I woke up two hours later feeling better rested than earlier and stretched. "I guess I'll make breakfast.." I said in a yawn. I moved towards my bathroom and did my daily hygiene. After, I slipped on my house shoes and opened my door. To my surprise, the kids were on the ground..sleep..in front of my door. Pillows and blankets and all.
I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision because clearly I was seeing things. Unfortunately...
"Mm...oh." My daughter awoke to the movement of my feet. "Mom, you're finally awake.." she said in between yawns.
I looked over at my other two children, my youngest waking up as my eldest still sleep. "Why...are you sleeping...at my door?"
"We were waiting on you." Hanami answered.
"We didn't want to go to bed." Arashi chimes in. "If we did, we'd never wake up."
"And you promised that-"
"Alright alright." I shook my head and chuckled a little at their antics. "I'm much more awake than two hours ago so I guess we can start our day now. Wake your brother up so he can eat breakfast." I stepped over them and headed towards the kitchen. "I'll be done in a few."
"Ok!" I heard Hanami say. I could feel her doing air punches and all I could do was smile to myself. "They're so silly."
After thirty minutes, breakfast was just about done. I called out to my children, who were watching TV, to come over and eat.
"Wow," I heard Shinachiku say "this is probably the biggest breakfast we've had in a long time."
It was true. When I fell into my depression, I gradually cooked less and less. Soon, unfortunately, Shina took over cooking duties. Actually, he took over a lot of duties while I was suffering becoming a second parent to them..
"Yeah.."
I prepared steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and various side dishes for each of us such as tsukemono, nori, natto ,and a green salad.
"Smells good mom!" Hanami exclaimed as she pulled out her chair.
"I'm glad you feel that way." I felt my youngest tug at my robe. "Come on Arashi-chan, time to eat." I say to him sitting him in his chair.
As we started to dig in, we discussed today's plans.
"So," Hanami said in between bites. "Do you have plans for what we could do, Mom?"
I didn't have shit.
"Ah well, I do..sort of, but I want to hear your ideas first!" I nervously say. Hopefully they have something.
"Well, I do have some ideas!" She exclaimed.
I internally sighed in relief. I don't know how I managed to forget to make plans about a day I promised to do something on with the kids?
"I was thinking we go the park first! Then, during lunch, we could maybe..stop by Ichirakus..?" I could sense her looking toward me to see any signs of hesitation.
"Ichiraku?" It's true, I am a little hesitant about going. I haven been since before we left on our last mission together. And I haven't seen Techi or his daughter Ayame since the funeral. But my kids...
"I'm going to be honest." I stopped eating and looked at all of my them. "I am still... hesitant about going out and.. interacting with everyone again. It has been a long time since then, four years right? I need you guys to understand that.." I could see Hanami preparing herself for disappointment so I put my hand on top of hers. "But, for you all, I'm going to try my hardest."
In an instant, her eyes lit up and practically leaped on me hugging me tight. "Thank you thank you thank you!"
I giggled at her and kissed her forehead. "For you, I'll do anything. Now, I know there's more to do after that so, what's next?"
"Actually," Shinachiku finally spoke up. "I was thinking of all of us coming to the lantern festival at the end of the month. Everyone is going to be there and you...we all used to go before Dad died."
That's right, the lantern festival is in a few weeks. It's an event where all the citizens of the hidden leaf come together and light up a lantern for their deceased loved ones. Naruto and I ,before the kids were born, would light them up and set them free for our fallen friends and family. As the Hokage, he led the town's people to the edge of town and let his go. After his, the citizens would let go and we'd watch as they pollute the sky. It was always a beautiful sight..
"The Lantern festival? Um..I do miss it. We'll go when it's time." Just like Hanami, his eyes lit up completed with a wide smile.
"Thanks Mom!"
"Anything else? Is that it for the day? Just the park and then Ichirakus?" I asked.
"Ah...that's all we got actually." Shinachiku giggled. "We... didn't think we'd get as far as the park."
"Hmm. We'll, I have an idea." I smirked at them.
"What is it?" Arashi spoke.
"It's a secret." I smirked and winked at them. Hanami and Shinachiku groaned and begged to know what it was but I kept my mouth shut, only giving them a hint of course. "Alright alright, I'm not going to tell you ,but I'll give you guys a hint."
"Which is?!" Hanami asked.
"One word, relaxation."
"...a spa? A bath house?" Shinachiku pondered.
"You'll see. Now, eat up your food so we can start our day."
As the kids are the rest of their food, I started thinking to myself about the Lantern festival. When the war ended, Naruto made it tradition to remember those who fell during that time and before. When he was elected Hokage, it became an official reserved holiday. After his death, everyone got their lanterns and lit theirs and let it fly into the air the night of the funeral. I was very touch to see the village morn him like they did. Going out there after twenty-five plus years, counting my past life, is nerve racking and I'm getting anxious just thinking about it. But for right now, I want to have a good day spending time with the kids.
