I'm preparing the foil trays of food in the kitchen, ready to be carried off in their bags. I finish cleaning up everything else on the table and suddenly hear Sora cry in the living room.

"Mom, you've got to come see this!" Takashi is laughing in the living room.

"What's going on?" I walk over.

"Look," Takashi points to Kakashi with Sora on the sofa.

Kakashi is holding Sora up in his arms as she looks up at him. He looks down at her and she stares up at him with a small smile, kicking her little legs in excitement. After a moment, he pulls his mask down, which causes Sora to go wide eyed and freeze. Her face crunches up into a frown and she begins to whimper. Kakashi pulls his mask back up and she calms down. He pulls it back down and she frowns and whimpers again, about to cry.

"She's gotten used to seeing me with the mask on all the time," Kakashi chuckles as he pulls his mask back up.

"That's how she thinks you really look like," I giggle. "Your actual face has become unfamiliar to her!"

"Looks like I'll have to be mask-free more at home with her."

"I'm sure she'll grow out of it," I smile down at Sora. "Come to Mama," I reach and gently grab her from Kakashi's arms. "Alright, guys! It's time to head out to the family barbecue!"

"Yes!" Takashi is excited.

"I'll carry the trays of food and you carry the pack of waters," Kakashi instructs Takashi.

He nods and heads into the kitchen.

"Need anything else?" Kakashi helps me put on Sora's sling carrier and diaper backpack.

"We're set to go," I smile at Sora.

We arrive at Gai and Mizuki's house, making our way into the yard. Kurenai and Mirai are already here, along with Naruto and his family, and Sakura with Sarada. The picnic tables are set up and everyone is enjoying the fresh air in the yard that opens up into a patch of forest.

"And here they are!" Gai walks over happily away from the grill.

"We've brought barbecued pork and dumplings," I smile at Mizuki as she approaches.

"And some water!" Takashi holds the pack of water bottles.

"Great! You can set it all down at the picnic tables," Mizuki points over at the tables.

Kakashi and Takashi head over to drop the items off.

"How's my little niece?" Mizuki smiles down at Sora in my sling carrier.

"She's doing well," I reply. "Just keeps to herself."

"Her hair has grown quite a lot," Kurenai approaches closer. "I'm sure Kakashi is thrilled she took after him."

"He is," I laugh. "So far, so good."

We approach the rest of the family and they turn their attention to me and Sora.

"Oh, it's little Sora!" Naruto exclaims as he rushes over to us. "How is she doing?" he peers down at her.

"Don't go approaching her so quickly!" Sakura scolds him. "You might scare her."

"Nah! See? She's excited to see me!" Naruto plays with her little fingers as she smiles.

"Oh, she looks so adorable in her little sling carrier," Sakura is in awe.

"Her silver hair is so cute," Naruto pats Sora's head.

"Alright, let's give her some space," Sakura drags Naruto away.

"But…my little sister…" Naruto sulks.

"Hello, Denizu-sensei," Hinata greets.

"Hi, Hinata!" I smile. "How's Hima doing?" Himawari approaches next to her mother.

"She's growing up so fast."

"I'm four years old," Himawari holds four fingers up excitedly. "How's baby cousin Sora?"

"She's doing well, see?" I kneel in front of Himawari to give her a look at Sora.

"She's so cute!" Himawari exchanges smiles with Sora.

"Thank you, Hima," I give her a warm smile.

"Now that everyone's here," Gai holds a ball. "Let's play a game of tag-ball!"

"Yeah!" the kids cheer.

Gai gathers the group that wants to play: the twins, Boruto, Takashi, Mirai, and Naruto. They move their game to the open grassy field next to the patch of forest.

"Alright!" Gai calls the group's attention. "Remember the game rules. There are two teams. Each team has to bring the ball to the opposite team's field side in order to gain a point. If you're carrying the ball and you get tagged, you freeze in the spot you're at until you can pass it to a teammate. If you hold on to the ball for more than five seconds, the ball goes to the other team. You can pass the ball to your teammates at any time, so long as they catch it. You can intercept a ball if you get the chance. No tackles, only tags. And no fancy ninjutsu or taijutsu – just your own skill! Let's keep this safe and fun!"

"Let's go, dad!" The twins cheer excitedly.

"There are seven of us so one team will have an extra player. Takashi, Boruto, and Naruto will be a team. I will be a team with Miyoko, Kaito, and Mirai."

"I'm in!" I shout.

"I figured you'd join," Kakashi says as he takes Sora from me.

"They need another player. Why not?" I shrug as I run off toward the group.

"Yeah!" the group cheers.

"I'll be on Naruto's team, I guess," I say. "It'll be four on four now."

"Let's do this!" Gai grins.

We spread out on the field, each side with their designated end-field markers. Gai stands in the middle with me as we face each other. He holds the ball for a moment before tossing it up into the air some hundreds of feet.

"We're not playing up in the air, Gai," I joke.

"Got carried away," Gai laughs with a sweat drop.

"Nice," Kaito and Miyoko smile up at the ball.

We stare up at the ball as it comes to a halt in speed in the air. It then begins to plummet down back toward us.

"Denizu, Takashi, Boruto, and Naruto…" Mizuki watches.

"I'm not sure if putting those four together on the same team was a good idea," Kakashi says as he holds Sora. "That's a lot of hot-heads and energy."

"You got a point there," Kurenai also watches.

The ball falls closer and Gai and I jump up to hit it. I manage to hit the ball toward my team. Naruto runs and catches it, the rest of our team spreading out forward.

"Dad! Dad!" Boruto shouts. "I'm open!"

Naruto sees Kaito is close behind Boruto, so he throws the ball at Takashi instead. Takashi jumps up and catches it, then sprints to the other side of the field. He reaches half way until Mirai tags him on the back, causing him to halt. She begins to block him from throwing.

"Five! Four! Three!" Gai begins to count but Takashi sees Boruto open.

Takashi throws it at Boruto and he catches it. He sprints down the field but Miyoko tags him.

"I'm open!" Naruto shouts.

Boruto throws the ball at his father but Kaito leaps to intercept it. He dashes to the opposite end of the field.

"I thought you had it?!" Boruto exclaims at his dad.

"You threw it too low!" Naruto argues back.

Takashi tags Kaito and he glances around for an opening. He throws it but Takashi leaps forward to intercept it. He dashes down the field. Gai runs at him but Takashi swiftly dodges him and Gai is taken by surprise. The rest of our team blocks the other team players as Takashi scores.

"Not bad!" Gai high fives Takashi.

"Thanks!" Takashi grins.

"Let's go team!" Gai encourages his team.

We head back over to our side, about to start the next round.

"Hm. Maybe their team isn't so bad after all," Kakashi is surprised as he cradles Sora in the sling carrier.

"They're having fun," Kurenai watches the game.

The next round starts and Gai tosses the ball to Mirai. She makes a run to the side to avoid Takashi and me. Kaito opens up and she throws the ball at him. As soon as he catches it, Kaito dashes forward. Naruto approaches him but Kaito throws the ball to Miyoko and she runs to score.

"Nice!" Kaito and Miyoko high five each other.

The third round starts and Boruto has the ball. He runs down the field and turns to look for one of his teammates, but clashes into Naruto, the ball tossing into the air. Gai leaps and grabs it and heads down the field.

"Watch where you're going, dad!" Boruto shouts.

"What? You're the one in the way!" Naruto shouts back.

By now, Gai has scored. Boruto and Naruto glare at each other comically. They start the next round and Miyoko has the ball. She looks for an opening and throws it at Kaito.

"I got it!" Takashi and I say in unison.

We leap toward the ball but crash into each other. Boruto leaps over us and catches the ball, dashing down the field.

"Damn it!" Takashi and I groan as we shake our heads.

"Language!" I scold Takashi.

"You said it too!" Takashi pouts.

Boruto makes it to the end of the field and scores.

"Imagine the game if they were able to use ninjutsu…" Kakashi says.

"Thai field woulda been a wreck…" Sakura watches with Sarada.

The game continues for another fifteen minutes, seeing as everyone is high on energy. Mizuki and Kurenai have finished setting up the food, which consists of the barbecued pork, dumplings, burgers, noodles, mixed fruits, and salad. Sakura and Sarada also help setup the drinks.

"Time to call it a game!" Mizuki calls out. "The food is ready!"

"FOOD?!" Everyone on the field freezes and turns over to the picnic tables.

"Race you there!" Naruto makes a run for it.

Boruto leaps on to Naruto's back, causing him to fall forward. Boruto and Takashi rush past him, laughing maniacally.

"I'll race you there!" Kaito turns to Miyoko.

Kaito makes a run for it but Miyoko trips him. They both begin to rough house.

"Hey! Hey! No need to be so feisty!" Gai walks over to them.

Kaito and Miyoko are so caught up in their rough housing that they clash into Gai, sending him flying forward, his body squiggling in the air. Meanwhile, Naruto has used two shadow clones to hold Takashi and Boruto down while he runs to the food. Boruto and Takashi manage to escape and start to rough house with Naruto. Mirai is glancing all around the chaotic group.

"Guys! Stop fighting!" Mirai panics.

The two groups roll around in a ball of dust and dirt as they continue to rough house and shout at each other. Everyone else watches with sweat drops at the scene.

"They do realize there's plenty of food for everyone…" Mizuki twitches an eye.

"It seems the adrenaline from the game took them over," Kakashi sighs.

"If they continue like this, they won't get to the food," I stand next to Kakashi as I munch on a burger.

"What the?!" Mizuki is surprised to see me appear out of nowhere. "When did you?!"

Kakashi chuckles as I obliviously continue to munch on my burger.

The radio is playing and everyone is having a great time. The sun has set and it's now gotten dark. The kids are chasing fireflies throughout the field as the adults converse while drinking cocktails.

"How's Sora holding up?" I approach Kakashi in a drunken manner.

"She's fine. How are you holding up?" Kakashi jokes.

"I'm doin…I'm doin great," I give him a drunken smile.

I lean into Sora who's sound asleep in the sling carrier and kiss her gently on the cheek.

"Time for some fireworks!" Gai runs toward the field drunkenly with his arms full of fireworks.

"Whoa, honey," Mizuki stops him. "Are you sure you're okay to light those things?"

"Honey, I survived multiple world wars…" Gai drunkenly smiles. "I doubt these fireworks will do anything to me."

"I'll…I'll help you," I take some fireworks from him to carry.

"See? Denizu will help supervise," Gai nods.

"Okay…" Mizuki crosses her arms as she watches us drunkenly run to the open field.

"Look, dad!" Takashi runs over to Kakashi. "Look at the fireflies we've caught!"

Takashi holds up a small jar with glowing fireflies in them.

"You've got a good amount," Kakashi takes a seat at the picnic table.

"Too bad Sora isn't awake," Takashi peers down at his sleeping sister. "I'm sure she would have enjoyed seeing them."

"I'm sure she'll love to catch some with you when she's older," Kakashi says.

Takashi gives him an excited grin.

"Did you eat enough food?" Kakashi asks.

"Yep. Pretty full," Takashi nods. "But still got room for these," he pulls out a plastic bag of blueberries from his pocket.

"I'm not surprised," Kakashi chuckles.

In the nearby picnic table, Kaito and Miyoko are bickering, stealing each other's food. Sarada is gazing at Boruto disapprovingly as he stuffs his mouth full of fruit, Himawari giggling at him. Meanwhile, Gai and I are setting up the fireworks.

"I think…I think this one is good to go," Gai says.

"I…I think so too…" I agree.

"Great! Now let's light them up."

Gai tries to use a lighter but it doesn't light after some tries.

"Damn it…come on…" Gai walks a few feet away.

"Hold up…I got this…" I hold up a hand sign.

I inhale and then exhale a stream of fire at the fireworks. They all light up quickly and some begin to launch in Gai's direction. He panics as he begins to dodge the fireworks that have tipped over and are now aimed at him. They screech as colorful balls of light fly past him. Gai comically dodges them by drunkenly maneuvering out of the way.

"Oh no…" I'm surprised.

I straighten the fireworks to aim them up into the sky. They shoot straight up and burst into colorful lights and patterns. Everyone watches the fireworks in awe.

"You good?" I approach Gai.

"Yep…I'm good," he finishes putting out a spark on his butt. "Great job!"

"Right back at you!" I return his drunken high five.

We make our way back to the group. Everyone else also takes a moment to watch the bright lights, smiling up in awe, appreciating the family time we're having. I sit between Kakashi and Takashi as we face the fireworks. I lean on Kakashi right shoulder and Takashi leans against me on my right as we watch the fireworks peacefully.