Now Uzamaki Naruto wasn't a bad father. No. Honestly, he was just an idiot at times. Always have been, pushing himself past his limits, being everyone's hero, how could he not do his absolute best? He was Uzamaki Naruto! THE village hero! He accomplished his dreams! He finally earned the respect and love of everyone. He's grown and changed, and he absolutely wants to always do his best in showing that to his beloved village. He really was trying his best, he really did love his family. Hell, he adored them. But unfortunately, he was never great with time management. Even when told he could take days off, he was so obsessed with getting things done and pushing himself past his limits that he'd just keep going and going until he couldn't anymore. After all, how could he not? That's who he's always been.

" I just.. I just don't understand. How come we get to be second? Why.. Why us? "

Boruto clung onto Hinata's dress, biting down his lips in an attempt to hold in his sobs. Hinata held him close, gently petting his head, while Himawari sobbed onto her mother.

"He's doing his best, he really is, Boruto.."

She really did believe that

"His best isn't enough. His love isn't enough. Mom, I'm proud of Dad for achieving his dream. I'm proud of him. But I'm so sick of this. Sick of fighting with you, sick of trying to get his attention, sick of that stupid Hokage title, sick of the village taking him away from us. Sick of myself for thinking this way. I don't..." Boruto took a sharp breath, combing his hands through his hair. His eyes were downcast as he tried to collect his thoughts.

" I just want to understand. Why is it that we're put in second place? We used to be his first, even though he didn't do everything perfectly, he was there. Why do I have to compete for his attention now... Why are we in second place now, mom? We.. Damnit"

Boruto choked up tears, now starting to fall. Hinata held both of her children tighter, and in all honesty, she couldn't bring herself to refute back. Now wasn't the time. Now it was Himawari's turn to speak up, her voice hoarse from her sobbing, as those sad blue eyes met Hinata's.

" I wish he could've come today.. I know papa has important work, I know mama tells us to be patient but-"

Hinata gives Himawari a tight squeeze, ushering her to continue her pace.

" I miss him. It would've been better with papa here. Everything would've been better. He always makes everything better. "

Himawari now broke into her sobs again as she stained Hinata's dress with her tears, the entire room fell silent with only her cries filling the space. Boruto, refusing to cry, lashed out in anger once again. Instead, he screamed at the top of his lungs, hoping it would hold off the tears. But try as he might, they began to fall uncontrollably. Soon after, he squatted down, crouched over, covering his face, joining his sister in her sobs.

Hinata simply stood at the mess, she herself too distraught to really react rationally, because as much as she liked to deny it, she really did feel the same way. She knew this would be difficult; they talked about it. She knew her husband was doing his best, and she loved him for it. But even she had her limits; she bit her lip, holding her children close. Each squeeze was a desperate attempt to ease the quenching feeling in her gut. She missed him, too. She hated waking up to an empty bed, she hated the silence at night, she hated staring at the door at 12 in the morning, knowing he wasn't coming home again. But she couldn't help it; she wanted to hear him yap her ear off about his day, she wanted to feel his embrace, his kisses, and the way he rubbed circles around her arm to calm her.

No, Hinata never held any bitterness towards her dear husband; she couldn't, and she wouldn't ever allow it to reach that point. But there were days when she needed him more than ever, days where she needed reassurance from those filthy thoughts that crept into her mind. Those thoughts that wanted to bring harm to the man she loves, she would never allow it, not even over her dead body. But she definitely needed him. For now, she had to be strong, for them. She could've wavered and broken. She needed to let them know how much he loved them all, she wanted to show her children exactly what she saw in him, and she wanted to be their rock when they needed her. She couldn't break, she couldn't falter. That was until she heard her son mumble under his breath.

"He never had to earn our love."

And that was it