amethyst solitary (naruto u.)

the birth of love

Friday morning was bright and sunny, with rays of light filtering through the window curtains, enveloping the cozy home that Manaka and Naruto shared in a warm embrace. Manaka, her belly round and full at nine months pregnant, sat on their living room couch, tenderly caressing her swollen belly with one hand while holding a cup of tea in the other.

The soon to be parents eagerly anticipated the arrival of their baby, excited to welcome the newest addition to their family. Despite the overwhelming demands of Naruto's role as Hokage, which kept him buried in paperwork, the blonde man remained dedicated to his wife, skillfully balancing his official duties back in the office and his responsibilities at home just like he promised in his vows.

His excitement about becoming a father were evident to everyone. Perhaps even more eager than Manaka for their baby's arrival! He had left early that morning for his meetings, driven to complete his work swiftly ahead of time and return home to support Manaka during this stressful period.

As Manaka sipped on her chamomile tea, said to induce labor, she felt a kick and couldn't help but chuckle. "You're eager to come out, aren't you?" she said to her unborn child.

She considered it one of those cherished moments unique to motherhood, the profound acknowledgment that a tiny human being was inside her. It wasn't the first time her baby had kicked, but this time, a second kick followed quickly, accompanied by a slight pressure in her lower back. Recognizing this as a cue, Manaka decided to stand up and walk around the hallways to alleviate the discomfort, just what Lady Tsunade instructed her.

However, the more she moved, the more the sensations grew intense and unfamiliar, unlike anything she had felt before. A deep part of her, guided by maternal instincts, began to suggest the possibility that the baby might be on its way. Not even seconds later, her instincts got proven right. She gasped, reaching out to the hallway wall for support, as a warm, unmistakable wetness trickled down her leg, confirming that her water had broken.

"My water just broke," she murmured to herself, the words echoing in the desolate house. The silence was broken only by the sound of her heart racing frantically against her ribcage.

"Oh my god, oh my god!" she exclaimed, her eyes darting around in panic. For a brief moment, she felt paralyzed with uncertainty, but she quickly refocused and sprang into action. She dashed to the baby room, meticulously prepared over the past months, and grabbed the hospital bag they packed weeks ago.

Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the bag.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she paused to gaze at the empty room, soon to be filled with the presence of their tiny baby, and a smile spread across her face. "We're having the baby," she whispered, placing a hand over her heart.

With that, she headed out the door, locking it securely behind her.

///

Konoha's streets bustled with their usual energy, villagers moving about with purpose and cheer. But for Manaka, every face, every sound, blurred into the background. Her sole focus was on reaching the hospital and the hospital only. Each hurried step brought a new wave of contractions, intensifying the urgency of her mission. Though the hospital was close, the journey felt endless, each second stretching out painfully.

As she navigated the crowd, villagers greeted her with warm smiles and nods, completely unaware of the urgency behind her strained expression. Manaka pushed forward, determined.

Suddenly, she spotted a familiar figure at a vendor's stand, carefully selecting fruit.

"H-Hana!" Manaka called out, her voice breathless and strained. Hana, recognizing the tone, whipped her head around. Hana hadn't changed a bit. She remained a stunning young woman who turned heads wherever she went. Meanwhile, Manaka bore a striking resemblance to her now that she had grown up more. People often mistook them for twins.