The Moment of Hope

"Arashi...?"

The Jounin looked up at his wife, after reading from another book.

"It's time."

With wide eyes, the Hoshi nin immediately jumped into action.  A previously packed bag, a game plan, and messages ready to go out.  He tried to keep himself calm... but it was difficult for the orphaned Prince.  This was all new and uncharted territory. But, it did represent something wonderous; a lifelong dream was coming to fruition.  

The trip seemed to take forever and yet no time at all before Arashi and Tsuji were in front of the Hospital.  There wasn't a real need to explain what was going on; people knew.  For better or for worse they knew.  Quickly he was led upstairs while his wife was laid on a stretcher and brought up to the maternity ward.  Evidently, they warranted their own room in the ward, as both himself and she found themselves practically isolated from the rest of the ward.  Once the pain started hitting her, the medical-nin stepped in.  Arashi stood for a moment, but soon as things began to progress he was eventually shooed out of the room.  Probably due to panic.  Instead, he found himself outside of the actual room, with a light on at the top indicating they were busy, and the drapes are all drawn.

Arashi could do nothing but wait.

(WC: 225)

It seemed to take days, or months even.  Time was ticking away for the young adult as he nervously paced with his hands fiddling with his family's scarf.  They said that the baby will come when it decides to, and of course there were concerns of birth that were a natural part of the process.  That certainly didn't make the jounin feel any better, but his mind had to keep reminding him that Tsuji was in good hands.  He had some talent in medical jutsu, but nothing compared to the shinobi who dedicated themselves to the healing craft.  

It wasn't long before Tsuji's parents, Arashi's future in-laws, arrived, and without a word his mother in law left for the room, while his father in law stood by.  The two hadn't been exactly friends, but they were at least cordial.  

"I still don't see what she sees in you."

Arashi sighed.  "Its a bit late to question it."

"You rushed my daughter to grow up..."

"I did no such thing... I even gave her space."

"Yeah... yeah you did.  I just don't want to like you."

Arashi couldn't help but chuckle; some stress seemed to melt away.  "Most people would consider it a honor to have a connection to the Royal family."

The father snorted.  "Blood connection, yeah.  But much like our village did, you were only adopted into it.  Not that it really matters.  No more royal throne anyways.  Even if they still call you prince."

"Not bad for a dirty heathen ninja from the Land of Lightning, eh?" Arashi added, and the two looked at each other for a long moment, until they both laughed.  

"Feel better, Arashi?"

"Hmm?"

"You were worried and freaking out.  Don't hide it, I went through the same thing too."

"Yeah... I feel better."

"Good.... I still don't like you."

They both laughed again as their attention went to the sign above the room.  The light had just turned off... the birth was over.  The door opened and Tsuji's mother stood in the doorway, gesturing for the shinobi.  "She's ready for you." she stated, as Arashi nodded and walked forward and past, letting the door close behind him.  There were medical nin still in the room, taking off bloody gloves and washing off towels, and in the middle was his soon to be wife, laying in the bed with a bundle in her arms.  

Arashi practically ran to her and reached for her, rubbing her forehead and kissing her first, before turning his attention to his new family.  The child seemed so small to him, and with gestures from Tsuji, Arashi took the bundle in his hand.  His child.  The first Tekiatsu born in a generation.  He held the child, looking at it up and down, and then raised his eyebrows.

"It's... it's a girl!"

"Yes. A girl.  And according to the doctors, a strong one at that.  Arashi, we have a little girl."

Tears began to form in his eyes as he held the bundle of towels, as his daughter seemed to sleep in his arms.  A moment seemed to freeze; a moment of hope.

(WC: 522)