Chapter 11: Coming of Age-Age 11

"When we are children we seldom think of the future. This innocence leaves us free to enjoy ourselves as few adults can. The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind."

― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind

Hinata

'Escape. I need to find the right time to escape!'

Hinata calms her breathing, half-listens as Hirami lists out instructions for how the day will go. She pushes her to sit up properly at her slouching against her bedframe, brows wrinkling in that familiar way that always used to make her stomach knot at ready for her harsh slap to her wrists or cold glare she is always seeming to screw up.

Outside the morning sky turns cloudy, light blue layered over with patches of gray. Still, sunlight manages to slip through and light the trees and garden in warm shades of reds and yellows, scent of dahlias and roses wafting in from her slightly open window.

Rain. It could at least maybe hide her scent if worse comes to worse in her rushing out of the compound...

Hirami was even less patient with her than Father during these years, always ensuring she was properly behaving as a heiress outside of training hours, following the silent duties of politeness and femininity that Father couldn't teach her on.

"You're starting to droop again Lady Hinata. I know the cramps hurt, but there's a tea I and Lady Natsu will show you how to prepare to deal with it. As well, we will need to get you fitted with a kimono for-"

Hinata starts to tune her out completely, eyes roaming towards her closet. She leaves her bed and goes to pull out her favorite tan jacket from her preteen years, grabbing her fishnet vest and blue leggings right beside it. It'd be easier maybe to wear something outside of her shinobi gear she briefly considers, but she and Naruto are already going to get enough strange looks today without her needing to add to it.

'I can't worry about any of the ceremony today.' She knows.

And that thought keeps her from completely panicking, biting her lip to bide her time for the right moment to leave as she heads to her bathroom to change.

Hirami gazes at her intently once she returns, pearl orbs narrowing.

"Do you have some other plans for today Lady Hinata? You'll need to cancel or postpone them in light of your...menstruation. It would be unbecoming to be walking about the village and potentially stain your clothes in front complete strangers. On top of that, we need to meet with the astrologer and Elders for your fortune, then the bathing and tea ceremonies will need to be done-"

Hinata holds up a hand to keep her from prattling on. None of that matters to her, stomach twisting at the idea of being forced to listen again to Lady Hirota's long winded spiel of her future as a shinobi and what she sees of her beginning years into true womanhood.

'It isn't like any of her predictions are ever fully accurate. She thought I would have a girl as my firstborn when Himawari came second.' She recalls.

Besides, all the fancy pomp and circumstance of the bathing and tea ceremonies won't change Father's opinion of her, won't stop him from eventually giving her heiress title to Hanabi.

"I'm sorry Hirami, but I don't have the time nor patience to deal with any of the ceremonies today; I'm heading out to find my husband so that we can get back to our correct time and place." Hinata calmly states.

Hirami as she expects looks at her like she's lost her mind, lips twisting into a deep scowl, cheeks flustering pink in annoyance.

The Hinata she knows never talks back to anyone, usually speaks barely above a whisper.

"Do you have a fever?! No, maybe you're still half-asleep! Surely you haven't lost so much blood already to be sputtering such nonsense." She questions dryly, stepping closer to her.

To her surprise, Hinata doesn't back down or look away from her, hands tightening at her sides.

"I can assure you Madam Hirami, I'm wide awake and this has been my husband Naruto and I's reality for the last week or so. I'll be meeting with him shortly to review over the latest news we've gotten from each other."

Hirami pauses, clicking her tongue. Perhaps she needs to take page out of Master Hiashi's tactics in getting Hinata in line.

She moves a hand forward prepared to use a gentle fist to her arm only for Hinata to catch her hand midway, grip tightening crackling a tiny ripple of electricity through her fingers.

Hirami instantly yelps, leaps back as if she completely shocked her.

'This can't be Lady Hinata! Did an imposter slip into her room overnight?!'

She hurriedly activates her byakugan to be sure, but nothing in Hinata's room seems out of the ordinary or in disarray compared to when she last walked by yesterday...

And Hinata's chakra is the same, no different to what she's used to seeing.

"I'm going Hirami, please don't try to stop me any further." Hinata warns gently.

Hirami opens her mouth to retort only for them both to hear a call for backup and stomping of feet downstairs.

Hinata turns her attention back to her window, sees familiar blond hair at the Hyuga gate and smiles.

"Ah, Naruto has arrived." She notes as she turns her attention back to Hirami. Hirami simply gapes at the scene, why is the Uzumaki boy here now of all days? Hinata opens her windowsill wider, waving to him.

Naruto waves back before his figure is swallowed up by a group of Hyuga guards.

Hinata sighs. 'I need to get him clearance.'

"Wait! You don't need to go down there Lady Hinata! Master Hiashi will handle things with the jinchuriki boy-"

Hinata sends her a glare that stops her short of going on, shaking her head.

"Naruto. Please don't refer to him by any other cruel titles or monikers. He's my husband and he's here now to pick me up."

Naruto & Hinata

"You have no business here." The first Hyuga guard scowls impatiently.

Naruto merely smiles, completely undeterred.

"Sure I do! I'm here to pick up my wife, y'know!"

These are the same men he'll happily greet in the future with Boruto and Himawari in tow. Hirota and Hayoma the head guards in particular will coo over their eyes, whiskers, and grins.

But for now, they gaze at him with annoyance, questioning in their white eyes why he so boldly proclaims he's allowed here at the Hyuga manor.

"Naruto! Don't worry, I'll come over to you!" Hinata calls out making a majority of the guards temporarily lower their tanto and naginata blades poised for his chest and head.

Hirota scoffs, pushes his blade back near his neck, frowning.

"Master Hiashi hasn't given permission to you nor is he expecting anybody at the manor today."

Naruto feels his grin start to crack, forcing it back on. He holds on to happier memories of the two conversing over global news and the kids growing. Today will be better compared to what he went through yesterday back in the Land of Waves.

For a flicker of a moment he sees Gatō's figure taking in Hayoma's thrilled look to aid Hirota in attacking him. Gatō had been excited too before his harsh grin morphed into shock, sunglasses crushed under the weight of blood and the twisted angle of his body...

'It's fine, don't think about it anymore.' Naruto quickly reminds himself.

The only person he truly needs to focus on attacking are those who made the time device.

Hinata approaches up before Hirota or Hayoma truly start to jab into him, placating smile enough for them to lower their blades slightly.

"Please don't harm Naruto. He's here to pick me up for the day as I'm sure he already explained." Hinata orders firmly.

Hirota falters slightly, surprised at her serious tone and calm demeanor.

She speaks as if she isn't still but a child.

"Ah, but Lady Hinata, we didn't receive any updates from Master Hiashi that you were expecting guests." Hirota reasons.

Hayoma remains skeptical, gazing between the pair dubiously before laughing dryly.

"That's probably because no such report exists Hirota. Seems Master Hiashi's eldest is going into a rebellious phase! Or perhaps her emotional state is in turmoil related to her cycle-"

Hinata steps forward before he can finish, jabbing straight into his chest with a lion fist.

Blue flames scorch his abdomen, ripple out like waves as he collapses to the ground.

"Hayoma, I don't appreciate you discussing aspects of my body so frivolously in front of me. I can assure you I don't need my Father's permission to leave with Naruto." Hinata mentions curtly.

Hayoma gasps as she strikes again at his legs before he can stand to strike her back, puzzled and stunned by her behavior and skill.

"Enough. What is going on here?" Hiashi questions from the main entryway, approaching them seeing Hayoma struggling to get back up.

Hirota quickly straightens, though his voice comes out in dry puffs unable to find a proper explanation for what he's just witnessed.

He looks quickly between Hinata and Hayoma, finds his voice at Hiashi's impatient frown.

"It's...It's Lady Hinata! We don't know what's gotten into her this morning!" He explains quickly.

Hiashi looks from him to Hayoma still trying to straighten himself; his two best guards faltering before his eldest and their village's jinchuriki.

'It's happened again.' He realizes.

This girl, no woman before him isn't his current daughter.

He clicks his teeth as Hinata regards him with a soft smile.

"Father, I'm heading out now with Naruto."

Hiashi glances to Naruto who bows respectfully, already different from the boy he's used to seeing play pranks around the village and generally being an annoyance to others.

It would be a waste of time to fight them based on what Lord Third mentioned from his report of 'The Incident' from 4 years ago. He isn't sure why this older version of his daughter keeps appearing if it's truly her, though he hopes she figures out the mystery of it sooner rather than later.

He sighs, nodding his head and shooing them off.

"Be safe you two."

Hayoma's eyes widen a fraction. How could he be so lackadaisical over Hinata's change in personality and skill? He hurriedly gets back into a standing position despite the pain, gritting his teeth as he tastes iron on his tongue.

Hirota balls his fists until they're a vicious deep red, lips pursed tightly not ready to immediately disobey Hiashi's direct order unlike his partner.

'This can't be the real Lady Hinata. Has she casted some type of genjutsu on him to be so nonchalant?' Hayoma wonders.

Where is the girl who pinkened in shame under his scoffs that that her shyness makes her unfit to lead the clan? Who prefers to keep to the shadows should she dare cross paths with Neji or Master Hiashi?

"Wait! Surely you're not letting them go just like that Master Hiashi?! Is there not a protocol or at least interrogation you want to see to ensure this isn't an imposter who's disguised themselves as Hinata-"

Hiashi holds up a hand.

"No arguments Hayoma; I've made my decision. I know my daughter better than you do."

Naruto looks back to the duo, runs his chin thoughtfully to find a find a way to further defuse the tenseness of the situation. Hurriedly, he tries to recall a tidbit he remembers about the two before snapping his fingers.

"Ah, maybe when you're less annoyed in another time and place we can eat together some tempura oyakodon with green tea sake!" He grins towards Hayoma.

Hayoma pauses, wonders if its a lucky guess he knows his favorite foods and drink of choice to wind down with or if he's just blurted out those foods randomly from seeing him eat them at some point around the village...

He stops himself from moving to go after him or Hinata as they turn to go.

Though gaze bores back into Hinata one last time before the day shift guards report in, assessing her chakra signature once more only to see it truly is Hinata before him.

"What's going on with you two?" Hayoma questions.

Hinata smiles, though her expression turns forlorn.

"Time-leaps." Naruto answers gently only eliciting a twitch of rage to Hayoma's features. It seems nothing they say is going to placate his anger.

"Fine, keep lying. I'm sure Master Hiashi will give you a fitting punishment later Lady Hinata. And as for you brat, stay out of our clan business!" He sneers.

Hinata feels the heat of a retort bubble up at his harsh attitude, catching Naruto's gaze before the fire of words can erupt from her lips.

"If Father wants me to do extra sparring and meditation upon my return, I can handle it." She finally settles on saying instead.

Hayoma's brows knit together before shrugging.

"Just know you're being watched." He grunts before heading to make his rounds over the eastern perimeter of the compound one last time.

Naruto blows out a breath as they watch he and Hirota leave, skin prickling taking in his simple threat.

'We know we're being watched.'

Naruto & Hinata-Konoha Neighborhoods

"I'm sorry the guards were so difficult." Hinata begins as they walk together weaving throughout the shadows.

"Nah, nothing I ain't used to y'know!" Naruto shrugs.

Hinata rubs at her head, trying and failing to keep a rising migraine away.

"All of the guards are more protective and on alert with the announcement of my Coming of Age ceremony; I'm surprised Father was even willing to let me leave the manor though perhaps he suspected I wasn't myself and to not stop us. Ah anyways, the ceremony goes back generations for the women in the Hyuga family whether from branch or main with the start of menarche to be kept restricted to the compound, to avoid supposed scandals of being caught with...immoral men."

Naruto points at himself then. "Oh, like me!"

Hinata giggles before her abdominal muscles lock up in disagreement, Naruto holding her close that they'll pick up medicine at the pharmacy once it opens.

They've kept to shortcuts through the quieter neighborhoods by the marketplace. Most of these homes are older, built around the time of the Second Hokage's era with sycamore and oak trees skirting up precariously near cracked shingles and rusted drainpipes.

And at least this early enough in the day they can avoid some stares, but it's inevitable that word is going to get to Lord Third the jinchuriki of the village is spending time with the Hyuga clan's eldest daughter for some unknown reason.

A businessman gives them a wide berth, a fisherman heading for the markets with his daughter straggling behind both do a double take seeing them out and about this early.

"Isn't that Hiashi's eldest...? Why is she with him?" The girl blatantly asks.

The fisherman adjusts his rods, shushing her quickly.

"Not now Suzuma! I'll explain another time."

Naruto sighs, squeezing Hinata's hand tighter taking them to the rooftops instead.

They see some of their classmates shuffling about as the day gets brighter. Ino helping her Dad open Yamanaka Flowers, blonde hair in disarray carrying out marigolds and geraniums shades of yellows and whites.

"Ugh, nobody comes to the store this early Dad! I need my shut eye! What if Sasuke saw me like this?!" She berates him, glare sharpening on Inoichi to challenge her notion.

She casts a gaze skyward at his chuckle it isn't the end of the world, lips parting in surprise seeing Naruto and Hinata before Naruto crouches them low to the shingles.

'Ah, though Ino is prone to gossip, I doubt anyone would truly believe her if she passes this around.' Hinata considers, cheeks growing hot as Naruto shuffles her closer.

Kiba snorts at Ino's bed hair as he passes by, distracting her thoroughly enough from looking closer to them as he does his morning walk with Akamaru and the other Inuzuka dogs. Choji from the opposite side is heading to the market with his Dad, already munching on a set of chips together.

Good, none of them notice them.

Until Naruto's gaze catches with...

'Kakashi-sensei? He's awake right now at this time of day too?'

Naruto freezes as their eyes meet, chill racing down his back.

'No, he wouldn't be wary of me at age 11. It's not until I'm like 12-13 that we form Team 7.' He knows.

But Kakashi's visible eye narrows, turning fully to look at him while snapping his Make Out Paradise book shut. He stands still just observing them for a minute, dark eye tracking them as they leap to the next building.

And then he starts following them.

Well shit, they have his full attention now.

"Naruto, does Kakashi-sensei know about the time loops?" Hinata asks curiously. Kakashi-sensei isn't even bothering to hide his open staring, doesn't even try to blend in with the morning rush starting to surround him.

Naruto shakes his head. "No, I mean he does from the 12 and 13 year old loops."

The only time younger than this though was when they were 7, though they hadn't interacted that day at all he recalls.

However, he had with Old Man Third.

From that, Hiruzen most likely told Kakashi everything strange he did that day, everything he would need to be wary of should he or Hinata start acting bizarrely again...

He could always attack, throw out a smoke bomb if worse comes to worse if Kakashi decides to attempt to strike them first.

Though that would only keep them from properly reaching out to Kabuto's associates, more ANBU guards would be assigned to watch them around the clock after they leap from this day.

Kakashi is upon the pair in a flash before they can move again, Hinata wincing feeling a cramp ripple through her.

"Not now." She hisses as Kakashi leans down to study them properly.

"I heard some people muttering in the marketplace that Naruto kidnapped Hinata from the Hyuga manor." Kakashi drawls, curiosity slipping into his voice that the mutterings around the fruit and meat stands were apparently true.

"Kidnapped is a harsh way of saying I took my wife out." Naruto can't help but counter.

Kakashi blinks. "Congrats. Did I miss the wedding?"

"Nope, you were there or will be there! You officiated it during your time as the 6th Hokage y'know!"

Kakashi chuckles though his expression is slowly becoming the opposite of mirth.

"Lord Third said to report to him if you two ever started behaving oddly again. I thought he was just taken extra precautions for no reason until one of your attendants Hinata voiced she saw you perform an attack on one of your Father's most elite guards with the ease and skill of an adult before she left to get herbs at the market."

Hinata gives a lopsided smile. "Yes, you must be referring to Hayoma."

Kakashi snaps his fingers, nodding.

"The one and the same! It's interesting though, Lord Third's message also included to note that your appearances wouldn't match your true age."

Naruto nods, feels the ebbs of impatience rising up.

"Kakashi-sensei can we make this quick? Do you want to fight us or not?"

Hinata sighs as Kakashi reveals his sharingan eye, Naruto up and behind him just as he draws out a kunai.

"No. I'm not fighting you sensei. Not today; drop the kunai and the shuriken you have poised for Hinata." Naruto warns.

Naruto gathers a rasengan in his opposite hand, frowning when he refuses his command.

"Drop them, I'm not letting you harm Hinata." He growls.

Kakashi blows out a breath, metal clattering against the rooftop tiles. He's quicker than all the reports Lord Third gave them and truthfully he hadn't taken anything Hiruzen had said too seriously upon seeing Naruto up to his usual pranks and Hinata shyly keeping to herself, always observing.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Until now.

"You're acting nothing like the lessons my Dad and Obito gave you, y'know." Naruto grunts, disappointed in him when he's the one acting unusual.

'What? He knows about his parentage? About Obito?'

Heat spills into his chest. Why did Lord Third warn him of all this knowledge he apparently has?

And at that Kakashi uses a substitution jutsu instead, Hinata spinning herself out of his way before he can touch her.

"Lightning Release: Spider Web!"

She puts up a twisting barrier of electricity and flames, bites through another cramp roiling at her gut when Kakashi tears through it with ease using lightning cutter.

"Please Kakashi-sensei, can we not fight? If you know already we aren't the Naruto and Hinata you're used to, then is there any reason to attack us?" Hinata asks, dodging his strikes much to his surprise.

"That's all the more reason to capture you two and bring you in for questioning once again." Kakashi smoothly answers.

Hinata ducks under his coming arm, jabs at his leg enough to unsteady him just slightly.

'It isn't just they're acting different; they're stronger.' He quickly assesses.

A dangerous glint flashes in the blue of Naruto's eyes, he's running out of passivity on this.

The next move he makes will be to truly harm him.

Kakashi says nothing for a long moment, neither are acting particularly hostile and Naruto just now moved as fast as Minato-sensei did all those years ago. He truly does know about his ancestry and past.

Secrets Lord Third surely never told him...

He relaxes his stance, features still guarded.

"What are you two's plans for the day?" He questions.

Hinata points in the direction of the hospital.

"Interviews. We need to learn more about Kabuto's associates."

Kakashi follows her gaze, recognizes Kabuto's name as connected to Orochimaru from various reports. Nobody has seen much him in years though since Nono's death, his disappearance from Konoha's orphanage.

His gaze twists to Naruto, stare hardening. "When did you find out about Minato-sensei? Obito?"

"Originally? As a teenager, though hopefully now I won't have to keep repeating myself to you wherever Hinata and I loop next." Naruto reasons.

It goes against everything he knows of dealing with suspicious shinobi and people in general within the village, but he steps back.

"Don't think this will go unreported to Lord Third." Kakashi mentions.

Naruto merely shrugs, barely spares him a second glance looking Hinata over to ensure she's truly okay.

"Tell him I said hello!"

Naruto & Hinata- Konoha Hospital

"I think the hospital is the best place to start." Hinata begins.

Ahead of them looms the main entrance, lights inside shining a mix of whites and golds against the now late morning sunshine.

"You know, I've never considered how much the hospital has grown by the time we're adults." Naruto remarks, taking in old vines layered in browns and greens, branches that creep along the older sides of the building sticking to the dark.

By the time Sakura becomes head of the hospital, there will be at least 3 new units and structures attached to the site.

Naruto glances back to Hinata, smirks at her contemplating look.

"Got a plan Hinata?"

Hinata meets his amused gaze, reddening at what could potentially be running through his mind.

"Nothing dirty! It's just I think the only way we'll be able to make contact with Kabuto's associates that could be working here is if we use transformation jutsus to look like staff members here."

Naruto's expression turns perplexed. "Well, as you know Hinata, I don't have a strong understanding of medical jargon or policies!"

Hinata giggles. "I'm not an expert either, hence why we'll be interested interns or volunteers excited to learn more from our elders!"

They use names and disguises far away enough away not to be confused with their own.

Haruto and Kairi Namikaze. A couple highly curious of the ins and outs of the medical field.

Hinata pauses looking at Naruto's chosen name and their new last names for the day.

"Dear, 'Haruto' is just your regular name with one letter-character changed! You don't want to go with one that people won't be as suspicious of?" She questions.

Naruto shakes his head, beaming. "Nope! Haruto means sunlight; sunshine so I'll be able to think of you after we split up! And it kind of matches the opposite of your name with Kairi meaning the sea. My Father's side of the family were civilians so the last names shouldn't draw any suspicion on that part."

Hinata smiles, takes in his now dark reddish-brown locks, the only thing that Naruto kept the same about himself is his tan skin and blue eyes.

"I'm going to miss your trademark whiskers." She muses as she thumbs at his cheeks, Naruto catching her hands.

"It's just for today, y'know! I don't think anyone will make the connection between Naruto and Haruto considering everyone sees me as an 11 year old brat and not the suave and handsome Haruto who is 25!" He determines.

Hinata's grin widens, if anything both she and Naruto have gotten too used to rolling with the changes each day brings.

She leads them up to the directory, adjusts her now brunette hair to look orderly; calm.

Amachi works in the pathology labs in the basement while Tōno works in both the biology and chemistry wings in the upstairs 4000's units.

"I know we said before we could eliminate Amachi from our list of suspects behind the full use of the time device, but it's possible Kabuto or Orochimaru could've gotten the blueprints from him during these early stages. Tōno we definitely need to talk to as he still seems to interact with Boruto in the future." Naruto notes.

Hinata nods her agreement, both deciding Naruto will go to Tōno while she deals with Amachi.

"Good morning, my husband and I are here to volunteer with the pathology and biology teams today! The scientists Katasuke Tōno and Amachi." She starts.

The night secretary yawns, amber orbs staring between the pair sleepily. Hinata glances to her lopsided name tag: Tomoka.

"Names?" She asks sluggishly.

"Haruto and Kairi Namikaze. Last minute add-ons with how busy Granny...or err Lord Third has been!" Naruto hastily explains with a gentle nudge from Hinata.

Tomoka doesn't even notice his mistake, printing out name tags for them both.

"Those two give me the creeps with the rumors I've heard of their research, how deep they can get into their experiments. Sure you two don't want to switch to work with some other staff members that are less...weird?" She questions.

Naruto shakes his head, ready to see for himself what projects Tōno is currently working on.

"We're interested in their current works!" He smiles.

'And everything they've been hiding from the public.'

Hinata

"I didn't ask for any volunteers."

Amachi looks Hinata over exactly once, sneer punctuating each word. Without her trademark Hyuga eyes (now just a plain brown), she is nothing of interest to him.

"I go by Kairi, it means the sea. I thought it fitting to learn from a man who spends from sunrise to moonrise collecting river water and seawater examples." Hinata reasons.

He ignores her comment though, returns his attention back to a series of glass beakers with liquids shades of forest greens to electric yellows. A turquoise fish tank glows at the back of the room, sulfuric scent coating the room. When he sees Hinata hasn't left he clicks his tongue, scowling.

"Are you deaf? I have no interest in you unless you want to be one of my human subjects?" Amachi smirks.

Hinata steps forward, smile widening.

"Like the villagers you've been kidnapping in the Land of The Sea? Is Orochimaru still interested in this project or has he begun to truly lose interest in it and you?"

Amachi stiffens, peers back at her darkly.

"You're mistaken. The villagers came to me willingly in order to get more income, support their families. As for Orochimaru, I don't need him in order to continue my studies and research."

Hinata waves him off before he can give her any more excuses.

"That isn't my primary concern really. I wanted to know if you've studied anything related to time and the human body?"

Amachi goes silent and Hinata decides to point to a dissected human heart and brain of two different subjects.

Her stomach churns looking over the pale organs, these innocent civilians whisked away, most unwillingly from their homes...

"Time. It's one thing I don't think any scientist has fully gained understanding on of all that it involves." Hinata murmurs.

Amachi roughly pushes her away from the specimens, clenching his teeth.

"Why did you really come here Kairi? My specialty is with the waves and sea, to one day form the perfect human-fish hybrid. Imagine if you will shinobi who wouldn't need to waste time traveling by ship, able to breathe as easily underwater as they do on land." He describes.

With a bit more study and practice, he could even head to the Land of Waves next with talk he's heard of men selling and trading drugs to escape from their boredom or make extra income on the side.

"And when the heart or brain starts to malfunction do they end up here in your lab with lungs full of seawater?" Hinata point blank asks.

Amachi glares up at her, Hinata catching his chakra scalpel midair. Slowly jade colored scales line his body, eyes morphing into a deep red.

He sucks in a deep breath, undeterred.

"Water Release: Great Cannonball!"

The geyser of water misses her, Hinata behind him jabbing into his neck and back.

Egregious harm wouldn't go unnoticed, but Hinata can't find it in herself to leave him unpunished for what he's doing.

What he'll continue to do.

She twists the blade back to him, silver tip hitting the light.

Amachi winces at her ease of movement, beads of sweat lining his brow down his neck.

"Who are you really?! I'll call security!" He snaps.

If only he could reach his tank, summon Umibozu to imprison this wretched girl.

"You're Kaima form isn't as strong on land. And on top of that you're alone up here."

Hinata pinpoints the blade to his neck, pushes it enough to draw out a trickle of blood.

For a flash of a moment she sees Kabuto's partners Yoroi and Misumi, who gazed at her the same as Amachi currently is with equal parts fright and equal parts rage. And then she recalls this original day years ago tucked in her room, curling her toes through every cramp.

'This is what it means to be a woman Hinata. Surely you can handle a little bit of pain if you're truly to lead this clan one day." Hirami scolds and Hinata's bite of her lips, grabs for lipstick to hide the blood of her peeling skin.

Afternoon has given way to night, sky awash in dark violets and blues.

It matches her mood, frustration building to slam Hirami out of her room, out of her sight forever.

All that is left is the final ceremony, a grand celebration of a womanhood that she's been ill for most of.

Bile scorches the back of her tongue, kimono too tight, too itchy.

"Can I take one more walk around the guard to stave off the pain? Please?" Hinata manages to hiss out.

Hirami rolls her eyes. "Fine, I'll look for another kimono you hopefully won't bleed or get sick all over."

Natsu quickly slips her a mixture of ginger and safflower tonic once Hirami looks away to retrieve her a fresh kimono, fusses aloud to herself over needing to brush apparent tangles from her hair.

She wipes at droplets of scarlet along Hinata's lips, pats a warm cloth to her head Hinata immediately presses to her stomach instead.

"It's just for a few more hours Lady Hinata; endure."

When Himawari inevitably learns about her cycle, she'd promised not to make a fuss over it, to not have her curled for hours in pain with only herbal remedies and tea to soothe her...

Hinata tightens her hands, pushes the memories away gazing down in to Amachi's crimson orbs with renewed certainty.

"Nobody is going to hear you scream for help."

Naruto

"Ah I don't recall Dr. Hondo or Lord Third saying I would have a volunteer or intern with me this week. Oh, but the more the merrier! I would never turn away the youth interested in the growing field of science! Haha, I'm still a newbie to the field myself!" Tōno exclaims eagerly.

Naruto laughs, hopes his confident grin hides how little he knows of these subject matters.

"Well, err Dr. Hondo knows I'm interested in time, especially tools the next generation of shinobi can use on and off the field!" He describes.

Tōno brightens, nodding his head vigorously leading him around his research space, happily shows him notes that look like another language to him.

'Geez, this guy is like a science version of Gai-sensei with his enthusiasm!' Naruto muses.

But at least for this last hour he's been willingly giving him information to feed his curiosity, giving a grand tour of his labs and latest projects.

"Yes! Yes! Exactly! I've been trying to push to test out my prototypes of prosthetics and skin grafts taken from newborn subjects on the pediatric ward, but Konoha's medical board keeps rejecting me!" He nearly whines.

Naruto's jaw tics.

"What?"

Tōno points in the direction of the pediatric medical/surgical unit. Kids there are usually admitted for blood transfusions, GI infections and in the worst cases, playing with shinobi tools losing an appendage in the process.

"You know, kids! They're the most excited about these projects compared to the adults! It's still in its beginning stages, but imagine how much this could revolutionize both medicine and the shinobi world! Children with burns and scars could get new skin growths without the pain of surgery, reverse tumors, take their bodies back to a healthier state!" He goes on.

Naruto shoves his hands in his pockets, schools his face to stay calm despite the swish of blood in his ears, pulse thrumming.

"If I'm understanding this correctly, you want to take blood from newborns or kids, particularly from those with the specific DNA markers and genetic components you desire and transfer them into other people?"

Tōno nods. "Yes, well you're on the right track! It would be nice if we could get more blood donations from the more noble clans of Konoha like the Hyuga, Uchiha, Inuzuka, Nara, Yamanaka clans. Imagine what potential their blood could be used for in treating the diseased and elderly!"

"The Uzumaki as well, their known for their longevity, right?" Naruto interrupts.

Tōno laughs. "Well, yes them too if their clan wasn't already extinct!"

"Little kids and babies can't consent to any of this though in taking part in your blood donations or experiments, your team knows that; right?" Naruto asks slowly.

Tōno chuckles darkly, holds a finger to his lips.

"Well it's just as Akita has said before, their parents don't have to know. Kids are curious by nature, eventually a child from one of their clans will be interested enough in our work to want to volunteer!"

Naruto opens his mouth only to feel it dry; stunned.

"Don't do anything that could severely mess up you and Hinata's time-leaping." Kurama voices.

Naruto keeps his fists buried out of sight, entrance door clicking open saving him from speaking or attacking.

"I thought I smelled a different type of cologne, turns out you have a visitor!" Akita chimes out.

Naruto forces on a brilliant smile, reaches out to shake her hand.

"N-Haruto Namikaze. Just volunteering and learning the ropes of the research areas here for the day!"

Akita nods, happily shaking his hand.

"Akita Inuzuka! Pleasure to see more youngsters interested in the field! I'm Katasuke Toni's assistant."

She sniffs the air again, arching a brow and Naruto feels his chest constrict at the flash of distrust in her onyx eyes.

"Funny, your scent is familiar Namikaze. I'm sure I've picked up on it around the village before."

Naruto & Hinata

A half moon lights their way home.

"I'm going to write a letter to myself. A reminder of all that we've learned considering we can't take any physical objects with us as each day passes." Naruto decides.

Hinata considers the idea, unable to fully hide her skepticism.

"Are you sure your preteen self won't just destroy the letter in confusion? Could it lead to a possibly darker future if your younger tries to act out what you've told them?"

Naruto hums, he'll keep from saying too much he figures. Enough not to puzzle his younger self into completely taking the letter as a joke.

"You can't keep a secret Naruto!" Hinata teases at Naruto's focused look, giggles bubbling up when he kisses at her cheek moving down.

"Yes I can! I know all your favorite ticklish spots and what makes you moan." He purrs near her ear.

Hinata flusters, looks away as they undo their adult transformations.

"Put it with Gama-chan or a hiding spot only you know about. At least your younger self will understand it's true importance then." She advises.

A Hyuga guard spots them, Hinata curling into him breathing in his scent.

"See you tomorrow, hopefully with the kids beside us. Have a good night." She murmurs.

Naruto nods, Boruto and Himawari still awaiting them.

"Get away from her boy! You've caused enough trouble for one day!" The guard shouts, stomping towards them faster.

Naruto sighs, unleashing a gust of wind temporarily keeping the guard at bay before he can separate them.

"Right, tomorrow."

Naruto & Hinata- Age 23

"Papa, Mama! It's too hot! I'm ready to go to the pool now!" Boruto whines, hovering over them.

A cicada buzzes somewhere in the distance. Air sticky and warm as they blink their eyes open.

Boruto nudges at their shoulders again, grabbing Himawari's hand to bring her into view.

Hinata sits up first, eyes adjusting to the dark. It's her and Naruto's bedroom, familiar sight of their dressers, pictures, and linen surrounding them.

"See, Papa and Mama are up!" He declares to Himawari.

"Up!" Himawari mimics, breaking out of Boruto's hold to lie down upon Naruto's stomach.

"Dada!" Himawari smiles sleepily, burrows her head in and Naruto happily brushes at the beginnings of her soft dark locks.

Boruto instantly pouts as Naruto pulls him into his opposite side.

"Bolt, Hima is still tired." Naruto regards.

And he is as well.

What time is it anyways? Boruto never gets up before the sun and yet here is racing around their bedroom.

"No Hima! It's not time to sleep anymore!" He huffs while attempting to wiggle out of Naruto's hold. He tries and fails to hold in a yawn seeing Naruto and Himawari both do one at the same time, giving up and curling in.

Hinata looks around slowly, this is their house she's sure, but Boruto looks a tad younger than the 5 year old he's about to be.

"Oi, Boruto are you sure you're old enough to go to the pool?" Naruto jests.

Boruto holds up 3 fingers, nodding vigorously.

"Yes, I'm 3 now, y'know!"

Naruto gestures to Himawari who has taken to shuffling into his lap as he sits up slowly.

"And Hima, how old is she?" He asks.

"Um...1! Or 16 months like Mama says!" Boruto answers after a moment's pause to think.

Naruto glances to Hinata who nods slightly.

This is the closest they've gotten to their correct age so far.

Boruto tugs back on their pajamas when he realizes neither is actually getting up.

"Come on, come on! We'll be late for Shikadai's pool party!"

-x-

True Birthday Weekend Update! I'm considering the next chapter to be an Interlude chapter that shows the After effects of an older Naruto and Hinata's changes. Particularly to a preteen Naruto and Hinata confused by Naruto's letter to himself! Otherwise, more family fun after that and Naruto and Hinata interacting with their friends!

Let me know your thoughts as always!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!