Chapter 15

I don't own Naruto

Naruto's Baby Chapter 15

While Naruto was sent on the mission to save the Kazakage, Gaara, Iruka was in a meeting with the elders and Tsunade. He might as well be on trial. The meeting was to discuss the sole custody of Ai. Her last name wasn't going to be used until they officially decided who was going to care for the girl. Iruka hoped that he could be in the girl's life since he had been taking care of her.

"Umino Iruka," Tsunade said, starting the meeting. "I understand the circumstances behind your reasoning," she started off. "Naruto wouldn't have been able to care for Ai while he was on the road. He also wouldn't have been able to give the attention Ai needed," Tsunade said. "You did an excellent job being her guardian Iruka."

"That doesn't excuse not telling Naruto what he was signing," it was Danzo who spoke that. Iruka fought hard not to glare at the elder. It was this man who cornered him into the desperation.

"If Danzo had taken the boy in, the girl wouldn't even have been an issue because she wouldn't even have been born," Koharu stated. Tsunade has to dig up a decade's worth of paperwork to understand the entire situation, and that included why Naruto was living alone. Tsunade even found the proposal Danzo had written up so that he could take Naruto into his custody, into the Root foundation like some other orphans. Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, knew what Naruto's parent's wanted and tried to respect their wishes. Tsunade knew it was better for Naruto's happiness that he not be involved with Danzo. Not to mention with the Akatsuki roaming around, going around to kidnap the jinchuriki, it left to question if Naruto could take care of Ai and not put her in danger.

"I respect Sarutobi's decision to keep Naruto away from you," Tsunade said sternly. "This case is about the custody of a three-year-old girl, not her fifteen-year-old parent."

"A fifteen-year-old jinchuriki. He would have usually not been allowed outside of the village, and you have him going on missions," Homura stated to Tsunade. "If Naruto is to continue going on missions, we recommend giving him two shinobi at least to act as his guard. As for the child, who's to say that she hadn't inherent some of the Kyuubi's chakra?"

"Uchiha Itachi was a prodigy when he was seven years old and at a young age joined the ANBU Black Ops. Who's to say that this girl isn't as intelligent or cunning?" Koharu said. "Not to mention her sharingan will activate one day. If she so much as developed that kekkei genkai with that chakra, she would be one of the world's most powerful shinobi."

Iruka felt extreme irritated and awkward. They didn't know the girl. They didn't know how un-Uchiha like she actually was. She smiled! She was happy! She never even so much as hit another person without apologizing for it. Not to mention, she wasn't as smart as she could be. She wasn't an idiot, but Iruka had the sense that she would be…of average intelligence to put it nicely. "If I may speak," He stood up. "I've raised the child you're describing, and I can assure you that Ai is nothing more than a child who only wants to smile and be happy. She isn't some weapon no matter what her genetics say."

"Iruka, children eventually grow up," Homura stated. "You were once a child. Your students are children. Do they not grow up? Do they not learn and thrive under your teachings?" He questioned. "Eventually that so-called child will be a shinobi for this village and whether or not she'll turn on us depends on what we can and will do for her growing up."

"So why didn't you do that for Naruto?" Iruka asked boldly. "As upset as I am with him and how he's behaving, I still care about his well-being. I care if he lives or dies today or tomorrow. I see him as a part of my family. I know he had to grow up alone and he's resented many people in the village for it. That's why I want to make sure that his child, my child, that little girl who we care for gets the best options in the world. That's what any parent wants for their child. The best," Iruka said.

Tsunade nodded to him. That was what made any parent. They put their children's needs over their own, and Naruto wasn't doing that. However, that doesn't mean he never did. Tsunade had seen how much he cares for Ai. He practically adores her, just as Iruka loves her. This was a tough decision because it was two caring parents fighting for one lucky child.

But, there had to be consequences.

"I've made my decision," Tsunade said, "Iruka, your punishment is that you will have limited access to Ai when she joins the academy in two years, you may be her sensei. However, you're no longer permitted to resume custody of the child. Her name will be changed back to Uzumaki Ai, and Naruto will have his custody restored to him," Tsunade went on to say, "You may still see the girl if Naruto permits it, and if he is on a mission, I will watch over her. I'm sorry Iruka, but you are no longer Ai's parental guardian. Hatake Kakashi will be kept on as acting pseudo-guardian should I not be available as a custodian should Naruto permit that as well. I will draw up another contract for everyone to sign regarding the girl's overall care," Tsunade said, writing this all down. Iruka's heart shattered. He felt like he was losing his family all over again. He bit his tongue and took a deep breath. All he ever wanted was a family again. But now…he lost it all.

"Yes milady, I'll respect the orders," he said and turned to leave once he was dismissed. As soon as he was out of the room, he felt his chest tighten and tear leak from his eyes. It hurt so much. "My baby…is no longer mine."

Since Kakashi was the hospital and barely able to sit up, Tsunade ordered Shizune to take the girl's belongings to Naruto's apartment. She, along with a few other chunin, packed up the girl's room, feeling sorry for Iruka, who watched with devastation as Ai's room was being packed up and taken to Naruto's apartment.

When that was done, Ai was taken to Naruto's apartment. Shizune was tasked with this as well. The girl looked up at the woman and asked many questions. "Where are we going?"

"To your new home," Shizune answered.

"New home? What happened to my old home?" Ai asked. Shizune didn't know how to explain that. "That's no longer your home. You don't live there anymore."

"Well, will Papa or Daddy be there?" Ai asked as she was getting nervous now. She was not informed of this new change, and she didn't understand what was going on.

"You only had a papa, and he's not the same papa as before," Shizune answered. They were walking along the main street until they turned and walked to Naruto's door. Shizune knocked and ran into the chunins from before.

"We just unpacked a few things, but he's not home," one said.

"Okay, thank you for your assistance," Shizune said. Ai looked at the men, having seen them around the village before and they smiled at the girl, waved her off, and headed out to resume their other duties. Shizune walked in with Ai behind her. The girl looked around the strange dwellings and saw how clean it was so far. Shizune looked around and looked at the time, the clock being on the wall, "I have to get going," she said and turned to Ai, "this is your new home now. Your Papa isn't here at the moment, but I'm sure he'll be home soon. Just stay here and wait for him." She assured and left, closing the door behind her.

The three-year-old remained standing in the same spot for a few minutes before she began to walk around to take a look around her new home. Nothing looked familiar to her. She went to the kitchen first and saw no food in the fridge except for a carton of milk. She closed that up and ran to the bedroom, where a bed was, but not hers. In fact, her bed wouldn't be able to fit in here. Curious, she looked around and started to go through the draws and pulled out some clothes that were too big for her. She found an orange and blue jacket and saw how old and dirty it was. She sniffed it and found it surprising not a horrible smell. Actually, she found the smell to be strangely familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on the scent. She put it on like how her papa taught her.

Ai looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was pulled in her usual ponytail, and the coat covered her completely. The sleeves were really long on her, so she started to wave her arms, flapping them for amusement. She ran around the room and got on the bed, jumping on it. She looked over to her side when she noticed the photo frames shaking from her jumping and one fell on the bed. She stopped by landing on her bottom, knowing she would be safe, and then crawled over to the frame and looked at the picture. "Daddy!" She said. It was Team Seven's picture, and she saw her daddy, Kakashi, in it. She blinked when she recognized Sakura, but the two other people in the photo were unrecognizable. She did see the jacket that Naruto was wearing and looked down at the one she had put on, and smiled. "It's the same coat!"

Ai climbed off the bed and put the picture on the bed, before running around to venture the small apartment more, but she easily finished it in five minutes. She went back to the room and dug through more drawers, and found a headband with a scratch on it. She smiled and tried to tie it on her forehead, looking back in the mirror. "Now I'm the kid in the photo!" She said, though the headband slipped off her forehead and now hung from her neck. She merely laughed, "now it's like Hina-chan's!"

The girl ran around the apartment with her arms back, making 'vroom' noises. She even left the apartment to find Zuko or some other kids to play ninja with.

Ai ran through the village as though she was a real shinobi, which was normal for children to copy their parents or heroes. Many people didn't seem to notice. It was the bright orange color that they saw, and that was why they were watching the girl. She went on the ninja run, and skid to a stop when she looked over and saw some people she recognized.

"Shika! Choji!" Ai yelled and went over to them. The two looked over to the girl; both had been fighting a stranger who suddenly attacked. "Well well, if it isn't Ai-chan," Shikamaru teased. "You're looking rather fetching with that jacket of yours," he said teasing her. Choji smiled and said, "you look just like Naruto with it on."

"Naruto?" Ai tilt her head to the side and closed her eyes in pondering. Ino came from behind and was yelling at Choji over something Ai smiled and went to the older girl. "Ino-nee-san!" She said and took the girl's hand. "Missed you!"

Ino smiled at the girl, "Hello their Ai-chan. I like your new jacket; orange is a good color on you," she said. "Did your papa give you that jacket?" Much like Sakura's attitude toward Ai's having shifted, Ino enjoyed the girl's presence around.

"No! I found it!" Ai said. "Along with this!" She said and showed her the headband. Her eyes widen, "That's..." She said and looked over. "Naruto! Hey, Naruto! It's been a while!" She shouted. Ai looked over and saw the man from a few days ago. The one who tried to grab her. Ai went over to Choji and hid behind his legs.

Naruto, who was on a roof and several yards away, jumped down and ran back to the group. "Hey, Ino!" He smiled and looked over to Choji and noticed Ai hiding, but he also saw the jacket that he used to wear.

How did she get a hold of it?

"Ai," Naruto knelt down and smiled. "Why are you hiding from me? I'm your papa."

"NOT MY PAPA!" Ai shouted. "Choji, this man grabbed me from my papa! He's a bad man," Ai said. Choji nervously laughed and shrugged. Ai always liked Choji. She was able to say his name without giving it a nickname, and he was always kind enough to share a chip or two with her when she was younger. Choji knelt down, "I'm sure he didn't mean to scare you," he said and pushed her forward a bit.

Ai looked up at the blonde man. He wasn't as tall as her papa or daddy, but he was tall. He was no longer kneeling, but he reached down and patted the girl's hair. "You look good in my old jacket; I'll say that," he smiled. Ai's face turned, and she went "eh?!"

That was when she realized that the kid in the photo was the man before her. She took it off and threw it to the ground. "NO!" She screamed childishly. She kept the headband, and when Naruto noticed it, he thought about Itachi, who he recently had a run-in with. Though Sasuke did come to his mind as well, it was Itachi's image that was fresh in his mind.

"Give me the headband Ai," he ordered her.

"NO!" She said and crossed her arms. Naruto felt his eye twitch. "Pretty please can I have my headband back?" He asked. "NO!" Ai said. Naruto reached over her and grabbed the headband from her, loosening the knot and grabbing it before she could actually stop him. "Hey! That's mine! I found it!"

"No, you took it! It was in my room, and you took it. Just like you took my jacket!" Naruto scolded. "And when I saw do something, you must do it," Naruto said. "I'm your papa, and you have to listen to me," he said firmly.

Ai blew raspberries at that. "NOT MY PAPA! NOT MY PAPA! NOT MY PAPA!"

"Ai! I am your papa, and you have to listen to me or else you're grounded," he said. Ai stuck her tongue at him and said, "I won't listen to you! You're just a meanie!" Ai began running off. Naruto quickly grabbed her before she ran too far. "You little brat! How dare you!" He said and Ai struggled against him. She even bit his hand, and Naruto let her go.

Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino watched as Naruto was being beaten by a three-year-old girl.

Ai smirked, triumphal of her small win and she crossed her arms. She started to run off and began heading to her home, not Naruto's apartment.

Iruka was emptying the remains of Ai's old bedroom when he looked at the window when he heard some tapping. Ai was on the tree branch. The girl was smiling, and Iruka ran over and opened the window. "Ai?!" She jumped in, and Iruka caught her easily, pulling her in through the window. "You know you're not supposed to climb trees yet," he said, and the girl smiled. "Sorry Papa but I'm always careful," Ai smiled.

Iruka frowned and put her down. He was about to scold her, but he didn't. He couldn't. Ai looked around and saw how empty her old room was. "Where's my stuff?" She asked and went to where her bed once was. "My bed?" She asked and then to the closet. "My clothes?"

The tan man turned to the girl and knelt down and began crying. Ai turned and saw the man crying. "Papa!" She went over, and Iruka wrapped his arms around the girl. "Papa, why are you crying?"

"Because…I'm not your papa anymore," he said.

Ai laughed, "don't be a silly papa. You're always my papa."

Iruka released the hug, but his hands were on the girl's shoulders. Ai looked at the man and the tears he was shedding. Ai knew something was wrong and she never saw her papa cry before. That must mean something was wrong. "Pa-"

"Don't!" He stopped her. "I'm not….I'm not Papa anymore. I'm Iruka," he said. "Call me Iruka," he said as he tried to hold back the bitterness. Ai didn't understand. Not one bit. "But…you're my papa."

"I'M NOT!" Iruka screamed. This was the most painful thing he had to do. "I'm not your papa Ai. Not anymore. I'm not your papa."

Ai mind twisted as she felt the rejection. She only knew a few certainties in her small world, and Iruka being her papa was the foundation of it. "But, I am your baby…and you're my papa." She said firmly, but she could feel the heartbreak.

"Ai," Iruka stood up. "Get out."

Ai blinked. "Wh-what?" She asked innocently.

"I said get out!" He yelled at her. Ai stumbled back, walking backward. Iruka led the girl out, and when she was looking at Iruka with teary eyes, he grabbed her by the arm and took her to the front door. "Leave!" He shoved her out and slammed the door on her face. Ai began to try to open the door and pounded on the door. "PAPA PLEASE! I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG! PLEASE PAPA!" Ai began to cry out and wanted in. All she wanted was her papa! Iruka locked the door and leaned against the door. Hearing the girl's cries broke his heart even more. A tear streamed down his face as well. "Go to Naruto…he's your papa now." He said.

The child's cries and pleas continued, but they fell on deaf ears. Iruka had to tone her out. He had to cut the cord he created between the two. Ai wouldn't understand. How could she? Then again, how could a man who claimed to love the child so much that he threw her out the only home she remembered?

Ai's cried continued until Iruka had to leave. He snuck out the window as the child's cries continued. He made sure not to be caught by her, and he went to the academy to distract himself.

Naruto went by Iruka's apartment to talk to him, but when he saw Ai asleep in front of the door, he knelt down, seeing her tear-stained face. He picked the girl up and noted how heavy she was compared to when she was a baby. He held her close, the first hug he'd gotten from her since his return home. "Guess he's not home," Naruto mumbled to himself and carried the girl out.

Ai subconsciously clung to Naruto, her nose stuffy from crying heavily. "Papa," she mumbled in her sleep and Naruto's heart soared, "that's right baby, I'm your papa," he murmured and kissed her forehead. Tears started to fall from her eyes once more. Her hands were bruised from how hard she was pounding on the door, calling out for Iruka, her papa.

Iruka had been watching from a distant. "Naruto…be a better parent than I was to that girl. She only deserves the best," Iruka said and whipped his last tear he would shed on this subject.

Naruto had his baby girl back.