NOTE: I do NOT own Naruto.
Chapter 2: The Mission
"Hey there, Sakura-chan" said Naruto to his teammate from Team 7. "Would you please stop calling me that, you are married to Hinata you know." Since their days at the Academy, Sakura didn't care that Naruto had called her by that name. But now, 6 years since the Toneri incident, and being married to Hinata she thought that with him still calling her "chan" meant he still had feelings for her when those feelings should be directed at Hinata.
"Sorry, Sakura-cha.." but before he could finish his sentence Sakura grabbed him by the collar set her fist in front of Naruto's face. "What did you say?!" said Sakura with a growl that seemed reminiscent of when Naruto returned to the village after his two and half year training with Jiraiya after attempting to show off new pervy ninjutsu to Konohamaru. Hinata looked on in shock but knew that Sakura was trying to have Naruto see her point.
"S-s-s-sorry, Sakura." Sakura then let go of Naruto. "Is it me, or is she still as violent or more violent than before?" thought Naruto as he tried to catch his breath. Sakura has always had a short fuse since her training with Tsunade. But after the 4th Great Ninja War it seemed that Sakura's temper has been on a shorter fuse… at least in Naruto's mind.
As Naruto regained his breath, he could see a figure dash behind Sakura. "Hmm… is that?" "Oh, I brought Sarada with me. Since I am watching Boruto and Himawari, I want her to continue getting to know her future classmate." In the coming spring both Sarada and Boruto would start their education at the Ninja Academy to become ninja like their parents. Himawari would start her education the following spring.
As Sakura turned around she said to her daughter, "Come on out and say hi to Naruto and Hinata." Sarada poked her head out from behind her mother and said in a soft voice, "H-h-hello Naruto-san, Hinata-san." with a bow from her head to both. "Oh.. she's grown up quite bit since I last saw her." said Naruto.
"Why hello there Sarada-chan." said Hinata reaching her hand out to try to pat her head, but Sarada quickly dashed back behind Sakura and clung to the back of her shirt. "Sorry about that, she just got glasses and she does not like people seeing them."
Sakura's eyes then diverted down to the snowy ground. "Are you okay Sakura?" said Naruto to a worried Sakura. "Huh?… Oh, its nothing. Don't worry about me." she sounded like she had recovered but soon fell silent. Naruto, who once was oblivious to the feelings of others, could tell that something was bothering his former teammate but didn't dare attempt to pry further without another threat of a fist to the face. "ahem, Naruto, Hinata, please come to the Hokage Mansion as soon as you can." said Kakashi before disappearing in a body flicker technique that shrouded him in a cloud of smoke.
"That Kakashi-Sensi sure knows how to make a flashy exit." said Naruto, coughing from the smoke dispersed from the technique. Hinata then put her hands on Sakura's shoulder, "I'm sure things will be all right". Sakura then recovered again. "Don't worry about me, and don't worry about the kids either. I'll make sure they don't get into any trouble while you are gone."
Whenever the situation called for both Naruto and Hinata to go out on missions, which was rare but did happen, Sakura would help watch over the kids when they were away and Naruto and Hinata have always trusted Sakura to keep her word when it came to making sure Boruto and Himawari were safe.
"Well, guess we should get our gear ready for this mission." said Naruto to Hinata. "Yep, but we should also let the kids know." "Your right". said Naruto in agreement.
As the four of them entered in the house, Boruto and Himawari came from the living room to greet their guests, "Sakura onee-chan" said Boruto rushing over to Sakura. "Hello, Sakura-san" said Himawari with a bow. "Hey you guys. Long time no see, ooof." At this point Boruto embraced Sakura, catching her by surprise. "Well someone is happy to see me." she said while patting Boruto's head.
"Let go of my Mama!"
"Huh?" Boruto then looked behind Sakura and saw Sarada still clinging on to her mother's shirt. "Hey Sarada-chan." Boruto smiled but Sarada did not give a response and looked away, only a hint of red could be seen on her face.
Hinata looked on at this particular scene and giggled a bit. "What's up Hinata?" asked Naruto. "Oh, nothing, this just reminds of how I was when I was around Sarada-chan's age." "How you were Mommy?" asked Himawari. "I'll tell you later." said Hinata.
After gathering their gear and changing into their mission attire Naruto gathered the kids to let them know of their mission. "Hey Boruto, Himawari, your Mom and I have to go on a mission and Sakura will be looking after you, please be good while we are gone. Promise?" "We promise!" said his children in unison.
"Well we're off, take care now" said Hinata as she and her husband were heading out. "Be safe and come back soon." called out Boruto and Himawari. "Take care… Naruto, Hinata" said Sakura in her mind.
As Naruto and Hinata walked to the Hokage Mansion, Hinata couldn't help worrying about Sakura, "Is it me, or did it look like Sakura seemed depressed?" "She's probably worried because Sasuke rarely comes home to the village anymore."
After the war, Sasuke Uchiha went on a journey to redeem himself after being pardoned for his crimes by Kakashi, the 6th Hokage, with help from Naruto. Since then, Sasuke has only came back to the village for his marriage to Sakura and celebrating the birth of his daughter, Sarada.
As the two arrived at the Hokage's Office, they knocked on the door to enter. "Enter" said Kakashi from inside. The two entered and also in the office were Shikamaru and Sai.
"About time you guys showed up, It was getting boring waiting for you guys to arrive." "Greetings you two" said Sai. "Shikamaru, Sai, why are you guys here?" asked Naruto. "Isn't it obvious? Kakashi called us to meet for a mission. Although I would honestly like to be with Shikadai, I have him staying at Ino's place where he can also hang out with Inojin." said Shikamaru.
"ahem" Kakashi called out to everyone gathered, "I have gathered you to investigate a band of rebels that seem to be based from the Land of Lightning." "Rebels?" asked Hinata "Apparently, after the 4th Ninja War, there are still groups of ninja that are not taking the peace conferences as well as we would like. According to a message we just received they appear to have plans to go after the one they feel is responsible for the world falling into the chaos that it was in causing the 4th Ninja War." "Who do they plan to target?" asked Sai.
"Their target is most likely… Sasuke."
End of Chapter 2
Please let me know how I am doing. My plan is to try to have a new chapter out each week.