𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 | shisui uchiha

7th Time's the Charm

"My beautiful little baby girl, smile for the camera!"

After being lucky the seventh time, Haruki and Shisui were understandably both over the moon when their first baby girl- and last child overall- was born. And just like it had always been planned, she had been named Hanako. Almost eerily so, Hanako bore a striking resemblance to her late grandmother; with the same pale eyes and dark purple hair, while she obviously looked like Haruki, Haruki in turn resembled her mother, making her feel as if baby Hanako's birth had been destined to be. Hanako and Masumi were the only ones so far to have inherited Haruki's hair, while Hanako and Riku were the only ones to inherit her eyes.

For Hanako's first birthday, the celebrations were being held at the Hyūga estate, just as all her brothers' first birthdays had been. For the special occasion, she, her parents and grandparents, and siblings all donned traditional kimono, alongside a few guests who also wanted to dress up for the occasion.

As they took a photo to commemorate the special day, Haruki and Shisui sat with Hanako on their laps in between them, smiling brightly for the photographer as he snapped their picture and gave them the okay to move.

"Oh, I'm so happy!" cried Haruki, allowing Shisui to pick up Hanako as she cheered with joy. "Shisui, can you believe it! The seventh time really was the charm!"

"I'm just glad I don't have to use protection anymore," chuckled the Uchiha, kissing his daughter as he rose to his feet. "But if we change our minds about wanting more kids in the future..."

"Not gonna happen," said Haruki with an air of finality, standing up. "Shall we head inside now?"

"Yeah."

Walking with a bounce in her step, as Haruki led Shisui and Hanako into the tatami room where all their guests awaited, she couldn't help but smile brightly at each and every one of them as she walked towards the front.

"Nee-chan looks really happy."

Near the front, Hanabi and Hinata sat side by side as they watched their older sister walk past. Now aged 18 and 23, both girls had grown past their initial phase of awkwardness during childhood and matured into beautiful, strong young women. Bygones were bygones, with both accepting that Hanabi would be the clan's future leader, and believing that it was in the family's best interests.

"I'm not surprised," replied Hinata, a shy smile on her face as she made eye contact with baby Hanako. "Nee-chan's been pining for a daughter all this time. I know she said she wouldn't have minded if Hanako had been a boy this time round, but I think she just wanted a daughter so that she could name her after okaa-san. Don't you think?"

"Yeah, I see it. That, and I'd want a daughter too if I was surrounded by my husband and six sons every day," mused Hanabi, turning her attention to her nephews who sat lined behind her and Hinata. "So when is it you and Naruto's turn, huh?"

"Hanabi!" scolded Hinata, albeit going bright pink in the face at her sister's words. "Don't say that!"

"Why not? You two have been together for a while now. When's the wedding?"

"Hanabi, can we just focus on Hana-chan for today?!" blushed Hinata, hiding her face as she averted Haruki's look of surprise from the front of the room.

"You're right, you're right. I'm sorry."

Hinata shook her head and gave her older sister the thumbs up, receiving a small smile of relief in return.

As Haruki sat before the guests, she couldn't help but feel her chest swell with unbelievable pride. She was a jōnin, a member of one of Konoha's most prestigious clans, the proud mother of seven beautiful, gifted children, and wife to the village's Hokage. She had been through several ups and downs over the course of her life, but through it all, she had managed to end up in her current position.

Likewise, Shisui also felt a similar sense of self-satisfaction. He had married the love of his life, and together, they had given life to seven wonderful children; he had earned the village's top honour, and was now able to protect those he loved from his new position.

A lot of factors contributed to the pair's current happiness, but none were as strong as their unwavering love and support for each other. They had moved from being childhood sweethearts, to lifetime partners and nurturing parents, on top of their commitments to the village as shinobi.

Team Shiruki were both busy, but they were doing one hell of a good job with their lives.