Chapter 15: When They Strike
Past-Naruto
"Training trip, huh? That means I'm going to be losing my best customer temporarily!" Teuchi exclaims, though there's no hiding and warmth and pride in his tone.
Naruto has come so far from the boy who used to be uncomfortable even accepting a free ramen on the house from him.
"So, when do you plan to leave out?" He further questioned while Ayame moved to take away his already cleaned out bowls.
Naruto finished slurping at his noodles, he truthfully wanted to head out as soon as possible. Hinata had gazed at him at him earnestly before they had parted during their last bout of training, pearl orbs misty with a longing that made his heart pound fast.
"Would Jiraiya let me come with you two for a bit?" She questioned as they were packing up.
Naruto scratched at his cheek, before shrugging. He was sure Pervy-sage wouldn't mind if it was only for a year or so (though he wouldn't look forward to his teasing), however her father was an entirely different story...
"I'm pretty sure Hiashi wouldn't be okay with you being gone from the village for so long, you know! He might not be the best at showing his love directly to you or Hanabi's face, but I've seen him gaze at photos of you two at night before going to bed." He reasons.
Hinata's smile slipped at that, pursing her lips. "Father had always wanted me to one day run the clan, but he's passed down the title of heiress to Hanabi now. Right now I've been working hard with Sakura and Ino building up my knowledge of medical ninjutusu with Lady Tsunade's tutelage, however Sakura and she have gained a closer bond and it's clear that Sakura is more driven towards the medical field than I am."
Ah, he could see her point there.
"While I enjoy the field of medicine and look forward to the day I can help lead and direct care in the eye specialty clinics, I want to further represent my clan and Konoha in general by being an ambassador when it comes to visiting other nations. I'd love to see and help other families to grow positively in the way our clan becomes without the hate and pain that was used between the Main and Branch sides. The best way to do this would be to study further into the government and politics of how the other villages work and coincide with each other especially in terms of travel and setting up meetings." Hinata explains.
And she feels her cheeks burn pink at Naruto's amused grin, knowing where she's getting at.
"You just want to work with me, huh? Well, you'll be a great representative working for economic prosperity and peace on top of being my wife when I become Hokage!"
"I-It's not only for that reason!" Hinata sputters back, buried into a hug and stream of kisses to her cheek by Naruto before she can say anymore on the matter.
Well, he could ask Pervy-Sage about that later, first he had to take care of some other last minute business.
"What's so important that you had to call this supposed 'emergency' Team 7 meeting?" Sasuke inquires, scoffing at Naruto's bright grin in return staying tight lipped.
While he doesn't mind the change of pace of not eating at Ichiraku's, it's odd for Naruto to want to eat elsewhere let alone meet in the middle of the day. The lack of Kakashi-sensei's presence only adds to his confusion, but they've all been secretive with him as of late.
Naruto's picked a random hole in the wall neither he nor Sakura have ever heard of. The air reeks of smoke and liquor, murky stains littered across their wooden table he wants to avoid getting anywhere near.
"I only have a 30-minute lunch window before I need to head back to the hospital. I assume though this must be important, right?" Sakura adds in, jade orbs sharpening on Naruto. She doubts he's joking around with them, but it can be hard to tell at times knowing Naruto's personality…
Naruto cleared his throat then, pausing until a waitress passed by before speaking up.
"Relax, I won't keep you two long! I needed to pick a spot where less people know me or would overhear me. My plan is to leave Konoha on a training trip with Pervy-Sage in the coming days." He states.
Sasuke only arches a brow while Sakura hums thoughtfully.
"For how long?" Sakura asks after a minute.
"Perhaps 2-3 years. I want to travel to the other nations during this journey." Naruto reasons.
'What does that mean for our team? We can't accept missions unless we're a 3-man squad.' Sakura wonders, unable to stop a frown from rising upon her lips.
No, if this is what Naruto sees as best for him to get stronger she'll be as supportive as she can. Emerald eyes faintly roam to the boy beside her though, was his loss to Sasuke back in the Valley the trigger for this all?
Or something else he was still keeping from them?
But it's then Naruto pulls out something from his pocket, cobalt orbs hardening in seriousness and both she and Sasuke straighten.
"Before my future self left he warned me Konoha could be attacked, that this group called the Akatsuki would be going after me because I'm a jinchūriki. This is what some of their members look like." Naruto explained.
He slides the photos across for them to look at, noting Sasuke's eyes darken taking in the matching attire his brother had worn too.
"Some of these people seem to look exactly like the people we saw in the files or- "Sakura begins, stopping herself as she comes upon the last photo of the pile.
It was the grainiest of the pictures, what looked to be a man's face obscured by a burnt orange mask.
And she feels her stomach roil in shock as she stares closer, what seems to be the sharingan peering back at her through the the single opening in the mask. If only the image was a bit clearer, palms growing sweaty as her thoughts grow abuzz.
'No. I'm probably just seeing things; now isn't the time to jump to wild conclusions.'
"Sakura, you okay?" Sasuke questions beside her, lightly tapping at her shoulder breaking her from her thoughts.
She manages a weak nod for him and Naruto, rubbing away the beginnings of a pulsing headache.
"Fine. I just need to conduct in more research on these individuals." She notes, observing as Sasuke picks up the same photo next. Perhaps he'll see what she saw too, though his expression gives nothing away.
"Anyways, I think being away from the village will allow me to properly grow and master more of the skills from my mom's side of the family, you know! Plus, meeting with the other jinchūriki can allow me to maybe train with them or at least warn them before they're captured." Naruto determines, getting them back on topic.
He's mulled it over enough times in his thoughts, it's time to put said plan into action now.
"Do you guys need anything else?" A waitress questions in approaching their table once more, taking note of them only having ordered water and juice. She eyes them all warily, pondering why a group of young teenagers would even want to eat the grimy food they offer.
Sasuke moves to stand, giving one last look to Naruto as he pushes the photos back to him before gesturing behind the waitress towards the register. What he had of an appetite is already gone.
"Yeah, the bill."
Outside they split ways again, Kakashi-sensei will need to know his plans too eventually Sakura brings up before he leaves. To be prepared that they'll be down a team member so a proper interim member can be added while he's away.
"No amount of training is going to put you on my level." Sasuke scoffs, silently deciding he'd have to ask Anko now though to add extra hours to their training regimen if Naruto was going to go to such lengths to get stronger.
Even if that meant dealing with those pits of poisonous snakes again…
"I'm going to be beyond your level by the time I'm done bastard!" Naruto counters.
Sakura inserts herself between them before a fight can erupt, relieved when neither are actually making a move to attack each other.
'I guess this is their way of pumping each other up?'
"Oh, and while I'm gone you won't have to worry about me interrupting any alone time you have with Sakura!" Naruto beams cheekily, pleased that knocks the smirk off of Sasuke's face.
Though now it looks like both Sasuke and Sakura want to hurt him!
'That was easier than I thought!' Naruto smiles to himself as he takes to the rooftops to get away, it's back to business as usual as he observes Sasuke head towards the woods to train with Anko-sensei and Sakura go back in the direction of the hospital to train with Granny.
He'll be ready, no they'll all be ready for any threat on Konoha.
'Now to find Pervy-Sage.' Naruto decides as he lands on one of the taller buildings. Clouds pass by idly, shadowing stands and buildings but it's easy enough to find spiky white hair near the buildings closest to the hot springs district.
"Hey Old Man, we need to talk!" Naruto begins, only to be quickly hushed by him. A frown settles across his lips at seeing a rare expression of seriousness in Jiraiya's face, he can't remember the last time he saw him look so concerned...
'No, he had this troubled look too when Itachi and Kisame were in the hospital searching for me.'
The realization makes his stomach drop.
Because Jiraiya isn't gazing at any of the women coming in for a quick bath or soak that he has a perfect view of, no dark eyes instead rest and follow on bright orange hair intermixed between the crowds below…
-X-
Past-Kakashi
'When was the last time I looked at this photo?'
His gaze falls from Minato-sensei's grin to Rin's prominent smile in the middle, and finally onto Obito's neutral look.
'Obito is still alive.'
Naruto's older counterpart didn't say much about his own particular future, but he knew this point would stick with him. Leave him tense and uncertain on purpose...
He needed to prepare himself for the day he battled his old friend.
"Kakashi! It's not like you to call me out for early morning training! Hold on, don't tell me; you're finally letting the light of your youth burn?! This is a momentous occasion to celebrate!" Gai cheers eagerly jumping up and down and Kakashi briefly wonders if this was worth getting up at 5:00 am for. Most of Konoha is still blanketed in darkness, half moon still bright straight above them. The only hint of morning coming is a faint brush of red on the horizon.
Honestly, he has no idea how Gai can be so full of energy no matter the time of day.
"So, want to race up to Hokage monument as usual? Last one there before sunrise has to pay for breakfast!" Gai suggests, already moving to begin stretching out his arms and legs.
Kakashi shakes his head, holding up a hand to stop him from throwing out other challenge options.
"Hold on, before we do any training I need to talk to you about what Naruto and Hinata's future selves have mentioned to me and their current selves."
Gai pouts for a brief second before nodding, stepping back closer to him at his look of seriousness.
And he goes over then all he's heard directly from Naruto's older counterpart to what was implied or murmured amongst the pair that he picked up on through his own snooping before they left. The high chance Obito could be a rogue ninja traveling about disguised or even in the Akatsuki soon to attack the village, that Asuma and many other shinobi and civilians could become victims of their onslaught, and finally that they needed to research more into where Danzo was currently located.
Gai holds a somber expression as he finishes, dark eyes falling to the pavement. "Asuma could die? Another war? This is a lot to take in Kakashi, have you reported this to anyone else?"
Kakashi shook his head. Kurenai and Asuma would be heartbroken and stressed over the news respectively, Anko seemed to already know on some level how bad things could get and the rest of the jounin they knew were busy with assigned missions or helping to prepare for the new chunin exams planned in the coming months...
"You're the first one I've divulged everything to, but I plan to inform Lady Tsunade this afternoon." He explains.
Gai nods his agreement, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "There's another matter of importance too. These Akatsuki seem to clearly go after tailed beasts as well as recruit people with unique abilities and skills. By now they know what Naruto and Hinata's future selves have done and have placed them as new targets."
And Kakashi feels a frown forming beneath his mask before Gai even finishes, chest tightening as several grisly images spin to mind.
'Naruto and Hinata, we need to find and protect them before the Akatsuki gets to them first.'
-X-
Elsewhere
'He wasn't at his apartment or at that noodle stand people say he frequents. He must've gone into the shopping district or into the training grounds.' Nagato reasoned, stepping over another empty ramen cup and bowl. Konan hadn't reported back to him yet seeing him at any of the many market stands or stores, perhaps he already knew he was being tracked...
It surprised him for a boy who lived alone that Naruto kept his home relatively clean, enough for him to have explored each room with ease.
He knew Naruto hadn't left for some mission or could've gone too far, his room had been littered with far too many personal belongings of scrolls, weapons, and snacks he knew he would've wanted to carry along for any long journey. Still, nothing is fully connecting as he traces a path out of his room back into the kitchen.
The stories and articles he read about talked of a much older Naruto than what he's encountered so far in this tiny apartment. The Naruto in those pieces was not only a fully grown adult, but missing an arm that had apparently been bandaged up.
The only thing that possibly suggests that version of Naruto's existence is the picture he'd found towards the main entryway, two kids basking in the morning light that have a good mix of Naruto and Hinata's traits.
'Their son and daughter.'
He's getting nowhere investigating these rooms, it's time to cover each street and alleyway.
A child's laugh rings in his ear as soon as he enters the marketplace, flicker of black hair skirting by his legs as the boy catches up to his presumed father and latches onto his hand.
"Stay close to me Yasahiro! You know how busy the shops are at this time of day!" His father scolds him, squeezing at his hand a bit tighter to keep him out of trouble.
"Sorry Papa! I was just checking out the sweets at the bakery! They're on sale for half-price!" He exclaims, chestnut eyes hopeful and eager before deflating at his father's sigh and shake of his head.
"You don't need anymore sugar in your body after running off like that!" His father reprimands him further, ignoring his low whine and pout as they carried on.
'Peace. Those two are without a real worry in the world.' Nagato muses as the pair drifts further and further out of sight.
Right now wasn't the time to cause a scene, things could stay calm like this as long as Naruto and Hinata came with him quietly…
"I believe Jiraiya-sensei is already aware of our presence." Konan mentions as she walks back up to him, mini paper cranes landing back on her shoulders. It's faint, but she's heard the soft croaking of his toads, of eyes trailing after her for too long around each corner she's crossed and each shop she's been in attaining bits of information.
"Did they sense our coming?" Konan suggests as they take to the alleyways and darker corners away from the public. It'd mean they already underestimated this duo, that they probably knew more about them and the Akatsuki's main goals and had already told to a select few of said goals.
So where were they?
"It's possible they're lying in the shadows too, waiting for us to make the first move. In a way I suppose we have entering into Konoha like this, it won't be long before something or should I say someone breaks our cover." Nagato mutters, launching out a kunai popping the toad lying in wait overhead in a tree branch.
A familiar chuckle makes him nearly grit at his teeth, he hasn't heard said laugh in years...
And he and Konan look up to see Jiraiya now atop the tree, grin lighting his lips.
"I know you two, don't I? I say we catch up with some drinks!"
-X-
Past-Naruto
"You stay here kid, I need to check into those two real quick." Jiraiya huffs, leaping down from the building before Naruto can even get out a word.
"Wait, you shouldn't fight those guys alone!" Naruto hollers out, cursing as he moves to follow him only to be stopped by one of Jiraiya's clones.
"It's going to get messy enough without having to keep an eye out on you as well." He instructs.
So he promised Jiraiya that for now he'll keep as best out of sight as he can, but he can feel his heart about to leap into his throat.
It's them.
Pain (No, his name is Nagato) and Konan from the photos his future-self had given him, his gut coils in further, swirling violently like a storm as he shuts his eyes to think.
They didn't wait, they came to find him. And most likely Hinata as well.
"Looks like you're in some deep shit Naruto. You don't yet have the skills, power, or even the complete knowledge your future self had to take on those two right now. Even with my added chakra it would still be a difficult fight." Kurama advises.
The last thing he needs is for Naruto to jump in there and get killed.
"Jiraiya is down there too, I can't leave him alone with Pain! He's the same one who...who-" Naruto counters, taking in a large gulp of air when he feels his chest tightening.
He can't even bring himself to say it aloud.
Kurama sighs, scarlet meeting cerulean. "Your future self and Hinata gave you all that information to become stronger than they even are. You're a crafty guy when you want to be, use all that info and the abilities you currently have now to prevent another death or at least get this fight away from as much civilians as possible."
And it's hearing this that Naruto can finally feel himself calming as he moves to follow them, how to distract them? He and Hinata hadn't yet fully analyzed all the notes they had been given, but they had reported enough to all of the jounin sensei not away on missions and Granny to get preparations in order via a few toads to keep things quiet.
But that wasn't going to help him right at this moment...
"You've gotten better at sealing Naruto. You've mastered scrolls, weapons, it's time you test it on a human target or a truly large animal." Hinata's voice echoes into his thoughts.
The memory of their latest evening training together, the first without their older counterparts observing and throwing out advice from the sidelines...
"A human target? Who would you suggest I capture?" Naruto teased while eyeing her suggestively, snickering as mix of pink and red burns at her face matching the shades of the sunset.
"N-Not like that! Someone about to harm a civilian or fellow shinobi in the midst of a battle. You have to be ready and catch them off guard." Hinata states, pearl orbs shining then with days that have yet to come on future opponents they'll both face...
"How will I know when it's the right time?" Naruto questions aloud, nearly biting his tongue at how nervous and unsure he sounds.
He still has a long way to go before he can sound as cool and relaxed as his adult form.
Hinata looks back to him, smile rising on her lips as she slips closer to him to keep warm.
"You'll know Naruto; you always do."
"So I'm going to take it that you two are a no on the drinks, huh? That's a shame, especially since it's been years since I've seen you two!" Jiraiya pouts, dodging a barrage of paper shuriken while letting loose a stream of sticky sludge from his mouth.
They've managed to drag the beginnings of the fight away from the village thankfully, deep into the darkness of the forests and rock formations. The area only seems to put Nagato and Konan at even more of an advantage, used to the drizzly and slick environment.
And it's then both he and Jiraiya see the 5 other Pain standing in wait dangerously from above, dark rods soon becoming visible in each of their arms...
The first strike pierces Jiraiya's right arm, breath quickening to sharp gasps when he sees said arm begin to quickly drain of color as blood leaks out. Despite knowing each Pain's abilities, Jiraiya is putting himself at a disadvantage all because his presence is here now having to keep watch he isn't taken away.
Where are the reinforcements? Have the other Paths already gotten to them?
Azure eyes widen, a painful dizzying flash of more of said rods impaling in Jiraiya racing to mind. His future self hadn't been there physically, though it sounds eerily close to his letter's mention of what Fukasaku stated of Jiraiya's last fight with one of his old students.
"Now is the time Hinata, even if it isn't perfect yet." Naruto whispers to himself, straightening into position.
'Adamantine Sealing Chains!'
He lets loose a stream of chains before he can think twice on it, capturing at least 2 of the Paths before they can leap down to attack in one quick blow.
Violet ringed eyes, the first time he's seeing the rinnegan so up close focus completely on him and Naruto yells out then what he knows will make them all pause for at least a second.
"We know the real you isn't here!"
-X-
Past-Hinata
'So, Naruto waited on telling Sasuke and Sakura then?'
It seems Sakura and Sasuke were just told of Naruto's plans not too long ago, Sakura bandaging up their patient's arms with a scowl before tacking on a pleasant smile for the man before he can notice her change in demeanor.
"Why does it always feel like we're the last to know about Naruto's ideas as of late? Even Lady Tsunade knew before Sasuke and I!" Sakura huffs, crossing her arms as she and Hinata finish up the wound care exercise and move to take a break. Team dynamics were important, especially now that they were going to have to learn the strengths and weaknesses of whoever Lady Tsunade assigned to replace him.
The lounge room is far too chilly and crowded with other medical personnel also on break, the duo instead taking to walk to the mini outdoor area open to both patients and visitors. The colder weather leaves less people mingling about the benches, but they catch a few kids from the pediatric area taking in the fresh air and autumn foliage gathered around the few bushes and carried in by the wind.
Hinata smiles at a brother and sister taking to the array of red and white swings, each taking turns pushing each other.
"Being reminded of your future, huh?" Sakura teases, Hinata nearly burning her lips on the cups of tea and cocoa they've brought along with them reddening at her snickering.
'Well, they do look a bit like Boruto and Himawari, if Himawari was the older one instead.' Hinata muses at seeing the girl abruptly order them to check out the slides next simply on the basis of being older.
She glances back down to her cup of tea, pausing at tiny ripples now evident, her gaze falls to Sakura whose own cup of cocoa is now shaking too.
And a second later the ground below them quakes violently as well, thin billow of grey smoke shooting up into the air...
'What's going on? Why have no emergency signals or alerts gone off?' Hinata frowns, activating her byakugan as she rises to her feet.
A large amount of chakra has gathered in the forests and her heart rate jumps twice fold at picking up the most familiar one.
'Naruto?'
"How many?" Sakura asks, keeping her voice quiet as they watch the children slowly be gathered back inside by the pediatric nurses confused by the sudden earthquake and scent of smoke and fire beginning to linger about. Faces are kept neutral to keep fear at bay, but she can tell at trembling hands their subduing their true panic.
"At least 5 to 7 chakra signatures I've noted, one of them is Naruto." Hinata states, keeping her voice as even and calm as she can.
Her hands twitch nervously, hearing her future selves' voice again as if she was reading her letter once more.
"There is a group called the Akatsuki that will be coming after Naruto. They seek Kurama also known as the Nine Tailed Fox for power in order to create a supposed better new world. They'll go to all lengths necessary to try and get to him from destroying every last structure in the village to murdering anyone who gets in their way. I say this all not to scare you, but to prepare you for the day they will come into Konoha. I'm sure Naruto is already warning his younger self as well through his letter, so specifically for us it's time we should improve on our nature affinities: fire and lightning."
Hinata lets out a breath, feeling heat crackling and forming at the tips of her fingers.
The first time she had performed any type of skill using one of her affinities had been awkward, Naruto having been on the receiving end of far too many shocks and burns to his skin.
"It's okay Hinata, I can handle it! Just concentrate on the surge of power you build up and where you want to direct it!" Naruto advised, coughing as he shook off the stinging in his legs.
He's going to feel this for the next couple of days, but it will be worth it!
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! This isn't my intention to keep hurting you like this so maybe I should-" Hinata apologies, cut off by Naruto's fierce shake of his head.
"No! You're getting there Hinata! Just imagine how many opponents we can take out together once we fully master these skills!" He promises.
They'd kept practicing until late into the evenings and nights each day until she could control the flow and discharge of electricity, ready now to truly put it to the test.
"Let's report back to the head nurse Ichika before we leave out in case any patients or equipment were damaged during that mini earthquake." Sakura notes, Hinata nodding her agreement.
Though as soon as they head back into the main corridor, Hinata's eyes rest upon Ko.
Relief fills his expression at seeing she's okay before straightening up urgently.
"Lord Hiashi requests your presence back at the manor." He states, going on when Hinata looks ready to argue back.
"This isn't up for discussion."
-X-
Future
"Does that hurt?" Naruto repeats, Hinata shaking her head in return.
Shortly after noticing Naruto's new scar to his arm, one had appeared on the side of her leg. He probably wouldn't have noticed it if he hadn't decided to join her in the tub to help in washing her off, what was supposed to have been only a few minutes of soaking has quickly moved to beyond an hour now.
A laugh escapes her before she can cover it, biting her lip at watching him drop a kiss there before moving upwards towards her nether regions spreading her slowly apart.
"Dear, stop! We're going to be too loud." Hinata whispers between light moans, squirming at his brief touch to her breasts.
Blue eyes glance up at her, smirk playing at his lips. "Be loud, I soundproofed the room."
And then he slides one finger into her, grin widening as Hinata squeezes her eyes shut as her hands reach to cling onto him.
"The water's gotten so cold now." Hinata sighs into his chest a moment later, shifting into him to stay warm.
"Well, we can move this to the bedroom if you want!" Naruto teases, Hinata pinching at his side in return with a shake of her head. Boruto and Himawari were going to soon wise up to the fact neither of them were actually feeling sick at having decided to retire to bed earlier than usual for them.
"Do you think our past selves are being too reckless? Is that why we're suddenly gaining all these new/old scars?" Hinata wonders aloud as they dry each other off.
Their intentions weren't for the pair to overdo it in training or going straight after the enemy, just to be prepared early.
Naruto's gaze softened as he dried at her midnight blue hair, humming thoughtfully.
"I know I for one won't sit still. The Akatsuki has been put on the move early by our actions, but this time we have knowledge of their identities and skills to stop them before they create the extent of damage they did to Konoha and our neighboring nations." He notes.
Hinata nodded, restraining back a frown.
Their presence was bound to happen eventually, saying it out loud now makes it real.
Naruto moves to pat at her shoulders, gazing at their reflections in the mirror. Lilac and cerulean meet each other's gaze as a smile come back upon both their faces.
They've never crossed an enemy that one or the other couldn't take down eventually.
With either words or action the Akatsuki will fall.
A loud thump downstairs startles them both, glancing back towards each other as the sound comes again.
"Big Brother, are you okay?!" Himawari questions Boruto urgently, unable to hide the fear out of her voice at seeing the raised red bump beginning to line his arm.
Maybe they should've asked Mama and Papa for help instead...
Boruto nods quickly at seeing tears prick the edges of her eyes, shaking off the pain. "I'm fine, this will be quick you know! All we need to do is check the album and then we'll see!" He remarks back.
"Check the album for what?" Naruto inquires, halting Boruto midway in attempting to climb back up the shelf.
Azure eyes freeze at Papa and Mama's sudden presence, Boruto and Himawari gazing to each other silently before back at them.
"You...You guys aren't sick!" Boruto comments weakly, frowning at Mama's concerned stare at why he feels the need to scale the shelf when he clearly isn't tall enough yet.
"What are you two looking for so urgently at this time of day?" Hinata asks, peering over his injury before glancing back to the alignment of books and albums scattered about by his action.
Boruto points towards the top, puzzlement returning back to his face. "Grandpa came with us to the Lantern Festival in the springtime, right? Hima said he was there and I think he was too so we decided to look to be sure you know. Hima is just making sure everyone is included in the new pictures she's drawing for her room."
Naruto and Hinata can only blink, they imagined Hiashi did come along. He often wanted to take Himawari and Boruto around to any event happening in Konoha or nearby whether it was a festival or simply a weekend out.
"Grandpa and Auntie I'm sure were there. It wouldn't be like them to not want to come." Hinata notes, pausing at Himawari's shake of her head.
"Other Grandpa Mama!" Himawari clarifies before beaming as Boruto finds what they were apparently looking for in an album within their reach, sliding in right up beside him eagerly.
'Other Grandpa?' Naruto and Hinata think, neither knowing who she's talking about.
"See there he is; that's the one! Mama and I wore purple and blue kimonos and we went through all those rooms of red and yellow lights before we lit the lanterns into the air!" Himawari describes animatedly with her hands at all the floats and games they did.
"Oh yeah, he got us those extra ice creams too before we went home!" Boruto adds in.
Naruto and Hinata crouch down beside them, pulling Boruto and Himawari into their laps to better see the pictures as well. It doesn't take long to realize who they're referring to as they glance over each photo, making old memories become foggy and uncertain...
Other Grandpa is Jiraiya.
-X-
Past-Naruto & Hinata
"You came here and not a clone?" Hinata questions.
Naruto grins, nodding making a small grin warm her face. "Of course, you know! My clones are dealing with a...situation. I wanted to be the one to go and check on you."
"And what exactly is this 'situation'? Sakura and I saw smoke shoot up while at the hospital, it's one of the Pain's, isn't it?" Hinata emphasizes, quieting her voice as Ko returns back into the room with Hiashi at his side. Hanabi slips into the room beside her, face kept tight and neutral hiding her own confusion and unease.
Father and Ko both look so weary, drained by all the events that have just unfolded since the afternoon. Nightfall approaches soon, moonlight blotted out by the growing billows of smog and dust blanketing the sky. Tonight doesn't promise sleep, having overheard the orders for all guards to get into defensive positions to protect the manor.
"Hinata, Hanabi. You two aren't to leave this room until this attack gets under control." Hiashi explains, nodding to Naruto as well before mobilizing down the hall with the rest of the Hyuga men.
"One of the Pain's is looking for you." Naruto explains at Hinata's clear puzzlement over this all.
Lavender orbs harden, sitting up. They were coming after the both of them, it made sense really...
They had questions regarding all that their future counterparts had done.
"I can't just sit here and do nothing while everyone else is fighting!" Hinata asserts, managing to peek through a small slit in the now tightly boarded up windows. The wind brings the smell of fire, sky briefly a lit in a mix of sharp reds and yellows.
"Big Sister, this 'Pain' fellow isn't like a normal rogue shinobi. He or they have abilities nobody has ever seen before." Hanabi explains, reaching out her hand to pull her back.
But before she can be pulled back fully from witnessing anything else outside a dark figure lands on the rooftops to the side.
And Hinata feels the breath knocked out of her watching in one swoop as he pushes the guards upon him crashing to the ground below instantly.
His voice reverberates throughout the compound, booming and clear in her ears as her heart skitters frantically.
"Where is Hinata Hyuga?"
-x-
There's a lot to take in from this chapter so hope you're hyped, I'm really trying to improve writing fight scenes because honestly I think I suck at them! I read from a variety of authors while thinking of my own unique spin while editing, canon has so much going on to it that I worry about what to twist and what to leave as is. Much more information and secrets to be revealed moving forward, send me your thoughts!
Almost to 300 reviews and 1,000 favorites! So excited!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!