THE HEARTH
CHAPTER THREE
SUNRISE
Full of despair inside a darkness
Self conscious and scared, held prisoner of war
Running out of air, buried in a sadness
Want a way out of this paralyzing world
And the sound of the cries when a family's loved one dies
It echoes through a vacant room where a young soul still resides
When the night is cold and you feel like no-one knows
what it's like to be the only one buried in this hole
You can make it to the sunrise.
You can make it to the sunrise.
Searching for a way to escape the madness
A dire need for change as we fight for better days
The hurt and the pain cut deep like a razor blade
Holding in a cry for love, abandoned and afraid
"Hey, Hinata, we should have everyone over tonight! We can even invite Sai and his family!" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes were bright. "It'll be a total reunion - Ino, you could even come!"
"Oh gee, thanks." Ino rolled her eyes at the excited Hokage, Sakura shook her head, a hint of smile playing at her full lips. Naruto couldn't help but stare - god, she is beautiful. - he couldn't help it. He had thought of her everyday, wondering how she was doing. What she was doing. Well, he knew what - but, still. Sasuke sighed loudly,
"I'll bring Yumi and Haruto," Sasuke stated smoothly before leaping away, Naruto grinned and turned his gaze onto Ino, who turned red. She shook her head,
"Maybe next time." Sakura shot her a desperate look, which Ino snickered at. Naruto sulked, but it was okay. Just having his team, his old team, there would mean the world to him. He could relive the glory days. Hinata looked a little upset, but she'd be okay. "Have fun, though." she laughed, and she made her way to her son, who was sulking at his loss. That was when Naruto finally got a good look at Shinachiku.
It was odd, it was like he knew him. He had a girlish look to him, but it was not because he shared much of Sakura's face. His cheekbones were far more sharp, and high. His eyes had a more feline look. He did have her forehead. It was cute. He met Naruto with blue-green eyes, and Naruto felt a tug at his memory. Who was it that he resembled? With a frustrated sigh, he watched Shinachiku hug his mother, jabbering about his wins. Sakura looked so proud.
"Hey, I'm the Seventh Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto introduced, he took a few steps closer. The boy was tall, broad-shouldered and his jaw was beginning to show signs of being strong and squared. The kid looked a little annoyed, and that irked Naruto a bit. What had Sakura said about him?
"Haruno Shinachiku," he introduced. Shaking his hand. His fingers were callused, and rough. As if he trained hours a day, everyday. Impressive. Bolt came rushing over, a disappointment look on his face.
"Hey!" Naruto cheered, "You did great! Next time you'll get him! I never really won much of these in school, anyway." Naruto continued, Bolt stuck out his lower lip, and Naruto felt like it was like looking into a mirror of the past - that was exactly his own expression. Hinata and Himawari swarmed the boy, giving words of encouragement. Kakashi let out a long-drawn out sigh, and Naruto had forgotten that their former sensei was still there.
"Kakashi, you're coming, too - right?" Sakura asked, giving him a sly smile. That irked him, too. Naruto narrowed his eyes, rapidly looking between the two. Were they... flirting? Kakashi shrugged, obviously not committed to the idea.
"I guess... I would love to get to know my student's son, that I was unaware that she even had. Funny, he reminds me of someone." that struck Naruto's interest, Hinata even seemed to be listening intently.
"Oh?" Sakura responded coyly. Now he was really interested, who was it? He glanced back at Shinachiku, he looked uncomfortable. His hair was down past his shoulders, pulled out of the half-hearted braid it was once in, it was an ashen-blond, like Sakura's mother's hair. A bit darker, with light highlights. He was definitely tan, a bit darker than himself, and much darker than Sakura - who sported a tan herself, even. Who was it?
"Yeah, me too!" Naruto added in, he narrowed his eyes accusationally at Sakura. He got closer to her and poked her collarbone, she blush fervently. "Who is his dad, Sakura-chan?" Sakura exhaled, and her face got that adorable look it always got right before she - "Wait - Sakura-chan, - ow! - I'm the Ho - OW! - Sto - OW!" he jumped away from her, rubbing his head furiously, god she still hit hard. Hinata looked annoyed,
"Y-You shouldn't h-hit him." he glanced at her, giving her an odd look. When did she ever say something like that. Sakura snorted as if it was some sort of challenge and before she could respond, Naruto intervened.
"Nah, it's OK, Sakura-chan is just being herself. I missed it." He smiled, genuinely, at her. Hinata took a step closer to him. Grabbing his hand, and he realized how small it was, soft and cool. He smiled down at her, and she looked a little sad. He felt bad, he was ignoring her. "Hinata, it's OK," He added, she looked up at him with those big, opaque eyes. He smiled. He really did love her, but sometimes he wanted more.
Sai was easy to find, he stood with his son, who was just a tanner version of him. The two were awkwardly starring at the rest of the crowd. His wife, Aimi, was nowhere to be found. And to this day, Naruto had yet to meet the woman. Sai had just one day walked into his office with a child in his arms, blandly stating; "I thought you should know I married and have a son. Ryo. His dick is bigger than yours and he was born five hours ago."
Ryo - well, he was a good kid, very book smart, and remembered everything. It was kind of freaky. But, he was stilted emotionally, just like his father. But not so much that he didn't know what he was doing, like his father. For Sai, no amount of therapy would fix the years of damage ROOT had done to him. Naruto was convinced that Ryo was a dick, just for fun. That was the part that bugged him.
Bolt liked him, though, and that was all that mattered. He would never be fully understanding of how he and Haruto didn't like one another. Sasuke and he were best-friends, so why wouldn't their kids be? Yumi was a little prissy version of Sasuke, with her big words, and gloomy expressions - Naruto fully understood why he didn't want to be around her. She had this way of belittling you with her storm colored eyes. Haruto, well, he was fun and always cheerful. It wasn't like Bolt had to deal with a Sasuke styled Haruto - Haruto was actually nice.
Shinachiku stayed close to his mother, and Bolt was loudly chatting with Ryo - who kept egging him on, and was essentially creating a hostile environment. Kakashi was talking - wait, flirting - with Sakura. Naruto narrowed his eyes at Kakashi - you're too old for her! Sasuke was probably stalking them from a distance, waiting for an appropriate time to appear, and Hinata looked like she was about to have a nervous breakdown - which was normal.
He touched her shoulder gently, and she tensed up briefly before relaxing and giving him a greatful look. His house was grand, large and more than he had ever dreamed of, it was as if his suffering had built him this house - his resilience had allowed him to see his dream come to fruitation. It looked like something out of a storybook, marbled flooring, a grand roof, and giant windows.
"Jeez Naruto, flashy enough for you?" Sakura snorted, and he frowned. That pissed him off - she was putting it down, his dream, he glared at her and she gave him a stony look in response. She's just jealous. He thought frowning, Sakura turned back to Kakashi and they continued their bantering. It was so -
"You think they're flirting?" Sai asked calmly, Naruto jumped a bit out of shock. He glanced at the stoic faced man, who seemed very focused on the odd display Kakashi and Sakura were putting up.
"Ew, gross, Sai." he grumbled, casting another wary glance at the two. Definitely not, no way. Sai pulled at his jacket though,
"Dickless, I never thought I'd see the day she found someone to love that wasn't you."
"What? What are you talking about?" Naruto felt his face turn red, Hinata was standing next to him, this was not an appropiate time for Sai to discuss his conspiracy theories! Sakura had never loved him - she had always loved Sasuke! Before Sai could spout out more nonsense he pulled himself free of the wiry man's grip and sped into the front of the house - dragging his wide behind him before Sai could anything else damaging. His heart aching and thumping.
Shinachiku was in awe - this place was massive, and wonderful. He had grown up in tents, and crumbling lumber homes. He tuned out Bolt's chatter, and Himawari's annoying questions. Marble flooring, grand rugs, and porcelain decorations - each room was painted a pastel color, it was soothing and soft. He glanced at Hinata, very repersenative of her soft personality. The dark-haired woman dismissed herself to go prepare dinner. Himawari excitedly tottered after her, and begged to help.
"Hey - Shinachiku - "
"Chiku."
"Yeah - Chiku - wanna go train? Dad, c'mon, teach us something!" Bolt begged dancing around his dads long legs like a terrier. Naruto rubbed his chin, and nodded.
"I have been promising to teach you the rasengan - wanna learn it Shinachiku?" Chiku puffed out his cheeks,
"Chiku. It's Chiku!"
"Yeah - Chiku!" Naruto corrected himself, scratching the back of his head bashfully. I can not believe mom is in-love with him. Bolt practically shoved them out the door, and Naruto shrugged apathetically to his wife, who looked more than deflated and retreated into the kitchen. Kakashi and Sakura had disappeared and Ryo was silently tagging along. Chiku wasn't so sure he wanted to even learn this technique - he had way too much medical nin-jutsu to learn! The training field was huge, and filled with giant oaks, and a single sakura tree, and for some odd reason, Chiku couldn't help but think of his mother at the sight of it. A koi pond sat neatly in front of it, it was large and spacious, and occasionally he saw a ripple from a fish.
I wonder if he still loves mom...
"OK, catch!" A water-filled balloon landed neatly in his callused hands, and Chiku raised a well-trimmed brow at the Hokage. Boruto looked more perplexed than Chiku felt - but he had heard stories from his mother about this technique. She had mentioned that to learn it, Naruto had to start off with water-balloons and manipulate the chakra inside it to learn how to -
"OK, this may look confusing but it's easy." He took his own balloon and centered it on his palm, "You need to use your chakra to move the water in circles - "
"Like we're making a sphere?" Chiku asked, with scrunched up eyebrows.
"Is that a circle?" Naruto asked warily. Chiku exhaled loudly and nodded, to which Naruto grinned excitedly. "Then yeah, a sphere, it takes some practice - so don't rush - " a loud pop cut Naruto off, and Boruto was soaked with a grumpy expression his face, Naruto laughed out loud. "I think you popped yours quicker than I popped mine!" Boruto scowled, his face turning pink. Naruto handed him another balloon and playfully ruffled his son's hair up. Bolt pretended to hate that.
Chiku tuned them out and worked his chakra through the water, it wasn't hard - just tedious. It required a lot of focus, thought - and a quiet environment. Naruto had pushed his face right into his business, and Boruto was giving him a death stare from the measly foot a stood to his left. It was all so distracting, but the water was swirling, and rapidly. The plastic that kept the water locked away began peeling away as the water swirled quicker and quicker. Soon it was just water turning in a rapid circle.
His heart drummed loudly in his chest, and from the corner of his eyes he saw the look of disbelief that Boruto and Naruto were giving him. It was.. was thrilling. Two minutes passed before the sphere became unstable and collapsed over his left hand. Naruto let out a low-whistle,
"You sure do have your mom's chakra control." It was a statement laced with absolute adoration. Boruto stalked over and clapped his hand on his shoulder.
"How great, someone manages to learn my father's jutsu faster than his own son." Chiku felt shocked, and casted a wary gaze at the shorter, skinnier blond - Boruto's hair was more yellow than his own, Chiku sported a more ashy blond - Boruto's eyes were a replica of his father's, the same baby blues. But, angrier and much more wounded. Suddenly, Chiku felt as if this was a beginning of some accidental war. A war for Naruto's attention, approval and adoration. Chiku smirked, if he wanted a war, Chiku would give him one. He was a perfectionist, he was inherently better than this spoiled brat. But, then he felt guilty for such a thought. Boruto didn't need anyone else around to compete for his father's attention. It must have been hard enough having him rule of Konoha, and rarely having time to spend at home.
Boy, this was complicated.
Naruto casted his scowling son a perplexed look, "Lots of people know this jutsu, Konohamaru for one!" Boruto scowled regardless and stormed back towards the house. Naruto shrugged, not sure how to handle the situation.
"That's really good Chiku, we can continue the lesson later." Nartuo complimented before he ruffled his ashen hair up and strolled back towards the house.
Himawari was a insightful young girl. She was quickly able to pick up on the signs of people's distress, and when something became amiss. It eluded most people, her outside was deceivingly innocent looking, alabaster pale like her mother (her mother meticulously applied sunscreen on her multiple times a day, as she did to herself), big pale-blue eyes, and that roguishly styled violet-black hair. It didn't help her mother dressed her childishly, a sunflower yellow top with puffy sleeves, an intricate flower designs in the collar bone area, and the red shorts that her mother rolled up to her mid-thigh, and these ridiculous coral-red sandals, that were very unpractical for ninja related activity.
She could feel her mother's emotions, and it bothered her. Her mother was typical soothing, and a constant calm. But, today she had been on edge, and Himawari could hear it like a bad signal from a TV. It annoyed her, and it deeply confused her.
Maybe that was the reason she hated that Haruno lady so much, and her son. Himawari frowned, she watched her mother patiently prepare a large feast, and felt her mother's feelings wave off of her like an odor. That was what emotions were like, an odor. Himawari thought back the exotic looking lady, she looked younger than her mother - and she knew they were the same age - and she was more muscular, lacking the femininity that her mother harbored. Her hair was just passed her shoulders, and a large purple diamond took up the vast space on her giant forehead. Her son - well, Himawari thought slowly, he's my half-brother - looked like that lady in vague, unimportant ways, they shared the same type of chakra, it was limited, but it was potent, and well-trained, no drop would ever be wasted. But, he looked exactly like her grandfather Minato. It was eery, she had almost called him grandfather upon laying her pale-blue eyes on his sculpted face. Those especially angular, feline eyes weren't the wolfish eyes his mother had, and those cheek bones were high, sharp and more girly than his mother's, and although the hair wasn't quite as golden, it had that gravity defying spike that even it's long length couldn't weigh down.
Yes, he was her half-brother. She knew it, she knew it the instant she laid eyes on him and saw her father dote upon that lady like she was some important, foreign princess. She wasn't sure how she knew, and why she was so sure. But, she just knew it. Himawari, although five years younger than both her brothers, was far more intuitive. She could read the underneath far better, and with far more clarity. She examined her mother, her face heavy with worry, and deep-thought. Her mother, however, was clouded with blind love and adoration for her father she would hide behind lies to live her perfect life, and it bothered Himawari. She loved her mother, and knew she could not be, truly, happy.
"Mama," Himawari began. Hinata glanced at her, a kind smile gracing her snow pale skin, and those red lips beautifully shaped - not too thin, and not too big - over a pearly white smile, and perfectly straight teeth.
"Yes Himawari-chan?" She asked, her voice was soft like cotton.
"Shinachiku-san..." she began, her mother's face gave it away, she was right, because Hinata was fretting over the possibilities, running them through her brain. She felt her breath hitch, and an unnatural hatred consume her insides, this woman and her son would break the foundations of her parent's delicate union. She wasn't stupid, she saw how her father gazed at that woman, it wasn't in the same kind, loving, delicate way he looked at Hinata, as if she was some porcelain doll he had to dust, and be perfectly careful around, for she might shatter at the slightest tremor. No, it was in a way one stared at something priceless, it was a sort of stare that one could not describe. Her father wanted that lady, his touches were unconscious, and not forced, they weren't meticulously planned, or done with great courtesy - it was.. it was.. it was just instinctual, natural. As if they were linked by an invisible chain, or thread.
"Himawari-chan?" her mother looked concerned, and the seven-year-old gave her mother a child-like smile, betraying the inward maturity. Best not let everyone know what she thought.
"Shinachiku-san... he, he looks a lot like grandfather Minato, doesn't he?" Himawari asked, and she knew she shouldn't have, but how could she not? She hated how her mother would probably let this secret live on, and never confront her father. Her father had to cut this lady off, and send her and her bastard son away. Hinata contemplated her words carefully.
"He.. he does, I had been wondering all day who it was he reminded me of." Hinata murmured, almost so soft that Himawari's well-trained ears barely caught the sentence. "But, lots of people look like other people, Himawari-chan." Himawari almost scoffed.
"Oh," Himawari nodded, pretending to no longer be interested in the subject. Her mother looked visibly relieved. "When will they be done with their training?" She asked, dinner was nearly ready, her mother wiped her hands on her lilac apron, and glanced at the clock. It occurred to her that no one ever invited her, or even her mother, to train.
"A few more minutes," Hinata answered calmly.
"When is Uncle Kiba going to get us that puppy he keeps promising?" Himawari asked, Hinata smiled. Himawari, however, found it hard to smile at the subject. Boruto and herself were part Hyuuga, and part Uzumaki, but lacked the outstanding powers that everyone had told their parents they would have. The combining of ancient bloodlines, the only time it had ever been done full circle. What they got were two kids who couldn't use the byakugan for more than moments without their vision declining at such a rate that they'd be blind in hours, and unstable chakra that became a direct cause to their poor chakra control. Boruto, if it was possible, had less control over his chakra than their father, and no where close to the massive amount of chakra that their father had. Naruto hadn't even mentioned who the next Ninetails host would be, and that made both siblings antsy. Who wouldn't want it? The power that came with it, the glory, and the possibilities. Himawari took a deep breath, that was much to far ahead to be thinking - she was only seven.
"Oh, Uncle Kiba is very particular about who gets what pup, and he is waiting for the right one. He didn't just get Akamaru one day, it was a long process." her mother explained simply, Himawari shrugged, already bored of the topic.
"Do you have a summon, mama?" Himawari asked, Hinata blushed fervently.
"Oh, uhm, n-no." She responded, stuttering. Himawari nodded, her mother always stuttered when she was ashamed, or especially nervous.
"Dad summons Toads, right? I don't want to summon those." Himawari added, her mother nodded.
"Well, when you're old enough, you can find the right animal contract." Himawari suddenly became very still - what would I want as my animal contract? - Boruto was obviously going to sign with their father and continue on with Frogs and Toads. But, that wasn't Himawari. Old Man Kakashi had a dog contract, but that wasn't unique enough. She sighed, food for thought, she'd think more on it at the library. Suddenly she thought of a question, she stared at her mother curiously.
"Why didn't you?"
"Oh well - "
"WE'RE BACK!" Bolt shouted loudly, he sprinted into the kitchen, his clothes were soaked, and Hinata raised a delicate brow. "My balloon popped." he explained hastily, and Himawari raised her own eyebrows at this.
"Dad is teaching you the rasengan?" that was when he scowled, and Himawari felt her face turn red with anger. Of course everyone forgot about her - she was just a girl - and with a side glance at her mother, Himawari realized she was without any immediate help. She hated to admit it, but her mother was useless unless it was domestic. She'd have to go to Lady Hanabi. And that was something she really did not want to do, her Aunt was a pretentious, bitch. Who always scoffed at her and Bolt.
"Me and Chiku - he had the water spinning so fast the balloon fell apart but he was able to keep the water in a sphere!" Bolt explained loudly, his hands moving wildly. Himawari nearly hissed. This was pure asinine. What could her aunt do for her anyway? She couldn't even use the byakugan! She was going to be left in the dust, and it was humiliating.
"Hello Hinata," spoke a baritone voice. It always sent shivers down her spine, and Himawari - like her mother - had no love for 'Uncle Sasuke'. Bolt jumped towards him like a jack rabbit, asking him questions, and Himawari located his eldest two, Yumi and Haruto. People called them twins, but they didn't share a mother. Himawari like Yumi, who came off as cold and rude, but was in fact a soft hearted, sweet, caring young girl with a promising future. Haruto, well, he was wild and constantly full of energy.
"Uhm, hello Sasuke-san." Hinata greeted, she was done cooking and her eyes nervously glanced around at her marble counter tops.
"Sasuke, bastard, what took so long?" Naruto yelled, Sasuke sighed.
"I had things to take care of." Sasuke stated, Haruto sprinted towards Naruto and Himawari noted he was wearing a sling.
"Can't the medics heal his arm?" she asked, Sasuke nodded.
"Yes, but they want it in a sling so he doesn't use it for a couple of days, he is young and it could effect his growth in that arm." Sasuke explained simply. Himawari nodded, that was a nice thing about Sasuke, he explaind things fluidly and simply. Chiku blushed bashfully and apologized to Haruto, who only grinned back and responded with something along the lines of "I shouldn't have underestimated you." The two seemed to connect easily, and chatted quietly.
"Hey Sasuke, are you teaching your kids the chidori?" Sasuke stared at a wall for a moment. Himawari narrowed her eyes, she couldn't read Sasuke well, and that also irked her. He glanced at her with his cold, dark eyes. She flinched a little, and instinctively grabbed at her mother's skirt.
"If they want." Naruto nodded, and that was when Sakura and Kakashi strolled in. Giggling like school girls, Himawari rolled her eyes. Her father seemed perturbed, and Sasuke - well, as usual - he looked stoic.
"How was training, Chiku-chan?" Sakura asked, his mother drew closer to her son, and Chiku slung his arms around her mid-section and hugged her. She ruffled his hair, and Himawari - for the first time - realized how tall Chiku was. He was just inches shorter than his mother. Maybe he will be even taller than dad! Her father was a tall man, but he had been short at that age. Maybe she would be the tallest of the three. She laughed at that thought.
Himawari sat close to her mom, who seemed withdrawn, and it suddenly occurred to the young, purple haired girl, why hadn't her mother continued her ninja career like Sakura, or Aunt Ino, or Aunt TenTen had? Hinata seemed to be wondering that very same question.
Kakashi had never been close to any of his students, and for that he was always living in regret. While he was close to Yamato, and they chatted regularly, even prowling the bar together before Yamato settled down with his wife and had a daughter. Kakashi to this day was living in the shadows of his own sensei, and his former teammates. Because things could have been different, oh-so different.
Regardless, Sakura had become extremely attractive since she had left the village. Still soft in the face, with that striking green and pink combination. Her body was tight, and muscular - just enough that it didn't engulf her natural femininity. Kakashi was puzzlingly very attracted to his former student, and despite the large age difference, Sakura seemed just as attracted to him. I really am an old pervert. Kakashi sighed, and although he hadn't made a move on her as they spent some alone time together, he knew that if they continued, he would be fucking her up against one of the Hokage's beige walls.
And that just seemed to cross the line a little bit too much.
He and Sakura eventually trailed back to the kitchen, and Kakashi couldn't help but admire her rear end. She may not have the largest bust, but she has the largest ass I've ever laid eyes on.
" - they want." Was all Kakashi heard as they made their way to the group, which now consisted of Sasuke and his two brats, Haruto and Yumi. Sakura had always filled him in on her monthly reports of her whereabouts, and her doings. But, she hadn't mentioned Shinachiku. He could see why, now, that kid was definitely Naruto's spawn, and that idiot didn't even seem to register that as an idea. Some things just couldn't be taught.
Hinata cooked up a marvelous meal, "I had been cooking it all day," she had mumured as she set the table with the main-course and it's steaming side-dishes. He frowned, sitting next to Sakura who seemed engaged with modern politics with Sasuke and Naruto.
"The Hyuuga are a pain in my ass," Naruto grumbled. "Everyday someone from their council is badgering me about 'who will be the next host' and 'when will you elect a Hyuuga for the village council'." He seemed angry, and Kakashi was glad he wasn't the one dealing with that shit anymore. He hadn't even wanted to become Hokage in the first place, but with Naruto so quickly getting Tsunade out of office, someone had to do it. Naruto had been too young, and too immature - even then.
"The ninetails shouldn't even be encased in anyone, can't you just let the poor guy go?" Sakura asked, brows knitted together. Naruto let out a laugh that sounded like a hoarse bark.
"Yeah, I wish. But somebody would probably try and use him as weapon, it's just safer to keep him within the village and confined." Naruto responded, Sasuke nodded in agreement and Sakura scoffed. Not approving, but not arguing either.
"Anyway, Hinata, how is the clan?" Sakura asked, and Kakashi watched the once heiress of the Hyuuga clan flinch. It was no secret her marriage to Naruto had resulted in a huge rift within her clan, and that had made it even easier to elevate Hanabi to clan leader. Which, Kakashi thought, had been a huge setback for the clan. Hanabi was exactly what their father had wanted when he imagined an heir.
Even her young daughter was powerful. Sango had made rounds in the council for her unnatural talent in everything in life. Often enough she was compared to Itachi. Kakashi almost laughed, hopefully she wasn't too much like him, though. Sango was truly a devil, and Hanabi took much pride in her beating up on her niece, Himawari. Kakashi honestly thought the entire situation was fucked up, but with a quick glance at Himawari - who still sported the awful beating on her body that Sango had given her - he knew Himawari was like a trap. Maybe it didn't look all that great at a first glance, but then the next thing you knew, you were being strangled by a noose you didn't see.
Dinner went on, small chattering, and some boring gossip and in all honesty, Kakashi was ready to blow his brains out. It all seemed so forced, as if this wasn't real. He sighed, and Chiku glanced his way with a innocent smile, and shinning blue-green eyes. It was nostalgic, how much he resembled his own sensei. But he wasn't much like him personality wise, he wasn't quite humble but not egotistical, either. Somewhere pleasantly in the middle - confident? He was brutal, and probably too competitive. His eyes trailed to his former-student, Sakura had turned out a lot like Tsunade, so maybe that's why he seemed so intense.
He wondered if either were good at gambling.
Dinner ended, and Hinata went to clean up the aftermath, Naruto offered his help but Hinata ushered him away. Instead Bolt and Himawari trailed after, dutifully helpful and attentive. "Sometimes I feel like she's a slave." Naruto said quietly, he seemed truly troubled by that statement, Kakashi raised a brow.
"There just dishes, Naruto." Naruto shrugged,
"Not just that... She never wants me to help. One time I cleaned the living room, while she was sleeping and she found out she cried." He paused, being careful to not let her hear. "She told me she was a failure." Kakashi glanced to the kitchen, but couldn't spot any of sight of them. Sasuke shrugged,
"A wife's duty is to do household things, she doesn't have a career. She should do it all."
"Oh, wow, how sexist." Sakura blanched, eyes narrowed darkly.
"No, it isn't." Sasuke responded, "Mai and Emi both work full-time and bring home income, they occasionally help around the house, and deal with their own children respectfully, but Shizuka only stays at home so she can do the household things. That is her job," Sasuke retorted. Sakura scoffed, and drank the rest of her wine. It didn't really matter to Kakashi, he didn't have a family to fuss over.
"I'm sure it will all be okay, Naruto." Kakashi responded kindly, why wouldn't it be?
A/N: I didn't plan on giving Himawari such an advanced way of thinking, and an older mentality. But, I felt that she would be the sibling no one pays much attention to, she's sweet, soft-spoken, and people assume she must be just like her mother, since Boruto is just like his father. So, I decided to make her what Hinata could have been - if Hinata ever had any really talent, and drive beyond "Naruto-kun!". I hope this was a good addition to the story, and each perspective gave you a wee bit more of an idea of what is going.