When the loud shriek that is definitely Sasuke-chibi rings out not an hour into dinner, I know it's going to be one of those nights. Itachi sees to him- he's gotten very good with the Mystical Palm.
When Hizashi-san lets out an unmanly yelp because Kinoko is trying to eat his hair, I can confirm, if only to myself, that it is indeed one of those nights. I've gotten very good at feinting and giving a head-bashing to remember into your old age- or possibly not. Kinoko was very wobbly after I slammed him into the dirt. He also apologized to Hizashi-san, and then they started arguing about fate. Raiko just kind of sighed and slumped over onto Shikaku-sama, and then tried to unslump unsuccessfully because Shikamaru-chibi climbed onto her and started asking her to sing. I don't think she meant to slump onto Shikaku-sama- and now he's slumped onto Akimichi-sama. Raiko is staring at him with an incredulous glare.
Is that even a thing that's allowed at dinner parties?
Kirara has vanished, somehow. She was sitting over by the Aburames, but then Shino-chibi wandered off with her and they've both been gone since. Aburame-sama is talking with Tsume-sama. Hana-chan is talking to- a red-haired woman.
Raiko is being used as a pillow by Nara-chibi.
Sasuke-chibi and Naruto-chibi are arguing with each other quite loudly.
Itachi-kun is staying my hand from violence by holding it. His hands are rough with calluses, but the tips of his fingers are soft against my palm. I can feel his chakra gently thrumming under my fingers, nipping at the tenketsu in my hand.
It's going to be a long night.