"Fate's Crossing

**Chapter 18: The Birth of Boruto**

Welcome to a new chapter

**Chapter 18: The Birth of Boruto**

The hospital was buzzing with activity as Naruto paced back and forth in the hallway. The month had finally arrived: Ino was in labor. Naruto, despite all the preparations and assurances that everything would go smoothly, was a bundle of nerves. He had faced countless battles, but nothing compared to the anxiety he felt now.

A few hours earlier, Ino had felt the first contraction, and Naruto had immediately rushed her to the hospital. Now, as the time ticked closer, she was lying on the hospital bed, her face flushed with pain and determination.

"Naruto-kun!" Ino called out from the bed, gripping the sides tightly. "Get over here!"

Naruto, startled by her sudden cry, rushed to her side and grabbed her hand. "I'm here, Ino-chan. I won't leave your side, I promise."

Ino's face contorted as another contraction hit, and she squeezed his hand so hard that Naruto winced, but he didn't let go. He had promised to be there for her, and he wasn't going anywhere.

As the nurses prepared the room for the delivery, Ino's expression changed. Her eyes narrowed, and before Naruto could say anything, she reached out and grabbed a fistful of his hair, tugging it hard.

"Ow! Ino-chan!" Naruto yelped, trying to pull back, but her grip was tight.

"This is all your fault!" Ino growled, her voice strained as she endured another wave of pain. "You did this to me!"

Naruto's eyes widened, his face turning red. "I-I'm sorry! But... you were the one who—"

"Don't argue with me!" Ino snapped, pulling his hair again, harder this time. "You're not getting out of this! You're the reason I'm going through this pain!"

Naruto, still wincing from the pain in his scalp, tried to offer a nervous smile. "You're right, you're right... I'm sorry!"

The nurses, who were doing their best to remain professional, couldn't help but giggle quietly to themselves. Even though Naruto was a well-known figure, here he was, helpless in the face of his wife's wrath.

As they wheeled Ino down the hallway toward the delivery room, Naruto followed closely, still rubbing his sore head. Ino's hand hadn't left his for a second, and she made sure to remind him that he was the cause of her current predicament with every sharp tug.

Once they reached the delivery room, the nurses helped Ino onto the delivery bed, trying to calm her as the contractions grew stronger. Naruto stood beside her, squeezing her hand in support, even though he had begun to dread the next hair-pulling session.

"Ino-chan," Naruto said softly, "you're doing great. I'm right here, okay?"

Ino glared at him through the pain but softened her expression slightly as another contraction passed. "I know... I know... but if you weren't so... persistent... we wouldn't be here!"

Naruto chuckled nervously, remembering all the times she had been equally enthusiastic in the past. "Well, we're both responsible, right?"

Ino wasn't having it. "No! Not now!" she groaned, gripping his hand even tighter. "Just... don't talk!"

Naruto wisely stayed silent after that.

As the delivery progressed, the tension in the room grew. Ino's contractions were becoming more intense, and she was starting to lose her patience. Naruto could see the fire in her eyes as she glared at him. He braced himself.

Without warning, Ino reached up again, this time grabbing his hair with both hands and pulling hard.

"Naruto!" she yelled, her voice raw with pain. "I swear, if you ever... EVER... put me through this again—"