They remained on Mount Myoboku for a few more days. Slowly, both Himawari and Shikadai were regaining their strength, participating in some training exercises during the day. Sasuke and Naruto were busy coming up with a strategy to counter the immense forces of their enemy. They knew that what would be waiting for them after they leave Mount Myoboku would make their encounter in the other dimension seem like child's play. They escaped once. Their enemy would not want them to escape a second time.

Himawari took precautions, asking Gamakichi to allow her to leave some of her clones behind so she would have easy access to nature energy should she need it. Gamakichi, even though he was still a bit pissed at her for bringing this situation into his home, allowed it, impressed that the young Uzumaki would think this much ahead.

After hearing the words Shikadai had said to her just a few days prior, Himawari hadn't interacted with the boy, being to shy to approach him and admit that she had heard what he said, despite her curiosity almost killing her, as she wanted to know if he had heard her response as well. Instead, Himawari focused on herself, restoring the small chakra reserve she had completely drained saving Shikadai, healing her minor injuries and training with Sarada.

"Are you ready for what's waiting for us out there." The black haired girl sat down next to Himawari, who was overlooking the boys train together. Just like always seemed to happen with Sarada, the young Uchiha knew exactly what was bothering Himawari.

"I don't know, honestly. We were unable to take care of those three back than and we can be almost sure to expect more enemy forces this time." Sarada nodded in agreement. She too thought that would be the case, considering the three shinobi Himawari, Shikadai and Sasuke had fought had gone so far to take them out, even going as far as following them back into the 'normal' dimension. Sasuke had confirmed there was a large force looking for them. It would not be long before those shinobi would grow frustrated. Sarada just hoped they wouldn't take their anger out on the innocent villagers.

"I'm worried too. It has been a little over a week since you fled the land of Birds and came here. They probably are starting to get annoyed by our disappearance. That doesn't bode well for the villagers…"

"I'm aware…"

The two girls sat in silence, watching Boruto and Mitsuki hold a taijutsu match, with Shikadai looking at them from the sidelines.

"How did you push yourself to continue. You were worn out, Himawari… You shouldn't have been able to move, let alone think and then make such a complex antidote with such precision in your condition. I don't think even I would have been able to do that."

"I…I don't know. I knew I was tired, but I pushed it aside." Himawari closed her eyes, thinking back to a few of the worst days in her short life. "I just was so determined to save Shikadai… I didn't want him to die. It motivated me." Himawari opened her eyes again, looking straight into Sarada's eyes. "For the record, Sarada, I think you would have been able to save him. You have that desire too. To save your comrades." Sarada's eyes grew wide, surprised by Himawari's words. The young Uzumaki possibly believed more in Sarada than Sarada believed in herself. But wasn't that exactly what friends were for? To build each other up. Sarada smiled, happy to have a supportive friend like Himawari, vowing to honor Himawari's beliefs in her and never to let any of her comrades die again.

The sound of someone arriving startled the two girls. They quickly turned around and were met with Sasuke's unfazed gaze.

"Naruto wants us to leave soon. He thinks everyone is right about ready to leave. Be prepared, this is going to be one tough battle. We're leaving in about an hour." Sasuke eyes softened. "Be sure to eat something before we leave." He departed again, leaving Sarada and Himawari with a knot in their stomach.

"Are you ready for this?" Sarada's voice sounded tense. Himawari was feeling the same way. In a way, she couldn't wait to stand there on the battle field, taking down their enemy and making sure the village was safe, but she had learned from their previous experience and knew better than to be cocky.

"I'm not sure" she answered eventually, feeling it was the best way to describe what she was feeling right now. Sarada nodded in agreement, realizing that not knowing how to feel was exactly the way to summarize everyone's feeling.

The two girls noticed that Naruto had approached the three boys and was talking with them, probably breaking the news of their departure as well.

"Sarada… You go on ahead. Find something to eat. There's something I need to do first." Sarada looked at her with a questioning look, not knowing what the young Uzumaki was up to, but Himawari, unfazed by the Uchiha's gaze, wasn't about to tell her what she had to do. Sarada gave up and made her way towards her teammates and Shikadai. Himawari watched the four of them for a short while before turning around and making her way towards the only thing she still had to face.

It was a short walk to find Gamakichi. When she found him, he was already waiting for her, suspecting she would come to speak with him.

"Himawari, please sit." Gamakichi made a movement with his arm, pointing towards a spot right in front of her and offering her some rice balls her father had brought with him from the village. He really knew she would come, didn't he. She smiled to herself before sitting down and looking the toad in the eyes.

"I owe you a big thank you, Gamakichi" she started, with the chief toad looking at her with great interest. "I know you usually don't allow outsiders to come here and I understand what position I put you and the other toads in when I showed up with my comrades in tow. I truly am sorry for bringing danger to your home." Himawari bowed her head, waiting for the judgement of the toad, fully prepared to take on the consequences of her actions.

"When I first met you, you were an immature and insecure shinobi. You didn't believe in yourself and didn't believe the words of praise from your peers, unable to see your talents as a shinobi. Yet, you still threw your all in your training, fighting every single day to become a better shinobi than you were the day before, slowly realizing your worth in the process. While you and your brother were here, I slowly but surely saw you become one of the greatest shinobi this world has ever known. Your father, as well as all the older toads, were nothing but impressed with your work ethic and overall skill and they approved of you far more than they did of your brother. When I saw how much all of them believed in you, I chose to put my trust in you as well. You're a smart girl, young Uzumaki, you made that decision because you thought that was best and frankly, you were right. I forgive you for bringing danger towards our home, because this is your home as well and I know you would fiercely protect it, even at the cost of your own live. And that, Himawari, is what matters in the end." Himawari's eyes started to tear from hearing the kind words of the toad sage. She had no idea he thought so highly of her.

Grateful to have an ally as kind and as powerful as Gamakichi, Himawari felt empowered for the upcoming battle. She knew that Gamakichi would always have her back should she need it, but she wasn't about to abuse his hospitality once again. She was determined to take out the enemy group and protect her home from any more harm. Relieved, Himawari took a bit from her rice ball and made her way towards the rest of the group, ready to walk into the battle of a lifetime.

- Author's note: Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!-

disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.