By the time Mirai returned to the Senju Clan Compound, Kushina and Naori were already asleep.
He slipped quietly into his room, lay down on the bed, and stared at the ceiling for a while.
Madara had escaped, but he would be back.
Nagato still had the Rinnegan.
Mirai had absorbed the hundred thousand White Zetsu, but Madara still had the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
He had thrown the timeline into chaos, but some things still hadn't changed.
He closed his eyes and slowly fell asleep.
The courtyard grew quiet. Only the rustle of wind through the treetops and the occasional chirp of insects in the distance broke the silence.
When Mirai came out of his room the next morning, Kushina was already sitting on the veranda, munching an apple.
She raised an eyebrow when she saw him. Still chewing, she mumbled, "It's Naori's turn today, right?"
Mirai nodded. "Yeah."
"Go on." Kushina tossed the apple core into the trash and clapped her hands. "Spend some time with her. After what happened yesterday... she's probably not over it yet.
Take her out and cheer her up. Don't let her sit inside dwelling on it."
Mirai looked at her, a little surprised.
Kushina was usually carefree, but at times like this, she understood things better than he expected.
"You're not jealous?"
"Jealous of what?" Kushina turned to look at him. "I had you all to myself yesterday. Today is Naori's turn. Fair and square.
Besides, Madara Uchiha kidnapped her yesterday. She must have been terrified.
If you don't spend some proper time with her, I'll be the one yelling at you."
Mirai walked over and kissed her forehead. "You're wonderful."
"Oh, stop it!" Kushina gave him a shove, the tips of her ears red. "Get going! Don't keep her