Chapter 48

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Minato and Naruto were sitting together at Ichiraku's after working all day. It was a normal routine for them now when Naruto wasn't on missions with his new team. They had gotten closer over the last few months, and enjoyed talking together about anything. Today they were waiting for an extra person to join them. "What do you think she wanted to talk to us about that was so important?" Naruto spoke with curiosity in his voice.

"No idea. Maybe she is just mad that we keep eating ramen without her." As Minato spoke, both of their thoughts went to an angry Kushina beating the both of them up for not eating with her and they both shuddered.

"Oh man... I hope not. She's freakin' scary, ya know!"

"Heh, you got that right."

Just as the two were about to run away from fright, the upbeat redhead showed up behind them blocking them from any possible escape. "Now, what were you boys talking about?"

"Uh..." Both Minato and Naruto turned to look at Kushina, seeing a creepy grin on her face. "N-nothing!"

"Really?" Kushina got closer to the two boys, smiling brightly in their faces. "It looked like you two were about to run off, ya know." Neither one could talk, knowing all too well how scary Kushina could be. All they could do was smile and deny any thought of running. Satisfied, she gave a bright joyous smile before sitting next to Minato facing both of them.

Both men sat anxiously, waiting for what Kushina had to tell them. Basically on the edges of their seats, neither one could wait much longer to find out what it was. Minato was the first one to speak up. "So dear, what did you need to tell us? You said it was important."

Kushina couldn't hide her emotions anymore as pure joy lit up her face, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Okay, okay, here it goes! I'M PREGNANT, YA KNOW!!"

At her outburst, both Minato and Naruto were wide-eyed and speechless. Neither one knew what to say.

"HAHAHA!! This scene is utterly priceless! HAHAHA!" Kurama was rolling around, laughing harder than he ever had before, not able to get enough of Naruto and Minato's faces. "I wish - haha - that I could get a picture - haha - of your faces!"

"S-stupid Kurama! Stop laughing!" Naruto was bright red as he watched Kurama laugh. "Ugh...w-whatever, laugh it up while you can!"

"Are you so surprised you can't speak?" Kushina was trying to hold in her laughter as she looked at the two men in front of her. "I mean...I didn't think it would surprise you th–"

"I am so happy Kushina!" Minato jumped in before she could say anything else. He didn't need it to get any more awkward. "I was a little surprised, but it's a wonderful surprise!"

"Oh good! I'm glad to hear that, ya know!"

"U-uhm, c-congrats you guys, I'm happy for you!" Naruto was bright red from embarrassment as he stared at his parents gushing over his mom being pregnant. Oh man...how did I get myself into this situation again? This is beyond awkward. I didn't need that image in my head, mom... Naruto was brought out of his thoughts by a bright red blur plowing into him.

"Thanks, Naruto! That means a lot, ya know!" Kushina gave Naruto a big hug before releasing him and going back over to Minato. "Well, that's all I wanted to say! I've gotta go tell Mikoto now, okay? Have fun you two!" Just as quickly as she appeared, Kushina was now gone, happily making her way to tell her friend the good news.

"Man...I knew it would happen, but that was beyond awkward. I didn't need to be here for that, ya know." Naruto sighed as he let himself relax in his seat. "And stupid Kurama is still laughing his tails off about it."

Minato scratched the back of his neck as he once again sat down next to Naruto. He felt just as embarrassed and didn't quite know what to say. "Yeah...sorry about that." Nothing else was said between the two of them as they each mulled over what just happened. It was only after a few minutes of silence that their laughter could be heard, slowly getting louder by each passing second.

"Haha! It was sort of funny though. Never thought I'd get to see yours and mom's reaction to having me!" Naruto's grin was ear to ear as he continued to laugh. "Even if it was awkward, I'm glad that mom is happy!"

Minato let his laughter die down, but his smile was bright and proud as he stared back at Naruto. "I'm happy too. In both cases."

"Alright, well, Itachi, Obito, Shisui and I have a mission to go on tomorrow morning, so I'm gonna have to go get ready. I'll talk to you later."

"Alright, see ya, Naruto. Good luck tomorrow."

Naruto nodded as he started to walk back towards his apartment, lost once again in his own thoughts. That means we're getting close to the end. "Man, why the heck did he stick me as a team leader for three crazy Uchiha's though! I already had to grow up dealing with one! Three is just nuts!"

"That's exactly why Kit. He knows that you can handle them and make sure nothing happens to them."

Man I said that so he could hear... "Yeah I know...But they are all strong enough already. I'm basically there to make sure they don't get caught up in any unnecessary Uchiha drama again."

"Yes, yes, you're babysitting the brats. Get over it. It's annoying having to listen to your complaining."

The banter between the two continued as Naruto made his way back home. If anyone were to ever see the sight, they would probably laugh. Naruto was smiling as he bickered with his friend about nothingness, the familiarity warming his heart. Thanks Kurama... I know this won't last forever, but thank you.

Naruto let his thoughts die out as he reached his apartment. Unlocking the door and walking inside, he took his sandals off and walked into his room, collapsing onto his bed in exhaustion. He honestly didn't actually have anything to prepare for his mission tomorrow, he just needed time to think by himself and relax, so he let himself drift off to sleep.

* * * * * *

"AHHHH!!!!"

"Hang in there, Mikoto! Just a little longer!"

Itachi was waiting outside a hospital room with Naruto, Kushina and Minato as Mikoto was giving birth to her new baby. Everyone was waiting anxiously for it to be over, and Itachi was practically humming with excitement, a smile plastered on his face.

It was only a little while later when Fugaku walked out of the room smiling at Itachi. "Do you want to come meet your new brother?"

"Yes!"

"Come on then." Fugaku led Itachi into the hospital room watching as he ran up to his mom who was holding a brand new baby boy in her arms.

"See, I told you it was going to be a boy! What's his name?!"

Mikoto smiled as she let the young boy hold his new brother. "His name is Sasuke."

"Hi Sasuke, I'm your big brother, Itachi! I'm going to protect you from now on." A small tear fell from Itachi's eye as he held his baby brother. Love filling his heart more than he ever thought was possible.

When Itachi was done, they finally let Kushina, Minato and Naruto into the room so that they could see the new Uchiha boy. They all were able to hold the baby boy, happiness filling the room. When it was Naruto's turn, he carefully walked up to Minato who was currently holding Sasuke.

"Do you want to hold him, Naruto?" Minato turned to question Naruto, knowing full well the situation he was in. He didn't want to push him, but when he saw Naruto give a small nod, he carefully handed him over.

Naruto looked down at the small baby in his hands, a smile on his face and tears in his eyes. "Once I saw Sasuke die, I thought that I would never get to see him again...but now I'm here, holding him in my arms."

"Are you doing okay, Naruto?" Kurama was worried about Naruto. Even though it has been a while since he had one, he didn't want Naruto to all of a sudden have a panic attack in the middle of the hospital room.

"Yeah...I'm doing okay. It's just that...seeing Sasuke again feels a little surreal, ya know."

"Well, take your time then. I'm going to nap for a bit."

Naruto held onto Sasuke for a little while longer before he handed him back to Mikoto. "Thank you for letting me hold him. I am so happy for you."

Having said their goodbyes, Kushina, Minato and Naruto left the hospital room, leaving the family to celebrate alone. They walked back to Minato and Kushina's house, sitting down at the kitchen table.

"That was so wonderful, ya know!" Kushina still had a smile on her face, overjoyed at the experience they just had. "He was such a cute little baby! I can't wait to see what our baby looks like, Minato."

Minato and Naruto looked at each other as they listened to Kushina go on and on about what she thought their baby would look like. Their eyes asking each other if they should try to stop her so that she wouldn't get too close to the truth. Instead of trying to stop her though, they figured it was better to just change the subject slightly so she didn't get suspicious.

"It isn't that much longer for you is it?" Naruto spoke up quickly, trying to distance himself from the situation as much as possible.

"Oh yeah, it is! I can't believe how fast time has gone. We already decided on a name too, I just can't wait!"

Naruto glared over at Minato with a knowing look in his eyes. Minato just gave a small smile in return, well aware that Naruto was getting uncomfortable. He decided to push it as far as he could. "Yes, I am so grateful to Kushina for making me a dad. I'm going to protect him as his father!"

I'm going to kill him. I really will. Naruto was slack-jawed as he listened to Minato.

"He is going to look just like me, but act more like you, Kushina. I also know that he is going to be super strong and nice to everyone."

Kushina was glowing as she listened to Minato. "Of course, ya know! Getting to see his face for the first time is going to be the happiest day of my life!"

Naruto flinched when he heard what his mom said. He was feeling happy while he listened to his mom and dad talk about having a baby, until he was reminded of what happened that day. The happiness in his face began to disappear and his lips trembled slightly as he tried to hold back the pain he was feeling. "Well, I'd better get going now. I didn't realize how late it had gotten. Have a good night."

Minato watched as Naruto walked out of the door, not missing the pain that had found its way onto his face. He wanted to do something to help, but knew that it was a time where he needed to take a step back. He knew what happened the day Naruto had been born and he knew that there was nothing he could say to make him feel better this time.

When Naruto closed the door behind him, he finally let out the breath that he had been holding, as well as letting the held in tears run down his cheeks. "Dammit!"

"Kit?"

Naruto ignored Kurama as he walked down the dark streets of the Leaf Village, heading towards his apartment. He didn't stop until he got inside, leaning against the wall and sliding down to the floor. "Seeing mom so happy was awesome! But just knowing what happened to them that day makes me so mad!"

"It's going to change, Kit. You know that."

"Well yeah, I don't want mom and dad to die this time. They were so happy to learn that they would have me. I'll do anything to make sure that it never happens this time for sure!"

Kurama was relieved that nothing else happened as Naruto finally stood up and walked into his room, letting himself fall onto the bed. As soon as he was lying down he let his consciousness switch fully over into his mindscape, curling up into Kurama's fur. "Good night, Kurama."

"Good night, Kit." Kurama curled his tails around Naruto, laying one over him as a blanket, protecting the boy next to him. Just as he was letting himself drift off to sleep he was able to hear a soft mumble from Naruto.

"Good night mom and dad...I love you...so much."

Nothing else was heard as the two friends fell asleep next to each other, content in the feeling of peace they had at that moment. With nothing but tranquil smiles on their faces and the warm feeling of the air around them, they relaxed completely, letting themselves forget their problems for just a little bit before the time they both knew was getting awfully close.


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