Warnings: semi-detailed description of male birth
Time Setting: The day of Souta's birth
"Thank you for taking me to the store, Ma-kun." Soren skipped along Naruto who was waddling at a snails pace beside the hyper seven year old. "I can't wait to make our cookies. I'm gonna add lots of glitter to Kazu-kun's cookies cause I know he'll like it." Soren was holding his bag full of cookie decorations like it was a bag full of gold.
Naruto was glad his baby was content with his purchase. Soren had almost had a break down when he got home from school and realized there was nothing to decorate his cookies for Kazuki's party with. It was a big deal for Soren since Kazuki was his favorite cousin.
"Nee, Ma-kun, do you think I should make some for Hikari-kun and Hasumi-chan too?" The party was going to be held at Haku and Itachi's home tomorrow to celebrate Kazuki entering elementary school. It had been Soren's special idea to make cookies to congratulate him.
"Yes, they will like that very much." Naruto smiled. He was out of breath just from walking around the store. He wasn't supposed to leave home, especially this late into his pregnancy. Tsunade has cautioned him that during the last two months he should stay off of his feet as much as he possibly could. Sasuke had very strong opinions about Naruto's behavior while pregnant too. If it was up to Sasuke, Naruto would stay locked inside at all times and only follow the rules and guidelines Tsunade had given them. The pregnancy had brought out a new side of Sasuke Naruto had never seen. He could be sweet and caring but also controlling and stubborn as well. His alpha instincts had become more apparent. When he told Naruto not to do something he meant it. Naruto knew his alpha couldn't help being overly cautious though so most times Naruto listened. But he could only take being cooped up in the house for so long before he lost his mind!
"Ya, I'm going to make them not too sweet cause I know Kazu-kun won't like it if it has too much sugar."
By the time they got to the parking garage, Soren had listed off various design elements he would be implementing on to his cookies once they got home. Naruto was tuning in and out listening to his baby. His feet ached. His back felt like it was ready to snap and give out. Even though he had been dying to get out the house he was now thinking he should've stayed home and just had Kou go to the store for him. When they arrived too their parked car Naruto felt a stabbing pain shoot up his spine. He whimpered, and his legs wobbled.
"Ma-kun!" Soren exclaimed. He instantly became worried. "Are you okay?" Soren held onto his mother's hand.
The last two months Naruto had intense pain on and off all the time, but this particular attack felt like someone had taken a knife and dragged it down the length of his spine. He didn't want to worry Soren though, so he bit his lip and nodded. "I'm fine. Get in the car, let's go home."
Just as Naruto said that a lady with a child on her hip stopped in front of them. "Are you Naruto? Sasuke Uchiha's omega?"
Another lady looked their way at the mention of Sasuke's name. Within less than a second a small crowd had formed around Soren and Naruto. Usually Naruto could give people like them a mean face and they'd get the hint and leave him alone. But right now, he was swollen, tired, and in pain.
"My son absolutely loves you! Can you sign an autograph for him?"
"Yeah me too!"
Naruto was a celebrity. Although he had people who hated him, there was just as many people who were fascinated by him. The way he wore his hair or styled himself became trending topics and fashion fads. Where he ate and where he shopped became "chic" places that became "must go places to go to." He was always in the public eye. Even now while in pain and having a private outing with his son he was noticed.
"Can you pose for a picture?" The lady, the one who had stopped first, took her phone out. She moved to step close to Naruto but before she could Soren growled at her. He could sense his mother's discomfort along with his weakened state.
"Get away from my Ma-kun!" Soren hissed. He looked like he was ready to attack her until Naruto gently took his hand and guided him into the car.
"Please, leave us alone." Naruto waddled to the front of the car and got in. He just wanted to get home and lay down. The pain was unbearable.
"Ma-kun." Soren had cookie dough all over his hands and cheeks. His tiny chef apron was white with flour and pink glitter. "Thank you for helping me."
Naruto patted the top of Soren's head. When he got home he had wanted to lay down and rest so that the pain could pass but Soren had been excited about making his cookies. He would've waited if Naruto had asked him to, but Naruto was aware how hard that wait time would be for a very excited seven year old. They made the cookies and had made a mess decorating them as well. Now Naruto wanted nothing more than to lay down.
"Go take your bath. Mommy isn't feeling too good so when daddy comes home he'll read you your bedtime story, okay?"
"Nee, Ma-kun." Soren had a worried look. He glanced at Naruto's belly.
"I'm okay, baby." Naruto rubbed his stomach, "your brother is just very active inside mommy tonight. Now go."
Soren went off though the worried look never left his face.
Naruto had been in bed trying to sleep for an hour. It was impossible to sleep though when the pain in his back felt like it was getting worse and worse. He had rolled over into a hunched position twenty minutes ago and was too scared to move since. Every time he so much as jostled the pain intensified.
"Ma-kun?" Soren's small voice sounded from the door. He had poked his head inside. His black hair was still semi-damp from his bath. "Can I lay down with you?" The worried look was still there. It had probably remained while Soren bathed himself, changed into his pajamas, and brushed his teeth. Naruto didn't want to snuggle right now because of the pain but he'd rather suffer in silence than make his baby worry any longer.
"Yes, come here." Naruto moved to make space for Soren. He bit his lip to stop the whimper of pain from coming out. "Come lay down next to me."
Soren hopped onto the bed and snuggled right up next to Naruto. He placed his head on Naruto's shoulder and turned his body so that he was facing his mother.
"Ma-kun, is the peanut being bad?"
"No, why do you think he's being bad?" Naruto cracked a smile at how cute Soren was.
"Because he's making Ma-kun's scent weird. I don't like it." Soren loved the sweet scent Naruto had while pregnant but when Naruto was in pain like he was now his scent changed. The different scent made Soren uncomfortable. Usually the scent would last for minutes only but today it had been present since their outing to the store. It was really bothering Soren.
"The peanut isn't doing it on purpose, baby." Naruto rubbed the underside of his stomach. "He's just trying his best to grow."
"I don't like it that he hurts you, Ma-kun." Soren joined in with Naruto by rubbing his stomach as well. Soren had taken up the habit of rubbing Naruto's stomach whenever he was anxious. Feeling the baby there underneath his palm soothed Soren. "When is the peanut going to be out?"
"Hmm," Naruto closed his eyes as Soren continued his rubbing. It made him wish Sasuke was here. His alpha's scent always calmed him during his most painful moments. For now, Soren's baby alpha scent was soothing the pain a little bit. "He's due next month."
"Can he come faster?"
"We can't rush him, baby. He will come whenever he feels ready."
An hour later Soren had fallen asleep, his little hand was still on top of Naruto's stomach. Every once in a while he'd tense up but then would calm down as soon as he felt Naruto beside him.
Naruto was in excruciating pain. It was scaring him how bad it hurt. By 9:00 p.m. he could no longer handle the pain. He rolled off the bed, careful as he moved so that he wouldn't wake Soren. His legs shook on the short walk to the kitchen where he had left his phone. With shaky fingers he called Sasuke.
"Come home, now!" Naruto screamed into the phone the second Sasuke answered.
"Peaches, what's wrong?" Sasuke's voice was worried through the phone.
"It hurts. My stomach hurts so much. I need your scent. Come home to me right now!"
"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can. I'll call Tsunade. Go lay down I'll see you soon."
Naruto whimpered when Sasuke hung up. He wanted his alpha. He was scared, and the pain kept increasing in intensity. He hadn't wanted to entertain the idea but what if this was it? What if he was in labor? He desperately didn't want that to be true. There was still a month left. He had told Soren his baby brother would come when he was ready, but Naruto didn't want him to come this early. If he was born now he'd be premature. "No, no. Please no." Naruto moaned as he rubbed at his stomach. "Not yet, my love. Stay inside mommy for a little while longer. Please." Another sharp pain went down Naruto's spine and flared into his lower belly. Naruto's legs gave out. He fell to his knees and doubled over.
"Ma-kun!" Soren cried out. He ran over, still half a sleep. Naruto's whimpering had woken him up. "What's wrong, Ma-kun? Is it the peanut? I knew it! The peanut is being bad!"
"No, Soren. He's not bad." Naruto tried to get up. He could only get up far enough to sit himself on the nearby couch.
"Then why is he making Ma-kun cry?!"
"He's trying to come out early." Naruto laughed in disbelief. All throughout his pregnancy he had been scared of something like this happening and it was now actually happening!
"No, peanut! Stay inside! You're not ready!" Soren scolded.
Naruto closed his eyes and focused his breathing. His labor had probably started during their trip to the store hours ago. If he had known he would've drove himself to the hospital back then. Now it was too late. He couldn't focus on anything but the pain. At this stage during the labor the mother would usually have been given an epidural by now.
"Soren don't leave me okay? Stay by mommy's side until daddy comes home." Naruto was scared. But at least he had Soren here with him. Without Soren and his scent Naruto would've completely succumbed to the fear.
"I won't leave you Ma-kun. Don't worry, I'm here." Soren's little hand gripped Naruto's tightly. The strength of his little alpha almost brought Naruto to tears.
Sasuke arrived home 15 minutes later. He had scooped Naruto up and left with Soren in tow. Naruto's labor had not gone as Sasuke thought it would. Sasuke had planned to take the last month of Naruto's pregnancy off from work so that he could be home with him up until the birth. But nothing ever goes as planned. They arrived at the hospital and Naruto was immediately given the epidural.
"Where's Tsunade?" Sasuke asked the nurse who had administered the epidural. They had been at the hospital for thirty minutes already. Naruto was calm for now, but it wouldn't last. Sasuke was anxious. When he had called Tsunade earlier she had only said to take Naruto to the pediatric center and that Sasuke had to hurry home to Naruto. She hadn't said anything else. Sasuke had assumed she'd be at the hospital waiting for them but there was only Shizune and a few other nondescript members of Tsunade's staff. Of course, there were other doctors present who were more than capable of delivering a baby if necessary but Sasuke only trusted Tsunade.
"Don't worry," The nurse reassured in a professional tone. "Dr. Tsunade will be here soon. There is still quite some time for the labor. I recommend you sit with your mate. An omega is at their most weakest when giving birth. They need their mate's scent to keep calm. The epidural will help with the pain, but you alone can aid with assuring that Naruto-san keeps his sanity during this most arduous process."
"Keeps his sanity?" A quick flash of a memory from the day of Soren's birth popped up in Sasuke's mind. Karin on the birthing bed thrashing around. Her eyes unfocused and hazy.
"Yes. Out of all secondary sex types an omega's body is the most equipped for giving birth but that doesn't mean it isn't a strain on them. Birth can be a traumatic experience for all first time mothers. Naruto-san's case is especially concerning since before this pregnancy his womb functioned abnormally. There's also the added stress of Naruto-san going into labor one month earlier than anticipated. It'd be best if you stay by his side until Dr. Tsunade's arrival." The nurse left after assuring Sasuke that she'd be back in fifteen minutes to check in on them.
Sasuke sat on the reclining seat on Naruto's bedside. Soren was fast asleep with Naruto on the bed. It was already ten at night. Way pass Soren's bedtime. He had fallen asleep right after Naruto had calmed down from the epidural. Naruto had dozed off soon after.
Sasuke took a deep breath. Anxiety was swelling in his chest. It had been ever since he had received Naruto's call. He had only been through this once before and the first time had ended with Karin losing her mind and Soren becoming motherless. During the duration of Naruto's pregnancy Sasuke had harbored the fear that it could happen again. So much so that he once even asked Tsunade if it were possible for Naruto to end up the way Karin had. Tsunade had been honest and told him there was less than a 98% chance of that happening. But Sasuke still had the anxiety. And now with what that nurse said his anxiety spiked. All he could do now was stay here and try to be calm. For Naruto and Sorenm he had to be the pillar on which they could rely on. That was what an alpha was supposed to do for their family and so Sasuke would.
Around seven in the morning Naruto's labor had reached its apex. He was fully dilated and ready to push. Haku had come a few hours ago. Itachi had stayed at home with the kids and would be coming to the hospital later in the morning. Haku had come to take care of Soren. As soon as Naruto said it was time Haku and Soren had left the hospital room. Soren wouldn't be able to handle hearing Naruto's screams. No matter how much he cried to stay Sasuke knew it'd be best for Soren to go.
"It hurts!" Naruto sobbed. His trembling legs were held open by two nurses. Tsunade was stationed in between them. She had arrived at 4:00am. Apparently she had been out of town which explained her lateness. Even she had not foreseen Naruto going into labor early.
"Take deep breaths. You're doing good," Tsunade said calmly. "Focus on pushing. I can see his head."
"I can't anymore it hurts!" Naruto sobbed. "It hurts so much!" Sasuke's heart clenched at the fear in Naruto's voice. He was holding Naruto's hand. Naruto held onto him with all his strength. He was trembling all over and covered in sweat.
"Focus, Naruto-san. You have to keep pushing. On the count of three give us another big push."
"I can't, I can't." Naruto sounded like he was on the verge of passing out. "Sasuke help me, it hurts!"
"I know, peaches. I know." Sasuke squeezed Naruto's hand. If he could take the pain away somehow he would. It was torture to hear Naruto's cries. "You have to keep pushing like Tsunade said though. "Come on, give one push."
Naruto clenched his eyes and pushed as hard as he could.
"Good job! Keep going! His heads out!" Tsunade urged.
"Unnnnhg!" Naruto wailed as he gave another push. He was trying his hardest. The noises he was making were almost animalistic. In the back of his mind Sasuke thought back to Karin and the noises she had made when birthing Soren. She had sounded exactly like this. The anxiety sparked again. After this would Naruto be the same Naruto? Would he remain the sweet and caring omega that Sasuke had fallen in love with?
"You're doing amazing! His shoulders are almost out! Push!"
Naruto grunted and pushed again until his grip grew lax and his shaking body sagged against the bed.
"He's out!" Tsunade cheered. The sound of their son crying out filled the hospital room.
"He's below percentile for his secondary sex type," one of the nurses reported as the other one began to write down the information on a pad. "Everything else is in accordance to expectations. We will need to incubate him though."
"Air flow is normal as well," Tsunade noted. Souta was so small in her arms. His red and gray body was still covered in afterbirth. Sasuke stared. His heart was racing. "Naruto, are you ready to hold him?"
Naruto let go of Sasuke's hand. Sasuke held his breath. Was Naruto going to growl? Attack their newborn baby like Karin had tried to? He wouldn't be able to handle going through that a second time.
"Souta Uchiha." Naruto held his arms out. He was too weak to do much else but his arms open and waiting gave Sasuke all the answer he needed. There would be no second time. Naruto wasn't going to end up like Karin.
"My beautiful baby boy," Naruto cooed, "you're finally here." Naruto's eyes flowed with tears. He lips were stretched in a wide smile. Sasuke could only look on as Naruto was handed their new born baby. As soon as Souta was placed in Naruto's waiting arms he stopped crying. It was beautiful. To see the instant loving bond between Souta and Naruto was simply beautiful to behold. "I've been waiting for you for such a long time, Souta-kun."
Nothing had gone as planned but as Naruto held their newborn son in his arms Sasuke couldn't care less.
"He's so small." Soren sat very still on the hospital bed cushioned between Naruto's legs.
"Yes, he is." Naruto's eyes were on the small bundle in Sasuke's arms. He watched Souta like a hawk would its young. Souta was weak, he had been born a month premature. Because of that they would not be able to take him home just yet. It wasn't clear what was going to happen. Souta needed to stay for at least a month so he could be monitored but Naruto would not leave the hospital without Souta. It was looking like Naruto was going to have to stay in the hospital with Souta for the entire month. It wasn't as easy as a choice as Sasuke thought. It made perfect sense to him for Naruto to stay but he had not accounted for Soren. A month was a long time for Soren to be away from his mother. At the mere suggestion of it, Soren had hopped onto the bed and refused to leave Naruto's side since. That had all happened a few hours ago. For now, they all wanted to put the dilemma aside and focus on the new addition to their family. No matter how early he was, it was still Souta's first day on earth.
Sasuke was in awe of the little baby Naruto had delivered. Souta was simply beautiful. His blue eyes were the exact same shade as Naruto's. His eyes watched Sasuke as Sasuke watched him. The bond between them was instantaneous just like it had been for him and Soren. With Soren though it had been a little bit faster. Karin had snapped at him when he had tried to make her hold Soren after he was born. She had wanted nothing to do with him. And so Sasuke was the first person to hold Soren. He would remain the only parental bond for Soren for five long years too until Naruto showed up and formed the maternal bond with him. Even though he was premature Souta was lucky.
"He's perfect." Sasuke bent over and scented Souta. He felt a powerful instinct to take care of Souta. He was a precious gift created by him and Naruto. He would love Souta forever. He would do anything to make sure his son was happy and healthy. The same way he would for Soren.
"He is." Naruto bunched Soren up. He hugged Soren to his body. He was still weak from the birth, but he hugged Soren strongly regardless. "Just like you, Soren." Naruto kissed Soren's cheek. Soren rubbed his head against Naruto's chest as Naruto gave him another kiss, this time on the top of his head.
It was so different this time. The aftermath of the birth of his second son was so much different than the aftermath of the birth of his first son. With Soren, Sasuke remembered the fear he felt when Karin tried to attack Soren. How he had wanted to cry as he held Soren's small body in his arms as he watched Karin growl at him from her hospital bed. He recalled how angry he felt that she had refused to claim Soren as her own. The way the doctor shook his head at the entire scene as if saying. "You poor, poor alpha. This is your family? What a shame."
This time there was only happiness for Sasuke. Now his family was healthy and happy.
"Is that the baby!" Kazuki came running into the hospital room. He had over a dozen balloons held in his little hand. Behind him came Hikari who had a bouquet of flowers.
"Careful, honey. Remember I told you the new baby is very delicate," Haku warned. He had left to go have a late breakfast with Itachi and the kids before they came to meet the new baby. Haku looked tired but still had a happy smile on his face. He had been at the hospital for hours. Itachi came in beside him. He was carrying Hasumi in one arm who looked like she had just woken up. And he was pushing a sleeping Chiharu in a stroller with his other hand.
"I know, momma!" Kazuki was buzzing with palpable excitement. "I got these for you, Uncle Naruto!" Kazuki dashed to the bed where Naruto and Soren were laying. "I picked them out special!" He grinned, showcasing his two missing front teeth.
"And I picked these out for you," Hikari said shyly as he offered the bouquet of yellow tulips and white orchids to Naruto. They were beautifully wrapped and tied together with baby blue satin lace.
"Awe, thank you to you both." Naruto took the gifts.
"Also, uncle Naruto I just wanted you to know that I'm not mad that you had my new baby cousin on the day of my party. I forgive you, okay?"
Naruto laughed. "Well, thank you."
"Ah, Kazuki-kun! I just remembered," Soren rolled off the bed. He had refused to get off because he hadn't wanted to be separated from Naruto but now that his cousins were here his fear was for the moment forgotten. "I made you cookies for your party but now you won't get to see them!" Soren panicked. "I decorated them special too just how you like it!"
"I want to see them!" Kazuki whined.
"Kids, kids. Relax," Haku mediated, "Soren-kun you can give Kazuki his cookies tomorrow. We'll be coming over to spend the day."
Haku was smart. He knew about Soren's panic attack over having to leave Naruto at the hospital but with the incentive of Kazuki coming over to his home tomorrow it pretty much guaranteed Soren would willingly go home. At least for tonight he would. As a mom of four Haku knew all the tricks.
"Yay!" Kazuki and Soren cheered together. The two were as thick as thieves. "We can make cake too! And watch movies!" Soren offered.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Haku giggled. "We'll see how the day pans out." In all likelihood Haku would be there alone since Itachi had to work and Sasuke would be at the hospital with Naruto during the day.
"We will make that cake. Don't you worry, Kazuki-kun," Soren whispered.
Haku and Naruto laughed. Even Itachi cracked a smile at how daring Soren was.
"Thank you, Soren-kun!" Kazuki hugged his cousin.
"Why is he so little?" Hikari suddenly asked. He had been looking at Souta for a while. Watching him instead of his brother and cousin's antics. "Chiharu was much bigger."
"Hikari!" Haku began to scold his eldest son but Sasuke stopped him.
"It's fine." Sasuke smiled, "he arrived earlier than he was supposed to that's all. He's not done growing yet."
"Oh." Hikari apologized.
"You don't have to say sorry," Sasuke reassured his nephew. "He's going to be just fine."
Sasuke knew in his heart that Souta would be okay. Everything would be okay. With so much love there was no other option than for Souta to pull through.
"Congratulations, little brother," Itachi said later once things had quieted down. He placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder and squeezed. "I'm happy for you."
Any other occasion Sasuke would've teased Itachi for how soft he was being but not today. He took comfort in his brother's words. And as Souta's weak little hand held onto Sasuke's thumb Sasuke felt wholly blessed.
I purposefully didn't mention what Souta's secondary sex type is because I'm still not sure what I want him to be yet T^T pls let me know what you think his secondary sex type should be
Don't forget to leave a suggestion for a ficlet idea if you have one too!
All the love to my beta inluvwnaruto for helping me structure this chapter!
see u guys next update