Flashback: Worth It

"Sai, support her head!"

"Like this?" Sai asked as he nervously held Kairi. The baby started to get fussy in his grasp.

"No, like this," Ino said.

"Could you two be careful?" Naruto asked as they set up decorations in the kitchen. It was Kairi's first birthday. But from how Naruto acted, someone would mistake it for a national holiday. He had all the colors of the rainbow hung up. He got a full size cake, even if Kairi wasn't going to eat it. And with the help of Kairi's grandfather, they got her an expensive looking dress.

"Uh, sorry," Sai was still trying to get used to handling a baby.

"There, I think you got it," Ino said.

"Ino, can you help me?" Hinata called as they were setting up the dinner.

"Sure."

"Uh, Ino."

"Don't worry," Ino assured, "You got her."

Sai looked down at Kairi. The baby just looked up at him with her large white eyes.

"Baaaa," she cooed.

Sai didn't know what to do. She wasn't crying, so he assumed she wasn't uncomfortable. He felt very nervous.

"So, Kairi's starting to stand on her own know?" Sakura asked as she helped Naruto decorate.

"Yep, I bet she'll be walking any day."

"Is that why you haven't gone on any missions recently?" Sakura asked smugly.

"Eh-he, well…"

"Naruto, I know Kairi is precious to watch, but you gotta do your job," Sakura reminded.

"I know," Naruto whined, "I just wanna see Kairi walk so bad…"

"We're here," the door opened and closed, Hiashi and Hanabi walked in, "Where's Kairi?"

"She is right here," Sai said very quickly, "Would you like to hold her Lord Hiashi?" He really wanted someone else to hold Kairi.

"Of course," Hiashi said, accepting his granddaughter, "Hello Kairi, happy birthday." The older man hugged and cuddled the baby.

Naruto watched from the kitchen, "I'm never going to get used to seeing him act like that…"

Eventually, everyone set up for the party. While Kairi wasn't getting the whole cake they did put a cupcake in front of her with a small candle. It was kept out of reach, no one wanted her to get burned.

"Happy birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Kairi. Happy Birthday to you!" Everyone sang. Although the baby had no idea what they were singing. Naruto blew out her candle for her.

%%%%%

"Alright, I'm off," Naruto was dressed for his mission. He was leaving for a mission out of the country, "I'll try to come back soon."

"You be careful out there," Hinata said as she held Kairi.

"I will," he looked at Kairi, "You be good for mommy, Kairi."

Kairi just babbled. Naruto grinned. He imagined Kairi was saying, 'Okay I will.'

With that Naruto left. Hinata put Kairi in her play pin as she got lunch ready. Kurenai was coming over with Mirai. Sakura would be coming too.

A little while later, Hinata's company came over.

Mirai was sitting next to Kairi, playing peekaboo.

"Peekaboo," Mirai said.

Kairi just laughed. She loved playing with Mirai.

"I'm glad Naruto is on a mission, but," Hinata sighed, "It's still hard taking care of Kairi alone, even if it's for a few days."

"I understand," Kurenai said, "It's hard to care for Mirai myself. Just hang in there. Naruto will be back in a few days."

"And you got us," Sakura reminded, "So don't worry. Isn't it worth it?"

Hinata looked down when she felt her skirt being pulled on. Kairi had crawled over, clearly wanting her mother's attention. Hinata smiled as she brought her daughter to her lap.

"Yes, it is."

After lunch the women started cleaning up.

Mirai pushed a small ball to Kairi, Kairi was able to push it back. That was all the two were doing.

Hinata was proud of Kairi. She was already such a smart girl. Hinata was about to grab another plate, when the ball rolled to her feet.

"Oops, sorry," Mirai said.

Hinata smiled, "It's alright," Hinata put the plates down. She squatted down to get the ball when.

"Kairi?"

Hinata quickly looked up to see why Mirai said her daughters name. Kairi was standing. Of course that was a recent development.

It was when Kairi moved one of her feet in front of her that made Hinata gasp. She got onto her knees, was this it.

After a minute, Kairi put another foot in front of her. Kairi was starting to walk!

"Kairi," Hinata held out her arms, "Come here, come to mommy."

Kairi clearly got up to get the ball but know seeing her mother. She wanted to go to her. Kairi took another wobbly step forward.

"That's it," Hinata whispered encouragingly, "One step at a time."

Kairi took another step and another. As she got closer, Kairi reached her chubby hands toward her mother. Sakura and Kurenai watched quietly. As Kairi slowly walked towards her Mom for the first time.

"That's it, almost there," Hinata whispered. She looked close to tears.

Finally, Kairi got close enough to grab her mother's shirt. Hinata swept Kairi into her arms with pride.

"Kairi," Hinata held her, "Who's my big girl?"

Sakura smiled, watching the scene.

%%%%

"I can't believe I missed Kairi's first step," Naruto cried as he Kairi toddle towards him. Of course, he was happy to see his baby walking, but he wished he saw it for the first time.

"Cheer up, Naruto," Sakura said, "There are plenty of Kairi's firsts you'll see."

Naruto picked up his daughter, "Yeah I know. But still…"

"Baa. Ba ba…" Kairi babbled as she clung to her father's shoulder.

"I hear ya, Kairi," Naruto walked further into his house with Kairi in tow. Sakura followed them in. Hinata went to go visit her father, so Sakura was helping Naruto with Kairi.

Surprisingly, Naruto picked up on being a parent. He fed and changed Kairi pretty easily. Sakura thought he'd be hopeless, but he seemed to have adopted the role of being a father pretty well.

Naruto put Kairi down for a nap. He rested his head on the side of her crib, "She's it Sakura," he said, "She's it. That little girl is my whole world."

Sakura smiled, "I can tell. You and Hinata love her so much."

"I didn't even know love like this could exist," Naruto said, "I love Hinata, I loved my parents. I love Kairi, for just existing. Every day, I feel like I'm learning things all over again with her."

Sakura looked at them. She remembered when Kairi walked for the first time. How happy it made Hinata. It made Sakura… a little jealous.

Sakura left for the night. She went through the market to pick up something for dinner, when she spotted Ino.

"Ino."

"Hey, Sakura," the two started walking, "So, how's Naruto and Kairi."

"Well," Sakura looked ahead, "I'm surprised, Naruto's being a really good father."

"I know, who knew that goofy Naruto we used to make fun of, would be such a sweet daddy?"

Sakura laughed a little, before pausing, "Hey Ino?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you and Sai, ever considered having a kid?"

"What? Where'd that come from?" Ino asked.

"It's just," Sakura looked up at the sky, "Kairi really is such a sweet baby. And I see how happy Naruto and Hinata are. It makes me wonder…"

"I guess you have a point," Ino said, "Believe me, I wouldn't mind, but… I don't think we're ready yet. Honestly, I feel like we're practicing with Kairi before we even consider having a kid of our own," Ino then looked at Sakura, "But, Sasuke is still out there. I mean, even if you want a kid. Sasuke's busy."

Sakura looked down, "I know," Sasuke was traveling. Trying to redeem himself. Sakura knew he couldn't give her the same thing Naruto gave Hinata. But she still loved Sasuke, Sakura was always going to love Sasuke. That was something she realized a long time ago.

A part of Sakura hated herself for that. Sasuke did do terrible things and a part of her wanted to hate him and move on. But she couldn't.

The next morning, she went back to check on the Uzumaki's.

"Hey Sakura," Naruto answered the door. He led her into the kitchen. Kairi was on her high chair, holding her doll. She was babbling adorable.

"Ba, ba, ba-ba. Baa~."

Sakura smiled.

"Kairi's been chatty all day," Naruto grinned, "Hinata left some food for us, I just need to heat it up."

"I'm glad you married Hinata. Now you have a more balanced diet," Sakura said.

"Hey, ramen is balanced," Naruto shot back.

Sakura looked at Kairi, "Good morning Kairi, did you sleep all night for your dad."

Kairi just looked at Sakura and cooed, "Baaa."

"Okay," Naruto brought out the food, "Who's hungry."

As Naruto started setting the table, Kairi dropped her doll.

"I got it," Sakura said.

"Ba-da… da…"

"You got a lot to say Kairi," Naruto said as he put down the last of the food.

"Da-da…" Naruto froze. He looked at Kairi. Kairi was looking at him, when she repeated, "Da-da."

"Kairi?" Naruto muttered, "What did you just say."

Kairi held her arms out to him, "Dada!"

Sakura stood up holding the doll, but Kairi wasn't looking for her doll. She was looking at her Dad. Naruto got closer as Kairi's arms flailed at him, "Dada."

Was Kairi asking Naruto to pick her up?

"Dada!" Naruto, looked like he was about to burst into tears as he lifted his daughter into his arms.

"Kairi," Naruto trembled as he held her. Tears leaking out of his eyes, "Kairi just called me, 'Dad,' for the first time!"

"Dada," Kairi said again.

"There there Kairi," Naruto sniffled, "D-… Daddy's here!"

Naruto looked so happy. Sakura couldn't help but shed a few tears herself.

Naruto held Kairi for a long time. When he finally put her down, they had their breakfast.

"Okay, Kairi, let's work on saying, 'Mama,' next for when your Mom comes home," Naruto said.

"Dada," Kairi just said.

"She'll get it Naruto, don't push her," Sakura smiled.

"Kairi's a smart girl," Naruto said, "I wouldn't be surprised if she picked up her third word by tomorrow."

"And what will that be?" Sakura asked.

"Ramen!" Naruto held up his thumb.

Sakura nearly slammed her head on the table. Shortly after they started dating, Hinata had developed a love for ramen, that was actually rivaled Naruto's. She was known as the Queen of Gluttony at Ichiraku's! Sakura actually believe that ramen was a word Kairi was going to learn very soon!

"Dada."

Sakura looked up to see Naruto picking Kairi up again, "My little girl, you're so cute!"

Sakura smiled. She watched her oldest friend be happy with his child. Sakura looked down at her lap, maybe… it was possible for her too.

Sakura took Kairi to put her down for her nap, "Kairi, I hope you don't wind up a ramen addict like your parents, but it is likely."

"Ba," Kairi cooed as Sakura put her in her crib.

Sakura looked at the red-haired baby, "Kairi, can I tell you a secret. I know you're learning to talk, but I need you to not tell anyone," Sakura wondered around the nursery, "I've decided I'm going to leave the village. I'm going to find someone and travel with him. He's the one I told you about before. Sasuke," she went back to Kairi, "Watching you with your parents. It makes me happy. It makes me want that too… a family… a child.

Sakura looked out the window, "I doubt Sasuke's ready for that, I'm not sure I'm ready for that too. And I know it won't be like with you and you're parents. Remember when I told you Sasuke made mistakes. He might be afraid that those mistakes will effect his child. Your Dad, well he was an idiot when he was a kid, but he never made mistakes like Sasuke. Your father is a hero, you're lucky Kairi. I don't know if we'll ever have a child, but I do know one thing," Sakura smiled down at Kairi, "I'm going to go be with him. For however long it takes."

Kairi blinked her white eyes, "Ba…"

%%%%%%

"Are you sure Sakura?" Kakashi asked.

They were saying goodbye to Sakura. Naruto, Hinata, Kakashi, and Kairi. Ino already said goodbye to Ino and the others.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Sakura said.

"We'll miss you, ya know," Naruto said.

"Ramen," Kairi babbled.

Sakura sighed, they really did make 'ramen,' Kairi's third word.

"I'll miss you too, Kairi. Be good for parents, okay?"

"Take care," Hinata said.

"And if Sasuke does anything stupid," Naruto held up his fist, "Just come tell me and I'll punch some sense into him again."

Sakura just laughed, "Don't worry I will."

Just as Sakura started to turn, "Saki…"

Sakura looked at Kairi, she was looking at her, "Ant Saki…"

Everyone looked at Kairi who just tried to say Sakura's name. Sakura smiled.

"Kairi, if I do have a child, I hope they're like you."

"Ant Saki."

Sakura turned around. Sasuke's last known whereabouts was in the land of steam. So that's where she'd start. He'd probably call her annoying, but she was going to follow him again.

She thought of the reason why she was doing this. The person who gave her the courage to seek him out, for just existing.

Thank you Kairi

The votes are in. And by large decree: Xion will NOT be Naruto's daughter in this fic

Baby cuteness is upon us all!