She'd been through childbirth before. Naruto had seen her go through childbirth before. Sakura had even told the stressed Uzumaki that usually the second time around the birthing process went by a lot smoother and quicker, with fewer possibilities of complications due to the body having already been through it. And since Bolt's birth had gone off without a hitch, the birth of the couple's second child, a daughter, should be the same way with minimal chances of complications.

If all that was true, then why did Hinata appear to be in such agonizing pain?

All three members of the Uzumaki family were at Konoha's General Hospital in the birthing wing. Hinata was in a room surrounded by doctors while Naruto and their two year old son Bolt were standing out in the hallway. Naruto wanted so badly to be in there with his wife, but somebody needed to be with Bolt and he was too young to be in the room.

Hinata had gone into labor the day before, early in the morning. She had gone to check on Bolt and when she was halfway back to her room, a wetness permeated through her nightgown. She rushed back to her bedroom, where she woke up her sleeping husband. Because the water had just broken, Naruto had time to rush over to Sakura and Sasuke's house, waking the two up in order to get Sakura to come back with him. The blonde didn't want anyone other than Konoha's top medical ninja to look after his wife and the birth of his baby girl.

Now, twenty-one hours later, in the middle of the night, Naruto felt like pulling out his hair. Somebody needed to watch Bolt so that he'd be able to go in there and be with his wife.

Where I belong.

And as if by divine intervention, somebody cleared their throat behind him, calling Naruto's attention to the stranger and their intrusion.

Naruto's eyes widened as relief washed over his exhausted face.

"Sasuke!"

"Usuratonkachi. Sakura called and told me that you were out here stressing and worrying and needed someone to look after Bolt," the stoic Uchiha explained. But under the cool façade, Naruto could see the worry in Sasuke's obsidian eyes.

Looks like everyone is worried for Hinata and little Hima-chan, Naruto thought. With a nod of his head and a quick hug, Naruto handed Bolt over to his best friend and proceeded to enter the delivery room.

Hinata sat in the bed, surrounded by medic nin, with her legs open wide. Her face was drenched with sweat and her navy tresses were sticking to her forehead and neck. Hinata's expression was unlike one Naruto had ever seen on his wife's lovely face. Her eyes were crinkling with strain and the veins popping out of her neck were all due to exertion.

Sakura's jade eyes met with Naruto's. The rosette was the one who was going to deliver their second child, as she'd done with their first. She gave Naruto a nod of greeting as the blonde made his way to his wife's side. The Uzumaki grabbed her small hand with his prosthetic, allowing her to squeeze it with all her might.

Naruto wanted to collapse and cry at the sight before him.

She's in so much pain. Why is she in so much pain?

"N-Naruto-kun," breathed out Hinata weakly. If it was even possible, Hinata appeared even paler than usual. Naruto took that as a bad sign.

"Hey Hina-hime. How are you doing?" he greeted, pushing away the bangs from her forehead. He placed a gentle kiss on the fevered skin.

"I-I'm alright—" she was saying before a scream of pain interrupted her. Naruto assumed it was a contraction, and an incredibly strong one at that.

"I see the head! Hinata, you're almost there. Hang in there," Sakura yelled. The rosette's brow was shiny with sweat and crinkled in determination. The medic nin around the couple were flurrying about, looking at monitors and Hinata. Naruto felt as if he were in the way, but there was no way in hell that he would be leaving his wife's side at such a critical moment.

"Did you hear that Hinata? It's almost over. She's almost here," Naruto whispered. He was combing back her hair to keep it out of his wife's face; his own face was close to hers that Naruto could feel the heat radiating from Hinata's skin. Tears were mingling with the sweat on her face as Hinata let out a sob.

Sucking in breaths, Hinata repositioned herself and squeezed Naruto's hand even tighter. With newfound strength and determination—Naruto was assuming it was because this painful process was almost over with—Hinata gave the biggest three pushes of her life.

And at three in the morning, after an agonizingly long and painful labor, little dark-haired Uzumaki Himawari came into this world.

"She's here! She's here!" Sakura announced. She handed her to a nurse who quickly dried off Himawari before giving her back to Sakura. The rosette walked over to Hinata's other side, the Uzumaki newborn in her arms.

Naruto couldn't say anything. He was in shock. His little girl was here! His little girl was here and his wife was out of horrible pain! For once, the most hyperactive ninja was silent.

Sakura handed over the baby to Hinata, and for the first time in twenty-one hours, Naruto saw his beautiful wife smile as she looked at her baby girl.

"I'll bring in Bolt," Sakura said, giving the couple their privacy.

"Look at how beautiful she is, Naruto-kun," Hinata breathed. Naruto looked at her, the color to her features returning. She looked exhausted, but Hinata no longer looked on the verge of death. And in her arms, wrapped in warm blankets, was a crying dark-haired little girl who had two whiskers on either cheek.

"Mama! Papa!" Bolt yelled as he was ushered into the room. The little boy was pulling on Sakura's hand, trying with all his might to be set free and run to his family. He wanted to see his new sister too.

"Bolt," Hinata said, turning her smile to her son. "Come up here with Mama and Papa. Look at your little sister honey."

Sakura picked up the boy and set him on Naruto's lap, giving him a good view on the newborn.

Looking at the scene before him—Hinata holding the newborn Himawari, Bolt ready to pounce off his lap, his two best friends standing at the foot of the hospital bed—Naruto couldn't help but smile as he wiped away the tears that were streaming down his face.