The Altruistic Caregiver

CHAPTER TWO

Emiko had Naruto for about a week when a letter arrived.

Emiko carries a fussy and tired Naruto while standing outside her small apartment, a letter hanging from the back pocket of her black pants. As she turns the knob, the girl frowns at the sound– honey-dew eyes full of compassion for the crying infant in her arms. She gently rocks Naruto, hushing soothing words and patting his back with steady, rhythmic strokes. They had just gotten back from a tiny park nearby. Though he was much too little to play, she figured some tummy time in the sunshine with the fresh smell of the outside air would do them some good. They had a good time until it was time to head home for Naruto's scheduled nap. Emiko had everything scheduled when it came to Naruto. She didn't want to risk forgetting a single thing. From morning feedings, naps, baths— Well, everything except for diaper changes. Those were too unpredictable.

The young girl entered the apartment with a soft sigh, smiling. Naruto had fallen asleep sometime during her counseling, tummy time really wore him out. Emiko carefully proceeded to their room with the sleeping infant. She gently laid him down in his crib, being extra careful to not wake him. As she covered him with a soft blanket, she looked down at him with affection with a sense of responsibility— a few strands of her curly butterscotch hair falling in front of her face. With a final glance, she quietly leaves the room and closes the door behind her, leaving a sleeping Naruto to rest.

Emiko's hands go to her hair, pulling it up and tying it into a ponytail as she walks toward the sofa. She takes the envelope out of her pocket before plopping down on it. With curious eyes, she impatiently rips the envelope open with her teeth– flipping it upside down. Two things drop out of the envelope, a scroll and a check. Her heart started to gain some speed as she took hold of the scroll, unsure of what it may say. With her hands trembling slightly, she carefully unwraps the scroll and begins reading its contents.

A new wet nurse will be coming to your home in three weeks for Uzumaki Naruto. After four weeks, you will be eligible to reapply full-time time wet nurse position. Until those four weeks, you will be allowed to be a wet nurse part-time for the newborns at the hospital. If you wish to have the same dependent when you are allowed to work full time, you may write the dependent's name on the back of the reapply paperwork.

Thank you for your work. The people of Konohagakure thrive due to wet nurses, especially now with the recent nine-tails attack. The money for your work was delivered with this scroll.

Best regards,

Konohagakure Hospital Council and Staff - Wet Nurse Program.

She let out a disappointed sigh as she felt her heart sink. Emiko knew she wouldn't be allowed to have Naruto for too long, but she had hoped for more time than a month with the cute, little bundle of sunshine. Despite expecting the news— she couldn't but feel a tinge of sadness as her honey-dew eyes stared down at the text, rereading the scroll in her hands.

"Three weeks left… huh."

Another week had gone by.

Amidst the chatter and movement coming from the busy market— Naruto was babbling and cooing with glee as Emiko held him, his baby blues occasionally scanning the items around them. The market was a vibrant and lively place, with a bustling atmosphere. Each stall was packed with a wide variety of goods, from fresh fruits and vegetables all the way to handmade crafts and clothing. Vendors busied themselves with selling their wares, calling out to passing customers with their offerings. Emiko had already gotten what she had come for– diapers. But she couldn't help continuing to walk around as she saw Naruto's eyes light up with every stall they looked at. Not that she wasn't just as curious as him as to what they all had to offer.

Emiko rubbed Naruto's back soothingly as she heard a cry, pausing with confusion as she realized it wasn't coming from the infant in her arms. Her brows furrow slightly as she begins to scan the market for the source of the sound. Honey-dew eyes settled on a boy with black shoulder-length hair, who was consoling the fussy infant in his arms.

The boy looked around eight years old. He was a few inches shorter than her with a round baby face and onyx eye surrounded by a pair of thick lashes. He looked almost pretty. The baby in his arms looked a few months older than Naruto. The baby had the same color of hair as the boy, but it wasn't as smooth; instead, it appeared thick and messy as it stood up in random places. His eyes were the same shade of onyx as the boy's. She wondered if they were brothers.

". . . I have extra milk."

Emiko speaks up after a few moments of watching the boy struggle, averting her honey-dew eyes as their eyes meet— she hoped she wasn't being perceived as nosy. She continues in a nervous tone, not wanting to over-step. "I always bring a couple of extra bottles when I go out… S-So, I have plenty."

The boy's cheeks flush with a soft hue, embarrassed for needing some assistance with the fussing baby boy. With some reluctance, he swallows it with a curt nod. Frowning at the infant's cries, his voice was quiet and light. ". . . I'd appreciate it."

As her anxiety ebbs away, Emiko's face lights up with a bright smile. She uses one hand to take the small duffel bag off her shoulder, the other arm securely holding Naruto. She puts the strap in her mouth, holding it up as she unzips it, and pulls out a bottle with her breast milk in it. She zips the bag back up, putting it back over her shoulder and handing him the bottle. The boy takes it with slight hesitation, a complex expression on his face. Still, he brings the bottle to the crying baby's mouth. The corner of his mouth tugs upwards as the baby begins to suck eagerly, his whines fading away. The boy keeps his onyx eyes on the small baby, warm affection behind them.

"What's his name?" Emiko asks, green eyes full of curiosity.

"Sasuke— Uchiha Sasuke." He answers factually, but she can hear the warmth in his tone when he says the name. His onyx eyes move off of Sasuke and onto her before sliding down to the bundle in her arms. ". . . What's his?"

"Uzumaki Naruto." She hums, looking down at the infant in her arms, an amused snort leaving her nose as she noticed he had fallen asleep. Sasuke wasn't far behind. His dark eyes begin to flutter as the milk lures him to sleep.

There is a moment of silence between the two before the boy breaks it.

". . . Thank you." He says with a faint smile, looking away as it drops. "Okaa-san is probably getting worried— I shall take my leave now."

He gives a respectful, polite bow before walking away with a sleeping Sasuke. Emiko watches for a few seconds before smiling down at Naruto, who was still sleeping soundly. She boops his nose lightly, making sure not to interrupt his slumber as she whispers to him lightly.

"Maybe you two will be friends one day, hm?"