I created this story in 2014. I had (and sometimes still do) a habit of disappearing, which leads to no updates. This is one of my stories that I returned to updating again during the shutdown in 2020. Although I'm still updating the original one, I decided to rewrite it t make it into a slow burn. This version will be completely different than the original. The original currently has 13 chapters. With that being said, you can decide which one you'd prefer to read or both if you'd like!
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This winter has been tough, really tough. Boruto caught the flu from one of his academy classmates and it swept through the house like wildfire. Boruto, Hinata and Himawari were sicker than soaked kittens. Hinata put in her all for two weeks, taking care of herself and her kiddos. Naruto popped in now and then to check on them, but his job seemed to glue him to the office, even deep into the night. It was a bit frustrating how busy he was, but Hinata did her best to stay the supportive wife.
She and Naruto have been married for twelve going on thirteen years now and ever since his big inauguration, things seemed to be stuck on pause. Those late nights? Well, they just kept getting later and later as the months rolled on. And don't even start on the days he didn't make it home at all.
No matter if it was at home or out in the world, Hinata kept a smile on her face. She had to be strong, for her kids and for her own sanity. There was this gap in their marriage, like a crack widening and she wasn't even sure if Naruto noticed. Their love wasn't what it used to be, and that stung. The guy she fell head over heels for felt like he was a world away now.
Hinata let out a gentle sigh, her focus returning to the kettle humming atop the stove. With a soft grace, she retrieved a delicate teacup from the cabinet. But, before the fragrant tea could trickle into the cup, a sudden knock at her door caught her attention.
Turning off the stove with a swift movement, Hinata padded over to the door, curiosity piquing her features. She looked up, her pale eyes widening as they met the gaze of the towering man before her. "Kiba-kun?"
A wide grin split across Kiba's face, his energy infectious. "Been a while, huh?" His confident playful grin spread wide across his face. "So, are you gonna let me in, or am I just gonna stand out here all day?"
The sound of his voice snapped Hinata out of her momentary daze. "Oh, I'm sorry! Please, come inside, Kiba," she stammered, her cheeks faintly pink. A soft, genuine smile tugged at her lips. "It really has been quite some time, hasn't it? You surprised me, showing up like this."
Hinata gracefully stepped aside, granting him space to cross the threshold. Kiba's eyes swept the interior of the house momentarily before he redirected his attention to her.
"Sorry for just dropping by without giving you a heads-up. Shino and I caught up over drinks last night, reminiscing about the old days, you know? You crossed our minds and I figured I'd swing by to check in on you and the family. Are they around?" His gaze wandered the room once more. "Considering what I've heard and seen of your son, I can bet he's not here. Place is too quiet." A chuckle escaped his mouth.
As he walked inside, Hinata gently closed the door behind him. "Boruto is out training and Himawari is spending time at my father's place."
Boruto had been diligently honing his skills of late, a fact she understood well. His earnest desire for his father's attention drove him to remarkable lengths, like scaling the Hokage Rock to mimic the very act Naruto had done in his youth. The memory of Naruto's stern reaction lingered in Hinata's mind, a poignant reminder of how parents and children echoed each other's lives.
Kiba's gaze averted, his teeth biting into his lower lip—a familiar telltale sign. Instead of pressing for words, she allowed the silence to bloom, letting him shape his thoughts.
"Um, so Naruto's been pretty tied up, huh?" He paused, selecting his words with care. "Rumors have been making rounds, and I just wanted to make sure everything's alright."
"I'm alright," she replied, her words perhaps a touch too swift as she led the way to the kitchen, inviting Kiba with a gesture. "I was just about to make myself some tea. Would you like some?"
"Nah, I'm good," Kiba replied, his hand finding its way to the back of his neck. "You're sure you're okay, though? I mean, you know you can talk to me, right? You're like a little sister to me. I worry because I know you."
Her heart flinched at his words, emotions churning beneath her calm exterior. Hinata couldn't plead ignorance regarding the rumors Kiba alluded to; she'd heard them in passing herself. The quiet murmurs, the accusatory fingers, and the direct inquiries about her marriage's status. It had become rather bothersome, but she had managed to maintain a serene smile throughout.
"You don't need to worry about me, Kiba," she assured him gently. "And please, let Shino know too. Everything is fine. Naruto-kun... he's the Hokage, and it's only natural for him to be busy. He sees the entire village as his family and is just trying to attend to everyone's needs. That's the way he's always been."
Kiba sighed, almost under his breath, as if he thought Hinata wouldn't catch it. But she did. "Stubborn as always," he muttered. "Look, Hinata, I'll always be here for you if you ever need someone to talk to. Keeping everything bottled up won't end well. Naruto might be the Hokage, but he's a husband and a father first. He's acting foolish, just like he always has." Kiba emphasized his point, stepping closer and gently placing his hand on her head. "I'll drop it for now. But don't be a stranger, alright? Tamaki misses you coming around, especially Akamaru."
Hinata smiled, a touch relieved that Kiba had decided to change the subject. However, it did remind her that it had been quite some time since she'd seen Akamaru and Tamaki. She recalled when Kiba had started developing feelings for the feline-loving woman. He had opened up to her about it first because he sought her approval, holding her in the same high regard as his older sister. It was an honor, and it had been the moment when Hinata realized that Kiba truly considered her part of his family. Although he had never explicitly expressed his feelings for her or Shino back then, it was clear that the sentiments were mutual all around. Shino and Kiba were her teammates, her family, her brothers.
Since her marriage to Naruto, she had distanced herself from both Kiba and Shino, rarely leaving the house except for shopping. It would be nice to see them again like old times.
"I won't, I promise," she responded with a grin, looking up at Kiba.
"Good. I'm going to head out. Tell the kids their uncle Kiba says hi," he said, giving her hair a playful ruffle before making his way around her.
She stood there, listening to his footsteps slowly receding until the door creaked open and then gently closed. Once again, the Uzumaki household was enveloped in silence. Moments like these were precious to her, and she couldn't help but acknowledge her selfishness. It was in these moments that she found a sliver of solace.
No echoes of Boruto's energetic outbursts as he battled his video game.
No symphony of Naruto's snores, sounding like a wild boar's grunts.
No heated exchanges between Naruto and Boruto, their voices clashing like thunder and lightning.
Just quiet.
Peace.
Despite it, tears welled up in her eyes, and she stared ahead, fixating on nothing in particular. The tranquility was serene, yet it also invited a cascade of thoughts that weighed heavily on her heart. Thoughts of the loneliness she often felt in her marriage flooded her mind. Nights spent alone in their bed. Countless times he'd miss their dates, only to apologize with a gift. How rarely those three cherished words of love left his lips without her prompting.
It made her profoundly sad.
Tears fell freely now, tracing paths down her cheeks.
It made her truly, deeply sad.
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"I'm home," Sasuke whispered as he stepped inside, carefully removing his shoes. His eyes fell upon Sarada, standing before the doorway with her arms folded, a scowl etched across her features. Sasuke attempted a smile, but his daughter's expression remained unmoved. "I said I'm home," he repeated, just in case she hadn't heard him.
Sarada, her black hair mirroring his own, maintained her crossed arms and huffed, turning her head away from him. "Are you really back, Papa? You keep leaving for months on end and returning only to leave again. Why should I be happy to see you?" She muttered the last part under her breath, her voice laced with hurt and frustration.
Sasuke's frown deepened. He knew he was to blame, fully aware of the pain he had caused his daughter. Being an inconstant presence in her life must have taken a toll on Sakura as well. Raising Sarada alone had surely brought its challenges, but now he saw that it had taken its toll on their daughter as well.
He reached out and gently flicked her forehead, a gesture filled with both apology and affection. "I'm sorry, Sarada."
Sarada held her forehead, her emotions a whirlwind. She opened her mouth to respond but quickly closed it, her face reddening. Instead, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him as she began to cry.
"Please don't leave anymore, Papa!"
Sasuke looked down at her, his eyes widening slightly before he wrapped his arm around her. "I won't," he vowed, his voice filled with sincerity. He offered a reassuring smile.
Then, a familiar voice called out, "Sakura-kun, is that you? Welcome home!" Sakura rushed toward them, her apron discarded as she joined the embrace, her arms encircling both Sasuke and Sarada.
Sasuke pressed his forehead against Sakura's, feeling an overwhelming rush of emotions. It had taken him time to realize that he now had a family to call his own. It wasn't until his last mission that he had truly felt homesick. When he returned, he had told Naruto that he wanted to stay in the village for a while, taking a leave from his duties. He needed to become a better husband and father, to uphold the Uchiha standards per what his mother would constantly hear her tell Itachi during his childhood - to be a good father and husband to whoever he married.
"I'm home," he whispered again.
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Later that evening
Boruto's gaze burned with anger, his eyes locked onto the vacant wooden chair. The atmosphere in their home was eerily peaceful, his mother and sister enjoying their meal as if they weren't bothered by the conspicuous absence of Konoha's most cherished Hokage. His love for them was boundless, especially for his little sister, but it irked him how composed they seemed. Was he the sole one upset with his dad? Impossible, right?
"Mama, this food is amazing! You're the universe's best cook," Himawari announced proudly, rice clinging to her cheek like confetti.
Hinata beamed warmly. "I'm glad you enjoy it, Hima."
Boruto watched as his mother's gaze shifted toward him, sensing his lingering glare, perhaps. Swiftly, he averted his eyes, focusing on his rice and prodding it with chopsticks.
"Anything on your mind, Boruto?" she inquired gently.
His teeth clenched as he felt the words bubble up, demanding release. He couldn't hold back any longer. "How come we can't a normal dad that actually spends time with us?" He said, harshly.
When he finally summoned the courage to meet his mother's eyes, instant regret washed over him. It wasn't just the sorrow in her eyes that cut deep; it was the mask, the facade she'd worn all along, now shattered to reveal the pain she'd been concealing.
"Boruto, you know your father loves you both deeply. Please don't be mad at him. Understand that being the Hokage brings immense responsibilities. Sometimes those duties detain him in his office longer than expected, but he always tries to make it up to you, right?" Hinata said, her voice carrying a subtle plea.
Pushing his chair back, Boruto rose abruptly. "I can finally see how you really feel, Mom. I've lost my appetite."
He strode out of the kitchen and left the house. He couldn't bear the look in his mother's eyes, knowing it was all his father's fault. Every day, returning home, knowing his father wouldn't be there—it was agonizing, almost as bad as the time Naruto missed Himawari's birthday.
Boruto directed his gaze toward the Hokage Rock, his father's face etched into its surface. "Stupid old man, I hate you!" he cried out.
"I don't think your father would approve of you saying that about him."
Boruto glanced up to find Sasuke standing in the walkway. So, he was back? Boruto concealed his surprise, even though he hadn't seen the Uchiha in nearly five months.
"What's it to you?" Boruto scoffed, though he respected Sasuke immensely. Right now, he wasn't in the mood for conversation. "And why are you even here? My dad's probably somewhere in that tower."
Sasuke appeared contemplative for a moment before speaking. "Your dad actually asked me to check on you, your sister, and your mother. He had an unexpected, last-minute meeting to attend, and he'll be home later tonight."
Boruto didn't want to hear it anymore. It wasn't the first time someone had come to inform them that Naruto would be late again, but he was taken aback that it was Sasuke delivering the message. The man was no different from his old man, if not worse. He couldn't help but feel sorry for Sarada. But still, he admired Sasuke's undeniable badassery, which was why he'd begged him to start training him a year ago. Then, without a word, Sasuke had disappeared again.
"Let's go to that yakisoba bun place you like," Sasuke said plainly. "My treat."
Boruto's ears perked up at the mention of yakisoba buns. His master knew that was one of his weaknesses.
"You're on. Let's go," he replied, stuffing his hands deep into his pants pockets and walking past Sasuke, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
He understood that this was Sasuke's way of trying to cheer him up, and it meant more to him than he could express.
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This chapter is a bit different from the original, I feel like it's a bit better. Do tell me what you think in a review. Five chapters are already completed. The next one will be updated next week.