Dear Journal, it's been a while, hasn't it? The egg is gone but the smell lingers(I left it up there too long). I managed to keep the smell at bay but I think Sakura is growing suspicious. One day, she came up to me asking if she was crazy because she was constantly smelling it. I told her I didn't smell anything but I'm going to have to get this smell out before she figures me out. Usually, she'd have caught me by now but all those extra hours have gotten her too exhausted to think, fortunately.

In the meantime, it's getting a little easier managing the kids and signing and reviewing paperwork. I get a lot more done these days. I'm also spending more time with Shina-chan. I think we've gotten closer over the last couple of weeks. He talks to me more! And he doesn't step out of the house as much. It feels...good. I'm just glad I caught it before everything got worse.

Speaking of, Earlier today, I had a meeting at the Hokage tower and had to take Arashi-chan with me because everybody else is busy, which was a mistake on my part...


"Dad, Shikamaru-san is here."

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute. Thank you, Shina-chan."

"You're welcome, Dad."

Arashi gurgled as I made him comfortable in his baby carrier. "Let's get those feet through..." I looked at my baby in his eyes and smiled. "Perfect."

I turned to Shinachiku and Hanami who were playing in the living room. "Shina-chan, I'll only be gone for a couple of hours. I premade some ramen and you know Mr. Han is right next door if anything happens, okay?"

"Don't worry dad, I got this!" Shinachiku reassured.

"Yeah!" was all Hanami shouted.

I did have a moment of second thoughts but it was too late by then. The meeting would be starting soon!

"Alrighty then, I'll be right back! And uh...keep this between us, okay."

My son giggled and gave me a thumbs up. "Sure, Dad."


"You sure Arashi is going to stay quiet throughout the meeting," Shikamaru asked as I passed by him.

"Yes," I slipped on Arashi's baby backpack. I just fed and burped him. He should be out like a light by the time we get there, don't worry."

"Yeah..okay. Just know I'm not saving your ass if he starts up again"

"You won't have to! Arashi is the quietest baby I have ever met. All he does is eat sleep and poop. At most he'll whine if he doesn't have his pacifier, which I have."

"Yeah okay.." I could barely hear him but I kind of knew what he murmured under his breath. "...What a drag."

As we approached the tower, I looked down at Arashi who had his eyes closed. "You'll behave, right Arashi-chan?"


"Hokage-sama, you're here!" one of the tower staff announced. He looked from my eyes to my chest. "And I see you brought the little one too?"

"I had no choice." I chuckled. "Hopefully he doesn't cause too much of a ruckus, hm?"

"He's adorable." they cooed. "Good look with the meeting, Seventh.

As the staff member walked away, Shikamaru murmured to me, "Arashi already being a distraction."

"Shut up, Shika! Besides, are you forgetting having to bring Shiladai to the tower when he was a toddler? I didn't say anything." I could see him cringing at the memory. Shikadai may be just like his father now, but back then, he'd be climbing the walls. I distinctly remember catching him eating one of the papers I had to sign that day.

"The experience is the reason why I'm questioning, idiot. Babies are unpredictable, no matter how much you think you know them."

"Whatever Shikamaru."

Shikamaru opened the double doors to the meeting. Sitting there were the other Kages, including Gaara who sat next to my chair. I could tell they were staring at Arashi, who still was sleeping in my arms.

"You're bringing your baby...to the meeting..?" Darui questioned.

Shikamaru sighed heavily and walked past me. "I...uh...didn't have anybody to watch 'him. But it's fine! He's asleep, he won't bother anybody hehe."

"Let's hope," Darui replied. "Shall we start?"

I nodded and took my seat next to Gaara. I could feel his green eyes looking at Arashi through the corner of my eye. "You really couldn't find anybody to take Arashi-chan?" he asked in a hushed tone.

"Sakura is taking up extra hours at the hospital and everybody else was busy so no not really..." I replied.

"...He's cute."

"Thanks."

I continued to listen to Darui go down the list for a few minutes before I heard it. The first whine.

Oh lord not now PLEASE

The whining went zero to ten in a matter of seconds. Everybody looked straight at me, some of their faces scrunched up and others trying not to laugh. Surprisingly, Gaara was one of those people trying not to laugh. I tried bouncing him, cooing him, holding him close but nothing worked! This was an absolute nightmare. "Goddamn Naruto! Go calm your baby down!"

"I-I'm sorry guys, my bad. I'll be right back. Shika, can you-"

As if he read my mind, he sat in for me and motioned for me to go outside. "My bad guys. My bad."

"Arashi-chan, I thought we both agreed you'd behave? Why did you have to start crying now?" I whined. "And where the hell is your pacifier?!"

His loud whining turned into loud crying and I swear I could feel myself slipping from my body, like on some astral plane shit. Not only did I embarrass myself, but THE PACIFIER IS also NOWHERE TO BE SEEN!

"Naruto," a cold hand touches my shoulder.

"Gaara? You should be in there-"

"It is fine. I want to help."

"Gaara..." I half smiled and thanked him.


Arashi cried the whole time. And I thought I had that damn pacifier but it was nowhere in the bag! Gaara and I had to calm Arashi down for forty-five minutes before we could rejoin the others. I honestly didn't think he would act up since he's mostly quiet. I'll have to ask Sakura once she comes home but I think it was because of the new environment? People? I don't know, babies are weird like that I guess...

LET ME NOT FORGET, I came back home to a disaster! The house had toilet paper all throughout the house! They took our sheets and made a fort in the living room and there were marker lines on the walls! FOOD ON THE FLOOR. I mean I support the activity but they could've waited for me! of course they blamed each other when I came home but I knew who the mastermind was. Hanami may be younger, but that girl leads the pack. And her brother is easy to convince.

I managed to get everything except the markers. I hope Sakura won't be too upset whenever she comes back...

"Naruto, why are there green marker markings on my wall?! (I still smell eggs what the hell)"

Uh oh

Side note: I did not know Gaara was good with babies as well? did Shikamaru teach him? Why is everybody better at childcare than me?