Author's Note: Welcome to Part Two! If you're here, then you know how I operate! So, yeah… Let's get right to it! This is the sequel to Twisted Fate. If you haven't read that story, I suggest you go do that FIRST or else you'll be really confused! To my returning readers, thanks for coming back!

Disclaimer: I own nothing…

Chapter One: Brother

"Good!"

The girl shook her head and shoved away the young man she was fighting. "That wasn't good," she snapped, hurling the kunai at him, missing his head by mere centimeters. He didn't flinch.

"It was perfect," the boy assured her. "Grandfather would be proud of you."

"Grandfather would be disgusted," the girl responded. The man threw a kunai at her and she caught it midair without looking. "Please… I have no blind spots," she said.

"Your forms were flawless," the man said.

"Old Hyuuga forms will get me nowhere." She clenched her fists. "Not if I want to destroy them."

The man smiled and placed a hand on her head. "Hang in there, sis," he teased. "You'll be the scariest ninja they ever faced."

The girl giggled and shoved away the man. They weren't siblings as far as she knew. He was just someone that her grandfather had taken in three years prior. He had been close to death when they had found him, beaten and broken, on the path. The man ruffled her hair and smiled at her. "Well, let's get going, then. Grandfather will be waiting with dinner."

The girl nodded and grabbed the elder's hand. She was fifteen now. Her hair had been grown down to the small of her back and during training, she had it braided and out of the way. Her pseudo-brother was seventeen. They walked in silence from the training field towards the farm that they lived in. It was a beautiful country and she felt blessed to have grown up there.

"Your forms really are perfect, Himawari…" the man offered quietly.

"It's still not good enough!" she snapped, annoyed and frustrated.

"I disagree," an elderly man said as they came up to a small house that sat in the center of the field.

Himawari smiled and hurried to the old man. She hugged him tightly and he stroked her hair. "Good evening, grandfather," she greeted.

"Good evening, Hima-chan," he said.

"Akuma," the boy greeted with a slight bow. Akuma nodded his own greeting.

"I agree with Tenshi," Akuma said. "You are more than ready to return to the Land of Fire."

Himawari shook her head. "No, grandfather! I want to be perfect when I go back to Konoha!"

"But, my child, you are," Akuma said. "We are leaving tomorrow, Himawari."

"But…!"

"No, my child… You are ready for this."

"The fox still is uncooperative, grandfather," she argued. "What if it does not react well to returning to its homeland?"

"What have I always told you about your relationship with that foul beast?"

"The relationship between the Bijuu and Jinchuuriki isn't a partnership; it's a dictatorship."

"Precisely… Be that monster's dictator, Himawari."


All seemed to be quiet. The sound of leaves in the slight wind made for the soundtrack of the situation. The boy clenched his fists and stared down at the ground, taking in his surroundings. A movement made him twitch slightly, but he didn't move. He slowed his breathing and his heartbeat until it was slow and silent.

Suddenly the world exploded into a fury of kunai and shuriken; some thrown by him and others thrown towards him. He jumped into the air, grabbing any weapons that came dangerously close to killing him. The spray of weapons was becoming too much. The boy cursed under his breath and he landed on the ground just as the spray of weapons stopped. He took a long deep breath and held it. Just as he went to exhale, the barrage began again. He spun then, flinging the weapons away from him.

The wave ended and he dropped to his knees, panting heavily. One single sound broke through and he dropped to his belly as one final weapon flew over him.

"Not bad!"

"Are you trying to kill me?!" the boy snapped.

"Well, if you were any worse, Boruto, then I wouldn't have to try to kill you."

Boruto sighed and stood up. "Great, Inojin… Did I hit anything?"

"Yes. Fatal wounds on most of the dummies. Good job!"

Boruto hissed. "Most…" he repeated. "Not perfect."

"Your father will be proud, Boruto."

Boruto sighed. His parents had tried their best to give him a normal childhood after the mess with the Tsuchi and while they never found Himawari, they never stopped looking. Boruto sighed again and nodded. "Yeah, he would. Let's go back to the village, hm?"

"Sure."

Boruto smiled and walked beside his friend. A sudden change in chakra made him lift his head. Since his eyes were not damaged, they had looked into a transplant for him. The Byakugan still functioned. His brain could "see" and process chakra signals when the Byakugan was activated, but he saw them differently. Instead of the outline of a person, he saw them as a network of veins. When the Byakugan was inactive, he was completely blind. However, to make up for his blindness, his other senses worked in overdrive, which meant he could sense chakra like a dog could smell meat.

"Hey, Sarada… You're looking fine today," Boruto greeted.

"Funny," Sarada muttered. He imagined that she was smiling, but her voice said otherwise. "How are you?"

Boruto shrugged. He could still use non-verbal cues. "Same." The two stood face to face for a moment. Boruto felt the tension between them. The tear that Sasuke had caused between their families had only gotten worse in the years since Himawari's disappearance. Sakura had, unfortunately, been forced to take sides in Naruto and Sasuke's silent battle, and of course Sakura choose her family over Naruto.

It wasn't that they hated each other. They acted civil whenever they were forced together and Naruto was still always polite around them, but there was always an awkward feeling whenever they were together. Since Haku never returned, their team had disbanded. Boruto was brought back in as part of Inojin's team and Sarada was put into a different team.

"Yeah, so… see you around, I guess…" He almost felt Sarada frown.

"I wish you'd stop joking about it," Sarada snapped.

"Why? If I can't make fun of my disability, then who will?"

"It's not—"

"Don't try to make me feel better," Boruto snapped. He clenched his fists. Hating on Sarada wasn't going to bring his sister back.

"I miss her too, Boruto."

Boruto shook his head and pushed past the girl. He felt Inojin beside him. The other boy said something to the Uchiha, but Boruto didn't hear it. They walked in silence. Every once and a while, Inojin would tug on his blind companion's shirt. It was their silent way of him leading Boruto. When the village was crowded, the amount of information to sort through was almost as blinding as his lack of sight. On days like today, he welcomed his teammate's help through the crowds. The blindfold that covered his milky-blue eyes was helpful for those to identify him as a blind shinobi, but sometimes he still ran into others.

When they got to the mansion, Boruto smiled. "Thanks, Inojin. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah. We have a mission," Inojin reminded him.

"Good! Tell Shikadai and Chocho that I can't wait!" He waved his friend off and walked inside. "Dad! I'm home!"

"Welcome home!" Naruto called from his office. Boruto made his way to the office and leaned on the doorframe. "How was training?"

"Good. My accuracy is improving," Boruto answered.

"Good! That's great!" Boruto imagined his father's smile. A proud smile, probably. It brought a smile to Boruto's own face. "You guys have an escort mission, don't you?"

"Yeah!"

Naruto sighed. "I might tag along with that."

"I'm not twelve anymore, dad… And this isn't my first outing."

"I know, I know," Naruto said. "But I have some errands to run anyway, so I figured you guys were heading in that direction."

"Wouldn't it be faster if you went alone…?" Boruto asked.

"Yes," Naruto answered carefully. "But I never get to hang out with you anymore."

"That's because you're an old man now."

Naruto laughed. "You'll be an old man too someday, Boruto."

"What's the errand about?" Boruto asked as he made his way to a chair and sat down. "Is it about her?"

"Yeah…" Naruto muttered. "I think I might have a lead."

"That's great." Boruto didn't mean to sound unenthusiastic, but there had been so many dead ends that he had stopped keeping track. It seemed hopeless.

"I know I've said this before, but this might be the one we've been waiting for!" Naruto said hopefully. Boruto offered the man a smile. His father was such an optimist, and he didn't have the heart to tell him that he had given up years ago. If she was still alive, then they would probably never see her again…

Boruto sighed. "Hey… Can I talk to you?" he asked.

He heard his father stiffen and the air in the room became heavier. Boruto wanted to sigh again, but he decided not to make this harder. "Of course you can. You know that," Naruto answered. "What's up, kiddo?"

Boruto leaned back and braced himself. "I want to join the ANBU."

"What…?" Naruto asked.

"I want to join the ANBU," Boruto repeated.

"I… Don't think that's a good idea, Boruto-kun."

"I'm seventeen years old, dad, I don't need your permission."

"Not as your father, but you do need it as your Hokage," Naruto corrected.

"Exactly!" Boruto said. "Then judge me like a Hokage! Don't judge me as your son!"

"Boruto…"

"Don't, dad! Why can't I?"

"You know why…" Naruto muttered.

"No, I don't! You and mom keep telling me there's nothing wrong with me!"

"There's not…"

"Yes there is!" Boruto snapped. He laughed slightly. "Say it, dad… I'm blind! It's something I've learned to accept, but you and mom dance around it like it'll go away if we don't talk about it! You tell me I'm not disabled, but when I want to do something, you won't let me do it! You're so terrified that what happened to Himawari will happen to me! You're so scared, dad, but you don't have to be!" He heard his father sigh deeply. "Please, dad… this is what I want to do. I want to help the village any way I can." His father moved towards him. Boruto didn't flinch when a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"You aren't disabled," Naruto started. "Being blind doesn't change the fact that you are a fine shinobi… And I will never stop being terrified for you. Even if you could see, I would still worry myself sick every time you walked out of this house." Naruto sighed. "I will talk to you mother," he promised.

"Thanks, dad," Boruto said with a soft smile. "I appreciate it."

His father put both hands on his shoulders and Boruto imagined that he was being held at arm's length and surveyed. "I couldn't be more proud of you, Boruto," he said. He was pulled into a hug. "You'll make a fine addition to the ANBU…"


"The ANBU…?" Hinata asked as she brushed her hair.

"Yes, the ANBU," Naruto answered. They were in their room, preparing for bed. "I think it'll be good for him…"

"But, why the ANBU? I thought he wanted to teach at the academy," Hinata protested.

"He brought up some good points about that. It's not like he can judge his students."

Hinata sighed and turned to Naruto. "You really think it's a good idea?"

"No…" Naruto admitted. "But, I do believe that's what he wants." Hinata turned away. "He's not a little boy anymore, Hinata," Naruto said. "He needs to get out there… The ANBU will teach him discipline."

Hinata shook her head. "I don't know, Naruto," she muttered. Naruto smiled at her and laid on the bed beside her.

"I've also been thinking… Maybe it's time we told him about Himawari…"

"What…? Why?" Hinata asked. They had decided it would be best not to tell Boruto all the details about his sister's disappearance; mainly that she would most likely return as their enemy. It hadn't happened yet, but Naruto was afraid that Boruto would find out the hard way. "I want to protect him, Naruto…"

"So do I," Naruto said, "but he also is old enough to know. He won't be happy that we kept this from him, but I'd rather he find out now."

Hinata looked down at her husband. "He's growing up so fast," she muttered softly.

"Yeah… But he's a fine Shinobi… I'm also leaving the village tomorrow with his team," Naruto continued.

"Oh? Why's that…?"

"Some information about the Tsuchi is being offered," Naruto explained. "I would send someone else, but I want to be there this time… Just in case it isn't a dead end. Besides, Shikamaru will be with the team anyway, so I can get his advice on the way."

Hinata smiled sadly. "I hope it's not another dead end…"

"Me too."

Naruto closed his eyes. He hated that the group had just vanished. They left no trace and if there were any of them left in Konoha, they weren't causing any trouble, so he had no way of even knowing. He hated that he had to move as if there were still spies in the village. "What are we going to do… if she does come back with the Tsuchi…?"

"We remind her who her family is," Naruto said with a smile. He didn't want her to worry, so he smiled… but deep down, he dreaded the day she returned to their home. If what Himitsu had said was true, she would be their enemy and he wasn't prepared to face her like that… How could he fight?

The man sighed and rolled into his spot on the bed. "Tomorrow is a big day, Hinata! Maybe it won't lead to a dead end!"

"When are you planning on telling him?" Hinata asked quietly as she settled down.

"Tomorrow, on the mission," Naruto said.

"Are you sure that's a good idea…? Maybe you should wait until you're home," Hinata suggested.

"No. It's probably better that he hears it soon."

Hinata sighed. "We didn't want him to spend all his time searching like we were…" she muttered.

"I know… But it's time he learned the truth about the Tsuchi and about what happened while he was in that coma." Naruto turned his back to Hinata and she embraced him. "What are we going to do?" he asked quietly.

"One day at a time, Naruto-kun…" Hinata whispered. "One day at a time…"


The morning was cool, at least. Himawari sighed and leaned back against a tree. "You sure they'll come?" she asked her grandfather.

"I'm sure," the man said. "Right, Tenshi?"

The other boy shrugged. "I'm not sure, sir… This is the first time I've been to the Land of Fire."

Akuma smiled. "Ah, yes, it is, isn't it? I had forgotten."

"What makes you so sure that they'll come?" Himawari asked as she whittled away at a stick with her kunai.

"Konoha doesn't take kindly to their people leaving. They've been looking for you, my child," Akuma answered. "And they will do anything to bring you back."

Himawari shook her head. "All that for one shinobi?"

"They are a demanding country," Akuma said.

Himawari nodded. She had been told stories about her homeland; a war torn culture that valued the mission over human life. She narrowed her eyes and looked at her sharpened stick. Soon, she would show them that they had messed with the wrong family.

She looked at her grandfather and Tenshi. They seemed relaxed in the new country, but all she felt was anxious. She was prepared to face Konoha without problem. She sighed and wiped the blood from her hands. "As long as they come soon," she muttered.

"They will, child. Have patience…" Akuma said.

"I've been patient," Himawari snapped.

"I know… But it's almost time."

The girl turned to the scene at the bottom of the hill they were standing on. "You think they'll get our message?"

Akuma also turned to survey their handiwork. "They won't ignore the calling card," Tenshi said.

Himawari nodded. "They'll know now that the Tsuchi has returned…"


"Shikadai!" Shikamaru called. His young son ran up to them.

"Yessir?" he asked nonchalantly.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. They had already dropped off their client. The whole team had insisted on accompanying Naruto to the village to get the information, much to Naruto's annoyance. He didn't want anyone coming with him… This was a private manner. Naruto turned to the father and son and smile, tapping Boruto on the shoulder. "What, dad?"

"Nothing. It's just cute," he said. "Shikamaru was the last person I would have thought to get married."

"I can hear you," Shikamaru called.

"I don't know how Temari puts up with you," Naruto teased.

"Yeah, well, I don't know what Hinata ever saw in you, moron," Shikamaru snapped playfully. Naruto smiled and looked around. Inojin and Chocho were also enjoying the banter between the Hokage and his advisor.

"At least I didn't try to kill Hinata," Naruto snapped.

"You tried to kill mom?" Shikadai asked.

"No," Shikamaru said quickly. "We faced off in the Chuunin Exams."

"And you lost to her," Naruto teased.

"I let her win, Hokage-sama," Shikamaru snapped.

Naruto smiled and nudged Boruto again. He hadn't talked to the boy. The team's insistence on joining them to the village had prevented him from having some alone time. Naruto figured he would tell Boruto on the way back from the village.

"Where is this village anyway?" Shikamaru asked.

"Not far," Naruto called, waving his hand. "Don't worry."

"I'm not worried," Shikamaru retorted.

Naruto sighed and the group lapsed into a comfortable silence. Boruto stopped suddenly and the whole group stopped beside him. "What…?" Naruto asked.

"Shh…" Boruto whispered.

Naruto closed his eyes and tried to figure out what his son was hearing, but he heard nothing. He opened his eyes. "I don't hear anything, Boruto-kun…"

"Exactly… You said the village was close… And it's midday… I should be hearing them."

Naruto nodded slowly, though he knew the boy couldn't see it. "Move slowly," he warned the group. Inojin reached behind him and wrapped his gloved hand around the hilt of his tanto. Chocho grabbed a handful of shuriken. Naruto took the lead of the group, but he kept an eye on his son. Boruto would be the first to hear anything, but as they moved forward, there was nothing to hear.

Naruto closed his eyes and stopped the patrol. "I'm going in alone…" he said.

"I advise against that," Shikamaru said.

"Yeah, dad," Boruto muttered. "You aren't as young as you once were."

"And you're too young," Naruto snapped. This was supposed to be an easy mission, but he didn't like the mysterious silence that had come over the area. "You all patrol the area and look for anything suspicious. We all could be overreacting… and I told them I was coming alone, anyway."

"I still advise against it," Shikamaru said quietly. "You shouldn't be going in alone."

"I'm the Hokage and it is my duty to make sure my people are safe."

"We're your team," Shikamaru argued. Naruto sighed and glared at the man, then looked at Boruto. The good thing about his son being blind was that Boruto couldn't see non-verbal communication. Shikamaru looked at Boruto, then back to Naruto… then he nodded. He understood now. Naruto wanted to keep the children safe.

"But, father…" Shikadai started, but Shikamaru quickly silenced him.

"Naruto-sama will go on ahead while we patrol the outskirts," Shikamaru said.

Boruto turned to his father. "Dad!" but Naruto was already walking away. He bowed his head as he heard the boy call again. Naruto knew that Boruto worried about him almost as much as Naruto worried about Boruto, but he didn't want his son to think he had to protect his father.

I'm the one who should be protecting you… Naruto thought. He continued down the path until he made it to the top pf the hill that overlooked the village. They were probably overreacting, if anything. Everyone was a bit spooked by the fact that there wasn't any sound. "Besides," he said to no one. Sometimes he still spoke as if Kurama were still there. "We weren't as close as I thought we were…"

He stepped at the top of the hill and looked down at the village… and his blood ran cold. Everything seemed untouched in the village. Animals remained unharmed and buildings stayed standing without a hint of a battle… but the main street was paved with bodies that had been placed deliberately in the mud that their blood had created.

Author's Note: Chapter one is complete! Yay!