Chapter 5: Recognition
"Emotion is 'recognition'. When treasured moments are identified in the jungle of our personal history during a visual or aural encounter, we capture magic sparks from our past, arousing flashes of insight and revealing an inner flare." ― Erik Pevernagie
Naruto & Hinata (Future)
"Are you sure this is actual training?!" Naruto-Y prompts, arching a brow at his older form's relaxed posture.
Even Sasuke had provided him the advice that he's a kinesthetic learner, having spent most of the morning using his clones to practice making rasengans faster and begin studying the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan.
"So that means I learn by doing things by movement and in person, right?" Naruto-Y repeats.
Sasuke nods, gesturing towards the scratches and holes he's made in the nearby trees. "You'll get better as mastering your wind affinity if you use your shadow clones. For sealing, you'll need to start small like with the rocks or branches of these trees."
Naruto-Y beams gleefully then, pausing when he notices Sasuke makes no move to follow him into the woods.
"Aren't you going to come spar/train with me?" He questions.
"No, you have your older counterpart to help you." Sasuke answers back flatly, arching a brow.
Naruto-Y much to his dismay doesn't accept that for an answer, blue eyes trailing to the books tucked under his arms.
Sasuke follows his gaze, sighing.
"It's a book regarding an old theory of time travel within my clan, I'm using it to make notes regarding you and your Hinata's case." He describes.
Naruto-Y nods, but that doesn't explain the other books ranging in titles called 'Ninjas Love Helping!' to 'Look what I can see and count!'
"Those are for Sarada." He explains at following his stare.
"Huh, I've never seen you actually read!" He jests with amusement, Sasuke restraining a roll of his eyes. How is it this same kid before him has somehow grown up to be next in line to be Hokage is a mystery.
"I've never seen you read either and you're going to need to if you want to get back to your correct time." Sasuke replies calmly making him huff.
Well he isn't making much progress with his older self currently dozing in and out of sleep since the beginning of the afternoon, bright sunlight highlighting the trail of drool along his cheek. A cool breezes runs across the garden, green-orange leaves dancing into the air over them.
"You know, it would be better to practice senjutsu training at Mount Myōboku than here at the house. The toads are better teachers for it than just me alone and the environment there is more fitting." Naruto-O replies after a moment, azure eyes shifting open with a yawn, blocking another punch his younger self tries to land.
He glances to see how Hinata is faring with taijutsu training with the second clone, at least she wasn't complaining about the supposed delay in getting training started.
The house is all locked up, they should be heading out shortly he imagines.
Naruto-Y narrows his eyes skeptically, looking him up and down.
"You're not even the real Naruto-O either; are you? Why are two clones training us and not our actual older counterparts?!" He huffs making the clone redden.
"The original went off to get study materials and supplies from the central library so it's not like they forgot about you...and he wanted to go out on a date with Hinata. It's been a while since we've had a chance to be alone after all since having Boruto and Himawari you know! They're having a picnic still…somewhere, but they'll be back soon." He answers vaguely, trailing off with a cough.
Clearly, he wasn't going to get any more information beyond that (and perhaps it was better he didn't know telling by his embarrassed look), sighing and closing his eyes to try and concentrate once more.
'It's hard to focus though when it feels like something is heavy on me!' He frowns, wincing at a sudden pressure upon his legs.
He cracks one eye open to see Himawari starting to crawl onto him, cobalt orbs focused on his lap.
"Dada!" She beams up at him once she's finally settled in, resting her head against his chest.
His older clone grins, not bothering to help move her away as her eyes shift close.
"She was up most of last night with a cough and low grade fever. I think an ear infection has been going around since Boruto had one in his left ear last week so no wonder she's so sleepy now. Listening to mine or Hinata's heartbeat always seems to calm her down though!" He notes.
'But now I can't move!' Naruto-Y wants to retort.
Still, he thinks back on what he just said.
"Mount Myōboku, where is that?" He questions softly as to not waken Himawari.
The Naruto-O clone gestures off in the direction of the mountains. "Far from here deep in the forests along a secret trail and through the rivers. The Toads live there like Gamakichi and Gamabunta. I've never actually traveled there on foot since the only times I can recall going there was by being summoned."
Naruto-Y follows his gaze, cobalt orbs shining in interest. He had never considered that his summons actually do have a home they lived at when they weren't being called into battle or to do a task.
"Really?! We should go there then, you know!" He states eagerly.
He looks back to his older clone only to see it's already dispersed, blinking as the real Naruto and Hinata-O walk into the yard.
"We're running on limited time, there's only so much I can train you in before you guys head back to your correct time period. However, going to Mount Myōboku would be a good first step. The Great Elder Toad Sage may have an idea of how to get you guys back to your original timeline and what's going on there." Naruto-O considers.
Naruto-Y leaps up, pointing a finger at him; accusatory. "Where have you two been?! This training is supposed to be important, you know!"
Hinata-Y meanwhile takes in their rumpled clothes to flushed cheeks, a telltale bruise upon her older form's neck before reaching her hand out to settle her Naruto down.
"Ah, the main thing is there back now! Is...Is it possible for us to head to this land where the Toads live?" She asks and Naruto-O brightens with a nod, directing them to the center of the backyard.
"That's what took Hinata and I so long actually! I was getting in contact with Gamakichi to reverse summon us there!" He explains away to his still disgruntled younger self.
Boruto warily squirms in Hinata-Y's arms as they step closer together, looking back to his regular parents. "Papa, those toads may try to eat us or feed us bugs like last time!"
"Bugs?" Naruto-Y questions in horror.
Maybe he should pack extra emergency to-go ramen...
Naruto-O winces at the memory of their 'lunch' while Hinata-O merely smiles, gesturing for Boruto to relax into her arms. "They aren't going to harm us Boruto, you saw they only eat insects. As for the food, we have to be polite knowing that's a typical meal for them."
Boruto pouts out his cheeks, mimicking both of his Father's distressed looks. "Mama, we aren't toads!"
'Hinata somehow managed to eat all their concoctions last time we were there without getting sick.' Naruto-O recalls. Shima had been so excited at the news of her second pregnancy that she had made extra dishes of sautéed grasshoppers, fried dragonflies, and caterpillar soup.
And maybe it was Hinata's cravings, but she ate it all as if they were eating ramen from Ichiraku's or even the burgers Boruto loved so much from Thunder Burger.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're eating up! You're eating for two again now unlike Naruto here who can't even get through one bowl!" Shima beams before scowling at Naruto's barely touched soup and plates.
Hinata pats at his hand beneath the table, Fukasaku chuckling.
"Don't be too hard on him Ma, it seems like Naruto is never going to acquire a taste for our cuisine."
"Granny Sage, I am trying! I at least ate the dragonflies." Naruto grumbles making Hinata giggle.
He'd only taken one bite before deciding he was full.
Shima turns her attention to Boruto looking equally as helpless as his Dad. "Surely you must be hungry from the long journey here boy. You won't know if you hate it if you don't try it!"
Boruto peers up to Naruto who weakly nods for him to try, whole body shivering as he quickly bites into a grasshopper.
His face takes on a greenish hue the more he chews, pausing when he sees sharp yellow eyes watching him from the window.
"Don't you dare insult Mother's cooking by spitting out her food!" Gamabunta warns instantly making him gulp.
Hinata-O sighs, it's surprising Boruto even recalls their last visit there when it's been well over a year.
She rubs circles at his back, looking back to her husband who nods his agreement.
They should get going.
Her gaze turns towards their younger selves, motioning for them to get beside them to form a circle. Senjutsu training and learning more jutsu from their nature affinities, that will be the first lessons they tackle.
"What about dealing with me? We don't establish a proper connection until further into your teen years." Kurama questions.
Naruto-O nods, he had considered this factor.
"I don't know if the past version of yourself will trust anything we say at this point. It's still worth a shot though, we'll just need to give proof that's it's better we work together to reach the same goals; I did it once so I can do it again, you know! And it's possible that if we gain a connection early we can save the other jinchuriki from the Akatsuki!" He remarks.
Kurama chuckles lowly, not surprised Naruto is getting ahead of himself.
"First we have to do the convincing."
"Alright, we're all ready to go!" Naruto-O declares as he rolls out a scroll, biting his thumb and pressing his hand to the center.
And instantly they're gone.
Naruto-Y blinks in shock, gone is the backyard and garden now replaced with the roar of waterfalls in shades of turquoise to gold. Leaves and fauna tower over them from all sides, scent of moss, dew, and rain surrounding them on all sides.
"Good to see you boss!" Gamakichi greets them from overhead.
"This is it?" Naruto-Y breathes out in awe.
Naruto-O nods, gesturing to the grand mountain scape, the greenery, flowers the color of deep maroons to electric yellows hiding toads that let out low croaks at the sudden arrival of so many visitors.
"This is it!" He confirms.
Jiraiya (Past)
"It's been too long little Jiraiya. I can only assume this isn't just to simply catch up and chat, is it?" Shima asks at his troubled expression.
"Afraid not Granny Sage, though might I say you look as young as ever! I bet you're using a new skin foundation; aren't you?" He cheers making her giggle and Fukasaku roll his eyes.
"Still writing those dirty novels?" He questions.
Jiraiya beams, nodding. "You know it! Already have the next series rough draft written out!"
He takes a seat beside them at the pond, amber waters reflecting his falling smile.
"Naruto, the latest student I took on has vanished." He finally says.
Fukasaku pauses, rubbing his chin. "To where?"
Jiraiya shakes his head. "Wish I knew, figured the honorable geezer toad may have some answers since I'm not finding out much on my own and the ones who may know are keeping their lips shut."
At least the youngest Hyuga daughter had been of help, but a scroll without a name isn't enough to go off of.
Shima frowns, looking equally concerned at his grim expression. "Pa and I haven't gotten any updates here besides that he's Konoha's jinchuriki and you two were about to head off on a training trip, right? Do you think it's that group you told us you were investigating? The Akatsuki, was it?"
Jiraiya grits his teeth, watching as a smaller green and blue toad hop between the leaves out of sight.
Like the Akatsuki they were in hiding for now, but this news had a high chance of drawing them out of the shadows if it hadn't already...
'Naruto still hasn't mastered full control of the Nine Tails yet, feelings of rage or upset could easily set him off. The fact that he can't be tracked down only makes this worse should he run into the enemy.' He knows.
"Well, my spies said he isn't their target...yet. I don't think any of them kidnapped him considering his chakra signature and scent hasn't been picked up at all. Plus, he had so much extra security on him a guard or shinobi would've noticed him leaving out of the hospital with those injuries he had or being taken away at high speed." Jiraiya reviews.
"Is he alone?" Fukasaku pursues and at this a small grin lights Jiraiya's face again.
"No, maybe that's the silver lining in all this is that he has the Hyuga's eldest daughter with him. Based off the last known security footage we have of Naruto, Hinata had stepped into his hospital room shortly before the fire occurred."
They all grow silent in thought then, Shima leaping forward in Gamamaru's direction.
"Let's hear what the Great Sage has to say about this." She advises.
Gamamaru is asleep as expected, Jiraiya calling out his name twice before he properly hears him.
He sits himself cross legged before him, his predictions have always been right even though they often get told in vague or roundabout ways.
"Great Toad Sage, I'm looking for my latest apprentice Naruto Uzumaki and the Hyuga clan's eldest daughter Hinata Hyuga! Do you know where they are?" Jiraiya bellows out to him.
Gamamaru hums, rocking back and forth a moment.
"Hmm, weren't they just here? Had both kids with them or maybe it was 4 kids now. I know they have a daughter now, she has the same hair color as her mother's and her father's eyes."
'What on earth does that all mean?' Jiraiya wonders, but knows better than interrupt him mid-ramble.
"Ah yes, I remember now! The past ones are stuck in the future, working to find a way to get back here. They will train with their older counterparts, learn and master skills they wouldn't have gained until years later." Gamamaru states, sitting up properly.
And Jiraiya jumps up then, dark eyes widening in excitement.
"Really?! But how far in the future are they?"
Gamamaru yawns, head slumping down.
"Come again?" He mutters.
Jiraiya clenches his teeth, rising his voice an octave enough for him to hear him.
"How far Great Sage?! How far are Naruto and Hinata in the future?" He repeats.
Gamamaru blinks slowly, straightening up his head once more.
"Well, the world certainly looks different. Peace brings buildings, some as tall as Gamabunta all over the nations. They're married by then, have kids small like the tadpoles now though they'll both grow to be as strong as if not stronger than their parents with enough training and practice." He smiles.
'Married, huh? It has to be at least 10 years or so from now. They're own kids don't sound like their adults yet so it has to be somewhere around 10 to 15 years max maybe.' Jiraiya determines.
"I don't think you're going to get anymore answers out of him." Fukasaku muses as Gamamaru starts drifting off again.
Jiraiya nods, that's okay he has a bit more to go off of now.
Now he just needed to figure out how to get there or find a way to return them back here.
Orochimaru's Hideout (Past)
"Naruto has disappeared." Orochimaru announces.
Moonlight falls against Sasuke's bruises and old cuts, remnants of taking on his old experimental humans modified in various ways for combat or defensive measures should anyone find one of his hideouts.
Even with injections that improved their strength, speed, and their fatigue levels, all of them burned out rather quickly.
'They unlike Sasuke couldn't take the chemicals, the toxins, the power of the curse mark...' He muses, recalling the blood that caked most of their lips, eyes a sickly yellow or gray as necrosis ate at their flesh.
Why Sasuke didn't just kill them outright and put them out of their misery escapes him, he hadn't tortured them slowly like he expected nor did he study their bodies too closely to see how each of his attacks wounded them.
"It's pointless to waste any excess energy I have on those already on the brink of death. You already know who I truly want to kill."
Sasuke has been quiet all day after that, not unusual for him considering he's a silent person by nature though he expects this news will make him curious.
He arches a brow like he expects, onyx eyes narrowing.
"Disappeared as in dead?" Sasuke questions after a moment.
Orochimaru shakes his head, lips curving up.
"Nobody can find his scent or chakra signature after he was hospitalized from the fight you two had at the Valley. They have all the best trackers and sensors on the hunt for him and the Hyuga heiress to no avail it seems." He drawls.
"They haven't considered him a missing-nin yet, though clearly he's left the village for some reason or another. He wasn't kidnapped either as far as anyone can tell." Kabuto adds in.
It's strange for Lord Orochimaru to have such interest in the matter when Naruto was never on his radar before, even being Konoha's jinchuriki never sparked any desire to learn more about him.
He takes a sip of his water, dark eyes roaming to Sasuke to see if he even still cares about this topic.
Sasuke's expression changes to one of brief confusion knowing his old friend has somehow left Konoha too without anybody able to track him before his stoic mask returns.
"I don't care where he goes as long as he doesn't interfere with my goals of getting stronger." He grunts.
Itachi is still alive and he is much too weak to properly take him on...
Better Naruto gone completely than around trying to get him to return back to Konoha when there is nothing left for him there.
He pushes away old memories of Naruto's boisterous yelling for better missions, Sakura's verdant orbs watching him, of Kakashi-sensei's seemingly perpetually bored look dealing with them all before his eye would crinkle to indicate a smile beneath his mask.
Still, he thinks of the beast within Naruto; crimson eyes bearing down on him with malice.
Konoha wouldn't let their jinchuriki just run free.
"I'm going to look into how much information the top advisors and researchers have gotten regarding the case. I find it...curious nobody knows where he could've gone. Perhaps he mastered a rare jutsu only few knew about." Orochimaru purrs.
Sasuke shrugs, pushing back from the table, tired of this subject.
Even miles from Konoha as they are, Naruto still comes up in conversation somehow.
"Do whatever you want." He scoffs over his shoulder as he retires to his quarters. He's sure it won't fully take his attention away from giving him practice bodies tougher than today's, of his snakes biting into him until he gains full immunity to their poisons.
Kabuto watches him go with a sneer at his unchanged attitude, but Orochimaru's golden orbs gleam happily.
"Why the sudden interest again in Konoha? I thought our business was done there after the chunin exams." He inquires.
Orochimaru leans forward in his chair silently, snakes from silver to white gliding up across the rock flooring up into his sleeves. His grin widens as he listens to their low hisses, pleased at all they tell him from their spying.
It's time to see things for himself now.
"My business with Konoha will never be done Kabuto as long as they hold secrets that can give me more knowledge, more ways to gain power and truly become immortal." He grins.
Kakashi & Sakura (Past)
"I'm glad you and I have this opportunity to catch up Sakura." Kakashi attempts.
Sakura twirls her chopsticks, nodding slowly but her thoughts are clearly far from this conversation and table as she glances towards the passing crowds.
"I'm learning a lot from Lady Tsunade and Kurenai-sensei. Kurenai-sensei has been teaching me in the forests and Lady Tsunade and I plan to visit the burn unit next week for me to study how to do skin grafts and prevent infection in the first 24 hours after surgery." She finally remarks, looking up at him.
Kakashi nods, turning over a now very burnt piece of pork he should've been watching better.
Yakiniku Q is usually busier at this time of day, but the lunch rush has passed and he was hoping to better avoid and ignore the whispers of patrons surprised to see him out and about knowing the rumors and stories regarding his lost students.
"So...why'd you really call me here again Kakashi-sensei? Did you get an update on where Naruto and Hinata are?" She asks.
He withholds from telling her Jiraiya's update on their potential location, there's no proof on it as of yet on top of neither of them needing to add fuel to the gossip mill.
"Jiraiya is still looking into their exact location, nothing is fully confirmed." He responds.
Sakura's mood dampens then, going back to picking at her tariyaki until Kakashi coughs to get her attention once more.
"I'm sorry I never was much help to you, in being your sensei that is. I only gave you the basics and that wasn't enough to hone your best skills." He apologizes.
Sakura blinks, waving it off with a laugh sitting back in her seat.
"It's okay, I don't have the kekkai genkai or special jutsus that come with being in a prominent clan, though I will use my apt for chakra control and genjutsu to their fullest extent!"
Kakashi nods, pausing at her sudden thoughtful expression.
"I spoke with Naruto briefly when he was in the hospital, he promised me he would bring Sasuke back, but I should've told him at the time he didn't have to take on that burden alone; it was something I wanted us to do together." She recalls.
Jade orbs soften at the memory, clenching her fists onto the table.
"Did he say anything else?" Kakashi asks curiously.
Sakura pauses before shaking her head. "No, just that he wished he could have a redo of his fight with Sasuke. It really affected him, affected us both that he's really defected."
Kakashi flips slowly another piece of beef, contemplating Jiraiya's update.
The future, but they had no idea how far exactly...
'Perhaps he already had that redo fight.'
Naruto & Hinata (Future)
"Oh, look at her cheeks Pa; reminds me of Gamatatsu! Has her Dad's whiskers and her Mother's hair!" Shima coos, pinching at Himawari's cheeks eliciting a giggle. Boruto squirms at her touch, but politely greets the Great Sages with a bow before burying himself back into Hinata-O's arms.
"She looks right at home here Ma, maybe she'll form a contract with one of the toads here when she's older." Fukasaku agrees as Himawari curiously looks around.
"Ah, we didn't actually come for just a friendly visit Granny Sage! I wanted you to help us with training!" Naruto-O relates.
He gestures then to their younger counterparts still gazing around in awe, Shima cocking her head in confusion.
"I was wondering why you brought two clones that looked like your preteen selves, are they a transformation jutsu you can't break or something?" Fukasaku questions.
Naruto-Y grits his teeth, how many times are people going to think he and his Hinata are clones or a malfunctioning jutsu?!
"No, we're actually from the past, we got stuck here using a time-travel scroll." He explains.
Shima looks back to Fukasaku, both equally perplexed.
"We need to report this to the Great Elder!"
Gamamaru stretches, yawning sleepily as they approach. He stare lingers on Naruto-Y and Hinata-Y, nodding to himself as he takes in their appearances.
"It seems the past and the future are indeed crossing with each other." He muses.
"Did you have a vision or dream about this Great Elder?" Fukasaku asks and Gamamaru blinks slowly before nodding.
"Ah yes! Little Jiraiya came here not too long ago, or maybe years ago now. Was asking for the smaller Naruto and Hinata's here, don't know how he'll get you back home. The past keeps changing like a fickle downpour the longer they're gone from their correct time." He explains.
'Pervy-Sage was here?!' Naruto-Y perks up, looking to Hinata-Y anxiously. That meant he was already investigating how to get them back home!
Though the latter part of the Geezer Toad's statement worries him, Jiraiya clearly doesn't know how far in the future they are or even how to get them back safely it seems...
Naruto-O steps forward, pointing to jagged towers of rock and wood in the distance. "I want to practice the beginnings of senjutsu training with my younger self if that's okay?"
Hinata-O gestures in the direction of the training hall where the toads normally do tournaments. "And I would like to teach my younger self taijutsu training associated with our fire and lightning affinities."
Gamamaru doesn't blink or speak for a few minutes leading them all to think he's fallen asleep mid-conversation.
'Did this toad just fall asleep with it's eyes open?!' Naruto-Y wonders, he can see why Boruto finds this place a bit unnerving.
"Um...Great Elder?" Shima tries.
"Hm? Oh yes, good idea! It benefits the young ones to learn what they can to help absolve the growing evils in the past they'll eventually come back to!" Gamamaru chuckles brightly.
The pair split off then with Fukasaku and Shima keeping watch over Boruto and Himawari.
"I'm going to teach you the Twin Lion Fists along with ways to infuse lightning into the Gentle Fist and rotation techniques to better attack from long-range!" Hinata-O explains, Hinata-Y gazing in shock at the beginnings of what appears to be azure flames engulf her hands.
She squeezes her teenage self close, lowering her voice a bit.
"I also want to discuss the other things I do outside of watching the kids and spending time with Naruto. There's a lot I wish I had known earlier or done earlier in regards to our clan and just bettering myself in general." She starts.
Hinata-Y frowns at the wistfulness of her tone maybe thinking of Neji making her lean closer. "Like what?"
Hinata-O purses her lips as they move to opposite sides of the mat, determining what to discuss first.
"Well, for example I help out part-time at the hospital. Particularly with the infusion units/team or in the ophthalmology area. A lot of patients young and old after all the dust and debris from the war had trouble seeing and I test out/assess their vision typically after surgery or once they receive a new pair of glasses or contacts. With the infusion team I use the byakugan to help look for veins to start IV's in patients that are a hard stick like those who are dehydrated or have fragile skin." She explains.
"And our clan?" Hinata-Y pursues, curious and excited of the small things she does for the village.
Hinata-O's gaze softens then at the thought. "As you know there's always been the main and branch families. With Hanabi now the Heiress and Father set to step down in the next few years, we've discussed together eliminating the practice of the Caged Bird Seal on the branch family."
Hinata-Y's eyes widen, the cursed seal has been in clan for generations, branch members given the mark as soon as the next heir or heiress is 3.
At her stunned expression her older counterpart goes on. "I want, really Hanabi and I both want as we move into this time of peace is for the Byakugan to be used for more than just search missions as a shinobi or being used in battle. Neji, I think too would've liked this idea and we want to honor his legacy. One of the ways we can do that is by moving forward on removing the policy of putting the cursed seal on our branch clan members."
Hinata-Y nods her agreement, but frowns at a sudden thought.
"Father? What does he think of this?" She asks gently.
What she briefly saw of him showed he was much more relaxed and doting, but that didn't mean he would be willing to simply change rules of the clan that have been in place for years.
Hinata-O sighs and Hinata-Y winces sensing it is a sour part of the topic. "We haven't figured out yet how to bring up the topic properly Everything time I start to, he changes the subject to ask about Boruto's progress at preschool or if Himawari is talking and walking more."
She moves forward then with a speed that makes Hinata-Y gasp, singe of smoke hitting her nostrils as her fingers brush against her shoulder.
Hinata-O smiles, gesturing for her to get back in position. "Always be on your toes! The enemy or your opponent is always waiting for you to let your guard down to hit your weak spot!"
Hinata-Y nods, activating her own byakugan once more searching for the best chakra point to attack.
"Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm!" She calls out, blowing back her older self just as she rushes forward again.
Hinata-O spins her body before she can crash into the walls, nodding when she meets her counterpart's stare.
"Good, now lets change things up slightly!" She remarks, sparks of electricity dancing along her fingertips.
Meanwhile, Naruto-O takes his younger self towards the very pillars where he first started his Sage training.
"The first step to learning senjutsu is learning to sense all the nature energy around you! Taking too little in will cause any technique you try to do not work and taking too much in could cause you turn into a Toad statue!" He reviews.
"What?!" Naruto-Y panics, recalling the dozens of toad monuments they'd passed coming here.
"It's okay, me, along with Gramps and Granny Toad here will make sure that doesn't happen!" Naruto-O asserts.
Naruto-Y gulps, but nods. He wants to do this, no he needs to do this.
'I can't let Pervy-Sage, Neji, Asuma-sensei or anyone else die if I can get stronger at a faster rate to stop the Akatsuki!' He reminds himself.
"I don't know what that older self of yours did to me, but I won't let myself become brainwashed!" Kurama's voice abruptly snaps in harshly.
Naruto-Y jolts, heart pounding into his ears. Scarlet eyes bear down on him from his mindscape, Kurama's jagged white teeth and nails shining from within the darkness.
"You alright?" Naruto-O frowns, patting at his back and Naruto-Y quickly nods with a strained grin as he tries to clear his thoughts.
'I haven't heard him speak to me in months.' Naruto-Y sighs and again Kurama's voice booms in, biting; cold.
"The moment you slip up I'll take over this body of yours boy. You can only keep your temper and fears in check for so long." He promises.
Naruto & Hinata (Future) Uzumaki Household
"You missed dinner." Hinata-Y remarks.
Naruto-Y shifts his eyes open, cobalt orbs heavy with sleep before sitting up in alarm at seeing the ink black of the night sky above.
"Crap, I overslept! Ugh, I got so exhausted from trying to memorize all the basics of senjutsu, then we did a mix of taijutsu, sealing practice, and wind training." Naruto-Y yawns, stomach grumbling reminding him he hasn't ate since lunchtime.
Hinata-Y holds up a basket and blanket, smell of beef broth, rice, and fish wafting up.
"Don't worry, I saved you some! I knew you would be hungry by the time you got up." She smiles, placing down the basket between them.
Naruto-Y launches himself up into a sitting position, beaming with such joy that makes her giggle.
"Ah, thank you! Now I won't go to bed starving you know!" He cheers.
The wind blows up her hair as she waves off his excitement and he's reminded then of why his older self enjoys playing with her hair, enjoys being close to her at the scent of lavender and jasmine in the air.
He scratches at his cheek nervously when he realizes he's just been staring at her without eating, moving slowly take out the bowl of ramen.
"How long do you think we'll stuck here?" He asks after a slurp of noodles.
She scoots closer as a chill rushes over the field, shoulders brushing as she looks at the sea of white stars overhead.
"I...I don't know. However, my future self gave me a lot to think about. I want to get stronger, bridge our clan into one, use our kekkai genkai for purposes outside of the battlefield." She relates softly.
Her cheeks redden, taking in a slow breath before continuing on.
"I want to be with you as well Naruto, I-I like seeing us together, our children that share a mix of our traits."
Naruto-Y flusters, choking on a slice of beef until Hinata pats at his back.
'Well that certainly looked uncool!' He berates himself mentally before meeting her gaze.
"I want this too...heh I mean if you'll still have me when we're older! I know I don't know much about love, don't have parents for advice on stuff like this, and I'm the dead last of our class..." He trails off.
Hinata-Y squeezes at his hands, getting his focus once more.
"You've never let any of that stop you. You're stronger than most of our peers, maybe not book-smart-"
"Oi Hinata, don't add that in!" He cuts in.
Hinata-Y giggles, tapping their foreheads together.
"You win your fights through unpredictable ways even if you've never read it in a book or scroll; it's inspiring! And I'm...well at least right now I'm the black sheep of my clan with Hanabi soon to be the new heiress so I know how you feel a little at being alone." She finishes.
Alone.
The thought makes his chest constrict.
"You'll always be alone boy. Why do you think all the people in your life who knew about your parents still didn't try to help you even though they could've? Your own teachers Kakashi and Jiraiya, your precious Old Man Third...they all knew and did nothing." Kurama laughs cruelly.
"Shut up!" He growls.
His voice has been a distraction all day, worse than before interrupting him mid-meditation with the Toads or while trying to block an attack from his future self.
'I'm not alone; not anymore.' He reminds himself as Kurama's voice fades back into the recesses of his mind. He could deal with Pervy-Sage and Kakashi's knowing of his parents at a later date, it was more important to get stronger right now to take on Sasuke again and stop the Akatsuki.
He wraps the blanket close around Hinata, hugging her closer to him watching the glow of the stars and the moon, pushing down his worries.
-x-
It's the easiest for me to write this story at the moment so I'm probably going to focus on it the most since I keep stressing myself trying to jump between all of my current projects. I feel a bit bad, but it means slower updates or possibly rewriting my other stories, I'll be thinking on it more.
Can't believe it's already December! Favorite scene was definitely writing about Naruto and Hinata's adult selves visiting Mount Myōboku again and being offered a 'feast' by Shima and Fukasaku lol! I imagine maybe while Naruto and Hinata were on their honeymoon they visited and Hinata easily ate the Toad Cuisine while Naruto panicked and made excuses.
I've also always wanted to explore and see Hinata interacting more with her clan outside of Neji, Hanabi and Hiashi and just in general doing more for the village in a similar way Ino and Sakura do post-war. Orochimaru is heading back to Konoha, may cross paths with his old teammates! Let me know your thoughts!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!
