Chapter Text
Haruka kneels and bows before the altar, lighting a stick of incense as she does every morning.
When she first married Shibi, she'd abased herself before his ancestors, promising to take care of them. It's one of her main areas of responsibility after all. As wife to a clan head and mother to a clan heir, she cares for all of the Aburame - the living and the dead.
Over time though, it has become a familiar ritual and a comforting one. Soon it will be obon and the offerings will become large and ornate, the best their family can give, but the offering today is not for family.
It's for her.
The woman whose place Haruka has taken.
"Shujin is well, as is the clan." She speaks first of the things that she herself would wish to know, the most important information that she can give. "The village is much the same as ever, though I think the agreement with the Hyūga might bring some change to Konoha."
"I am personally hoping that Shino-chan will find someone who catches his eye, if not among the Hyūga then perhaps from one of the other villages." She laughs a little under her breath when one of the insects that is ever present in her home scuttles away, wondering if her son will blush to hear her words. "He's old enough to begin a courtship, and he's shown no interest in anyone here."
"As for myself..." Haruka hesitates, not quite sure what to say. "I am fulfilling my duties, caring for our family. I will be sure to prepare a feast for you and the other members of our clan, and we look forward to welcoming you back within the next few days."
She makes to rise, but strong arms wrap around her.
Immovable, they hold her in place and she relaxes into them. As a civilian, someone who cannot mould chakra, she is at a disadvantage against any shinobi but this is not an embrace she wishes to escape.
"Haruka is also well," shujin's voice is low and calm, but filled with affection. "She feeds us almost too much - Shino-chan doesn't seem to feel it, but I have to train often or I'd grow as fat as one of the chickens. I make sure she doesn't work herself too hard though, and we care for her just as she cares for us."
"You don't need to worry about us," Shibi's eyes are fixed on the tablet that he carved himself right after Shino's birth, and Haruka raises her hands to clasp his wrists. "We're fine, and we'll see you soon."
Smoke from the incense wisps away, carrying their messages and their love, and Haruka turns to press her cheek to his strong chest.
"You'd have liked each other," he's smiling, she can tell even without looking at him. "Actually, you'd probably have become friends and then bullied me."
"Bullied our husband?" Haruka giggles. "Never. But yes, how could we not have been friends? We share a family."
She tilts her head up, and soft lips press to hers.
Yes, Haruka has much to be grateful for.