So Cute!

"Her water broke?" I mumbled under my breath, but evidently, the ninja in front of me heard it loud and clear.

"Yes, and he sent me to grab you and take you to Uzushio Hospital."

"I understand. Okay, let's go, Shuji."

Shuji put his hand on my shoulder, and we flickered away. The ride wasn't too bad compared to my first time. After all, I have ridden like this a few times after that day the devil kidnapped me.

We soon arrived in front of Uzushio Hospital, and I went running inside, short red hair waving in the breeze, bright purple eyes glowing with an intensity only seen in children 4-5 years older.

I went to the front desk and hurriedly asked where my mother, Kumiko, was. The nurse told me to go to the 3rd floor and find room number 59.

I thanked her and promptly turned to run up the stairs, making sure to avoid running over the other patients in the building. Arriving at room 59 on the 3rd floor, I saw my dad sitting on the bench outside, looking a little tense from the angle I was looking at him.

My dad looked at me and smiled. Somehow, just the look of reassurance that came from him was enough to put me at ease and decrease my heart rate.

"Are you ready to become a big brother?"

Looking into his eyes with solemn resolution, I nodded.

"Of course, I am. I'll be the best big brother ever, and I won't ever let anything happen to them."

He gave a warm smile and nodded his head at me, acknowledging the determined attitude that I was showing, and a relieved chuckle escaped his lips.

"We really couldn't have asked for a better first child than you, Shiran."

"AHHHHHH!" A loud scream was heard from the room in front of us.

We both jumped at the unexpected cry wrenching from my mom's throat. Both my dad and I paled, thinking about what was going on with the woman we both love very much in the room directly in front of us. I sat down next to him, and we both settled in for the next worrying couple of long hours ahead of us.

"Wah waaah wahhh."

Looking at the new precious bundle of life in my hands, I couldn't believe this was really happening. I had a baby sister. A blood sister, someone I can love unconditionally like my parents, and someone who will hopefully love me unconditionally as well.

I couldn't help but start to tear up with her in my arms. She looked so fragile, like even the slightest wind could take her off of this world. I wiped my eyes off onto my shoulder and regained my composure. If I want to be a ninja, I need to be firm in my will.

"I swear I will protect my baby sister, Kushina's, life with everything I have, no matter what it takes. Anyone who dares to think of harming my baby sister will have the shadow of the Shinigami on their tail. Even if I have to die for her, I will. I won't let any tragedy befall her."

Saying this, I remembered what would happen to her in the future. No, that won't be this future. I'm here, and I won't let someone take away my sister for some fairy tale dream that doesn't even end up working.

Thinking of what might take place later on down the road only served to harden my resolve even further. I need to get as strong as I can so I can face what's to come. Not to mention the Ten Tails and Madara—surviving the next two wars is going to be tricky, especially with how bloody they both are. If I have enough strength, I'll be able to do whatever I want and keep everyone alive. Is it a naive thought? Sure it is, but it won't stop me from trying my hardest to uphold that belief.

Seemingly satisfied with my vow to protect my sister, they both smiled. My dad's smile was firm but prideful. My mother's was sleepy, yet it held a warmth known only to those in the room.

Mom and I stayed in the hospital for the night to let both her and Kushina rest after the eventful day they both had. I fell asleep on the couch, Kushina in her crib, and Mom sleeping away on the bed. Unfortunately, Dad, being the clan head, couldn't stay, lest something go wrong in the clan and he not be there to sort it out.

The doctor came to check up on the tired mom and her baby throughout the night to ensure everything was going okay. When morning arrived, they were discharged from the hospital and allowed to go home.

As we walked through the village back to our compound, I held Kushina's fragile form in my arms, internally chuckling because I knew what she was going to be like when she grew up. The stark contrast really did make it the funniest thing to me at the time.

Before long, we were about 90 meters from the clan entrance and were stopped by none other than Tomiko, with little Miki by her side.

"Oh my gosh, Kumiko, I didn't realize you were going to be due so soon. If I knew you were giving birth, I would've brought you a little present."

"Oh, nonsense, we are friends. Don't even think about giving me a gift, otherwise I won't be able to accept it."

While they were almost ready to bust out the taijutsu, I was with Miki as we both looked at Kushina's sleeping form.

"She's really quite cute."

"I know, isn't she just so fragile and precious?" I sighed.

"Yeah, so what did you guys name her?"

"Her name is officially Kushina, but I'm still thinking about an unofficial nickname. It's gotta suit her well and stick, so I think I might have to wait a couple of years to find another name for her."

"How about we call her Tomato? She's got the bright red hair and chubby flushed face already. I think it fits her quite nicely."

"Hmmm, I think she might grow up plotting revenge on you if you name her that."

"Oh, whatever."

Tomiko came over and put her hand on top of Miki's head with the gentlest touch and called out to Kumiko.

"Alright, we'll head home. I'm glad we got to see you two and little baby Kushina. She's just so adorable right now, sleeping through everything," Tomiko cooed as she looked at the sleeping form of Kushina.

"Alright, you guys take care. We'll get together sometime soon for dinner so you can see Kushina bright-eyed and bushy-tailed," Kumiko called back as we walked towards the compound entrance.