The Power of Youth... and Love

(The end of this chapter will be the start of act 4, the final part of this insane story. I wish to thank all of you who read this story; your support and key reviews have made this story all worth while to write. The good news, my original character is going to show his face {sort of} at the end of this chapter, and he’s going to be the one to look for. The even better news is what I have in store for the second story in this series {yes, a series, not just one story.} anyways, I think it’s time we saw what the lovers are about to go through, the birth of their baby boy)
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Chapter 17: Dawn of a New Beginning, the Birth of Uzumaki Minato

Mrs. Uzumaki lay in bed, snuggling with her blanket as she woke up early. It had been a long time since they day of their wedding, but Hinata couldn’t have felt better, she was the proud wife of Naruto, and lived with the best couple in Konoha (in her opinion,) *well, besides me and Naruto-kun,* she smiled at that thought. She got up very slowly; her pregnancy was coming to an end very soon, at nearly nine months pregnant, she was having a hard time moving around with her belly. She moved out of their room, and calmly and slowly walked into their baby’s room, looking it over before the big day. It was just across the hall from them, so they could easily walk in and look; a blue room with an orange (?) floor. *Ugh, only my husband could think to decorate a room like this,* she groaned a bit, thinking of that ridicules outfit he used to wear, but started to giggle, *he was so damn cute though.* The room was decorated top to bottom with stuff everyone of their friends had bought, the Crib from Temari and Shikamaru, as well as a cute dragonfly mobile from her teammates, *ha ha, I bet Kiba was pissed,* she smirked, knowing her friend’s temper quite well. She saw some bookshelves from Tsunade, ones filled with a combination of baby books and medical books, *how thoughtful of her,* she smiled. Even Kakashi bought them a bunch of blankets and pillows, and a small handmade plushie of his own summon, Pakkun. She soon walked over to the small burrow that Ino and Sakura had bought them for their little boy, which was filled with clothes from Kurenai and Anko (surprisingly enough.) She opened up the small Music box and pet a very familiar teddy bear, both of which came from Gaara. She listened to the sweet and innocent song that had come from the box, a Sunagakure Lullaby, soft and sweet. She smiled and sat in the small wooden rocking chair that had come from Kankuro and Hoshikurou (to which she thought both were ordered to buy it directly from Gaara.) “Oh, I think you’re going to grow up just right Minato-chan,” she hummed, softly rubbing her belly.
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Kiba and Naruto walked through the door of the house, carrying in the groceries, “Thanks Kiba,” Naruto said, thankful they were on good terms. “Well, Sakura and Ino are at the hospital working, and Hinata is a good friend, so don’t thank me,” Kiba tried hard to keep his tough guy attitude around Naruto, who just laugh. “Besides, I also still can’t believe you reached the level of Jounin already,” Kiba added, putting the bags of food on the table and laughing; Naruto earned the rank after his display of bravery and strength when he went one on one with Sasuke that day. “Nah, it was nothing, I would do it again if that prick ever laid a hand on her,” Naruto huffed as he put his bags on the table and started putting things away, Naruto strongly believed he wasn’t ready for the rank, but Tsunade practically forced it (among other things) down his throat. His promotion was at the expense of 2 bottles of sake and a fist down his throat when he tried to refuse, luckily Tsunade didn’t use any Chakra in her hand, or he would have died. The men quickly got the food put away, and Naruto went to look for Hinata, “Honey, I’m home,” she shouted somewhat quietly, finding her sleeping in the rocking chair in the baby’s room. Naruto smiled as Kiba followed him, looking all around the room, “Nice, this room is perfect,” the hound master replied. Naruto smiled and walked up to his wife, kissing her gently on the forehead and stroking her hair. She woke up and smiled, “Hi honey,” she said, Kissing him on the lips, they softly nuzzled as Kiba looked around more. This moment was soon interrupted as Hinata unexpectedly started to pee, a lot. Naruto jumped back a little, seeing a ton of liquid fall all over the floor; this made him look pale as all 3 ninja knew what was happening, all 3 said it at the same time, “SHIT!”
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Kiba ran straight for the Hyuga compound, using his man-beast form to run at a much faster speed. “Crap,” was about all he could say as he ran, praying that he could reach them in time. He rushed through the main gate, tripping over a rock, and falling flat on his face, “Damnit,” Kiba groaned, his nose was slightly bleeding from the trauma. Neji saw this while he was training with his now fiancée Ten-Ten and both ninja rushed over, knowing it was something serious. “Kiba, are you alright?” Neji asked, helping the poor dog ninja up. “THE FUCKING BABY,” Kiba shouted, harshly grabbing Neji by the shoulders, “HOSPITAL NOW! NATURO AND HINATA ARE GOING! MOVE IT, MOVE IT, MOVE IT!” Hiashi heard this from the main hall, and ran out, running past the 3 ninja. All three ran after him, as the big day had finally arrived.

Hinata and Naruto were riding atop of Akamaru, who also helped with the groceries earlier, “Breath honey,” Naruto said, slightly rattled from what was happening. Hinata was breathing calmly and deeply, somewhat wishing for better transportation then the large dog. Although he was a rather large beast (standing at about three quarters of his master while he was on all fours,) Akamaru was very smart and was easily instructed by Kiba to bring them to the human hospital, but he was very instinctual, knowing that he needed to move vary carefully for Hinata’s sake. They reached the hospital within about 10 minutes or so, and rushed her right in; Sakura saw from a bit of a distance and went over to help them. “Naruto?” the pink haired nurse asked, and Naruto just gave her that ‘wheelchair now’ look. Sakura suddenly realized it was time and started ordering nurses around (she was in command of the nursing staff, second only to Tsunade herself,) “Get a wheelchair over here, I need a pathway made directly to the maternity ward, and get the paperwork ready for Mr. Uzumaki,” she shouted, and every nurse in the building was frantically running around at her orders. Ino rushed over to give the couple the chair and papers and ran over to her lover, asking “what else do you need Sakura?” “Well, I need her brought to the maternity ward, get her a nice shower,” Sakura said, smiling for a bit, “and maybe a kiss or 2 later?” Ino nodded and smirked as she walked back over to Hinata, taking her to get ready for her labor.
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Naruto was bummed by having to fill out the paperwork again, “every damn time,” he grumbled, as he signed his name for the thousandth time. He walked over and gave the nurse his papers, and saw Hiashi, Kiba, Ten-Ten, and Neji run in, “Naruto is Hinata having the baby?” Hiashi asked, hoping to hear that they weren’t too late. Naruto just shook his head, “not yet, she was just taken in by Sakura and Ino to get ready.” Hiashi was glad to hear that, he wanted to be there to hold his grandson. *Grandson… it seems like so long ago when I was holding Hinata in my arms,* the 45 year old Hiashi thought to himself, *I am so old.* Sakura came thought the door, and everyone practically ran her over, “Ok, hold your horses everyone,” the Nurse said, pushing everyone back (literally, with one hand.) “Now, the only one allowed to enter the room with her when she goes through the labor are medical staff and the father,” she said, pulling Naruto closer by his wrist, “the rest of you may wait in the maternity ward. Hiashi and Neji, as you are immediate family, you may enter if you wish, however, since you are both males, and childbirth is…..” The Pink haired ninja paused and placed her finger on her lips, thinking of the appropriate word to use, “Difficult for you to handle. So, unlike Naruto (she was practically trying to break his wrists after that,) you are not going to be forced.” Neji spoke up, “I will go, I want to support my cousin,” he said calmly and quietly, as usual. “May I go in as well?” asked a somewhat excited Ten-Ten, Sakura gave the nod. “Ten-Ten, you’re going in so you can see, and to catch Neji when he faints,” she said, but Neji added that he found that to be doubtful. Hiashi thought about it for a second and nodded, “thank you, however I will stay out here and greet anyone else that comes in as well as keep her teammate company,” he paused for a second, then added, “besides, I don’t want to see that ‘miracle’ a third time.” Sakura laughed a bit and said, “alright, then it is settled. Neji, Ten-Ten, Mr. Father, follow me.” She turned around and walked down the hall, followed by her 3 friends to see the miracle of life.
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Hinata let the hot water run down her body; she was in a large amount of pain from the baby moving inside of her, but the water seemed to helped both of them calm down a bit. She rubbed her belly and smiled, “it’s okay Minato-chan, you’re going to be out of your okaasan’s tummy and in her arms real soon,” she said, waiting for the chance to hold her baby in her arms seemed like the longest wait in the world for her. She stepped out of the shower and was greeted by Ino, who dried her off with a towel, asking her some basic questions about how she was doing. When she was dry, Ino slipped a basic Hospital gown over her and helped her lay on the stretcher. “Hinata, just remember, if you need the pain medication, just let us know ok?” Ino said, and Hinata nodded. “Alright Ino-chan, I will,” and the two set off for the operating room.

Naruto, Ten-Ten, and Neji got some scrubs on, and Sakura told all 3 of them to wash their hands and put gloves on. “We don’t want the baby to get an infection or disease right off the bat, alright?” she asked them, washing her own hands and getting her gloves on, all 3 did the same. “Sakura, I’m nervous about this,” Naruto said, although he was more then ready for a child, he was still worried that he’d be a bad father. “Naruto-kun, it’s ok, even if you could fuck this up, you live with 2 nurses. Both of which are more then willing to kick your ass if and when you fail as a father, which I know you won’t,” Sakura smiled, and it made Naruto’s butterflies settle down in his stomach. Neji and Ten-Ten were giving each other smiles the whole time, both were thinking of all of the things they would be going through some day. “Alright,” Sakura said, mostly at the two who were mostly not paying attention, “if everyone is all set from day dreaming and worrying, I suggest we go see the patient.” Sakura walked out of the room, and the 3 ninja followed, starting to count down the minutes to Minato’s birth.

Kiba remained quiet while the Elder Hiashi was pacing around rampantly, trying to remain calm and patient was not something Inuzuka clansmen usually did, but today, patience was more then a virtue, it was the only thing that could keep him sane. Tsunade and Kurenai were the first to arrive, and Kurenai started talking to Hiashi. Tsunade was thinking about going into the operating room, but figured her apprentice could do it by herself, *unless Neji and Naruto need surgery when they hit the floor…* she thought in a laugh. Kakashi was next to the hospital, “Sorry if I’m late, there was an old woman crossing the street and….” Kakashi’s excuse was interrupted by a very impatient Hiashi, who shook his head in a way to let him know that the baby wasn’t born. “Well alright, Iruka won’t be making it, since he has classes to teach, then paperwork for all the academy students,” he said, sitting down with his notebook, writing stuff down for his next book. Hiashi was pacing much faster as the minutes went by, he was like a child waiting to open presents, anxious and completely irritated, *I hope she gets done with her labor fast,* he thought sighing.
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Neji and Ten-Ten were off in the corner, watching everything that was going on; Sakura and Ino were discussing how this whole procedure was going to work (yet both seemed super excited, as if they wanted to be the one on that table,) the other nurses were there, asking Hinata questions (she wasn’t really paying too much attention as she has requested the pain medications, she was quite out of it,) and Naruto was holding his wife’s hand, softly stroking her wrist as he watched her. “Neji, despite what happened at their wedding, I hope our relationship goes just as smoothly as theirs,” Ten-Ten said with enthusiasm, and Neji nodded, trying to agree with her even though she seemed to have forgotten all about the major fight all those months ago. Sakura and Ino were talking in depth about the operation, going over each detail carefully. Sakura has delivered babies before under the tutelage of Tsunade, but Ino had not, so she needed to know what she had to do. “Also,” Sakura added, “we might wanna know these things for when we have children,” this comment made Ino blush, as they had actually been talking about that.

After all things were settled, they began the operation, and Hinata squeezed Naruto’s hand harder, he squeezed back and ran his free hand through her hair. Sakura in front of the young woman, telling her to push and relax (at different times, silly kids,) and for the most part, Hinata was doing just that, practicing the deep breathing exercises she had learned in her training as a Hyuga, and some other friendly advice from Sakura. Sakura carefully moved her hands around where the very dilated cervix was, reaching out as the head was coming out. *OH FOR KAMI’S SAKE!* she thought loudly in her mind, the child already had a spiky blonde head of hair, *Damn, I bet it’s a family trait,* she thought again, looking at the slightly hurt Naruto. Naruto was starting to feel some pain in his hand, as Hinata’s now iron grip was even damaging over his incredible healing factor. *Ah shit,* He thought, *if she keeps this up, my hand is going to shatter.* But Naruto stood tall even through the pain, and looked to see what was happening with his son. Neji and ten-ten also looked and saw the unclean baby being fully pushed out of his mother. The Umbilical cord had not even been cut by the time the 2 grown men fainted from the ‘abomination’ they had seen. Ten-Ten caught Neji before he hit the floor, and Naruto collapsed next to Hinata, Ino and Sakura giggled a bit as they cut the cord and got the baby cleaned off. “I warned them, but no one ever listens,” Sakura sighed, measuring the baby and time stamping the paperwork.
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It had been 3 hours or so when Sakura finally came out to see the family and friends, “piece of cake, Uzumaki Minato is born,” she said quite proudly. The entire room rejoiced, and Hiashi practically ran up to her and asking, “can I see my grandchild yet?” Sakura giggled and sighed, “no, not yet. We’ve taken the baby in to finish making sure he’s 100% healthy, Mom is resting in her room, as well as her cousin and her husband, who passed out due to….’exhaustion’. So leave them be for a while and you can see them, okay?” Hiashi nodded, and Sakura smiled, “great, you may all stay out here or go home for a while and come back, give them about an hour or so, and you can visit.” Everyone agreed and left, except for Hyuga Hiashi, who waited patiently to see his first born grandchild.

Naruto woke up several hours later, slightly dazed from what he saw, *ugh, I regret looking at ‘that’,* he thought to himself; Men are not the best at handling childbirth, as he plainly saw Neji in the next hospital bed over. He glanced over to the other side of him, and saw Hinata resting comfortably after her labor, *Kami, she’s even more beautiful when she’s sleeping,* he thought, slowly getting up and walking over to her bedside. He brushed his hand through her hair, and sweetly kissed her forehead; she simply nuzzled her head into his hand, smiling a little as she shifted her body in her sleep. “I love you, my beautiful Hina-chan,” He said softly, pulling over a chair to sit with her.

Hiashi looked at his Grandson through the window, the spiky haired blonde with pale, velvet eyes. *Yeah, he does look goofy,* He giggled, remembering his conversation with his son-in-law after their fight. *But what will you do, where will you go, how strong will you be, and who will you be with? Questions that have wont have answers for a long time, but questions that will have the most important answers you’ll ever face.* Hiashi smiled, as his grandson looked around at the world with his newly opened eyes.
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“…Ok, now to just file these at the office and go get some sleep,” Tsunade said, carrying some of the reports from the hospital and the complete missions in her hands. Shizune came charging at her in a panic, “Lady Tsunade, there’s a man standing in you office, I tried to stop him, but he walked right by me telling me that ‘if I ever even think about fighting him, he’d break me in half.’ What do I do?” Tsunade bit her lower lip for a second, then shrugged, “Shizune, go home and get some sleep. He’s here by my request, and trust me, he’d even give me a run for my money.” Tsunade walked to her office as she said that, opening the door to see this man. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” she asked him as she shut the door. He nodded and bowed respectfully, “Yes it has, Lady Tsunade. But is it really time for us to choose the successor?” he asked in a moderate and calm tone. She nodded and walked to her desk, grabbing the files of every non-ANBU Ninja in Konoha, “Yep, but in all honesty, even I know who you’re going to be picking.” She handed him the files and he scanned them over, stopping at one and smiling, “Uzumaki, that name takes me back,” he grinned, remembering the smiling face of the 4th and his wife. “So, was I right,” she grinned back at him, and he simply nodded. “Great, in the morning I’ll get him in here, and we can start ‘that mission’,” she said, and he simply nodded.
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(So, who is this mysterious man, and what does Tsunade mean by “we can start ‘that mission’?” Well, I think it’s clear that you will have to stay tuned for act 4)