Epilogue: Of Beginnings

"Relax, having kids is years away. But can you imagine? Your brains, my charm, our collective good looks…It's really not even fair to everyone else!" –Richelle Mead, The Fiery Heart

Current Ages:

Boruto: 11

Himawari: 9

Boruto -Academy

'This is the longest 5 minutes ever.'

He suppresses a yawn before Sarada can look his way and glare, even if she too already knows the ins and outs of the basics of the transformation jutsu down to a T like him.

Aburame-sensei, as if sensing the eagerness of the class in general to let out, coughs and gestures to the blackboard behind him.

"I think in order to make the topic of jutsus and their history more interesting to you all, your next lesson/project will involve demonstrating to your fellow classmates a signature jutsu or technique from your own families."

A wave of groans fills the class, particularly in the students he knows don't do well in presentations or don't have a clan or family name that sticks out in Konoha.

"Now, now, It doesn't need to be anything super flashy or powerful. However, it will show you all know more than just textbook knowledge. I'll give you all until the end of next month to practice and decide which skill you want to use for grading purposes. In addition to the skill you demonstrate you will need an accompanying essay describing the history of the technique in it's relation to your clan." He finishes.

Boruto stiffens, his gaze seemed to be laser-focused on him throughout that whole spiel.

But still that's easy enough, Mom or even Uncle Neji can help him refresh on the Gentle Fist or maybe if he practices enough he can use Mom's Twin Lion Fists too…

'It'd be nice if my byakugan came in like Hima's did, then I could better show off the capabilities of the Hyuga Clan like the rotating palms I've seen Uncle Neji do once.' He muses, gathering up his textbooks.

Shino gestures to him before he can leave the class, eyebrows pinched together.

Not a good sign.

"Boruto, while you excel on all your tests and seem to pick up any lesson with ease, I want you to try something different with this particular topic." Shino begins.

Boruto arches a brow, waiting for him to go on.

"What I mean to say is when it comes to your family's line of jutsu, you typically only show your mother's side: The Hyuga Clan. All your past reports, essays, and even heritage projects have only been about The Hyuga. I want you for this lesson to go with a technique from your father's side: The Uzumaki Clan." Shino describes.

And instantly Boruto feels a retort bubble up on his tongue, his Dad is already getting too busy with coming Hokage duties once old man Kakashi steps down for him to teach him anything. On top of that, he's sure Aburame-sensei knows already that there is hardly any literature available in regards to the Uzumaki clan's techniques that he can use as reference point...

Does he want him to fail?

Though he can tell from his flat expression it isn't a matter up for discussion.

"Fine." He grunts after a moment, adjusting his bag.

He'll make it work, one way or another.

"What did Aburame-sensei want?" Sarada questions him as soon as they're outside the Academy building. Late evening sun pours down on them, sky a vibrant shade of pinkish-gold as his mind turns to wondering what will be for dinner tonight.

If Dad will be home with them to discuss this subject...

He purses her lips at her amused look, she could've been gone home with Cho-Cho or Sumire as usual but instead she has waited for him with the sense that he was somehow being lectured or punished for one of his past pranks. (His last prank was over 3 weeks ago and it was something mild. It was just switching a few lesson plans with old copies of a guy named Jiraiya's books he found while looking through Dad's old boxes in helping Himawari clean up.)

Neither Mom nor Dad found it funny though when it eventually got back to them, overhearing his Dad rapidly whisper to Mom they would need to move said books location out of his office immediately.

"I need to use one of my Dad's family line techniques for this lesson." He finally grunts out and Sarada blinks, dark eyes widening in interest.

"Well that shouldn't be so hard, he's about to be 7th Hokage in a few weeks I've heard. He should have plenty of books and materials you can use in the Central Library." She reasons.

'I know.' Boruto frowns as if he needed the reminder, said books are only on his Dad's actions during the last Shinobi World War and his role as a peacemaker, nothing really about the Uzumaki clan in general.

And those stories are ones he's heard hundreds of times already.

She scoffs at his pouty look, nudging him non too gently. "At least you can go up to your Dad for questions and practice, mine is...mine is-"

"The super cool Blind Shinobi and Silent Killer! Is he away again on some secret mission?!" Boruto beams, instantly perking up finishing her sentence for her.

Sarada rolls her eyes, her Father's apparent monikers belie his actual personality in real life.

"He's not completely blind really, he can still see shadows and some outlines if you get close enough to him." She murmurs, Boruto sending her an amused grin she is in the same predicament as him really.

She remembers then her last quiet outing with her Father when he was in the village to one of the rivers on the outskirts of the training grounds. The sharp sapphire-blue of the river, the chill of the water, his abrupt jolt in grabbing her arm to keep her from going into the rapid current.

"How, did you-" She breathes in shock, words falling away to the wind.

Her whole body shivers, soaked from head to toe.

"I'm listening Sarada, my others senses make up for what I've lost." Sasuke replies, tugging her fully back up and out of the water into grass.

Her face burns before she can help it, feeling a small grin crawl up to match his own as he attempts to warm her up.

It's just as Mama said, his loss of sight hasn't changed his skill as a shinobi at all.

"You have to teach me Papa, everything you know-"

But just as she expects like before, his smile flattens as he taps their foreheads together lightly. "Not this time Sarada."

Ugh, when is it going to be 'the time'?!

Like him, it would be easier to use her Mom's abilities for this mini project, in-fact putting her super strength to use would be nice to wipe Boruto's smug look off his face before healing it right after.

She cracks her knuckles in emphasis and Boruto takes a step back from her.

"Anyways, I heard Inojin say he wants to try and use his Mom's Mind-Body technique, even Shikadai wants to try out his Mom's use of wind abilities more instead of using his Dad's classic shadow binding ones. I think...I think this is a good test really. It's important to learn the abilities our parents know as well. It helped them on missions and even in the last Great War." Sarada pursues after a bit of silence.

Boruto shrugs, crossing his arms behind his head. "Easier said than done."

"You're not one to give up so easily though, are you Boruto?" A new voice adds in.

Boruto and Sarada pause, neither having spoke looking to the fences.

Mitsuki waves back at them before hopping down to the pavement beside him.

Golden-snake orbs beam with joviality despite their weirded out looks.

"...How long have you been up there?" Boruto asks after a moment.

"Oh, since class let out! I didn't want to interrupt you two, it seemed like quite an intense conversation!" Mitsuki considers, looking between them both merrily.

Boruto snorts, waving off the idea. "You could've interrupted, Sarada here looked like she was about to attack me a second ago you know!"

Anger flashes in her eyes, stomping on Boruto's foot and moving on ahead. "I wasn't, but you deserve it after constantly interrupting class with your stupid pranks! Anyways, this is going to be interesting and fun!" She snickers mischievously, twisting her back to gaze at the duo.

Boruto rubs at his sore foot, matching her glare. "What is?"

Sarada's grin widens, saying just what she knows will dig into his thoughts for days to come.

"It will be nice to see you fail for once."


Naruto & Hinata- Uzumaki Household

"Naruto, you can't help me with the cooking by hugging me!" Hinata jests with a laugh, squirming in his grip to no avail.

One of them needs to finish making the salad and check on the roast in the oven before it burns.

"But I am helping Dear, I made sure the rice and noodles were ready!" Naruto emphasizes, nodding his head to said finished bowls.

"Those were the easiest ones to make!" Hinata mock scowls, looking up to face him.

Cobalt orbs shine with warmth and lust, Hinata's giggling getting louder when he bends his head to begin a string of kisses along her neck. His fingers trail beneath her sweater to the side of her bra, thumbing at her nipple just as they hear the click of the front door opening.

"I'm home!" Boruto's voice yells from the foyer.

He wrinkles his nose at seeing their affectionate closeness, averting his eyes. "Ew, this is a public area; can you guys not do that here?"

Naruto matches his huff, hugging Hinata closer. "We're in our house!"

"Welcome back!" Himawari hops up from her book in the living room, Boruto opening up his arms for her approaching hug.

Hinata smiles at the scene, untangling herself first. "How was your day?"

"Shino have any exciting project for you guys to do, involving bugs maybe?!" Naruto adds jokingly, Hinata nudging him he wouldn't do such a thing to his students so early on.

They watch their son's grin vanish before he quickly tacks it back on, shaking his head.

"Nothing of interest really." He replies while looking away, heading for the stairs towards his room to set his things down.

Naruto and Hinata watch him, listening to the heavy thump of his footsteps against the wood flooring.

"He's a terrible liar, I hope Shino didn't really give them some type of lesson like that." Naruto mutters, crossing his arms at his behavior.

Hinata rubs his arm, his grumpiness a prelude to how dinner was going to go. "We can't force it out of him Dear, he's almost a teenager now and next year when he properly takes the tests to become a genin he'll want us to treat him more seriously."

Naruto nods, looking back to her dropping a light kiss to her head. "I don't want to be reminded of how old we are Hinata!"

Hinata giggles again before following his gaze back up the stairs.

"Go check on him. Himawari and I can finish things up here." She suggests.

Naruto hesitates for a second, it's clear Boruto doesn't want to be bothered, though it's better to take care of his foul mood now than deal with the storm of it over dinner.

"Alright...but come rescue me if I'm not back in 10 minutes!" Naruto asserts.

Boruto as he expects, has his eyes glued to one of his games when he pokes his head in. (From those ninja scroll series he thinks.)

'It's multiplayer so he must be connected with one of his friends.' Naruto considers.

At least Hinata said it was capable of something like that with internet connectivity too for online play, it all sounded much like a foreign language to him.

"Are you just going to keep staring at me or what?" Boruto questions, startling him from his thoughts.

"Depends, can I come in?" Naruto questions back.

Blue eyes cloud with annoyance, turning back over in his pillows.

"I guess...it is your house as you said earlier." He replies.

Naruto sighs, stepping into his room properly. It smells faintly of paint and ink and he considers asking if he has some type of prank planned before thinking better of it.

"This is your house too you know. And more importantly, you know you can tell your Mom and I anything." He relates.

Boruto sits up, gaze taken to out his window at the last bits of sunset. It will be a warm night as well, moon rising through the mix of orange-violet.

"I know Dad." Boruto starts, shuffling his hands against his sheets quietly.

He feels a grin etch up at his antic, it reminds him of Hinata's old habit of poking her fingers when shy or embarrassed.

"So, Aburame-sensei wants us to demonstrate a technique from our family's clan or history. I'm always picking ones from Mom's clan so he wants me to choose you this time." He grumbles out in one breathe.

He looks at him properly then expecting him to have comprehended all of that.

"My clan? I mean, sure! Which move do you need to learn? And how much time do you have?" Naruto asks slowly, making sure he understood him right.

To his relief, Boruto brightens some, straightening up.

"Anyone is fine, I have about a month a half to practice! Plenty of time!" He boasts.

'Actually it isn't, though Shino probably isn't expecting perfection.' Naruto notes, rubbing his chin thoughtfully at what he could teach him.

He claps his hands, nodding. "Okay, when do you want to start?"

Boruto blinks, puzzled by him needing to ask such a question.

"Obviously, tonight!"

Hinata's voice echoes from downstairs calling them back.

"Sure, but first, dinner!"


Naruto & Boruto- Uzumaki Household-Backyard

Just as quickly as Boruto's excitement for training came has it vanished, scowl etched upon his lips.

"Why not the rasengan?! Isn't that like one of your most classic moves besides the Shadow Clone Jutsu?" He remarks testily, arms crossed at his lack of a response. His gaze moves towards the moon now bright above them, though at least he hasn't turned to go back inside.

Naruto sighs, stopping himself from volleying back his own frustration. "It is, but it's not a move specific to the Uzumaki clan. They're are a good chunk of people who can do that move outside of the clan, like Konohamaru for example!" He points out.

And at this Boruto deflates, plopping down into the grass. "Well there has to be something!"

Boruto's affinity is lightning from he and Hinata doing the paper test with him last year, though he seems to pick up any skill rather easily just from observing.

Naruto hums before snapping his fingers, while he wasn't exactly perfect at it, he could show him what the Uzumaki clan was best known for.

Sealing.

"This could be one thing you could show off to your classmates, though it's an A-rank skill and even I'm not that good at it." Naruto starts.

Boruto leans forward curiously at that, interest renewed. He's never heard of a move or ability Dad wasn't skilled in, cerulean eyes widening as three chains burst forth from his chest, capturing a fallen branch on the outskirts of the garden.

"What...What is that?!" He breaths out in shock, tapping at each chain hesitantly. They don't even move from his touch, not even when he attempts to break them.

Naruto smiles, pulling the branch towards them. "It's called Adamantine Sealing Chains, your grandmother was better at using them than me. The Uzumaki clan was best known for sealing objects from Tailed Beasts to their enemies during the Warring States Period."

"Can you attack with them as well?" Boruto questions, none of his moves had even made a dent.

"Yeah! Well, I've never really seen them used that way except once during the War. It's mostly used for restraining, but it can break through objects too if you bring out enough chains." Naruto relates.

Boruto nods silently, watching as he makes the chains dissipate.

"You didn't use any hand seals, so it's made of-" He starts.

"My chakra, yes." Naruto finishes for him, ruffling his hair making him pout.

It wasn't going to be as easy as he imagined.

"Alright then, I'll learn fastest by having more of me!" Boruto decides.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

'Not a bad idea.' Naruto notes proudly.

He certainly wouldn't have thought of that at his age!

And he watches as he assigns his trio of clones each with a specific task. One concentrating on how to harness his chakra, one watching him create the chains again for example with one of his own clones, and the last one attempting to execute it into practice.

"Aren't you going to join them?" Naruto questions, the real Boruto standing back beside him observing them.

His gaze falls to the grass below, scrunching his lips and if not for the moonlight he wouldn't see the red darkening his cheeks.

"...What were Grandpa and Grandma like? You never tell Hima or I much about your family." He asks softly.

Naruto tenses, all Boruto probably knows about his parents is what he might've found digging through old photo albums and off-hand stories.

He gestures for him to sit and after a minute of reluctance he does, surprised when Naruto wraps a loose arm around him.

"As you know, they died in the Third Shinobi World War. I'm sure you already know all the basics like how your Grandpa was the Fourth Hokage and Grandma was the previous holder of Kurama before me. Considering they passed when I was only an infant, I can only go by things other people have told me about them, short articles I managed to find not torn away, and my brief encounters with them. Grandma could have a sharp temper if people made fun of her red hair stands out." Naruto reviews.

"Oh, like how Hima got mad when I ripped one of her old stuffed frog's head off?" Boruto mentions.

The memory makes him nearly wince, absently brushing at his stomach recalling her jab. Her byakugan could manifest again depending on her mood and they both needed to be ready for it.

"Yes, exactly like that!" Naruto muses.

Boruto shivers, pausing before leaning his head against his shoulder. "How did Grandpa survive; did she use the sealing chains on anyone who messed with her?!"

Naruto shakes his head, as scary as his mother could be he can't imagine her using the chains for such a vicious purpose.

"Oh, Grandpa loved her scarlet hair and he liked her cooking and even put up with her pranks and teasing! It's like your Mother, she loves me despite how annoying of a guy I was in our preteen and teenage years!"

Boruto snorts, though Naruto can see the grin etching his lips.

A cloud blots out the moon, sending them into a brief darkness.

And with it a sea of stars becomes visible, it's rarer to see them within Konoha's walls since the rapid rise of technology and skyscrapers. Streetlights and the constant nightlife of Konoha make them only viewable if one goes outside the village into the forests.

'It's nearing midnight.' He realizes at seeing Hinata peering at them from the window. He waves back at her just as Boruto's clones start to pop one by one.

He looks down at him, eyes already half-shut.

"You're still kind of annoying." He mumbles, head burying deeper into his shoulder nonetheless.


Naruto & Hinata

"Do you think my lesson stuck with him?" Naruto asks aloud.

Hinata rolls over to him, grinning at him in reassurance. "Of course! You saw the way he lit up just knowing you two were going to do one on one practice together."

Naruto crosses his arms behind his head, uncertainty still in his cobalt eyes.

He's so exhausted lately he can't blame Boruto fully for his frustrations, time always seems out of his reach as of late.

"Whatever happened to that planner I gave you?You're going to need it once your full duties begin!" Shikamaru berates him lowly.

Naruto looks around the scrolls scattered about them, rubbing at the mix of drool and ink on his cheek before Shizune comes back to retrieve them for the next lesson on training of the security guards.

"Somewhere! I know it's an orange/red notebook with my clan symbol on it!" He mentions helpfully.

Shikamaru rolls his eyes, grinning despite the chaos of how this morning has begun.

"Well, have Hinata help you look for it; it's either here among the ramen bowls or at your house among the ramen bowls." He suggests.

"I don't eat ramen that much anymore! Hinata's cooking is far and away better." Naruto retorts, brushing off his comment.

Though it probably is underneath one of the old ramen packages he had this week.

Hopefully.

He reminds himself that he actually did find it buried beneath his paperwork, the first course of action having been to start blocking out at least one to two days as his relax/off times with the kids and Hinata.

"I wish I had more to tell him when he asked about his grandparents. There's only so much I myself know. Maybe it's why we don't talk as much now." He considers. Even he started off on a sour note with his Dad before learning more about his past, he needs to be more open to discussing it with him and Hima...

"That's not true, as Boruto gets older he wants to be able to prove himself to you and others that he's more than just your son." Hinata remarks softly.

And it's this that makes Naruto truly grin, the reminders of himself and Hinata he sees in their children in creating their own identities and forging their own paths.

'Ugh, I really do sound like an old man; this is how Pervy-sage used to talk to me!' He realizes in mild horror.

He curls into Hinata until he can feel the thrum of her heartbeat in his ears, fingers circling at the tips of his hair creating a trail of zigzags and swirls.

"On nights like this we used to be up all night." Hinata murmurs out into the quiet.

Naruto laughs lowly, shifting his head up slightly to meet her gaze. "Is that an invitation?"

Because now sleep is the last thing on his mind.

Hinata hums in reply, not stopping him from creating a path of wet kisses up to her lips. He rides up her nightgown until cream skin is in view, tugging and nearly tearing at the lace of her panties.

"You're already so wet for me, was this your plan for the night after all?" Naruto groans, thumbing at her center.

Her breath hitches, slowly pulling his head down.

"It worked, didn't it?" She answers back between a sigh and moan.

Naruto grins into the curve of her leg, as if she really needed to ask.

"Let's finish what we started in the kitchen."


Boruto & Himawari (Following Morning)

'8:09 am.'

It never takes Dad nearly 45 minutes to get ready even when he's running super late, let alone Mom!

Himawari gestures to his foot tapping beneath the table, amused smile rising up. "Relax, Papa and Mama will be down shortly!"

Boruto scoffs, reddening at just how clear it is that he's been watching the clock every few minutes.

Finally he gives up and turns his attention back to the slightly burnt omelets and rice he made for themselves. They taste exactly as he expects, sour and crunchy going down as he takes in another large glass of water to fight down spitting it out.

"That's what he said over an hour ago." He grumbles under his breath when he had realized he was the first one up for the day, though Himawari hears him anyways.

"Well maybe Papa is feeling sick?" Himawari considers.

And at this Boruto truly rolls his eyes, the lopsided grin upon Dad's face when he briefly saw him was the opposite of sick.

He's screeches back from his chair loudly, prepared to head out to train without him when they hear the pattering of footsteps down the stairs.

"Sorry, sorry! We overslept, we need to all get going before he calls us again asking where we are!" Naruto mentions in a rush, gesturing towards the door.

Boruto blinks as Hinata steps out from behind him, nodding to him to help Himawari clean up what's left of their breakfast.

He follows his sister into the kitchen, brows furrowed. Anger melts into confusion as he peeks up to see their parents adjusting on some bags, why the sudden hurry?

Where are they all going?

'And what about training you know?!' He wants to shout.

"What's going on?" He hisses to Himawari as she fills the sink with hot water. Her expression matches his own perplexed one, shrugging before beaming once again.

"Mama and Papa are surprising us with something!"

That is all the explanation she needs to nudge him to start drying the plates while she scrubs.

'But our birthdays are months away, and it's not time for the Rinne Festival yet.' He questions himself, wanting to force the topic despite Himawari's disinterest in the why.

It isn't until they're all out under the heat of the morning sun does he finally ask what exactly is happening.

"Aren't we training? You promised!" Boruto snaps through clenched teeth, slowing down and fixing a glare upon Naruto for an answer. Naruto walks back towards him, patting at his hair only building to his frustration.

"We are going to train!" He replies with ease, pushing him to up his pace with the rest of them.

"And Hima and Mom coming to watch?" He frowns, he doesn't need Himawari to have additional fuel to tease him with when he inevitably screws up in the process of creating the chains.

"Maybe, though they might get distracted in between. Your mom and I used to pour over scrolls and books in the library for hours and then this morning we decided you're more of a kinesthetic learner like I am. This is another way we agreed you can learn how to make the chains faster." Naruto answers vaguely.

Boruto huffs, burying his hands into his pockets. "That isn't what you and Mom were doing this morning, I heard you before I knocked."

Naruto has the decency to at least blush, coughing and looking away for a moment. "We did really discuss it, you know!"

This is probably the best he'll get out of Dad for now Boruto realizes, moving to match his sister's stride. He follows her gaze to the sluggish roll of clouds overhead, the light pinks and whites of cherry blossoms scattered along the pavements. Spices and sweets fill the air and his stomach curls, reminding him of the charred breakfast slushing in his gut.

It's only once they cross through the village square heading north does he realize where they're going.

The Hyuga Manor.

Neji is already waiting for them outside the gates, stiffening up while Himawari rushes forward.

"Uncle, I didn't know we were coming by to visit you today!" She chirps, burying herself into his leg. Neji squeezes at her gently in return, nodding to Naruto and Hinata with a smile before his attention turns to him.

Himawari unwinds herself just as he tentatively steps forward, now moving at a snail's pace

'Of all the places we had to go to!' He groans internally.

"Well?" Neji questions with an expectant brow, he knows he can't come in yet without doing their usual greeting.

And at Naruto and Hinata's stare he bites down a snarky remark.

"Well, what?" Boruto questions back.

Uncle Neji does the same thing he always does when they come to visit, stretching out his arms.

"Well, where's my hug?!" He orders.

"I'm next after you!" Hanabi yells out behind him and he sighs.


Naruto & Hinata (Hyuga Manor)

"It's been awhile since we've all come together. It's nice to see everyone is doing well." Neji begins.

"A rare off day huh Lord Seventh?" Hanabi jests as she fills everyone's cups with tea.

Naruto laughs politely, waving it off. "I'm not Lord Seventh yet. The inauguration ceremony isn't until next month you know."

"Hopefully by then the seamstress will have your cloak finished, if I remember correctly Kakashi-sensei's wasn't ready in time so they had to use a patch instead." Hinata adds in.

Neji looks back towards Boruto, plate cleaned of the sausage, egg, and toast combination.

"Hinata and Naruto tell me you have a skill project/essay you're working on for class?" He inquires.

Boruto nods, those blue eyes remained fixed upon the crumbs of his plate. "Dad is showing me some of the Uzumaki clan's abilities."

"We can assume you need to train such a thing among a variety of opponents, so who better than us!" Hanabi brags.

Neji agrees, moving to stand and guide them outside to the back training halls. The compound is a buzz of activity as they weave along the mahogany flooring, waving at attendants and fellow clansmen morning greetings.

"So I've caught Neji up to speed on what's going on, it's good to have another set of eyes checking your weaknesses." Naruto reminds him.

"And once Neji gets too tired, I'll swoop in to help make sure you don't expend all your energy too fast." Hanabi jumps in.

Neji's smile twists into a frown, same stoic features Boruto has seen time and again in photo albums now pasted back on.

"I'm not going to get tired Hanabi." He counters dryly.

"Sure you won't!" Hanabi replies back smoothly, matching his deadpan tone.

Thirty minutes later they are on the field with Boruto's goal set: Use at least two chains to stop Neji in place.

Naruto and Hinata observe from the sidelines, half obscured in the shadow of the trees to fully noticeable when sunlight cracks through a large opening in the leaves.

"He really is a fast learner." Hinata states in awe, Boruto's shadow clones closing in on Neji. Her eyes follow the two to her left, one with lighting crackling at it's fingers and the other preparing to launch a bullet of water forward.

"Water release: Splash bullet!"

"Lightning current!"

Neither land, Neji blasting them back making the duo pop.

"Try using the sealing chains Boruto! Remember every move has a way to reverse it in your favor!" Naruto yells out, relieved when Boruto peers their way and gives him something of a faint smile and nod.

"You need to get your eyes checked old man, I have been using it!" Boruto shouts back.

And when the dust clears they see two chains slithering across the dirt ground, one managing to coil at Neji's leg before he gets knocked away at his speed, palm striking at his chest.

"While I know this lesson you have for school doesn't involve any sparring, it's always good to know it incase you need to use it for a mission at some point or even interrogation." Neji remarks.

He helps Boruto back up to his feet silently, matching his confident grin.

"Ready to continue?!" Boruto tumbles out, not waiting for a response as he gets into position.

They spar until the sun is midway in the sky, sweaty and pink in the face from the humidity and heat.

"I...I can keep going Uncle." Boruto challenges him when Neji shakes his head, straightening back up.

"That's it for today." He decides.

Boruto scrunches up his hands, blinking away exhaustion to no avail. "But, I-"

"No, we're taking a break." Hinata interrupts him, gently squeezing at his left shoulder. Naruto grips at the right, both keeping him from falling back.

Boruto looks up to them, from when did they get here beside him? He calms his breathing as one thought becomes clear seeing their warm smiles, smiles that have held so much in secrets, pain, joy...

And love.

"I know what I want my paper to be about." He murmurs with a sudden clarity.


Boruto (Academy- 1 month later)

"Did you type that up last minute?" Sarada jests, taking in the ink stains on his fingers and crumpled edges of his papers.

"My printer's ink has been low so I had to use one of the library's ancient ones is all!" Boruto snaps back.

Dark eyes narrow at his relative silence after that, surprised he doesn't have the urge to continue to argue.

"Papa taught me how to do the fireball jutsu, what about yours?" She asks after a moment in a peace offering that it's too early in the day to really fight.

A grin etches the corner of his lips.

"You'll see! I'm not perfect at it yet, but it's a signature Uzumaki clan move!" He announces proudly.

"Boruto, I take it you have your paper and skill ready to show to the class at your talking?" Aburame-sensei points them out, making them freeze.

Just as Sarada opens her mouth to apologize, Boruto moves to stand with a nod.

"Actually, I do!" He calls back eagerly.

He adjusts his papers into a neat row, clearing his throat as he steps down to the front.

"This will be a collection of everything I've learned about Mom and Dad, of all that's shaped them into who they are and have passed onto me and my sister Himawari." Boruto starts.

And just as he tested in the mirror last night, he releases two chains forward to the awe of his peers.

"These are called Adamantine sealing chains! It's a sealing jutsu that's been used by my clan since the Warring States era. They also represent in a way the 'chains' that bind us altogether." He explains.

It already sounds cheesy saying it aloud after so many times practicing it alone in his room, but he pushes forward.

There's a lot about his parents he's learned over this past month he should've been asked about or maybe shouldn't have ignored when they were trying to give him advice. How they met, the people they've loved and lost, Dad learning to get along with Kurama, and Mom and Uncle bridging the Hyuga clan back into one...

And entwined within all those moments was the very beginnings of his parent's romance.

-x-

The End

I want to once again thank all my readers for taking the time to follow me through this story. It's had it's ups and downs, especially when I felt like giving up on it!

I'm glad to have this project finally done though as while writing this a NaruHina centric themed story popped into mind that I'm excited to share. It's still in it's rough draft phases, but I'm sure I'll be able to upload it next weekend with the free time I have coming up!

Please let me know your final thoughts! Hopefully I'll see you all at my next story as well!

Midnight Rain19

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!