• People told him all the time that he would make a great father someday and, while he ocasionally agreed, more often than not he would have to say that no, he could not possibly make a good father.

    It was not that he didn't like the little guys - which he did, fiercely -, but he had so many failings, so much he wished he could take back and do differently (he had tried once, but Jiraiya eventually found out and told him outright and quite forcibly that researching that type of time-space jutsu would only drive him mad, right before extracting a promise out of him that he would leave such matters alone), that he could not imagine himself as being any type of worthy role model for a growing child.

    He knew from experience how much their bright little eyes could look like a clear canvas waiting to be painted by his scarred hands when he was at the center of their attention, as well as he knew that his actions would be the true standards the little guys would mold themselves after, despite any and all tidbits (or large bits) of wisdom that left his lips. And his actions as a ninja - his missions, his fights, his kills - were far from proper educational material.

    How had his teachers ever taught him the difference between right and wrong? He knew that someone, somewhere along the way, must have done so, but the memories eluded him. In a way, it was for the better, because he would have had difficulty looking at that someone and knowing that he had done the opposite of what they had told him was right, but on the other hand, it left him at a loss as to how to do the same for others.

    (At this point, Jiraiya would tell him that lots of other ninja have kids and they don't grow up to become raving sociopaths and how could someone who got along with children as well as he not do well in raising one?)

    Deep down, he knew it was all about insecurity, which was hillarious and the reason why he did not make it a habit of discussing this with others. In fact, he had only ever discussed it twice in his life. First with Jiraiya - he had made the mistake of asking his teacher why he had never gotten himself a (voluptuous) wife and had kids and, after the non-answer his efforts had earned him, he had had the question generously turned back to him - and then Kushina - at a time before she had embraced the full scope of her femininity. The memory of her unsure looks at his admissions had discouraged him from repeating the deed.

    But why was this relevant? Because Kushina was still staring at him, waiting for his response and trying to find out from his expression whether he thought the news she had just given him were a good or a bad thing.