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Inspired by: Subtext

Setting For Story: Boruto

Set From: Episode 53 (Himawari's Birthday)

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Chapter 16

Life Doesn't Wait For Anybody

They hadn't divorced -

…appearance wise.

To the villagers and the majority of Konohagakure's shinobi, they appeared to still be married. They decided it would be best that it was done gradually. She would get to keep the house because the children would be staying with her and they didn't need the added stress of moving to the whole divorce situation, they've been there their whole lives. The villagers' had already noticed Naruto's lack of appearance at home so he would just keep reducing his appearance weekly, until he only needed to come over for short visits or to get the children for their visit with him. They would also stay with him while she went out the village for missions – she wasn't a housewife anymore. She had to provide for herself now, Naruto helped of course but only in regards to the children. She wasn't his wife anymore. She stood on her own two feet now.

What did Neji-nii think of her now? Would he be proud of her and would he have given her that special, special smile of his? The one he only gave to her. She was standing on her own and she wasn't replying on Naruto anymore. Not for motivation to keep going. Not to smile. Not to train. Not to feel at peace with herself. Not for warmth. Not for happiness. Nor to be somebody. She was strong.

She could simply imagine how nice his proud hug would be – to be treasured. To be loved.

But he was gone.

And Naruto had moved in with Sasuke.

They stayed in what was left of the Uchiha-complex; Boruto still had his own room but Himawari had to share with Sadara (Sasuke and Sakura had come to the same agreement they had). Sadara stayed with Sakura, only visiting her father. The girls didn't mind sharing though; Boruto complained about how the two girls wouldn't quiet down and would "giggle all night."

…she wondered how this could affect Boruto's relationship with Sadara in the future. She had secretly been hoping they'd get together. They were basically step-siblings now…

The children hadn't been alright with it, at first however after a few days her son, her very considerate son now wouldn't stop talking about Sasuke this and Sasuke that. He sounded too much like a parrot that wouldn't stop asking for a cookie. It made her temples throb and her chest ache, but she wasn't going to punish or scold him for it. This was better for everyone. And once Boruto was fine with the situation, Himawari decided she was too. Thankfully for different reasons than her son; she loved having a sister. "I have a sister now, Kaachan, now I won't be lonely when you or niisan aren't there. She always there and she shares her stuff with me."

Sadara had become her daughter too. When Sakura was too busy to come home, the young Uchiha would sleepover by them. She's transformed Naruto's office into a room for the girl. Soon, Sakura started sleeping over by them too…

Her children, plus Sadara were far from neglected. If one parent wasn't around then at least, three other ones were. Naruto had become a better parent too; she had learned that he had been avoiding the children out of guilt and fear. He was scared that they would find out about his relationship with Sasuke and hate him. As a mother, she had ensured that they wouldn't once they separated and she had succeeded. It had actually taken Boruto a while to realize why his father was now living with Sasuke and once he realized what was going on, it was too late to be angry about it. He did lash out occasionally at the men, though, and just caused trouble for the fun of aggravating them.

She could only smile sympathetically when Naruto complained. She wasn't about to scold her son for it, she knew that it was petty but it still hurt, after all. He should've told her first before starting anything with Sasuke. Even if Sasuke had started it and had been persistent about it.

And it hurt that -

When he'd come to get the children, it hurt that he wasn't sharing a house with her and that when he returned home, he was kissing someone's else lips – that he even returned home. That someone else was preparing dinner for him and persuading him to eat properly. She heard from the children that it was done with a sharp glare or a threat (threats of bodily harm). That he left the paperwork to an unwilling Shikamaru to go home early and that they all trained together as a family. That he cuddled someone else at night, held someone's else hand, and smiled that someone else. That, all that, was what she was supposed to share with him. Her.

But he was happy.

Her children were happier. Himawari laughed more easily and loudly. Boruto wasn't so angry, always lending her a helping hand and he smiled more. Turns out she hadn't needed Naruto's smile, but her son's and daughter's. Her son's smile was beautiful. Himawari's was the sun itself. "Thank you, Boruto."

"Of course, Kaachan, otherwise Sakura's gonna have my head." He whined with a grimace, sneaking a fearful glance at said women. Black and emerald orbs bore into him intensely. She bit back a giggle and Himawari laughed out right, unashamed. Everyone burst into laughter, despite his pouting Boruto laughed the hardest.

"Or Sadara." Hinata added, cheerily. She didn't need him; she didn't need Naruto. To be happy or be somebody. She was already somebody.

She was Hinata.