(A/N): Good [insert time period of the day] ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to present you with yet another chapter of Gaiden through Time (Reader: You don't say?). I'm fighting through a bit of writers block as I had some family that were in the path of hurricane Patricia and was understandably concerned. But disregarding that let's move on to the REVIEWS.
Rose Tiger: Quite.
Fan of Fanfics21: Well Himawari's arrival means the kicking in of quite a few things, I was worried of the pacing of the story but after the responses I won't allow it to spiral too out of control and will try keep the pace consistent with the rest of the work. But its a safe bet to look forward to a lot of Himawari from now on she is a main character in the story.
TheSamberst: Yes, everyone's favorite little kit has reared her head in the past at long last. The reason I was concerned over my pacing comes from my perception of how long things will take and the actual length I present. You can clearly see this develop as the story begins to progress with the length disparity between recent chapters and that of the prior ones. I'm finding myself feeling I have more things I need to touch on to move the story along in a way I deep fluent enough. In terms of the story in all reality we have not progressed that far, so I'm merely coming to terms with that reality. But comments like yours supporting my choice in pacing help me have confidence to continue to write the story including everything I see being involved rather than narrowing it to speed it up.
Greatgirl22302: No it's quite significant, Himawari is a loved child, both by the fandom, but more importantly in universe. The emotional conditioning of children has an important role to play in their development. Thanks, I sometimes worry that when I make the story this long with things that don't immediately push along the story to the next point that some may feel like I'm needlessly prolonging it.
The Keeper of Worlds: Yes, and thanks I just felt it was something important to address and highlight the need they have to improve their relationship compared to their original time. I guess we'll both see how that plays out.
Reading Pixie: Because before that Sarada needs the 'talk' and be explained why and how she is getting a sibling. I'm not unwilling but I'll wait for Kishi on that one, I don't want to break that to a hypersonic, earth shattering kunoichi ^^'
MikaStarYT: What irony... I see nothing here /whistle/. We'll see about Hima ^^'
Lawrensu: Well they're currently signed up for the Chunin Exams, but we'll see how things pan out.
ManaZero: I'm starting to notice a pattern here... /runs an encryption program/ Hmm... very interesting now only to figure out who this 'Himawari' person might be...
CrippleNinja: I haven't heard any protest so I will likely continue to keep Bolt's vocabulary at that level (this will be hard for me...).
SageModeSasuke REVIEWS 1-7: I see. I need to work more on that which will hopefully be easier once the Himawari recovery mission is successful. I do honestly think it gets more interesting as it goes along =) (this is however a little bad... first chapter aren't a hard enough sale for a potential reader. Perhaps I should beg people in the title to give it a few chapters?... Nah that's to desperate even for me ^^'). They get a little longer as it goes... last ones in particular (not all that on purpose). I'm a very character interaction inspired writer, so I do enjoy when the characters can be fun at times. Glad to see someone liked the line. Hopefully she is alright )=
Coronadomntes: good review-buen resena.
(A/N): Well that was quite the response... It appears I gravely underestimated the Himawari fervor (and that was even on of my plot points ._.) ^^'. To that end I can say that I shall try my best to satiate your appetites. Either way ten whole reviews! I am quite happy with this =) (sorry SageModeSasuke I can't count you 7 times in a row that would just be cheating...then again I am greedy... nah I shouldn't... but... I am greedy...). Therefore it would only make sense, that we continue on with the story.
The elderly man stood rubbing the nape of his neck with great discomfort of the situation reflecting obviously on his grimacing face. Just what do I do about this? He pondered while scanning the street to see if there could be a sign of someone better to handle the situation. Alas, the streets were empty of any sign of a fellow villagers.
Not that it was all that unexpected. Teuchi made it a point to rise as early as possible in his pursuit to prepare his ramen shop for all the potential customers that could happen upon it. He took great pride in his work, yet it was an even stronger drive that motivated him to the seemingly fanatical dedication. Teuchi was not Shinobi, he never dabbled in the world of bloodshed, and he wouldn't even know where to begin if you asked him on the world of Shinobi, but there was a simpler thing he understood. The comfort of food, being in a village of Shinobi it naturally lead to many coming across his shop for a comforting bowl of ramen. Simple enough right? However, there was a repetitive theme, and one that he had heard them mumble under their breath while they toiled with their food. "Please let me make it back." They would often plead in one shape or another.
Teuchi would see the Shinobis visit the stand coming to his world and leaving it to return to theirs, but they didn't always come back. "You just got sick of my ramen right? You just got bored of this old fool's lousy ramen right?" He'd hymn while preparing his ingredients for another day. I'll show you just get back here and try another bowl, I'll show you a meal to remember! The elder vowed his convictions to prepare for a superior batch of ramen than the day before. Just come back alright? The request would hang there suspended in his mind during the quiet morning hours.
Someone is probably waiting for this girl to came back too, but how did she get in my stand? Did she break in? Teuchi wondered as he inspected the exterior finding no signs of a forced entry. No signs of it and besides... she is way to small to be up to trouble like that. He concluded. "Oi, girl. Wake up." The elder called out while prodding the shoulder of the young blue haired girl.
"Mrmm..." The cobalt haired girl moaned as her face slowly twitched itself into a frown.
"Ah! Are you alrigh-" Teuchi began to inquire.
"BLAAAAARG!" The whiskered child uttered as she unleashed a torrent of vomit upon the old shopkeeper's sandals. Once the action was finished, the Uzumaki returned to a state of unconsciousness seeming more relaxed.
"..." The elder sighed. "Glad you're feeling better but you might end up with worse if you just lay there on the cold table..." He pointed out while picking up the young kit to the back of the shop were he can wash his now soiled sandals.
"So father... I been meaning to ask you..." The lavender eyed boy began.
"Mhurmmm?" Naruto uttered pushing the response through his currently pancake occupied mouth.
It was another unusual day in the Uzumaki dwelling now that his past father had gain an unexpected visitor. Regardless Bolt couldn't quite accept the morning routine his adolescent father had been living and decided to construct a breakfast more substantial than a cup of ramen, which the 'elder' Uzumaki found himself quite busy consuming. Yesterday with Sarada it turned out she had a lot to say about her academy life. Given the circumstances seem to be almost the same, father should have something to say too. Shouldn't he? The firstborn of the Nanadaime reasoned while fiddling with his fork. "How were your academy days?" He inquired.
"Oh!" The Jinchuriki gulped. "Ah, you-you wanted to know about my school life? Th-that's just some boring stuff you don't want to hear about it." He rambled to deflect the question.
"No, I'm interested." Bolt demanded in a monotonous voice causing the corresponding Shinobi to experience a slight jolt.
"W-Well... Ehrm..." Naruto spluttered dejecting his eyes while building a cold sweat. "Y-yeah! So the life in the academy!" His father began.
The lavender eyed boy adjusted his posture leaning forward ready to receive what he was about to hear.
"I-I was like the most awesomest Shinobi they ever had! The academy was a breeze, I passed through no problem, top grades too! Naturally the girls were all crazy for me, and all the guys were mad jealous like you wouldn't imagine!" The cerulean eyed Shinobi gloated ecstatically. "Hehehehehe! And there you go that was pretty much it!...nothing else at all, yup!" He chortled madly raising a thumbs up towards his son.
Boruto tilted his head slightly merely gazing expressionless at his father.
D-Did he see through it!? Naruto fretted his head beginning to swarm in cold sweat drops with each passing moment of his son's stare.
"Oh, so it was just normal? I made some silly assumptions on something that happened recently, sorry." The lavender eyed child apologized and returning to his breakfast. I guess it was a bit silly to think my father had the same experience given what he'll become. At the very least fellow Shinobi would understand his status compared to the ignorant plebeians... I guess a Hokage is still a Hokage no matter what age? Then that means Sarada's chances are nonexistent? Boruto wondered to himself before scowling at himself for even caring about someone's chances to become something he disliked.
Normal...?! The Jinchuriki emphasized. "H-hey yeah sorry for the dumb question, but you said 'normal'?" He questioned.
"Hmm...? Yeah normal, isn't that how the academy is suppose to be?" Boruto answered simply. For him such a academy life seemed like the natural order of things, and he had no experiences to point towards any other conclusion as Sarada's had been abnormal to him.
"O-of course! I just wanted to make sure you had the same experience as your ole dad, Hahahaha!" Naruto chuckled grandiosely enough that even his son joined in with a smile causing him to feel obliged to continue it in fear of being caught. I knew we were a bit different just talking him to him before, but I didn't know we'd be that far apart.
Once the breakfast had concluded Boruto set about immediately cleaning the dirtied dishes and silverware when he noticed his father preparing a ramen cup from the corner of his vision. "You're still hungry?" He gawked at his father.
"Well not so much hungry but... I just can't start the day without ramen. If you're ever going to be a real Uzumaki you're going to have to learn the glory of ramen." Naruto smirked as if he had just told an extraordinary speech.
"I'll pass." His son deadpanned while drying his hands.
Wuh?! Darn kid looking down on our most sacred tradition! The Jinchuriki scolded his fellow Shinobi.
"We'd best hurry since Kakashi should be waiting." Boruto pointed out walking to the door.
Kakashi waiting?! Now that would be a miracle. Naruto taunted breaking a small chirp of laughter. "So you sure you're not gonna ditch the mission today?" he smirked.
"I already apologized for that, I got uncharacteristically side tracked. It won't happen again." The lavender eyed boy assured his father.
"You better... Besides... Just leave everything to your father." The cerulean eyed boy chimed.
"Huh?" Boruto shot back while raising a brow.
"Ah don't try to be all sneaky about it, I know what's up!" The Jinchuriki jeered elbowing his son despite his son's discomfort. "Just wait for after the mission today, you're dear old dad will help you out!" He announced triumphantly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about..." The taller whiskered Shinobi frowned in confusion.
Sheesh... What a hopeless kid, I was right to offer him my help with that girlfriend of his... Naruto assured himself of his decision. "Alright let's go!" The future Nanadaime hokage commanded pushing his son through the front door.
I thought I finally made some progress yesterday, but now I'm more confused than every before... Sorry Sasuke-sensei, I still don't have a clue of how to understand these people. Boruto sighed as accepting his father's insistence to leave immediately.
A twitch of a whisker begins to seemingly focus upon the sound of water emanating from a nearby sink. Mrmm? Himawari muttered as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Finally awake are we girl?" The elderly man greeted the awaken child while quickly drying his hands.
"Mhmmmm... Teuchi-san?" The cobalt haired child guessed narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Wah? So you know who I am?" Teuchi inquired.
"What are you talking about Teuchi? Of course I do! Yay Teuchi is back!" The tiny Shinobi in training exclaimed giving the elder man a loving hug.
On his part the Teuchi shifted uncomfortably at the sudden act of affection. But I could swear I've never met this girl a day in my life... He frowned rubbing the back of his head.
"hehehehe." The whiskered child smiled brightly.
Well I suppose I could just play along until I figure out how to sort this out. No need to say anything negative that might cause her to relapse into her prior condition. The elderly man decided.
"Ayame said you were to sick to come back!" Himawari whimpered tearing up.
Why would Ayame say something like that? More importantly how would this girl come across her, she is attending culinary school. Teuchi began to question while he suddenly recalled oddity of the girl's arrival at his shop. "Say... how exactly did you get here? The shop was closed up until I opened it to find you here..." He questioned her.
"How did I...?" The cerulean eyed girl ponders at the question. I remember Onii-san but then... She tried to recall generating a gravely perplexed face. The Uzumaki female began to rub the sides of her temple as if she was trying to force the answer from he head.
"Ah, N-no you don't need to think that hard-" The elderly man assured her feeling concerned for her health.
A small rumble interrupted the thoughts of both members of the Konoha. Proceeded by a even larger one as the cobalt haired girl glanced at the floor near Teuchi pouting in a slight blush.
"So are you-?" Teuchi began to inquire as he was interrupted by yet another stomach growl.
"B-but I don't have any money..." Himawari pouted intensifying her glare at the shopkeeper.
Oh damn it all as if I could neglect a stare like that! The ramen cook cursed. "H-how about I just treat you to a bit of ramen?" Teuchi suggested balling his fist into a fist infront of his mouth and coughing into it while diverting his eyes.
"YAY! RAMEN!" The Uzumaki female shrieked in delight brandishing a smile reminiscent to her father.
"Hahaha that's the spirit!" The elderly man roared back. Meh... How much ramen could it possibly take to fill up a tiny girl like this anyway? He bet.
Alright, yesterday was awesome. The raven haired kunoichi recalled the evening finally lifting a few burdens she had bottled up and the evening dinner with Kurenia. But I can't settle for that. I need to keep up the momentum like Naruto-sensei told me! She vowed walking towards her fellow kunoichi.
Unfortunately, said kunoichi was preoccupied gazing upon the only male yet to arrive. Ho~ Sasuke-kun even in the morning you're so dreamy~ The pink haired kunoichi marveled at her comrade.
Well I suppose I should be glad that my mother already liked my father from a young age? But it's pretty awkward to see mom act like this... Sarada nervous smile as she neared her mother. "Erhm... Sakura-san?" She called out to her.
"Hmm? Oh, sorry I was a little distracted. What is it?" Sakura fretted being knocked out of her trance. Now that I think about it I haven't talked all that much with her. She realized.
"Ahm..." The onyx eyed kunoichi began to ponder how to start up a conversation. "Y-you were staring over at your teammate; why not talk to him?" The Uchiha female inquired for lack of any other topic coming to mind.
"T-talk with Sasuke-kun?!" The emerald eyed kunoichi shrieked before softening her features and cupping her hand against her face. "W-well there is nothing I'd love to do more right now. He's so dreamy isn't he?~" Her mother swooned a blush forming on her smiling face.
Sarada glanced over at her young father. All I can see is his usual moody self though... She observed forcing a crooked smile as her mother glanced over for her confirmation. "I-is that so?" The onyx eyed kunoichi responded.
"Are you kidding?!" The pink haired kunoichi shot back startling her future daughter. "Sasuke-kun is just the coolest~" She pointed out the cobalt haired comrade's appearance.
He always looks like that though... I think that's just his blank expression... The raven haired kunoichi argued internally.
The Uchiha male suddenly frowns glancing over the horizon.
"Wah! I mean look at him he's so intense~" Sakura marveled.
…... He makes that face every time he has an upset stomach... He probably had something for breakfast that didn't agree with him... Sarada countered forming an even more nervous smile containing her interpretation of her father's actions. She had plenty of experience in dealing with both her father's and her teammate Boruto's tendencies to provide small passive reactions to communicate. Consequently, the Uchiha female clearly observed the vast disparity between the actions of her young father and the reaction of her young mother.
Sasuke assumed his classic siting position. Haa... This going to be a long morning... He groaned internally.
"Eeeei!" The emerald eyed kunoichi squealed turning towards her future daughter. "So what I tell you he's just so perfect isn't he?" She beamed intensely at the future Uchiha.
She is totally delusional... She's like Boruto's fangirls back in the academy! The onyx eyed kunoichi concluded finding herself forcing an exaggerated grin. "Y-yeah..." She conceded as drop a sweat formed behind her head.
"What else can you expect from the top of the class back in the academy!" Sakura nodded with eyes closed before opening them to notice that her fellow kunoichi was already approaching the target of her affection. Wait up, you can't just go approach Sasuke like that you'll just spoil his mood! She warned internally speeding towards the raven haired kunoichi, yet it was already far too late.
"Uhm... Sasuke-san?" Sarada called out to her new teammate seated on the ground in front of her. Mom isn't acting quite herself, and I may have a hard time making any progress. But dad still seems like his usual self. Alright Sarada you can do this! She affirmed silently.
"If you have something important to say, make it quick." The Uchiha male replied.
That's right... Dad is still dad... The Uchiha female surmised. "I was thinking you're just off by yourself sitting alone and thought you might want to join us over there. We could chat or something to pass the time." She offered.
"Hmph... I told you not to waste my time unless it was imporant.. I'm not interested in talking with you two." Sasuke retorted glancing away from the females.
Gah! He's even worse than he was back home. I know you don't know I'm your daughter but there is no reason be such a huge jerk! Sarada raged internally not amused in the slightest by the response she had received.
"C-cmon Sarada. Let's just head back-" The pink haired kunoichi tried to suggest.
"No!" The onyx eyed kunoichi shot back. "I just tried to ask to have a nice chat. If you've decided to not acknowledge me, I guess I'll just have to show you the error in judgment." The raven haired kunoichi proposed.
"Keh... as if I haven't heard that line a thousand times before..." Sasuke mocked standing to meet the future Uchiha at eye level locking glares.
Oh, no I've seen that look. It's the same look Naruto and Sasuke get before they start trying to fight. Sakura fretted at the situation.
"Sarada, I know you aren't thinking of doing what I think you are right?" A voice threatened causing the Uchiha pair to turn.
"You seriously trying to pick a fight with a girl you darn teme?" Naruto spout off at his perceived rival.
The Uchiha heiress turned her glare towards the arriving firstborn of the Nanadaime.
"That's no way to treat your teammates you know?" The Jinchuriki scolded the male Uchiha.
"Hmph... Mind your own business dope." Sasuke retorted.
"We don't have time to be starting pointless fights..." The lavender eyed boy commanded.
"What are you calling pointless?!" Sarada shot back.
"Teme..." Naruto growled.
"My, my I really do wonder how many times you're all going to surprise me by backtracking the progress in cooperation I think you make." An older voice sighs.
"Kakashi-sensei..." The pink haired kunoichi gawked at the sudden appearance of her teacher.
"Now then are you interesting on continuing this S-rank mission or should I just tell the Sandaime hokage to assign people who can actually keep it together?" Kakashi proposed.
The deafening silence confirmed the resolve of team seven to continue despite tensions still running rather high.
"Good... you can begin now." The elder Shinobi chimed signaling the Genin to disperse.
Noodles fall from the gaping mouth of a man sitting on the ramen stand gazing over to his side. The man besides him also wears a similar expression to stunned to even take a seat after arriving.
H-how did it come to this? Teuchi gawked while cold sweat drops formed on his brow.
"Wah, it's as tasty as always Teuchi-san!" The cobalt haired child gulped another mouthful of food. "More!" The tiny girl pled tossing her emptied bowl on the stack of completed bowls besides her. The stack contained seven bowls and there were six more besides it, totaling forty two bowls.
Just where is she putting it all?! The shopkeeper exclaimed. This is bad at this rate she is going to bankrupt me. If that happens, Ayame and I will be thrown on the street. And even worse Ayame may end up marrying a no good man! NOOOOOOOOOOO! He sobbed in his delusional nightmare.
"Hmmm?" The cerulean eyed girl uttered confused over the delay in her next bowl of ramen. She fixed her gaze on the reeling cook and showed her pouting face at full force.
But there is just no way I can say no to that face. Teuchi whimpered at his lack of resolve. However, if this keeps up Ayama will end up with a no good guy! Think Teuchi, you have to save the ramen stand. He proclaimed resolving from sparing himself such a fate. "Ah!" The elderly man utters in the realization of an idea. "Say girl you like desert right?" He coaxed the young girl.
"Hima likes desert!" Himawari boomed raising both her arms to demonstrate her emotions physically.
"Well then here is a coupon for a free meal at a local dango shop. I could give it to you if you want, but it's quite a bit of a walk from here..." Teuchi teased the young Uzumaki.
"Hima will go! Hima likes dango." The cobalt haired girl beamed gleefully.
"Alright, here you go." The shopkeeper relinquished his coupon to the girl who seemingly evaporated from sight after the exchange. Hah... you did good Teuchi... you did good... He praised himself for saving his restaurant. Hmm... but I can't help but feel I'm forgetting something... The elderly man pondered as he realized in his sheer terror of the girl's appetite he had completely neglected to investigate the odd circumstances of her arrival and her knowledge of him. It can't be too bad... right? Teuchi smiles wryly rubbing the back of his head.
"Sakura." The silver haired Shinobi called out arriving accompanied by her fellow kunoichi. "Did you spot the girl?" He inquired.
"No, but you told me to ring the bell if I came across anything suspicious." Sakura clarified.
"So what did you find?" The onyx eyed kunoichi asked.
"Well... I'm not entirely sure if it's related to the mission but... The shopkeeper in this dango shop seemed to have suffered from a minor heart attack and that's not all. The same thing seemed to have happen in an ice cream shop across the street along with a bakery a block down. In fact, it seems that shopkeepers a few blocks down in both directions of the street that sold sweets, suffered minor heart attacks." The pink haired kunoichi explained.
"They all suffered heart attacks?" Kakashi pondered the information before turning to gaze the now trembling Uchiha. "Do you know anything about this?" He inquired.
"Its Himawari... It's definitely her!" Sarada blurted out. "This trail of heart attacks she probably caused them by pestering them until they gave her food. Those that resist too long enough up experiencing how 'delightful' she can be..." She divulged recollecting the times she had seen Himawari charm people until they could no longer handle her adorable faces.
"Are you sure? That she could go on a spree like this across the village..." Sakura questioned her future daughter.
"No, I'm sure I've seen this before... eleven times as a matter of fact." The onyx eyed kunoichi affirmed.
Eleven times...? The silver haired Shinobi and pink haired kunoichi reiterated forming sweat drops in the back of their heads.
"Alright, we need to find her as quickly as we can." Kakashi concluded. "Sakura radio Bolt, Naruto, and Sasuke over to help." He ordered.
"Hai!" The emerald eyed kunoichi acknowledged.
"We're going to be relying on you to retrieve her peacefully as a face she would recognize" The silver haired Shinobi reminded the Uchiha heiress.
"I know, I just hope we get to her before this gets any worse." Sarada worried. Himawari had always been a supervision intensive child that often had her mother preoccupied with looking after her.
In the distant from the discussing Shinobi they could capture pieces of the kunoichi relaying the news on the radio.
"Hello Boruto... what?... eleven times?!" They heard her mother cry out during the exchange.
(A/N): And that brings us to the end of this chapter. Himawari is here and hear her roar... well squeak this chapter (meh still as deadly ^^). I hope you've all enjoyed the arrival of Himawari, and will continue to follow the story to see more of her in the future.
A few aspects of the chapter most obvious in the ramen scenes were just me incorporating Teuchi's canon behavior and explanations for it revealed in the novels. I did expand upon it to not leave out any readers that may have not read through all the novels (I know I haven't ^^) since I did not want to alienate any of the audience from understanding the chapter.
As always if you like what you see, please follow the story, and if you are loving it, be sure to favorite the story. However, above all else you're input is important so be sure to give your REVIEW. Thanks again for all support you've given me during this ongoing story and we'll hopefully see each other again next week!
