Brought Back Something from Wave...

By Andrew J. Talon

Disclaimer: I do not and probably never will own Naruto or any other copyrighted works mentioned in this story. I am not writing this for profit.

Probably should have put this as the second chapter, huh? Oh well.

Kakashi was not far behind Sasuke and Sakura. And when he arrived at Naruto's apartment, any attempts at deception were futile.

Naruto held Kasumi protectively, sitting on his couch with Hinata alongside. Standing across the room, Kakashi, Sakura and Sasuke stared back at the strange little family. Kakashi let out a low, long sigh, shaking his head.

"I'm not sure if I should be upset or impressed," Kakashi spoke. "How did you..." He trailed off. "Ah. The clone parties?"

Naruto winced, and gave a nervous grin at his teacher.

"Ah, well... Um... They were supposed to throw off anyone tracking us... And they did. They just let Kasumi-chan be snuck in." He shrugged, as Kasumi whined a bit. He tickled under her chin, and she giggled.

Kakashi sighed, pushing his hands into his pockets.

"You've put me into a difficult position, Naruto," Kakashi said. "It would be much easier if you just dropped her off at an orphanage-"

"NO!"

Naruto's rage was almost tangible, and everyone took a step back from the blonde. Save for Hinata, who stared in shock up at Naruto now that he was on his feet. His eyes were nearly glowing red, as he held Kasumi tightly against his chest.

"I won't... I will never let anyone suffer like I did! Never again!" Naruto snarled. "You won't take her from me! You won't make her live alone like I did!"

"N-Naruto," Sakura stammered in fear. Even Sasuke was staring in disbelief.

Hinata reached up and grasped Naruto's arm.

"N-Naruto," she murmured. "Please..."

He froze. He heard Kasumi whimpering. He took deep breaths, and brought his anger under control. Kakashi held up his hands.

"I'm not saying you should do that," he said calmly. "But we do need to talk to the Hokage about this."

Naruto took more deep breaths. In and out. In and out. Kasumi calmed down, looking up at him with her bright, blue eyes.

"... Okay," Naruto managed, quietly for him. "Let's go."

- - -

The Hokage looked like he was developing a headache. He rubbed the side of his cheek and sighed as he beheld Team 7, Hinata and Kasumi in his office before him.

"Naruto," the old Hokage said, "you seriously... Brought a baby back?"

Naruto shrugged. Kasumi was already laughing, and reaching out for the Hokage hat sitting on the desk. Hinata stood next to him, looking bashful.

"And you also roped the Hyuuga heiress into this?" Sarutobi asked.

Hinata blushed darkly. She tapped her fingers together, looking very nervous.

"U-Um... I mean... Uh... I-I mean-!"

Naruto held his hand in front of Hinata, his face serious.

"I didn't rope her im!" Naruto insisted. "It's not her fault! She just helped me because she's really, really nice! It's all my fault!"

"That makes it sound worse!" Sakura shouted.

Hinata shook her head furiously.

"I-It's me who's to blame!" Hinata shouted. "Don't blame Naruto-!"

"I'm not blaming anyone!" Sarutobi shouted. "So just calm down, everyone!"

Sasuke 'Hnnd', and stared Naruto in the eyes when everyone turned to look at him. "I don't agree with this, but I understand why you did it."

In the resulting silence, Naruto gave him a small knowing nod, before facing the Hokage.

"Anyway," Naruto said, "look... I... I'm all she has. I can't just let her go now, Grandpa!"

The Hokage stared intensely at Naruto. The blonde boy's eyes locked onto his.

"You know what you're getting into, Naruto?" He asked. "Being a parent isn't easy."

"No, it isn't," Naruto said, "but if I wanted to do anything easy, I'd just quit my dream!"

Sarutobi sighed deeply. He held out a form. Naruto blinked, and took it into his spare hand.

"'Official Adoption Form?'" Naruto read aloud. Sarutobi chuckled, and reached out to offer his finger to Kasumi. The baby grasped it, and giggled.

"You don't know how often it's been needed after missions," Sarutobi deadpanned.

Kasumi giggled and Sarutobi produced a pacifier. He stuck it into the baby's mouth, and she contentedly began to suckle.

"Why do you have that?" Sakura asked.

"I'm a grandfather," Sarutobi stated, "I am never unprepared."

Naruto couldn't help his laugh. A laugh the others joined in. Except for Sasuke, but he did manage a little smirk that was slightly less assholish than usual. Naruto shifted Kasumi up a bit higher on his shoulder, and wrote down on the scroll eagerly. He finished with a flourish, as his daughter smiled at him around her pacifier.

"Welcome to Leaf Village," Naruto said, "Kasumi Uzumaki!"

A fun omake!

Naruto visited Hinata at her home after the Chuunin Exams. He brought Kasumi with him.

Naruto: "Hey Hinata-chan!"

Hinata: "N-Naruto-kun!"

Naruto: "Hey, um. I know it's super short notice but can you look after Kasumi-chan for... A month? I am super sorry but Ero-Sennin is dragging me off on this mission and I can't take her with me!"

Hinata: "Ah, but, what about Iruka-sensei?"

Naruto: "I tried! He's on missions after the invasion! Old Man Ichiraku, Sakura-They're all busy! Listen, I'll pay you a C Rank for it! Please? You're the only one I can turn to!"

Hinata: *bright red* "The only one...?"

Naruto: "And Kasumi-chan loves you! Please?"

Hinata: "I uh... I-I need to ask my father-"

Hiashi: "No need, Hinata."

Hinata: "F-Father?!"

Hiashi: "Uzumaki-san. We will take care of your daughter. Hinata will do an excellent job protecting and caring for her."

Naruto: "Oh man, thanks Hyuuga-san! I'm so grateful! What do I owe you?"

Hiashi: *small smile* "Nothing at all. I too understand the difficulty in being a ninja and a single parent."

Naruto: "Oh man, yeah. I mean, you love her to death but you have to leave so you can work for her! And she doesn't understand why you have to go! But-"

Hiashi: "But you must, for their sake."

Naruto: *nods* "Exactly. Does it get any easier?"

Hiashi: "I can only say that you hope one day, they will understand the actions you have taken were for their sake. And to forgive your mistakes."

Hinata stares at her father, who isn't looking at her, and yet... She takes a deep breath, and reaches out.

Hinata: "We... We will take good care of her, Naruto-kun. I swear on my life."

Naruto: *smile* "I know you will, Hinata-chan."

He hands Kasumi over. She starts crying, and Naruto hesitates... But Hinata sings a soft lullaby, and rocks the baby and she quiets down. Naruto hands over all of Kasumi's luggage.

Naruto: "Wow Hinata-chan... You're gonna be a great mom someday!"

Hinata turns bright red. She is silent. Naruto blinks.

Naruto: "Er...Hinata-chan? Are you all right?'

Hiashi: "She's fine. You should get to your mission."

Naruto: "Right! Thanks again!"

Naruto runs off. Hiashi takes Kasumi from Hinata's arms... And his eldest daughter falls over in a dead faint.

Hiashi: *chuckles* "One step at a time, my daughter..."