Chapter 61
"We are not delaying any longer!" Jiraiya yelled, tugging Naruto, but he stubbornly clung to the edge of the door frame, shaking his head.
"I want to see Kakashi sensei's baby before I go!" Naruto protested.
Kakashi sweat dropped. He was due any day now, but Jiraiya refused to wait any longer. Kakashi didn't exactly blame him, the sooner they left Konoha the sooner Akatsuki wouldn't know where Naruto was, but Naruto was desperate to meet the baby. Kakashi would rather Naruto was safe though, even if that meant introducing him to the baby a couple of years later on than intended.
Team 7, Iruka and Izumi were seeing Naruto and Jiraiya off, although so far it wasn't going very well.
"You can't just cling to the gates like that, Naruto!" Iruka scolded. "You're supposed to be a genin representing us now."
"My baby might not be due for days yet, Naruto," Kakashi sighed. "And even if my water spilled right now, it could take hours for me to give birth."
"But you've been having those contraction things right?" Naruto cried desperately.
"Highly irregular ones that Lady Tsunade insisted meant I wasn't in labour yet," Kakashi said. "We'll be fine, and you can meet the baby once you get back."
"Yeah, we'll show them lots of photos of you, and read your letters aloud," Sakura reassured.
"It's not the same," Naruto whined.
"Well I refuse to wait any longer!" Jiraiya huffed. "I've got research to conduct, and we've got a long way to go, so we gotta get moving, kid!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Of course this would be the way you leave the village, dope."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Naruto scowled, then yelped as he planted face first into the ground. Jiraiya had finally dragged him off the gates.
"You look like a loser," Sasuke scoffed.
Naruto bristled. "I just don't want to miss out on seeing Kakashi sensei's baby!"
Jiraiya eyed Kakashi. "Are you sure you can't just speed your baby up?"
Kakashi raised a brow. "Hold on and I'll just check for you." He stared down at his stomach, his voice completely dry. "Hey, can you come out now?"
Of course nothing happened. The baby only shifted about, sending another tinge of discomfort through Kakashi. He raised his gaze back up to Jiraiya, who looked impatient, tapping his foot and everything. Well sorry! It wasn't like Kakashi wanted to have a baby the size of a watermelon in his stomach right now.
"Sorry, I don't think the baby is taking in any requests today," Kakashi said dryly.
Sasuke shook his head. "This is stupid," he sighed. "Oi, Naruto, you want to become Hokage right?"
Naruto blinked. "Of course...?"
"Then hurry up and go get stronger," Sasuke said, then grimaced. "Then maybe finally our team can go take down Itachi..."
Sakura inhaled sharply, and Naruto sat up, staring intently at Sasuke. Sakura was slack jawed. Sasuke refused to meet either of their gazes, just stared at the gates like they were the most interesting thing in the world. Kakashi had to fight the urge to coo. His Omega almost trilled, but he managed to force that down too. Look at Sasuke, being a team player. It was so sweet!
Izumi ruffled Sasuke's hair, smiling softly at him. Sasuke still didn't look at any of them though.
"CHA!" Sakura threw her fist up into the air. "You hear that, Naruto?" She grinned sharply. "You better come back stronger than ever. Sasuke and I will be training harder than ever, so you better be prepared to match up to us when you get back. Then once we're back together again we'll crush Sasuke's nightmares to pieces! First Orochimaru, then Itachi!"
Naruto nodded, and reached out with a fist. "It's a promise."
Sakura fist bumped him.
.::.
Izumi stretched out lazily as Naruto and Jiraiya said their final goodbyes and headed off. Naruto kept looking back to wave at them, grinning brightly. Sakura looked enthusiastic, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"I think we should start training early today, Sasuke," Sakura said. "I'm feeling ready. Are you?"
"You're being too energetic," Sasuke sighed, finally meeting her gaze.
Sakura smiled warmly. "You just said our team could finally take down Itachi together in a few years time. I'll be there, and I'll be ready to help you grind him into dust. Just as Naruto will be."
Sasuke sighed. "Fine, let's go train together then."
Kakashi inhaled sharply. "Oh no."
Iruka startled. "What? What's wrong?"
"Smile and keep waving," Kakashi hissed between clenched teeth.
"Kakashi sensei?" Sakura frowned.
Izumi winced. She could see Kakashi's fist clenched tightly on Iruka shoulder. Iruka looked almost terrified, but managed to keep up a smile and wave goodbye at Naruto until the boy finally turned away and walked off further into the distance with Jiraiya.
"The little one finally decided to take a request," Kakashi managed out through gritted teeth. "But if Naruto realises it he'll come running back here."
"And Jiraiya will freak," Izumi agreed. "Shit, okay." She waited until Naruto was out of sight before turning back to Kakashi. "We need to get you back to hospital right now. Sakura, Sasuke, go get Lady Tsunade."
"Right!" The pair bolted off.
Before Izumi could say another word Guy leapt from the trees.
"Kakashi!" Guy yelled. "Your eternal rival has come to bring you to hospital."
"How-" Izumi began.
"It's Guy!" Kakashi snapped. "He always knows when something is happening to me. Take me to the hospital now!"
Izumi winced. She had never heard Kakashi say that before. Usually he avoided the hospital like the plague. Guy looked just as horrified, because he quickly scooped Kakashi up into his arms and sprinted off.
.::.
Obito could feel Kakashi's growing discomfort and unease as time passed on. It was getting harder and harder to stay away, but he didn't want to cause any disruptions. If he showed up in the birthing room anyone in there would freak out and try to arrest him. He did peak in every so often with Kamui, and was glad to note Tsunade had not once left Kakashi's side throughout all the hours. Nor had Tenzo or Guy. Another wave of pain made Obito stiffen up, and he took another peak through Kamui.
Kakashi was currently sitting up, squeezing both Tenzo's and Guy's hands, gasping and moaning painfully. Tsunade was between Kakashi's legs, while Shizune was beside her, watching like a hawk.
"You're doing amazing, Kakashi," Tsunade encouraged. "Just keep breathing."
"Yes, like this, hee, hoo, hee, hoo." Guy kept breathing in and out, but for whatever reason he started to do so more rapidly, then went pale, and had to sit down.
"Guy, you did not just faint!" Kakashi bristled.
Tenzo snorted. "Team Ro wins-"
"I don't give a crap who is winning right now!" Kakashi hissed. "This baby is trying to murder me!"
Tenzo winced as Kakashi crushed his hand harder. Kakashi sobbed, and that was painful to hear. It made Obito's scent mark throb painfully. Obito sighed. Okay, fine, he couldn't resist anymore. Not when Kakashi let out another cry of pain.
He went to them straight through Kamui. Instantly everyone was tense, all except Tsunade who kept her eyes locked on Kakashi and the baby. Shizune pulled out some poisoned darts, while Tenzo went to leap over the bed to put himself between Obito and Kakashi, but Kakashi refused to release his hand. Guy was up, alert now, eyes wide and stance defensive, but Obito ignored them all. He only had eyes for Kakashi.
"You let go of this hand and I won't forgive you," Kakashi hissed.
"But-" Tenzo protested.
"Leave it!" Tsunade barked. "This is not the time."
"Lady Tsunade-" Shizune began to protest.
Obito ignored them all and marched up to Kakashi, walking right through Guy who yelped. Obito took Kakashi's free hand, squeezing it gently. Kakashi blinked up at him, face pained and exhausted, brow sweating, eyes desperate. Obito softened instantly and pressed a kiss to his forehead, brushing his hair back.
"I'm sorry I stayed away for so long," Obito apologised. "You've been doing amazing, Kakashi."
Kakashi managed a tired smile. "At least you finally showed up." He panted, breath shaky.
"Our main priorities are Kakashi and the baby," Tsunade said sharply. "As long as he doesn't try kidnap them then I don't care that he's here." Her voice softened considerably when she spoke to Kakashi, and she let out a comforting, soothing scent. "I can see the head now, Kakashi. Just take in small breaths now, blow them out through your mouth. We'll take this slow and gentle for the baby, okay?"
Kakashi nodded, but he was shaking hard, gasping painfully, pressing up tight against Obito. Obito ran a soothing hand over his side, held his free hand tight, while the other still attempted to break Tenzo's.
"The head is coming out," Tsunade said. "You're doing great, Kakashi, just keep going. Keep breathing. That's it! That's the hard part done!"
Kakashi threw his head back against the pillows, panting and whimpering. Obito brushed his hair back and traced his cheek with his free hand.
"Just a little more, Kakashi," Obito said softly. "A little more and then our baby is here."
After two more contractions their baby finally arrived, their cries piercing the room. Kakashi was shaking hard, but was staring at their baby with awe in his eyes. Obito keep stroking his hair back, running his hand comfortingly over Kakashi, as Tsunade cleaned the sobbing baby. Kakashi purred softly, reaching out for them when Tsunade approached, and let Kakashi hold the babe in his arms.
Obito couldn't help but stare, and even allowed his Sharingan to capture the moment to his memory forever. He couldn't imagine ever forgetting, but still. Nobody had noticed anyway, everyone's attention was locked on Kakashi and the baby.
Their baby.
"Congratulations, Kakashi." Tsunade smiled warmly. "It's a baby girl."
Kakashi brushed a finger over her cheek, his smile bright, eyes alight. Obito could feel his Omega, could taste their joy.
"Hello, Akira," Kakashi greeted her warmly. "It's good to finally see you."