To Repeat & Return Epilogue- Welcome Back, Age 25

"Here I am, a bundle of past recollections and future dreams, knotted up in a reasonably attractive bundle of flesh. I remember what this flesh has gone through; I dream of what it may go through."

― Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

Naruto & Hinata

'It's like we weren't even gone.' Naruto smiles, sunlight warm on his face. A pink and gold dawn slowly unfurls in behind the blinds, wood flooring lighting in shades of yellows and reds as he opens them one at a time. Hinata presses into his side with a yawn, violet hair ruffled from sleep. He drops a kiss to her head, snickering as her nose wrinkles from his morning breath.

"Still 25?" Naruto asks aloud despite already knowing the answer.

Pearl eyes open then, peer down to her body and then to his.

"Still 25." Hinata confirms with a grin.

They spent all of yesterday being lazy in the home, made Boruto and Himawari hamburgers, fries, katsudon, and curry for breakfast, lunch, and dinner despite knowing it would spoil their appetites into assuming they would always get fast food and salty snacks every day.

"I don't know what I would've done if I woke up and was 13 again or younger y'know. There are definitely too many perks that come with being an adult." Naruto grins, fingers tracing at the edge of her breasts, thumbs skimming at her nipples until they harden from under his massaging.

Hinata sighs, toes curling as Naruto presses her back into bed, moving her own hand down to brush at his rising erection.

"Are we going to replay the morning of our honeymoon/wedding night?" She giggles.

Naruto chuckles, pulling down her nightgown.

"I don't see why not y'know! We have all the time in the world now to-"

KNOCK KNOCK!

"Papa, Mama, are you up? Everyone's gonna be at Thunder Burger by this afternoon and we have to get everything set up in the room y'know!" Boruto's muffled voice calls out.

Naruto pauses mid-thrust, Hinata wrapping a leg around him quietly, moan softly ringing out into the quiet holding him in place.

Pearl watches cobalt; waiting.

"...10 to 15 minutes Boruto!" Naruto yells back.

They hear his foot stomp against wood and tile in clear annoyance, both picturing a rising frown.

"Alright, but I'm gonna count Papa! In case you're lying y'know!" Boruto shouts back.

Himawari's voice follows, lighter assuming this is some type of counting game or song.

"1, 2, 3, 20...!"

"He's cheating." Hinata sighs as Naruto sinks into her again.

Naruto grunts, puts it out of mind bringing his lips back to hers. It's far past 10 minutes when they sit up again properly, Hinata brushing sweat from Naruto's face. Their skin is flushed red, warmth and goosebumps tingling across where fingers brush to know this isn't a dream or strange nightmare.

He catches her hand as she moves them to stretch and get up.

"Have a plan so Boruto's not grouchy for his own party?" Hinata suggests.

Naruto nods, brilliant grin lighting his face. "Of course! That's one of the many habits of his I'm going to nip in the bud before he gets any older y'know. I don't ever want him to think he has to cheat to get my or your attention."

Boruto pounces him before he can get fully out the door, azure eyes bright despite his pouting cheeks.

"About time, geez! That was way more than 10 minutes, more like...100 minutes! What kept you two so long!" He huffs in demand, hands curling around his leg to keep Naruto from deciding to wander back into his room, office, or anywhere else that will prevent him from staying close to him for the rest of today.

Naruto smirks, ruffles at his hair while peering back to Hinata. "Wasn't me Bolt! Mama here basically locked me into the bed preventing my escape y'know!"

"Mama, I want up too!" Himawari beckons seeing Boruto already tied around Naruto.

A pastel pink blush spreads across Hinata's cheeks, huffing gently as she picks her up. "I beg to differ! It was Papa who kept us from getting ready faster until we finished untangling from our pillows and blankets."

Boruto's brows furrow at their shared smiles, unsure if this some type of joke or game he should or shouldn't be on.

"...Uh, okay then. Let's just get breakfast started y'know! I don't wanna be late to my own party!"

He peers up at Naruto as they head all head downstairs, mischievous grin slowly etching up.

"Hey Papa, Mama, can I open one of my presents a bit early?" Boruto asks, cerulean eyes venturing between them and Naruto's home office where early gifts from Neji, family Hanabi, family friends, and Jiraiya already arrived in the mail.

Naruto stiffens just slightly at the memory of metal and wire, the smell of smoke and blood before a burst of white-hot heat. What was last night for the kids was nearly a month-long ordeal for he and Hinata...

And even though they already triple checked absolutely no gifts came from Katasuke Tōno or any members of the Scientific Ninja Tools team, an ache splits across their chests thinking of that blast.

Hinata catches Naruto's wary stare with a faint nod, taps gently at Boruto's back.

"Not yet Dear, let's save the surprises for the main event."

Naruto & Jiraiya

"So, what time is the party at again?" Jiraiya asks between bites of onigiri. He's given him no reason why he particularly wanted to come along with him in picking up Boruto's cake from Crowns of Sugar Bakery besides to simply past the time.

Himawari finally lets out a yawn beside him after circling both his and Jiraiya's legs most of the journey here, too jumpy to stay in house with her brother with how hyper he's been since waking up.

"Don't worry, I'm sure I can get Hima to burn off most of this energy before the party!" Naruto declares.

Hinata smiles, though he can see the uncertainty in her lavender eyes as Himawari zips in circles around them and the entire living room.

"Papa, I'm fast like Mr. Cheetah!" Himawari declares, only slowing down to curve around the sofa to follow after Boruto into the kitchen to help get started on setting the table.

"...Even though she's doing that currently, I think she's just a bit bored and eager to get out of the house y'know! I'm glad we haven't lost any actual time with the kids despite how many days have passed of us looping." Naruto remarks.

Hinata laughs gently then, a melodious sound that almost cuts through the sound of glass shattering and Boruto's shout for help.

Naruto gets to the scene first, already has two clones at ready to barricade the kids from stepping on broken glass while another clone checks for any cuts or injuries.

"See, I even missed things like this!" The original Naruto beams puzzling their kids further as Hinata peeks around him to assess.

Her fingers thread at the hairs at the back of his neck, elicit a light shiver.

Maybe, just maybe they can't get in another round before they need to leave to set up for the party.

Lilac eyes turn to Boruto and Himawari, pair straightening in alert.

"No more accidents today you two, call if you need help setting up anything!"

Boruto peers towards Himawari, cerulean eyes still shiny with tears, hands wringing against her top observing Naruto prick himself with shards.

Her eyes flash to him for a moment, mouth opening only for him to beat her to it.

"I didn't call for help in time Mama, so don't punish Hima." Boruto declares.

Naruto blinks, brows furrowing.

He fidgets quickly under his stare and his chest warms as Boruto's eyes eventually drop to the tile.

'At least he's overall nicer than I was at his age.' Naruto regards.

"Nobody's being punished Bolt. Now, you and Hima help Papa finish cleaning this mess so that after breakfast I can go pick up your cake while you and Mama stop by Uncle's to get the balloons and other party decorations."

Naruto sighs, points with a roll of his eyes to the messenger toad and text he knows he sent Jiraiya last week and the week before in preparation for today.

Whether using old or new school technology, Pervy-Sage operates on whatever manner he pleases. He'd figured Granny would've changed that aspect of him over the years, but some things like his wanderlust run deep when it comes to being away from the village and paying attention to its ongoings.

"I'm sure Hinata and I told you plenty of times before today that it's at 2:00 pm at Thunder Burger."

Jiraiya shrugs, amused grin lighting his features, pointing to his neck where Hinata may or may not have scratched him earlier from their morning wake up. "Got some early loving from the missus I see! Guess that was 'glad to be alive and back in our normal bodies sex', huh?"

Naruto nearly chokes on his spit, rapidly moves to cover Himawari's ears.

"I didn't even say anything yet y'know?! How could you-"

Jiraiya claps a hand to his shoulder, stops him from rambling.

"Come on Kid, it's obvious in your demeanor and behavior! New outlook on life and all that jazz! I'm right, aren't I? You and Hinata can really put those time looping days behind you?"

Naruto shrugs, smile infectious.

"Yeah. Yeah. I hope so. How were things immediately after the war?"

Jiraiya's grin cracks, rolls his free hand absently into the air while gesturing with his eyes to Himawari too focused on counting the petals and leaves they pass along cobblestone.

The wind picks up, seeming to match his turning mood as thin clouds of steel hover near the darkening greenery of the mountains in the distance.

Boruto being born in spring either means birthdays spent in the leftover chills of winter or the coming warmth of afternoon storms Konoha often gets beginning around this time of year.

'Let it be the former for the rest of today.' Naruto sighs, he and Hinata can pull out the warmer jackets if need be.

He shakes his head as his focus goes back to Jiraiya, intent on knowing.

"Come on, I at least need to know...need to know that the changes Hinata and I inadvertently or purposely did made a difference."

Jiraiya points at himself then. "Geez Kid, I'm here, aren't I?!"

Naruto snorts a little too harshly, mix of feelings churning at his gut." And Hinata's Dad isn't."

But it isn't just Hiashi, there's so many others he knows he couldn't save before, during, and after the war with only hours to prepare or convince someone to listen to his and Hinata's story without them coming across as crazy time and again.

Jiraiya pats at his shoulders before his thoughts can spiral.

"You know the gist of what happened outside of the funerals and rebuilding the village once again. Kabuto and all his past associates and connections are under heavy surveillance 24-7. That Scientific Ninja Tools team that started this mess in the first place is heavily restricted and will always need permission before starting on any new project from the Hokage. Everyone else is dead and hasn't been reanimated back to life."

Naruto stays silent, searches his memories for a mix of old and new, chest lurching that he's basically forgotten all the recollections he had at the start of his and Hinata's time looping.

"Of course. Those events didn't happen anymore." Kurama reminds him.

"I know, but I at least thought that I'd remember some pieces of those experiences." Naruto considers.

The feelings after all still linger of how he and Hinata felt, how much it ached...

"Kid, no Naruto. I will always be grateful for the information you gave me on Pain/Nagato during your teenage loops, for giving me this chance to watch you grow and mature into an adult with kids of your own. However, you and Hinata know as shinobi not every life can be saved whether it be from a mission or war. And when you become Hokage, you will need to remember that too. This continued peace and positive diplomatic relations can't always be won with words alone. There's a reason why I worry that you may hate being Hokage even more than Tsunade did during her tenure." Jiraiya shakes him a bit harder to get him to look at him properly.

Naruto huffs gently, recalls then from their past journeys how over cups of sake Jiraiya gave him tales of Tsunade sneaking booze into her water to tune out Koharu and Homura's griping. Even how his own Dad one time skipped a meeting with the duo to instead eat lunch with Kushina.

"I'll probably do the same thing with Hinata and the kids too. Besides, those two are old geezers from like the Second Hokage's time. They could be...well y'know by the time Kakashi-sensei steps down! Anyways, I'm going to get a planner and have Shikamaru split the work with me whenever necessary." Naruto mentions with a shrug.

"Anyways, you already know my plans and I'm tired of hearing stories about your adventures with Granny. We're supposed to be discussing what you learned on Danzo." Naruto changes subjects with a hiss.

Jiraiya waves him off. "I'm getting to that part, trust me on this Kid. This is really important advice you need to know!"

Naruto rolls his eyes taking in his flushed cheeks, not stopping him this time from going on his advice tirade.

He learned all this already during a mix of his 16-, 20-, 30- and 33-year-old loops, Pervy-Sage acting as if they haven't had this conversation multiple times.

So, guess they're forced to waste some time. Again.

The smell of tobacco wrinkles his nose, ashy gray-yellow lights of Club Hibiscus no different than those at The Velvet Room. The longer he sits here, the more unsettled he feels as whispers shroud them over who and why they're here.

He hopes whatever age he and Hinata are tomorrow won't wake with this growing headache.

Maybe Pervy-Sage is doing this all to keep up a show, lessen suspicion he realizes knowing there's always a Root member never too far from these clubs or gambling dens to get the latest in underground news and gossip.

And he must stick out like a sore, 15 again in this particular loop only allowed in here because of Jiraiya's privileges with the bouncers and bartenders. A fresh-faced kid to most of these adults despite being in the trenches of war a few days ago. He's a lightweight too no matter it be sake or beer compared to his snickering companion. The men and woman here littered with scars and gashes both visible and invisible the passage of time can't fully hide or heal don't think he understands their sorrows.

Jiraiya laughs into his plate of kaarage, shots of cherry liquor finally starting to apparently slur his words.

"Uh huh. So you say now about being Hokage, but just you wait until Kakashi tells you about all those 'fun' mandatory meetings! Lots of discussing the market district's tax rates on imported goods, what new equipment the hospital needs, transportation costs to get to and from Suna, Iwa, Kumo, etc."

Naruto half-smiles. "Yes, and don't forget the need for more paid time off holidays. Now, back to Danzo..."

They pick up the pace walking, Naruto burrowing back down the memories.

Himawari tugs at Jiraiya's pants legs, tiny hands reaching for his hair to slow them down.

"Toad Grandpa, are you going to get a cake for Granny as well?"

Jiraiya breaks into a grin, nods at Naruto confirming he's answered all his questions (he has), grabbing her hand throwing it into the air with a swing. A delighted squeal escapes her lips, Jiraiya twirling her closer.

"Hey now, it's not Tsunade's birthday, but that's a great idea! I'm sure this Bakery sells a variety of liqueurs mixed with sweets!"

"Liqueur?" Himawari repeats, Naruto groaning before sending Jiraiya a look.

The last thing he or Hinata need is that being repeated in her preschool classroom.

"Don't listen to Toad Grandpa Hima. He's having a senior moment y'know!"

Hinata- Hyūga Manor Gardens

"Father wanted to be buried here? Not at Konoha's cemetery?" Hinata whispers.

The garden, while quiet and tranquil, is a first for both main and branch families to actually have a clan member buried at.

She thought all shinobi, whether active or retired always get an assigned lot at the cemetery.

Hanabi scoffs gently from her right. "We don't want to have to worry about grave robbers knowing what happened during the war to the resurrected deceased."

Neji shrugs his shoulders to her left. "Uncle requested specifically in his will to be buried in the place where he felt the most happy and comfortable."

Hinata blows out a breath, watching as Boruto builds and collapses a makeshift fort of bark, grass, and flower stems nearby after having paid his respects to his Grandpa with her.

'Right, the will. That was part of the reason I picked to come here.'

To fill in the gaps of her memories the time loops both filled and took away.

Days ago, was Father's death that was for them years ago...

A half-smirk rises upon Neji's face as Boruto casually draws in the dirt exactly how many stems and branches he'll need to keep the tower in place, hums Kamen Ninja's theme song under his breath as he gets to work.

Boruto may look like Naruto, though he isn't seeing that same familiar chaotic energy that Himawari seems to have gotten instead.

"It's astounding how resourceful he is despite his age. Naruto wasn't like this at all at the Academy." Neji muses.

Hinata deflates just slightly. "Stop comparing him to Naruto, you know his mood turns stormy whenever he hears that."

Hanabi giggles, lightening the mood.

"Go on and show Big Sis Father's last will and testament already Neji. I'll distract Boruto here with reenacting some Kamen Ninja and Sentai Force Samurai!"

Neji rolls his eyes gently, it's Hanabi who watches and likes those kids shows more than Boruto even does it seems like from how many details she knows on each character and their superhero forms.

As if sensing she's stepping away for a moment though, Boruto peers up, azure eyes tinged with lilac narrowing in concern.

"Mama where ya going?" Boruto asks, walking forward to the patio to give follow.

"Inside for a bit sweetie. I need to review over some documents with your Uncle here." Hinata explains.

Boruto cocks his head, Hinata holding back a smile at being caught between curiosity and the potential boredom of said task.

'He's like Naruto when he gets that thinking look.'

Hanabi blocks his path, devious grin lighting her lips while she waves behind her back for the two to get going already.

She can handle a 5-year-old.

"Why can't I go too y'know!? Is it a secret or something for my birthday? Do Papa and Hima know?" Hinata can hear Boruto's rapid fire questions as their footsteps patter away.

"Hmm, maybe it's a secret or maybe it isn't! But first, you'll have to get through me: Super Sentai Blue!" Hanabi challenges back.

And just like that, he's distracted.

The compound is brighter since her last recollections of being here, hanging ferns and ivy's crisscrossing against bookshelves, windows open letting amber and honey yellows spill along mahogany and redwood.

"It feels like I'm giving you a tour of a place you grew up in." Neji remarks at her awed expression.

Hinata stiffens, reddening at her blatant staring. The branch rooms have new walkways, pictures adorning cream-colored walls of past vacations and meetings with foreign daimyo and dignitaries.

"We're no longer branch or main: just Hyūga. Hanabi and I run clan affairs and meeting sessions, though I take up the bulk of the work now that Hanabi is set to be a jonin instructor for the next school year." Neji explains.

Hinata feels her shoulders relax.

'The clan is at peace Father.'

Tears burn the edges of her eyes as a sudden memory swirls up, pushes through her mental blocks unbiddenly. A salty pang on her lips, Naruto squeezing her close, the dizzying smell of carnations and lilies for remembrance.

"Today we gathered together as a united front to say our final goodbyes to our clan's leader and patriarch: Hiashi Hyūga. Per his wishes, he wanted to be buried here amid the marigolds and lilies his wife who predeceased him so loved along with his eldest daughter Hinata Hyūga." Neji begins.

Hinata wrings her tissue, none of the blood that marred Hiashi's frame visible now. The mortician's touch-ups make him look thankfully asleep as the pallbearers close his coffin for the last time.

"We can stay here as long as you need." Naruto's light voice reminds her somewhere between the fog of sympathy cards and whispers of comfort as a line of guests encircle them.

She swallows down a rise of knots and jagged points lining her throat, nodding quietly.

Neji moves for the safe, pulls out a stack of envelopes and letters tinged yellow from the passage of time.

"Hinata, there's much I wish I could've told you, seen you do in life as you and Hanabi came into adulthood. I know I don't have to write it, but continue to watch over Hanabi, she believes she can juggle being an instructor and clan duties which was already a difficult task when I was assisting her to step up into the heiress title. Neji I've decided to appoint as a co-leader when Hanabi inevitably gets tired out or distracted from attending to clan meetings with the elders and foreign dignataries." She reads.

Below his writing changes, ink switching from black to blue in a looser scrawl unlike Hiashi.

"Please hug Boruto and Himawari a second longer for me, tell them Grandpa set aside ryo for them to use when they come of age. The bank information is listed at the end of this letter regarding their accounts or Neji will have it. Both you and Neji can train with them if they desire to become shinobi too, I'm sure a blend of Hyūga and Uzumaki clan techniques will put them a step above their classmates. I-I, wish I could be there to see it all. That isn't to say I have regrets over my death, I would rather the old traditions of the Hyūga and my generation come to pass with the new plans in place I put into action amid you and Naruto's time loops. Please be well Hinata, you're always welcome here at the manor."

Hinata wipes her eyes hurriedly before teardrops can spill and wither his writing any further.

Neji passes her a set of envelops. "Here's the bank account information that Uncle mentioned. I believe he set it that they can't take any ryo out until they turn 20, however you can Naruto can check with the Konoha's Central Bank whenever you get a chance."

Hinata nods, breaths out slowly feeling a small grin rise up to move back to why she came here in the first place. "What time will you and Hanabi be at the party?"

Neji shrugs, peers to outside to see that Boruto is still distracted enough with his fort of stone and branches, sun slowly heading towards midday from its current position.

"If you need any help setting things up, then we'll come around a little after 12:30 or 1:00 pm."

They slip back outside, Hinata waiting a moment taking in Boruto's shriek of laughter as Hanabi catches him off guard from behind, tickles and ruffles at his hair and arms at his attempts to wriggle free.

'Hug Boruto and Himawari a second longer for me.' Hiashi's words come to mind.

"Mama, lend me a hand against Auntie or err Super Sentai Blue y'know! I'm trapped!" Boruto calls out to her as Hinata approaches, cheeks pouting out when she curls him into her chest instead.

"This isn't helping me!" Boruto complains, Hinata giggling into his shoulder. This is the easiest of Father's wishes to continue doing no matter how old Boruto and Himawari get, how far they may travel from the village.

She hugs him far longer than a few seconds, takes his grouchy look in stride.

Hiashi may not be beside them physically, but a warm breeze comes from the garden's direction, smell of gold chrysanthemums brushing at her nose.

'Please keep watching over us all Father.'

Naruto & Hinata-Thunder Burger

"Alright, blow out the candles Boruto!" Naruto announces.

Photos snap and click through the air as Boruto claps his hands before swooshing out the candles, gust of wind nearly toppling over the top and middle tiers.

"Ooh, show me how to do that too Big Brother!" Himawari bounces up on her toes, looks ready to squeeze herself into his chair to get a better look at how the cake will be cut.

"Don't touch it Hima, it's Boruto's cake; remember?" Hinata advises.

Naruto picks Himawari up quickly seeing a glint come into her cobalt eyes, settling her against his side even as her lips curl in disappointment.

"Careful, that cake took hours of preparation you nearly got on the ground!" Chocho declares, Choji sending her a shush though his own features match one of concern at perfectly good cake ending up in the trash.

Naruto chuckles, Hinata looking equally bemused at their son's stance. 'We didn't mean by using a gale palm.'

They glance back up to a mix of family and friends, Naruto nodding in Sasuke and Sakura's direction, Sarada determining what side of the cake she wants to go for first.

"Geez, you two ordered a confetti cake? I'm stuffed from the jalapeno burgers and crispy kaarage set with fries. All that sugar is just going to make these kiddos more hyper than they already are!" Jiraiya mentions while sauntering up to him.

Tsunade nudges him none too gently. "You aren't even paying for it so why worry?"

Jiraiya simply hums, dark eyes avoiding her stare making Tsunade's scowl deepen.

"Alright, how much?" She hisses.

Jiraiya beams right back, amber eyes unimpressed despite a smile cracking through at her lips. "Tsunade my dear, you and I both know you can't put a price on the love we have for Naruto and our honorary grandchildren!"

Naruto wisely leads Hinata and himself away from said scene, two making their rounds saying their hellos and getting updates on the various ongoings in the village.

He clears his voice as they get towards the end of the table, cerulean to lavender meeting as he squeezes Hinata close with his free hand. Ino and Sai are thankfully deep in a conversation with Sakura over a new hospital policy on infection control to notice their public affection, Shikamaru eyes them once before pretending to not have seen them at all returning his attention to Temari and Gaara.

"So, I'm thinking we should do a family vacation before we have to get back into the full swing of things y'know. Just the 4 of us, I heard from Kiba a new theme park could be opening up in Tanzaku Quarters next week. And...I heard they'll have some exclusive restaurants and couple massages we can check out." Naruto suggests.

Light warms Hinata's eyes, blush splashing across her cheeks in a wave of pink at the implications of the latter part of his statement, smacking him gently at his devious grin.

They're lucky none of their friends seem to be actively looking their way.

"I'm fine with anywhere Naruto, as long as there's no more going backwards." Hinata smiles before skirting them to focus on the here and now for more pictures, more memories to be captured.

The future is theirs for the taking.

-x-

The End

As much of a struggle this story came to be in getting to the ending, I feel overall happy with it. I did speedrun through the Fourth Shinobi World War and admittedly, I'm probably going to keep to doing that as the War Arc tends to be my hardest and least favorite parts of my stories to write even with ideas in mind.

Otherwise, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my readers! As always, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters and extra goodies. I posted a Mistletoe NaruHina one-shot there along with a hot chocolate kisses themed one-shot for my MHA lovers which is sillier than it is lemony. I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there!

Check out my Insta by the same name for a bit of my travel blog, book recommendations, and pencil sketches!

Anyways, I look forward to seeing you at any of my other works! Let me know your thoughts/suggestions! Red Thread is next to be finished up before I restart back on The Sacrifice and a bit of Trouble In Paradise!

-Midnight Rain19