The more she plays with her baby and the more he clutches onto her finger with all the strength he can muster, the more it sinks in just how real it is.
Naruto's distinct blonde hair and twin whiskers on each cheek, and Hinata's pale eyes makes the boy the perfect combination of his parents.
Naruto sits on the bed by her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and admiring his son. "He's perfect." She says, sniffing and wiping away what tears escape his already puffy and reddened eyes. He leans down to kiss the newborn on the head and his wife on the lips. "Thank you. For loving me, for giving me a family." He looks around the room at the overly excited Hanabi and Kotori and the trying-to-be-stoic Hiashi. "For showing me what it means to be happy."
"I should be the one saying that." She brushes her hand against his cheek. "You gave me strength when I had none left and you keep giving me strength when I thought I didn't need any more." She holds the baby toward Naruto, prompting him to take their son in his arms.
Naruto very awkwardly holds the bundle in his arms. His face is contorted, trying his absolute best not to cry, although from his puffy eyes it's obvious he's already done plenty of that.
"My son." Naruto kisses his baby boy on the nose eliciting a soft giggle. "My beautiful son."
Kotori walks up to him, hugging him tightly and resting her head on his shoulder to look into the blanket to her baby brother, taking in his light blond hair and pale eyes
"Hey, little guy." She gently runs her finger over the two whisker marks on his cheek. "So you got daddy's hair and mommy's eye. You're gonna be a real lady killer " She giggled.
Hanabi walks behind Naruto and rests her head on his shoulder. "I wonder who you'll take after." She coos at the boy. "Will you be gentle like your mother, or reckless like your father?"
"Oi…" Naruto protests.
The girls surrounding him chuckle at his expense.
Hinata reaches over to hold her husband's hand. "He can be both. Gentle toward his friend, and reckless when he needs to support them."
"You always have to find the middle ground, don't you?" Hanabi puffs out her cheeks before turning to the man stood at the front of the bed. "Father, come say hello to your grandson."
Hiashi tentatively steps toward Naruholding the bed railing until the very last possible moment. He tries to keep an air of dignity but is betrayed by his eyes, puffier and redder from crying than Naruto's.
Naruto stands up, breaking away from Kotori and Hanabi who were glued to him while admiring the baby. He stands sideways by Hiashi's side, allowing him to look at his grandson.
The sight of the baby sends the usually stoic man into a fit of crying. He takes him off Naruto with slightly shaking hands. "Hello, little one."
Hinata and Hanabi smile at the sight of their father openly showing his true feelings.
Hanabi sits down on the bed, leaning on her sister's shoulder. "So what's his name?"
Hinata in turns rests her head on top of Hanabi's. "Hiroto." She answers. "Hiroto Uzumaki."
February 1
With all the pride and joy he has, Lee holds his son up above his head. "This is…" He says through waterfall tears, "The happiest day of my life!"
"Alright, I get it, now please put Metal down." Tenten tries to get him to handle the baby with care. "He's still a newborn, we should handle him with more care."
"Right, of course." Lee does just that, taking his son into his arms and sitting on the bed next to Tenten. "I simply couldn't help myself."
"I know, Lee." Tenten laughs. "But we need to be careful with him, alright? He's our precious son."
"That he is. I hope Neji will watch over him as he watched over us."
"I'm sure he will." Tenten smiles.
March 13
Hidden Sand Village
The joyful new spread quite quickly among the Sand that Kankuro, the Kazekage's older brother and most trusted advisor, is to become a father.
The relationship with his current wife, Matsuri, started off somewhat odd. It was no secret that Matsuri was one of Gaara's greatest admirers and as she rose through the ranks, she was placed in a position of trust by the Fifth Kazekage and she had to work with Kankuro on numerous occasions. Slowly but surely, Matsuri grew to realize what a different world Gaara lives in and just how much pressure he's under, especially by the elders.
Her hero-worships faded and she began to see him with more sympathetic eyes and normal levels of admiration. That, in turn, allowed her to see other people's true worth. Normal conversations with Kankuro became more frequent before turning into a regular thing they both looked forward to. Those became dates which flourished into a relationship, all leading to the moment where they both hold their son.
"Hello, Araya." Kankuro, on one of the rare occasions where he doesn't have his warpaint on, commands a miniature puppet to dance on his wife's shoulder, drawing Araya's full focus. "Can you say 'dada'?"
"It's way too early for any of that." Matsuri laughs. "Knowing his dad, his first word might be 'puppet'."
"That's literally my dream." He jokes.
"Whatever his first words," Gaara interjects, him, Temari, and Shikamaru standing by the bed to give the couple space with their son, "I'm certain they will come from a place of love."
"100 ryo says his first word will be something completely random." Temari bets.
"You're on." Kankuro grins.
Shikamaru shakes his head. "Is that what you guys' priority is?"
"Pretty much." They both answer in unison.
"I just hope Araya can get along with his cousin." Matsuri looks to Temari's belly, still not really showing any visible signs. "How far along is he?"
"Still seven months to go." Temari subconsciously places a hand on his belly. "It might be difficult because of the distance but I hope they can grow close."
"Do you know the gender?" Gaara asks his sister and brother-in-law.
"Not yet." Shikamaru shakes his head. "Sakura says the baby needs to develop a bit more until tests can show anything. I've always hoped for a girl first, but… we'll see."
"I'm surprised." Temari raises a brow. "Knowing the women in your life, I'd have thought you've had enough of that."
"Are you acknowledging you're troublesome?" Shikamaru chuckles.
"Damn right." Temari laughs. "If my dear brother's any indication, Araya will be better behaved than the hellion I'll give birth to."
Kankuro snorts. "That's because I had you two as siblings, no way was I gonna act out..."
Gaara looks down to the ground with a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry for everything I put you through."
"Come on, man, I was just kidding." Kankuro reassures. "All's good now." He looks down to his sleeping son. "All's perfect."
Matsuri leans her head on Kankuro's chest, trying not to disturb Araya.
March 31
One of the more unexpected pregnancies followed, although only the couple involved were unsure of their status. Everyone else basically already knew they were an item and only wondered when these two would realize it.
Turns out, Sasuke and Sakura realized it when they found out they're soon to be parents and today, they meet their baby girl.
After spending some time in her mom's arms, the baby is now being gently rocked by the grandmother. Mebuki rubs her nose against the baby's, emerald eyes locked with small obsidian beads. "She has her father's eyes." She asks.
Kizashi hovers around them, rocking his head back and forth; the jiggling of his hair sending the baby in a fit of giggling. "Haha, still got it! This always had Sakura laughing, too!"
"Yeah, but then I learned better." Sakura laughs.
"So," Mebuki looks at the two parents. "Are you finally going to tell us her name?"
Sakura exchanges a confirming look with Sasuke who's stoically standing by the window. "Kamae. Her name's Kamae."
"Kamae Haruno, huh? It's nice to meet you, dear."
"Not Haruno, mom. Kamae Uchiha." Sakura corrects her.
"That so?" Mebuki holds baby Kamae up to look both at her and her dad simultaneously. "I guess she does already resemble an Uchiha more." She walks over to Sasuke, offering him to hold his daughter. "Hopefully she'll get her facial structure from her dad, too." She chuckles.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sakura puffs out her cheeks in annoyance.
Mebuki carefully places Kamae in Sasuke's arm, who has to struggle a bit to get her in a good position. "Alright, now," She reaches over to guide Sasuke's left arm but freezes at the very last second, remembering the very obvious problem with that. She winces when she realizes what she just tried to do. "Sorry, I didn't think…"
"It's fine." Sasuke reassures her with a smile, one not really directed at her but to his beautiful daughter, who his gaze is intensely focused on. "I sometimes forget it's missing, myself."
Looking to his side, at the empty sleeve, he has an idea. Something he's never tried before, but something that might be worth trying. A red pattern swirls around in his typically dark eyes, forming into a six-petaled flower.
[Susano'o]
Chakra manifests in his sleeve, sending it billowing as if blown by a harsh storm. From within, a glowing spectral hand emerges, resembling a purple skeleton. A human-sized version of his jutsu. He goes to try and hold his daughter with both his hands but as soon as the admittedly terrifying construct goes near her, she begins crying.
Eyes widening from shock and fright, Sasuke immediately deactivates the jutsu and looks around in a panic. Granny Mebuki steps in to take Kamae from him and rocks her again in an attempt to comfort her.
"I didn't... mean to, I just…" Sasuke stumbles to find the words.
"It's okay." Sakura reassures him with a smile, extending a hand toward him, which he steps closer to take. "It's actually reassuring you can be this awkward, too." She adds with a laugh.
May 1
A side of Kiba that only a very select few people know about is just how clingy he is. Naturally, something like that would ruin his reputation as a cool badass. Right now, however, he doesn't care one bit.
He's lying next to Ino on her hospital bed as she holds their daughter in her hands. He can hardly contain his excitement; going from laughing from joy at the sight of his daughter and kissing his lovely wife and back.
Ino giggles at his extreme displays of affection. "Down, boy."
"How can you expect me to settle down?!" Kiba questions. "This is our baby girl! We made her!" He brushes their daughter's sandy blonde hair.
Akamaru wags his tail besides the bed, his head resting on the sheets. Some drool may or may not be falling on it.
Tsume laughs and turns to the other woman in the room, dressed in an elegant green dress and light brown hair tied up in a bun. "This is what you'll have to deal with, Megumi. You ever wanna return him, just say the word."
Megumi laughs softly. "No, I think he'll fit quite well in the Yamanaka clan. Such dedication is a wonderful thing, Tsume."
"Ha! If you say so."
Hana walks over to the bed, holding out her arms to the baby. "Can I hold her for a bit?"
"Of course." Ino carefully hands over the bundled girl to her aunt.
Hana bares her teeth at the newborn, making silly faces. "Inobi Yamanaka. You're going to be a real troublemaker, I can already tell. Show them that Inuzuka spirit, yeah?"
Akamaru lifts himself up from the bed and sits around Hana to observe the baby.
"Actually, we were thinking," Ino exchanges a knowing look with Kiba, both nodding in confirmation, before turning to Tsume, "We'd like Inobi to learn both our clans' jutsu, but I'm… not sure how odd that would be."
"Not at all." Tsume shrugs. "It's been done before; you don't have to stick her with just one clan's heritage if that's what you want. It would just need both clan leaders' approval and, well, that's us." She laughs. "So I'd say that's set."
Megumi walks over to get another look at her granddaughter. "Besides, I don't think your father would like his granddaughter to be denied her own birthright. With this, our families can come closer than ever."
"Damn straight." Tsume claps Megumi on the back, a little harder than the other woman was expecting. "Welcome to the family kid." She scratches Inobi's nose, grinning widely.
July 7
The Aburame clan's very… unique physiology doesn't allow them to show much emotion. When they get overly excited, the kikaichu that reside within them respond to the change in chemicals and it's possible to lose control of them.
With age, it's entirely possible to control the insects so they don't act just from the shift in emotions, but by that point the Aburame have grown so used to keeping their emotions in check that being emotional is a somewhat foreign idea for them.
On this day, Shino is caught between wanting to explode from emotion and wanting to keep it in as he's always had to. Shibi places a hand on his son's shoulder. "You're strong, Shino. You can be happy. You've nothing to fear."
"Yes." Comes a distracted response. Shino steps closer to the bed where his wife and son currently lie.
Shiho smiles and turns the blanket so Shino can take a closer look. "Look, Shichi, that's dad."
From under his coat, Shino tries to contort his muscles into what looks like a smile. As he leans over to greet his son, "Hello, Shichi," The baby starts crying at the sight of him. Startled and embarrassed, Shino pulls back.
Shiho rocks the baby to shush him. "There, there. It's alright, honey. Dad's just awkward sometimes, he's not scary."
Shibi chuckles and pats his son on the back. "You had the same reaction."
"I did?" Shino raises a brow.
"A crying Shino?" Shiho chuckles. "Now that I'd like to see."
"That would be… inadvisable." Shino looks away with reddened cheeks.
Once Shichi calms down, Shiho turns back to Shino. "Do you want to try again? Without the weird face this time." She adds with a light laugh.
Shino just nods and sits down next to her. He brushes a single finger against his now calm son's nose. "Hello, son. Welcome to our family."
August 8
Chouza spins around the room with great delight as he holds his granddaughter. The excitement had gotten too much for him and now he doubts if he'll even be able to put down the adorable little bundle in his arms.
He admires her cute features; the darker skin and golden eyes she got from the mother, and the ginger head of hair that's seemingly a mixture of both her parents'. "She's already as beautiful as a butterfly. The boys won't be able to resist you, will they, Chouchou?"
"Dad, you're gonna make her dizzy if you keep spinning like that." Chouji warns with a chuckle.
"She's an Akimichi! She's made of sterner stuff than that." Chouza walks over to the band to hand Chouchou back to mom.
Karui takes her and fixes her blanket, making sure she has enough room to breathe. "Nah, that's definitely the Cloud blood in her."
"It can be both." Chouji compromises. "If anything, I just hope she gets her mom's loving nature. If she can help someone like you've helped me…"
"I've done nothing of the sort." Karui shakes her head. "You're an incredible shinobi and an amazing person, you just needed someone smarter than the Leaf girls to see that." She smirks and rubs his chin, fingers brushing against the goatee he's been growing for a while now.
"Aw, I don't know if I'd go that far." Chouji rubs the nape of his neck in embarrassment.
"I told you, Chouji." Chouza smiles. "You'll meet someone to appreciate you. Thank you, Karui, for coming into our family."
October 13
Temari is as stiff as a board as her daughter lies in her arms. She'd been taught a lot about what to do after the childbirth and it's somehow everything went flying away. "Is.. is this how you're supposed to do it?"
Seeing his wife's distress, Shikamaru laughs and takes the baby off her for a second. "So even you get nervous, too, huh?"
"Shuddup!" She blurts out and looks away embarrassed.
Shikamaru smiles at his daughter, brushing away her sandy blonde hair. "She's a lot calmer than I thought she'd be."
"So was I when I was a kid." Temari laughs. "Just you wait."
"Shikasa Nara." Gaara smiles from his seat in front of the bed. "Either way, she'll have a great source of love. A bridge between our two villages that shan't be shaken or broken."
Yoshino walks over to see her granddaughter. "I can promise you that will be the case, Lord Kazekage."
"Please, you may call me Gaara. We are family now, after all."
"No, I couldn't possibly… That'd be so rude of me..."
"He's right, mother." Temari smiles. "We're family. To us, that means more than you might know."
Yoshino looks with uncertainty between the two siblings. "Well, if you insist, Lor- um, Gaara."
He nods in response. "I'm just sorry that Kankuro couldn't make the journey."
"He is busy, after all." Shikamaru says. "His own son is probably a handful."
Temari nods. "I'm honestly surprised you were cleared to travel."
"I do have an important meeting with the Hokage, after all. Of course, we haven't yet decided what that meeting is for, but I'm certain we can find something." Gaara answers honestly.
Temari laughs. "Well, look at you, twisting authority…"
Shikamaru lowers the bundle to hand Shikasa back to her mother, who takes her again, this time with a bit more ease. "See, it's not that difficult."
"I don't want to hear any lectures from you, mister." Temari warns him.
"Yeah, yeah."
November 3
Sai's entire childhood was spent in a rigorous regime. His every movement, his every action, his every thought was dictated and he had to obey every word given to him. He had nothing and was nothing.
That all began to change when he was given the fateful mission of keeping watch over Naruto Uzumaki whose energy and attitude began cracking Sai's dark world and shed light where he'd previously lost all. Meeting Yakumo, he felt that darkness fade away even more. He was making friends, he was building relationships, he was doing anything he wanted. He was on his way to becoming human.
Today, the moment he held his son in his hands, every trace of his old self disappeared. For probably the first time, he feels alive. Or rather, he feels. His shackles are gone and there's only one thing going through his mind…
"Kensou." He says his son's name, almost still in disbelief that he's been granted this blessing. "I will make sure you never have to lead the life I led." Sai declares through tears, finally realizing that crying isn't bad, that it doesn't cloud your judgement. It can be a magnificent driving force.
Yakumo wraps her arms around his waist as he sits on the bed by her side. "I can't imagine what you went through in the Root, but I can promise you that's over. Both you and Kensou will lead the life you deserve." She reaches up to gently wipe her fiancé's tears, despite her beginning to tear up.
"I will not be a burden to you. Either of you."
"You couldn't possibly be." Yakumo smiles. "We share in everything, both good and bad. That's what a family is."
"It sounds lovely." Sai leans down to kiss her on the lips.
When they break away, Yakumo smiles. "And it only gets better."
December 22
Karin lies in her hospital bed, unable to take her eyes off the baby boy sleeping soundly next to her. Opposite her son is her husband, looking down to the both of them with a loving gaze.
Jugo reaches over to cup Karin's face, slowly stroking her cheek with his thumb. "He's beautiful." he says in a soft voice.
Karin smiles and kisses his palm, leaning further in for his caresses. "Girls are beautiful. Our dear Chihei is handsome."
"Is that so?" He chuckles. "I'll keep it in mind." He pulls back his hand, fingers lingering ever so slightly before parting from Karin's cheek. He kneels on the ground and rests his elbows on the bed, focused on his son with a soft but troubled expression.
"What's wrong?" Karin asks, noticing his more somber than usual behaviour.
"I just hope she doesn't inherit my clan's kekkei genkai. I don't want her to live isolated like I did." Jugo admits his fear.
"I know it hasn't been easy, but Chihei has something neither of us ever did: a loving and caring environment. He'll have you and Naruto to teach him how to control himself and, hey, maybe this Uzumaki blood of mine will help out somehow." Karin grins. "He'll be just fine."
"Yeah." Jugo returns the smile. "You're right. I suppose I'm still getting used to the thought of being in a safe place. I'm aware I wouldn't normally have been your first pick, but-"
Karin shushes him with a finger over his mouth. "Don't. I was a dumb, broken kid before. But you helped me become someone I can be proud of. Someone who can be a mother."
"You did that all on your own." Jugo leans over to kiss Karin, an act eventually interrupted by the crying Chihei.
Hidden Mountain Village
Today is a day of mourning for the people of the Land of Woods, or more specifically, for the people of what was once called the Land of Rice Paddies. Everyone was overjoyed when the shinobi leader Kaidomaru Sakata and their princess Mikoto announced they were a couple, they saw a bright future for their two nations with this union. They were even more overjoyed when Lady Mikoto announced her pregnancy, further cementing the bright future that awaited them.
During the Land of Rice Paddies' most troubled times, when they were left defenceless and powerless following Orochimaru's death, she was the shining light that gave everyone hope that things would get better. To everyone's utter shock, that light has been snuffed.
Today, they gather to mourn the death of Lady Mikoto and her unborn child.
Kaidomaru, leader of the Mountain Village and her husband, offers his prayer to the nameless deities that watch over them, except he's one of the few who knows their actual names.
Everyone sheds tears at the sight of the unfortunate man who lost his lovely wife, they can only imagine how much that's affected.
Kaidomaru remains silent throughout the entire funeral, keeping his head low and with an ever-present blank stare. It hurts the people to see him like this, when he and Mikoto were always so full of life when they were together. For the whole duration, Lady Yaegiri, Daimyo of the Land of Woods, stays firmly by his side. Even in mourning attire, she keeps her elegant appearance, face trying to remain stoic and dignified.
At the end, Kaidomaru and Yaegiri leave together, prompting many gossiping eyes to follow them with suspicion.
"Isn't the Lady getting awful close to him? Even at the funeral." One person notes.
Another person smacks them over the head. "What're you blabbing about, you idiot? They're family, of course they're close?"
"They are? I had no idea." Another scratches their head in confusion.
"Their names are Kaidomaru Sakata and Yaegiri Sakata, how could you not?!"
"So they're like… brother and sister? Cousins?"
"Yeah, I don't think I've heard anyone talk about those two…"
"I dunno, Lady Yaegiri looks a bit older than him. Aunt, maybe?"
"She might be older but still looks really fine, though."
"... Dude, are you seriously thirsting after your Daimyo at a damn funeral?"
The man shrugs in response.
A larger group of people approaching forces them to disband their little huddle, going back to the hall and trying to pretend they weren't just gossiping.
-x-
Inside his office, Kaidomaru props himself against the wall with a heavy sigh, his legs feeling like they're about to betray him. The solemn look on his face remains as it did before.
Yaegiri walks over behind him and wraps her arms around his waist. "Don't tell me you feel regret. This was always the plan, my love. She was just a means for us to obtain Orochimaru's assets. Nothing more."
After a moment of silence and hesitation, Kaidomaru finally answers in a whisper. "Yes, of course. She never would've approved our plans, or what we must do for the Uzumaki clan."
"And soon," Yaegiri steps in front of him, never letting go of him, "We won't need to pretend anymore. Once everything is in motion, we can be together, as we should be." She cups his face, pulling him to lean down so she can kiss him deeply and intensely. However, she quickly breaks away, realizing her passion isn't returned in full. She glares at him in anger. "Don't tell me you actually felt something for the girl." She grips his face tightly. "Don't tell me you've forgotten our love, Kaidomaru?"
"I could never, Yae." He winces slightly in pain but places a comforting hand over hers, prompting her to loosen her grip. "You never once left my thoughts. I simply mourn the child, thinking what it would be like…" His lips begin to curl into a smile before a sudden thought enters his mind. He furrows a brow, trying to piece together a picture. "Although… didn't we have-"
"No." Yaegiri cuts him off with a harsh voice and a cold stare which softens once she realizes her voice might've cut deeper than she intended. "We've never had a child, dear. If we did, he'd obviously be here with us."
"Right, obviously." Kaidomaru shakes the thoughts out of his head. "I'm not sure where that came from."
"Rest. I'll not return to the capital for another two days. We can plan our next steps in the meantime, and…" She brushes her hand against his chest as she moves to leave the room, "If you truly wish for a child, we can accomplish that, as well." She adds with a seductive smile.
Once alone in his office, Kaidomaru walks to the window, looking out to the village he's spent so many years building and strengthening, all for the moment where he can achieve his victory. In the reflection, he sees not only the village outside but himself inside. He wipes away a single tear shedding from his left eye.
"For the Uzumaki clan." Kaidomaru Uzumaki declares.
Name Meanings
Hiroto Uzumaki (うずまき ヒロト , Uzumaki Hiroto) - 'great flying'. Named after Ogata Shuma Hiroyuki, folklore hero Jiraiya's real name.
Kamae Uchiha (うちは カマエ , Uchiha Kamae) - From the yōkai Kamaitachi, making her named after Itachi.
Megumi Yamanaka (山中 メグミ, Yamanaka Megumi) - 'grace', 'blessing'. She's an anime-only character but was never given a name.
Inobi Yamanaka (山中 いのび , Yamanaka Inobi) - 'ino' = 'boar' and 'bi; = 'tail', following both her parents' families' naming conventions.
Shichi Aburame (油女 シチ , Aburame Shichi) - 'shichi' = 'seven'
Shikasa Nara (奈良 シカサ , Nara Shikasa) - 'shika' = 'deer' ; 'sa' = 'sand'
Kensou Kurama (鞍馬 ケンソウ , Kurama Kensō) - named after 'kensouun' = 'cloudless sky', following the Kurama clan naming convention of cloud formations.
Chihei Uzumaki (うずまき チヘイ, Uzumaki Chihei) = 'chi' - 'seek'; 'hei' - 'peace'
Trivia
Hiroto's birthday is January 21 because that's the release date of Chapter 383, "The Final Chapter, and…!", where Jiraiya died.
Kamae's birthday is the same as Sarada's, but March 31 is also the release date of Chapter 394, "Sasuke's Victory", where Itachi died.
Inobi's birthday is the beginning of May, because that's usually around when the flower viewing custom, Hanami, ends.
Shichi's birthday, 07/07, is just a pun on his name.
Shikasa's birthmonth, October, is when the deer of Nara City have their antlers annually filed down.
Kensou's birthday, November 3, is Culture Day in Japan when, among other things, artists are celebrated.
Metal Lee shares a birthday with Brandon Lee. Similarly, Rock Lee shares a birthday with Bruce Lee, November 27.
Tarui (Darui/Samui), Yurui (Omoi/Hakui), and Araya (Kankuro/Matsuri) are all characters who appeared in 'Boruto', during the Chunin Exams. I just stole them and changed their origins.
Author's Note
Hiroto and Kamae's names are ones I picked out NINE years ago when I first came up with the idea for this fic, long before 'Boruto: Naruto Next Generations' ever existed. So I decided to keep them instead of using the canon Boruto and Sarada because of how long they've been in my head and I've grown attached to them. If it gets slightly confusing, I apologize.
Shikasa exists instead of Shikadai because of Shikamaru's dream life he mentioned during the Chunin Exams, of wanting a daughter first and then a son. Don't worry, Shikadai will exist, too, he'll just be a bit younger than in canon.