Flashback: Kairi's Beginning

Kairi flopped onto her bed. After they went home, their mom gave them the riot act, now Kairi just wanted to sleep and forget the day.

"You wanted parents Kairi," she muttered to herself. Getting scolded came with the territory.

Kairi pulled out her phone, to fiddle with it. She scrolled through her videos and stopped on a certain one. It was the video of Miguel singing to his great grandmother.

Feeling nostalgic, Kairi pressed play.

Remember me

Though I have to say goodbye

Remember me

Don't let it make you cry

For even if I'm far away I hold you in my heart

I sing a secret song to you each night we are apart

Remember me

Thought I have to travel far

Remember me

Each time you hear a sad guitar

Know that I'm with you the only way that I can be

Until you're in my arms again, Remember me

Kairi smiled when the video stopped. She remembered when she went to that world and helped Miguel. When she learned the true meaning of that song. It became so much more beautiful.

She didn't know her Dad was outside the room listening.

%%%%%%

16 years ago

Sakura watched the new parents adore their baby daughter. Not that Sakura could blame them, Kairi was adorable. Sakura knew the drill. She'd give the parents alone time with the baby before bringing in visitors. Sakura quietly left the room.

Before walking towards the waiting room. Naturally, it was full. Hinata's family and their friends; teammates and sensei. Most of them fell asleep, but were smacked awake when she walked in. Everyone looked at her, with expecting expressions.

"Well?" Kakashi asked.

Sakura smiled, "They're okay. And it's a girl."

"Really? What's her name? What does she look like?" Hanabi asked about her new niece.

"Kairi," Sakura explained, "She has Hinata's eyes, and Naruto's whisker marks."

"Well, that's not good for a girls face," Ino shook her head slowly.

"Hey, she's still very cute," Sakura said, "She also has red hair. According to Naruto, she gets it from her grandmother."

"When can we see her?" Hiashi asked.

"Yes," Lee shouted, "When can we see the new life that has just entered the springtime of youth."

"Lee calm down," TenTen snapped, "First the parents, then family, then the rest of us will get a turn to see Kairi."

"Let's give them a few more minutes," Sakura said, "I'll go check on them soon."

"A baby," Ino gushed, "The first baby any of us ever had. I'm starting to feel old."

"I know how you feel," Choji said as he ate his potato chips.

"I'm just happy for them," Iruka said.

"I understand," Kakashi said, "Although I hope for her sake, she takes more after Hinata."

"I couldn't agree more," Shikamaru sighed, "It would be a drag if she ran around pulling pranks."

"I doubt Hinata would allow that," Kurenai said as she held Mirai, "I can tell Hinata's going to be a fierce mother."

As everyone started to talk about how they thought Kairi would grow up, Sakura decided to go check on the new family.

Sakura also intended to take a picture and send it to Sasuke. She doubted he would respond, but he would still like to know.

She gently opened the door, to see Naruto was holding Kairi. Or at least trying to hold her.

"It's okay, support her head," Hinata instructed.

Naruto was trying to find the right way to hold his baby daughter, but from how Kairi was wiggling, it wasn't comfortable.

Sakura sighed in annoyance, before entering, "You heard Hinata, support her head."

"Uh, okay."

"You're holding her too tight."

"I don't want to drop her."

"Loosen it a little, I'm not telling you to drop her. Okay you got her."

"She's still wiggling."

"She's trying to get comfortable, give her a minute."

True to Sakura's word after Kairi found a spot she liked, she settled down. Snuggling into her father's arms. Naruto looked much more relieved.

"Seriously," Sakura shook her head, "How's Kairi going to survive with you?"

Naruto chuckled sheepishly, "Actually we were hoping you'd help with that."

"Huh?"

"We talked it over," Hinata said with a smile, "We wanted to ask, if you'd be Kairi's Godmother?"

Sakura looked at both of them surprised. They wanted her to be Kairi's Godmother? Of course, she loved them like family. Yet, she was still surprised.

She looked at Kairi again. The little baby looked at her with her big white eyes, and once again, Sakura's heart melted, "Well, I guess I'll do it. She won't survive with an idiot for a father," Sakura then reached out to gently touch the baby's belly. This led to Kairi grabbing her finger, "Plus, I can't say no to this face."

Everyone smiled.

"Well, Kairi's really popular already," Sakura said taking her hand back from the baby, "There's a long line of people ready to see her. Are you ready for visitors?"

Naruto looked at Hinata who nodded. He looked back to Sakura before answering, "We're ready as we'll ever be, but can they come in as groups. There's no way we'll handle all of them at once."

"Oh, I understand."

%%%%

Naruto and Hinata were on their bed, but they weren't alone. Lying between them was a tiny little baby. Dress in a fluffy blouse, was their daughter Kairi. After months of waiting, their daughter was finally born. At the moment she was sleeping peacefully between them. Lying on her back, her arms and feet twitching every once in a while.

Naruto still could barely believe it. He had a daughter… He had a family. His daughters red hair made him think of his own parents. He finally understood how they felt. The love, the devotion, the driving force to sacrifice themselves for their son.

When Naruto first saw Kairi, he knew he would do anything to protect her. He'd face the Akatsuki, Madara, even Kaguya a thousand times over to protect this precious little girl.

"She's so small," Naruto whispered.

Hinata smiled as she kept gazing at the baby girl, "I know. She'll get bigger."

Kairi then stirred and opened her eyes. Naruto stiffened at first, afraid she was going to cry, but Kairi didn't. She must had woken up on her own.

Kairi's white blurry eyes looked over at Naruto. Naruto liked to think Kairi was looking at him, but Sakura said, her eyes couldn't focus yet, but Naruto wore an orange hoodie. That she probably saw a giant orange blob. Something about orange stood out in the room.

Kairi glanced around the room before closing her eyes again.

Hinata just kept smiling, "Someone's sleepy."

"Yeah, teaching her ninjutsu's going to be difficult if she's this sleepy all the time."

Hinata laughed, "She's just a baby, when she learns to walk I doubt we'll be able to keep up with her."

Naruto smiled, "Yeah."

Naruto had a wife and daughter. He had a family. At the moment, he couldn't possibly feel happier.

Eventually night fell. Hinata was feeding Kairi before putting her to bed. Naruto went down stairs, he wanted get Hinata something to drink as well. As he got her some water, he looked out the window to Hokage's mountain. His eyes were drawn to the fourth face; his Dad's.

Naruto got closer and leaned towards the window, "I'm a Dad now… That makes you a grandpa," Naruto said to the stone face, "She's a girl, her name's Kairi… she's just perfect, ya know. She got mom's red hair. She has Hinata's eyes, it wouldn't surprise me if she has the Byakugan. Everyone loves her. I thought Iruka Sensei was going to cry." Naruto imagined his parents meeting Kairi.

His Dad would have cried with him. His Mom would spoil her granddaughter.

"I don't know how to be a Dad. You weren't around, but I have Hinata, we'll do what we can."

%%%%%

Sakura walked up to the Uzumaki house. After they got married, Naruto and Hinata got a house. Now the house had a third occupant: Kairi.

Sakura decided to check on the new family. She hadn't seen them in about a month. Sakura reached the door. She raised her fist to knock, but before her knuckle could even touch the door, it swung open. Naruto's hand grabbed her wrist, "Don't make any noise."

Sakura looked at Naruto, who looked exhausted.

"Uh…"

"We finally got Kairi to sleep," Naruto said. Sakura blinked.

"Oh."

"Hi, Sakura… how are ya?" Naruto finally asked.

"Fine," Sakura said. It was clear from the bags under his eyes and his disheveled hair. Naruto had New Parent Anxiety, "Can I come in?"

"Oh sure," Naruto said. Naruto lead Sakura into the living room where Hinata was sleeping on the couch. Sakura looked at the mother with sympathy. She was amazed Naruto was standing.

Sakura sat down as Naruto got her a drink. However, after he sat next to his wife, he fell asleep.

Sakura then looked towards the stairs that led to the second floor. She then looks back to the new parents. Sakura didn't want to wake them, who knew how long they were awake for, Kairi could have kept them up all night. So, Sakura quietly got up and made her way to the second floor.

Just as she reached the top step, Sakura heard Kairi beginning to cry. Sakura quickly went to her room and closed the door. She didn't want Naruto and Hinata to wake up yet. She quickly went to the crib and looked in.

Kairi was on her back, crying.

"Hey," Sakura reached in and stroked her head, "What's wrong Kairi?" It didn't smell like Kairi needed a new diaper. Sakura saw a pacifier lying next to Kairi. Maybe she wanted that. Sakura picked it up and placed it in Kairi's mouth. The infant sucked on it, but she still whimpered.

"Oh, I get it," Sakura carefully picked her up, "You're hungry, aren't you? Let's see if your parents got you anything." When Hinata was pregnant she bombarded Sakura with all kinds of questions in regards to a babies health. One of them was what was better, formula or breast milk. Sakura told her either was good for a baby but did recommend formula. It was more convenient, and sometimes easier to get.

Sakura managed to sneak into the kitchen with a sniffling Kairi. Sakura kept bouncing her and patting her. Trying to keep her calm, so she doesn't cry louder. She found a basinet to place Kairi in as Sakura got to work on preparing the baby food. It wasn't easy, Sakura had to stir the formula and cook it, but she also had to put it down to pick Kairi up and give her attention, so she didn't cry.

Eventually the baby formula was finally ready. Quickly, with speed accomplished only by a ninja, Sakura picked Kairi up and swapped her pacifier for her bottle. Kairi moaned a little, but it was it sounded like was in satisfaction. Sakura sighed as she leaned against the counter. Juggling taking care of a baby and making her food was harder than she thought. At least Kairi calmed down and was drinking her milk.

"Sakura…" the sleepy voice of Hinata made the rosette look. Hinata had woken up at some point and was approaching her. Her eyes widened when she saw Kairi in Sakura's arms.

"Kairi?"

"Oh, sorry Hinata," Sakura said, feeling she crossed a boundary, "I went upstairs to check on her and she was crying. I figured she was hungry, so…"

"It's alright," Hinata walked over, "I can take over."

Sakura looked at Hinata concerned. Hinata still looked tired, "You don't have to, I got it."

"It's alright I'm her mother."

Gently, Sakura transferred Kairi to Hinata, who continued to feed the baby.

"There, there," Hinata whispered as she fed her daughter."

"Looks like having a baby is a handful," Sakura said.

"Yes," Hinata agreed, "As far as Naruto and I are concerned, Kairi is the new boss in the family."

Sakura had to suppress a laughter.

"But, I'm still happy," Hinata smiled.

"You hear that Kairi?" Sakura asked, "You're lucky you're cute."

%%%%%

"Ah!" Ino yelped in pain when Kairi grabbed her hair.

"Kairi no, don't pull Ino's hair!" Naruto had to help Hinata pull their daughter's grabbing hands from Ino's long hair.

Finally, Ino's hair was free and Hinata was taking the baby away, "I am very sorry Ino. Kairi has a tendency to grab things," Hinata explained, "That's why I started pulling my hair back."

"That's fine," Ino massaged her scalp, "I'm amazed she can yank so hard, for a six month old."

"She's also three times as heavy now," Naruto explained.

"Well, that's good isn't it? She's growing strong and healthy," Ino said, "Soon, she'll be walking, talking, going to school, meeting boys-…"

"Oh, come on, she's not even a year old yet," Naruto panicked, "We can't talk even consider Kairi dating now."

Hinata leaned into Ino's ear, "The word 'boyfriend' is not permitted in this house, at least until Naruto won't panic."

"So, never?" Ino asked.

"Never," Hinata confirmed. She put Kairi in her basket, while Ino took out her camera, to film the baby.

"Hey Kairi, look at the camera."

Kairi being six months old, only looked at Ino for a minute, before she just shook her rattle to make a noise.

"I'm here," Sakura called as she walked in. She came over to visit the Uzumaki's for dinner. She spotted Ino squatting in front of Kairi with a camera.

"Hey Ino," Sakura squatted next to her to oogle Kairi, "Hey Kairi. Have you been good?"

"Hardly," Ino said, "She grabbed and pulled my hair."

"Really," Sakura looked at Kairi, "Nice job Kairi."

"Hey!"

"Please don't award my daughter for bad behavior," Naruto sighed.

"I'm just kidding," Sakura said.

After dinner, Sakura carried Kairi around while Naruto and Hinata cleaned up.

"You know Kairi," Sakura whispered, "You haven't met every single person in our family," Sakura looked out the window, thinking of him, "You have an uncle named Sasuke. He's out there, traveling, he… made mistakes, and he's trying to make up for them."

Kairi just looked up at Sakura and blinked.

"You know, you look like your mom, but sometimes you remind me of you dad," Sakura said, Kairi just reached up and touched Sakura's cheeks with a babble. Sakura laughed, "You know if your parents aren't careful, I just might take you for myself.

Yes, Kairi went to Coco's world. But that is another arc for another day.

Dear readers. PHL360 and I have an disagreement. They want Xion introduced as Naruto's newest daughter. I love Xion, I do, but I don't think it would work. She never even thought about Kairi in cannon, and she's perfectly happy with having Roxas and Axel as her family. So I don't think she should be an Uzumaki. So we have decided, to put it to a Poll.

Vote! Xion Uzumaki: Yes or no?