crownverse
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even before dawn, the city was awake. the people working during the dark staggered back home, making way for early risers. the market was bustling with life, similar with konoha's own market, and hashirama managed to procure herself some vegetables and a fresh chicken. also a lot of chicken feet! she can't wait to try out the soup recipe they had yesterday, so refreshing!
too bad her happy shopping trip was cut short with the appearance of a certain scowling face among the crowd.
"you can't just leave the inn alone, we're in a strange city!"
"the inn it's just one street over!" hashirama argued, hugging her chicken closer. "this isn't some strange city, we're in a daimyo's domain."
"you're an easy target for pickpockets and whatever thugs hidden here, hashirama."
"anata, are you underestimating your hokage?"
madara narrowed his eyes. "i'm not; i'm saying it because they often target people who looked weaker than them. no one knows you're the hokage without your attire. plus, you're obviously very pregnant."
"whose fault is this then?" she gestured to her swollen belly.
his nostrils flared. "i mean... at least bring guards or ride a palanquin."
"no."
"i knew you'd say that." his susano'o manifested, only the hand, it shaped in such a way that hashirama automatically sat on its palm.
"this is way too much, madara!" hashirama pointed at him using a chicken foot, hissing as people started looking at the couple.
"you're pregnant-"
"not the first time-"
a palanquin stopped at a nearby stall, hoisted by four teenage genin and a man that must be their teacher. they helped a pregnant woman stepped down, and assisted her in shopping.
"...let's get a genin team to fetch you a palanquin."
before hashirama could reply, a group of civilian guards stopped nearby, hoisting a larger and more ornate palanquin. they kneeled before hashirama and madara.
"pardon us, esteemed guests," their leader said. "you're guests of the daimyo, it is unbecoming to walk on foot. please use our palanquin, we will help hokage-sama with shopping as well..."
"hah... if you insist." unwilling to refuse the hospitality, hashirama handed over her chicken to the leader, and let herself being helped into the palanquin.
the leader then stared at madara. "uchiha-sama, please."
"what?" he snapped at him.
"it is more comfortable in the palanquin, i'm sure it's better for your knees-"
"ooh!" hashirama's head popped out from the palanquin, grinning from ear to ear. "how considerate of you, mister palanquin-bearer, my husband's knees aren't as good in his younger days, you see..." she winked at madara.
"hashi-"
hashirama raised her voice, "oh come already, husband dearest, don't you want to rest your weary knees alongside your beautiful, pregnant, and much much younger wife?" she caressed her belly as an emphasis.
grumbling, he stepped into the palanquin and settled beside his wife. the bearers lowered the blinds, giving them a privacy, before hoisting the palanquin.
"you're not even a whole year younger than me," he said.
"i know." hashirama nuzzled his jaw, linking their arms together. "i just love to mess with you."
"...good." madara took her chin, tilting her head so he could kiss her lips. "after this one, you're having our fourth. no buts."
hashirama beamed. "mm, can't wait.".