It was just dawning, when the gentle sounds of a maid sweeping echoed from the courtyard.
Inside the bed curtains, the warmth lingered.
Kurenai slowly opened her eyes, her consciousness still hazy from sleep. She moved slightly, only to realize she was being held in her husband's embrace.
The tenderness and flutter from last night seemed still vivid, and Kurenai's cheeks couldn't help but flush.
She gently turned her head. Shun's brows were slightly relaxed, his usually sharp eyes losing some of their authority and gaining a touch of softness and tranquility.
Perhaps her movement had disturbed him, for Shun's eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes. Looking at the beauty in his arms, his eyes were full of tenderness, and a lazy smile appeared on his lips.
"Kurenai, you're awake."
Kurenai softly hummed in response, shyly snuggling deeper into his embrace, her hair brushing against his chest, causing a ticklish sensation. Shun chuckled, tightening his arms and holding her completely within his embrace.
"Sleep a little longer? It's still early outside. Or how about we do it again?"
Hearing this, Kurenai's face flushed crimson. "No. Later, I still need to greet Queen Sāra and the others, and I don't know if the children are awake yet."
In this large family, she felt a bit of a newcomer's restraint, wanting to adhere to etiquette.
"No rush for greetings. The children are with Itachi, they won't cause trouble."
Shun's fingers traced her earlobe, her chin, her neck, continuing downwards.
"Kurenai, it's rare to have such a morning, stay with me a little longer."
Kurenai trembled slightly, then stopped struggling, obediently leaning into his arms.
Listening to each other's heartbeats, the air within the bed curtains seemed to become thick and sweet.
Shun lowered his head and pressed a kiss on her forehead, then her nose, finally landing on her lips. This kiss was different from last night's passion, carrying the laziness and delicacy of the morning, so gentle it made Kurenai's heart tremble.
Kurenai slightly closed her eyes, gently responding to him, her fingers unconsciously clutching the wedding quilt.
Their breathing gradually quickened.
Shun's voice held a hint of a smile. "Kurenai, it seems you also don't want to get up."
Kurenai's face grew redder, and she gently punched him, but he took her hand and pressed it to his chest. He guided her hand, letting her feel his steady, strong heartbeat.
"Listen, it's telling you that I want to spend more time with you."
Just then, the noisy sounds of several children sounded from outside the door.
Then, Itachi's gentle voice called out. "Father, mother, breakfast is ready, and the younger siblings are waiting for you."
The two exchanged glances, and Shun sighed helplessly, pecking Kurenai's lips again.
"Alright, it seems our private time has been interrupted by the little ones."
Kurenai smiled and nodded, propping herself up to get out of bed, but Shun pulled her back into his arms.
He whispered in her ear, "Tonight, I'll come find you again."
His warm breath made Kurenai's ear tips burn, and she could only nod with a flushed face.
Shun then released her, got up, and fetched her clothes from the side, gently adjusting her collar.
Kurenai also quickly got up, helping him tie his belt, their movements filled with the unspoken understanding and tenderness of a newlywed couple.
When the two walked out of the bedchamber, the morning light had already filled the courtyard.
Itachi was holding Shion's hand, waiting for them under the porch, while Hamamaru and Seishin chased each other on the nearby lawn. Manaka, Karin, and Sasuke sat on stone benches, holding pastries that the maid had just brought.
Seeing them come out, they all smiled and greeted, "Father!"
Shun held Kurenai's hand and walked towards the children, his face full of gentle smiles.
Kurenai looked at the lively scene before her, feeling the warmth from his palm, her heart filled with peace.
The group chatted and laughed as they arrived at the dining room, where Sāra, Tsunade, Mikoto, Ami, Chie, and Yukari, the six consorts, were already seated at the dining table.
Mei had arrived early and was quietly chatting with Yukari.
Seeing Shun and Kurenai enter, Sāra was the first to stand up, smiling and waving. "Honey, come sit down quickly. Breakfast has just been made and is still hot."
Chie quickly pulled out the empty seat beside her and smiled at Kurenai. "Kurenai, come sit next to me. I specially asked the kitchen to save you some sweet porridge. You must be tired from last night, so drink something sweet to refresh yourself."
Kurenai quickly thanked her and sat down next to Chie.
Mei leaned over, offering a clean pair of chopsticks. "Kurenai, Shun's energy is even more than a beast's, you probably didn't sleep well last night. Later, I'll go back to our room with you to catch up on sleep. Sāra and the others won't say anything."
"Thank you, Mei." Kurenai's heart warmed, and her initial shyness largely dissipated.
The maids pulled out a chair for Shun.
Tsunade's tone carried a hint of seriousness. "Shun, last night I had the Anbu investigate some news about the Akatsuki. Recently, they've not only been active in Amegakure but also in contact with rogue ninja from the Land of Waterfall. The fact that they dared to cause trouble this time might mean they have something to rely on."
Sāra gently tugged on Tsunade's sleeve, smiling and advising, "Tsunade-nee, don't worry, Shun has his own plans. However, the Akatsuki's members are full of tricks, so don't act rashly."
Yukari's gaze fell on Shun, her tone full of concern. "Shun, I heard that Akatsuki members are all S-rank rogue ninjas, and their strength should not be underestimated. When you go, be sure to bring more Anbu and absolutely do not be careless."
Looking at the consorts, speaking one after another, full of concern, Shun listened, his eyes filled with warmth.
He smiled and said to everyone, "Thank you for your concern, I have things under control. If I didn't have a use for them, I would have eliminated them long ago."
He paused, then looked at Mei and Kurenai. "Mei, Kurenai, you've just married into the family and still need to adapt to household matters. You don't need to worry about the Akatsuki. Just stay home and be with the children."
Mei, however, shook her head, her eyes firm. "Although I'm not as strong as Tsunade-nee, I'm not weak either. And I also want to see how capable those who dared to disrupt our wedding truly are."
Kurenai nodded. "I specialize in genjutsu, and my genjutsu might be able to restrain them. Shun, let us join too. We are not just your consorts, we are also partners who can fight alongside you."
Shun looked at their determined eyes and said, "Above Kage-level is Super Kage-level. A Super Kage possesses the strength to crush Kage-level ninjas from various villages. The leader of the Akatsuki is Super Kage-level. I can take you to gain experience, but you must follow my command and not act on your own."
"You can rest assured."