You took a small taste of the food you were making. It was one of Jiraiya's favourites, karaage fried chicken. It tasted good! You're becoming good at cooking the dishes your husband likes. You burnt the first few pieces as you aren't familiar with the technique of frying. The pains squeezing your sides were distracting. You've had to stop and brace yourself as the contractions were intense enough to make to freeze until they passed. You gripped the countertop and breathed through it.

Currently, you are home alone. Jiraiya was out with Naruto at the training grounds. They invited Kakashi to come to dinner tonight. They've let down their guard around the masked man enough to let him in the house. Your boys were crazy protective about you. You expected them to compete for your attention like they always did, but they actually came to a truce when you got pregnant. They worked together to help you and accompanied you to every appointment. They didn't let you go outside alone. It was weird to be doted on so much.

Kakashi was a sane presence to be around. Since both Jiraiya and Naruto were a little on the crazy side towards you, it was nice to talk to one man who responded reasonably rather than cause a scene. He was coming for dinner tonight so at least you'll have a normal conversation with someone. It all came from a place of slightly misguided love, so you deal with it. Those goofs will calm down when the baby comes. Which was soon! You are a week away from your due date.

The pregnancy itself has been weird. You got hit with wild cravings, like chocolate peanut butter with very vinegary pickles. It was strange, but no one really questioned it. If anything it was the only time Jiraiya and Naruto got competitive as they both fought to get you anything you wanted. You also got rather emotional which is what triggered your family to be so protective. You cried at the drop of a hat and you couldn't get a grip on yourself. At least you had a very loving husband to comfort you and a protective nephew that would beat up the air if that's what upset you. It'll be over soon with the best result ever at the end.

The front door opened. You inhale deeply and shake off the contraction. You began to waddle to the foyer. It takes longer for you to get around with such a large belly.

"Auntie! We're home!" Naruto shouted.

"Welcome home!" You sigh out the greeting, already out of breath from the short journey. The baby was so big they were squished against your lungs.

Jiraiya grinned at the sight of you. You look pretty damn fine. You even got that flattering pregnant lady glow to accompany the big pregnant belly. Not much longer until baby is here and he's incredibly excited for it. He cut training early today since he wanted to get home faster. He didn't like being away for long when you are so close to popping. He stood in front of you and put his arms around you. You smile and return the hug. His hand slid down to stroke your belly. He felt a hard kick from within you. Baby has been getting pretty restless as of late. You cringe right after with another pain.

"What's wrong?" Jiraiya asked. He looks you up and down with a small frown.

"Nothing." You shake your head. But your body likes to prove you wrong and your legs almost give out with this next contraction. You cling onto him and yelp in pain.

You are forced down the little step into the entryway. You resist and insist you are fine.

"Babe, you are really not fine." Jiraiya disagreed. "Let's go to the hospital."

"No! I'm fine! It's probably just more false labour pains! Gah!" You shriek when something wet falls out of you. Your pants are soaked along the inseam and clear liquid splashes at your feet.

Everyone looks down to stare at it for a moment. You raise your head and your eyes meet Jiraiya's. Panic shone in his large eyes. They were the size of dinner plates as he put it together the same time you did. Your water just broke. You are in the later stages of labour. You look around to your guests. Naruto looks a little traumatized. The colour has drained from his face as he stares at your feet where the puddle was. The one visible brow Kakashi had showing was almost hitting the ceiling. He looked you up and down with worry. There was just a general vibe among the three men that just said 'oh shit'.

"Baby!" Your husband suddenly stated loudly. He sweeps you off of your feet and turns towards the door. "You're having the baby!"

"Wait!" You cry out. You point towards the kitchen. "The burner is still on! Dinner is ready!"

"Is that what you are thinking about right now?!"

"Yes! I don't want the house to burn down!"

"It can burn down if it wants you're having my baby!"

"Jiraiya!"

Jiraiya skidded to a halt just outside of the house. Naruto bashed into his back from the sudden stop and hit the ground. He looked down at his nephew with a frown before focusing on Kakashi, who was still in the doorway.

"Turn the food off and watch the house! We'll be back in a few days!" He commands.

"What? Lord Jiraiya I-!" Kakashi tried to object but couldn't as Jiraiya was already booking it to the hospital. With Naruto hot on his heels.

You made it to the hospital just in time!

You were checked in and taken directly to the delivery room. It was all a blur as it went by so quickly. All your brain was really registering was the pain. That and Jiraiya being next to you the whole time. You probably broke a finger or two of his you held onto his hand so tightly. He didn't mind. He's just happy to be there for you and honestly thrilled you didn't give birth in the entry way of the house. His free hand stroked your hair and he never stopped encouraging you with sweet words. You were delirious and didn't even know how long you were in labour for. You just kept pushing through until the sounds of newborn cries filled the room. You relaxed after hearing that beautiful noise.

"Congratulations! It's a girl!" The doctor announced.

Despite how tired you are, you find the strength to smile. You watch as the doctor and the nurses checked over your baby's health and cleaned her. Your gown was in the way of seeing what was happening between your legs, which was a blessing at this point. All the unsightly things of childbirth were being cleaned up while you were distracted by your baby. She was set in your arms swaddled in a pink cloth.

"She's here!" Jiraiya spoke quietly. His cheek was against the side of your head. His hand was helping support your arms as you held your new baby girl. "She's beautiful..."

She really is. She's still pink, but that'll go away soon into a natural tone close to her daddy's skin. Her cries died down and her little face stopped being scrunched up. Her eyes opened for the first time. They are black like Jiraiya's are. They look at you curiously as she tried to figure out what just happened to her and who was holding her. She's got little soft sprigs of dark red hair, so she took after you in that regard.

"Do we have a name?" A nurse asked. She was smiling and holding a clipboard that had your baby's information on it.

You share a look with Jiraiya. You and him had come up with a list of names that was slowly dwindled down to one choice for your's and his little girl. You smile and nod. He smiles in return before speaking.

"Ayaka." He answered the nurse, but didn't look away from his daughter. He gently dragged his finger over her cheek. Her skin is so soft. "Ayaka Uzumaki."

He looks at you again. You are smiling up at him, both exhausted and happy. He closes the distance and gives you a kiss.

You were moved into your own room in the maternity ward to recover. You spent plenty of time bonding with Ayaka before giving in and sleeping. Jiraiya got his turn after you went to bed. He stood in the room and held Ayaka while you recovered. She slept soundly in his arms while he stared at her. It was magical to hold his baby. Just like an hour ago, she was still just hanging out inside of you. Now he's holding her and naturally swaying from side to side to rock her. All while his eyes didn't dare to look away from her. It was similar to disbelief. He was overwhelmed with all these emotions, but it never felt better. He was a mix of being wired to go for days from the high this all brought, but could also collapse and be out for the same amount of time from going through every range of emotion in that short amount of time.

Eventually he agreed to have her in the nursery with all the other babies in the ward. There was plenty of them and it might be good for his daughter to be with other kids. He ran to the waiting room to see how Naruto was doing. Naruto was too invested to leave. He had to make sure everything was okay before he could even consider the idea of leaving. Relief instantly washed over the boy's face when Jiraiya rounded the corner.

"How is everything?" Naruto was very worried. He kept glancing to the door where you had disappeared behind like hours ago.

"Fine. More than fine." Jiraiya told him calmly.

"And auntie? She's okay?"

"Yes. Just resting."

"And the baby?" Naruto was rising on his toes as he anticipated the answer.

Jiraiya leaned back slightly as it looked like his nephew was going to kiss him. He raised a brow before answering. "She's great. She's in the nursery if you want to see her."

"How'd you get her home so fast?"

"Uh." He smirked. "No, not the nursery at home. The one that's here."

"Oh! That makes way more sense!" Naruto sheepishly scratched at the back back of his head. "I was wondering how you got the baby home so quickly but left auntie."

Jiraiya just rolled his eyes before motioning towards the hall. It seems his nephew is a little too tired to think straight. Naruto ran ahead of Jiraiya to the nursery. There's a big window for people to gawk at and coo at the newborns. Nurses were patrolling the cribs to check on the littlest villagers. Naruto was practically dancing when he saw his little cousin. She was in her crib with a gender neutral onesie and beanie the hospital provided. She's sleeping peacefully. The other babies crying didn't seem to bother her.

He's thrilled to have a sibling. Ayaka feels more like a sister than a cousin. Naruto is already envisioning all the things he can teach her. What they'll do together. Chasing her around the parks and teaching her pranks. Maybe even having a hand in her training. He'll be your age when Ayaka is around twelve. He'll be higher rank or something by then! Enough to at least teach his family how to be cool like him...

None of this would have been possible without Jiraiya. You're happy. You're doing what you want to do and it's all because of this man. It must be what soulmates do.

"Hey, Pervy Sage?" Naruto spoke after a moment of silence.

"What's up, kid?" Jiraiya turned his attention away from his baby to his student.

"I never got to say... I'm glad you're my family."

The older man smiles. He puts his hand on his nephew's hair and ruffled it. From now on, they'll no longer fight. Not over you anyways.

The majority of the hospital visit was spent looking after you and watching the baby in the nursery. Quite surprisingly, lots of people came to offer some congratulations. Jiraiya ran interference outside your room. You were sleepy and incredibly emotional. He didn't want you to get upset or overwhelmed. He accepted their well wishes and cards on the behalf of his whole family. Someone even sent flowers, but it didn't have a name of sender attached to the letter of congratulations. You were busy learning how to feed Ayaka, you don't need distractions. He did at least put the cards and flowers in the room to keep the givers satisfied. You didn't even notice. You had a baby to stare at.

The door opened and your husband waltzed back in. He had finished speaking with Naruto about something and got the lad to finally go home. It's very sweet that your nephew wanted to stay to support you, but he's been sleeping on the waiting room chairs and bothering hospital staff with too many questions. He grinned at you and gave you a kiss. He then put a very soft kiss on Ayaka's head. She's very squishy and delicate to him. He's absolutely in love with her.

"Can I hold her?" He asks you.

"Yeah... she's just finishing up." You answer.

Just as you said that, Ayaka unlatched from you and began to make some noises of discomfort. Jiraiya took her, already having a cloth laid over his shoulder. He laid her with her face on his shoulder and he rubbed her back. He's far from a baby expert, but he knows she needs to be comforted like this after a feeding. She looks so small in his arms... It's hard to believe you were so big whilst pregnant when she's so tiny.

Gentle knocking got your attention. To your surprise, it was Tsunade. Her presence has been very scarce in your life as of late. It's not like you were buddies, but Naruto likes her so you tried to get to know her. She's also your husband's best friend, you just expected to get to know her. You only saw her once when you were pregnant. She oversaw a check up Sakura was performing on you to make sure the girl was doing it correctly. She didn't even say two words to you. But she's the Hokage after all. She probably had a lot on her mind.

"I just came to see how you're doing." She clarified. "You can be discharged today if everything checks out."

"Sounds good." You sigh. You miss your own bed.

Tsunade looked at Jiraiya expectingly. He raised a brow.

"What? I can't be in the same room as her? I have seen her naked before." Jiraiya argued.

"Hospital policy. You know that."

He scowls and reluctantly leaves. At least he had a baby to keep him occupied. You sit up more in your bed and pay attention to the medical expert in front of you. It felt a little special to have the Hokage herself for your check up. Either she had nothing better to do or your husband asked in a favour. Again she was pretty quiet as she took your vitals. Her expression unreadable as she went about the normal routine.

"Do you not like me?" Your mouth blurts out the words before your mind can filter it.

Tsunade looks up from the monitor that was reading your heart health. It was through a little clip on your finger that you can't wait to have off of you. It feels awful as it's been pinching your skin for like three hours. She unclipped it and turned off the machine.

"I like you just fine." She answered you.

"It doesn't seem like you do."

She sighs and stops her work. She looks at you full on and with a serious expression. Her eyes hard and lips in a straight line.

"I think you're a good match for Jiraiya. I'm happy he found someone." Tsunade pauses. You are staring at her unconvinced. She does manage a smile. "I... guess you two remind me of when I was married. My husband he... he died before we got to do the things like this." Her expression finally became readable as her gaze looks a little shined with unshed tears. "It's nice... seeing Jiraiya so happy."

You shrink in your bed a little. You didn't mean to pry up such pain. You remain quiet. Tsunade wraps up your physical with the determination that you are good to go. You put your clothes on. It feels nice to wear your own things again rather than that gown.

"Thank you." You break the silence. You offer her a smile. "I really appreciate... you."

Tsunade just nods. She understands. She really helped shape who Jiraiya is as a person. He hung out with her for most of his life. They are still close. In fact he most certainly asked her personally to check you. If there was even a microscopic sized problem with you, she'd find it. Your diagnosis was the simple cure all of rest and relaxation. Your body will recover naturally. Since you are an Uzumaki, it'll probably heal quicker.

"I hope we can talk more." You tell her. "It would mean a lot to Jiraiya if we got along."

"Perhaps... later." Tsunade somewhat agreed.

That was satisfactory. Perhaps later indeed. When life wasn't so busy with babies and leading. She did look more comfortable around you now. You leave with her and part ways in the hall with a few words of goodbye. You meet Jiraiya in the hall holding your signed discharge papers to hand in to reception. He gives you a kiss before excitedly showing you how good he's doing with Ayaka. She's cradled in his arms snoozing.

After a small discussion with your over protective partner, an agreement was made. You are to hold Ayaka while Jiraiya hauls back the stuff. The stuff being a basket of goodies to help parents make it through the first few days of home life with some supplies. He wanted to carry you as he's convinced you have a crippling battle wound or something. Yes, you are sore, stiff, and a few weird places are so swollen you can't sit down in a regular chair, but you'll live.

The house was immaculate. Clean on every surface. The dinner that was abandoned a day ago was cleaned and put in the fridge. No one was there either. For once, the laid back Kakashi did some hard work. He tidied up and hit the road. Which is honestly the perfect gift. What's better than coming home to a clean house with no one to encroach on your growing family? It's the perfect way to introduce Ayaka to her home.

You get her clean, changed, and fed before setting her down for a nap. Which after, Jiraiya just held your hand and lead you to the small bed against the wall in the nursery. It's meant for a growing kid and it was now decorated in soft pink sheets and pillows, but it's good enough. He's a big man that's too tall for the frame. He is also too tired to care how it forced him to contort to the size or hang off the edge. You lay over top of him without anymore room to be beside him and pass out.

That was the calmest day of parenthood. Ayaka is a baby after all. She requires plenty of attention. Surprisingly, Jiraiya was the jumpy one. He's been as graceful as a drunk deer. The quietest coo of his baby will spring him into action. He'd leap from the couch or bed like he was all limb and the floor was made of oil. He stumbles about to scramble to the nursery. She's doing just fine of course. He's just new to this. He'll calm down once he gets a grip on things.

It's exhausting to say the least. You have a jumpy husband and little baby to worry about. Jiraiya is trying his best. He loves his little girl to bits. He just worries too much. He wakes up occasionally in the middle of the night with a startled inhale. He leaves to check on Ayaka then you feel him brush your hair out of the way and check your pulse. You are a heavier sleeper, but it's not like you're totally dead to the world. So you know each time he checks. You usually roll over and snuggle into him to calm him down. His heartbeat is quick for the first few seconds, but it settles down with you to hold.

There's also the problem with changing. You usually stand next to your dearest as he struggles to find the tabs on the diapers that secure it to Ayaka's bum. The one time you left him to go buy stuff at the store, you came home to see your baby duct taped into her diaper and your husband sheepishly explaining how he couldn't do it properly. He needs some lessons. Even with Naruto he struggled with this. It's been almost seventeen years, he really doesn't remember how to do this. He takes too long and half the time the baby powder is all over the room like snow from over shaking the container. Last time she peed on him. Which was pretty funny. Jiraiya just sat there with a frown as his baby had a wee. He looked at you, wondering what he should do to remedy this. He's tired and slowly coming to his wits end. The quiet plea grew when she started to make the beginnings of cries of hunger.

"I got her. You go shower and change." You waved him away with a smile and kiss.

"Why are you so good at this?" Jiraiya sighed.

You picked up Ayaka and with a few rocks had her settled down. It was then Jiraiya realized he's not very good at this. He can't comfort her like you can. Or change her. He's managed to feed her once, but she spat out the rubber nippy and began to cry. He couldn't get her to stop and you had to swoop in like the super mom you are. He just lacked that deeper bond with her.

"I've raised a baby before. You haven't." You say. You pat his arm in comfort and reassurance. "You'll get the hang of this. It just takes time."

You were bad at comforting a baby the first time you raised one. It's hard to nurture someone. It's a learning curve that's hard to master. Jiraiya didn't look so convinced. There's some guilt in there too. Like he'd be a better father if he didn't leave you to raise a baby alone. He won't do that this time. It's just a shame he didn't do more for you back then. He left mostly all of that stuff to you since he figured he would never want kids.

He sighed softly and decided to stop beating himself up over this. He's a father now. He just needs to learn. He poked and stroked Ayaka's cheek as she fed. He watches her quietly, just enjoying the sight of her. She's sitting still in your arms as she focuses on eating. He put a kiss on her forehead. He loves her so much and he didn't know how to express it to her.

It took some time to figure out, but at the suggestion of Tsunade at the follow up check up on your's and the baby's health, Jiraiya should just hang out with Ayaka against his chest. Skin time as she called it, was important to establish that bond. It really helped. It was cute too.

Every time Ayaka wasn't in her crib, she was with her father. This wee little baby on the bare chest of this giant man. She seemed to prefer it. She'd coo and shift sometimes, but settled down for a nap with her cheek rested against Jiraiya's chest. He'd be napping too. At least one hand would be on her back while he slept with her on the couch. They seem to chill each other out. She didn't fuss so much with him to nap on. He was perfectly content to be with her. It felt like he was protecting her. Nothing could tear his baby away from him as she rested so peacefully on his body. It wasn't a bad sight to see him shirtless all the time too. It's like she softened up all the scars that wrapped his body.

"You should take your shirt off too!" Jiraiya joked. He looked you over with a big grin. "You're stretching them all out anyways with your boobs!"

You raised a brow. Jiraiya wasn't subtle about his love for your mom bod. While he will love you in any form you take, he liked this change in your body. You gained a few cup sizes, which he loved. He came up from behind and held them each time you took your bra off. He didn't squeeze or massage them like he usually does out of fear you might leak or something. They are incredibly sensitive anyways. The one time he did honk them it felt like he stabbed you. He also once put his hand down there to offer you some relief while showering together about week after you gave birth and he paused when you gasped. Not a sexy aroused gasp, but one of surprise. That whole area was still healing so the sensation was just odd. Jiraiya has since retracted from trying. He's very gentle in handling you... for now that is. Once your body recovers he plans on doing very naughty things to you.

"I look forward to it." You say quietly.

Jiraiya smiles and leaned down to give you a kiss. You return it happily. He had to leave to go meet up with Naruto to oversee some training. He's comfortable with leaving for a long time now. No one has really seen your little family since it became a family of three. Which everyone seemed to understand. New parents need some space to adjust to the life. Occasionally he'd leave to gather some groceries. Then he'd quickly return with armfuls of bags, scurrying quickly inside to avoid people. It's been three months. Life has a better routine now. It was fine to leave for a while.

You decided to leave too. It was time to show Ayaka off a little. She hasn't seen her big cousin since she was born. Your husband is reluctant to let you join him. It's as if he's convinced the village is out for his family. Your skin is pretty thick from close to seventeen years of ridicule. Then again, when you were pregnant you couldn't even handle a sassy comment from Jiraiya without bursting into tears. He's still just a worrier. You can conduct yourself without crying over nothing now.

You walk beside him holding your baby. Jiraiya kept his hand on your lower back. His gaze lowered down frequently to look over his child. She's cooing and her little hand had escaped the swaddle you had her in. She yawned and stretched, forcing her foot to then pop out. You try and adjust her as you walk. She's gotten pretty wiggly. With each month she got stronger. She didn't like tight swaddles. She liked to sprawl out.

Her features are still hard to determine who she'll look more like. You are convinced Ayaka will be a prettier version of her father. Only she'll have your hair. She has quite a lot of it for a three month old. It's a dark red like yours. It's already a few inches long.

Honestly, if she knows what's good for her, she'll take after you entirely. Jiraiya occasionally says that his daughter will benefit more from being like her mother. You are certainly the eye candy of this relationship and she'd be better off being like you. That won't be entirely possible since she has those black coloured eyes. Like coal... You say it's more like obsidian.

A few people have casted some obvious glances to you and Ayaka. Thankfully, you are blissfully distracted by fixing her sock which was falling off her foot. They don't look all that approving. Jiraiya's response was to meet their staring evenly and scowl. No one will ever antagonize you or his baby. Not if they don't wanna get hurt. Perhaps even eaten by a toad. No one really wants to confront you anymore. Not with Jiraiya around. Lots of people like Naruto now since he's proven himself. But there's always that bit of resentment towards you still. It feels like it will always be there. No matter what you do, you'll always be a social pariah. You have people who love you, so it's not really a bother anymore.

The plan was to get some take out for the team. It's close to noon and those kids are for sure hungry. Since ramen was Naruto's favourite, you decide that's the best thing to get for them. There was only a few people ahead of your family in line. You look around out of boredom. There's a convenience store down the street.

"I'll go get some drinks." You say.

That tuned Jiraiya back in from his staring at the menu. He disagreed with you going alone. He immediately argued that it's not safe for you to go alone. You cock a brow at him and smirk.

"I can handle carrying a baby and buying a few drinks. I used to do full grocery runs with a baby, you know." You dismiss him with a casual wave. "By the time I get back, the food will be done."

"... Okay." Jiraiya sighed out the word.

He watched you go with a growing anxiety he just can't shake. It is irrational. You are more than capable. He just wants to keep you in a bubble where no one can hurt you anymore. The kind older man who ran the stall took his attention away from watching you head inside the store.

"I got a big to go order for ya." He tried to be positive and forget his fears.

You strap your baby to your chest. Ayaka is cradled comfortably with your clothing over top that kept her mostly hidden. Her cheek and ear was poking out from your kimono, but seemed to be content to take a nap while you shop. She's a pretty chill baby. You carry a basket and fill it with some drinks. A few snacks as well. You wait in line, minding your own business.

Someone called your name from behind. You turn around curiously. Oh! It's Hakota. He hasn't changed since you last saw him. He's smiling at you.

"Long time no see." He greeted you.

"Yeah no kidding." You force a chuckle. Some nerves are getting at you seeing him again. "You look good."

"Thanks. You do too."

It gets quiet and awkward. You sigh. It's not like you can avoid it. You do still feel bad for how you broke up with him.

"Sorry. For what happened." You tell him.

"It's alright. I'm doing just fine. I got a girlfriend now."

"Good for you!"

He looked down and smiled. He pointed to Ayaka and asked about her. You are happy to talk about your baby all day. He was happy to listen to you. You pulled back the folds of your top to show him her face. She's still asleep and you didn't want to wake her up. She gets rather grumpy when awoken from her nap. You chatted with your ex happily. Catching up with him was actually kinda nice. It was closure. He was over you and you are over him. You learned a bit about his new partner, who sounded just perfect for him. There was no beef or hurt feelings. You had your purchases together and waited for him to keep chatting. You walk out the door and almost walk into someone. You look up to see your husband.

"Hey honey!" You greet happily.

"Hi." Jiraiya was not as excited.

He looked at Hokota with a small frown. You don't look upset so... cool. He trusts you but he didn't trust this man. He leaned down and gave you a kiss and as habit he gave a kiss to Ayaka's fluffy head right after. He looks over at your ex. It's weird to still feel jealous. He won you. He married you. You had his baby. It's safe to say there's no reason to feel that fire in his stomach like he ought to fight for you. But his hackles are raised all the same.

"Let's go before the food gets cold." You say.

"Right."

"Bye Hokota!"

Your ex, now friend, waved at you when you waved at him. If Jiraiya didn't have handfuls of food, he would have done something dirty to you. Since you have a baby on your chest, your ass is free for a firm grip. If only. He huffs and tries not to think about it. He ain't that kind of man.

The moment your family crests the incline of the small hill to the training ground, your other family members ran towards you. Naruto was incredibly excited to see you. He outran his teammates to make it to you faster.

"Auntie!" He shouted.

You greet him with the same amount of enthusiasm. Ayaka was just awakening. She made some noises. Coos and small cries for attention. Her little limbs shifted as she stretched out again. You hand her off to your nephew, who was so thrilled to hold her.

"Hiya Aya! It's me! Your big brother!" Naruto was more than happy to reintroduce himself.

Sakura was soon to follow and just as excited to have a turn to hold Ayaka. Thankfully she's really good with being held. She didn't mind so long as the person holding her didn't shake too much. She mostly just stared at the person cradling her. She didn't know them like she knew her parents. There's a genuine curiosity and confusion in her face as she stares them down.

A new boy you've heard of but haven't met had wondered up as well. He's paler than the moon with black hair and eyes that stand out against his ghostly complexion. He stared at you, then your husband, then finally your baby.

"She's ugly." He stated.

"Hey!" Both Jiraiya and Naruto objected in the same tone.

You cross your arms and frown at him.

"You must be Sai." You say simply.

He nods. Jiraiya snatches back his baby before that little crap can get to her. He dramatically dropped Sai's intended food at his feet like a disgraceful offering. The teen didn't seem to mind. He just sat down and began to eat it. You are scowling at him. You've heard that he's abrasive, but that was just mean. Your boys are pissed too. Both of them glaring daggers at Sai while Sakura explained how that isn't a nice thing to say.

You sit down with your little group. Jiraiya was content to hold Ayaka first while you ate. She was content to be in his arms. He could cuddle her up to his chest and it was familiar enough to have her relaxed and calm the whole time. Anytime she fussed, a couple of rocks had her settled again.

That was the last sorta strange day in your life. Sai learned some social skills and later apologized. You accepted. Jiraiya did as well after days of refusing to speak to the young lad. Everything began to work out. Peace was... comfortable. As Ayaka grew older, your family got to experience new things with her.

Lots of things stick out as the year went by. Fond memories that always come to mind when looking over your child.

She's ticklish on her feet, but too much will cause her to pee. Naruto was the unfortunate discoverer of this. He loved making her laugh. She'd giggle and wiggle her limbs about as they didn't know what to do with the sensation of the tickles. Then her face turned red for a moment. Your poor nephew looked horrified as he was sure he just broke your baby.

There was a period of time where Ayaka would scream if you left her view for longer than a second. She had a habit of clinging onto yours or Jiraiya's hair if it was in reach. She learned to grasp and she wasn't gonna let the opportunity go to waste. For a month both you and him had hair pins and hair ties messily tying up hair like it was a trend. Jiraiya looked ridiculous with his hair pinned back with your decorative hair things. One day he had one of the oversized blue bow clips right at the top of his head to hold back his bangs while he changed Ayaka. He frowned and stuck his tongue out at you when you said he looked nice in blue.

She got sick when she was six months old. A fever and a soft little cough that was hard to listen to. Ayaka was inconsolable for that week. She didn't sleep or eat all that much. You spent countless hours rocking her and hushing her to try and at least let her get some rest. You paced the whole house as you tried to quiet her fussing. All she did was cry. This was new for you since Naruto didn't get sick until he was in school. It's harder when your baby can't tell you what she needs. Unfortunately you caught her cold and fell ill. It was stressful on Jiraiya. You barely had the energy to drag yourself out of bed. His daughter was always hot the touch and wailing her head off. Not even the cure all of tummy time on daddy helped for either his wife or child. He ended up making you soup and tea before disappearing for the night. You found him the next day feeling much better. He was curled up on the toddler bed curled up around Ayaka, who had finally settled down for a rest on his chest. It was rough but everyone got through it.

Rather quickly... that training ground Team Seven always went to became a hub. You and Jiraiya brought Ayaka around all the time. It was there she learned to crawl at eight months. To which she had a small crowd of enthusiastic people cheered her on. With the help of her big brother she learned to pull herself to her feet. To which more excited fanfare followed.

It was there she learned to walk at ten months. Once she mastered the crawl and stand, you really encouraged her to walk. Jiraiya was always there to help. He crouched down to the ground and held out his arms ready for her to embrace him. Ayaka really wanted to walk to him. The older she got the more attached she got to her papa. She was motivated purely by the need to be with him. She got it down after a few days of trying. When she fell into his arms, you swear there was tears in your husband's eyes as he was so proud of her. He lifted her up and praised her. She did that wonderful shriek of joy and babbles as she wiggled in his grasp.

It was a similar story with Ayaka's first word. She showed interest in food around the eleven month period. She'd look at whatever you or Jiraiya was eating with intense curiosity. She would lean forward with her mouth open as she wanted to try it. Jiraiya caught on right away. He'd usually offer her a small mouthful of whatever he was eating so long as it was soft enough. Every time she liked what she was fed, it was followed with her parents saying happy 'num' noises. It was said so frequently that she chirped it as well. Anytime you put down food in front of her she would exclaim it.

"Num!" Ayaka would say happily from her high chair. She'd smack her hands on the tray and bounce in her seat with excitement before smooshing her food in her fist and then smooshing it into her face.

It always causes a chorus of the same happy note from your family. It was kinda funny, wasn't it? It was like Ayaka had commanded a small army as all powerful ninja repeated her first word in encouragement like it was a well known prayer. Even Kakashi did it when he was invited for supper. He was a bit tense around babies, but Ayaka liked him. She practically harassed the poor man. She gave him the world's biggest doe eyes and the biggest pout when she made grabbing motions with her hands towards him. He'd sigh and pick her up, which had her content. She liked being carried around even though she knew how to walk. She always tried to grab for his mask, to which he'd nicely push her hand away. The way Naruto and Sakura stared made it seem like they trained her to do it just to get a glance at his face.

It was similar with her second word. To discourage her from putting things she shouldn't in her mouth, you say 'yucky' in an overdramatic disgusted tone. Ayaka got the picture pretty quickly. But she also began to say it when she tried things she didn't like. Which was adorable. She'd state it like offended her very being. She usually threw what she didn't like to the ground and raise her gaze to whatever adult decided to feed her something so horrible with a harsh disappointment. She did this with a ramen noodle Naruto gave her much to his utter horror. He spent like a half hour fishing out the best looking noodle to offer his little sibling. She inspected if for a moment before shoving it in her mouth. She paused and looked at Naruto like she gave him garbage.

"YUCKY!" Ayaka was not impressed and made sure he knew that.

She threw it to the ground and scowled. Teuchi and his daughter looked rather disheartened to see that your baby didn't like their food. You were surprised as well, you've liked their food since their first day. Jiraiya was a fan as well. It was weird that your baby didn't like it. But Jiraiya was the only one that found it funny. He had a fit he laughed so hard he almost fell out of his chair from his baby's reaction.

Later finally came as well. On Ayaka's first birthday, you had a nice lunch with Tsunade. She was interested to see how your daughter had grown. It was perfectly pleasant. You had plenty to talk to her about. She loved your Jiraiya stories. The amusing ones like how he swings his hips in rhythm to the songs on the radio when it plays from the kitchen while he cleans or cooks. If he really likes the song he dances like he's the star of the music video. He can waltz, but he certainly can't do anything modern with the same grace. Or the time he tried to garden and ended up killing all the flower bushes by mistake. His only solution he could think to fix it was to buy and plant the same breeds of bushes but they later died from failing to root in the soil because he didn't cut them free of the containers first. He forgot to because he rushed to plant them before you came back home and realized he killed the backyard. You had nursed a bleeding heart back to life and loved that bush. He felt bad for killing it and the replacement, but you just laughed it off. It was so ridiculous that it bypassed your trigger to cry. It was sweet of him to try and keep up the garden as you were heavily pregnant at the time and could no longer do the work.

Telling Tsunade these stories was therapeutic. It was as if she was making sure everything was good. Not in a nosy way, but more like a sister making sure that her brother wasn't terrorizing her sister in law. She bonded with your daughter too. It was plain to see how surprised and pleased she was when Ayaka began to call her auntie. It meant a lot to her.

These lunches became a weekly thing. It made Jiraiya quite happy too. He was glad the three most important women in his life were growing close. He made one crass comment about it which resulted in a well deserved smack upside the head from both you and Tsunade. He simply laughed it off. It honestly just made him happy.

Becoming closer with both Tsunade and Kakashi had formed an idea. You trust both of them. So does Jiraiya. So does Naruto. They are both good people despite their flaws. You and Jiraiya sat down with them one night and asked them to be the godparents to your daughter.

Both were shocked. They both were hesitant to agree. Naruto objected as he invited himself to dinner.

"But what about me? Don't I get to take care of Aya?" Naruto complained. He was offended that you didn't consider him.

You smile at him. Not a cheery or apologetic one, but one that is of a sad understanding. Under the table, your caring partner squeezed your hand for support.

"You'll make a good father one day and you're an excellent influence on Ayaka," You speak with a lacking voice. It's already a little cracky from a wave of emotion. "But I don't want you to live the life I did. I never regretted raising you for a moment and because of that I want to see you live life to the fullest."

Naruto is only a bit older than you were when you adopted him. Being a single teenage caretaker is extremely hard. You only made it out as well as you did because Jiraiya supported you. Even then you worked long hours and dealt with the ostracism mostly alone with a toddler who didn't understand why people hated him.

The circumstances would be much different if something led to the demise of both you and Jiraiya. If it all did fall on Naruto, he at least had a village that loved and accepted him. They would help him, but he would have to put all his dreams on hold to raise Ayaka. It would be extremely hard to watch from the afterlife as your beloved nephew made such a deep sacrifice for his family. To follow in your footsteps is not a path he should tread... no matter how rewarding it was and still is.

"Not that we ever plan on dying anytime soon." Jiraiya clarifies with a small chuckle. He turned to his dear friends with a smile. "You don't have to answer right away. Just think about it. We won't be offended if you say no."

The good mood was officially killed. You were on the verge of tears and your guests had a small bombshell dropped on them. So Jiraiya politely told them to leave. The two adults left quietly. Naruto was fairly quiet as well, but he hugged you for a long time before leaving. He's always been thankful for all you did for him.

After that, it was you and Jiraiya again. Ayaka was asleep in her bed. Jiraiya tried to comfort you. The topic will always make you sad. Especially when you think of how the future could go bad. He held you tightly and combed your hair away from your face. As always, he wipes any tears you shed before they run down your cheek. He banished the pain away with a kiss.

"It's late... for us anyways." He huffs a laugh after speaking.

You can't help but smile. That's true. Having a one year old that is down and out at seven has made you sleepy for eight. Jiraiya doesn't last much longer either. He's usually asleep before you. Unless he's writing, which he's picked back up again, then he'll be up until dawn sometimes scribbling down his wave of inspiration before he forgot it. It's almost nine and you are exhausted.

Well... maybe not totally exhausted. When Jiraiya stopped in front of the bed and looked at you, you knew he felt the same. When the mood strikes, it strikes hard. It's been over a year since he's touched you like that. He starts off with kissing you as passionately as he did when he first got together with you. Then your shirt comes off. Followed by his. Soon you are naked on the bed and he's on top. His whole body pressed against yours while one hand cradles your back and the other grips your hair at the back of your head. Your hips roll slowly with his as makes some long awaited love to you. Your lips hardly leave his unless to occasionally moan and gasp. You grip his hair right at the crown the whole time.

It's surprisingly quiet considering it's been so long. The conversation and emotions from only a short while ago as continued to rule the room. Slow and a little somber. Yet passionate and satisfying. The quiet calls of affectionate names and panting only filling the room. It wasn't fast enough to hear that lewd but arousing sound wet skin hitting each other. All of it was just... soft, quiet, and intimate.

It ended mid kiss, with Jiraiya pushing his hips in flush against your groin and inhaling sharply. You gasp with him, tensing as he does and toes curling. You finish with him with rocking hips and arched back.

After a quick clean up and change, you're back in bed with him. He's on his side ready to secure you into being his little spoon. You curl up into him and his arm slings over your middle. Kisses are placed on your shoulder and neck.

"I'll never let anything happen to you." Jiraiya promises. His nose and lips press against your head. You feel him inhale deeply. "Or Aya, or Naruto."

"I know." You whisper and hold his arm as it gently squeezed your middle. "Let's go to sleep."

There's another deep breath against your hair. It lets out into a sigh. It was as if Jiraiya released all his stress with that one breath. For now it did. He's safe, comfortable, and satisfied. He's got a wife to hold and a baby to entertain tomorrow.

"I love you." You mutter before drifting off.

"I love you too." Jiraiya responds immediately.

You fall asleep a second later. Jiraiya was not long after. Peace... It's peaceful. Living life is peaceful. A life with you will always be peaceful. With a future that he'll protect and ensure will flourish. For you. For Naruto. For Ayaka and all her siblings yet to come.

Because in love, one finds peace.

A few weeks after that... you and Jiraiya got to announce the arrival of another child. You are perfectly healthy and happy to start the journey anew. In that time, Ayaka will be in her toddler bed and the crib will be pulled into the master bedroom. Then by the time this baby is ready to sleep in a bed, Ayaka should be big enough to rest in a big girl room.

"At this rate, we'll outgrow the house in a few years!" Jiraiya joked.

"That's not a bad thing, is it?" You ask. You press your hands against his chest and smile at him.

"No. Of course not." He paused to give you a kiss. "I'm happy to have knocked you up again." He grabbed your ass and pulled you flush against him. "We're quite fertile, aren't we?"

"So it seems."

You share more kisses with him. There's nothing better than kissing your husband. His hands on your belly and stroking over the area lovingly. It's not really bad thing at all. Jiraiya wasn't quiet about his desire to make plenty of children with you. It's certainly a sign of good things ahead. Ayaka was too young to understand what was happening. She was just minding her business smacking her toys together. She'll make a good big sister. Her playful nature will be good to help her little siblings be themselves.

The news seemed to have motivated your friends to agree. Kakashi was a bit reluctant, but he figured it was more symbolic. He'll just be there to talk to the kiddos and maybe babysit... for the hefty price of the cut chapters from Jiraiya's rough drafts. Perhaps allowing a few more people into his life won't be a bad thing either. Tsunade said yes as well. It wasn't so bad being an auntie again.

Your family is always growing. It's one of those things you didn't know you wanted so much until it was given to you. The last sunny day of summer was spent at a peaceful picnic in the training ground. Sitting in your husband's lap as he holds you. Your nephew play chasing around your daughter. His teammates joining in, with Sakura healing any scratch Ayaka gains from falling and Sai learning how to use his beast scrolls to make playful companions not deadly ones. The godparents to your little one quietly cheering their new roles by splitting a bottle of sake.

It was absolutely perfect. Nothing could ever ruin this. Nothing ever will.