"Fate's Crossing

Chapter 19: Parenting Perks and Mischief

Welcome

Chapter 20: Parenting Perks and Mischief

The morning sun filtered through the windows of the Uzumaki household, casting a warm glow across the room. Naruto sat in his small home office, leaning back in his chair as he tried to catch up on paperwork from his job at the police precinct. His mind kept drifting, though, as the sounds of Ino and Boruto filled the house. From the occasional gurgles and coos to the soft murmurs of Ino's voice soothing their baby, it was hard for Naruto to focus on anything else.

He smiled to himself, imagining Ino cradling Boruto in the living room. The past two months had been a whirlwind of late nights, diaper changes, and figuring out the best way to soothe a crying baby. But through it all, they had found joy in the little moments—the soft laughter, the milestones, and even the chaotic mischief their little boy was already getting into.

Just as Naruto was about to return to his work, a sudden yelp came from the living room, followed by Ino's voice. "Naruto-kun! Help!"

Naruto jumped up from his chair and hurried out of his office, his heart racing with a mix of concern and curiosity. When he reached the living room, the sight that greeted him made him pause in surprise—and then stifle a laugh.

There was Ino, sitting on the couch, holding Boruto in her arms. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and a light blush dusted her cheeks as she looked up at Naruto with a half-embarrassed, half-amused expression. She was in the middle of nursing Boruto, but the baby had decided to introduce a new challenge: biting.

"He bit me!" Ino exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "I didn't think babies started doing that this early!"

Naruto couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. He walked over to her, kneeling down beside the couch and giving Boruto a playful grin. "You're a little troublemaker, aren't you?" he said, gently tugging at Boruto's tiny hand.

Boruto, oblivious to the fuss he had caused, let out a giggle that made both Naruto and Ino's hearts melt.

"See? He's not even sorry," Ino muttered, trying to sound stern but failing miserably as her lips curled into a smile. "I was just trying to feed him, and this is how he thanks me?"

Naruto gently took Boruto from Ino's arms, cradling him against his chest. "Come here, little guy. Let's give Mom a break."

But as soon as Boruto was in Naruto's arms, the baby reached up and grabbed a fistful of Naruto's blond hair, tugging with surprising strength.

"Ow! Hey!" Naruto yelped, wincing as Boruto pulled on his hair with glee. "I think he's got a thing for grabbing hair."

Ino burst out laughing, her earlier frustration disappearing as she watched the scene unfold. "He's definitely inherited my strength," she teased, watching Naruto try to gently pry Boruto's tiny hand from his hair.

Once Naruto finally freed himself, he looked at his son with mock sternness. "You've got some tricks up your sleeve, don't you?"

Boruto just giggled, his toothless grin lighting up the room.

Naruto couldn't stay mad—how could he, with a face like that? He leaned forward and kissed the top of Boruto's head, still chuckling. "You're lucky you're cute."

Ino, now more relaxed, adjusted her top and smiled at the two of them. "I don't know where he gets it from. You'd think he was the one running the show around here."

Naruto stood up, still holding Boruto, and offered a hand to Ino. "Well, let's get ready to go. You wanted to go shopping for a few things, right?"

Ino nodded, taking Naruto's hand and standing up from the couch. "Yeah, we need more diapers... and maybe a few more outfits for this little troublemaker." She glanced down at Boruto, who was now contentedly playing with Naruto's shirt collar.