#3. An Important Mission

"Make sure you wake Boruto up at seven to get ready for the Academy, otherwise he just sleeps in. Shino-kun's been saying that lately he hasn't been coming to class on time. There's some leftovers in the fridge that should last until I'm back, so please don't just eat ramen every night. Remind Boruto and Himawari to practice their Juuken every day as well, and take the-."

"Hinata," Naruto said, grasping his wife gently by the shoulders with a chuckle. Hinata fell silent at the gesture, blinking up at him in surprise. Even in the all the time he'd known her and with how much she had grown, it still struck Naruto as amusing to see her speak so freely and with such confidence.

It was in her nature, he supposed. She'd always been nurturing and caring, so attentive to the needs of others. Willing even to lay down her own life for those she loved; much like his own parents before him. It really shouldn't have surprised him that she would slip into the role of mother so seamlessly.

"Don't worry about us 'ttebayo. We'll be fine." Naruto said, kissing her softly. His hand cupped her face caressing her cheek, as his gaze held hers earnestly. "I'll make sure of it."

"You're right, Naruto-kun." Hinata said, smiling back up at him. If there was anything she could truly leave her faith in it was Naruto and his word. In all of the years she'd known him, amidst ever shortcoming and misstep he made, the time he spent as a proud failure, he had never once failed her.

It was an odd feeling, knowing that she would be leaving. To think that at an earlier point in their lives, their absence would not have had had such a significant impact on one another. Certainly they had always been good friends, and enjoyed each other's company, but their time apart was not something met with dread and rather understand as a necessary part of their lives. They were ninja. They were devoted to their village, and their promise to serve and protect it.

However, in such a short time, they had become so intricately and inseparable woven in to each other's lives, before they could even realise. No sooner had Naruto been rescuing her from Toneri's clutches; holding her in his arms and declaring that he wanted to grow old with her; they had found themselves binding those words, honouring them in ceremony, and even starting a family of their own together.

No longer were they tied solely to their village, but also to their own small and specific part of it. Their family.

For the past few years, the two had rarely been without one another. They were a team, a two man squad, making slow, careful steps through parenthood. There were times when they would slip up or make mistakes, but they faced this new challenge in their lives without trepidation, never allowing their shortcoming to bring them down. They gave to their children selflessly, showering them with love and affection they needed, and with each day, they found themselves slowly learning and growing more confident with the process.

They continued to work occasional missions, but stuck strictly to taking lower ranked jobs in Konoha, and very occasionally to neighbouring villages. They didn't want to stray too far from one another, just in case something should happen. However, over time, Hinata began to grow restless, feeling as though she was a little too set in their routine. While she loved their children and the exciting journey that had come with raising them, she was beginning to miss the sense of adventure and purpose that had missions. She wanted, again, to experience venturing out into far off parts of the world, working to protect and serve those who were in need.

So, for the first time in about six years, Hinata had expressed her desire to return to more active duty and, after passing the relevant check-ups and tests, was cleared for a two week long mission, leaving Naruto to hold the fort in her absence.

Truth be told, Naruto was nervous. He wasn't entirely sure he'd be able to look after the kids as well on his own. They had relied upon one another so much and had finally reached a point where they felt like they knew what they were doing and were comfortable in their roles.

Yet, he knew realistically, that this was something he would need to get used to. They both led separate, busy lives outside of their family: Naruto being groomed to eventually succeed Kakashi as the village's Hokage and Hinata with her duties and responsibilities to her clan. There were times when they would need to be able to look after Boruto and Himawari on their own, and this made for good practice for that.

"Alright guys," Naruto said, picking up Himawari as she appeared at the doorway. "Say goodbye to kaa-chan."

Naruto took hold of his daughter's hand and waved to Hinata with it. Himawari giggled with a bright smile, which Hinata returned. The gesture, and the girl's sunny disposition was infectious, instinctively mirrored by those around her. Even her reputably stern and stoic father, Hiashi, couldn't help but break into a smile upon seeing his granddaughter.

"Goodbye Himawari," Hinata said, dipping her head slightly and kissing her hair, affectionately, before nuzzling her nose against the top of the girl's head, causing her to erupt into peals of unrestrained laughter.

"I'll miss you." She added, drawing away after a moment. "Make sure you're a good girl for your papa, okay?"

"Okay, mama." Himawari smiled toothily at her with a nod.

It struck Hinata as remarkable that, while Himawari bore a distinct resemblance to her, her friendly, exuberant nature more closely resemble that of Naruto. She was not in the slightest bit, shy or meek, but rather had an innocent curiosity about her that drew her to other people. Naruto felt that she possessed a patience and kind-heartedness akin to her mother, especially when it came to dealing with her more hot-headed brother. Speaking of which…

"Hmm? Where's Boruto?" Naruto wondered aloud, noticing his son had not appeared alongside his sister. Naruo and Hinata's eyes meet, surprised that Boruto would pass up an opportunity to see his mother off. After all, in spite of the grumpy, tough exterior he would often try to uphold, it was no secret that their son had a soft-spot for Hinata.

"Boruto?" Naruto called, his voice projecting throughout their home. "Where are you? Don't you want to say goodbye to kaa-chan?"

A shaky sigh could be heard from the other side of the door, as the echo of slow, hesitant footsteps drew closer. Their son appeared moments later, his blonde hair dishevelled and lower lip quivering, as tears lingered in the corner of his eyes. Hinata eyes widened in alarm, immediately fearing that something had happened to him.

"Mama," Boruto sniffled, his pudgy arms reaching out to his mother.

"Boruto?" Hinata asked with concern, kneeling down to her son's height. "What's the matter?"

He glanced down at his feet, shyly, his lips set in a sad frown, before speaking up in an uncharacteristically soft voice.

"I don't want you to go, mama. I'll miss you."

"I know, sweetie," Hinata said with a smile, her hand running through Boruto's messy hair. "I'll miss you too."

"Can you I come with you?" Boruto asked, looking up to Hinata, his watery eyes, wide and hopeful.

Hinata could feel her resolve begin to crumble, at the sight of those crestfallen yet vibrant blue eyes. Those eyes of Naruto's that had, years ago, made her fall in love, had managed to effortlessly capture her heart all over again when her children had been born. Hinata could almost feel herself relenting, but she laughed softly, shaking her head.

"I'm afraid not, Boruto." she answered.

"But I'm a ninja now too." Boruto protested feebly.

"You're right, Boruto, you are a ninja." Hinata answered. She lowered her voice and gently took Boruto by the shoulders as she drew him closer, an idea forming in her head. "But you still can come with me because you're needed here, for a much more important, top secret mission. Do you want to know what it is?"

Boruto looked up at her, yet intrigued by what Hinata was saying. She was speaking seriously, and softly enough that only ever could hear. It must have been a really important, secret mission; she wasn't even going to tell Hima or dad about it. After thinking for a moment longer, Boruto's curiosity proved too much and he nodded.

"I need you to stay at home and help look after your little sister. Can you do that for me?"

Boruto watched his mother for a moment, his forehead furrowing as he weighed the decision. It wasn't an easy choice. As much as he wanted his mama to stay, he loved his sister too. His dad always told him that he needed to be strong and look out for her. Eventually, Boruto nodded, slowly and begrudgingly, but nodded, nonetheless. He still wasn't happy to see his mother leaving, but if it was for his sister, he would be willing to put on a brave face.

"Thank you, Boruto. I know you'll make me proud."

Hinata wrapped her arms warmly around her son, kissing him lovingly on the forehead. Naruto smiled softly, watching him. He hadn't quite been able to make out what Hinata had said, but whatever it was, it had managed to comfort Boruto. He pouted and kept his arms folded as Hinata doted over him. Though, the flush lighting up his cheeks suggesting he was enjoying her affection a lot more than he was willing to let on.

Hinata stood back up, re-adjusting the strap of her backpack on her shoulder, before glancing back up at her husband. The one person she was yet to say goodbye to. He grinned knowingly at her and she felt her a familiar rise of heat in her cheeks, still affected by his charm.

"Well, it looks like I have everything I need." She said, fingers pulling at a lock of her hair, feeling somewhat subconscious under the weight of Naruto's loving gaze. "I suppose I should be leaving now."

"Alright then." Naruto said, closing the distance between him. His arms surrounded her, his chin resting against the top of her head as she was pulled against his solid plain of his chest. Knock 'em dead, Hinata."

"Of course." Hinata answered through a sigh, breathing in his familiar, calming scent, her eyes drooping closed in content.

His lips caressed hers gently, a gesture that was chaste and restrained, as the two were conscious of their children who watched on innocently.

"Never give up," he whispered, his breath tracing faintly over her lips as they drew apart. It had become an almost customary farewell of theirs, ever since their romantic relationship had bloomed. Whenever one of them was about to leave on a mission; be it potentially life-threatening or just a routine job; they would recite their shared nindo. The promise they both made, the mantra that had helped them endure in even what seemed like their bleakest moments, moulding them into who they were today.

Hinata smiled softly, her hand reaching up caress his check.

"Never go back on your word." She responded, revelling in the light that flickered in his eyes.

With that, they separated and Hinata went on her way, waving her family goodbye as she walked in the direction of the village's gates. Naruto stood with Boruto and Himawari, waving and calling goodbye to Hinata as her form slowly receded amongst the crowd of people traversing the streets of Konoha. He glanced down once she had disappeared from sight, seeing Boruto still glancing ahead, his lips set in a thin line.

Naruto's hand reached out and resting on his son's head, tangling into his hair lovingly. It was a gesture he'd adopted from his father in the brief time they'd spent together, recalling the comfort and assurance it had bought him. Boruto's eyes widened, piercing Naruto's in surprise.

"It'll be fine, Boruto." Naruto said, smiling at him reassuringly. "Kaa-chan's strong. You know that. Besides, you've still got Hima and me to keep you company."

Boruto nodded silently, though his expression did not lighten. Himawari's shoulders similarly slunk as she looked over to her brother, reading his sadness. Naruto frowned, racking his brain for something that could help take their minds off of Hinata leaving.

"Hey, I know! Who wants to have ramen for dinner?"

Unsurprisingly to Naruto, both Boruto and Himwari's were more than pleased with the idea, their eyes wide and overcome with excitement.

"Really?" They exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yeah!" Naruto answered. "In fact, why don't you go get ready now and we can pick it up?"

"Okay!" Boruto and Himawari answered, not needing to be told twice. They both immediately raced back inside to put on their sandals, almost stumbling over their own feet in their haste.

Naruto laughed fondly as he watched them go. Surely Hinata would be willing to forgive him for one night.