Naruto was looking at team 7, who had just returned from their respective missions.

"Today, you'll be going on a mission as a team. Himawari and Shikadai were sent on a mission to assist Sasuke in his intel gathering just a few days ago. They ran into trouble while in another dimension and were barely able to escape. Shikadai was gravely injured and Sasuke is out as well, although from exhaustion. Himawari is handling the situation, but we don't know anything about the condition she is in and she has requested for back-up, containing at least one other skilled medical nin. I'll be joining the three of you on this mission. We will depart within 30 min."

All three of them seemed shocked. Boruto seemed downright scared. He was worried for his sister and his best friend and not knowing what state he would find them in scared him to death. Sarada noticed his discomfort.

"Don't worry, Boruto. Himawari isn't going to let anyone die on her watch. Don't underestimate your sister. I was the one who trained her in medical ninjutsu, remember? She'll be fine. And so will Shikadai."

Boruto seemed comforted by the words of the Uchiha. If Sarada thought Himawari would be able to safe Shikadai, than that must be the case, right? Boruto let out a sigh. He knew Himawari was far from weak, training with her was always a real struggle as she had the analytical mind of a genius and knew her strengths and weaknesses well, but she was still his little sister. He was worried about her safety.

Mitsuki, Sarada and Boruto all hurried home to pack for this mission and met up again in his father's office before the 30 minutes were over. To his surprise, Naruto was packed as well to depart on the mission. Boruto hadn't seen him at home at all.

"Himawari and the others are currently located at mount Myoboku, where Himawari evacuated them to. Gamakichi will make sure that they're safe there, so this is not a concern right now, but once we leave mount Myoboku, we will most likely run into trouble."

Mount Myoboku. Boruto recognized that name. It was were Himawari went to learn her sage mode and the living area of the summoning frogs. If he had tried that with the snakes, Manda and Aoda would have eaten him and his companions alive.

"Alright everyone, hold on to me. We're going to mount Myoboku."

Naruto performed the reverse summoning jutsu and they all arrived at mount Myoboku, where Gamakichi was patiently waiting for their arrival.

"Where's Himawari?" Sarada asked, urgently. "I'm also a medical-nin. I can help her."

Gamakichi pointed with his head towards a beautiful little spot hidden by the shadows of the plants surrounding it. She immediately saw the purple hair of the Uzumaki girl, as well as the boy she was healing. There were two of them, one healing Shikadai, while the other was busy doing something else, regularly checking in with her father and Shikadai. Her father seemed to be peacefully sleeping next to the dying boy. She urged her teammates and the Hokage to allow her and Himawari to have some room as they worked on Shikadai. She could sense that Naruto and Boruto would run over to Himawari would they have been given the chance. Gamakichi came with the distraction Sarada needed, gently leading the group away to show them where they would be sleeping for the next few day. Sarada rushed over toward Himawari. She looked absolutely wrecked. Himawari was testing an antidote on one of the testing scrolls, barely able to stay awake. She watched the droplet of antidote fall on the scroll. And… It worked!

"Himawari! You did it!"

Himawari slowly turned around, looking at the Uchiha with a confused look. She pinched her eyes together, as to make sure she wasn't hallucinating it.

"Sarada?"

Himawari eyes welled up with tears. She thought no-one would be coming anymore and seeing her friend was all she needed to put in the final leg of work. She put the antidote she had made into a syringe, carefully leaving a bit that would be used as a base for more antidotes and jammed the syringe into Shikadai's leg. She watched as the fluid slowly made it's way into the boy's bloodstream, feeling a relief coming over her.

"I did it, Sarada" she said, barely awake. "I saved him." And Himawari Uzumaki finally allowed herself to collapse, landing into the welcoming arms of her friend. "Yes, you did. You really did safe them all, you silly girl."

Shikamaru dreaded coming home after hearing the news that Naruto had received from Himawari. He didn't know how to even start telling his wife that their son's life was hanging from a threat held by a girl two years his junior who probably was exhausted herself. The moment he walked into the house, Temari picked up on his foul mood.

"Alright. Spill it. What happened." He cursed by all the previous Hokage that his wife knew his so well in that moment. He had wanted a few moments for him to gather his thoughts in order to figure out the best way to break this news, but he knew Temari wouldn't stop pestering him until he told her exactly what was going on.

"Temari, news came in about Shikadai's mission…"

"And?" Temari asked, but her face had grown pale, already preparing herself for bad news.

Shikamaru's hart broke. How did he tell the mother of his child that he might not come back from a mission. How would he justify the decision to immediately send him on a mission, not even a day after returning from his previous one. How would he tell her that she wasn't even able to tell him a proper goodbye.

"Shikamaru! Tell me!" She was yelling, at the verge of tears. She knew. After all, she was his mother.

"He got badly injured by a poisonous knife. He's in bad shape. Himawari was trying to safe him, but her own state was unknown from the note. Temari… Our son might not make it out alive…" His voice cracked during that final sentence. Even the thought of losing their son absolutely crushed Shikamaru. He started crying, not being able to keep his panic and worry for his son to himself. Not being able to put on a brave face for his wife, who was suffering just as much, if not even more than him.

Temari wrapped her arms around her husband, and they slowly made their way to a sitting position. She didn't say a word, just joining him in his sadness and worry. They sat there for quite a while, holding each other and crying their fears away. They held onto each other even after the tears had dried as if the other person was the only thing keeping them moving.

"I'm sure he will be fine." It sounded weak, but Shikamaru could feel Temari truly believed that. "Himawari promised me to keep Shikadai safe."

A promise. Just like her father, Himawari did everything in her power never to go back on her word. The promise bound her to Shikadai and by this revelation, Shikamaru knew that the young Uzumaki indeed would not allow their son to die. She would find a way, like she always did. Like Naruto always did.

- I hope you enjoyed. Thanks again for reading.-