Implausible Tales chapter 4

-Hospital Room-

Sitting in a chair off to the side, Boruto watched his father sleep. He had been there for thirty minutes already. Trying to come to terms with how he felt being face to face with him again. He didn't look like much. Definitely not like someone who was somehow the most powerful shinobi to ever come from the hidden leaf. With drool pooling out the side of his mouth and his body strewn across the bed in a ridiculous position, Boruto found it hard to believe.

Waiting for him to wake, he remembered a few stories he was told of in the past and played them over in his mind, now that he had a face to imagine. One of which that was his favorite in the past was when Kakashi told him of when his dad saved his life. He spoke of how he refused to give up on him when he was being led to his death by an old enemy of his. Kakashi said, 'when everyone else was content with letting me die, including myself, your father wasn't and fought as hard as he could to get me back.' It was his favorite, because that's how he wanted to be.

Was that story even true? Was the story of him saving that old actress real? Or the one about him saving the village? There were no monuments for him about that, so where was the proof? Now, here's this guy everyone talks about. He came right when everything seemed to be getting better. When Himawari wasn't sick anymore. What convenience that was.

Judging by the picture sitting by his bed, Boruto assumed he must have already met her. Another thing he noticed was the lack of injuries or bandages of any kind. Was he already healed? How could that even be? He was nearly dead when they brought him in two days ago. Staring at his right arm, he noticed that at least that was still wrapped up. Did that bring truth to the story his pseudo uncle Sasuke told him about? About their battle where they both lost an arm?

As he was staring at his arm, he didn't notice Naruto's eyes had opened and he was staring at him. Slowly a smile rose on his face. "…Bolt…"

Boruto gasped and looked back up to his face. He was awake. Boruto didn't say anything. His face set back into indifference as he watched him sit up to the edge of his bed. He could see him struggling to even hold himself up.

"Wow…" Naruto said in astonishment and a shine to his eyes. "Look how big you've gotten…" he said in amazement. Boruto just continued to stare at him. "You were just starting to walk when I last saw you…"

"Seven years ago…" Boruto replied coldly, looking up at him.

Naruto chuckled and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Yeah, sorry about that. I kind of got dragged into something." He said condensing the story. Boruto still just stared at him.

"For seven years." He remarked in a deadpanned tone.

Naruto's smile faltered a bit seeing the apparent anger in his eyes. "y-Yeah…" he whispered, unsure of what else he could say. "I'm uh… I'm sorry." He forced out awkwardly. "… You must have been so lonely…"

Boruto's face contorted in disgust at the statement. "What, because you weren't there?" he asked incredulously as if it were the most ludicrous thing he had ever heard.

Naruto scratched the side of his face. "Look… I know what it's like growing up without a father." he said, trying to reach him on an emotional level. "I know it sucks… and I know you probably hate me… but, Boruto… I have always loved you…"

Boruto's eyes squinted and he stood up and headed for the door as fast as he could. Naruto called out to him.

"Boruto, wait…" he said, stopping him at the door. The room sunk into an uncomfortable silence. "…I'm sorry…" he said lowly. Boruto grabbed the handle and opened the door. When he shut it, he wiped the tear that escaped down his right cheek and sniffled away the snot threatening to drip out. With a heavier heart than he expected to have, he walked down the hall, intent on going to see his sister.

Naruto stared at the door with a downtrodden expression. It wasn't necessarily the reaction he expected to get, but it didn't surprise him either. With experience in growing up without a father, he knew how it could affect someone. Hell, he punched his own dad in the stomach the first time he met him. Compared to that, this was great. For now, he had to let him heal. Just let him heal.


-A few hours later-

Hinata entered with Himawari at her side and a bag in her hand. Naruto sat up slowly with a smile. "Hey, my two favorite girls."

"Hey daddy!" Himawari said climbing up into his lap. Naruto held onto her and pecked Hinata on the lips.

"I brought your clothes." She said handing him the bag. Inside it was his long sleeved orange shirt, a plain white t-shirt, black pants, and black shinobi sandals.

He smiled. "Ah, Hinata-chan. You're amazing." he said standing up with Himawari still in his arms. He handed her off to Hinata so that he could head into the bathroom immediately to leave this place. There were so many things he wanted to do. He wanted to go see his friends, see Iruka, eat some Ichiraku's, but most importantly go home.

Stepping into the bathroom, Naruto looked into the bathroom mirror and paused momentarily. His reflection reminded him of something. Reminded him of being there…


Kneeling, exhausted, at the edge of an oasis, Naruto stared at his reflection. He had been there for a week already and was barely getting to the point which he could walk again. The gravity beat down on him continuously without any mercy. It was so hard to move, and it was so very, very hot. Reaching down with a shaky hand, he dipped it into the remarkably cool water and cupped it in his palms. Taking a sip, he washed the sweat from his face before once again staring at his blurry reflection.

He stared at the ripples that just seemed to go on forever, waiting for the surface to settle. When it finally did, all he saw was himself.
No family by his side.
No headband.
Nothing.

Just himself staring back at him, just as it was long before. He pushed up off the ground until he was sitting back on his heels. Looking around, there was nothing else but desert for miles upon miles. No wind, no plants, absolutely nothing. He looked up to the sky at the three suns that beat down on him. Although the place was now his prison, he had to admit how amazing it was. Even with the three Suns in the sky, there was still somehow a faint clap of thunder that cracked the silence of the world every few seconds.

For the first time in a long time, he felt truly and completely helpless. He was stuck here for the next four years. He wouldn't be there for Boruto's first day at the academy. He'd miss four years of anniversaries with Hinata. Four years of birthday parties for his own son. It was all gone.

He slouched back down and grabbed at the sand, thinking about all the things he would miss. Every time… every single time he had a chance at a good life, something came along to mess it up. It was as if he were destined to duke it out with the likes of misfortune, no matter what the situation.

When he was younger, the Sandaime Hokage told him that life sometimes threw people obstacles for the purpose of giving them the opportunity to work through them. Thus, making them stronger. What more could it throw his way? He's been through a hellish childhood of lonesomeness, an unguided teenaged life of pain and loss of those precious to him, he's carried the weight of the entire goddamned world on his shoulders for crying out loud! What more could life want from him!?

While they were at war, someone claimed that war was the ultimate milestone of human suffering that only a few were so unlucky to experience. But… for some people, the war wasn't over when the bad guy died. As true as that is, in a physical sense the war is over for everyone else. So, why was he still fighting it? Why him of all people? Everyone else was at home enjoying the peace they so rightfully earned. So, why was he forced to continue the fight?

"AAARRGH!" he yelled into the sky. He wanted out of this world. He wanted to go home so bad. He really wanted to go home. He froze in his thinking when he heard something other than the wind. It was something distinct that he vaguely remembered. With as much effort as he could muster, he pushed himself up to his feet.

He struggled his way up the hill he heard the new sounds coming from. When he reached the top, in the far distance, he could see an unnaturally placed forest that he was sure wasn't there a while ago. What's more, he could here creatures within it. They sounded much larger than he remembered them being in his world.

"…What the - hell is this…" he asked himself in a low whisper.

"I figured you'd need something to eat." Said a new monotonous voice, causing him to jump. He took a wrong step and tumbled painfully down the hill. When he finally stopped, he crouched down on his hands and knees in a threatening way, ready to pounce. His furious gaze was on Zetsu who was still standing at the top of the sand dune. "Calm yourself boy, take this as a gift."

Naruto stood to his feet slowly in a threatening way. "I'll fucking kill you!" he yelled preparing to make a few clones. They disappeared as soon as they appeared though which confused him.

"Your clones can't survive if you yourself can't even handle the gravity." Zetsu explained casually. "I hope you're not wasting time Uzumaki… you don't have too long." As soon as he said that, his body faded away.

Naruto fell to his knees, grabbing at the sand again. He steadied his breathing before sitting back on his heels in defeat once again. He turned around when he felt a soft rumbling running through the ground. A few feet behind him, a pack of very big wolves seemed to have placed their sights on him. They were a ways off, but he could see that they were subtly eyeing him.

He stood to his feet and walked back up the sand dune. Looking around as if he would see something else. When nothing appeared, he turned back to the unnatural patch of greenery that danced with a wind that didn't exist. He sat on his butt, gazing at the place in a sort of reminiscent manner. It was like a painful representation of a place he might never see again.

Suddenly, a crack of thunder resounded above him. Much louder than the distant claps he was hearing earlier. He looked up to the sky to see the first few raindrops beginning to descend upon him. When they hit his face, he shut his eyes and mentally replayed images of his past to appease his heavy heart. Trying to remember a time when he wasn't alone.


Signing his name on the forms in front of him, Naruto vaguely listened to the young girl in front of him who was droning on and on about how much Hinata has missed him. Not that he didn't care, he was just very much ready to get out of this place. He nodded at her with a smile as she seemingly asked him a question.

"Great." She quipped happily. "Well, Hinata here will take wonderful care of you. I know that much." She smiled and winked at the dark haired girl who grew slightly red as she hooked Naruto's arm.

Naruto smiled and nodded again. "I know that as well." He said turning around with Hinata still holding onto his arm. Himawari was sitting in the waiting area trying to get as much play time in as she could with the little toys and knickknacks set out for the children.

"Hima." Hinata called out. "Come on sweetie. It's time to go."

Himawari threw the blocks down and spun around happily. "Ok, Mommy!" she yelled running over to the two. Naruto was still walking very painfully so Hinata used her free hand to pick Himawari up as they headed out the door.

The storm that had been present when Naruto first arrived a few days ago seemed to have let up just recently as there were still puddles around the ground while they walked. The sun was out though and as soon as they stepped out, Naruto paused for a second letting his face bask in its warmth. It was a different kind of warmth than that of the three sunned world. This was comforting. Calm.

Himawari looked at him strangely. She didn't understand why he was smiling at the sky or why her mother was smiling at him. It was very weird but she didn't address it. Hinata rubbed his back gently. "You're home now…" she said lowly, leaning her head onto his shoulder.

Naruto's smile never faded as he inhaled and exhaled slowly. When he opened his eyes, there were tears brimming on the bottom of his eye lids. "I know." He replied, hugging her tighter.

They walked through the garden of the Hospital which led to the exit. Naruto seemed so fascinated by every single thing they passed, including the many flowers, the bugs, and even the cool wind that occasionally blew through the air. Everything was so beautiful to him, because there were more than a few times which he thought he may never have seen these things again. Now, here they were.

When they made it to the front gate, Naruto looked around amazed at the village. It was so different than he remembered. Giant television screens that looked like billboards, stores he had never heard of, and even jobs he hadn't seen before or in a long time. There were people wearing a uniform with 'Police' tagged on their form, postmen, there was so much. He took just a few short steps before he was called out to in excitement.

A random man he had never seen. "i-It's! It's Naruto!" he yelled frantically with his eyes as big as saucers. The other surrounding villagers stopped at the commotion and turned to see what was happening. Then, like a domino effect, shouts of 'Naruto!' 'He's returned!' 'He's back!' all flew through the air before he was bombarded by people trying to shake his hand or catch his eye for just a slight second. It was a little overwhelming for him, but he tried his best to at least greet as many as he could.

He and Hinata were still slowly trying to shuffle through the crowd to make it to their home, but they didn't want to be rude so they resigned to greet the people that tried greeting them. Himawari was just very confused as she watched her father shake hand after hand, wondering what all this was about. Her innocence just told her 'Daddy sure has a lot of friends'.

There were so many people that when Naruto and Hinata made it to a set of stairs that descended to the market district, all they could see was an ocean of people all cheering his name. People funneling out of shops and even shinobi passing by stopped on the rooftops to give the returned hero a welcome. Naruto smiled at them all and waved, letting a tear slip from his eye. It didn't dawn on him that they would never make it home at this rate. He was just proud to see his people.

"Alright you savages!" yelled a new voice that Naruto vaguely remembered. The crowd quickly split away from him for fear of being crushed by the enormous dog that fell from the rooftop. "Come on! Clear out!" he yelled using his hands to shoo them away. "Let the man go home!"

"Kiba." Naruto remarked happily with a smile. Before he knew it, two more people he knew of dropped down as well.

"Well, well." Said a much more mature feminine voice. "If it isn't the knucklehead of the leaf."

Naruto smiled as Ino and Sai walked to them and Kiba continued doing crowd control. "Ino, Sai." He greeted with a happy tone. "I've missed you guys." Ino came up and gave him a hug in which he had to release Hinata for. When they broke apart, Ino walked over to Hinata to greet her and Himawari, leaving the boys to their conversation.

"Welcome home Naruto. Everyone believed you had died." Sai said extending his hand for a shake.

Naruto chuckled and shook his hand. "As blunt as ever I see." He remarked. "No, I am not dead."

Sai nodded. "I am aware." He stated, nodding his head. "Where have you been?" he asked.

Naruto sighed and scratched the back of his head. With a chuckle, he just said, "It's a long story. For some other time maybe."

Sai nodded his head in understanding. "You seem to have been in some sort of battle. I'm sure it was as miraculous as all of your other achievements."

Naruto waved him off in embarrassment. "Meh, meh. You're exaggerating." He said with a blush.

"Not likely." Said Kiba who overheard on his way over. "With you, I could only imagine what went down." He said with a chuckle. Naruto smiled and shook Kiba's hand as well. "I'm sure you're exhausted so, why don't we escort you home?" he said receiving a nod and a thanks in reply.

The group of ninja walked down the street with Akamaru and Kiba clearing the way, Sai and Naruto in the middle of the bunch discussing what has been happening, and Ino, Hinata, and Himawari trailing behind, having a conversation of their own. Along the way, Naruto was still being welcomed home by everyone they passed and he waved at them, shouting out his gratitude along the way.

On the very attention drawing stroll through the village, Naruto got an in depth look at all of the new innovations made to the villages. It was so modernized compared to how it was when he was growing up. There was so much to do in Konoha now. Along the way, they ran into Lee and Shikamaru who had just returned from running an errand for Kakashi. The two tagged along and Naruto took that time to give them all a condensed version of his tale of hardship and triumph.

He was so glad to be around all of his friends again. For so long, he wondered what it would feel like being reunited with everyone. He felt that he had been devoid of human contact for so long that he'd no longer know how to do this whole friendship thing. He found that it was just as natural as breathing when he didn't think about it.

In their journey to Hinata's apartment building, they seemed to walk as slow as possible while the people surrounding them clapped and cheered for their returned hero. Soon, the band of friends not self-sworn to escort the injured blonde home bid their goodbyes to him and headed off to do their own various tasks. Leaving Kiba, Akamaru, and Ino clearing the way for them.

When they made it to the apartment complex, Kiba helped Naruto upstairs with the help of Akamaru as Ino and Hinata continued their conversation. When they got to the door, Kiba leaned Naruto up against the wall so that he could open it. When he tried however, he realized he couldn't do it. Hinata apologized to the group and struggled with the door until it finally opened. Naruto watched on sadly, remembering he had a door like that many years ago.

Hinata avoided his solemn look and opted instead to try and focus on their guests who were bidding them a good day, insinuating vulgar activities that they may want to catch up on. Hinata was hardly paying attention as she wondered what Naruto could've been thinking about. Himawari rushed inside, ignoring the grown up talk as she plopped down on the couch.

Kiba and Ino waved at the two as they headed down the corridor. Naruto gave them a small smile as he waved them off as well. When they were out of sight, he turned around and looked at Hinata who was standing by the door, waiting for him to go in. He looked down at the ground before entering.

A wave of sad nostalgia hit him as the place eerily reminded of him of his old crummy apartment from his Genin days, just with more decoration, appliances, and actual bedrooms. He stepped in and looked around, ignoring the sound of Himawari giving voices to her toys as she played on the coffee table. Hinata walked in behind him, shutting the door.

She stared at Naruto's back, wondering what he was thinking as he walked through the living room slowly. He was looking at all of the pictures hung on the wall. There were so many and they were all of Boruto, Himawari, and Hinata. It was the most beautiful collection of images he's ever seen. He stopped at one and rubbed it with his fingers. It was Himawari in her hospital bed with tubes up her nose. She was smiling as bright as ever.

Hinata wiped the stray tear trying to run down her cheek as she watched him. His hand slid off the picture and he hobbled further through the apartment, stopping at the bathroom. He peeked inside and stared at the cracked mirror for a few seconds. Continuing on, he opened the first bedroom door which belonged to Boruto. There was nothing inside but a bed, a dresser, clothes strewn across the room, and stuffed animals from Himawari who seemed to be sharing his room for the time being.

Hinata came over and wrapped her arms around his side. Naruto lifted his arm so that he could hook it around her shoulders. They both stared into the room silently for a few seconds. "… I'm so sorry, Hinata…" he finally choked out. "I'll fix this…" he said lowly.

Hinata smiled at him and tugged at him lightly in the direction of their room. Naruto got the hint and turned to the last door. Walking in, everything was as neat as ever. She walked him over to the bed and helped him lay down as gently as she could. Naruto sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed. He was told to get some rest, but he didn't feel right in this place.

Hinata crawled across the bed on the other side and placed her hands on the top of his shoulders. She stared at her fingertips as they gently caressed the fabric of his shirt. She had forgotten how broad he was. Her hands snaked around his body, feeling his chest. Her nose pressed into the nook of his neck, she took in a whiff of his scent that was so different than she remembered. It was no longer the lingering smell of ramen. Instead it was much more potent with a dim scent of ash. A smell she remembered from the days of war.

Regardless of the unwelcome aroma, it was Naruto. She kissed his neck gently while her hands snaked around his torso, feeling the incredibly chiseled body beneath the fabric. Naruto's hands found Hinata's wandering around his body, and he interlocked his fingers through hers from the back of her hand. She was kissing his neck passionately and Naruto tilted his head, giving her more room.

Soon, he turned his body more so that her lips found their way to his. He pecked her lightly the first time and looked into her longing eyes. Then, as if perfectly synced they locked lips again in a struggle of passion, deepening it with the embrace of each other's tongue. Naruto turned his body, ignoring the pain, until his hands were on the bed propping him up. Hinata was still in her awkward leaning pose, holding onto Naruto's shoulders for support.

Their faces never leaving the others, Naruto snaked his hands to the back of Hinata's knees and pulled her closer until he pulled her feet through and laid her on her back. While there, his range of kissing expanded from her mouth to her jawline and down to her neck. No words were said and the room was completely silent, but the two of them heard music. Hinata's shortened breaths tickled Naruto's ears in an intoxicating way, and the contractions of her throat beneath her skin held his focus.

Hinata's hands were roaming over Naruto's form again, as she ran one across his back clutching the fabric for support and the other one ran through his hair. His bright blonde hair that she had missed so dearly. A tear ran down her face for the millionth time that week as she just continued to remind herself that Naruto was back. He was really back.

Their romantic make out session ended when they heard the front door of the apartment open. With a shout from Himawari declaring that her brother was home, Naruto pushed up on the bed, pulling away from Hinata who was still catching her breath. "We should make dinner." He said with a smile.

Hinata nodded and ran a hand through her hair. "Yeah…" She said fighting through both her frustration and her shortness of breath. Naruto painfully stood up from the bed before helping Hinata up as well. Just as he did, Boruto and Himawari came in.

"Daddy! Boru-to's…" Himawari said looking at the awkward interaction from the two as Naruto scratched his head and Hinata quickly straightened her clothes out.

Boruto came in right behind her looking just as confused. He merely glanced at Naruto who shot him a small smile before looking back to Hinata. "Mom, I have a permission slip that needs to be signed."

Hinata raised her eyebrows and walked over to the two, escorting them out of the room. "What is it for?" While Boruto explained, Naruto watched them all walk out with a smile on his face. This was just as he imagined it. Well, with a happy addition he hadn't known about of course.

Following them out the room, the pain returned to his body without the beautiful distraction of his wife and he cringe at the first step he took. Waving the pain off, he continued out of the room. Entering the living room, he saw Hinata and Boruto sitting on the couch going over whatever the permission slip was on the table. Himawari had ran to him with a squeal of "Daddy, come look what I drew!"

He scooped her up, making the groan of effort it took seem more playful than it actually was. Placing her on his hip, he walked over to the counter to view her masterpiece. Naruto noticed how silent she got as she rubbed his face for whatever reason. Ignoring that, he looked down at the picture that depicted something he was fairly sure he knew. It was drawn with supposedly different characters, but he knew what it was. The question is how did she know what it was?

It was crudely drawn in crayon of course, but it depicted a princess, standing next to a knight in bright yellow armor with a red scarf around his neck. What made him truly understand what it was, they were standing on the moon, with a man with blue armor behind them on the ground. This was the story of how he and Hinata got together, but how did she know about it.

Himawari seemed to lose interest in his face as she looked down at her picture. She felt the need to explain what it was. "This is the princess…" She said pointing at the woman wearing a black dress. "This is the knight… and this is the king of the moon people." Despite their different positions, they all had the same smile drawn on their faces, even the vanquished villain laying spread out in the back. "It's from my favorite bedtime story, the princess, the knight, and the moon people."

Naruto grinned at the photo and peeked a glance back at Hinata who was smiling over at him as Boruto signed his own name on whatever the form was. "I know that story too." He said looking at Himawari.

"You do?" she asked him in surprise. "Did mommy tell you too?"

Naruto chuckled and nodded his head. "Yeah… yeah she did." He said pinching her cheek. With the distractions of their children taken care of, Hinata and Naruto prepared dinner for them all, much to Hinata's protest. She didn't want Naruto overexerting himself when he just got back, but he insisted he wanted to do something.

Boruto sat at the coffee table doing his homework while Himawari played with her toys off to the side. He refused to admit any part of this felt good. It was unnatural having someone else in their home. Even though everyone else seemed so comfortable with it, he couldn't help but find it strange. Some good came out of this though as Himawari was finally home. She was completely healthy from what he could see, but according to his mother, she still had check-ups at the hospital to make sure she was ok.

He snuck a glance over to the kitchen to see his mother smiling at something that Naruto apparently messed up. He was smiling bashfully at her as he stepped aside to let her fix whatever it was he had messed up and he stared at her with a small smile on his face. In a second that he wasn't expecting Naruto's eyes shifted up and caught Boruto's.

Boruto quickly looked away, hoping he didn't say anything to him. For a slight second he thought about something. They were making dinner… and Himawari was here. He looked over to the four seated dining room table. Remembering all the times he ate alone, wishing that those other seats would be filled. It was only six o'clock and his mother was already home. A ghost of a smile snaked its way onto his face. This is what family was supposed to feel like.

He was broken from his thoughts when a knock at his door caught his ears. Great, they had visitors. His father walked from the kitchen nodding at the two of them as he went for the door. Struggling with it a bit, he was finally able to open it. As soon as he did, he was encased in a very feminine embrace and Boruto looked on in curiosity.

"He's alive!" a familiar voice shouted out.

As soon as it did, Himawari jumped from her spot. "Auntie Hanabi!" she yelled rushing towards the door. Naruto stepped aside and allowed her in. Right behind her was his father in law Hiashi.

"Hiashi." He said extending his hand out to him.

Hiashi took it momentarily before pulling him in. "Oh come on son, it's been ages." He said giving him a brief hug for his return. "I am glad you're back Naruto." He said nodding his head. Boruto watched on in disappointment.