18 Mother Special 2

It felt almost surreal when it was announced that Konoha was dedicating one day of each month as a rest day to all Jonin level ninja in honor of their service.

On one such day, waking with no mission, her three sons appeared to be quite idle. Mother couldn't help but seize the opportunity to order them around.

After careful planning, Mother designated Itachi to perform the dusting because of his meticulous perfectionism. Naruto, the biggest eater in the family of four, was required to buy the groceries, prepare dinner, and wash the dishes. That left the miscellaneous chores to Sasuke.

While rummaging through the heaps of boxes stacked in the family living room, he stumbled upon a bulky book.

"What is it?" Itachi asked, taking a short break from the dusting.

Shrugging, Sasuke opened the book, revealing a bunch of moments that he wouldn't remember had it not been captured in the photos in front of him. Naruto cracked a smile.

Mother kept a picture book of them while growing up. Even though they weren't her biological children, she treated them as if they were. Like the other parents, Mother insisted to document every achievement, every moment, every memory of her beloved children.

She was right. Looking back, they would and are thankful.

Although he wasn't part of it, Itachi couldn't have loved it more—being able to see glimpses of his two brothers growing up.

Mio strolled in right in time to see the three huddled together and looking too engaged to be cleaning.

Not wanting to be left out, Mother somehow squeezed her way in between. And upon finding their object of affection, her heart melted.

The three men in her life—the three best shinobi in the Leaf—were all gushing over a simple picture book.

That brought tears to roll down her delicate face.

Thinking back, it had been a long time since they had a family picture. In fact, now that the family had an extra member, they really needed an update.

And so it was decided that they start a new book. This time, with the four of them.