Menma woke up to a faint floral scent, as if a spring breeze had slipped into the room and pressed itself against his face. Pleasant… if not for the strands of hair tickling his nose. He scrunched his nose without opening his eyes.
"Naruko…" he mumbled half-asleep, voice hoarse and lazy. "Move your hair, it tickles."
"You move yours," his sister answered just as drowsily. "It's getting in my mouth."
Menma frowned. His hair was short and neat, like Minato's.
The twins opened their eyes at the same time and pushed up onto their elbows. The room around them was spacious, with tall wooden walls and the fresh scent of pine. Dawn light seeped through the shutters, painting the ceiling in a golden hue. Birds sang outside, their voices blending into a chorus, as if the whole forest was celebrating the start of a new day.
And right between them, comfortably curled up on the soft futon, Karin let out a sweet yawn. She sleepily stretched and put on her glasses. Her green ruffled pajamas looked devilishly cute.
"K-Karin-chan?" Naruko rubbed her eyes with her fists, her hair sticking out in all directions. "What are you doing here? We all have our own rooms. Yamato-sensei built them on purpose."
Karin frowned slightly, pouting as she replied with a touch of hurt:
"But you two sleep together anyway."
Menma shifted his shoulder reluctantly, his gaze still foggy with sleep, but his voice steady:
"It's a habit from childhood. When the day was especially rotten…" he gave a small shrug. "We just shared one blanket. The warmth made it easier to forget and fall asleep."
"That's a good habit. Cozy," Karin admitted softly. "I didn't have anything like that growing up. Maybe that's why I…" she stopped, clenching her fists. "Yesterday I just couldn't fall asleep. I left my room, saw you two and… couldn't resist. Sorry."
Naruko's warm smile instantly broke the tension:
"Karin-chan, don't apologize. Sleep with us whenever you want. You're always welcome."
"Thanks…" Karin smiled back gently, a little shy. She glanced at Menma, as if seeking his confirmation. "And… sorry for keeping my distance yesterday. I knew I should've said something… offered support… but the words just wouldn't come out."
"You just said it now, and that's enough." Menma's reply was calm, though the corners of his lips tugged upward slightly. "And I liked sleeping with you too."
A faint blush spread across Karin's cheeks, quickly hidden by her hair.
Naruko suddenly sprang from the futon, arms flung wide like an actress on stage:
"I was thinking before bed too! In the story it says: 'Whoever kills a demon becomes one.' Well! We've already done that. Which means it's time to embrace our new nature!" She spread her arms dramatically, her hair fanning over her shoulders. "Twin Demons! How about it?"
"Hm. Honestly, not a bad idea." Menma lazily rubbed his chin. "I also think it's time we start making a name for ourselves. A reputation. And I liked the headband with the horns."
Karin's eyes widened and she shook her head.
"Hey, what about me? If you two are the Twin Demons, then what am I?" she clutched at the hem of her pajamas, frowning.
"Well… our beloved cousin?" Naruko suggested carefully.
"No way!" Karin straightened up sharply, eyes flashing behind her glasses. "I'll be… the Demon Queen!"
Menma snorted, a sarcastic grin curling on his lips:
"You've got to earn the title first." Without warning, he snatched up a pillow. "I declare a battle for the crown!"
The room burst into life. Pillows flew into the air, feathers scattered and spun in the golden dawn light. Laughing shouts, stomping feet, smacks and squeals of laughter all swirled together in joyful chaos. As if the heaviness of the previous day had dissolved, leaving only a morning filled with fun.
///
After the noisy skirmish and a quick wash, the three Uzumaki headed down to the spacious living room. Everything there breathed of the forest: the table, the benches, the beams overhead. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, laying golden stripes across the floor.
Yamato was waiting for them at the table. He sat upright, but his gaze was uneasy, as if he'd been rehearsing his words.
"I…" he began slowly, guiltily. "I didn't mean to frighten you yesterday or… traumatize you. But the shinobi world is like that. Danger at every turn. An assassin could be hiding in any bush." He paused, his voice tinged with sorrow. "I wish I could prolong your carefree childhood. But the sooner you taste blood, the better your chances of surviving later. For me, as your commander… that's my main duty."
Menma sat first, resting his elbows on the table. His voice was even, without reproach:
"We're not upset. I understand. The books said: mercy is only fitting where there are judges. But in battle, out in the field… it's fatal."
Yamato's gaze softened. He exhaled almost in relief:
"Thank you, Menma. I needed to hear that."
"Enough with the gloomy talk!" Naruko slapped the table so hard a cup bounced. "I've gone a whole day without ramen! Do you get that, a whole day! I'll bite someone if I don't eat soon!"
With businesslike flair she unrolled a scroll, and bowl after steaming, fragrant uzuramen appeared on the table. Clouds of steam rose, and the smell of meat and spices filled the room.
The trio dove into their food, slurping noisily and chatting cheerfully. Only Yamato sat with his usual protein bar in hand. His eyes lingered a little too long on the bowls, on the happy faces of his students.
Naruko noticed and squinted mischievously.
"Sensei, don't torture yourself," she pulled a fourth bowl from her scroll. "Here! An Uzumaki never eats alone."
Yamato hesitated. First, he looked at the bowl with suspicion, as if it were a trap. But then his gaze shifted to his smiling students, and he gave in. He took a spoonful. And in the very next instant, his face contorted: it turned red, the blood vessels in his eyes burst.
"Water!" he barked, leaping to his feet.
"Oh, what a tragedy," Naruko drawled, theatrically wringing her hands. "And our water scroll is upstairs. Well… I could run and get it. Just let me tie my shoelaces first…"
Menma smirked, watching as their sensei wasted no time forming hand seals. A moment later water filled his mouth on its own. He repeated the technique again and again until the fire in his throat was quenched.
Naruko couldn't hold back and burst into laughter, while Karin quietly hid her smile behind her hand.
"Too spicy…" Yamato fanned himself with his hands as if trying to drive the flames out. His face was flushed, his eyes watering. "Naruko, why? I thought we made peace."
"That's for scaring Karin-chan!" Naruko jabbed a finger at him, her eyes flashing. "Nobody gets to hurt my family!"
"Lesson learned," Yamato raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Just… please… no more Uzuramen."
"We'll review your complaint at the next demon council," Menma said with mock grandeur, leaning back in his chair. "By the way, speaking of reputation… Sensei, after yesterday's victory, are we going to be added to the Bingo Book?"
"No," Yamato's reply was immediate. "The Bingo Book lists not winners, but enemies thirsty for vengeance. Unless the Mist, after buying back the corpses of its nukenin, decides to put a bounty on your heads… but that's unlikely. The Demon Brothers were small fry. Nobody cared about them."
Breakfast settled into a calmer rhythm. Yamato, resigned to his fate, still finished his portion, softening the spice with a handful of homegrown nuts. Naruko, of course, howled and swore to report him to the holy Ichiraku Inquisition for blasphemy. But irritation quickly gave way to laughter, and the room filled once more with the soft hum of conversation.