My Song to You

1

On October 11, 1994 a mysterious figure dropped off a basket atop the steps of Konohagakure's orphanage. The figure hesitated just a bit before leaving the crying basket there under the light of the porch. It was dawn, the sun had barely risen when the basket was left. The weather was calm, no rain. The basket held a small bundle of blankets that hid a baby within its over lapping layers. The baby was a light pink as it had cried for longer than it should. Its wailing was loud as passing cars slowed and wondered where the crying came from.

Behind the doors to the orphanage a young woman with black hair cut short to her neck came running down the hall. She wore a long night gown and a robe that slid off her shoulders as she jumped over toys and shoes around the door. Once she made it, she caught her breath and opened the door slowly. The sounds of the crying basket caught her off guard as she stepped out. Kneeling down to the basket she turned it toward herself and whispered a warm hello to the baby. She brushed her index and middle finger on the infant's cheek, and in an instant the baby calmed. Having felt another soul, the new born gurgled happily. The young woman checked around the basket for a note or something that would give away anything known of the baby.

She felt a piece of paper near the bottom of the basket and decided it best to pick up the child. She scooped the infant into her arms and rocked it slowly. She then picked up the paper that was really the torn off corner of a medical sheet. The paper didn't have much besides the name of the baby and why it was dropped off along with its birthday.

Naruto Uzumaki, mother died at birth, no known father. October 10, 1994

The young lady shrugged and took the baby inside before the sun rose and burned its sensitive skin. Just as she shut the door behind her there was a chaotic storm coming down the stairs. The orphanage's residence was awake and ready to start the day. An older woman with shoulder blade length blonde hair brushed into two pig tails and larger than life breasts followed the storm down the stairs. She eyed the younger of the two with a questioning eye.

"Shizune, who is that?" She asked once she landed on the first floor.

"Uh, he was dropped off. I don't exactly know when. I heard crying and thought it was one of the twins. This is Naruto. Here's the note." Shizune, the young woman, said and handed the torn piece of paper over.

The blonde read the paper over and sighed, "Well, what are you standing there for? Feed him and get him some clothes." She demanded.

"Right away...um Miss Tsunade?" Shizune began.

"Yes, I'll make these brats some food. "Tsunade sighed and disappeared into the kitchen where the chaos was unfolding.

Shizune climbed the stairs and walked down the long hall to the nursery where two other babies were. She made quick work of the blankets wrapped around the baby. Once the thick layers were off the child cried out against the cold. Shizune laughed at how shocked it was before changing his diaper and covering the crying boy in a baby onesie that had a small orange fox with multiple tails on the breast. Shizune spoke to the child as if he could understand her. She told him all about the other kids and babies as she placed him in a crib beside the other two. Then she walked to the fridge that had been placed there to hold any milk and other things for the infants.

"I'm not sure if you're mother and father were wonderful people, but I'm sure they would have loved you very much. Don't need to worry though, this place is full of love. Miss Tsunade seems scary but trust me she is the best lady to care for all of us." Shizune smiled as she grabbed the jug of breast milk.

The breast milk was donated from the orphanage's volunteers who didn't know what else to do with their milk. Shizune poured some into a bottle and placed the bottle in the warmer. Placing the jug back in the fridge Shizune went to check on the twins as she waited. Naruto was eyeing everything curiously until he saw Shizune. He cried out making the young brunette smile.

"You'll have to wait just a moment. Let me check on these two first." Shizune chuckled.

Naruto's cry lowered but he still had something to say. Shizune changed the twins and got them a bottle also. Once all three bottles were warm enough, she took up one child at a time and fed them as she rocked them. Shizune hummed as she walked the length of the room as each new soul drank their fill. Soon the room was filled with quiet coos and gurgles of happy babies. She turned on the stereo beside the window and adjusted the volume. Mozart began playing a soft melody. The twins happily danced the best they could to the music whereas Naruto cried. Unsure as to why Shizune picked him up and rocked him some more.

"It's alright. I'm here." She reassured.

Naruto calmed slowly and soon fell asleep. Slowly and shushing a few times Shizune placed him back in the crib before peeking her head into the hall. She could hear her boss laughing loudly at the children. Knowing that Tsunade must have won a bet against one of the children Shizune check the babies one last time. She placed attachable mobiles of stars and moons over each crib before leaving.