Epilogue Part 1: Relation

A/N: Keep in mind Boruto and Himawari will obviously look and behave slightly differently from their canon counterparts in this re-imagined future. Not only do they have both Jiraiya and Neji as influences in their lives, Boruto is older than his classmates by about a year and a half.

Current Ages:

Boruto- 5

Himawari- 3

"This is part of what a family is about, not just love. It's knowing that your family will be there watching out for you. Nothing else will give you that. Not money. Not fame. Not work."

― Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie


Boruto, Himawari, & Jiraiya

"No bath time for Hima, no bath time for Hima!" Himawari bellows, skirting around Naruto's hands to run in the opposite direction from him. He summons two clones to create a barrier at the door only for her to crawl out under their legs before they can ensnare her, racing for the living room.

"Himawari, we don't have time for this! You're not going to feel better if you don't get cleaned up, you know!" Naruto scolds after her retreating form when she stumbles slightly, rubbing his head forehead to pause and think this through.

He watches the blur of her violet hair disappear around the corner, still repeating she doesn't need a bath.

Jiraiya glances up from his readings by the sofa (having come in from the garden following a trail of muddy footprints), cobalt orbs twisting to him at the same time.

"Toad Grandpa?" Himawari sniffles.

Jiraiya chuckles, waving her over. "What's got you all teary-eyed? Come on, I won't tell Mama or Papa!"

At the mention of Papa she stiffens, rushing closer. "No bath for Hima, I'm clean; see!"

Jiraiya looks her over, her hair, pants, and sunflower top are all smudged with stains of grass, mud, and pieces of bark. His eyes roam back towards the garden, where sunlight hits freshly planted lilies the colors of pinks and golds to vines of drooping lilac and wisteria that crawl along the edge of the garden to the fence line.

He laughs, ruffling with her hair shaking some twigs out. "Well, maybe you'd be considered sort of clean if we were out in the woods just coming back from a mission!"

Naruto hears his voice from upstairs. "Pervy-Sage, you're here?"

"Yup, just came in from the backyard!" Jiraiya calls back.

Himawari shuffles into his arms. "No! Hide me from Papa Toad Grandpa!"

Jiraiya blinks, considers it before shrugging with a nod, encircling his hair around her. She giggles as his spiky white locks blanket them both into a mini fortress.

"Pretty good hiding spot, huh?" He chuckles at the look of wonder in her eyes. It reminds him much like her Dad when he first showed off his skills for him when he was first under his wing. Boruto peeks his head out from the kitchen at the commotion, cocking his head in puzzlement.

Why is a spiky white tree in the middle of the living room?

Jiraiya pokes his head out towards him, grinning. "Hey Bolt! Want to join us?"

His lips draw into a flat line weighing with the consequences and his own interest, looking between him and upstairs. "Isn't...Isn't Papa looking for Hima?"

Himawari peers out at him, signaling him with a low hush.

Jiraiya waves him forward. "Come on, join us! I brought books!"

And the announcement of books is enough to fully get him on board, diving into his cavern of hair.

At the very same moment Naruto comes up with a gameplan.

"Let's just block Hima off at the stairs if we can't corner her in the living room, she can't escape us then!" The 1st clone announces.

The 2nd clone shakes his head in quick disagreement. "We don't want her to feel trapped; Pervy-Sage is here now anyways and can help us hold her in place! She's fighting us because she has an ear infection on top of the flu from what Sakura said, she's going tire herself out eventually."

The original Naruto frowns. "When's this 'eventually' going to come, huh? It's been over an hour!"

Both Naruto's sigh then, speaking in unison. "We need Hinata's help!"

But Hinata is currently picking up her medicine from the pharmacy and then will head to the market to get ingredients for rice porridge and soup. Meanwhile he assigned himself as the one to manage playtime in the garden followed by a light snack, bath, and then have them both down for a nap by the time Hinata returned.

So far he got stuck after snack time.

'And where is Boruto? I don't want him to pick up her flu.' He purses his lips.

He disperses the clones and heads down the stairs to just go ahead and get Jiraiya to help him; he's great at settling the kids down when they get too rowdy!

Though that quickly changes when he sees what Jiraiya's done.

"Morning! Or I guess it's afternoon now! Got the kiddos some library passes and free books they were giving away for the annual library fair." Jiraiya explains from a small opening within his spiky locks.

Naruto nods slowly. "Where are Boruto and Himawari?"

ACHOO!

"Bless you Hima!" Boruto responds automatically from somewhere within his hair fortress.

"...Did you hair just sneeze?" Naruto asks flatly.

Jiraiya smiles. "Yes, it does that sometimes!"

Naruto rolls his eyes, laying himself down to the wood floor.

"Oi, Hima! Papa needs you to come out so that he can check your temperature and give you a bath to cool down. I'll make some Hamburg steak too for lunch!" He relates.

Boruto races out at the mere mention of hamburger, hopping up and down. "With fries too, you know?!

Naruto chuckles, nodding patting at his head. "Can you help me get your sister out as well? Show her how brave you are as the big brother?"

Boruto shifts hearing that, it's a statement that both he and Mama use often when they want him be like a grown up.

"Hima, we can...we can play with your stuffed animals too later?" He suggests. The words fall out more as a question than offer and Naruto restrains a laugh seeing the way Boruto stiffens at the painful realization of what he's just decided to do. Tea parties. Dress-up.

They wait only a minute for Himawari to make up her mind and crawl out, Naruto beaming as she moves for his lap.

"Going to be a big girl for me?" He smiles while reaching for Boruto's hand for him to not run off next.

Himawari nods, wiping her runny nose on his jacket leaving a trail of silver-green snot.

'Ah, I'm going to need to add laundry now to the list of things to do.' Naruto muses.

"I ready now!" She chirps back, nuzzling into his chest.


Hinata

"I swear Inojin has taken these temper tantrums beyond just the terrible 2's stage! What do they call it when they're 4 and believe they know everything?!" Ino huffs between sips of tea.

It's rare for them all to catch a small break like this. The newest infusion center at one of Konoha's offsite clinics from the main hospital has been calling on her frequently to assess catheter lines, PICC lines, and IV's for blood transfusions, antibiotics, and fluids for dehydration.

And right now is the season of allergies, flus, colds, and everything in between for their kids.

"Ino, all kids throw a tantrum at some point no matter their age!" Sakura remarks dryly.

Even Sarada became huffy if she didn't answer her dozens of questions on what she saw around the village on her daily outings with her uncle.

Hinata giggles in understanding, taking in the paint stains along the ends of Ino's purple dress. "You and Sai will probably need to start locking up the paintbrushes or move them some place high out of his reach when he's not looking."

Ino nods with a groan, fixing her blue eyes upon a stain to Hinata's top that could be drool or something else.

"Oh, I shouldn't even complain when you have two kids! I'm sure Inojin is a saint compared to what antics Boruto gets up to with Himawari!" She assumes.

"It's actually Himawari who's been giving us more problems as of late. An ear infection on top of having the flu has made her extra fussy and resistant to our usual options that get her to calm down." Hinata reviews.

Speaking of, she really should get heading back to the house.

Sakura gestures in the direction of the cold, flu and allergy aisle. "If you can get her to take some lime and honey tea, that will help as well."

Hinata gives a thankful nod at the suggestion, promising she'll try and meet them for lunch next week. She quickly double checks her grocery list to ensure she has everything before heading for the checkout lanes.

She isn't just worried about Himawari in particular, Boruto has been acting odd as of late too...

'His byakugan. I haven't seen him activate it in awhile.'

And she knows now that he's 5 it's something the Elders will be itching for him to practice more so now than ever.

It was unusual enough for Himawari to activate hers earlier this year. Hyuga's don't usually activate their byakugan unless under a strict training regime or stress...

But then again, Mr. Panda losing his head courtesy of Boruto accidentally ripping it off was a stressful event for Hima.

She pauses in thought taking in the clear sky as she heads out, thin wisps of white clouds in the distance.

'I don't want to pressure them into training the way I and Hanabi experienced.' Hinata considers with a bite of her lips, wondering how she'll delay that meeting.

Both she and Naruto want Boruto and Himawari to want to train, not have it forced upon them.

A low hoot takes her out of her thoughts, Asami landing on her shoulder.

"You've been so busy lately. I rarely see you or Naruto head to the forests to train...among other things." She jests.

Hinata reddens before walking along, even with the passage of time Asami looks as regal as ever, brown and white feathers glistening in the sunshine.

"So comes the changes with being a wife and mother." Hinata responds.

Asami nods, taking back to the air.

Ah, just another quick drop-in.

"You sound just the same as the new mothers I helped all those winters ago. Except now their kids are out hunting on their own. Don't worry, I'll make another check in before the month is over, I overheard a festival is coming up." She hums before taking off with the breeze.

Light giggles fill the air as she approaches back up to the house, Boruto lifting up his Kamen Ranger figurine high in the air as she enters in.

"Go, Red Kamen! Transform into Mecha Ninja Rider!" He shouts, clicking a button at the back that switches the figure's designs, red blades and black armor covering the figure's form.

"We'll see if you can stop me Mecha Ninja! I have my smoke bombs on me!" Jiraiya chortles, readying his own action figure.

'Ah, he's got Jiraiya playing as the villain again.' Hinata grins as she steps properly into the living room.

"I'm home!" She announces in greeting.

The house is messier than normal, remnants mud tracks and toys sprawled about.

Boruto is the first to look her way, instantly dropping his figure rushing for her legs.

"Mama's back!" He beams nuzzling into her leg and Hinata squeezes him back, takes in his blond locks that shine with flecks of red in the passing sunlight.

Just like his grandmother.

Jiraiya moves himself up into a sitting position, walks over to the kitchen to help her unpack the mix of groceries and medicine.

"Where are Naruto and Hima?" Hinata asks between shuffling eggs into the fridge, keeping Boruto from dropping the apples, and setting a package of bread by the toaster.

Jiraiya motions with his head towards the laundry room.

"Himawari blew her nose on his shirt and may have thrown up as well before he could get the bath started! However, I think he finally got her down for a nap."

He grins at the flash of concern in her expression.

"You go check on them, I can handle Bolt here." Jiraiya suggests.

Hinata sends him a grateful smile, though Boruto resists breaking out of his hold on her legs until Jiraiya entangles him with his hair.

"Come on Boruto, I'll show you how I make my world famous soup!"

Boruto twists back to look at Hinata, byakugan active.

"Papa's still in the laundry room folding clothes, Hima's asleep in her bed." He explains to be of help.

And then just as fast his veins relax, rubbing at his eyes.

"You okay sweetie?" Hinata asks while taking a step back towards him. She studies his opalescent eyes for a trace of anything odd or that shouldn't be there, anything that would be out of the ordinary.

'He could get eyes like nobody has ever seen before; a mutation.'

Her chest abruptly tightens, she hasn't thought of Toneri's words in years...

"I'm okay Mama, using the byakugan just hurts my eyes sometimes. Grandpa and Uncle said it isn't good to use it for super long." Boruto voices.

His tone lacks conviction; certainty and Hinata hugs him close, his tiny fingers curling into her hair.

"If you have any worries or concerns about your eyes let Papa or Mama know right away, okay?" She instructs.

Boruto blinks, pushing on a cheery grin that reminds her so much of his Dad.

"Okay! Soon my byakugan is going to be as good as yours Mama and Uncle Neji's, you know!" He promises.

Hinata nods bumping their foreheads together gently, slipping away to find Naruto.

She finds him hunched over a pile of their clothes and she feels her face burn at his lack of a top. He doesn't get to train as often as he did when they were teenagers, but he still makes an effort to exercise and stay in shape at every opportunity he can get.

Naruto is just as handsome as when they first started dating, when they first got married...

'Focus, you came to help him!' She reprimands herself at letting her thoughts nearly runaway from her.

He peers up just as she steps in, chuckles at his state of dress.

"Oh, welcome back! I heard you come in, but I was still loading the washer, you know!" Naruto beams.

Hinata shakes her head slowly, settling herself beside him.

"I heard from Jiraiya you had a...chaotic morning." She describes.

Naruto snorts. "That's one way to put it."

He bumps their shoulders affectionately as she folds at one of his many orange jackets, leans in close to whisper in her ear.

"I saw the way you were looking at me just now." He teases.

Her breath hitches face instantly heating, squirming as his fingers slide under her top reaching for the ends of her bra.

He turns letting their lips meet, Naruto pulling her right into his lap.

"I can feel it too." Naruto adds in a low growl, fingers wandering downward.

"We can't, did you forget that your perverted Godfather is just down the hall?!" Hinata laughs when they fully break away, half-breathless, half-amused.

Naruto shrugs, they've made love in places far more risky than the laundry room.

"I'll close the door, we can just say the basket fell over and blocked the way!" He offers.

It's a silly excuse that Jiraiya would never believe, but this could be the only alone time they have until tonight when the kids are in bed...

And he can tell he's wearing her down from the way he rubs slow circles along her back while Hinata rubs at his rising erection, fingers slipping for the waistband of his boxers.

"We can be quick." Naruto motions.

Hinata wraps her arms around his neck, whispers not to leave any love bites.

Teeth scrape along her shoulder in response, pausing when he hears a gasp behind them.

Boruto rocks on his toes as he opens the door slowly, caught between stepping into the room clearly interrupting whatever secret meeting or game they were having and just curiously staring between his parents at their silence.

"I heard a thump and thought one of you fell!" He declares.

Naruto sighs in relief, laughing weakly. "We're alright Bolt. Mama is just going to help me to do laundry."

He cocks his head in utter puzzlement. "Why were you biting Mama though? Doesn't that hurt her?"

'Is Papa a vampire? Or a Yōkai?' Boruto considers, no that can't be right. Papa goes outside in the daylight just fine.

"..." Naruto looks to Hinata for help who merely looks down in thought at searching for an age appropriate answer.

"Mama, Papa, what were you doing?!" Boruto pouts, stomping his foot at their lack of response. Maybe Toad Grandpa will know if they're not going to tell him.

They instantly fluster, Naruto and Hinata gazing to each other in unison before back at their innocently inquisitive son reaching an answer.

"Nothing!"


Sasuke & Sakura

"No, he or his sister could pass a cold to Sarada." Sasuke voices his discontent.

Naruto should know this having two kids and all. The spring festival isn't that important for them to go to. He flips the invitation back over, considers what is an excuse he and Sakura can give without looking bad to their friends.

If it was up to him, he would celebrate here at home just with Sakura, Itachi, and Sarada.

Sakura lightly rolls her eyes, wiping a smudge of applesauce from Sarada's lips before gazing back to him.

"You can't blame Boruto for that! He's in the class a year ahead of hers and it will be good for Sarada to interact with some older kiddos. Plus, it's still flu season so viruses and germs are going to be going around whether she's at school or around the markets." She reasons.

Sasuke frowns, can already tell this is a losing argument from the way Sakura's brows narrow.

She follows his gaze back towards outside, Sarada running back into Itachi's lap as twilight descends upon the garden, rays of scarlet and gold slinking over wet grass and soil.

Itachi holds out a carrot to Sarada bigger than her hand.

"And this is-" He trails off, waiting for her answer.

"A carrot! And it's orange and helps with your eyes!" Sarada chimes out.

Itachi nods, holds up a tomato.

"What about this?" He asks.

"Tomato! Papa's favorite! And they're good for...they're good for..." Sarada wrinkles her nose in thought.

"They're good for your skin and keeping you from getting sick." Itachi supplies.

Sarada nods, dark eyes glimmering with joy. "Yes, all of that!"

She takes him by the hand then to show him the potatoes and leek she planted with Mama, the ones that will be used for soup and salad respectively when they're ready.

"Do you think Sarada will get the sharingan?" Sasuke abruptly asks while watching them.

Sakura turns thoughtful, verdant eyes gazing between her husband to their daughter.

They're alike in so many ways beyond just their looks, Sarada constantly wanting to explore the deeper parts of the forest where the sunlight doesn't reach, to learn jutsus beyond what a 4 year old can do.

"Perhaps. The sharingan activates under extreme distress or strong emotions; doesn't it? If she chooses to be a shinobi, she could go on a dangerous mission that triggers it." Sakura considers.

At Sasuke's silence, she goes on. "I've been assessing her eyes yearly. She hasn't complained of any vision issues as far as I know so far."

But perhaps she should ask Hinata to do an even deeper look at Sarada's eyes. Boruto's byakugan activated out of a tantrum at Himawari breaking his toy, it's possible something that seems mundane to them could trigger her sharingan.

"Uncle, you're coming to spring festival next week, right?!" Sarada asks in sing-song loud enough for them all to hear and Sasuke stiffens, leading the way back inside.

Sakura's grin stills in place, spring is when Itachi's symptoms seem to flare up at their worse.

He never stated he had any allergies growing up, but she can see from the way his breathing becomes labored, rasp to his breathing and increased coughing spells that he has something going on with the change of seasons. Fresh green leaves that come about with the hold of winter falling to spring always seems to trigger a reaction from him.

Itachi feigns a smile. "I don't see why not!"

Sasuke grits his teeth, gives Itachi a look he doesn't meet.

He gazes instead back to Sarada, brushes a twig and leaf from her ebony locks.

"I think after all that digging about in the backyard you're in need of a bath! Mama will help you in getting cleaned up then Papa will come read you a bedtime story as usual." Itachi exclaims.

Sarada beams happily, racing forward taking her mother's hand, unaware of the rising tension in the air.

"Let's go!" Sarada eagerly points in the direction of her bedroom and the bathroom but Sakura lingers, eyes on Sasuke.

And Sarada pauses, following her stare.

"Papa feeling alright?" She asks and it's this that snaps Sakura to attention.

"Yes, he's fine! Just needs to have a quick conversation with his brother!" Sakura states with a clipped grin.

She grabs Sasuke's arm before they go, meets his eyes silently communicating.

Sarada pauses before they can reach her room, gesturing for Sakura to lean down.

"Papa and Uncle are going to discuss me getting a sibling, right?" She asks.

A light pink dusts Sakura's cheeks, where did she hear that?!

Sarada takes her blushing as a confirmation, onyx eyes widening a fraction.

"Is it true? Papa is a good younger brother and so I can be a good big sister!" She mentions.

Sakura shakes her head, warmth trailing down her neck.

"No, no! Papa just wants to make sure Uncle Itachi doesn't push himself too much. He used to be very ill and needs to take the medicine Mama gave him regularly."

Sarada deflates then and they hear a frustrated sigh behind them that makes Sakura wince.

'I hope they're actually talking and not just going in circles.' She bemuses.

She can picture Sasuke annoyed Itachi is going against her medical instruction while Itachi will probably ask her on another day while Sasuke is out if he can have a brief increase in his inhaler's strength or in his anti-inflammatories to make it through the festival.

Sarada tugs at her leg, assuming her frown for worry. "Don't be worried Mama! That's how Papa shows his love! Because he's not much of a talker!"

Sakura hums, recalling long afternoons dozing in the shade of the trees, sky above a warm blue. His fingers would brush at her and Sarada's foreheads the same way Itachi used to do to him, gentle smile upon his lips.

And then there's the little things, picking up a floral skirt for Sarada and sweets for her from the bakery left in their rooms or the kitchen.

Itachi's presence, whether he realizes it or not has changed him in so many little ways.

Sakura nods. "I agree."


Naruto & Boruto

His office door is open.

It's past 11:00 pm, he's sure that he's the only one who should still be awake when Hinata took a squirming Himawari to bed over an hour ago.

His main lamp light for study casts a faint amber glow against the walls, moonlight from the still open blinds spilling in on tossed about books and opened scrolls.

Whoever did this is probably still here.

He steps in slowly, takes in the mess of crayons/markers the colors of sharp blues and greens along construction paper to a tower of blocks about to topple over by the plants.

Naruto plops down into his chair, pens and papers upon his desk in as equal disarray as the ground below. He turns his attention towards his coffee, takes a whiff and then a sip. It now tastes of candy and...perhaps green beans?

A stifled laugh comes out from below him as he sets the cup down, sure enough a mop of blond hair is poking out from the corner.

'Boruto's gotten too big for his usual hiding spots.' Naruto notes mentally with a grin.

"Hmm, wonder why my coffee suddenly tastes so odd!" He remarks aloud.

The snicker comes again hardly stifled, Naruto crouching himself down under his desk.

"I got you Papa!" Boruto grins as their eyes meet, letting him pull him out into his lap.

Naruto brushes away silver webs and dust from his hair, sighing.

'Normally a bath and bedtime story has him out for hours.' He wonders.

"Why are you still up?" He asks, straight to the point.

Lavender orbs gaze up at him, smile fading.

"I can't sleep like Papa." Boruto responds and Naruto supposes that's answer enough for now.

"You know you're not allowed in here alone though. Especially to touch my important scrolls or documents." Naruto gently scolds him, glad he wrinkles at already realizing he shouldn't be here.

Something must truly be bothering him for him to go this far to get his attention.

Boruto leans into his chest and Naruto knows he isn't likely to get an explanation as to why he decided to come here by pressuring him for answers.

But he can't ignore punishing him either.

'I wish I had asked our future selves how they handled scolding and tantrums more.' Naruto sighs.

"Do you want to be Hokage Papa? Misaki's Dad said you would be next to take over after old man Kakashi steps down." Boruto murmurs.

He gazes up at him fully once more.

"Is it true or were they just lying?" He questions, anxiously awaiting his answer.

Naruto smiles, bumps their heads lightly.

"It's true. I've always wanted to be Hokage since I was around your age even." He confirms.

Boruto gapes and part of his chest cracks seeing his son pained by one of his dreams about to become a reality.

"I...I, you can't!" He cries in disbelief.

He thought all those whispers from the parents and other kids were just rumors...

Naruto smiles faintly. "I've always wanted to be Hokage though, you know! It may be hard to believe, but Papa used to be very unpopular, a lot of people were afraid of me or hated me."

"Why? From eating too much ramen?" Boruto guesses.

Naruto shakes his head no with a light laugh, leans his head back briefly slipping through memories.

'Afraid of Papa? He really wants to be Hokage that badly?' Boruto huffs as he watches him, none of it makes sense, at least not to him.

Was it really that great of a job? He supposes with Misaki's Dad enthusiasm that many people think Papa will be good at it.

He's nice to everyone they see when they're out and about the village, he's strong enough to lift away debris after storms, and he gives good hugs to him, Hima, and Mama so maybe that's all that's needed to be in said position.

At Boruto's skeptical look, Naruto goes on. "I want to make sure Konoha and the other nations stay peaceful, that nobody experiences what I had to deal with growing up."

Boruto twists his fingers at his sleeve, tears pricking at his eyes.

"Mama, Hima, and I are more important!" He scowls.

Naruto holds in a laugh. Hinata likes to say Boruto looks so much like him in terms of his hair and whisker marks, but right now all he sees is a mini Neji glaring at him.

"You're right, you all are very important too." He emphasizes and amends himself.

Boruto nods. "You're coming to the blossom festival in the park on Sunday, you know! No meetings with all those old people!"

It's more a declaration than a question.

Naruto nods, writing it down on a sticky note and setting a reminder on his phone like Hinata showed him to do.

More than just becoming Hokage, he's always wanted a place he could truly call home; a family.

"I think about the future a lot Boruto; I'll make sure to delegate tasks as needed! Being Hokage will mean balancing time I spend with you all and at the office, making sure I come home in time for family game nights and dinner. Ah, I'll have Shikamaru get me an extra planner and calendar!"

Boruto rubs at his eyes, clearly he's boring him!

"Who?" He asks between yawns.

"Shikamaru! You know him with the pineapple hair, he has a son around your age named Shikadai." Naruto frowns.

At Boruto's continued look of confusion he feels a jolt of realization.

'That's right. Boruto isn't the same age as everyone else's kids. He probably hasn't met them yet or really interacted with them outside of seeing them at small functions and parties when we catch up with everyone which he wouldn't remember.'

Being older by a year he wonders then who he'll make friends with at the Academy, when he'll meet everyone else's kids properly, who will be on his 3 man team?

'No, I'm getting too far ahead.' Naruto stops himself.

He looks down to Boruto again, watches as he rubs at the sides of his eyes.

"Your byakugan isn't bothering you, is it? Mama and I don't want you straining it." Naruto advises.

Boruto shakes his head, cheerful mood returning.

"It's great, sometimes my right eye even glows!"

Naruto pauses, wondering if he heard him right.

"And...And when does that happen?" He decides to indulge him to relay this update to Hinata after this.

Boruto claps his hands, grin widening.

"When people are doing bad things! Just like when Kamen Ninja senses evil!"


Naruto & Hinata

Boruto apparently hasn't had his right eye glow in months, maybe even over a year.

"The next time it happens, we'll need to snap a photo to show to Father and Neji if they're not with us." Hinata decides.

Naruto readily agrees, he hopes this isn't a made up story, but Boruto's fervor and clarity over the subject makes him doubt that.

She returns back to packing and double checking they have everything they need for the picnic: sake, utensils, plates, sandwiches, juice, extra napkins.

'What are we missing?' Hinata thinks, counting they have 4 of everything at least.

Should she pack extra sandwiches incase their friends stop by? Naruto mentioned even Gaara and Fu could be visiting from Suna and that Killer B wanted to see how Konoha does festivals.

"And I got the blanket!" Naruto cheers out and Hinata grins before he turns his attention to the stairs.

"Boruto, Himawari! Are you two ready?" He calls out.

Boruto scampers downwards, holding what looks to be a stack of cards and his Kamen Rider figure.

"Yup! I'm going to find another person to form the Super Kamen Ninja Duo Force!"

Naruto simply nods, everything going over his head.

"Perhaps you'll meet Inojin and Shikadai properly today. I think they're into that same masked ranger adventure game we got you for your birthday." Hinata remarks and Boruto lights up, racing upstairs to grab his own console.

"What on Earth is he talking about?" Naruto asks while they wait.

Hinata shrugs. "It's a popular game where characters team up to fight various enemies, monsters, and factions to become the strongest ranger team."

Naruto nudges her then. "Ehh, have you been playing with him?!"

Hinata reddens, shaking her head too quickly for him to believe her.

They hear a shuffle of movement upstairs followed by a clank.

"Hima, you can't bring that many toys! They won't all fit in Papa and Mama's bag!" They hear Boruto order.

"No, I want Mr. Panda, Mr. Toad, and Mrs. Bunny to come along!" Himawari snaps back.

Naruto and Hinata look to each other.

Uh oh.

They get upstairs just in time to see their children in a stare down, Boruto's byakugan pulsing and active opposite Himawari's teary one.

Hands fly up getting into the gentle fist position.

"Lock on!" They cry out in unison racing for each other.

Hinata steps between them, jabs them both swiftly in the back instantly toppling them down.

Himawari let's out a whine, points with an angry hiss at her brother.

"Mama, he won't let me bring my stuffed animals to the picnic parade!"

Boruto grunts, shaking his head already moving back on his feet.

"No, I just said you can't bring all of them! And it's not a parade!" He huffs.

Naruto moves in to play mediator.

"Himawari, you're allowed to bring one stuffed animal so choose between Mr. Panda, Mr. Toad, or Mrs. Bunny. Boruto, don't boss your sister around or yell at her. You need to discuss the problem with me or Mama first."

Boruto dampens, nodding stepping forward to help Himawari up.

"I'm sorry for yelling." He apologizes, relieved when the white of her eyes melts back into blue.

Naruto gives a thumbs up to Hinata.

Crisis averted! Mostly!

He's sure the two will find something else to disagree on at the actual picnic.

They greet Neji, Hiashi and Hanabi at the corner of the street, Hiashi nearly running forward.

"Father, don't. You just got that new prosthetic fitted." Hanabi warns.

Hiashi ignores her, squeezing the pair into his arms as they meet him halfway and she gives up to join him.

Even Neji can't help but rub at their cheeks until they're pinched pink, Boruto squirming, but trying to stay still for the trio.

"Oh, look at how big you two have gotten! My precious grandchildren are growing up too fast!" Hiashi coos.

"Grandpa I'm 5 now! I need adult hugs now!" Boruto huffs.

Neji laughs, smoothing out his blond locks. "You'll never be too old for our hugs."

He glances over to Naruto and Hinata simply watching.

"How have you two been? Naruto, I heard Kakashi is thinking of stepping down within a few more years. Think you're ready?" Neji asks.

Naruto pumps up a fist. "Of course! I've done all the required classes and sessions after all, you know!"

Hinata giggles, pats at his shoulder.

"Neji meant do you mentally feel ready?" She clarifies.

Naruto blinks, before nodding. "That too! You know I've been shouting I'll be Hokage for years!"

'And I actually get to see it happen.' Neji muses, gaze turning to the white and pink buds in bloom upon the trees.

A cold breeze gets them all shuffling onward once more. The park is crowded by the time they arrive, couples and families huddled together for warmth under purple and pink lanterns that hang from the trees.

"Pervy-Sage said he saved us a spot near the river." Naruto mentions, searching for his trademark white hair until he sees him waving.

He chuckles at the entourage with him. Naruto Uzumaki the former prankster of village and the Hyuga's known for their cold stoicism all joined together.

"Toad Grandpa, I brought my own toad along too!" Himawari exclaims, holding up the red and brown toad plushie Naruto won her at last year's spring festival.

Jiraiya pats it's head, soft and warm, opposite of the slimy film that covers a real toad's body.

"Our next field trip will be to Mount Myōboku for sure! All the toads there come in sizes from as small as you to as big as these mountains!" He exclaims.

Beside Himawari, Boruto looks restless, gazing behind him.

"Something wrong kiddo? You're all jumpy." Jiraiya questions.

Boruto nods, skin turning a shade paler.

"That man behind you; getting closer. He's really mad at that lady there. He murmurs.

Jiraiya half turns to look, the auburn haired man in question staggers about, cheeks flushed from alcohol.

But Boruto is right, anger dances in his eyes, flames ignited seeing a dark haired woman happily chatting with another guy over drinks and onigiri.

"Kaori, this is who you left me for?! This smug little bastard!" He slurs out, stepping between them, kicking and stomping over sake and cups creating crystal shards.

'Ah, a lovers quarrel.' Jiraiya hums.

How bad is it going to get?

He gets his answer a second later, the man drawing out something from his sleeves, glint of a kunai.

"No, unbelievable! I'll kill him! You'll never find happiness!" He laughs wildly.

The kunai is shifted out of his hands as he dives forward, Kakashi holding him up by his neck.

"Now, now. We won't be having any violence out of jealousy!" He states with faux cheer.

The fight leaves his eyes seeing Kakashi's features shift, holding his hands out for the guards beside him. The tension in the air dissipates as Kakashi announces for everyone to enjoy themselves, chatter of various conversations slowly rising up again.

"Wow, Mama, Papa; did you see that?! He was just like Kamen Rider!" Boruto cheers, pumping his fists up.

He peers back to his parents and Hinata straightens in surprise.

His right eye; sclera dark as midnight, eye a pure white that reminds her of snow.

Naruto stills beside her, seeing it as well. Toneri's prediction rises up like bile, words spinning back to life.

'Or maybe it will be a mutation. Something others will fight him for; the desire for power never ends.'

Boruto blinks, rubs at his eyes.

And then just like that; the white eye is gone.

-x-


Well, we've reached the penultimate chapter! Last chapter will time skip a bit further to an older Boruto, Himawari, and gang connecting the past and future. Thanks to all my readers for sticking with me through this!

Let me know your thoughts as always!

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