Chapter Text
She pulled her hair up in a careful bun, her tongue poking out slightly as she focused on her visage in the mirror that sat on her dresser. Mismatched eyes blinked back, sweat forming on her brow as she huffed in frustration and pouted as her hair fell back down in clumps and slight tangles.
“I give up.” She swiveled around in her chair to face a direct copy of her that lay on her bed whilst reading one of the many stories they were gifted. “This is hard, Mikoto, can you please help me?” She whined as she swung her legs back and forth.
“You should figure it out yourself. You were the one who told mother that you could do it.” Mikoto shrugged at her younger [by ten minutes, she kept being reminded every single time she tried using her ‘seniority’ to her advantage] sister. “Besides, I don’t know how to help either.” She muttered as she flipped the page of her book.
“You’re mean.”
“Yuriko…”
“It’s true!”
“If I say that I can’t do something, and I can’t help you, it’s not me being mean.” She sat up and crossed her arms. “It’s me speaking the truth.” She rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you get Fū to do it for you?”
Yuriko bounced in her seat, shaking her head frantically, messing up her hair even more. “Then Fū would tell mother, and mother would say ‘I told you so’, and father would laugh, and you would put up your shoulders and act like you were able to see my shortcomings.” She inhaled deeply, replacing the lost oxygen from stumbling over her words so quickly.
“I wouldn’t.” Mikoto raised her eyebrow, but the sparkle in her eyes said otherwise. “I promise.”
“Yeah.” Yuriko hopped off of her hair. “I’m just going to ask mother myself so I can save myself from further embarrassment.” She opened the shōji door and closed it behind her. Shuffling in her spot for a second, Yuriko took in a deep breath then exhaled as she made her way to her parent’s room.
Knocking on it softly, clenching the fringes of her kimono’s sleeve, she peered inside the moment she heard her father’s voice.
“I…I need help.” She said softly, stepping into the room fully so he could look at her.
Sasuke looked up from what he was doing, his eyes filled with warmth as he studied her messy hair and red cheeks. “You couldn’t figure it out.” He chuckled softly as he beckoned her closer. “Your mother is in the garden but let’s straighten you out so she doesn’t lose her mind when she sees you.” He pulled out the jewelled pins from her hair, combing his fingers through her tangled strands gently before using a brush. “It took you longer to ask for help today.”
“It’s a special day and I wanted to be perfect without mother’s help.” She pouted again as she sat on the chair that her mother usually used.
“You’ll get it one day.” He played with her bangs and patted her head.
“Yeah, but I’m five! I should get it right now…” She crossed her arms and faced him.
“I wasn’t able to do anything for myself until I was eight, you’re doing fine.”
“Really?” Her eyes widened.
“Hn.” He nodded. “Now, go to Hinata and take these with you so she can do your hair quickly.” He handed her back her kanzashi.
“Okay!” She took her hairpins and waved as she left the room.
Running down the stairs, only being careful as she came closer to the bottom step [she could practically hear Hinata’s voice telling her to be careful and stop rushing], she skipped to the back doors of the main manor and yelled for her mother’s attention.
“Yuri.” Hinata smiled as she let her daughter settle at her side on the engawa of the garden. In her arms was a smaller bundle of soft pink flesh and almost pitch black hair. “Itachi is asleep, please be a little bit more quiet.”
“Oh, sorry.” The little girl hugged her hairpins to her chest as she peaked over the blanket to stare at her younger brother. He was born two months ago, and was growing really well, but she knew that his sleep time was very important. “I…I…”
Hinata shifted, pulling the small cradle-like basket closer and resting the sleeping baby inside. “You need help.” There was no disappointment in her voice, just amusement and love, which made Yuriko’s shoulders sag.
“Yeah.”
She patted her lap, “come on.”
Yuriko shuffled and fitted herself into the warmth of her mother’s lap. She stared out into the garden as she felt her fingers caress her scalp and ears as she began fixing her hair. “Sorry that I couldn’t do it.”
“You don’t have to apologize, I know you wanted to try again.”
“I promised that I would get it this time though!” She pouted and handed her mother one of the hairpins.
“You have many years to fulfill your promise, there’s no rush. Besides,” she patted her shoulder to let her know that she was finished, but Yuriko didn’t move. “You'll always be my little lily, and I don’t mind helping you at all.”
She turned around and faced her, searching her eyes for a second as a smile stretched across her face. “I’m telling Mikoto that I’m your favourite.”
Hinata gasped, “that was not what I said!”
“Hm, but she doesn’t know that.” She giggled as she was tickled.
“You’re not mother’s favourite.”
They both stopped as they turned to the new voice. Mikoto stood there with her arms crossed and her chin raised. “It’s obviously me.”
“Nuh uh!” Yuriko left her mother’s lap to stand in front of her sister. “It’s me.”
“Nope.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes!”
“It’s obviously Itachi.” Sasuke joined them, leaning against the panel of the shōji doors with his arms crossed just like his eldest daughter.
“Is that true?” Both girls turned to their mother, waiting for a response.
“My favourite child is…all of you. I can’t pick a favourite.” She stood up and picked up the cradle-basket with Itachi. “I love all of you just the same, and I don’t want you to grow up too fast, or think that I like one of you more than the other. Sasuke, I expected you to not entertain their bantering this time.”
He shrugged, “just a little fun. Come, the others are waiting.”
“Oh, yay!” Yuriko smiled brightly as she pulled Mikoto’s hand away from herself. She laced their fingers together as she led the way out of the manor and to the main Palace. “I miss Aunt Sakura and Juri.”
“Not Naruto this time?” Sasuke raised his eyebrow.
“No,” she shook her head, not missing the shiver that went down Mikoto’s spine as well. “He played a really bad prank on us.”
“You’d think at age thirty two, he would stop with his pranks.” Hinata muttered. “I suppose that wouldn’t make Naruto. well…Naruto.”
Sasuke nodded in agreement. “I’m sure he’ll jump right back up your little hierarchy of favourite people after tonight.”
Right, the sun had set hours ago and the cold air made them all shiver. There wasn’t any snow on the ground, but there was a thunderstorm the previous day which made the air smell of o-zone and wet grass. Mikoto looked around, watching as the other guards and maids also began heading to the place they were supposed to be.
“We get to sleep late today!” Yuriko swung their arms. “No scolding us about going to bed late and not getting enough sleep.” She pumped her fist into the air, an action that reminded Sasuke of the blond man who she currently did not want to talk to. They’ve been hanging around a lot lately, he should be a little more careful before she picks up more of his habits.
“It’s only a once in a lifetime thing, don’t get too comfortable.” Hinata quickly interrupted.
“I know, but it’s fun.”
Mikoto nodded in agreement.
Out of the two girls, she was the quietest one. She preferred to sit back and observe, only reserving her words for her family [especially for Yuriko] or when it’s truly important. Despite that, she was just as kind and understanding as both her mother, and her grandmother who she was named after.
Yuriko, on the other hand, behaved like a younger, more carefree Sasuke and did not bother hiding how she felt about certain things. Her words were blunt, her excitement barely tired her out, and she had a thing for plants and animals. Again, he was seeing the effects of having Naruto as her godfather was doing. She did know when to calm down though, and that was greatly appreciated.
For tonight, the girls’ personalities seem to be on the mellow side as they approached the large wisteria tree where everyone else was gathered.
“Yuri!” A small squeal was heard as people finally took notice of their arrival. A little girl with rose-gold hair and seafoam eyes rushed to their side, followed by her mother. She hugged the aforementioned twin, and waved ‘hello’ to Mikoto.
“Hina.” Sakura smiled and kissed her cheek as a greeting. “Lord Sasuke.” She bowed her head slightly, and then gave him a soft punch to his shoulder so he knew she wasn’t being overtly formal. “It’s a little nice outside even if it’s somewhat chilly.”
Hinata nodded, “glad that you guys could make it.”
“Are you kidding me? Naruto wouldn’t miss this for the world, he said that it’s the first time that the Palace is doing something like this. I guess his excitement comes from him being the reason that this is a first.”
Hinata laughed and nodded in agreement. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t go bad.”
“Yeah.”
Hinata looked down at the little girl whose eyes were on her. She smiled and waved, “hey little Juri, you’ve grown up so much.”
“Hi, Aunty Hina…” She hid behind Sakura’s leg slightly. “Can I see Itachi?”
“Oh, sure.” She stooped down to her level, letting the little girl take a look at the bundle that was warmly wrapped in the basket. “Awe, he wants to say ‘hi’ too.” True to her words, Itachi’s pitch black eyes opened to stare at the faces that hovered over him.
With a small poke from Juri, he shifted and yawned.
“He’s so cute!”
“Mhm.”
“Alright! The clock is ticking, everyone in their places!” The boisterous voice of a certain Royal Guard caught their attention.
Sasuke pulled Hinata to his side, smiling down at his son as they shuffled towards one of the temporary benches under the wisteria tree. They sat down, Mikoto happily finding herself on his lap [she didn’t say anything, she hated being referred to as a ‘daddy’s girl’] while Yuriko burrowed herself into the warmth of her mother’s side.
“Please don’t be startled!” Naruto called out as he walked to the very front of the crowd. “A lot of work has gone into this, so don’t be scared. Instead, admire the beauty of everything.” He waved slightly to the Uchiha family as he went to take his place beside his wife and daughter.
A soft hum of murmurs settled down within the crowd as they waited patiently. When everyone began to stir, wondering if there was a problem, they gasped as loud explosions were heard.
Up in the sky was a rain of a multitude of colours. They watched with widened eyes as sparks flew and expanded, the light of each soft explosion spreading across their faces.
“Cool!” Yuriko yelled out, earning herself a nod of agreement from everyone.
“I call it ‘fireworks’.” Naruto felt himself grin as he was kissed on his cheek from both his wife and daughter.
Sasuke turned to study Hinata as she stared at the display with fascinated eyes. His gaze travelled down to the child held in her arms, the one who sat at the edge of her seat, and the one on his lap. He smiled as he looked back up at the beautiful display that Naruto managed to make.
“Happy New Year.” Hinata whispered, kissing her daughters’ cheeks before facing him. “I love every single one of you.”
“Please don’t kiss.” Mikoto mumbled, cringing as they did so anyway.
“Ew.” The two girls echoed but they smiled nonetheless as they were wrapped with warm arms and chaste kisses to their foreheads.
“Happy New Year.” Sasuke whispered to each of them.
☼ 日向導 ☼
The following morning, Mikoto fell back into her chair at the dining table with a huff. Her eyes were slightly red, and she could not stop yawning as she rested her head on the table. “Please remind us to never sleep late.” She grumbled as a tray of breakfast was placed in front of her. She took a peek at the meal and instantly sat up as she rubbed her eyes in exhaustion.
“That’s why it won’t be a regular thing. Your body is used to waking up really early, and I don’t want that to change.” Hinata explained as she continued preparing the breakfast for the two family members who have yet to get out of their beds.
“How do you do it?” Mikoto asked as she ate one of her egg rolls slowly. “You’re always the last to go to sleep, and the first to wake up.” She said, a hint of admiration in her voice. She really did look up to her mother, or any woman in her life for that matter, but especially her kind and gentle mother.
The woman of the hour shrugged and sat down with her kimono opened slightly to feed the very much awake Itachi. “Years of doing the same thing? It’s become a habit of some sort that I can’t break out of. It’s a good habit to build, which you’ll get the hang of as you get older.”
“I don’t want to get old.” Mikoto mumbled, staring at her tea [hot, imported cocoa with fresh milk]. “That’s a lot of work.”
“That’s true, nothing gets easy when you get older, but that’s why you have us. As your parents, we’ll make sure that your life isn’t unnecessarily hard, but we won’t do everything for you.” Hinata hummed, “you’ll be the one inheriting the throne when your father steps down, and that’s years from now.”
“Would I have to get married like father did?”
It was a frequent story that Naruto told them; about how their father was destined to marry their mother and how they met, how they fought, and how they fell in love.
Hinata shook her head with a smile. “If it’s one thing I know about your father, it’s the fact that he hated that notion of getting married and having a child just to fulfill his role as the Heir. If you want to get married before you inherit the throne, as our Heiress, then by all means, go for it. But it’s okay if you don’t. You shouldn’t worry about that stuff now, you’re young!” She ruffled her hair.
Mikoto nodded and took a sip of her tea.
“I want hot cocoa too!” A tired, barely awake Yuriko said as she used the railing of the stairs for support.
“Your breakfast is already here, Yuri.” Hinata motioned to the spot across from her.
“Oh.” She stuttered and joined her sister. “Thank you. Good morning, Mikoto, mother, sorry for...”
“That’s okay, forget the manners for now.” Once she was sure that Itachi was done with his feeding, she set him down in his cradle-basket and tied up her kimono carefully. “It’s a new year, new day, and a new chance to grow.”
“You’re so cool.” Yuriko whispered, staring at her with sparkles in her eyes.
“You’ll be cool too if you do well in your studies.”
Yuriko groaned and occupied herself with her breakfast.
A few minutes later, the gruff voice of a very tired Uchiha was heard as he slumped down onto his own chair. The girls exchanged a look, and then a smile as they studied their father. They definitely understood where their dislike for early mornings came from as he rested his head on the table.
“Good morning.” Sasuke muttered as he sat up straight for a second to see what was set on the table. He raised a tired brow once he realized that all their eyes were set on him, even his son’s. “What?”
“You’re the last one to wake up this time.” Mikoto pointed out. “That’s never happened before.”
Yuriko nodded along. “We went to bed at the same time, didn’t we? Shouldn’t you be awake at the time mother is awake? You sleep in the same room.”
Hinata cleared her throat and blushed as she stood up to get her own breakfast.
“Oh? Since when were you so observant?” Sasuke smirked, his eyes on Hinata’s back before he looked down at his children.
“Since now!” Yuriko piped up. “It’s either you or mother who sits down here and waits for the rest of us to wake up. You’re never the one who joins us last!”
“Right.” Sasuke nodded in agreement. “Last night, after tucking you two and Itachi in bed, your mother and I went outside for some training.” He could see the way Hinata’s ears turned pink as she listened to him.
“What sort of training?” Mikoto leaned in closer. She liked the aspect of training, she loved learning about fighting! Especially the Hyūga fighting style.
“Special training for adults.” Sasuke picked up his cup of tea and took a sip.
“No fair!” Yuriko yelled.
Sasuke just laughed heartily at their pouts and Hinata’s intense tomato-red blush.