Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I, however, own the plot and any OC you encounter throughout this.
A filler to explain why Kayo doesn't have any siblings + to tell you all that this story wouldn't be dropped. Just shoved aside for a bit while I write other things.
Hinomi's daughter wasn't crying.
She had noticed that fact after the pain in her abdomen lessened to the point where she could actually come back to the land of the living. Giving birth was a very painful experience, and as a kunoichi, Hinomi had experienced a lot of unmentionable things.
She quietly promised herself that she'd kill her husband by choking him to death with the candy he so loved if he ever got her pregnant again, or even thought about a repeat.
The pregnancy wasn't planned. It just… happened. She had even been told not to go through with it at the hospital, her body unsuitable for giving birth, a result of a long ago injury, they had explained. It was as expected, since their job had many risks. Subaru, of course, didn't know about that. She didn't want to worry him.
They had warned her, after all the tests, that there was a high possibility the baby wouldn't survive. Either that or the infant would be born with weak lungs, deformed limbs, a failing heart, etc.
Hinomi had been this close to telling the nurse that she wanted to drop the pregnancy the second visit, but couldn't say it because of Subaru's innocent happiness when she'd told him she was pregnant.
His face had lit up with joy when she'd told him. It was so pure that Hinomi felt awful for even thinking about aborting the child. So what if the baby was weak? They'd both protect her or him with their lives. They'd shower them with their love, with protection. So the risks didn't matter anymore. She'd go through with this and it would be the most amazing thing she'd ever do in her life.
Needless to say, she'd regretted this decision during the process of birth. Greatly. But when the medics exclaimed "it's a girl!" Hinomi had never felt as happy in her entire life. She'd been shocked speechless when she watched his eyes water in tired astonishment.
Then, Subaru had started crying. Her husband did not cry. Not truly, not except for when he was acting over the top. He was the strongest, most amazing man in the elemental nations and he did not cry. Except, Hinomi found out today that he did.
A little baby had made her husband an emotional mess. Hell, Hinomi was one herself. And what a matched mess they made.
Hinomi wanted nothing more than to see her daughter and thank her for being born.
But their daughter wasn't making any kind of sound. Hinomi tried sitting up to see what was going on, pushing through her exhaustion, and only saw the medics' backs.
Why wasn't her daughter crying? What was wrong, why wasn't she— the medics had said her baby was fine, they'd checked, she'd be completely alright and why wasn't her daughter crying?! Her breath hitched, tears filled her eyes, and heart shattered because her daughter wasn't crying!
Hinomi tightened her hold on Subaru's hand even further, her husband not complaining even though she'd long broken his fingers. She'd told herself at the beginning that if something went wrong, she wouldn't cry, that she'd just accept her daughter as she was.
That had been before the medics had told her their child was a healthy child, before she'd started believing everything would be alright. But being here now, not hearing any other cries than those of her husband's, Hinomi wanted to scream.
Did she lose her child before she held her, even after the promise of her being fine? The baby that she'd felt grow inside of her for nine months, who they'd showered with affection before ever meeting her. They'd made her a room, they'd built a crib! They'd gotten clothes for both genders, they'd bought toys, they— they loved her.
Hinomi's entire world was destroyed at that very moment.
"S—Subaru…" she hiccuped, her daughter still not breathing. It wasn't fair! Their child was taken from them before they could ever show— tell her how much they loved her. How much she meant to them.
But before she could start grieving, Hinomi's world lit up in the form of a single wail.
Her daughter cried, and Hinomi could only sob in relief, every other thing falling away, unable to focus beyond the most beautiful sound she'd ever heard in her entire life.
She watched as a doctor wrapped her daughter in soft cloth, moving towards them so he could hand her over.
Hinomi bit her lower lip to keep herself from crying again as she held her daughter for the first time, the most precious thing she'd ever held. She looked down at the perfect little wonder within her arms, bloody and wailing, the most gorgeous thing in the entire world. Hinomi used to wonder about love at first sight, how it was even possible.
But now she fully understood.
Seeing as she'd just given birth, it wasn't a surprise when she felt tears rolling down her cheeks. She cooed at the little miracle held securely in her arms, who was loudly, gloriously, wailing her tiny lungs out.
"She has orange hair." Subaru whispered, patting his daughter's head like she was made out of glass. Hinomi knew that her husband could be more gentle than you'd ever think from watching him, but this took it to a different level.
Her heart was going to burst from joy.
"She's so beautiful…. Our daughter." he said, and Hinomi leaned into her husband's arm.
"She's a gift." she agreed, managing a wobbly smile. Subaru planted a kiss on the crown of her head, still crying soundless tears as she'd never seen him do.
"Uzumaki, Kayo. Our tiny little wonder." he whispered. And Hinomi could only smile.
This moment right here, was the happiest in her entire life.
. . .
His daughter was taking her first steps.
Subaru didn't know if he should be throwing a party for the entire town, or throwing a party for the entire town while meticulously sharpening his knives.
His daughter was growing up so fast, it almost felt like she'd been born just yesterday. Hinomi agreed with him when he told her so, and laughed softly when he mentioned the kunai.
He was going to castrate any guy who laid his eyes on his daughter.
"C'mon Kayo-chan! You can do it." Hinomi encouraged under her breath, soft enough to ensure their daughter wouldn't hear. They were both hiding behind a mostly closed door so that they wouldn't startle their little carrot haired girl.
Kayo never showed her full capabilities around them. Sure she talked a lot, but never in full sentences. Never in correct grammar. She understood them, understood far more than the vocabulary she used herself.
She was their little genius. Even more than usual for Uzumaki children. But they loved her more than their lives.
Because Uzumaki children were always, always off in some way. A three year old kid understanding the basics of seals? Normal. A two year old toddler playing with their chakra under supervision and guidance? Even more normal. A six months old girl trying, and mostly succeeding to walk? Psh.
Uzumaki kids were always a blessing and a terror at the same time. Especially after they discovered chakra. Which was why Hinomi decided that Kayo needed to be oblivious of chakra for the longest time. Genius, Uzumaki, and chakra Did Not Mix. It was a recipe for disaster just waiting to happen.
Subaru was so glad Kayo hadn't figured that part out yet. And not just that she was hiding it of course —children hiding from ninja were always so adorable— but genuinely not experimenting with it. Though he guessed that would change in a few months at the latest. He and Hinomi had already prepared a lecture on the Do's And Don'ts Of Chakra Use, ready to be told at the first signs of Kayo using her chakra. She was smarter than average, so they'll always keep an extra eye on her.
Like right now.
Seeing Kayo trying to stand up was so adorable.
Kayo's legs wobbled as she tried to keep her balance. In fact, her whole body was wobbling. It made Subaru put a hand on his mouth to stifle his laughter. His beautiful wife was biting her lip to stop herself from squealing loudly in glee as well.
"She did it!" Hinomi whispered excitedly as Kayo took a very wobbly step forward, and Subaru grunted in agreement instead of whooping in joy. His hands twitched, and a bunch of candy found themselves between his fingers, because if this didn't deserve a reward, he didn't know what did.
His daughter shouted in victory after her third step, but it was enough to make her lose her balance. Subaru instantly calculated the angel of her fall. She'd only land on her butt, and that was comfortably swaddled in a diaper. She wouldn't be hurt in any way, so he could watch a moment longer. His wife obviously agreed, only twitching slightly instead of blurring forward to catch their little girl as she did, indeed, land on her butt with an absolutely adorable squeak.
Their little genius made a frustrated sound before immediately trying again, using the wall next to her as support.
Never looking away from Kayo, Subaru brought up an arm to hug his wife closer. Hinomi gripped him back in excitement, glittering eyes never moving away from their little girl either.
Subaru smiled, feeling pure bliss. He loved both of his girls so much. Life was just perfect.
… But could it be even more perfect?
"How about we make Kayo a sibling?" he asked his wife softly, figuring enough time had passed that he could risk asking.
Judging from the fist that met his nose and neatly broke it, enough time had not yet passed. Well that just meant Subaru would just have to try again later.
Because really, Kayo deserved to have a sibling to play with. And who was he to deny his daughter what she deserved?
A/N So... Hello! Long time no see! Uhm, I won't say this is an excuse because it's not, but like, college and life. And a lot of stalling.
Hope this is enjoyable at least. Many thanks to everyone, especially to Loeka, Sachiko13, and my other dear friend Fog. Chapter 3 would be postponed until I actually know how to begin it. It's like, everything is written out, but then I can't write beginning! A literal cluster fuck! SOS.