Chapter 12

I don't own Naruto

Naruto's Baby Chapter 12

The girl slept in her crib, sucking her thumb in bliss. IVs were injected into her small frame but the medicine she was on allowed her to not stir from her sleep. Naruto stared just feet away and the only thing that blocked the two of them from being together was a glass window. He stared helplessly as his child was being treated. It wasn't that long ago when she was in the hospital and was sick. The doctors had ruled out that hand-and-foot illness she had earlier in the year.

Naruto had been there since three in the morning and only moved when he needed to pace around. No one was saying anything to him, and it was driving him crazy!

Iruka and Kakashi approached Naruto with concern looks. "How is she doing?" Iruka asked as he placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "The doctors haven't told me anything, and it's driving me crazy!" Naruto grabbed his hair and was yanking on his blonde locks that were greasy from lack of showering. Kakashi knelt down, "go home and get cleaned up. You can't do anything right now. They'll find out what's wrong with her and we'll be here for her in your place."

Naruto looked uneasy and nodded, "Fine, I'll go home and get cleaned up, but I'm coming right back," he said and gave one more look at his sleeping baby before he left. Iruka and Kakashi watched Naruto head out of the building.

It was only a few minutes later when two elders, Homura and Koharu, approached Iruka and Kakashi. "Iruka-san," Homura said, "may we have a word with you in private."

Iruka's eyes widened and looked over to Kakashi, who nodded, "I'll stay and keep an eye on her," he assured, and Iruka followed the two elders out of the hospital.

They met up in the council meeting room, and when they took their seats, Iruka sat in front of them. "Thank you for joining us Iruka," Koharu said. "This manner is for the guardianship of Uzumaki Ai." The senior woman said and had the records out. "As you know, we had to create a new file for the girl since her records were stolen this year, and we've had to add some new information," she said.

"Of course updating files is nothing new, but when we were notified of some interesting data, we fear that Naruto's parental rights may be in question," Homura stated clearly. Iruka stiffened a bit. He knew exactly how the elders felt toward Naruto and his child. They wanted Naruto to abort and to cover up his attack as though nothing happened. It was the Third Hokage alone who protected Naruto and his rights. "It appears that the child's DNA has been tested and she has a paternal connection to the Uchiha line," Homura stated as he pulled up the results.

"If I may speak," Iruka said, "but you can't blame the child for being born with those genetics. Ai is an innocent baby."

"We're saying that her guardianship needs to be switched over to an adult, Naruto is a child still. We've tried numerous times to talk to the Third Hokage about his judgment about allowing the boy to keep guardianship of the child. We are only thinking of what's best for the girl's interest." Homura said.

"Iruka, since you have been in the child's life since her birth, we thought you would want to become her parental guardian and raise her as your own daughter," Koharu said.

Iruka blinked in surprise, and his mouth was hanging open a bit. "Me…raise Ai?" He asked. "I mean; I do love the girl as though she was my child but…to be her full parental guardian?"

Iruka looked at the two elders. "Naruto will lose his parental rights whether or not you choose to become the girl's parental guardian Iruka. We wanted to respect the Hokage's wishes and have the child be raised in a familiar environment," Koharu said.

"Who else would raise Ai other than myself?" Iruka asked.

"I will," Iruka turned his head and saw an elderly man who had one eye covered up by bandages that wrapped around his head, dark hair and had one arm from the looks of it. He also had an x-scar on his chin. A cold chill went down Iruka's spine as the man stumbled in with a cane and he joined the meeting. "Iruka-san, this is Danzo, one of the council members and in charge of the organization Root," Homura said, introducing the newcomer.

"Excuse me for sounding out of place, but why would you be interested in raising a baby?" Iruka asked. The man looked over and said, "well the child in question isn't just a child, now is she? Child of Uzumaki Naruto, the holder of the Kyuubi, and now we find out she's an offspring of an Uchiha? That will be some power for a child to possess. I believe my organization would be excellent for the child once she begins her training to become a shinobi," he said. "I can arrange for private tutors to train her."

"With no disrespect Danzo-sama," Iruka said, "but a child needs more than training. They need nurturing and care and love," he said and turned to the elders, "I'll take her as my child. I'll adopt her before I let her be training her entire life." Iruka was an educator in the shinobi arts and while he knew how difficult being a ninja is, he also knew that children needed to be allowed to be children. To run around and play and be curious until they become shinobi.

"Now Iruka, while we want you to raise this girl, you can't do it alone. Adoption laws require there to be at least two parental units. Do you have a wife who will be willing to adopt this child?"

"Not a wife…" Iruka mumbled under his breath. "But Hatake Kakashi will be her second guardian. We've signed a contract with Naruto about if something happened to him, we would be her legal guardians," he stated.

The elders looked through Ai's file and found a copy of the contract in question. They read it over and said, "in the event that Uzumaki Naruto, is deemed unfit, unable, and/or unwilling to properly raise Uzumaki Ai, she will then be in the guardianship of Umino Iruka and/or Hatake. If neither of the signed adults cannot care for Uzumaki Ai, she will then be in the guardianship of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen or the Hokage who succeeds in him should they be willing," Homura read off. "It seems that this is all in order."

Iruka nodded. Of course, it's in order, the Third Hokage signed off on it, and it was notarized by another official. Since the Third Hokage was deceased, Iruka and/or Kakashi would take care of her if something were to happen to Naruto. If they couldn't, well, they would have to ask Tsunade since she was the successor to the Third Hokage. Would she even want to raise Ai?

Koharu grabbed another document and offers it to Iruka. He stood up and took the forms, "what is this?"

"Adoption papers. Once they are filled out, the fifth Hokage will need to look through it and approve it," Koharu explained. "We ask that you have this filled by the end of the month. That should be plenty of time to have everything arranged for the child's wellbeing. "We do require one thing if you choose to adopt the child. We will demand that her surname be changed. With Naruto being the Kyuubi, she may be targeted from the association as well."

Iruka bowed and took his leave. His mind was heavy with guilt. He felt cornered, and he couldn't imagine Naruto's reaction once he found out about this entire mess. Why would they even want to cause such a stir for him anyways? What was their end goal? Did they care about Ai's wellbeing?

Or was this for their own agendas?

Meanwhile, Sasuke was awake and frustrated. Sakura had left to go fetch something for him to eat, and Sasuke was left alone with his thoughts. He thought of his brother and the last encounter. "Naruto's the one you're really after" Jiraiya's voice rang through his mind as he talked to Itachi. Naruto's child was also on his mind as well. Itachi had said that she was his child. Sasuke heard that part loud and clear. It also meant that Sasuke wasn't the last Uchiha. He couldn't help but despise the girl. Not to mention how powerful Naruto must have gotten with his training. Sakura had told him all about it, and how he trained with Jiraiya, one of the legendary sannin, and it was him who brought Tsunade-sama to the village, and she healed him.

Sasuke laid back down and shut his eyes, and he imagined the kind of girl that infant would become. Uzumaki and Uchiha blood mixed. He imagined her to be just as annoying as Naruto, but with Itachi's skills. Someone who would come after him after he killed Itachi. Wouldn't it be poetic is she went after Sasuke for killing Itachi? Or would she even know?

He opened his eye from what felt like a few minutes, but it was actually thirty minutes. He could hear footsteps approaching his door, and when he saw Sakura's silhouetted head, he merely thought nothing of it. It wasn't until he heard Naruto's voice that he grew upset. "Okay Sakura, I'm here," he said, though it wasn't as chipper as it may had sounded. Iruka and Kakashi had come and told Naruto to take a few minutes away from his pacing around.

"Look Sasuke, I brought you some apples," Sakura chimed. "Now, where did I put that knife?" Sakura asked. "It's right in front of you," Naruto said. Their voices only became duller to Sasuke as he recalled all of Naruto's achievements, his own acknowledgments of the blonde's feats, and how his brother even wanted Naruto.

"Look, I'm going to go," Naruto said as Sakura was peeling the apple. "Ai needs me," he said, and she turned to him, "why did you even come up here in the first place?" Sakura asked in an annoyed tone. "Because I was told to take a break from looking after my child!" Naruto defended. Sakura scoffed and sliced the apple and offered it to Sasuke, who smacked the plate away from her and nearly hit Naruto in the process.

"Sasuke? What the heck?" Naruto asked angrily. Sasuke turned to Naruto and had a very pissed off expression. "Hey, you don't have to glare at me like that," Naruto stated. It felt as though Sasuke was throwing kunai with his expression alone.

"You. Naruto."

"Yeah I'm listening."

"I want you to fight me. Fight me now."

Naruto was taken back at it, more so than Sakura was. "We're in a hospital, and I have to go check on my child. She's sick and not to mention you just got patched up by Grandma Tsunade," Naruto said seriously.

Sasuke jumped out of bed, "I don't care if she's your child. That brat should never have been born Sasuke yelled. Naruto's eyes widen with anger. "What?" His voice was a deep growl, and he shook, trying to hold back his fury.

Sakura tried to get in-between the two, to stop their nonsense about fighting each other, but both were blinded by rage. Sasuke's anger over Naruto's strength that had surpassed his own, and Naruto's anger over how Sasuke dared to say that his child shouldn't have been born. Sasuke moved his head, "follow me."

Kakashi looked at the sleeping girl, relieved that what she had wasn't serious. It turned out that Ai just had the case of the chicken pox after all. It would pass in a week or so, given the days. It could have been worse.

"You got lucky Ai-chan," Kakashi chimed as he looked down at the infant. "You'll be safe here for a few minutes while I go check on Sasuke, right Ai?" Kakashi smiled behind his mask and left to go check on his student…

"Let it go. You got to forget about revenge," Kakashi said as he had Sasuke pinned to the tree. He and Naruto just had their fight and which both tried to use their most powerful moves on each other. "What?" Sasuke demanded.

"Believe me. In this work, I've met a lot of guys who feel the way you do. Trust me, for those who follow the path of revenge, it never ends well. You'll only tear yourself apart. And even if you succeed and you get your revenge, what will you have then? Nothing. Emptiness," Kakashi spoke earnestly to Sasuke, but his words never sunk through to Sasuke. They never would.

Naruto had taken his child out of the hospital once he was told about what she had and how to care for her chickenpox. Naruto wrapped his baby in her favorite blanket and carried her out and began heading straight him. Ai was finally awake, looking at her papa with half-lid eyes and some red coloring around her face. He would need to be extra careful with her.

"Naruto," it was Iruka, and he followed behind them. "How's Ai doing?"

"She's got something called the chickenpox. I can take care of her, though," Naruto said. Iruka cleared his throat and said, "ya know…since there is a low number of ninjas at the moment, why don't I help you? I mean, you might get called for a mission, and it'll be easier if I was already watching her," Iruka said. "Besides, you look like you need a break."

Naruto smiled a bit, "I think I do. I mean, Sasuke's got me really pissed off, and I don't want Ai seeing it, especially while she's sick," he said and handed the girl to Iruka. "I have to think about her needs before my own, ya know? Otherwise, I wouldn't be a good parent." Naruto said, feeling somewhat relieved since he could trust Iruka again and have the help was needed. "It's strange…a year ago she just arrived," Naruto said. "Over a year…I know I missed her actual birthday, but I was on the road training, but I tried to celebrate it when we came back," Naruto said. "I know Naruto, and it would have been a great party," Iruka said. "Just go get some needed rest Naruto. I promise Ai will be better before you know it."

Naruto leaned down and kissed his baby on the forehead, "I love you Ai," he said, and Iruka paled a bit. "Naruto! What if you catch the chickenpox from her and spread it to others?" Naruto laughed, "I'll just make sure I don't go kissing anyone," he said and headed off.

Iruka looked down at Ai, who was staring up at Iruka but began to reach for her own face, scratching herself. "Come on Ai, let's go home." He said and headed to his apartment to take care of the girl.

Sasuke left the village. Shikamaru and his squad had failed to retrieve him. While Naruto recovered in the hospital, Jiraiya had taken him in as his personal student. The cache? Ai couldn't go with him. Naruto turned it down as soon as he could, but he caved in. The Akatsuki would be after him and his child if he didn't train to become stronger and with the years they would need to train, he wouldn't be able to gain the experience if she came with them.

And Naruto knew she wouldn't be happy growing up on the road.

So on the day that he was heading out, he moved Ai's belongings to Iruka's place, and Naruto held his child tightly. She was no longer plague with the chickenpox and was smiling happily. Blissfully unaware of what was going on around her.

Iruka hesitated at first, but he said, "Naruto, I need to sign something," he said. "It's in case Ai needs to go to the hospital. Kakashi and I need to write permission from you to allow us to give necessary medical needs like yearly shots and whatnot," Iruka said and showed him where he needed to sign.

Naruto didn't even blink, "I trust you'll only look after her best interests," Naruto said, and with one hand holding a pen, he signed his name, and the other was holding Ai. Naruto smiled, "here," he said, and Iruka nodded, guilt crawling over his being heavy. Naruto looked at his daughter and said, "well Ai…I wish I can take you with me. I really do…but you're in good hands with Iruka and Kakashi, and it'll only be for a few years. After that, I'll be back, and I'll see you ever single day after that." He said and turned to Iruka. "I'll write every day and send gifts!" He said, and Iruka nodded. "Of course you will Naruto."

Naruto hugged Ai once more and gave her numerous had kissed on her forehead before he gave her to Iruka. "I'll see you later," he said and had to leave. "Bye Iruka-sensei. Bye Ai," those were the last words Naruto said to them before he left and went to go meet with Jiraiya at the gate.

Iruka's stomach felt tight, and he looked over to the document that Naruto signed. It was more than just a release form for Ai's medical needs; it was the adoption form that surrendered his rights to Ai.

Iruka had talked it over with Kakashi, and while Kakashi agreed to sign it, he didn't know Naruto signed it with prior knowledge. So when Iruka filled it out, he looked at the name that he needed to fill out to change Ai's surname. He looked at the girl in his arm and hip and kissed her cheek. Should her name be Hatake Ai or Umino Ai?

Umino Ai.

Iruka smiled when he signed it and said, "you're my daughter now Ai," he said. Iruka placed Ai down in her high chair before he grabbed the form and folded it up. It was the end of the month, and he needed to turn it into Tsunade. He turned to Ai and picked her up and said, "can you say, papa?"

Ai's babbles had turned to more coherent words, but it wasn't perfect. "Say, papa," Iruka said again as he headed to the door. He was going to the Hokage's office to have Tsunade approve the forms.

"…Papa!" Ai said, and Iruka smiled. "That's right baby." He kissed her forehead, "I'm your papa now."