Chapter 7: Their Eyes Show Revenge- Age 22

""Stronger than lover's love is lover's hate. Incurable, in each, the wounds they make."

― Euripides, Medea

Hinata

"Yes, I'm sure I'll be fine Hanabi! Please tell Neji I'll have Naruto beside me for this upcoming check-up, though I'm sure he knows that already!"

"Well, you're probably going to need to tell Neji that directly for yourself Big Sis!" Hanabi smoothly answers back without missing a beat, fiddling of crackling paper coming in through the phone. Hinata pictures her younger sister is either pretending to read a scroll given to her by one of the elders or is in the midst of reviewing over paperwork for her upcoming position at the Academy she gushed about during her previous time loop.

'Ah, there's so much going on that Naruto and I aren't fully aware of!' She sighs.

One wrong question and they'll be stuck getting strange or concerned looks once again.

Hinata hears the shuffling grow louder in the background amid a flurry of voices, Hanabi apparently passing her phone over to Neji.

"Hinata? I understand how you feel, but I found some old belongings from Uncle Hiashi and Father that I wanted to share with you. It's nothing big, just some old photos, kimonos, baby clothes, and heirlooms I'm sure would look nice on Boruto and Himawari once she arrives." Neji describes.

Hinata considers it, recalls that they never did have their conversation regarding Hiashi's passing during the war in the last time loops...

She sighs, moves her phone to her opposite ear hearing Hanabi yell out to Neji to not head over to their home with additional baby supplies right this second. ("You can wait until she at least delivers!") Boruto meanwhile tugs at the ends of her pajama pants, azure eyes darkening to a navy blue getting teary.

"Mama, who ya talking to? I wanna play with you!" He pouts, holding up a toy frog and ninja plushie that Jiraiya or Neij must've gotten him.

Hinata gives him an apologetic smile, mouths '2 minutes' while holding up two fingers.

"Alright Neji, you've made me curious enough. You and Hanabi are welcome to come by later on today after I finish this doctor's appointment with Sakura this morning. Perhaps for dinner?" She relents, snickering at Hanabi's whoop and Neji's relieved sigh.

A quick glance back to Boruto shows she rather as well have said 2 hours.

Because just like his Father when he's concentrating on a task or upset his lips jut out, storm brewing.

"No, I wanna play now Mama! Hang up on them, y'now!" He huffs with a stomp of his feet and Hinata squeezes him to her side before his face turns a telltale dark red at a tantrum coming.

"Aww, is that my little nephew being as demanding as his Papa for your attention?! Tell him we'll see him later!" Hanabi coos.

More than once Hinata recalls Boruto feared Himawari was going to replace him, Big Brother responsibilities no longer so important knowing he'd have to share his parents attention.

"I have to go now Hanabi, we'll talk later." Hinata promises, ending the call.

Naruto thankfully appears at her side before Boruto can start climbing onto her leg, lifting Boruto up onto his shoulders much to his squirming.

"Boruto, you don't normally have so much energy so early in day, y'know!" He chuckles, tapping at his puffed out cheeks until he deflates them. Boruto maneuvers his body back towards Hinata anyways, tiny hands trying to coil around her long hair. Naruto adjusts him in his arms, rocking him gently until his cobalt eyes start to glaze with drowsiness.

He turns his attention to Hinata next as she buries herself into his side.

"You have an appointment with Sakura at 11:00 am today. We should get some clues on maybe Kabuto's whereabouts perhaps if any of the orphanage children he fosters are need of medical care or a checkup." Naruto describes, rubbing her back affectionately.

Hinata nods slowly, fingers brushing along her swollen belly. She's 8 months along with Himawari. Himawari who she has quickly recalled kicked more and shifted around more often throughout the day compared to her pregnancy with Boruto.

'Ahh, I hope Sakura can give me some nausea medicine or something to ease this back pain.'

She spares a glance to the kitchen clock.

9:23 am.

If they can get Boruto to cooperate, maybe they'll get there a bit early.

Maybe.

But as soon as Naruto sets Boruto down he takes off running for his blocks, sleep completely forgotten.

"Boom! Go Kamen Ninja Red! Before Mr. Toad eats all the buildings!" He cheers out as he stacks up his tower of blocks left scattered along the living room from his playing about.

Naruto watches him, focus completely upon his toys that getting his attention again is going to prove difficult.

Hinata's brows furrow, amused grin playing at her lips as Naruto turns to send her a winning smile; he's got this!

Naruto sits himself down cross legged beside him, gently grabs Mr. Toad before Boruto can decide to topple his blocks across the wood flooring again.

"Hey Boruto! Mama and I need your help!" He begins.

"With what Papa?" Boruto questions, glancing up to him briefly.

Naruto's grin widens. "We're going on an adventure to the hospital to check how your little sister Hima is doing!"

Boruto blinks, eyes instantly starting to dull with disinterest.

"Oh." He mutters flatly.

And then his focus goes completely back to his blocks, stacking them two at a time no longer caring what else Naruto has to say on the matter.

Hinata giggles behind him and Naruto blows out a breath.

"You get ready Hinata; I can handle this y'know!" He assures her.

Hinata gently pats his shoulder, lips brushing at his cheek. "Are you sure about that?"

Naruto nods, Boruto meanwhile taking to using his arms as a highway for Mr. Toad to hop across much to his chagrin. Either Boruto is getting amusement out of testing his patience or he truly doesn't realize they actually need to get ready to head out.

"Vroom, Vroom! Go Mr. Toad, transform into a mega Toad to crush the buildings!" Boruto gleefully cheers out, racing him up into Naruto's blond locks. Hinata meanwhile just watches as Naruto gets turned into another 'Toad' essentially to provide backup, smile widening all the while.

It takes another minute of urging from Naruto to not just stay and laugh at him before Hinata makes her way upstairs slowly.

Naruto claps his hands, thoughtful.

'Okay, I know how to really get his attention!" He decides.

He makes the hand sign for his signature move.

"Shadow clone jutsu!"

3 Naruto's instantly appear, Boruto still too immersed in his game to take any of them seriously.

"Yay, more Papas! One transform into the evil Robo-Dr. X!" He declares.

Naruto 1 shakes his head.

"Oi, it's too bad Boruto isn't going to come with us to the hospital. Doesn't Kamen Ninja always say to listen to the advice of your Mama and Papa?!" Kamen Ninja may not be the most educational show, but he knows it teaches life lessons like that for each episode.

Boruto hums, stopping to think on that.

"Hmm...no! Kamen Ninja never talks like that! Real Papa made that up just now!"

Naruto 2 clears his throat at Naruto 1's and the Original Naruto's instant defeated looks.

"Well, there's that new big Mikayama playground nearby that just opened up where we could truly enjoy ourselves. I heard they have a new tunnel slide and rocket jungle gym that you can climb up that gives you a view of all of Konoha's downtown, but I guess not!"

Curiosity shines in Boruto's eyes looking up from his plushie hearing about these new features, leaning forward.

"Really?" He questions.

Naruto 3 nods, pretending to walk away with the others upstairs.

"They usually have performances on the center stage too, sometimes they have the Ultra Fighters there versus the Kamen Rangers! But Uncle Neji or Aunt Hanabi can watch you instead while you play here if you want y'know!" The Original Naruto mentions.

Boruto moves to stand then as the other Narutos' disperse.

He follows after him to the stairway, clinging onto his leg and Naruto hurriedly hides a smile.

"Wait! I want to go now too y'know!"

Naruto & Hinata- Konoha Central Hospital/OB-GYN Unit

It's easy to pretend everything is fine at so many smiles and well-wishes sent their way.

The morning into the afternoon has been breezy with blots of puffy white clouds, wind whistling up leaves into twisters of greens and golds. Konoha changes so much with each passing year, buildings of old slowly replaced with new tenants or managers. Konoha's main hospital is no different, new units for the pediatric and psychiatric centers haven't yet opened, having to familiarize themselves with the map.

Naruto scowls, adjusts Himawari's baby bag and Boruto's backpack every few minutes to keep them from slipping off his arms.

"Oh, looks like you're about to get a lot busier again soon Naruto! Missus said she saw Mrs. Uzumaki was eating for the two at the market, but can't say I believed her until I saw it for myself!" An old man quips they recognize as Mr. Hanamoto from previous encounters, holding the main entrance door open for the pair.

Naruto laughs goodheartedly in thanks while Hinata feels her face warm.

'At least he isn't jokingly being like Master Jiraiya asking if we used Make Out Paradise to spice up the bedroom.' Hinata winces, trying to re-bury that memory.

She joins her hands with Naruto letting him lead the way to the labor and delivery wing of the hospital, takes in the scents of calming lavender and passionflowers in the air.

The waiting area is crowded with couples around their age and younger, teenagers that remind her of herself and Naruto from just yesterday to older parents with children that appear to be academy age listlessly scrolling through their phones or playing games amongst themselves. Nervous eyes flit to them in awe and away or stare absently at the wood flooring awaiting their name to be called. Naruto searches for an open seat only for a man to hurriedly give up his spot for Hinata.

"Please, you need it much more than me Mrs. Uzumaki! You've both done so much for Konoha even after the War, Naruto's the reason our coming little boy will be able to go on fishing trips with his Old Man and Granddad!" He urges.

Hinata glances to Naruto reluctantly as more eyes glance their way curiously, knowing he probably isn't going to take no for an answer.

"You don't have to, y'know! I can always just sit on the floor-" Naruto begins.

"Nonsense! I wasn't able to do much during the War besides help in the background tending to wounds and medicating those too sick or injured from the blasts. Please allow me to do this simple task for you both!" He cuts him off.

"Mr. Alligator is stomping on Papa, look Mama!" Boruto jumps in to cut through the awkward tension, walking his gator plushie up Naruto's chest.

Naruto smiles, affection swelling as he situates him to sit properly while they wait.

'I don't want any extra perks or privileges; neither of us do.'

"Uzumaki!" Nurse Chiyoko calls out.

She leads them down two twisting hallways before they reach Dr. Uchiha's section.

"Good to see you two! How have you been?" Sakura chimes out, Hinata's folder in tow under her arm.

Hinata tacks on a smile, notes she's grown her hair out some as well letting pink locks skirt at her shoulders.

Sakura's smile dampens slightly realizing their current state of dress, Boruto's fingers twined within Hinata's violet locks, apple juice dripping onto her light blue floral maternity dress while Naruto roughly rubs out what she assumes is ramen and ketchup from one of his favorite orange-black tops, chuckling.

"Ah, long morning, huh?"

'More like long week.' Naruto wants to mutter, flashing Sakura a weak grin.

"Boruto was being...more difficult than usual this morning." Hinata supplies, bouncing him gently while weaving his fingers slowly out of her hair.

Sakura beams. "Don't worry, Sarada has her moments too! Especially when Sasuke even steps away from the room for a moment to fetch me or her something like a snack or book."

"I think it's a combination of teething, liking being picked up so much, and trying to adjust to the idea another baby will soon be in the house that's making Boruto act out more than usual." Naruto guesses.

Amusement dances in verdant eyes. "Don't forget who his Dad is now Naruto!"

Naruto scoffs, gestures with his head towards Hinata. "I beg to differ, y'know! He has more of Hinata's personality majority of the time than me!"

Sakura waves off the suggestion having seen firsthand the way Boruto can easily command a room with playing tag or coloring, getting to work helping Hinata adjust herself onto the exam table. Hinata meanwhile counts backwards as cool ultrasound gel is placed along her stomach, nerves frayed as the ultrasound lights up in a glow of grays and whites.

Himawari twists their way, Sakura humming as she maps out her fingers and toes for them to see.

"It's possible she may get Naruto's whisker marks too, though we won't know for sure until she's delivered." Sakura remarks as she moves the probe around.

'She does.' Hinata wants to confirm, lifting her head up to better see.

"She'll be cute whether she has them or not!" Naruto beams, sharing a knowing look with Hinata.

Sakura circles out a final route around her stomach, reviews with them both Hinata's vital signs, Braxton hicks contractions increasing in time and duration to be prepared for and Naruto squirms in recalling bruised and broken fingers from Hinata's tight grip on his hands.

"Though I know both of you attended the parenting classes held every Wednesday and Friday before you had Boruto and again for Himawari now, make sure to review the stages of labor chapter in the back so you don't rush up here when Hinata's cervix isn't even dilated like you did last time!"

Naruto smiles goofily, as long as Hinata doesn't start giving birth before the 24 hours is up, they won't have to deal with that issue again!

Hopefully.

Sakura leads them out to the exit back into the lobby, Hinata promising to cut down on jalapeno pepper hamburgers to better manage in her acid reflux with safer craving alternatives. Her eyes scope the quiet hallways as they head towards the cafeteria to get lunch before Boruto grows fussy, Naruto stopping them when he notes a man and a little boy walking in the same direction.

"We need to celebrate your discharge in style Eijiro! I've heard it takes many children weeks to recover from this bout of gastroenteritis that you had! In fact, just years ago many of the kids at the orphanage would have died from such a virus!" The man remarks excitedly.

Naruto studies him closely, trying to put a name to the face.

"Urushi." Hinata whispers, recalling his connection to Kabuto.

Eijiro nods slowly, unable to match his enthusiasm as one hand falls to his stomach.

Right. He's one of the lucky ones supposedly.

"Sure, but ah, is Kabuto going to be under my care again when we return to the orphanage?"

Urushi nods, puzzled by his expression.

Naruto and Hinata pick up their pace to match them before they lose them, straining to hear them over the swarm of conversations surrounding them.

Naruto's grip increases a fraction, they have another lead.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure. Why do you ask?" Urushi questions.

Eijiro swallows, glancing away to the white of the tiles and walls as his voice drops to a whisper.

"No...No reason."

Konoha Central Hospital-Cafeteria

"The food here is bland no matter how old we are, y'know." Naruto muses.

He doesn't miss his younger days spent here having to eat dry porridge or watery bowls of soup with a few bits of potatoes or carrots that barely constituted a meal.

'Most of the time I got the leftover slop.' He considers, most the nurses and doctors wanting to spend as little time as possible around him back then.

"Papa, I want hamburgers with fries!" Boruto whines, pushing away the pieces of celery Hinata offers him no longer wanting the healthy snack.

Naruto sighs, at this point he wants a hamburger too.

"We can make something when we get home. After we talk to Urushi and maybe Kabuto if he actually shows up." Hinata advises.

They sit two tables away from Eijiro and Urushi. Urushi who is Kabuto's oldest friend from before his time with Orochimaru. They're sure he still helps him run the Konoha Orphanage on the outskirts of the village. The last time either of them visited after the Fourth Shinobi World War it was badly in need of repairs. Aftershocks from explosions has peeled away away paint exposing brick, broken in wood, and shattered glass allowing the inside to slowly fill with vines and tree bark crawling it's way up the interior walls.

Eijiro picks at his sandwich much the way they've been doing with their own food, auburn eyes flickering about the area.

His eyes eventually land on Naruto's and he nearly does a double-take in shock.

Naruto feels himself start to frown seeing his features turn even paler, about to stand and cross the threshold to comfort him only to see it's not him that has the boy spooked.

Kabuto walks up behind them, cheshire grin in place.

Same golden snake orbs and Naruto grits his teeth while Hinata draws in a breath; he still looks very much like a clone of Orochimaru.

"Eijiro, you're looking much better! Urushi texted me this morning you've been keeping foods down and your vitals improved enough that your medical team is okay with letting you be discharged! I'm sure Kasumi and Satoru will be happy to see you're doing better!" He smiles down at him.

Eijiro meekly nods, shifting his feet.

Naruto silently watches their interaction, Urushi finishing his salad and onigiri taking note of Naruto's presence at his blatant staring.

"Ah, Naruto Uzumaki! Another health check up for your wife and the coming baby I assume?" He grins.

"Yup, all is well with our second child due to arrive next month!" Naruto answers back cheerily.

Kabuto turns to gaze at him as well, sees the anger swirling in his darkening cerulean eyes that Urushi misses.

Hinata steps up beside him, pearl irises as equally frosty as her husband's.

"Can we speak with you in the hallway privately Kabuto? We had a question regarding one of your...wards." She asks.

For a moment it seems Kabuto won't move, cracking a small grin sensing the rising tension in the air.

"Of course; lead the way."

He drops his smile once they're alone in the back hallways where stretchers and out of date equipment are kept.

"Is something the matter you two?" Kabuto questions, straight to the point and Naruto narrows his eyes at his feigned confusion. He steps forward in a flash, fingers pressing at his neck.

"Don't act innocent or so naïve. You may no longer associate with Orochimaru, however Hinata and I have seen and read for ourselves your cruel side, the way you riled up prisoners and experimented on them before leaving them for dead. Did you think we would never find out about this time device you worked on, that you've been targeting our son for one of your new projects?" He sneers.

Kabuto for his part looks truly stunned hearing this all, gold orbs wide.

"What? I haven't...I mean, I haven't done those types of projects in years!" He sputters.

"You've exchanged letters with Katasuke Tōno; we know." Hinata adds in. She steps back seeing his glare fix upon herself and Boruto, Boruto squirming burrowing into Hinata's neck to avoid Kabuto's stare.

"Mama, what's going on?" He murmurs into her neck, tiny heartbeat loud in her ears.

Kabuto draws up his hands, fingers clawing at Naruto's hold to no avail.

"Tell us what you're up to; now!" Naruto growls.

Ash-gray skin bleeds into blue then purple, Naruto dropping him as Kabuto greedily takes in gasps of air. He searches for an opening only to see Hinata's already erected a web of electricity, flames crackling in her free hand.

He laughs hoarsely, adjusts his glasses.

"Those letters mean nothing, they're from days long since passed! For a time, I was looking into ways to help the children of the orphanage overcome their illnesses, a way to live longer beyond just their preteen years. So many still struggle with complications from the war I'm sure you realize or have heard. I myself wanted to experiment more on creating the 'perfect' body that couldn't age. Then I could forever be of help to the kids and create the best possible life for them." He muses.

At their silence, he goes on.

"I took blood samples from Karin being an Uzumaki and for a time I was curious about you, about the DNA of your son if it could help in longevity measures since he has Hyuga blood in him as well. The time device was rendered useless though, it couldn't take anybody back in time or effect their bodies without severe repercussions."

Hinata shakes her head.

"It worked. Boruto opened it the night before his 5th birthday and it created an explosion of white; he said a group of scientists were the ones to give it to him."

Kabuto blinks, looks between the pair with renewed interest.

He takes a step forward again peering into the shining blue of Boruto's eyes peeking at him and Naruto's grip is instantly upon his arms, pulling until he hears the crunch and pop of bone ring out. Hinata jabs at his legs, paralyzing him in place.

Kabuto instantly winces, bites down the howl and curse of pain that surges through him. Still he lets loose a wild laugh, the project he thought died years ago has actually come to fruition!

"This is truly amazing news, all those bodies I found weren't in vain then! Eijiro was one of the first children I had been trying these new age chemicals on to see if his stomach ulcers could disappear without surgical intervention, though with a time device, I could just take his body back to a original, healthier state than this current body he has!"

Hinata stiffens, this whole interaction has just given him more ideas, more plans...

"Who else worked with you?! Tell us!" Naruto demands.

Kabuto responds only with a warped grin.

"You two are on a time limit, aren't you? Is that the main drawback?" He pursues.

He shakily tries to stand once more, spits up globs of pinkish red blood.

"Anyways, I suppose it doesn't matter as it looks like our time is up for today. Wouldn't want to have any bad press before you become Hokage Naruto or shame the Hyuga clan Hinata, right?" Kabuto teases.

Footsteps come up from behind them, Urushi gasping seeing the bruises marring Kabuto's upper body, putting himself between him and Naruto.

Kabuto at least from what Orochimaru said once during a meeting has fully reformed himself to no longer conduct unethical experiments, though he never served any prison time for his crimes and it's clear his motives are still questionable right now...

"Kabuto?! What the hell happened? I got worried when you all were taking so long to come back!" He demands.

"No more Naruto, he's not going to speak anymore on the subject." Kurama warns.

Naruto says nothing for a moment, nails digging into his palms, crescents indenting his skin.

"We just had a few questions for Kabuto, I'm sure he'll be more open to giving us answers the next time we meet." He assures him.

And to prove his point Naruto holds up a photo he swiped from his pocket.

The smirk instantly leaves Kabuto's face, teeth clenching together.

"Don't destroy that! It's...It's one of the few photos I have of Nono before her death." He hisses.

Naruto tosses it to the ground between them, gaze steely enough for goosebumps to prickle Kabuto's skin.

"I wasn't planning to, just know this conversation isn't over. Not until this loop is broken." He scowls.

Urushi pulls Kabuto away quickly not understanding his sudden temper as soon as the picture is back in Kabuto's possession.

He looks at them both differently now. Coldly.

Hinata's shoulders droop as she releases the barrier, duo slipping back into the main floors of the hospital.

Tomorrow.

There's always tomorrow...

Uzumaki Household-Naruto & Hinata

"Papa and Mama's eyes are red! Big and red!" Boruto giggles between flurries of water and bubbles.

"They are? It's because we've been watching you all day y'know!" Naruto cheerfully scrubs at his face, water splashing along the tiles at Boruto's defiant squeal diving back underwater.

Nightfall hasn't calmed either of their nerves really.

It was a risk to confront Kabuto so brazenly, but it's clear he was a member or director for this time device that eventually fell into Boruto's hands...

Hinata passes Naruto a towel at hearing the doorbell, half-turns to see them both sporting matching grins.

"That's probably Neji and Hanabi. Don't create a flood in here you two."

Naruto chuckles, notes the red in her cheeks admiring his muscles each time he flexes.

"You should've joined us!" He teases.

Hinata merely points to her stomach in response, giggling as Boruto manages to weave himself through Naruto's arms.

"Can't catch me Papa!"

"I can if I use my clones!"

Neji takes in the sounds of Naruto and Boruto's banter with ease as Hinata lets them in, even laughs when they somehow appear a moment later in a trail of droplets and suds.

"You didn't need to rush on account of us." He remarks, happily bouncing Boruto into his arms. He accepts Hinata's cup of tea with his free hand, Boruto tugging at his hair to become a horse.

"Horsey Uncle! Horses neigh, they don't talk!" Boruto orders.

Hanabi snickers in agreement. "Yes, Horses can't talk Neji!"

"...Neigh?" He attempts.

Naruto doesn't bother covering a howl of laughter, beaming wickedly.

"Oh, there was no way I was going to miss you you acting like this!"

Neji rolls his eyes at Naruto's bemusement as he 'trots' for Boruto while Hinata reviews over the photos, box, and notes he brought along.

Neji has traveled extensively from deserts to oceans. She picks up one image depicting him crossing verdant forests and turquoise rivers, bridges and waterfalls layered in leaves and moss crossing against hidden grottos and caves.

"That's from a mission I went on near Takigakure a few years ago. Since unifying the clan, we've used our byakugan across the various regions from helping in healthcare to maintaining old structures such as those bridges and walkways by finding the minuscule cracks and weak points that can't be seen so easily by others." He explains.

Hinata glances up, hundreds of questions bursting to mind.

Neji has become so many things, done so many things for the clan and village she can't even fully grasp or remember...

Her fingers brush over Hiashi's old yukatas from previous summers, black and blue stitching still fresh. Wooden toys lie buried at the bottom of the box, games he played when he was around Boruto's age.

Tears prick her eyes, swallowing them down.

"Uncle prepared for the war knowing there was a chance he would die. I'm sure you've both seen the scars and career-ending injuries our fellow classmates and instructors gained too. I know it's still a lot to take in and I regret I couldn't find more things to bring you two. Do these time jumps have any correlation or pattern that you've noticed yet?" He pursues.

Hinata glances to Naruto who shrugs halfheartedly.

"I suppose each day has had a major event that's happening. We first started at 12, the day we were assigned our 3 man squad, then I was on my training trip with Pervy-Sage, then our honeymoon, etc. It's all been out of order."

Neji hums, at least they have more information than when they started.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much. There's always a jonin assigned to watch Orochimaru and Kabuto's comings and goings around the village and whatnot." Hanabi remarks.

A silence takes over them all only interrupted by Boruto's yawn.

"I'm tired now Uncle y'know! I'm ready to go down now please!"

Neji nods, pleased his manner and etiquette lessons are sticking despite how easily distracted he can get like his Father.

"I think we're all tired." He voices.

Hinata walks him back to the gate, squeezes his hand knowing tomorrow he may treat her again with slight disdain or indifference.

"Good luck you two."

Naruto snorts. "Don't be an ass to us when we see each other again y'know!"

Hinata elbows his ribs gently while Neji merely shrugs with a light grin.

"No promises on that."

There's no way Hinata feels like she'll get comfortable enough to sleep, Naruto rubbing her tense shoulders. Today doesn't feel like it's ready to end yet, not when so many questions linger about.

Boruto drools perfectly content in Naruto's lap and he hopes his wild description of strangers clawing for his eyes stays as just a passing nightmare.

"You'll fall asleep eventually; we both will." Naruto soothes in her ear, dropping a kiss to her collarbone.

Himawari kicks against Naruto's hand when he moves his massage downwards.

"Oi, don't keep your Mom up like that Hima!" He orders, reprimand seeming to calm their daughter's turning about for now.

Hinata giggles while shifting herself to lay back, cushions herself against Naruto's chest counting his heartbeats like so many similar restless nights.

Naruto's blond hair is edged with silver from the moonlight, hovering over her with a smile.

"That chamomile tea starting to kick in now, huh?"

Hinata grins back slowly in response.

"...Yeah, I think it is."

Naruto-Age 13

He instantly knows something is wrong as soon as he opens his eyes.

Hinata and Boruto are no longer beside him, musty odor in the air of strewn ramen cups and unwashed clothes. He studies the cracks in his bedframe, glances out the window seeing the same street view he had of his old apartment.

'Well...shit.' He curses mentally.

A cold dread instantly creeps into his chest, gazing down at himself feeling an annoyingly familiar déjà vu.

Grey pajamas.

Same ones he wore as a child and into being a preteen.

Again.

'No, no! Seriously?!' Panic and rage start to burn across his thoughts, tampering them down with deep breaths in and out. Being in his younger self's body again has some advantages at least in people avoiding him for the most part, he and Hinata can collect more research and confront Kabuto or Orochimaru with the element of surprise.

And his apartment is at least a bit cleaner than the last time he looped here as well, moving to find the closest calendar.

'What is today? What makes today so important?'

He looks at his scrawl of messy reminders beside his grocery list on the fridge, number 1 written in bold, black ink.

'Ask Kakashi-sensei to train me for the second phase of the chunin exams before he picks Sasuke or some other jerk!'

-x-

Well, I'm still sleepy! I wrote this chapter mostly while in bed and in between flight delays. I wonder if it's jet lag, daylight savings time from the weekend, or just me trying to recover from this cold because of course while my vacation was great, I was the only one out of my family to pick up a sore throat, runny nose, and cough! No regrets though!

One villain has been revealed; Kabuto. He might've turned good in canon through what I feel was an easy excuse, but all is not forgiven so easily for the actions he's done and he isn't working alone. Naruto and Hinata's time leaping has taken them back to being preteens/teenagers again which means time to confuse their friends and family again as they learn more secrets and answers!

Let me know your thoughts as always!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!