The Idea of Paradise

The Idea of Paradise

{}= Thoughts
~~~~= point break
P.S. Naruto is referred to here as Tsunade's little brother alot. She calls him that even though she never officially adopted him.

Prologue
---------

It had shocked many when it had happened. When Naruto’s broken body was brought to the hospital. His bones crushed, blood drained, and hitae-ate destroyed.

It had caused so much hurt. Iruka was distraught. Hinata was in shambles.

Tsunade rose Hell.

Her little brother, once again was suffering. But it was worse then before.

He was raped.

No one had suspected it. Especially not from five ANBU soldiers. These men had destroyed a young boy’s life.

And it was Itachi who caught them.

Itachi had finally returned to Konoha. Not for the Kyuubi, but for closure. With Kisame at his side, the two had demolished Akatsuki. He was tired, and as the Hokage listened to his story, the more that was made clear.

Itachi had killed the clan Uchiha for the sake of his brother. They knew that Sasuke had potential. Enough potential to destroy them all. For the sake of the entire clan, Sasuke had to die.

Tsunade was indeed grateful for the criminals being apprehended, but was still wary of the two ex-rogue ninjas. So for the time, the two ex-Akatsuki members were sentenced under house arrest in the lonely Uchiha Estate.

Sasuke did not enjoy that.

For weeks, everyone was waiting on pins and needles. No one said a word, yet it seemed as if even then it was too loud. The same question rebounded in everyone’s mind. It seemed to haunt them where ever they went.

What would happen to Naruto?

Sasuke never admitted it, but he was consistently waiting at the hospital. Sakura barely said a word while with him. It was hard to understand why no one had approached them. No one saying that everything was going to be fine to their flaxen haired friend. Not even Tsunade knew what was going to happen.

Weeks after the incident, Tsunade was briefed with a report from the surgeon general.

“His bones are mending slower then usual. He had suffered from tremendous blood loss. And even if the Kyuubi inside him is healing him as well it’s taking everything it’s got. His chakra reserves are practically empty.”

Tsunade clamped her hands together, her mouth pursed.

“We’ve been observing him for almost a month and there has been no sign of feigning consciousness. All I can tell you is that the coma he is in now is helping him heal. But if he doesn’t wake in the next couple of weeks, then we have reason to worry.”

The Godaime Hokage’s brow creased in frustration. She nodded finally in acknowledgement. The surgeon interrupted her before she could comment.

“There is one other thing, Hokage-sama.”

She raised an eyebrow quizzically.

“We are not sure how the Kyuubi physically affects the boy since there has been no record of anyone like Uzumaki-san in Konoha before.”

“What’s your point?”

From under his arm, the surgeon pulled a manila envelope. Handing it to Tsunade, she quickly emptied the contents. Countless x-rays and physical scans of the Kyuubi vessel. Sifting through the pile, he picked up one specifically.

“I want you to look here.”

He placed his index finger on a small spot in the area of the abdomen.

“What do you make of this?”

Tsunade took the flimsy material, holding it up to the light. She peered at it, studying the mass muscle surrounding it. She bit her lip, hoping against hope that it wasn’t what she thought it was.

“I personally don’t know much about demonology, but I do know that when given the circumstances in the environment, some creatures that aren’t able to, are able to procreate.”

Placing her head in her hand, she reached for her neglected cup of sake.

“The Kyuubi has always been able to procreate. Just like all of the other tailed beasts.”

A long silence stretched between them, none of them saying anything to the other.

“So he is pregnant?”

“All the tests, and the scans, state yes.”

Konoha’s leader ran a hand through her hair.

“This shouldn’t have happened to him.”

“Yes, it isn’t fair that something has happened to someone as young as him. But then life isn’t fair Hokage-sama. We just have to take what life gives to us.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Months passed and Naruto had yet to awake. Tsunade had not revealed the severity of her brother’s situation to the public and was wondering what to do when his friends would see his changed appearance. For security reasons she had transferred Naruto to a private department for his treatment.

It was hard for her to constantly lie to Naruto’s friends about his well being. But at the time, she didn’t know what to do.

Naruto continued to sleep.

He slept for two months.

Two became four.

And four became eight.

Naruto would soon give birth to a child he didn’t know he had. Because he was still asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tsunade held her head in her hands as she downed another cup of sake.

“Keep doing that and it’ll kill you.”

She heavily rose to head to see her old comrade in the doorway.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, Jiraiya?”

His guttural laugh filled the room.

“Never have I heard you speak with that tone, Tsunade-sama!”

“Urusei yo ne.”

His grin settled slowly into a frown. The silence was deafening between the two of them.

“I’ve come for Naruto.”

Tsunade broke her cup.

“You’ve been gone almost a year, you idiot!” She yelled propelling herself out of her chair.

Jiraiya was taken aback. He stared at his long time friend in admonishment.

Tsunade sighed, falling back into her seat.

“He can’t come with you.”

“Why not?! I’m sure he hasn’t kept up with his training, and if he ever wants to progress forward-”

“He’s in a coma.”

………………..

“What?”

“He’s in a coma,” she repeated , “and has been for over half a year.”

He was flabbergasted.

“How?! Why?!”

“Sit down. It’ll take a while.”

She rubbed her head wearily.

{This is going to be a long day}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You have to tell his friends.”

“I know that!! But that means all of them will have to know about the Kyuubi!”

“Fuck that, Tsunade! If they’re really his friends, they wont care!”

“I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

The two snapped their heads toward the door where the new voice came from. Tall, clad in black tight clothing was the owner.

“His friends are smart. Most of them know already. The Nara boy, Kazekage-san, definitely the Hyuuga child.”

“Itachi-san. You’re supposedly under house arrest.”

He nodded silently.

“I was escorted by my younger brother. He’s waiting outside.”

The door slammed open, revealing a flushed, irritated younger Uchiha.

“I stand corrected,” Itachi mused.

Sasuke stormed up to Tsunade’s desk, ignoring Jiraiya and his brother.

“What’s wrong with Naruto?!”

Tsunade glared at him, only to receive one right back at her. The sharigan flared in the younger Uchiha, only to be stopped when the elder rapped his knuckles on his crown.

“Don’t be rude, Otouto.”

Tsunade sighed again, pouring herself yet another glass of alcohol as she listened to the Uchiha prodigy quarrel with his elder brother.

“Sasuke, I have a mission for you.”

“I don’t care about missions! Tell me about Naruto!”

“I’m getting to that, brat.”

Sasuke silenced himself, waiting to hear what the godaime needed.

“I want you to round up all of Naruto’s friends. Iruka, Kakashi, Sakura, the works. I want you to relay the fact that they are all requested to meet here, in two days time. I have received word that the Kazekage will be arriving as well for an entirely different reason.”

Sasuke furrowed his brow in frustration.

“In two day’s time, I will explain everything.”

~~~~~~~~~

Two days seemed to pass incredibly fast. Sooner then she could prepare herself for were the faces of her little brother’s friends in front of her.

She didn’t know if she could do this. She, the hokage of Konoha, had tell the friends of the future rokudaime that the boy a few rooms down was raped and is now pregnant by the means of the Kyuubi. That he was carrying a child who’s father wasn’t even known to him. His father could have been one of the five men who were executed months past.

She had to tell them that Naruto was in a come, pregnant…….and the holder of Kyuubi.

Pushing herself to her feet, she finally found the strength to address the large audience in her office.

“You may be wondering why you’re here today….did Sasuke give you any indication why?”

She was met by many shakes of the head and silence. She forced herself to continue.

“I have been keeping something very important from you all. And I have finally realized that you all need to be told.”

A room full of eyes stared at her intently, urging her to continue.

“I have decided to tell you about Uzumaki Naruto.”

Faces lit up, air engulfed, and toes on edge.

“Where is he?!” Cried Sakura, “He hasn’t been home in months! The hospital wont say anything and he’s no where to be found!”

“Is he alright?” Iruka’s worried face met that of Tsunade’s.

Once again, she forced herself to continue.

“Naruto is here. Here in Hokage tower.”

“NANI?!”

“The reason for that, I just wanted to keep him safe……..Naruto’s been in a coma for almost 9 months….”

It felt as though the temperature dropped 50 degrees. Jaws dropped and eyes went wide. Again, Tsunade tried to continue, but looked up when a firm hand clasped on her shoulder. Jiraiya smiled warmly at her.

“I’ll take over.”

Silently, she thanked him. She was already exhausted from her small speech as she slumped back into her swivel chair.

Jiraiya took the floor.

“It’s been reported that 5 ANBU soldiers broke into Naruto’s apartment about 8 months ago. In a matter of no less then 5 hours, those five had completely destroyed him.”

Jiraiya picked up a folder from Tsunade’s desk and flipped it open.

“Ruptured lungs, nerve damage, fractures in both arms, both knee-caps shattered, substantial blood loss….”

His face hardened as he stared at Naruto’s friends, hoping the last part wouldn’t traumatize them. He inhaled deeply.

“…..and sexual violation.”

It was then Iruka fell to the ground in tears, only to be caught by Kakashi. The silver haired Jounin held the other in his arms, letting him cry into his chest. Many were frozen solid in their place. Hinata had covered her face, shaking violently only to have Kiba place an arm around her shoulder and Shino holding her hand tightly, his own lips pursed tightly in anger.

“He was found the next morning by Itachi-San and Kisame-San, in a dumpster.”

Sasuke’s sharigan flared up as he clenched his fists so tightly he bled.

“Where are those bastards?!! I’ll fucking kill them!!”

Jiraiya kept his face stoic.

“The five men were executed last month…..by beheading.”

By now, most everyone was either holding someone or being held. The sensei’s, besides Kakashi and Iruka, were standing stiffly as they watched their students. Lee held onto Sakura, who was trying to keep her sobs to herself. Temari was startled when her little brother reached for her hand. She smiled as she took the kazekage’s hand in hers, as their other brother put his hands on their shoulders.

Jiraiya continued.

“Because of this incident, Naruto’s chakra levels are almost diminished. Each bit of chakra he has is being used to heal him. But that isn’t the case now. We believe that because of this heinous crime, Uzumaki Naruto may have been traumatized, thus why he hasn’t awaken from him coma. But there is yet another problem…….Who here knows of Naruto’s special circumstances?”

“Cut the bull” Kankuro snapped, “We all know about the Kyuubi.”

“What?” Hinata stuttered.

“That Naruto is the vessel of the Kyuubi, you mean?” Itachi intervened.

“WHAT?!” Kiba shouted in shock.

“It’s true,” Jiraiya started, “When the Kyuubi attacked Konoha, he wasn’t killed. He was sealed into the infant Naruto by the Yondaime…….his father.”

Itachi’s eyes widened.

“Yondaime….was Uzumaki’s father?”

Jiraiya nodded silently, pressing forward.

“This is what killed Yondaime, and because of it the villagers have looked down upon Naruto all his life. People don’t see him as Naruto, but as the Kyuubi himself. Naruto was supposed to be looked upon as a hero……not a monster…..he’s been shunned for too long…and by a lot of you as well…..”

Sakura bit her lip. All her life she had treated Naruto badly. Was it because of the villagers influence? Or because her parents said to never play with him? Because he was not a good child? She looked over at Gaara who continued to stare stone faced.

{No wonder the two of them are like brothers….}

“Because of having the Kyuubi sealed within him, it’s forced a lot of side effects on him as well. Which comes to our main concern and why you are needed here today.”

Everyone listened in rapt attention.

“The Kyuubi is one of nine tailed demons that are not to be reckoned with. But these demons have special abilities as well. All of the nine tailed beasts have a trait within them that is not affected by gender. The ability to pro-create.”

Sakura bit her lip. She did not like where this was going.

“Do to the kyuubi’s influence, Naruto is pregnant.”

Iruka fainted.

~~~~~~~~

A brief recess was held to have everyone get their emotions in check. And to let Iruka return to consciousness.

In a semi-circle, they all sat discussing what to do next.

“The problem here is, that Naruto is still in a coma. The child will be born and he wont be able to care for it.”

“So what you need is a guardian for his baby,” Iruka finished.

“Exactly,” Tsunade stated, “But it has to be someone influential in the village. If any of the villages found out they may try to kill it.”

“So, Iruka and I would be out of the question…” Kakashi whispered, wrapping a hand around his lover’s.

“I’m sorry. I know how much Naruto is like family to you, but you are both teachers and babies do need a lot of attention.”

“We could bring it back to Suna,” Temari piped up, “It would be safe there and we could raise it well.”

“No,” Gaara blurted. Temari and Kankuro stared at him in shock.

“Why not?! Naruto is practically your brother and I know you want to do it!”

“And what if Naruto wakes up? With his child thousand of miles away? The best thing would be for the baby to grow up in the place his mother grew up. To have him near his mother at all times.”

Temari’s face fell.

{Shoot. I was sooo looking forward to having a baby around the house.}

“Gaara-sama may be right about that,” Tsunade agreed, “The child should stay in Konoha. But needs to be safe at the same time.”

Sasuke rolled his tongue around in his mouth. He was so tempted to take the child on as his own, but didn’t trust his brother and his cohort. Before he could answer, he was interrupted.

“I’ll do it.”

Faces turned to the voice that had spoken up. Pale eyes stared forward into the Hokage’s shocked face. Hinata stared at her cousin.

“Neji-niisan.”

“I’ll raise Naruto’s child. I will take him as my own and protect it with my life…and I will do the same for his mother.”

Tsunade had not seen this coming. But she was not entirely surprised. In the past years she had seen the bonds grow stronger with all the children in front of her. Neji had become a frequent member of Naruto’s group, along with Lee who would sit with his partner and Kakashi’s team in the fields as they talked, played, or relaxed with one another. Soon the circle grew as other team members joined them. They would have picnics, training sessions, parties, missions. The family kept growing. The teams had joined together to become one big family. Of course their teachers didn’t mind one bit. They loved seeing their students smile, be happy, and be kids when they needed to be kids. They all were growing up too fast, especially now Naruto, who was only 17 years old and already going to be a parent.

“Neji….are you ready to take on this challenge?” Tsunade sternly commanded.

The pale eyed teenager firmly nodded his head. He was ready to take on a challenge he had never before faced. He didn’t care if his uncle didn’t approve, because he was going to do this. He was ready to give everything up…to become a parent….a parent of a child that wasn’t biologically his….but he would be the best parent to his abilities.

“I am ready……but..” he stopped shortly.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow in question as Neji turned to the rest of the room.

“But…..I will need some help…”he finished.

The Hokage smiled as the atmosphere lifted. She was glad to know that one person wouldn’t be raising a child alone.

This child was going to be raised in a family of love.

~~~~~

“How is he?! Is he alright?! You’re covered in blood!”

“Iruka!! Calm down!”

Shizune snapped her bloody latex gloves off her hands and gripped the teacher’s shoulders.

“Tsunade is taking care of everything!”

The door bashed open, revealing Neji followed by Sakura, Lee, and Sasuke.

“How is he?!”

Shizune shook her head.

“He’s still in his coma. Tsunade’s finishing up the cesarean right now.”

“You mean she-”

Neji stopped himself as he heard a wail pierce the hospital walls. Shizune smiled softly as the faces around her brightened up. Iruka was the first to respond as Tsunade slowly stepped out of the OR, carrying the precious load in her arms.

“I believe there is someone who wants to meet you Neji-San.”

Carefully placing the small white bundle in his arms, Neji stared down at the small infant wrapped in clothe. The small hands were curled up under the chin and the eyes clenched shut. It was all red from the afterbirth and still slightly sticky.

He couldn’t explain it, but just seeing this tiny baby made his heart clench. He wanted to talk but his throat closed up on him. He was shocked out of his stupor when he felt tears fall down his face.

“Neji-san? Are you alright?” The Hokage questioned in worry.

“It may not be mine physically….but this child is mine…..and it’s so beautiful…..”

“Then stop calling it “it”, Neji. And say hello to your baby girl.”

He clenched his teeth, trying not to sob. There was no way to describe the wonderful pain he was feeling.

For the next hour or so, the little baby was passed around in the small circle. Iruka could not be persuaded to let her go while Lee blubbered every time she reached his arms.

Tsunade glanced over at the baby’s new father.

“Well?”

Neji raised an eyebrow.

“Well what?”

“Well, what are you going to name her?”

He thought for a few moments. Every time he held that baby he saw the splitting image of her mother. She even had thin little whiskers marks as well. He continued seeing Naruto’s face. He remembered everything they had been through together as partners, allies, friends…..and something more.

“Haruka. Haruka Uzumaki Hyuuga.


TBC!!