Chapter 14: When Going Back
Past
'Kakashi-sensei followed us.'
The thought repeats over and over, Naruto controlling his breathing as his clones begin popping once they too see Kakashi-sensei just a few feet away.
Bile burns at the back of his tongue, clenching his teeth shut until the sensation falls away.
They had been too hasty, too eager…
And really they should've better planned for Kakashi potentially following them, have already been one step ahead of him in stopping him from interfering.
But he hasn't noticed them yet hopefully, doesn't know yet exactly what they've done.
He's talking with one of Granny's new aides, luckily distracted from turning and seeing their presence just yet as they scuttle back into a darker corner.
If any one of them steps forward now or tries to make an escape out the windows he'll immediately know they were up to something and connect the dots that they broke in.
'Crap. Crap. Crap! Of all the people, why did it have to be sensei?!' His thoughts bemoan.
"Sakura, hand me your bag. You, Naruto, and Sasuke should wait here until I give you the signal outside that Kakashi-sensei has left the area." Hinata states, re-gaining everyone's attention.
A frown creases Sakura's lips, worry becoming evident in her eyes. "What do you plan to do?"
Hinata only smiles faintly as she adjusts the second bag onto her shoulder like a purse. "If he asks me any questions regarding my belongings, I can relate it to a Team 8 mission and my clan needing some documents to be reviewed. Remember, he's looking for and suspects one of you to be here. Not me."
And with that she moves ahead, not once looking back. Indeed, Kakashi-sensei and the advisor indeed cast a glance in Hinata's direction and Naruto bites his lip at Kakashi's prolonged stare. Will he ask what's in her bags? Why she's carrying around so much without her team members?"
"That's Hiashi's daughter; isn't it?" The man Tadashi asks quietly just to be sure as she walks by.
He's never seen a prominent Hyuga clan member this up close before.
Kakashi nods, arching a brow. 'What is she doing here alone though?'
Lately he's never seen her too far from Naruto's side or with her family/Team 8 and yet his boisterous student, her father, and none of her teammates are anywhere in sight of her…
He glances back in the direction she came, only seeing a few guards loitering about enjoying their bentos, reading, or dozing off in the sunlight.
'Strange.'
"Tadashi, we may need your help on the first floor! Looks like two of the new guards have passed out!" Itsuo, another officer yells out to them before rushing back down the stairs to get back to the scene.
Kakashi trails after them, peering over to the two men's dazed states as they come into view. Their lips are coated in blood; sweat coating the ends of their hair as erratic breathing soon calms back down.
'Seems like they were under a genjutsu perhaps?' He further considers.
"Do you remember who did this?! The intruders could still be here after all!" Itsuo questions them urgently, almost shaking at their shoulders until Tadashi pulls him back.
Kakashi remains quiet, mulling everything over. His student's odd behavior patterns, trailing after them from the marketplace into the Hokage tower waiting to catch them in the act of whatever they had planned only for them to mask their identities and escape in this confusion.
He's sure said 'intruders' are already long gone.
His mind drifts back to the morning when he saw them all in the woods, he'd need to talk with them all one-on-one before this became any more chaotic…
'Just what was so important that they went to all this trouble?'
-X-
Elsewhere
"We haven't received any new updates from Itachi or Kisame since they left for Konoha." Konan murmurs as another meeting comes to an end.
They're alone once more, the rest of their members left to their own devices in tracking down another tailed beast or collecting the rewards of getting a hit off the bingo book...
She's sure Nagato has heard her despite his continued silence, gaze trained to the forests that encapsulate this particular hideout. The sound of light rain patters overhead, mixing with the scent of pine and dew.
"There's been a shift of things, hasn't there?" Nagato eventually speaks, twisting his stare back to her.
Konan only arches a brow, quietly waiting for him to go on.
"Orochimaru, he's been put out of commission. From the latest intel we've gotten he was imprisoned and killed. A man like him wouldn't have gone down so easy, knowing how badly he wanted Sasuke Uchiha to come under his wing. Itachi has yet to return, he most likely knew of his plans and took action I assume." He explains.
"Not only that though, but I've heard the catalyst for Orochimaru's downfall was because of Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga. However, those two are only but barely teenagers; they couldn't have accomplished such a feat alone. Either it's a lie and some pair are using their names or there is more going on that we've yet to uncover." Nagato finishes.
Amber eyes harden, it really doesn't add up...
'Did Jiraiya-sensei maybe play a role in this? Perhaps to avoid having the spotlight on him news was created it was through the work of two others? But why children?'
Her lips set into a deeper frown thinking of their former sensei, the reason they were both even still alive after making it through those war-torn days.
Though saying his name aloud now will only insight anger in Nagato, remind him that all his talks during their days in his hideout of hope and peace one day between the nations is nothing but a dream. Yahiko had very much wanted the same and all his efforts only lead to his death...
Peace can only be obtained through force he's long since realized, by showing people true misery and suffering until they bend to his will and ideology using his Pain alias.
Nagato turned the gaze back the opposite way, eyes pinpointed now towards Konoha.
"Konan, we need to pay those two a visit."
-X-
Currently
"It was still a bad idea! Why didn't you tell Hinata or I you were planning this?" Naruto scowls.
He's sure his reaction isn't what his younger self expected, but he was reckless. Kakashi-sensei could've easily caught all of them with just one slip-up, then what?
"I thought you would be excited, not pissed! You know we've gotten into the Hokage's private filing rooms before, this time we just had extra help!" His preteen form points out.
Hinata comes up to his side before their argument can get any worse, patting his shoulders. "Dear, don't hold it against him. He and my younger form probably considered this to be the best option considering we'll be going back to our own time now. You never did like sitting still either when something could be done."
Her husband's smaller form beams at her in relief, glad at least that somebody is on his side.
Naruto's shoulders sag, sighing. "Fine, fine. I just didn't expect to start off the night hearing this news or well I guess gaining faint memories of this all happening. Don't do anything extreme with whatever information you gain now and moving forward, the rasengan alone won't be enough to handle all of those rogue shinobi."
"Yeah, Yeah, I know! Don't worry, you'll be amazed by the new strength and abilities we're going to have soon enough!"
And he can't help but chuckle at his boast, this confidence he's always had.
'Changing the past will change the future.'
Neither he nor Hinata know exactly what they'll be going back to…
The night stills once more, crescent moon slowly becoming obscured by the clouds putting them in another spell of dark and chilly air. If it weren't for the flickering yellow glows of the fireflies surrounding them, it would be hard for them all to properly see each other.
"Ugh anyways, did you have to pick tonight of all nights to go back? There's a chance for record below freezing temperatures!" His younger self hisses while rubbing his gloved hands together before huddling back over to Hinata's preteen form to stay warm.
"Sorry, we couldn't drag it out any further. Let's not leave on a sour note." He suggests straightening up at hearing Boruto yawn beside him.
He and his sister have barely been able to keep his eyes open throughout this whole ordeal, trying his best to stay awake to properly say goodbye to his younger counterpart.
"Are you sure we couldn't wait until in the morning Papa?" Himawari questions sleepily beside him, blue eyes shifting open and close leaning on Hinata's legs heavily like a pillow.
Naruto sends them a grin, about to tell them to just sleep before he sees his younger self approach instantly causing Boruto to become wide awake.
"Hey; don't give me any more trouble in the future, okay?!" He orders.
Boruto pouts out his cheeks, brows furrowed. "I don't cause that much problems you know!"
"…Well, I won't anymore since I've met Papa at this age." He admits softly, cerulean eyes brightening again as he peers over to smaller Mama too.
His younger self nods, hugging Boruto close much to his chagrin. Himawari immediately leaps in, nearly knocking them all off their feet.
She rubs at her own eyes to keep them open, squeezing at their counterpart's hands to stay a mix of warm and awake. "Make sure to move in with smaller Mama soon! Then you'll have enough space for when big brother and I are born!"
His and Hinata's younger selves fluster, not sure why his preteen form promises he will when they both know said events won't happen for years.
That's one thing that can stay the same!
"You have the photos, right?!" Boruto asks suddenly, relieved a moment later to see their younger counterparts pull from their pouch pockets and hold up the pictures of both him and Himawari posing for the camera in front of his old apartment.
They'd been both blearily eyed and tired having not gotten much sleep with how busy they had been packing and storing away things, but they insisted that the sunny weather after the rainy night was the perfect time to do it. As it was you could see the tints of maroon and gold lighting the forests in the background to the puddles resting below them along the concrete and edges by the steps.
"Now you'll have some photos to put on your walls smaller Papa!" Himawari beamed.
And it's then his memories flicker, a glimpse of seeing a small section of his living room becoming a collage of photos and memories of the past and the coming tomorrow...
"Alright, we should get moving." Naruto announces, ushering Boruto and Himawari to follow after Hinata back inside their house once they get all their hugs out again.
"This isn't so much a goodbye really because we know you'll finish things and become who we are soon enough." Hinata voices out.
She pushes on a smile for them, knowing this fear bubbling within them, this knowledge and pressure that will change the future of them and all their loved ones…
"You know what you have to do." Naruto concludes before turning away as well to go in.
Hinata unfurls the scrolls in the living room, words on each one glowing white once a drop of their blood hits the center for breaking the time seal making the room crackle with energy.
"Will this hurt?" Boruto questions, grabbing onto Naruto's sleeve to steady himself when there's an abrupt shift in the house as loud crunch echoes into the dark amid a howl of wind.
"It won't hurt. Papa and Mama will protect both you and Hima." Naruto promises, wrapping his family close.
He glances to the window to see his younger self and Hinata still watching as the house further shakes, the room starting to spin and he shuts his eyes for a second to block out a coming wave of dizziness.
And when he opens them just a minute later, their counterparts are no longer there.
-X-
Past
'They're gone, just like that?' Naruto stares in awe.
All quaking has stopped, the flash of white that had blanketed the house had been too bright he closed his eyes for what was supposed to have been just a second…
But now everything is gone, the forest quiet as if nothing has even happened or was ever there.
Hinata steps forward, hands reaching down towards where the wooden steps of the house had once been.
The only evidence that something could've been there are the faint darker patches in the grass, tiny pieces of chipped wood scattered and rustling about in the wind.
"I don't sense them anymore." She notes softly as she turns back to Naruto.
"I don't either." Naruto confirms back quietly, gaze falling to the sealed envelopes within their hands.
Was now the right time to open them? No, maybe they should open them separately considering their future selves had each given them a letter personally?
Hinata smiles at his sheepish behavior, reaching for his free hand. "It's late. We should get heading home."
Naruto nods, clasping his letter tighter as another gust of wind tosses up the leaves beside them into a spiral.
"So…when are you going open your envelope?" Naruto questions as they reach the junction where he knows they must part.
"When I get home…after I know Father, Hanabi, and Neji have gone to bed." Hinata decides after thinking it over for a moment.
Naruto beamed at her secretiveness watching her slide her envelope back within her pocket, he had no such people to hide it from in his apartment.
"I think I'll do the same you know!" I don't think I'll be able to sleep unless I read over it a bit!" He explains excitedly, peering at his name again written in messy blue scrawl courtesy of Himawari.
Hinata giggled at his enthusiasm, it helped to take their mind off of everything that had just occurred with this lingering feeling of lost still weighing at them. He walks her up to main gate of the Hyuga, not caring two guardsmen arch a brow when he drops a kiss to her cheek making her whole face burn scarlet.
"See you tomorrow! Let's discuss the letters then." He cheers out, voice dropping to a whisper for the second part.
"R-Right." Hinata manages out, abruptly twisting away from the first guard Hachiro crossing hurriedly back over to Naruto.
Her lips brush against the side of his cheek in return before scurrying inside past the two guards.
They've never been affectionate in front of others really and he can feel his stomach flip at their shared boldness.
'I'm sure Hiashi might talk to me over this later.' Imagining the Hyuga patriarch ready to give him a stern lecture if this moment ever reached his ears.
Upon returning home he moves quickly to for his bedroom, pushing aside an assortment of books, scrolls, and old ramen cups laying upon his desk as he switches his lamp light on.
Carefully he tears open the envelope, beyond the beginning written in crayon he finds his handwriting, his thoughts…
"Dear Naruto, or I suppose my preteen counterpart I should say:
If you're reading this, it means Hinata and I have gone back to our own time. It was nice seeing so many faces new and old again. My best advice to give you at this point is to keep training, before things changed Sasuke defected from the village and I hadn't been strong enough to bring him back that day in the Valley of the End."
And Naruto feels his hands tighten reading this, he and Sasuke didn't still see eye to eye though at least he hadn't left Konoha seeking power.
But he's weak. His current state won't be enough to handle a truly dangerous opponent…
"The Akatsuki will eventually start moving again, they'll attack Konoha however this time you can be one step ahead of them. They'll most likely have changed up their tactics knowing all that Hinata and I have already changed, but that's okay. Keep training with Pervy-Sage (and make sure he's serious if you decide on that 3 year training trip!), utilize our wind affinity and grow in skills I never took the time to learn from the Uzumaki clan. You'll be ready, no-we'll be ready for anything or anyone who wants to strike Konoha."
"Also I know it doesn't have to be said, but eating ramen so much isn't healthy (And Boruto likes to add his own ingredients when I'm not looking!) Ask Hinata on new meals we can make!" His future self finishes.
The remaining parts of the letter detailed various faces and names to look out for and information on another jinchūriki in Kumo who could help him get stronger in training with Kurama.
Sleep evades him for another hour before he finally drifts off. It's barely around 6:30 am the next day when he decides he needs to settle at least one factor weighing on his mind.
It's nearing dawn when he approaches the Uchiha district, eerily quiet in comparison to the growing bustle of shops opening for the day he had only passed minutes ago. The overgrowth of weeds once by the doorstep have been chopped away, light dew and frost resting against dried grass and roots shining in the slow sunrise of pastel reds and pinks brushed across the sky.
'Maybe he's sleeping or already left to go do morning training?' Naruto wonders, about to knock for a third time when the door abruptly swings open.
"You better have a good reason for bugging me at this time of day idiot." Sasuke growls.
He hasn't taken an actual morning off in weeks and the one time he does Naruto decides to show up unannounced.
His eyes shift to see if Sakura is with him, frown deepening realizing it's just him alone and this isn't some details for a new mission they need to go out on.
Cobalt eyes are sharp and alert though despite the time of day and his drowsiness fades at his serious expression.
"We never did get that fight in the chunin exams."
-X-
'He's late.'
And Sakura resists the urge to break at another rock. Wasn't Sasuke the one who wanted to so badly learn more about these medical files regarding his brother and other possible family members? Her own research pointed to Itachi's disease to be a rare blood or respiratory disorder, one most practitioners probably only saw once or twice in their lifetimes.
'It may tie as well to their clan's abilities. Maybe in relation the Sharingan's properties and how it's activated?' Sakura pondered before sighing.
She promised Sasuke she wouldn't study Itachi's file without him, so in her lap rests the documents of the man Naruto had been curious about as well.
Obito Uchiha.
Kakashi-sensei's old teammate, the very same boy loss on that disastrous mission sensei rarely mentions.
'Whose body was never found…' Another thought adds in giving rise to a chill of goosebumps.
She reminds herself though she saw his name carved upon the memorial stone Kakashi-sensei often visits, that at least from what information she's gathered and read he was crushed underneath too many sharp boulders and rocks to be properly reached without the rescuer hurting themselves in the process.
'Still it's odd that Anko-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, and none of our classmates have seen Sasuke around since the later parts of yesterday…' Sakura muses, getting her thoughts back on track.
Hinata catches her walking back home from the fields, a mix of worry and apprehension in her eyes that must match her own.
"So you haven't seen Sasuke and I haven't seen Naruto." She confirms, Sakura nodding as she caught her up to speed on the current situation at hand.
"Where are they?" Hinata breathes out, lips pursed in thought over all of Naruto's typical favorite locations to hang out.
Sakura crackles her fists, jade eyes darkening. The next time she sees them they'll both get a taste of all the strength training she's gotten from Lady Tsunade. 'Naruto must've roped Sasuke into doing something. Granted, what could he have said to persuade him to go?'
She rarely after all saw Naruto and Sasuke actually talk to each other civilly or at least not without adding in veiled insults and offhand rude comments when they had to work together.
Otherwise when they weren't scoffing or ignoring each other they were…fighting.
Shit.
Hinata's eyes reflect the same; pearl orbs hardening as she activated her byakugan to look around.
"They aren't at any of the training grounds. Most likely they went to the outskirts or border areas of the village then?" She suggests.
Sakura nods, straightening up after her as they took to the trees. The sky has taken on a new curtain of stormy grey and black clouds and she hopes they can find the duo before the rain truly starts.
It's fine if it's just light sparring, but she doesn't hold out hope that's the case.
Bruises are going to form, blood is going to spill, and a bone or two is going to crack…
They're getting close to the Valley of the End Sakura realizes, Hinata visualizing their chakra signatures soon enough as they reach the ends of the forest.
Already the cackling of the chidori can be heard, blue swirl of rasengan forming on the opposite end.
'We're too far away, maybe the force of an earthquake can at least prevent them from extensively hurting themselves.' Sakura determines.
She wounds her hand into a tight fist then before smashing it straight into the ground, large crackles and rumbles forming sliding towards the duo as Earth becomes up heaved and slanted from the fissure.
But still, all her strength right now isn't enough…
"It's not going to reach them in time." Hinata whispers, wishing they were in closer range to truly better attack.
Because all they can do is watch as chidori and rasengan strike each other as a white burst of energy encompasses both Naruto and Sasuke.
-X-
Future
'We're home.'
It had been one of Naruto's first thoughts upon seeing his face again upon the stone monument, the high rise of skyscrapers and industrial buildings. It's a warmer than usual winter day as they stroll about the city after having made sure everything was properly arranged at the house, getting more than one strange look in how awe they are.
"It's like we never even left." Hinata breathes out beside him as they step over a path of autumn leaves, gold and scarlet foliage clinging to the ends of their shoes.
"Nothing is different you know! See, the thunder train is still working and moving!" Boruto remarks, pointing as the train swishes by.
"And none of my stuffed animals got lost in the storm!" Himawari exclaims happily, having brought her panda plushy along for the day excursion.
So far, it only seems like a few hours have passed at the most when it was weeks they were stuck in the past. Right now there only seems to be minuscule changes, though he and Hinata are ready for the bigger developments soon to come.
"Alright, let's get some groceries to stock up and then get some rest!" Naruto determines, sure the kids are tired and hungry.
Of course, Boruto and Himawari only follow said plan halfway.
"Hima, Mama and Papa are sleeping! Come on, let's go back to your room." Boruto asserts while trying to keep his voice low, sighing at watching her continue to tap from both Naruto and Hinata's hands to their cheeks.
"But we don't feel good! Papa and Mama will know what to do." Himawari insists back and it's hard for Boruto to argue her point.
They've both been trying to ignore this scratchiness at their throats, what was originally thought to be exhaustion from their time travel ordeal wasn't going away. Was it from spending too much time playing with Grandpa and Pervy-sage in the chill of the rivers or the damp patches of mud that came after the passing night showers?
And now he can feel his head beginning to throb, unsure if it's from his poor attempts to get Himawari to return back to her bedroom to play or from just how tired they generally feel.
"What's wrong you two?" Naruto yawns out, startling them both as they turn to face azure eyes focused on them both.
"Big brother and I aren't feeling well Papa!" Himawari bellows out before Boruto can properly explain the situation as she scurries into his arms.
Hinata sits up beside him, feeling her forehead. "Hmm, you do feel a bit warm."
Lilac eyes trace to Boruto who looked equally flushed as he tried to hold in the urge to cough. "Do you feel sick as well Boruto?"
"No, I'm fine." He manages out, wincing at the ache in his throat just getting out the words.
Naruto gathers them into his arms despite Boruto's fussing they're okay, sitting up off the bed while Hinata gestures for the kitchen.
"The best thing for colds or the flu is a good bowel of ramen you know!" He cheers out.
Hinata pauses them just as they move to head downstairs, tracing at a line on his good arm.
"Have you always had that scar dear?" She questions slowly, staring over the faded jagged line along the side of his tan skin.
Naruto often teased her how well she knew his body at times, having long memorized his most ticklish and sweet spots.
Naruto blinks, giving the mark a side glance. The memory is blurry like most he and Hinata have been seeing since returning to their right timeline, however this is new; a major change to their actual bodies much bigger than the few new tiny scars now littered about their hands and legs.
This one marks a significant battle, of a serious fight…
And it's then he knows where this old wound has come from.
-X-
Past
"Why did you even want to challenge me?" Sasuke inquires, not bothering with the pleasantries that it had been a close match with them both utterly exhausted and bruised.
Naruto lost.
And the sting of his words bury into him, fading in and out as Sasuke hovers above him. The ground is still shaking and he watches as his attention drifts towards the source of the earthquake.
Sakura.
'Great, now I'm going to be double bruised up.' Sasuke mulls over.
Smoke and rain permeate Naruto's nostrils, cold droplets like needles pricking his skin as the storm rumbles overhead. Sasuke helps him to his feet his surprise and he scowls as his mind whirls to try and come up with a proper answer to his question.
"I needed to know my current strength level in comparison to yours." Naruto eventually grumbles out.
Sasuke only scoffed, there was definitely more to this than just a testing of power and abilities though he wouldn't force it out of him.
"Fine, whatever. Guess you have your answer now, right?" Sasuke questions to which Naruto nods.
He watches then as Naruto's gaze falls to his bruised and bloodied arm, the uneven gash that now lines the side of his arm trickling a river of red to the ground below.
"I'm going to head home now and get cleaned up!" Naruto voices, forcing a cheerful tone to his voice that none of his muscles are aching or that he feels on the edge of blacking out.
"Not yet you aren't!" Sakura snaps out just as Naruto turns to go and he stiffens at the sight of her tightened fists.
He thought (and hoped) she would only be mad at Sasuke and go for him first while he escaped!
Jade orbs glare at him before sighing and pushing him into Hinata who lightly squeaks at having Naruto nearly topple her over.
"Hinata, you deal with that moron! Don't go easy on him, okay?" Sakura advises.
And Hinata in turn pokes non too lightly at the first noticeable bruise she sees on Naruto's shoulder making him wince and nearly crumple.
"I'm not going to hurt you anymore than what Sasuke has done to you, however we are going to discuss what brought this on while I heal you up." Hinata explains gently.
It isn't a question or an option.
Only once they're in the privacy of his apartment does Naruto bring himself to speak, hating the mix of frustration and worry in Hinata's eyes as he plops down beside her on the couch.
"I know I didn't go about it the best way, but I needed to know power wise where I was in comparison with Sasuke. More than just tracking down the Akatsuki has bothered me lately you know." Naruto voices.
The files they'd gotten pertaining to their possible members were painfully short, their elusiveness and secrecy kept even the highest trained shinobi skilled in gathered intel left with little to nothing to report or track on.
'No wonder Pervy-Sage hasn't been able to get much information after all these years.'
But his future self had mentioned names in his letter: A man named Nagato using the alias Pain and his subordinates Deidara, Hidan, Kazuku, Sasori…they were the ones besides Itachi that he, Sasuke, and Sakura would most likely run into first.
"Did you get your answer after fighting him?" Hinata asks, breaking Naruto from his thoughts.
He nods, swallowing as he intertwines their hands. A knowing look comes into her expression and he wonders then if her future self's letter includes some of the same tidbits as his own.
"In my future self's letter he mentioned he went on a training trip with Pervy-Sage. I want to do the same, but with some added detours you know. Explore what's left of where my mom came from, meet people earlier than before that can help hopefully prevent another war from occurring." Naruto relates.
He warms as Hinata beams her agreement, curious and excited for him. It was a point her older counterpart had mentioned, that while Naruto left she should take on extra shifts studying medicine at the hospital and perfect the rest of the clan's skills while learning new ways to blend her nature affinities into the mix.
"Where to?" She inquires further, leaning close enough to him their heads lightly bump reminding her of their awkward first kiss.
They've gone through so much since that cool evening day and she wishes her lips weren't so dry and lingering with sticky cinnamon she had indulged in when Naruto closes the gap between their lips.
Cerulean shines with determination when he pulls back, gaze never leaving hers as he answers her earlier question.
He knew exactly of where his top two stops would be.
"Mount Myōboku and Kumo to start!"
-x-
Happy New Year Guys! First update of the year! As I get closer to the beginnings of the Shippuden arcs, I have a question for you guys. Are there any particular arcs you would like to see? Seeing as Naruto and Hinata's future selves changed the past, various events are going to change or not even occur. There's certain arcs I have in mind I already want to cover, but I'm interested in you guys thoughts as well so please let me know!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!