Chapter 17

I don't own Naruto

Naruto's Baby Chapter 17

Ai had fallen asleep as Tsunade carried her to Naruto's apartment. She must admit that the child had grown a soft spot in her heart much like how Naruto did to prove himself years ago. It was funny to see her apart from her own son, Zuko, like this. The two were growing up together that they might as well be siblings.

Tsunade reached Naruto's apartment not too long after the girl fell asleep, and Tsunade knocked on the door while the girl's head rested on her shoulder.

"I'm coming," Naruto's voice could be heard behind the door, and when he opened the door, Tsunade could see his red eyes and dried tears. Tsunade gave him a stern, yet loving expression, "we need to talk."

She walked in without his permission. She removed her heeled sandals and walked inside, looking for Naruto's bedroom, and she opened the door, seeing that he was packing a bag. For the mission. That remembered that he'd be going on the mission to meet with the Akatsuki spy, which was just one more step closer to reach Sasuke.

Naruto came from behind and shoved things in his bag, and Tsunade noticed that he shoved Sasuke's old headband in there as well. "Here, you can lay her down now," Naruto said as he pulled the comforter back. Tsunade moved and laid the girl down, her arms above her head, and Naruto gave a small smile. When Ai was a newborn baby, she always did that when she was lifted up and when she was sleeping.

Naruto tucked her in and leaned down and kissed her forehead, like how he used to do when she was a baby, not that she would remember. The two walked out and went to the dining area, sitting down at the table. Naruto sat down across the table and Tsunade sighed, "you know I was the one who got your child back from Iruka's care because I thought it was for the best. Don't make me regret that decision Naruto," Tsunade started off. Naruto lowered his head a bit. "I appreciate that Granny."

"Then why was she left alone to wander into restaurants alone?" Tsunade asked. Naruto looked uneasy. There were many things he could say as an excuse or even as a defense. Konoha was safe. He did it because he had no supervision as a child. He at least gave her money. However, Naruto admitted, "because she doesn't see me as her parent. She sees me as a stranger, and I hate it." Naruto continued, "you know, it's messed it that my own child doesn't see me as her papa. I'm the one who brought her into this world. I raised her for as long as I could."

"Naruto, I'm going to be honest with you," Tsunade started off, "I was tempted to leave Ai in Iruka's care." Naruto snapped his head up and demanded, "Why?"

"Because he only thought of her well-being like any good parent would," Tsunade said firmly. "Despite the fact that Ai sees you like some stranger, did Iruka do a bad job raising her? She's well-fed, clothed, and happy."

"And that's why I hate him even more," Naruto admitted, and his elbows slammed on the table, and his head fell in his hands. He began to cry once more. "He was such a good parent, and I felt horrible for taking her away from that, but I want to have my child back. I want a family as well, and she's my only family."

Tsunade knew it must have been hard for Naruto, growing up alone. After all, he had no one for a long time. One of the most difficult things since becoming a mother was ignoring a child's cries, and Naruto was someone she never wanted to see cry. He reminded her of her little brother and her old lover after all, but Naruto also helped represent something she had lost many years ago; hope.

"I know you have a mission to prepare for, so until you return, I will be Ai's guardian," she said, and from the folds of her jacket sleeve, she had several things for Naruto in a packet. Naruto wiped his tears and opened the package. "What is this?"

"Iruka made this for you," Tsunade said, "it's a list of all of Ai's favorite foods, medicines to take her of her with including vitamins, and a list of her favorite activities and colors and then some." Naruto looked over the lists of things and read through most of it. Tears continued to fall as he saw how meticulous Iruka had been. He even had a journal. Naruto opened it and read the first passage, "Naruto gave birth to a girl today. He named her Uzumaki Ai because he wanted her to be surrounded by nothing but love," it read. It had the date, and it was just passages of things that had occurred since. Naruto read the next passage, "Naruto tried to run away from the hospital with Ai, but Kakashi and I knew where to look thankfully. I was worried to death over both of them." Naruto continued to read on, "Naruto came down with a fever after he ran away. He's been going in and out of consciousness. At the moment, Ai is doing okay." Naruto flipped through a few pages and found a passage about Ai's walking. "Today, Kakashi and I helped Ai learn how to walk. She's a little behind her development, but we're trying to catch her up. Today, she walked three whole steps before she fell." He saw that that passage was a few months after he had left. He flipped through a few passages when he saw one that just reminded him why he was so mad. "Ai will be living with me from now on. Kakashi will have rights to see her when he can. After Naruto had left, she called me Papa for the first time, and I was so happy."

Naruto slammed the book closed and crossed his arms. Tsunade could sense his anger; one would have to be blind not to see his frustration. She sighed, "well, I would suggest getting Ai on her regular schedule. You have the list of things she likes and how her day usually plays out. I'll have Shizune come by tomorrow and pick Ai up, so she'll take her to daycare," Tsunade said and stood up. Walking over, she placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, "she's not completely lost to you Naruto. Just remember that and remember how much you love that child."

Tsunade soon was out of the apartment. She was beginning to reconsider her decision to leave Ai in Naruto's care, especially when he had so much going on besides raising her. She walked out with a troubled mind.

Naruto went to bed, crashing next to the girl and hugged her close. He remembered when he did that when she was a baby and how she snuggled up to his warmth naturally. He looked down at the sleeping child and brushed some bangs out of her face, and he smiled. "You're just the cutest girl ever, yes you are," he whispered and kissed her forehead. "Papa will always love his baby girl, even if she doesn't understand it yet."

The girl continued to sleep as she was unaware of the turmoil that was currently Naruto. Not only would he have to go on a mission for a while, but he wanted nothing more than to bring Sasuke back to the village and have everything go back to normal, before the chunin exams.

Naruto rested his chin lightly on top of her head and began crying softly. "You're all I have now baby," he whispered, and he felt his heart ached. He felt so alone at the moment. No one really seemed to be on his side aside from Granny Tsunade, and he knew she was only looking out for Ai's best interest.

And that was all that mattered now…wasn't it?

Neji had just been doing some light training with Senji before it had gotten too dark. Neji grew concern for his son when he noticed some strange abnormalities in him. He had just received some complaints from his teacher and how Senji wasn't meeting to certain milestones for children and how easily distracted Senji was getting during class. Even now, during their small amount of training, Neji's keen eye saw how Senji's attention was drawn away.

He had knocked his son down lightly, barely a tap, and the four-year-old sat down. "Senji!" Neji's firm voice roared to the child, "pay attention. You've been looking away. You cannot do that in a fight. All of your attention needs to be on your opponent during a close-range fight. You must understand this before you can advance to your byakugan training," Neji had crossed his arms and looked down at his son.

Senji looked at his dad with teary eyes but nodded, "I'm trying to pay attention, I really am," Senji said.

"No you're-" He was cut off by Hiashi, "Neji, I need to speak with you," he said firmly. Neji nodded and turned to Senji, who coward before the elder Hyuuga. To Senji, the man was nothing but a strict man with a scary exterior. "Go find Hinata-sama Senji; she'll help you with your other homework," Neji ordered, and the boy got up. He started walking out and looked at the Hyuuga head, and one look at the elder made him start running in fear.

Hiashi actually like the boy. If something should happen to his daughters, then there was a possible chance that Senji would be the heir to the Hyuuga clan despite Neji's standing as a branch member. Unless the talk he was about to have changed that for the boy. "We need to speak in my chambers," he said and led the younger male to his office.

Once they had arrived, Neji noticed his grandfather was already in the office. Neji stiffened with the man around. Neji still partly blamed the elder for his father's death, even knowing the truth. Hiashi sat down at his desk, and Neji stood in front of the two. "Neji," Hiashi began, speaking a bit uneasily. This was a serious manner, "how to have Senji's studies?"

Neji knew that this must involve his son somehow. After all, why even bring him up? To make light conversation? No, that wasn't Hiashi's style, and Neji knew that. Still, he answered honestly, "despite some shortcomings; he appears to be doing just fine," he replied. It was acceptable as much as he knew.

The elderly man looked at his grandson and sighed, "we need to discuss on Senji's status as a Hyuuga member."

Neji's eyes narrowed, "I thought we already did when he was born."

"We did. However, some things have changed," the elderly man continued. Hiashi looked at his father, the retired head of the house, and spoke, "Father I have this," he said. He looked at his nephew and said, "Iroha has been released from prison." Neji's eyes widen, and his heart stopped for a moment. Fury soon replaced the expression, and he demanded, "why?! Why has he been released?!"

"Calm down Neji," his grandfather instructed with empathy in his voice.

"He's done his time and has been punished thoroughly and has been on good behavior," Hiashi stated. "He also knows to stay away from you."

"But what about Senji? What about my son?!" Neji spoke angrily.

"He will not have any custodial rights for Senji nor will he be allowed near the boy," Hiashi assured his nephew. "Which is why the matter of his status is being questioned," Hiashi mentioned. "If Senji were to remain a Main House family member, he might have unintentional contact with him. We have not told Iroha about Senji, but who's to say that he won't find out from the members. While we do have a strict silence on this matter, who's to say there isn't a slip in the cracks, or that Iroha won't noticed you and Senji together?" He said.

Neji knew exactly what Hiashi was about to say, "you want me to put the seal on my child's forehead. Make him a branch member," he said. Even saying that made Neji taste bitterness. Neji's fists tighten noticeably.

"It's an option Neji," Hiashi said. "Senji is in the more particular places for someone of our clan. While he was born to your line, he was also born from a Main House family member and if something were to happen to my girls, whether they give up their titles or to die, then Senji would be the next heir apparent," Hiashi said.

"We hope it won't come down to that," his grandfather stepped in. "It would most unacceptable is our clan was to be led by an inbred bastard."

"Father!" Hiashi shouted. Neji winced visibly because it was true. Inbred. He could still remember that horrid night…he was barely a genin when it happened! Neji looked at his uncle and grandfather, "my son will not have the seal! I'll make sure of that. I don't care if he ever runs this clan as head or not, but he will not be someone for you to hurt openly," Neji was firm on that matter.

"I thought you should know what to expect Neji," Hiashi said. "You are dismissed."

Neji turned and left the office, slamming the door behind him.

The elder turned to his son, "we should have made him get that abortion years ago. We could have easily hidden this matter up."

Hiashi stood up, and being taller than his father, looked down at him, "it would have killed Neji with their chakras being tied tightly together in a pregnancy like his. Don't you remember how horrible it was for Hizashi when he was carrying Neji?" Yes, Neji was Hizashi's son in the same way that Neji was Senji's father. Neji was born by Hizashi, and this issue had been kept secret from Neji until he started showing symptoms of pregnancy just as Hizashi seventeen years ago. "And I never want you to hear you say such a thing around the boy."

"I'm your father," the old man spoke, "you never order me around." Hiashi was thankful that his father had decided to leave when he did because Hiashi was stressed out. He sighed heavily, knowing that it would only be sensible that Senji would be the heir. His daughters would more than likely marry outside of the clan, and when that happened, they would have to give up their positions as heiresses. He had taken Neji in as a student, and he was his brother's only child so he would honor his late brother, his sacrifice would not go unpaid for. It was too late for Neji, but Senji had a chance to live the life Neji should have.

Free.

That next morning came too soon for Neji's liking. He had a mission he had to go on, but he had to drop Senji off at the Hokage's office. He and Senji were close friends, and Tsunade-sama wanted her son to have as much interaction with his friends as much as possible. It also benefitted Neji because he wouldn't have to make two stops for daycare that day.

Since it was rather early, Neji didn't bother to wake up his son. He did dress him while he slept, so he was wearing the more traditional robes of the Hyuuga clan, even with their symbol on the back. He put a hand on his son's sleeping forehead and promised that his child would never be marked by the same seal as his own forehead.

He picked the boy up and carried him out of his house, the boy's head sleeping on Neji's left shoulder. He decided to walk to the office that morning, after all, it seemed rare that he could spend some time with his son outside of training.

As he walked, Neji looked over and saw Naruto, doing a balancing act of his own. He had a bookbag on his back and a sleeping child on his left hip, much like how Neji was carrying Senji. Naruto seemed to have gotten the hang of balancing a child and other things in his arm. Naruto looked just as exhausted as he felt. When the blonde genin walked out, he saw Neji. The two seemed to have shared a nod of understanding. Both were in similar situations, both with children as a result, and they weren't even considered adults yet.

Neji walked closer to Naruto, and the two ended up walking side by side to each other on their way to Tsunade's office.

Both children none the wiser.