Inside the Hokage Residence.
"Why is Naruto crying again? Is he hungry?"
"I just fed him."
"He's not hungry. Sasuke hit him."
"Why is Sasuke so naughty?"
"Natsu, go change the sheets. Sasuke wet the bed again."
"Okay, I'll go right away."
Ayano sat on the living room sofa with her belly swollen, leisurely watching the women bustle about, all of them revolving around the children.
During her pregnancy, she had regained the pampered life she once enjoyed. She no longer needed to do any housework; clothes were brought to her and food was served to her. Instead, she could order others around, and everyone indulged her at every turn because they knew she was pregnant.
Now that there were several children in the house, it was far noisier than before. Every day brought an endless stream of trivial troubles.
Yet the relationships among them had become more harmonious.
When Kushina had first moved in, there had always been a subtle tension among the women. Though they spent every day together, they still harbored reservations toward one another.
Now, the children had become the lubricant between them.
Shin returned from the Hokage's office after finishing his work and heard the commotion filling the house.
"I'm a little hungry. Is dinner ready?"
Ayari came out from the inner room and shot him a glare. "Who has time to cook for you? Can't you see everyone's busy to death? None of us have eaten either."
Shin glanced at Ayano, sitting on the sofa with her swollen belly, and at Natsu, who was holding Sasuke and soothing him.
Ayano seemed about to stand. "How about I make it?"
Ayari lightly kicked her and said irritably, "No need for you to play the good person. Let this bastard make it."
Shin said helplessly, "Fine,