The Red String of Fate: New Generation

Birth - Kakashi

"You've got this, Z. One more big push."

His lover was covered in sweat and clinging to him weakly in the circular tub. He watched the fire in her eyes reignite one last time before she pressed her forehead against his chest and bared down. He reached his hand down and felt the baby being dispelled from her body. Holding his weakened wife in one arm , he brought the baby slowly to the surface. Ino was standing by, holding a towel out for him. She scooped the fluid from the newborn's mouth as she wrapped him tightly in the towel. Sakura reached down and delivered the placenta. Kakashi gazed upon their new baby, positively beaming.

"It's a boy, Z!"

She began to cry; Kakashi held her more tightly so she didn't slip under the surface. He kissed her forehead gently as he cradled her against him. Sakura reached out, holding the newborn so Kakashi could cut the umbilical cord with the scissors Ino handed him. It had been a hard 20 hours of labor, and she was exhausted. What made it worse was her body was spent before the labor even started, due to her still being weakened from saving Hinata a few months earlier. He scooped her out of the water and wrapped her in a towel, the blood still seeping from between her legs. He placed her down gingerly in the bed and Sakura handed her the newborn . Kakashi laid down next to her and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"He's here. I can't believe he's here."

The newborn had messy white hair and could have easily been Kakashi's tiny clone. Just the sight of him took Kakashi's breath away. He latched onto Mizuka's breast easily, eagerly suckling away. Kakashi ran his fingers lightly over the tiny baby's fine, whispy hair. As he was finishing his first meal, Mizuka fell asleep. Kakashi carefully took the newborn from her, burping him. Someone knocked softly on the door.

"Everything okay?"

She came in with a burp cloth, a mesh pad, and witch hazel.

"Yeah, Z just fell asleep."

"Poor thing. Maybe her body will finally be able to fully heal."

"Thanks for staying , Ino. We really appreciate you being here. And Sakura."

"Of course! She's probably be asleep for a bit, why don't you spend some time bonding with your new baby? This would be the perfect time. I'll keep an eye on Lady Z."

"Thanks."

Kakashi got up and grabbed some clean clothes as Ino picked up the newborn, swaddling him in a muslin blanket before handing him back to Kakashi, who went to sit outside on the front step  in the beautiful spring afternoon with his son. He was exhausted, but too excited to care. He spoke gently to his son, telling him about the village and the important job of being the Hokage's son, which is a big responsibility. Villagers stopped to ask to see the newborn and inquire about Mizuka. Soon, Tsunade was at his front door.

"YOUR BABY IS ALREADY HERE?"

Kakashi lifted the flap at the top of the bundle, exposing the baby's beautiful face. The baby stirred in the blanket.

"Oh, Kakashi, he's gorgeous. He looks just like you. Does he have a name yet?"

"I think Mizuka liked the name Hikaru?"

"No, no. I just told you that to throw you off."

Kakashi turned to find his bride awake and wrapped in a yukata, standing in the front doorway. She stretched up, her lips near Kakashi's ear.

"I was thinking Sakumaru, to honor your father, Sakumo. He looks just like both of you, after all. I think that would be a beautiful tribute to him.

Kakashi's jaw dropped.  Tsunade looked delighted.

"What a fitting name for the newest Hatake.  Sakumaru Hatake."