Chapter 7: Respite
Quick Q&A:
lookingforentertainment: I plan right now to take this story through the end of Shippuden, meaning eventually the younger Naruto and Hinata will return back to the past and continue on in knowing what to do to alter the future.
Emrys Akayuki: The scroll that Hinata stole from the Hiashi's study was burned when they came to the future, it's no longer usable to take them back to the past. Don't worry, they'll find another option!
Keep any questions coming, I love hearing back from you guys!
"Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us." -Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now
Naruto & Hinata (Future)
"Our fight is going to go down differently this time Sasuke! I'm taking you back to Konoha whether you want it or not!" Naruto-Y announces, steeling himself for Sasuke's final move.
His chidori.
If he attacks it straight on he'll surely lose again.
Raindrops slick his skin and muddy the ground below, but he's ready for this all the same. He watches as Sasuke's curse mark slowly envelops him, swirls of pure black sliding down across his skin.
"I'm going; I won't obtain the power I need staying in Konoha!" Sasuke reiterates sharply, launching himself forward abandoning their friendship, their team, and the village all over again.
"Not this time." Naruto-Y mutters.
A flicker of surprise crosses his face when he slides out of the way of the pulsing electrical attack, landing a rasengan into his back sending him crashing into the ground.
Thunder rumbles overhead, bulging gray clouds darker than before, swelling and breaking apart making the rain fall down faster. Lightning splits through the clouds in sharp white-silver zig-zags, marking the shift of the battle.
'Focus, this is almost over. Soon I can take him home and he'll no longer be in Orochimaru's cross-range.' Naruto-Y reminds himself, though his heart twists with an uneasiness at the changes of this fight, something isn't right...
No, this is what he prepared for, what he and his Hinata spent so many long afternoons training with their older counterparts for to fix this fight. He didn't even need to use Kurama's power this time, give in to his anger and rage whispering in his ear.
Footsteps rapidly approach him from behind, somehow just loud enough over the storm and from the corner of his eye he sees violet hair and pearl orbs watching him in concern, lips pursed in worry.
"Naruto, step back from him!" Hinata-Y yells out in warning, hand reaching and grabbing onto his jacket attempting to pull him back.
When Sasuke looks up at them both once more his stomach twists, obsidian orbs now mixed with the gold of a snake's.
"You're too late!" He chuckles, voice warped and blended with Orochimaru's.
"Pssh, Papa! Smaller Papa!" Boruto nudges at Naruto-Y's shoulder until blue eyes finally open, blearily looking around. Gone is the battlefield, Hinata-Y trying to pull him back from a half-Sasuke, half Orochimaru...
"Huh? It's not time for training?" Naruto-Y grunts.
A flash of lightning crosses against Boruto's worried face as his vision clears, rumble of thunder shaking the house making him further squirm. He squeezes at a Kurama plushy, cotton stuffing poking out around the ears from his pressure.
"I can't sleep. The lightning keeps waking me up." Boruto explains, frowning towards the window where droplets of rain trail down in mini rivers.
Naruto-Y blinks slowly, pondering why he came to him and not his older self. Boruto follows his gaze back upstairs, shifting from foot to foot.
"Bigger Papa is tired…I can't keep waking him up you know." Boruto mentions softly.
'Well, maybe he'll sleep better if I stay with him for a bit.' Naruto-Y decides, shifting over on the futon patting at space.
Cerulean eyes brighten at the gesture, snuggling right up against him for warmth.
It doesn't take long for his breathing to slow back down, light snores in his ear as his blond hair falls over his eyes. Outside the rain seems to pound down twice as a hard creating ponds along the walkway to the garden, his dream coming back to mind seeing raindrops plop and slide against the plants.
Even in that nightmare he couldn't save Sasuke, not yet...
He almost hears Kurama's chilling laugh, digging his nails into his sheets keeping his voice at bay. He's been silent since his blowout with his older self, perhaps realizing there's nothing else to talk about if he can't use his hurt over secrets kept from him to take over his body.
"When I can't sleep, I think of burgers!" Boruto mentions and Naruto-Y blinks, looking down to see Boruto is indeed wide awake again peering up at him.
'What?'
"Papa likes ramen, so think of all the ramen you'll eat when you wake up. That's a trick Mama taught me!" He continues at Naruto-Y's mystified expression. Somehow he's gone from thinking about his fight with Sasuke to discussing their favorite foods.
It's nice the future is so peaceful that this is all his future son worries about.
Naruto-Y pats at his head, chuckling. "Go back to sleep."
A pout etches his lips. "You have to go to sleep too you know!"
He shifts his body to get comfortable against the pillows, Boruto copying his action. He isn't sure who falls asleep first this time, but when he awakens the sun is bright upon his eyes, yellow-gray morning light spilling across the oakwood flooring and books.
His sheets have grown a degree colder as he sits up quickly, Boruto no longer among his tossed about blankets and pillows.
"No need to rush you know, Hinata-O and I feel you two both deserve an off day after training so hard this past two weeks. Boruto got up for breakfast not too long ago." Naruto-O mentions in greeting bouncing Himawari at his hip as she gurgles out a hello, opening the windows wider waking Hinata-Y as well.
"An off day? But shouldn't we stay on top of the research and readings?" Hinata-Y asks as she rolls up her futon. Her older self looks her way with a nod before gesturing outside.
"It isn't good to overdo it in mind or body. Today is supposed to be a nice day despite the clouds, you two should take in the sites! Konoha has a grown a lot and I'm sure neither of you have had a chance to take it all in. Naruto-O and I need to check in at the hospital and Hokage Tower and we'll be dropping off the kids at the Hyuga Manor." She relates.
Hinata-Y looks towards Naruto-Y, neither knowing what to say.
They haven't spent a full day away from their older selves since arriving in the future.
"Don't worry, I'll have a clone tailing you both from the shadows in case you run into any trouble!" Naruto-O mentions at their wary expressions.
Naruto-Y scoffs, rolling his eyes.
'That isn't what we're worried about.'
Anything that feels like a delay in getting back to their proper time feels wrong, but he can't ignore Hinata's older self's point when he winces from her light poke at his shoulders, body still sore with lingering bruises and cuts.
He needs to take it easy.
However, he still should to talk to his older self more about Kurama, about how he finally connected with him.
'Another time.' He decides.
Kurama isn't bothering him after all so there's no reason to push the subject of interacting with him, at least for now.
Outside the air is chilly, thin patches of frost lining the grass as fog burns away under the growing sunlight. Swirls of orange-violet rays blanket storefronts and buildings just starting to open for the day.
"Seems like most people are preparing for the Rinne Festival and all the other fall/winter activities." Hinata-Y remarks seeing colorful masks of reds and yellows with Konoha's emblem decorating windows.
Naruto-Y nods, taking in awe as they pass Konoha's train station just beginning the morning schedule to hotels welcoming foreigners from Iwa and Kiri.
'Places so far away now have their civilians truly living here and visiting without it being for reasons like war or spying.' He realizes.
"Do you want to get some ramen to warm up, there's more ramen stands available now with specialties in pork belly and chicken." Hinata-Y suggests, grabbing at his hand lightly.
Naruto-Y chuckles, the pork belly stand mimicking Ichiraku's design at least from when it was a small restaurant like they remember it.
"I guess we can check out one copycat-" He starts before freezing, body tensing up.
Even amidst the growing crowd he recognizes that silver hair down the road, dark orbs turned golden still using those same round glasses it seems...
Kabuto.
Orochimaru's right hand man walks around Konoha's market squares with the ease of a man not internationally wanted.
Heat courses through him like a fire, digging his nails into his palms until crescents indent and tear at his skin.
'Why is he here?'
Jiraiya (Past)
"Come now you two, there's no need for us all to behave to this way as old friends or give me such sour expressions! After all, I came back to look into Naruto and Hinata's disappearance as well; it doesn't look good for my home village to be without it's jinchuriki. Especially once the other nation's leaders find out." Orochimaru emphasizes, dodging another cascade of flames Jiraiya shoots out to him.
"You're here because you want to take any time/space scroll for yourself to use for your sick experiments and gain more power/immortality!" Jiraiya snaps back, stomping down on the head of a snake about to coil at his ankles.
Onyx eyes meet light yellow, bristling at his casual look making a small smirk etch his face.
"Oh, time hasn't been kind to you Jiraiya. You have more wrinkles now than the last time we crossed paths, perhaps you should look into using the same youthful jutsu Tsunade uses. As for me, appearances aren't enough. There's a wealth of information and power in this world that's still been untouched; untapped. You both should've known as soon as I found out about this that it would make me curious." Orochimaru muses.
Tsunade scoffs, peering towards his hands and arms, hands that he still apparently can't use fully from Lord Third's final act against him.
'I'm sure he didn't come here alone, Kabuto must be waiting in the shadows for his signal.' She scowls, catching Jiraiya's eye who nods.
"Whatever answers you seek, you aren't going to get them from us! Naruto and Hinata aren't here for you to whisper any secrets our desires in their ears to tempt them either like you did with Sasuke." Tsunade voices.
Orochimaru clicks his tongue and this they can both tell has cracked his façade of indifference.
"My plan isn't for anymore bloodshed, to just get information." He reiterates.
The walls overhead rumble, trickle of water escaping through growing cracks quickly turning into a waterfall, molding into the shape of a dragon.
"I won't let either of you harm Master Orochimaru. Give us the answers we want." Kabuto warns through the the cascade of the water, Jiraiya launching his toad oil turning the water sticky and useless. He lands down beside Orochimaru, getting into a defensive position.
"He's the one that came here for a fight!" Tsunade hisses in return, creating another fissure in the ground when they unleash a mix of silver and black snakes towards them.
Kabuto sucks in a breath, eyes narrowing on Jiraiya.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"
The force nearly blows them back into another stream of snakes they unleash behind them, Jiraiya tangling his hair around the pillars to keep himself steady.
Tsunade leaps over the the array of snakes and gust just as Jiraiya lets loose a smoke bomb, enveloping them all in a gray fog. Tsunade works best in short-range, can easily stop both their hearts or scramble their nervous system with a single touch if she can just get close enough.
'He's stalling, why though?' Jiraiya wonders at Orochimaru's lack of movement. Beside him, he hears the clash of metal of senbon needles, air soon clearing to show Kabuto halted midair, needle pointed towards Tsunade's neck clanging to the ground with a sharp crack.
His arm jitters and Jiraiya follows the trail of his eyes to the surge of electricity crackling at Tsunade's fingertips.
Fingers that have embedded themselves in his hand.
"I'll elicit a seizure in you." Tsunade voices lowly, grip tightening.
Orochimaru's face darkens then, snakes moving to envelop both his and Kabuto's body.
"Fall back Kabuto; now." He orders.
"But Master-" Kabuto manages to rasp out, though his voice gets swallowed by a snake quickly coiling over his lips.
Tsunade breaks her hold as a tan paper tag flutters between them, erecting a cement barrier as the explosive tag bathes them in white-hot fire and light.
"Get down!" Jiraiya yells out.
He pulls Tsunade out of the blast range behind a fallen pillar, ground quaking with aftershocks using his hair as another blockade.
"You okay?" Jiraiya asks as the rumbles slowly fade, taking in the streak of blood sliding down Tsunade's arm.
She snorts in return, eyeing the injury with a shrug. "Nothing I can't heal."
The ground is scorched black where the pair once stood as they move back into standing positions, only the remnants of blood and ash in the air and Jiraiya curses their recklessness, the further death and destruction surrounding them.
'He escaped; again.'
Kakashi (Past)
"Have you given any thought to what I said?! You shouldn't let this setback stop you from still teaching the youth of our village!" Gai prods him, ignoring Kakashi's dry look in return.
In Gai's mind he's apparently been mopey, unsure what to do with his time with none of his students are currently around save Sakura in her off moments (catching up and rereading the latest Make Out Paradise novels doesn't count to him). The idea of teaching at the Academy though just doesn't spark any interest or give way to his 'buried flames of youth' like he imagines it would.
"I'm fine; honestly. You and everyone else keeps worrying over me for no reason. We should be more concerned about the attack Orochimaru did the other day on the Hokage Tower. Lady Tsunade and Jiraiya both believe he'll pose another attack that could be worst in the near future." He relates, looking up from his bowl of now cold soba noodles.
Gai huffs, frowning at his change of subject but nods his agreement.
"He's trying to find out what happened to Naruto and Hinata to further his goals in becoming immortal." He muses with a cross of his arms.
Kakashi sighs, swirling his chopsticks through the broth. "I've discussed with Jiraiya and he feels certain they're stuck in the future, though exactly how far he isn't sure yet."
Gai takes a long slurp of his tonkotsu ramen, humming at the thought. "Such a scroll or book is dangerous in anyone's hands, not just Orochimaru. I'm sure he's not the only one on the hunt for such an elusive item."
The rest of the lunch goes on silently, Kakashi managing to promise Gai he'll give it more thought to teaching at the Academy or at least volunteering there.
'What to do now?' He considers as he strolls throughout the village, kids play in the alleyways kicking up dust while men and vendors past in a hurry heading for the market district. His gaze twists to the scorched and smashed in wood of the Hokage tower, sunlight reflecting on shattered glass and blackened shingles.
'It's like after the war.' He realizes and for a second he pictures the flames are still there billowing out in the mid-morning light.
His steps take him towards the memorial stone, to the cemetery. The grass is fresh with dew and autumn leaves the colors of scarlet to gold, scent of lilies in the air as he once more finds Obito and Rin's names etched in the gray marble.
'Maybe you would've been a better teacher.' Kakashi wonders studying Obito's name first. In life he had so much more goals than him, to be Hokage, to best him in a proper match, to capture Rin's heart...
All goals he took to his grave.
"Hey guys, sorry I haven't been by in awhile. A lot has been happening in the village again as I'm sure you've seen, it seems like we can never catch a break." He starts lightly.
He picks up a fallen pine needle, earthy green now dried to dull brown. A chilly breeze bites at his arms, as if his old teammates are reminding him that Konoha always seems to be locked into some kind of skirmish whether publicly known or not.
"I think Sasuke might've stayed if you were his instructor Obito, none of my advice sunk in and I never got a chance to explain to him how I got my sharingan eye from you. And Naruto, he acts so much like you in that he wants to be Hokage someday too. Rin, Sakura has the same passion for medicine you did, I'm sure she'll be a top doctor in the emergency care units of the hospital once she's older." Kakashi pushes on, plucking at each scale of the leaf not carrying how the ends tear and make the tips of his fingers bleed.
"I'm sure when Naruto used that scroll with Hinata he was thinking of having a do-over, he wanted to repeat his fight with Sasuke and turn the favors his way." Kakashi assumes aloud.
Because as of late his mind too festers with the what-if's and variables on if they hadn't gotten that Kannabi Bridge mission in the first place, if he hadn't gotten delayed, if he had smashed through those boulders before they collapsed on Obito...
Then again, maybe Obito would've only lived a few more years only to die with his fellow clan members in the Uchiha massacre.
"Sasuke would've listened to you, after all you were an Uchiha too. The closest person who would've understood his sorrows and desire for power." He mutters before turning to go, he's already late for meeting Sakura at the training grounds.
It's too late now for what-if's.
But like Naruto, he would like a do-over himself.
Sakura (Past)
'This will never work.'
The sharp bitterness of the thought pulls her gaze away from the mirror, glancing back to Ino with questioning eyes.
"Someone is going to see through this disguise Ino, I don't look 18 even with the transformation jutsu in place to get in!" She sighs, clicking her tongue. She'll just need to think of another way to get into that stupid club Jiraiya likes to frequent so often.
Kakashi-sensei was no help, refusing to divulge what he knew of Orochimaru's attack each time she asked between dodging her punches and rock throws.
Ino huffs in response, blue orbs narrowing ready to argue. "Well, you're definitely not going to get in if you keep up that attitude! Honestly, part of this requires you having the confidence to back it up! Besides, you're not going to be talking to Jiraiya directly, you'll be on the sidelines. Just listening to see if he mentions Naruto or Hinata in anyway."
She adjusts her head to look back into the mirror, finishing up with the last curls. "Now hold still already Forehead! I need to make sure I get these last bits just right!"
"Don't tug so hard Pig!" Sakura jests, but does as she asks sitting up properly.
She forces herself to study her reflection properly, hardly recognizing the girl, no women that stares back her. Just about the only thing she and Ino have kept of her original appearance is her jade green eyes, otherwise her trademark pink hair has been turned into a strawberry blonde, skin lightly tanned to go with her cover story of a woman from Suna visiting her family here in Konoha with a desire to see all the fall/winter festivities and nightlife their village has.
'There's talk Orochimaru is already in the village.' She recalls Asuma-sensei's soft discussion with Kurenai-sensei.
The rumors had been unfortunately right.
"You owe me big time by the way for doing all this. I'm betting you're going to turn at least turn a head or two of a guy now that you're no longer so flat either!" Ino teases by her ear and Sakura feels her cheeks burn, swatting her face away.
"My chest size isn't important! Geez, all I want to know is if I can find out what updates Jiraiya has gotten on Naruto and Hinata's location. And I don't want the attention from these old men unless they have insider information!" She scowls, twisting to look up at Ino only to see her expression has turned thoughtful.
"Orochimaru...I doubt you'll get so lucky though perhaps somebody there may slip an idea of where Sasuke is too." She murmurs.
Her heart lurches in surprise hearing Sasuke's name aloud. Though she quickly stomps it down, clenching her hands together until the swishing of her heartbeat is no longer in her ears.
'Sasuke doesn't think about you, you shouldn't either.' Icy thoughts warn.
"...I won't get that lucky." Sakura gently replies, standing up and adjusting this blue-violet qipao dress. Pink and red flowers adorn the sides, accentuated these false curves and breasts that will be gone by tomorrow.
She tacks on her best fake smile, the night is going to be long and she'll be damned if she doesn't get at least one proper answer out of it!
"Alright, I'm going!" Sakura announces, more to herself than Ino that she's really doing this.
It's one thing to use her illusions on animals, completely another to finally be testing them out on another human being now.
"Relax your posture." Ino advises as she heads out of the Yamanaka Flower Shop into the evening air and Sakura lowers her shoulders, slowing her stride.
The sky is a sharp amber-red, clouds in the distance dusted in darker hues of reds to violets as night approaches. A half moon follows her as she approaches The Rose Room. This has to be the right nightclub, more than once she has heard Shizune-sensei and even Lady Tsunade grumble and scowl respectively that Jiraiya frequented a club with a theme based on flowers, the scents of roses and daisies gets stronger the closer she gets to the doors.
She herself is trading one flower name for another, tonight she went from Sakura to Ichika Yuriko.
"Ah, this has to be the right place! Moriko and Sachie I'm sure are waiting on me; I'm running so late!" Sakura berates herself jokingly as she approaches, the bodyguard at front chuckling at her demeanor.
"New in town?" He guesses.
Sakura nods, flashing her fake ID that he only gives a sweeping glance towards, brown eyes instead wandering over her figure.
Gross.
'Don't punch him, you're not even inside yet!' She grits her teeth, ensuring her gaze meets his locking him into an illusion that he's being enticed by woman clinging onto him. He'll let her in, and he'll tell her where Jiraiya is.
She restrains a shiver, keeping to the cover story she practiced a hundred times over with Ino. "My cousins from here are showing me around, said this place has the best cocktails and sake compared to what we have in Suna. Also, they said celebrities like to frequent this place apparently; like one of the legendary Sannin..."
The bodyguard snorts growing a bit flustered by the imaginary attention, Junichiro going by his name tag.
"Sure, if you think Jiraiya counts as a 'celebrity'." He muses quietly with a roll of his eyes, not as easy to trick it seems.
Sakura nods, gaze turning piercing until his eyes fully turn hazy.
"Tell me where he is."
Junichiro nods slowly inside, gesturing towards a staircase to the left. "He...He likes to flirt with the blondes upstairs for the most part, but he wanders and club hops from what my friend Goro tells me who works at the Masquerade Club down the street."
'Of course.'
Woman who reminded him of Lady Tsunade would be his first choice.
Sakura gives a small whisper of thanks, moving ahead inside quickly before he breaks out of her genjutsu. The club is surprisingly packed despite it being early in the night, groups of middle-aged men mingling by the bars or packed shoulder to shoulder by the dancefloors or lounge areas whispering into the ears of the female waitresses or attendants. Golden chandeliers shine on an assortment of velvet couches and colorful displays of liquors and tonics.
Though her focus is only on getting to upstairs, heart hammering as she sees spiky white hair in the distance, boisterous laugh echoing out as a busty blonde and brunette rest their heads against his shoulders.
'Found you.'
Naruto & Hinata (Future)
"I'm yours so lower your voice already!" Hinata-O giggles, meeting Naruto-O's warm gaze.
They're lucky Boruto and Himawari are at the Hyuga manor with Hiashi and Hanabi while their younger selves shouldn't be home for hours...
He sweeps her up into his arms, knocking her back against the kitchen cabinets. "You have to say I'm beyond a doubt yours or undeniably yours Hinata; just like what they do in your favorite dramas! That's what you'll shout the next time any guy asks if you're single!"
Hinata-O presses into him enough to elicit a low groan feeling the beginnings of his erection, fingers tracing at his whickers.
"Mine." She breathes out as Naruto-O lowers his head back down, tugging at her top.
His fingers skirt along her bra to soon thumbing at her nipples, slowly pulling it away as her own move for his sweatpants.
'They don't know we came back home?!' Hinata-Y feels her cheeks flame, scurrying backwards from the kitchen before one of them hears her. It's still hard to picture herself so bold with Naruto, brave enough to lean in to kiss him, to touch him with such desire and passion.
She bumps into her Naruto in the process and her face burns tenfold picturing what their older selves are up to just a few feet away.
"Whoa, what's the rush?!" He questions, but she shakes her head, grabbing his hand pulling them back towards the front door.
"Nothing, I forgot to get something at the store so come with me!" Hinata-Y explains away in a rush.
Naruto-Y looks back in the direction their leaving from before reddening himself, squeezing at Hinata-Y's hand.
"Let's also do another walk around the village to those tasks too!" He adds in. He had pretended earlier in the day they hadn't seen Kabuto, but if they see him again he can't be sure how he'll react...
It's windier since they first left this morning, leaves and petals of pinks to subdued yellow-browns scattered about the cobblestone and cement as they walk along.
Most people are not used to them being out and about without their older selves and Hinata-Y tries not to stiffen at the long stares and curious looks so many citizens give them.
They twist through a mix of shops, pausing outside a bakery at the smell of chocolates, breads, and cinnamons wafting out.
"Want a cinnamon roll? Looks like they're fresh out of the oven." Naruto-Y jests with his head, he's seen his older self bring a warm batch home plenty of times or pressed wildflowers he found going or coming from work to greet Hinata-O happily.
"You don't have to-" Hinata-Y starts, but Naruto takes out Gama-chan, joining the growing line.
A sweet blend of honey, sugar, and cinnamon coat her lips a moment later, feeling Naruto's amused grin.
"It's going all over your face you know!" He teases, thumbing at white sugar crystals.
His fingers linger on her cheek despite brushing off the crumbs, flicker in his eyes making heat pool at her chest.
She's seen that look before in his older counterpart's eyes just before a kiss...
He leans towards her, but an older gentlemen coughs and they hurriedly step apart, allowing him to enter the store.
'Is it that strange to see us out together?' She wonders, pursing her lips at a boy who looks barely older than them giving them puzzled looks before whispering and pointing towards her jacket with his friend.
Naruto-Y gives them a sharp stare back, something in his cerulean eyes making the pair gulp and look away quickly.
"They won't bother us, or you." He grumbles and she nods, smile brightening her face once more.
A squeal behind them stops them in place, a wave of light blonde hair approaching giddily.
"Hold up you two, Sakura told me all about your time slip here, but it's our first time crossing paths!" Ino beams, taking them in.
The Naruto and Hinata she knows never dated until they were older, and here the two are casually hand in hand just barely teenagers!
'My younger self will have a good time teasing them once they're back in their original time period!' She laughs to herself.
Sai chuckles at her enthusiasm, patting at her shoulder.
"I'm sure this has been more stressful for them than just a fun adventure Dear." He mentions.
Naruto-Y frowns, unsure what to make of the dark haired man.
Ino he recognizes, but who is this?
He glances to Hinata-Y discretely to see if she knows who this is, though her features are a carefully covered confusion he's picked up on from watching her enough.
Neither know who this man is.
And Ino must sense this, clearing her throat.
"Right, you haven't met Sai yet; my husband! He comes to the village later into you two's teen years as the new replacement for team 7." She explains.
'Replacement.' The word has a sour note to it.
Though it makes sense, it's not like Team 7 could stop going on missions forever just because Sasuke left.
'But why did they get someone so...creepy looking?!' Naruto-Y considers.
They didn't have to pick a guy who eerily has Sasuke's same onyx hair and dark eyes, skin a shade paler regarding them both with an unreadable look.
A long minute passes before Sai cracks a smile, well that's different, Sasuke only seems to grin in the midst of a fight.
"Looks like I can't really call you dickless if Hinata is your girlfriend so soon now! Relationships change people's bodies, not just their thoughts I've read." He beams, sincerely happy for the pair.
Hinata-Y blinks, a blush slowly burning at her face.
There was no pause or 'just kidding' said after such a casual/bold statement...
Naruto-Y appears equally alarmed, stare turning to Ino.
'Don't create a scene, you've gotten enough stares for today!' He bites his tongue, still he can't help to ask.
"Oi, did you really get married to someone who would make such a carefree comment?!" He snaps, disgust marring his features.
It was difficult enough to work with Sasuke and this guy apparently has no qualms about discussing a person's body like the weather.
Ino nudges Sai to behave, laughing weakly.
"He means it as a compliment, really and truly." However, Sai's smile remains the same refusing to clarify his remark.
'Weirdo.' Naruto-Y huffs, blocking his view of Hinata in case he feels the need to comment on her body too.
He notes an artist's sketchbook tucked underneath his arms, hoping he doesn't go around watching people do such things.
"Ino's telling the truth, Sai is just messing with you all...presumably." Shikamaru tacks on, hopping down from a nearby storefront's roof.
He nods to the pair in greeting, holding up a book the color of midnight blues and greens.
"I have updates for you both, where are your future selves?" He voices.
At their flustered silence, Sai speaks up again, grin seeming to widen just a fraction.
"Proving my point. No longer dickless and oblivious to their desires."
Sakura (Past)
'Alright you found him Sakura, now what?' She berates herself for not thinking this completely through. None of her plotting this out with Ino had given much thought on what to do after she managed to get inside.
Jiraiya laughs giddily at whatever the blonde woman whispers in his ear and she picks up on the mutterings of him discussing he's a high class writer of the arts.
'Is he drunk already? There's no way I'm going to get answers out of him!' Sakura grits her teeth, trying to clear her thoughts.
"What'll it be missy?" The bartender questions her and Sakura blinks, gazing up to the menu masking her utter confusion. All she knows about alcohol comes from Lady Tsunade and even then all she's seen her drink are sakes from various distillers and the occasional amber cocktail.
"I'll start off with a blue lagoon I suppose." She points to a sapphire drink that reminds her of the beach.
The man nods, writing down her order before moving on to a trio of women who appear to be celebrating a birthday, the pretty auburn haired girl in the middle giggling as her friends drop a party hat upon her head.
"Koyuki, all the shots are on us tonight!" They cheer.
'This place is really popular for a lot of events.' Sakura notes, risking a glance back in Jiraiya's direction only to see he's suddenly alone, the blonde and brunette from earlier having vanished.
He stretches with ease as he lets out a yawn, no longer looking a drunken fool as dark eyes twist in her direction and she freezes, turning her eyes slowly back towards the array of colorful drinks lining the wall as the bartender returns with her drink.
The citrusy drink burns going down, lemonade not enough to abate the sting of the vodka.
She swallows down a cough, hurriedly blinking away the tears that prick at her eyes.
Shit.
Drinking like a true amateur, her cheeks flush in embarrassment feeling the birthday girl and her friends amused stares.
'Abort. Abort. Abort!' Her thoughts panic, but she'll draw too much attention to herself abruptly getting up in a hurry; won't she? Ugh, she can already picture Lady Tsunade's face once she hears about this escapade, the amount of drills and bed baths she will have to do as punishment...
And where can she go anyways in this club without Jiraiya finding her?
"If you didn't want me to catch on so fast, perhaps you should've changed your eyes too." Jiraiya chuckles, plopping down into the empty barstool beside her.
Sakura scoffs, switching to the safety of the water the bartender passes when a series of coughs escape her. "How long have you known I was here?"
Jiraiya shrugs, waving off the bartender. " I have eyes and ears all over these brothels and clubs, Ichika. I've known you were here since you first walked in!"
His expression turns serious, pushing the blue lagoon away from her. "I can assume this wasn't a mission Tsunade sent you out to do, right? I must admit your genjutsu skills and disguising worked well to get you this far just to talk to me!"
Sakura straightens herself, tucking a blonde-pink lock out of her face. "I want to know what you've learned about Naruto and Hinata's whereabouts."
'And do you have a lead on Sasuke from Orochimaru's appearance?' But she bites her tongue to hold back on asking that. She doubts he knows about his current location (Orochimaru would never give any hints) and it isn't important when both Naruto and Hinata still can't be found.
Jiraiya brows furrow, nodding for her to follow him to somewhere quieter.
He leads her into a room separated from the bars and dance floors by velvet curtains, Sakura swallowing at how dry her tongue feels.
"Sakura, I'm sure anything I have to tell you is no different than what you've already heard around the village from Kakashi or one of the other jonin. What I have to say you shouldn't go gossiping around, I know how that blondie friend of yours Ino has loose lips." He starts. Sakura nods, ignoring the heavy scent of perfumes and colognes clinging to the pillows and linen surrounding them.
"Look, I just want to do anything I can to help Naruto and Hinata if they're in some sort of danger. It already feels wrong we let Sasuke slip away from the village and Naruto and the rescue team nearly died trying to get him back." She responds at his skeptical look to divulge any further details.
Jiraiya rubs his chin thoughtfully, onyx eyes finally meeting her emerald green properly and she knows now she's finally about to get some actual answers.
The truth.
"I don't believe they're in any danger, as of yet. They're just stuck in the future and I don't know by how many years."
Naruto & Hinata (Future)
'He's still here.' Naruto-Y realizes.
"We can't create a scene!" Hinata-Y hisses, the warning in her gaze quelling the heat pooling in his stomach.
But Kabuto is out and about in the marketplace still and everything from this morning bubbles back up despite briefly forgetting his presence.
His stare bores on him with uninhibited malice, the man sending a fleeting glance in his direction before carrying on with his shopping.
And it's then he notes the children beside him, hands curled around his own cheeks ruddy with excitement pointing out the activities and sales on display.
'What the heck is going on?'
"Kabuto helps run the orphanage right by the village, attacking him right now will make you look like the bad guy." Naruto-O voices from above them, hopping down beside them. It's a clone they both immediately know at his casual stanch and approach, the real older Naruto must still be at home or maybe at the Hokage Office.
"What?! He should be imprisoned for the crimes he did in helping Konoha be destroyed you know; he works with Orochimaru too!" Naruto-Y bellows, voice rising loud enough for a few citizens to look his way in concern or pick up the pace to get away.
Naruto-O squeezes at his shoulder, gesturing for him to calm down.
"Listen, I have news from Shikamaru. We should head back to the house." He relates and a sourness builds in his chest seeing his serious expression.
The walk back is slow, focusing on the cobblestones instead of this new look of uneasiness in his older counterpart's eyes.
'What now?' He wonders, Hinata-Y sending him a small grin that eases him just slightly.
Everyone is already waiting for them on the garden patio, Shikamaru along with their older selves.
"Brought them back like you said!" The Naruto-O clone chirps out, the real older Naruto nodding dispelling him.
Hinata-O looks equally uncomfortable, but a light smile fixes her face as they take a seat opposite their older selves while Shikamaru stubs out his cigarette, attention shifting from the grass edging along the patio's steps.
Shikamaru clears his throat then, getting everyone's attention. "As I'm sure you all already know, we've been looking into your case in how to get you back to your original timeline. Sasuke and Sakura have scoured the old archives of Uchiha clan techniques and secrets dating back to the Warring States Period while the rest of us have tackled the oldest records we could find at Konoha's Central Library."
"And...?" Naruto-Y questions, rolling his hands for him to continue.
He chuckles at his impatience before a frown slips across his face. "What we've found so far doesn't forebode well in getting you two back to the past anytime soon. It could take 1-2 years based upon needing to ensure nothing goes wrong with your bodies or minds in sending you back. For example, we looked into the idea of Sasuke using his rinnegan to take you both back, but we need to ensure first no issues arise in doing the process that won't drastically alter the past or future."
"On top of that many of the scrolls and books we found are missing pages, burnt, or are too illegible to read, we'll have to have the best of the best scholars review over everything to authenticate them before even trying to put any jutsus to use." He finishes.
Naruto-Y and Hinata-Y stiffen, looking to their adult selves who nod confirming this update.
"There's a chance someone in the past could get you back faster, say Jiraiya but I'm sure he's running into the same issues as us." Shikamaru reviews.
No one speaks for a long few minutes, cool wind scattering across them.
Hinata-Y abruptly sits up, a sudden thought coming to her. "I'm sure you all are doing you're best and we truly do appreciate it, are there any experts in the other nations who might have any ideas on how to help us?"
Shikamaru coughs then, looking to Naruto-O and Hinata-O to answer.
Naruto-O sighs, glancing to his younger self knowing he won't like his response.
"There is, we're considering asking Orochimaru to help look into this."
-x-
Happy New Year! It's 2022, hope everyone has a happy, peaceful, and successful year that's better than 2021. The world's still rampant with all these variants, being a nurse it's scary to see hospital beds filling up again and staffing still being low; stay safe!
Random Thoughts: There's been a nagging part of me while writing this that doesn't want Sakura to end up with Sasuke in this story. I do enjoy following canon and I enjoy a good SasuSaku when I'm in the mood for it but...their relationship for the most part wasn't portrayed as healthy! In my head right now there are two paths I can take Sakura down, a canon route with my own additional changes or a non-canon one where she's either single or with another guy. I would like you guy's opinion just to see what people would want or maybe you don't care! It's funny, when I told my brother Sakura really did get with Sakura he sent me a vomit emoji text back in response lol!
Now I know Orochimaru and Kabuto are apparently 'good' after the war's end (heavy on the quotation marks considering they both got a slap on the wrist essentially). Of course a young Naruto and Hinata aren't going to fully believe that until they interact more. Let me know your thoughts!
Enjoy. Review Favorite. Follow!
