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Mornings at my house without Sasuke and my two eldest boys are usually lively enough.

The girls often help each other get ready for school by waking each other up, or sneaking into each other's rooms and borrowing (not stealing, they swear) jewelry.

The sound of warm showers running could always be heard if you passed by their individual bedrooms and listened closely enough; although sometimes Haruki preferred to wake up extra early and treat herself to a vanilla scented bubble bath.

Other times, the girls could even be found doing each other's hair, causing a slight buzz in the upstairs portion of the home at the sound of their giggles and laughs.

The sound of their joint laughter never fails to put a smile on my face. Knowing that they get along so well and fit together like two carefully crafted glass puzzle pieces elicits a warmth in my heart that's indescribable.

All those years ago when Sasuke and I were younger and I was pining for a daughter of my own, I never expected to have been gifted two baby girls instead. Both are so perfect in their own ways, so different yet so similar in all of the best ways. They're the loves of my life and I couldn't have asked for anything better!

A happy family is all I ever wanted, and although Daisuke was a surprise, quite a big surprise at that, he was the missing angel I never knew I needed. I thought my heart was full of my four kids, but the second I laid eyes on my fifth and final baby I knew that he was meant to be my son, a child that I would love eternally.

He's perfect, an angel sent from above is what I call him. So many people referred to his birth and my temporary comatose state as a disaster, and although I agree that being in a coma for two years is a lot, it was a small price to pay for the literal angel on earth I have in the form of my youngest baby.

Mornings with my angel, Daisuke are nothing less than sweet.

I'm normally downstairs while Haruki and Runa are messing around, cooking the myriad of meals suited to everyone's tastes so that the girls and Dai would go to school with full, happy stomachs.

Daisuke never really wakes up on his own, like a hibernating cub in the middle of a winter storm every time he manages to shut his pretty eyes and get some rest. So on normal mornings, I tend to slowly coax him awake with gentle touches and the promise of a good breakfast, hoping to make his mornings as peaceful as possible.

The routine is calm and comfortable, and it's worked for around seven years ever since Sasuke and the older boys left.

However, this morning has gone completely differently.

Calm and comfortable isn't the way to put it, this morning has been absolutely insane.

And it's all thanks to the boys. The older ones at least, including Sasuke. Actually, especially because of Sasuke.

Not only did I have to console a crying Runa the second I woke up from a deeply rooted insecurity of hers I never even knew existed—

An insecurity she should've never had in the first place at that!

I will literally pummel any villagers I see showing blatant favoritism to Haruki. And that's a promise.

I also nearly exposed the fact that Sasuke had indeed ruined me and my body last night; effectively traumatizing the twelve year old. Luckily, I managed to play it off and protect her innocence, but god my subtle limp made it a little too obvious.

She's innocent though, innocent enough to actually believe I'm this way because of a stupid fight.

I wish this were the only reason I could call my morning chaotic, but it wasn't even the worst part!

Sasuke really coaxed me into bed again and then waited until after sex to tell me that he nearly murdered our daughter, and I'm considered the menace between the two of us?!

God, I should've thrown that kunai at him when I had the chance, but Daisuke was right next to him and he just got away from having overpowered scary eyes, I wasn't about to give him a certain red pair!

Sasuke really deserves a kunai to the face though.

Knowing this however, I couldn't help but perch myself on his lap for breakfast as well; knowing that he's leaving soon and I'll have to get used to not being by his side all over again.

It was a bit selfish, I shamelessly hogged up his attention by running my hands through his hair and cuddling up to him while I should've been avenging Runa's near death experience, but dammit It's hard!!

I'll have to get my revenge another time.

It wasn't long before the kids all headed upstairs again, trickling off one after another as they'd put their plates in the sink and quickly washed them just as I've always taught them to, retreating to their rooms right after.

Haruki and Daisuke both had big smiles on their faces as they went to get ready for their day, probably the happiest duo out of the bunch. The others—

Runa was shitting bricks, I could tell from a mile away. All from the prospect of training one on one with Masahiko, she was terribly nervous. Masahiko on the other hand looked as neutral as he walked off to his room. However, I managed to catch the way his sharp eyes curiously lingered on Runa, interesting.

Lastly, my first born. The apple of my eye, my beautiful perfect baby Katsuro—

He looked ready to fling Haruki across the room even as he stood up to go and get ready.

It was honestly a little concerning, and I was seriously considering joining him and Haruki on their trip to get groceries to ensure that he'd be on his best behavior. However, there's no way I'd miss out spying on Hiko and Runa, this was a golden opportunity!

Sacrifices have to be made.

And Katsuro isn't even that bad, right?

Between loving up on Sasuke to attempting to murder him, from Masahiko never speaking two words to offering Runa a training session, to Katsuro actively ignoring his sisters to actually acknowledging Haruki's existence: today's been more than enough insanity to last me another seven years!

Daisuke has been a complete angel through and through though, as expected from my tiniest baby. He seems a bit more energetic than usual, already looking brighter and healthier with his big blue eyes; but he's still the reserved sweetheart he's always been.

So here I am now, still glued to Sasuke's lap even after breakfast ended as we both awaited the kids' arrivals.

No words were interchanged between us as I mindlessly toyed with the ends of his dark hair. With my face nestled into the crook of his neck, practically clinging onto him like a koala, he displayed his warmth towards me a bit differently.

His gloved hand found its way underneath the fabric of my sweater and rested gently against my abdomen, sometimes running across my waist and soothingly tracing my curves.

It was a calm, sweet moment; probably because I wasn't thinking about Runa's sharingan so I no longer had the urge to attack him. Again, I'll get my revenge one day. When he least expects it.

"MOM!!" I was quick to tear myself away from Sasuke, still on his lap but nowhere near his face once I hear the sound of Runa screeching from upstairs.

Sasuke looks equally as alert, with raised brows and his head snapped in the direction of the staircase. The two of us hear her hurried footsteps as she makes her way downstairs and stumbles into the dining room.

I eye her with raised brows, noting her changed attire and freshly washed face. Wearing a purple crop top and shorts activewear set that I bought her a couple of weeks ago, she looked absolutely precious with her hair up and out of her face, small wisps of her bangs falling onto her forehead much like Auntie Mikoto's would.

Wow, with every passing day, Runa manages to look more and more like her! Not that I'm complaining at all, she's already so stunning just like Auntie Mikoto was.

It seemed to me like Sasuke held a similar sentiment, his dark eyes trained on Runa's face a bit longer than usual as she rushed over to us, a frantic look twisted onto her pretty features.

"What is it?" I ask gently, reaching a hand back and sweeping away the face framing locks of hair that escaped from her ponytail. Runa pauses for a moment, staring at both Sasuke and I with a certain pink tone creeping up on her cheeks.

"Why are you guys like this?!" She squeaks out almost in a panic at the skinship, earning a snort from me.

"Like what?" I ask, knowing damn well that she was squeamish over seeing Sasuke and I remotely together. She reacts like this even when we just stand next to each other, so it's no surprise to me that she's dying at the sight of us sitting together like this.

"You're all touchy! It's weird!" She complains, sending the two of us panicked looks. "That's what couples do baby." I say teasingly, smiling at her flushed cheeks.

She shakes her head, silky strands of hair swishing behind her with every movement her head made. "I'm never getting a boyfriend. I don't get it at all!" She mutters to herself. The blush was still rampant on her cheeks.

I open my mouth, about to speak to her and assure her that there's probably going to be a time where she'd be open to a relationship like mine and that she's still young, but to my surprise, Sasuke intervenes.

He nods, agreeing with Runa whole heartedly. "That's the right idea." He claims. I roll my eyes, annoyed by his commentary.

I go to elbow him harshly for entertaining Runa's silly little fear of romance, but to nobody's surprise he catches my elbow and sends me a pointed look, one that I return fiercely.

The two of us lock eyes and glare at each other much like we would as children, small bolts of lightning connecting them.

"If Runa doesn't want a relationship when she's older, that's fine. But don't discourage it!"

"She's my daughter."

"What the fuck does that have to do with anything?!"

"She's not dating anyone anytime soon. I'll encourage what I want."

"Oh give me a break. Runa is a pretty girl with heaps of boys and girls who like her! Who's to say she won't like someone back hm?!"

"She won't."

"Guys!!" Runa squeaked out again, eyes waving in a panic at the proximity Sasuke and I resorted to, our noses literally almost touching amidst our banter.

The two of us hold each other's gazes for a second longer, narrowed eyes emitting small bolts of electricity before simultaneously turning to Runa.

"Baby, the second you get a boyfriend or girlfriend or anyone romantic in your life. Tell me. We're throwing a fucking party." I snap, glancing haughtily at Sasuke from the corner of my eyes

"Absolutely not." Sasuke mutters under his breath, to which I shake my head and roll my eyes. The girls are going to break his soul when they start dating, maybe that's the revenge he deserves—

"How do you two get so angry with each other so quickly?!" She complained in a whining tone, unable to catch up with our constant energy switches as we'll be loving and affectionate one second at each other's throats another.

I merely shrug, a small smirk on my lips as a sudden realization washes over me. "I dunno we've been like this since we were little. Just like you and you know who." I say, winking at her teasingly much to Sasuke's internal horror.

His face remains stoic, but by the way his muscles tense up from under me; I could tell my words struck a pained chord in him.

Runa is effectively horrified as well, this being the second time I bring up the similarities in my relationship with Sasuke to hers with Boruto.

A teenie tiny part of me really does hope they end up becoming better friends and get together in the future solely because they'd look adorable together and I'm really not lying when I say they remind me of Sasuke and I.

However, since I'm mad at Sasuke and he's terrified at the idea of Runa finding a partner; I really fucking hope she ends up with Naruto's son out of all people.

Runa flushes bright red and waves her arms once more in a panic, hoping to to distract us from the topic we've found ourselves in.

"E-enough of him!! I didn't come here to talk about that idiot! I came here because I need your help!" She exclaims, suddenly reminding us that she did indeed come here hysterically, but for a whole other reason outside of romance.

Deciding to give her a break, I nod in understanding. "Well then, what is it?"

She lets out a puff of air, eyes averting from Sasuke and I as she sheepishly tries to find the right words for her concern. "I was wondering...How do I talk to Masahiko?" She mumbles, almost embarrassed to utter the words out loud.

Sasuke and I both blink, surprised by her question.

Then suddenly, a bright smile breaks out on my lips and I quite literally squeal in my seat and reach out to her, grabbing her cheeks and pinching them lovingly. "You're so cute!!" I laugh, standing up from Sasuke's lap and pulling her towards me, wrapping her up in my arms.

Runa groans in my hold, already regretting asking the damn question as Sasuke deadpans at the two of us.

"Aw it's okay honey you don't have to act any differently than your usual self around him alright? He's your big brother not some stranger." I advise, letting her pull a bit away from me so that I could look her in the eye as I speak.

She looks sheepish, a pink tint warming up her cheeks as she tries to take my advice into consideration. "He's my brother and a stranger." She mumbles, biting her inner cheek in an eerily similar fashion to the way I do it.

I falter a bit, stumped by her words. It was true, although I know Masahiko and Katsuro both have love in their hearts for their sisters, they both have terrible ways of showing it.

Hell, Masahiko doesn't show it at all.

However, I have very clear and distinct memories of the way he'd treat them when they were all younger, and I know he has a soft spot for both of them.

"Awe Hiko are you gonna help Runa with her hair?" I giggled, eyes almost watering a bit at the adorable sight of my white haired prince carefully holding a brush up to the ends of his baby sisters dark locks.

I was sitting in the girls shared vanity room in the morning with Haruki in my lap, brushing through her snowy colored hair as Runa dashed around with her little legs when Masahiko entered the room.

He always hung out with us in the mornings, as he usually stuck by my side until Sasuke would pick him up for training; to which he'd obediently follow along and dutifully try his hardest to impress his father and himself. (Even at four)

This time was no different, he walked into the girls vanity room and silently sat by my side, deep red eyes carefully watching Runa from the mirror just in case she slipped or fell running around; he'd know to catch her.

Luckily, She didn't fall or stumble around much at all; but instead grew terribly tired. Energy effectively drained from jumping off the walls left and right; the two year old princess was pooped.

Masahiko took notice, of course he did. His watchful eyes perceived just about everything around him; including the moods of his baby sisters. It was adorable, really.

He glanced back at me and Haruki, watching the way she silently swung her feet back and forth and happily sat still; letting me pick up her hair in a cute ponytail as she clutched onto the teddy bear Sasuke gifted her.

His eyes then shifted back to Runa, noting how she was slumped over with her back to the wall, a small pout on her face.

He tilted his head, an idea appearing out of thin air. He didn't voice out his thoughts, instead opting to get up and quietly step over to Runa, reaching out his hand for her to take.

At only two years old, Runa was mindless enough to just smile up at her older brother and cheerily take his hand without question; practically bouncing alongside him as he led her to sit right next to Haruki.

He aligned myself next to me, and I just about almost sobbed out loud when I saw him reach for the brush and begin gently tugging at her dark locks, as if he was afraid to hurt her. At my question he paused, blinking up at me before nodding with a small smile on his face.

Feeling my heart surge out of my chest as I'm suddenly overwhelmed with his cuteness, I lean down and press a big smooch to his chubby cheek, giggling a bit to myself as he promptly returns to Runa's hair.

My eyes soften seeing as Runa's worn out state allowed her to rest a bit against him, and before anyone knew it her eyes were shut and she was fast asleep in Masahiko's hold.

Even when Sasuke entered the room a bit later and asked Masahiko if he wanted to go out and train, the red eyed child quietly shook his head. Pointing to his little sister who was fast asleep, he didn't dare try to wake her; insisting on skipping out on practice just this once to ensure her a good rest.

What a good big brother indeed.

••••

"I just feel like I'm gonna say something wrong and he's gonna kill me!" Runa whines, figuratively shaking in her boots as she relayed her worries to Sasuke and I.

I can't help but chuckle at that, shaking my head at her bewildering thoughts. Assured by the memories I have tucked into my heart, I softly confide in her.

"Runa, Masahiko is a human just like you are. He might look a little scary at first, but he loves you very much and there's nothing to be afraid of alright? He'd love to help you. Right babe?" I ask, turning to Sasuke with a raised brow.

He agrees rather quickly, standing up himself and towering over Runa and I before speaking.

"Masahiko is a good kid. He's just quiet, even with us he doesn't talk too much. But that doesn't mean much. If he didn't want to help you he wouldn't have agreed in the first place, so don't worry so much."

I blink at him, tilting my head in slight awe. "Sasuke that was so wise! And unexpected."

He rolls his eyes at me, walking past the two of us and out of the diner hallway; but now before placing his hand on Runa's head momentarily, a small gist of affection that left her doe eyed and staring at the place he just left from.

"Mom?" Runa asked, breaking the silence that came over the room once Sasuke left.

"Hm? What is it?"

"You and dad are so weird."

"Keep calling us weird and I'll keep bringing up Boruto." I threaten, a mischievous smirk plastered on my face

"Y-You can't!!" She gasps in fear taking a step backwards as if I just burned her.

"You guys would be cute—"

"I'm leaving! Dying at the hands of Masahiko would be better than this!" She exclaimed, grouchily stumbling away from me with burning cheeks as I held a knowing glint in my eye.

I can't wait for her to admit that she likes him hehe.