Chapter 5: Inauguration Day-Age 30

Children's Ages:

Boruto- Age 10

Himawari- Age 8

"These woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep."

― Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Naruto & Hinata

"Both of you finish eating your breakfasts and then get ready!" Naruto instructs Boruto and Himawari.

The pair casually stir at their miso soup and oyakodon respectively, half-listening.

"Okay!" They chime back in unison.

'Yeah, we're going to be late!' Naruto sighs.

At least some things about their kids haven't changed.

Hinata smiles at his attempt, masking her worry as she takes a few bites of her omurice and natto. She reaches her free hand across the table, fingers brushing at Naruto's trembling ones.

5 years.

It's the first time they've time-leaped to a day they haven't yet experienced, a whole 5 years' worth of memories and experiences they wouldn't be able to explain to anyone…

Boruto sips at his green tea slowly, eyeing both Naruto and Hinata warily seeing their worried expressions. This is the day they both couldn't stop talking about for weeks, ensuring they had their outfits ready for the celebration and photos to come, how he and Hima needed to be on their best behavior.

'Are they sick?' He frowns.

"Papa, Mama, are you guys feeling alright?" He asks.

Naruto straightens, hopes his facial features don't betray the nausea churning at his gut.

"We're fine! Papa is just…nervous for today!"

Himawari pauses in slurping at her broth, gives Naruto a cheerful grin that relaxes his stomach somewhat.

"Don't be scared Papa! You've been practicing your speech for weeks in front of Mama, Auntie, and Grandpa!"

Hinata smiles, picturing Naruto making sure he doesn't stumble over any words for her, Hanabi, and Hiashi.

Boruto finishes up his tea, egg, and rice, gathering his chopsticks and everyone's bowls to head for the kitchen.

"Papa, are we still going to go to the spring festival too for my birthday?" He questions as he starts to run the sink until the water gets foamy and hot.

Naruto brightens, glad for a more familiar topic.

"Of course, you know! Anything in particular you want for your birthday? Like that Kamen Rider or Kamen Ninja stuff?"

Boruto looks at him as if he's said something foul, brows knitting together in a way that reminds him of Hinata when she's confused or deep in thought.

"Huh? No way! I haven't liked that show in years! It's for babies and little kids, you know!" He scowls.

Naruto instantly deflates.

"I like those shows Papa! Get me some action figures or another panda plushie for my birthday!" Himawari suggests eagerly, following after her brother to help clear the table.

'Oh, right.' Naruto sinks in his seat.

Hinata comes in to save him, clapping her hands.

"Boruto, make a list of the things you want and Papa and Mama will look into them. Hima, you do the same!" She decides.

Naruto sends her a thankful look with a wink, at least then neither can screw that up.

Boruto stops mid-scrub of his bowl, looking between them both before nodding.

"Alright!" He chirps out, finishing cleaning up his along with everyone else's plates before pattering upstairs after Himawari to change.

As soon as they're alone, Naruto lets out a long sigh.

"Okay, I must keep my speech in my office." He determines.

Hinata readily agrees, following after him to help him look.

'I hope one of us made a checklist maybe; at least to give us an idea on what we needed to do today.' She considers.

She doesn't see Naruto's haori around, already a bad sign one of them needs to rush and pick it up and then head to the ceremony.

Naruto's office is notably more crowded with boxes of files, papers, and books flung about nearly covering the entire wood flooring. Naruto's gaze turns towards the new array of scrolls aligning the bookshelf he's never seen before, bound in wrappings shades of golds, blues, and jade.

'I must get these from traveling to the other nations again at some point.' He notes at seeing the symbols of Kumo, Iwa, and Suna along the spine of some of the books.

"Dear, take a look at this." Hinata mentions at some notes in Naruto's trademark messy scrawl of upcoming meetings for the month, shoulders bumping as they review it.

It doesn't contain anything of use that will help them, just that the 30 year old Naruto will need to prepare a presentation for the pharmacists and doctors at Konoha's hospital for the use of more scientific tools on their patients.

Naruto chuckles, steadying Hinata before they end up both stumbling back into another stacked tower of files.

"You seem to retain your messy nature no matter how old you get!" Hinata teases, gazing up at him.

"Yeah, probably because you secretly like that side of me, you know!" Naruto hums right back, hands brushing through her shortened violet locks, beaming at the pretty blush that rises to her cheeks with he steals a quick kiss.

Hinata swallows a gasp, burrows her head into his chest as his lips descend to the curve of her neck. His breath tickles her ear as he nips his way down, flushes her skin pink with the threat of a love-bite to form later. Warmth pools in her chest knowing it's been so long since they've been in their adult bodies out of sight at least temporarily from the kids, snapping her fingers as her eyes land on a bright yellow post-it note labeled 'To-do.'

"Ah Naruto, hold on! Take a look at that! We still need to pick up your Hokage cloak from Madam Kazue at the Embroidery shop!"

Naruto twists his head slowly, more concerned with slipping down her top, thoughtful.

"Ehh, that old granny is still alive?"

"Naruto!" Hinata gently reprimands him.

A grin cracks through both their lips though picturing the stubborn head seamstress of the shop. It's hard to believe she still refuses to step down from her position to let one of her many subordinates take over.

"Oi, I thought she honestly would've retired by now! I mean, she's been making the haori symbols for each Hokage's cloak since like Hashirama or Tobirama's days, you know!" Naruto muses.

His eyes drift over the photos situated by his office laptop: Team 7's original group photo, he and Hinata on their wedding day, the kids as babies, and finally at the end of the row...

He and Jiraiya with the other Kage of the old and new generations.

Naruto nearly does a double-take, leans in closer.

'Pervy-Sage?'

A yell comes from the living making him set the photo back down, Boruto and Himawari's shouting echoing off the walls.

"Hima, go put your panda and toad plushies back! You're just going to get tired by the evening time and then I'll have to carry them around!" Boruto demands.

"No, they're mine! Papa and Mama said I could bring them!" Himawari retorts, hugging them close.

Naruto twists himself and Hinata out of the room quickly at each's rising ire, the undercurrent of rage billowing up like a storm.

"They said you could bring one stuffed animal! Not your whole collection of them, you know!" Boruto further berates.

Hinata rushes over to the pair at hearing a rip pierce the air, too late to end their tug of war but just in time to see the blue of Himawari's eyes melt into a pure white.

Byakugan.

Hinata stifles her shock seeing Boruto's seeming preparedness to handle her kekkai genkai, though she catches the flicker of nervousness he sends her way.

'From when did she learn to activate it?'

Old and new memories blur her mind, training in the backyard during long summer afternoons, taijutsu sessions in the Hyuga manor when night rains persisted into the daytime with both her, Hanabi, and a man who looks too much like what maybe Neji's features would be had he lived to adulthood...

"I feel they're both ready Hinata. I think we should have both Boruto and Himawari start attending the morning practice sessions with the rest of the clan." Neji mentions between sips of tea.

Hinata sighs, sees the eagerness in twin cobalt orbs awaiting her answer.

"We're all one clan now as Father would've wanted Big Sis. Boruto and Himawari further cement that in learning a mix of Hyuga and Uzumaki clan techniques." Hanabi adds in.

Hinata smiles, nodding.

"Alright Neji, but I'm sitting in on the first few sessions they have."

Hinata rubs her head, fights off a creeping migraine. Knots swarm her chest like bees, threaten to rob her voice on if that memory was a dream or a new reality.

Himawari pays her no mind, focus of her malice still all towards her brother.

"Lock on." She hisses.

Hinata steps forward reorienting herself, lifts Himawari up before she can rush forward with her gentle fist while Naruto forms a barrier between the siblings.

"Himawari, you know better! We don't attack each other with the intent to cause true harm and pain!" She commands.

Naruto nudges Boruto who stiffens. "Apologize to your sister for destroying Mr. Panda."

Boruto glowers before softening at Naruto's stare. "Sorry. I'll help Mama stitch it up again."

Himawari huffs as Hinata slowly sets her back down, tears lingering in her silver-white orbs until a knock at the door interrupts them all.

Her features instantly brighten looking towards the main entrance, byakugan still active.

"Grandpa is here!"

She bounds over for the door excitedly while Hinata and Naruto look to each other in a mix of relief and alarm.

Neither are ready for Hiashi's questions on why they're running so late, why they maybe missed a call or text from him. It will be good if he just decided to come in person to take the kids to the ceremony while they finish getting ready themselves.

The door clicks open, spiky long white hair coming into view.

Hinata feels her chest tighten in surprise, Hiashi isn't their grandpa?

'Where is Father?' Her head throbs, matches the violent swishing in her stomach returning back.

"Oi Hima, I can't even sneak up on you now with that byakugan of yours!" Jiraiya teases, lifting her up eliciting a rush of giggles as he nuzzles her face.

"Grandpa, I have a cool new jutsu to show you later!" Boruto describes while hugging at his leg. Jiraiya affectionately ruffles his hair, nodding along.

"Perfect! I can show you a great one I used to use back in my spying days too! You'll have to be patient though and show it to me after the inauguration ceremony for your Papa is done!"

Jiraiya's gaze finally turns to Naruto and Hinata, takes in their shock and paling features, Naruto's eyes wide with unshed tears.

He arches a brow, dark eyes narrowing in concern.

"You two okay?"

Naruto, Hinata & Jiraiya

"Just take a deep breath, the ceremony can't start without you Kid! However, it would be best we get a move on soon." Jiraiya reasons.

"I'm fine, just give me a minute." Naruto breathes out.

He laughs weakly at his nickname, still forever a kid or runt in Jiraiya's eyes while he forever is an old pervert.

"You're alive." Naruto finally states, taking him in fully. Laugh lines and deeper wrinkles mar his cheeks, though he overall looks the same as he did when he was 16.

Jiraiya beams, holds up his phone.

"I am indeed! Didn't I say I would see you two in the future?! Anyways, you two are in luck as I've contacted both Shikamaru and Kakashi so they're aware of the time-leap. Shikamaru has gone to get your haori and Kakashi has motioned to postpone the ceremony at least by 1 hour. I'm going to have to catch you two up to speed quick on the any other memories you need to know for today." Jiraiya relates.

Hinata squirms, pursing her lips.

'I have to ask. It will bother me for the rest of the day unless I get confirmation.'

"Has my Father...has he passed away?"

Jiraiya's expression turns grim and Hinata nods while blinking back tears, Naruto hugging her close.

"Neji and Hanabi can supply you more on the details later." He mentions and Hinata nods with a soft sigh.

Naruto leans forward. "Did you collect any intel on the people who might've made the time device?"

Jiraiya scoffs. "Of course! Though I must say, Orochimaru and Kabuto have covered their tracks quite well. Most of the information I found was in projects that had already been partially destroyed or are barely illegible now. Mizuki and Amachi proved to be dead ends from interrogating them."

"I'm not even sure those two knew we had kids so at least we can cross them out. Though it still leaves some members of the Scientific Ninja Tools team and medical staff to look into." Hinata reasons.

"One thing is clear though from the research I found, Orochimaru was looking for a way to stay permanently younger. He's always been interested in the Uchiha clan for the sharingan to learn all the world's jutsu, but the Uzumaki have the longevity he desires as well." Jiraiya finishes.

Naruto grits his teeth.

"I want to talk to him."

Or really crush his throat in for possibly targeting his son.

'Is longevity his only reason for targeting Boruto and my family?'

The office door crackles getting everyone's attention, hiss of low voices filling the air.

"I can't hear them anymore Hima!" Boruto mentions.

"We can't get any closer! Papa and Mama are are sitting right by the door; they'll hear us if we try and get any closer." Himawari answers back, trying and failing to pull him back only for them both to topple down right into the room.

A silence falls over everyone as the pair hurriedly straighten to standing positions.

Boruto turns his attention towards Naruto, eyes softening in concern.

"You and Mama are sick! You don't need to lie to Hima and I!" He declares.

Himawari readily nods in agreement. "We're old enough to help!"

Naruto gestures for the two to get close, Himawari happily bounding into his lap while Boruto leans against Hinata's arm.

"Ah, I suppose nothing gets past you two! It's not that Mama and I are sick though, it's just that-" Naruto trails off, trying to find the right words to explain their predicament in a way they'll understand.

"You lost your memories? Like amnesia, right?" Boruto supplies.

"Yes and no. We haven't forgotten everything, just bits and pieces of various events." Hinata explains with a tap at his whisker cheeks.

Boruto glances to Himawari, worry evaporating into cheer.

"Don't worry Papa, Mama! Papa, you forget mail and documents in your office that Mama or Boruto deliver to you all the time! It's like that?" Himawari chimes out.

Naruto ruffles her hair affectionately, takes in her thoughtful expression that mirrors his own.

"Something like that."

'I better get it together before I actually do become Hokage if I'm this disorganized, you know!' He internally realizes.

Jiraiya clears his throat, regaining everyone's attention.

"Let's walk and talk, shall we! Can't put this off any further!"

Hinata frowns, scoping around the office once more.

"Wait, we haven't even found Naruto's speech!"

Naruto simply chuckles, moving them all to a standing position. He puts on a confident smile he knows Hinata and Jiraiya can see right through, but none of the audience is going to know that.

Hopefully.

"That's okay, I can just wing it!"

Naruto & Hinata- Hokage Monument

"-And just as we all came together during the Fourth Shinobi World War, I hope as I take on my tenure as the Seventh Hokage of Konoha to continue the peace that exists between each Shinobi Nation and the smaller villages and towns that border each region." Naruto speaks with ease.

"Still can't believe he came up with most of this speech off the top of his head." Shikamaru notes quietly with a bemused grin as Naruto goes next into Konoha's up and coming medical and technology programs.

'So much for that speech we took weeks to make. Even more troublesome though to have 5 years missing of major events.' Shikamaru considers.

He could use a cigarette just thinking on it.

"You know talking to people is his specialty, no matter if they love or hate him!" Hinata whispers back before Shikamaru steps away.

She returns her gaze back to Naruto, squeezes his free hand trembling beneath the podium when she notes his voice start to waver.

Naruto finishes off with a promise of opportunities for anybody whether they be a newly retired shinobi or a civilian who immigrated from a poorer town to feel at home in Konoha.

Boruto yawns amid the plethora of cheers and claps, nudging Himawari as her head starts to lull.

"Told ya you were going to get sleepy, you know!" He huffs, reluctantly taking Mr. Toad from her arms to put against his shoulder as a pillow for her.

"I'm not sleeping! I just...I just rested my eyes for a moment!" Himawari argues between sinking into side and trying to listen to the last bits of Naruto's speech.

Hinata gives them a look that quiets them both, Naruto bowing to Kakashi as he officially ends his reign. She catches Kakashi's sigh of relief and restrains a giggle, he'll have more time to relax now.

'Or maybe not since he insisted he help in finding Kabuto and Orochimaru too.' She realizes.

Hinata follows Naruto's gaze to the sky as celebratory confetti and balloons reign out the Transferring of Hokage committee set up, crowd flooded with ribbons of reds and yellows.

"Come, Come! Pictures need to be taken now for the Hokage portraits! Copies will be promptly sent out to the other nations before the end of the day so they're aware!" Matsuoka announces and Hinata grabs at both Boruto and Himawari's hands before they get lost in the coming teams of reporters and photographers.

Naruto grins as Hinata comes up to his side, wraps an arm around her back as Boruto and Himawari situate themselves at the front.

"Alright everyone, smile big for the camera! 1. 2. 3!" Ayane beams, flashes of white temporarily blinding them to the world.

When the dark spots clear from their eyes, Hinata sees a familiar duo approach from the corner of her eye. Himawari wiggles eagerly from her hold seeing them next and Boruto reluctantly waves when he notices them as well.

Opalescent eyes like her own, dark chestnut hair that spills in waves down their back.

Neji and Hanabi.

"Big Sis! You look great! And congrats again Naruto! Boruto! Himawari! Come give Auntie and Uncle a hug!" Hanabi cheers, beckoning Boruto and Himawari over. It's a surprise to see Neji openly hug the kids unabashedly despite Boruto's groaning over it.

Naruto keeps his hand upon Hinata's waist, keeps her upright from wanting to sink down.

Her stomach is starting to tilt, tasting bile and spit on the back of her throat. New and old memories rise up together, a haze of visiting Neji's grave with sunflowers replaced with that of visiting Hiashi's beside Uncle Hizashi.

"I heard from Master Jiraiya you two are feeling...unwell?" Neji voices as they step away from columnists that may want to eavesdrop.

Hinata manages a weak nod.

"Papa and Mama lost their memories Uncle! We're going to remind them though like how we stay up until 11:00 pm and always eat thunder burger and sweets for dinner!" Himawari mentions.

"Hima, we didn't forget what time you and Bolt's bedtime truly is or the variety of dinners we have." Naruto points out.

Naruto takes her and Boruto aside to give them some privacy, Hinata straightening her posture to look at Neji head on.

"I'm truly happy you're alive Neji. The last time...the last time at least for me when we talked was right before you died on the battlefield during Fourth Shinobi World War."

Neji nods, expression thoughtful. "Master Jiraiya explained it as that you and Naruto wake up everyday as a different age and in a different place after being hit the aftershock of some time bomb? That you're both really 25?"

"Yes, and we changed the future so it's altering our memories as well." Hinata voices.

Neji pinches the bridge of his nose. "I see, quite a predicament then. Uncle Hiashi, he protected me, really both of us during the war. His dying wish was for the clans to be reunited as one. It's a work in progress still that you, I, and Hanabi have been working on. Well, Hanabi leaves various tasks to me when the paperwork at the Academy gets busy."

Hinata hums, taking in the load of information.

Hanabi, an instructor. Neji alive and a figurehead/leader for a Hyuga Clan merged as one.

"You also additionally help at the hospital with the physical therapy patients and in the infusion centers. There's so many people including those from our clan that were injured in the war you've connected with." He relates with a small grin.

Hinata tries to picture it, a cloudy mix of observing with her byakugan torn ligaments and muscle to discussing with Naruto a hard stick patient that needed blood.

"Himawari, stretch your legs out more so you won't be sore later! I don't want you to be stiff!" Hinata advises.

Summer vacation has made her and Boruto lax in their training, spending their days fishing at the Naka river taking in its turquoise waters or heading into the mountains with Jiraiya to explore vine-covered grottos and caves.

Himawari grumbles under her breath in return, copying her sideways pose to touch her toes. "You and Papa make it look so easy! Grandpa said you both have practice stretching each other's bodies!"

Hinata reddens looking to Naruto for help, Naruto coughing mid-sip of his water.

"You've been spending too much time around Grandpa, you know!"

"Nuh uh! He's going to teach me how summon big toads and be a spy!" Himawari retorts, tumbling back down into a fit of giggles when Naruto tickles her side.

Boruto looks their way from his target practice, cerulean eyes wide scampering over to shake his shoulder.

"Papa, I want to learn summons too! But I want it to be something cool like snakes or a lizard, you know!"

Hinata snickers, helping Naruto back up before the kids dogpile on him.

"Boruto. Himawari. You have to train hard and earn the trust of the animal before they'll let you summon them; most animal summons typically require a contract."

Hanabi pokes her back taking her out of the memory, head swimming.

It still takes getting used to seeing her little sister not so little anymore; a full-time jonin instructor with her own team at the Academy.

"What are you two talking about so secretly over here?! Come on, we'll be late for the reservations we made at Miyabi's!"

Hinata nearly states they'll catch up with so much more to ask, but Neji places a hand to her shoulder gently pushing her forward for them to rejoin the others.

"Another time." He states before Hinata can speak.

But neither know when exactly that day will be.

Naruto & Hinata- Miyabi's Steakhouse and Grill

"Pervy-Sage apparently knows the owner that got this reservation set up." Naruto murmurs in Hinata's ear, both trying to not be too in awe of the restaurant's ambience.

This restaurant isn't yet here yet in their proper time, Hinata taking in velvet red curtains with gold stitching of the Land of Fire's emblem, yellow and pink lotus flowers spread out across each table.

"Don't dawdle you two. I know you're more anxious to get information on this time device, but there is still the matter of keeping up appearances that can affect the future as well." Kakashi regards, reading their expressions.

He subtly gestures to Homura and Koharu at a table to the left with other older dignitaries and members of Konoha's council. Naruto scoffs when the daimyō of the Land of Fire and his wife Shijimi beside the pair wave towards him eagerly, mouth congratulations.

"Fine, but Hinata and I need an excuse to leave early, you know!" Naruto gripes lowly.

"If you need us to, Sasuke and I can watch the kids while you review the medical files I collected and data I found on Amachi, Magire, and Mizuki. Though I couldn't find much on such short notice besides work-ups from their annual physicals and notes on what they discussed with their doctors at the time." Sakura offers.

Naruto shakes his head, not wanting to bother the pair. It's a miracle Sakura even got Sasuke to come to this dinner when he's sure he would've rather stayed home or been out of the village on a mission.

He searches for his old friend through the sea of faces and sees him by the medium-sized aquarium near the back, Sarada eagerly pointing out the myriad of colorful fish to him eliciting a small grin out of him.

"We'll review the files when we get home. Like Kakashi mentioned, it would cause a scene to leave so soon." Hinata reasons.

Boruto looks up to them with a grin, not bothering to hide his eavesdropping.

"I'll feign stomach upset for you Papa! Oh, but only after dessert!"

Naruto chuckles, he isn't sure if it's a good or bad thing his son has picked up some of his old bad habits of faking illness or pulling pranks in order to get people to notice him or do what he wants.

He bends himself down to his level, pats at his whisper marks until blue eyes meet his own.

"You don't need to do anything like that for me Bolt! Just be on your best behavior for me and Mom!"

Boruto pouts in return, but mutters out a soft 'okay' for him. The luncheon goes well, Naruto taking in the array of congratulations with mixed feelings. This will be his moment 5 years from now, putting on a masquerade that he earned all of this when he hasn't put in the necessary work yet this Naruto's body has.

On top of that, they're people here he isn't even sure actually care that he's become Hokage. Madam Shijimi certainly had no problems treating his 12 year old self coldly, disgusted with him for not getting her cat Tora back to her in a timely manner during his early genin missions with Team 7 he recalls.

A tug to his sleeve takes him out of his musings, half-turning to see Himawari with her lips downturned in a frown.

"Papa, can we head back home soon? I'm getting a headache." She whispers.

Hinata shifts her fingers to her forehead, checking for fever. "Are you feeling sick Hima? You don't feel warm."

Himawari shakes her head, leaning closer to them both. "I just feel tired and...and my head just won't stop pounding!"

Naruto brows furrow at her behavior. While Himawari had the normal theatrics of a 3 year old with the occasional tantrum and poutiness, something about this is off...

And familiar.

Sure enough when he glances across the table he sees Jiraiya watching them all, nodding with a discreet thumbs up to Himawari to keep up the act.

'Well, that explains it! Pervy-Sage is guiding her on a way for us to excuse ourselves without looking bad.'

"Himawari is feeling unwell? I suppose it can't be helped that children will eventually get fidgety and bored at events like this." Kakashi notes.

Though most children don't smile when they feel ill, Himawari immediately switching to a grimace when he catches her gaze.

"My family and I are going to head home early and get some rest! It's been a long and eventful day, you know!" Naruto announces while giving his goodbyes to friends and future colleagues.

Himawari makes a show of quietly snuggling against his back, nobody questioning it.

It's only once they're back outside does Himawari happily hop down from his back, pleased with herself as she high-fives Boruto at a 'mission accomplished' in getting them out of the restaurant in a timely manner.

"What happened to that headache of yours?" Hinata asks teasingly as she and Boruto move ahead of them.

Himawari grins, pausing to look back at Naruto and Hinata, too excited not to explain the plan she created with Jiraiya.

"Oh, that's gone now!"

Naruto & Boruto- Uzumaki Household

"Do you and Mama still feel sick?" Boruto questions, joining Naruto out in the garden.

He takes in the scattering of pictures and notes Sakura collected for them, pursing his lips at Papa's disorganization before gathering them into a stack. It doesn't seem like whatever Auntie Sakura gave them was much use to helping them get their memories back.

The sun has started to descend, Naruto studying the patterns of violets and reds against a stream of clouds in the distance. Both he and Mama have had that distant look in their eyes all day, looking or waiting for something to happen that everyone else can't see...

"Hmm, I guess so! Ah, but don't worry about it! I'm sure Mama and I will feel better in the morning." Naruto assures him as Boruto rests his head against his shoulder.

"Where's Hima gone?" Naruto asks, listening for the patter of his sister's footsteps to follow.

"Taking a nap! She actually was tired from the lunch, Mama is setting up for dinner." Boruto responds.

He grows quiet then, picks up a pebble near the edge of the patio's steps aiming it towards a large puddle that formed from an earlier thunderstorm. A memory pops up as Naruto watches him, the duo exploring the woods catching fireflies or picking herbs to bring back to use for a meal.

"Bet ya I can skim this stone all the way across the water, you know!" Boruto challenges, glancing back to him.

Naruto perks up, Boruto beaming at his interest.

Sure enough, he skims the pebble right across the water easily. Naruto grabbing a stone to copy him.

"I bet you I can get this pebble across the water and all the way over to the trees!" Naruto remarks.

Boruto hums skeptically, Naruto flicking the stone with a speed that makes him do a double-take. They hear the distinct crack of his stone hit the base of the trees further ahead, see the mini ripples left behind in the puddle.

"You really are strong." Boruto notes in awe, settling beside him again.

Naruto shrugs. "It takes practice. You're better at most things than I was at your age."

Boruto huffs, leaning his head against his palm. "So everyone tells me."

Naruto blinks, he hadn't considered really how often Boruto would get compared to him. It was usually just about their looks when he was 5, but he's double that age now and people will inevitably start to compare and contrast his skills with his own.

"Hey, have you given any thought to if you want to be a shinobi or even Hokage yourself one day?" He asks.

Boruto shivers at the thought much to Naruto's amusement. "No way, being a Hokage would be boring! Just because Grandpa was the 4th Hokage and you're now the 7th, doesn't mean I want it! Maybe Hima or Sarada can do it and I'll be in the background as a shadow helper like Uncle Sasuke!"

'Sasuke?! Does Boruto even know Sasuke's past?' Naruto wonders.

He answers his own question taking in his son's clear admiration. Though he supposes it can't be helped that he'll become interested in training under Sasuke when he'll eventually become more tied up with his Hokage duties.

Boruto looks away from him for a moment, frown suddenly marring his face.

"You're...You're going to soon be too busy to play like this or train, aren't you?"

Naruto instantly opens his mouth to deny it, but he can't promise him he realizes. He isn't sure how he'll juggle his work life and home life, though seeing Boruto's upset over the topic means it's been on his mind for awhile.

"I can't say I won't sometimes be home late, though I will make an effort to be there for you and Himawari for the major events like holidays, sick days, and birthdays; I'll buy planners, set multiple reminders on my phone to take time off. I'm still learning all the ins and outs of Fatherhood, so be patient with me, you know!"

Boruto huffs, though a smile edges slowly back up his lips at the efforts he's prepared to do.

"Don't worry Papa, I know as you and Mama get older you're going to need me and Himawari's help more!"

"30 isn't old, you know!" Naruto counters.

Boruto full on laughs in return and Naruto pulls him into a gentle headlock, ruffles up his hair until it's completely in disarray despite his protests. He can already see a stubbornness forming in his son, the early stages of preteen and eventual teenage rebellion that he himself went through.

'I just hope Hinata and I can handle it.' He worries.

"Come on, let's go help your Mom finish preparing dinner!"

Naruto & Hinata

"I'm sure I'm going to pass out as soon as my head hits the pillow, you know." Naruto yawns.

The kids are officially in bed and asleep, buried between pillows and stuffed animals respectively.

Hinata nods slowly in agreement, flicking off their bedroom lights bathing them in darkness.

"I'm glad though that we got to spend time with the kids and at least know what they'll be like when they're a bit older. All the new likes, dislikes, and goals they have; plus they get to train and spend time with Neji and Jiraiya first-hand."

"Not sure if the latter part is a good thing." Naruto chortles making Hinata giggle.

He snuggles her against his side, mind rewinding through the day. "I think we can fully eliminate Mizuki, Amachi, and Magire from our list of suspects. It's most likely Kabuto or Orochimaru."

Hinata draws circles along his collarbone. "We still haven't gotten a chance to interview their old associates though. Like that team Sasuke had while he was a rogue shinobi, I think they went by Taka. Even Anko could know something about Orochimaru's old experiments and projects."

Naruto mumbles they'll definitely check in tomorrow with at least one of them, no matter what age they are.

"Get some rest, we're going to need it." He voices quietly as Hinata's breath evens out against him.

Naruto & Hinata- Age 19

'This doesn't feel like a pillow.' Hinata squirms, opens her eyes slowly against sunlight spilling against her face.

Is she away from the village on a mission? She attempts to sit her head up more to look around and get her bearings only to be pulled back down.

Lilac eyes immediately twist to blue.

Naruto smiles down at her and Hinata breathes a sigh of relief, grinning back. It's the first time since their time-leaping began to finally be waking up together! The pillow from earlier was his chest she realizes, face warming realizing his lack of clothes.

"Morning. Um, why are you naked?" She questions.

"Morning! And same reason you are!" Naruto answers back easily with a devious grin.

Hinata blinks, looking down at herself before laughing lightly, covering herself with their shared blankets. "You could've said something!"

Naruto sits them up, kissing at her flushed cheeks and swollen lips. "I wouldn't have gotten to enjoy the view if I did that!"

They take in the their clothes, underwear, and bathrobes tossed about in various corners of the room, obvious what these versions of themselves had been up to the night before and into the morning.

'All this lovemaking so early in the day, it has to be from before Boruto and Himawari were born or else they would've came in by now asking for one of us. We had plenty of lazy days sleeping in until noon and beyond, ordering room service, exploring and visiting the other nations.' Naruto recalls.

Hinata walks over to a table in the corner taking in the elaborate display of red roses and orange dahlias, envelop tucked in the middle.

She flips it open along where one of them previously teared it, gesturing for Naruto to come over.

"Take a look at this." She whispers as they read the message together.

'Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Uzumaki to Yakushi-Aman Hot Springs Resort & Spa! We hope you enjoy your stay with us!'

Ah, so that's where they are today.

In the midst of their honeymoon.

-x-

The changes Naruto and Hinata made were for better or worse, I want to keep some realism so I made Hiashi be the one who sacrificed himself in place of Neji which I think is fitting if that had happened in canon. This is the first major change of many besides Jiraiya also being alive Naruto and Hinata will see.

Honeymooner antics next chapter and some progress in Naruto and Hinata doing some interrogating! I did change up Boruto and Himawari's personalities from their canon selves with having Neji and Jiraiya's influence on them in this new timeline. It's a lot of fun to write them at different ages and their interactions with everyone.

As always, I appreciate any thoughts/feedback/questions!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!