Hey, hey!

I'm super happy that you guys are enjoying the story so far. Just want to add that this chapter will have talks of depression and suicidal thoughts. So that's my trigger warning! Other than that, please enjoy.

"This will look nice in the garden. Don't you think?"

Hanabi walked through the aisles of the floral shop. Purposely not visiting the Yamanaka floral shop. This was one on the far side of town, closer to the Uzumaki residence. It would take an extra 20 minutes to get to the Hyuga compound from this shop, compared to the Yamanaka shop. However, it was worth it in the grand scheme of things.

Hanabi pointed to unique plants and flowers that could be taken back home. She was redecorating the compound and was going to be pretty busy focusing on that. A project her and Hinata would tackle together. "Oh! This flower fits the color design of white for the garden Konohamaru. What do you think?"

Her fiancé looked at the pure white lilies and noticed that the price for these florals were twice as high as the Yamanaka shop. Hanabi refused to step foot in any place of business that belonged to any social group of the infamous Konoha 12. "I like these Hanabi. I do think it'll look good in the garden. Are we planting with seeds or do you plan on planting the flower bulb in the ground?"

Hanabi tapped her chin in thought as she smiled. Her fiancé came back from his mission with her nephew, it was three weeks long and she missed Konohamaru. It brought her joy that the first thing he wanted to do when he came back was spend time with her. Never taking a day for rest. She was Konohamaru's top priority.

She just wanted her sister to feel what she felt.

"Hmm. I'll do bulbs. You know I'm impatient, I want to see the garden blossom pretty fast." Hanabi giggled and Konohamaru smiled at her. She wasn't lying, his fiancé was feisty and impatient. She was getting better at it over time, but once Hanabi got focused on something. She wants it done yesterday.

He felt like they got every white flower and plant from the shop. Leaving the shop owner very pleased, and almost Hanabi's way of showing she didn't need a certain florist. Konohamaru created multiple shadow clones. Instructing them to take everything to the Hyuga compound and secure it away.

Meanwhile, the two decided to stop and sit down to eat. The pair craving barbeque. After ordering their food and receiving their drinks, the two finally settled in. "How's your sister?"

Aww yes, Konohamaru has been back for about a week. So Naruto hasn't been sleeping home in a month. When he came back from his mission, Naruto didn't say anything to him when he turned in the mission report. Yet he asked Boruto to stay behind when they were dismissed. Konohamaru didn't think much of it, and went immediately to see Hanabi.

That's when he found everything out.

He was completely blindsided with everything that has happened. However, Konohamaru wasn't one to jump off the henges anymore with a series of questions and trying to tackle a situation. He gave Hanabi her space, and time to come around and actually share with him what was happening. Which she never did. She avoided the subject, and acted like everything was fine.

"She's fine. As fine as she's going to be considering everything that is happening." Hanabi focused on her lemon water and Konohamaru kept his eyes on her. Watching her closely.

"Yeah? I literally haven't seen Hinata at all around the village. Pretty odd. I usually see her out and about. At least with young Himawari." Hanabi only shrugged her shoulders and stirred her straw in her cup.

"Well, she has picked up new routines and hobbies. That's why you don't see her as much. She runs every morning. Doesn't go to that Honey's bakery anymore, and has joined a nice little 'spin' class." She raised her hands in mock amusement at the spin class declaration. Honestly, Hinata was just trying to keep herself busy, because if she stayed in the house, she was crying.

Still crying, after a whole month. Hanabi was trying so hard to understand her.

Konohamaru slowly nodded his head and smiled at the server when they brought their meat. Konohamaru taking the lead to start cooking. "Well it's just usually we all have family dinner every Sunday. We missed last Sunday, so I was just seeing if we'd do family dinner this Sunday. Maybe we could all be there."

Hanabi shook her head as she watched Konohamaru work his magic on the grill. "No. I don't think Hinata is up for family dinners. Not for a while at least, and if we do pick it back up in the next week or so, you know it won't be ALL of us. Right now, we've changed dinners to Friday's and that's at the compound. With Hinata's family."

Konohamaru laid the last piece of meat on the grill and frowned as he looked at Hanabi. "I'm her family, and you know Naruto is her family."

"Right now they're separated." That's all she said in return. Hanabi was signaling she wanted the topic to drop.

Konohamaru fiddled with the cooking utensils and debated whether or not he was going to engage with Hanabi. He didn't like to argue, and Hanabi held grudges forever. It was never worth it. However, just like Hanabi, when Konohamaru was passionate about something, he was going to voice it.

At this point, this was their family, and he had a say so. "You can't isolate her forever Hanabi. Every time Naruto or anyone from his circle tries to reach out to Hinata, you shut it down immediately. I don't even know how you do this on a 24 hour basis, it's like you have spies or cameras on your sister all day. How is Naruto supposed to fix whatever the problem is, when you keep blocking him from HIS wife."

Honestly, Konohamaru would have lost his shits if he was in Naruto's shoes. He didn't know if Naruto had already lost it or not. Hinata wasn't talking to anyone about this, and neither was Naruto.

Hanabi frowned and fought the urge to roll her eyes. His wife. Naruto blocked himself from his wife all by himself. "When I'm not with you, I'm with my sister. Hinata spends more time at the compound and…this barely has anything to do with Naruto. Hinata has a lot to deal with. Naruto at this point is just a burden. He'd add more stress than anything. Hinata should just worry about herself for once."

"Is that what she said she wanted?"

"That's what is needed. I'm not saying I'm doing what Hinata wants, I'm doing what she NEEDS."

Hanabi took a piece of meat off the grill and violently blew on it. Growing very annoyed. Konohamaru closed his eyes for a moment as he took a deep breath to calm himself down. Naruto wasn't just his mentor, Naruto was his friend. A brother to him. Hearing Hanabi talk bad about not only their Hokage, but his family like that bothered him. It hurt that she didn't put him in consideration as she talked reckless.

Hanabi didn't know Naruto's upbringing. To label him a burden was disrespectful to everything Naruto has overcome. "Why are you coming off so harsh to me? This whole ordeal with Hinata. Are you doing this out of guilt? Don't forget that Naruto is my family Hanabi. Me and Naruto have talked about your family before me and you started to even date. Keep that in mind."

He watched Hanabi pucker her lips and look off to the side. Sensing she might have pushed just a little too hard. "I wait, and I wait for you to tell me about everything Hanabi, because I'm getting a sense that you feel guilt that your sister is going through this. Guilt for what though? Just…tell me Hanabi."

She looked around the restaurant and cleared her throat. While she did owe Konohamaru an explanation, she did not want to dive into it here. "When we get back to the compound. I will gladly answer any questions you have. Right now is not the time, but I'll tell you this. My sister has always looked out for me Konohamaru. She's made many sacrifices so I didn't end up like my late cousin, and Hinata has taken hit after hit for ME. So, I'm not going to sit here and watch everything Hinata has overcome be…shitted on."

"Hanabi." He knew when Hanabi said they would talk about it later, they'll never talked about it.

"I'm her keeper. Now and forever. It seems like I'm the only one in her corner. Everyone has turned on her. NO ONE aside from her former teammates have visited Hinata since this all went down. Her supposed girl click? Nonexistent and not authentic. Not one has called and checked up on her with legit intentions. So her family is all she has. I feel like I have to fight all the outsiders away from her because Hinata could easily break. She'll just do whatever they want her to do to make everything seem normal again."

Like she's been doing. Being a walking shell and no one caring. Just gossiping about how she looks behind her back.

Konohamaru could see that Hanabi was getting very upset about this and saw her swallow a lump in her throat. He didn't want her to breakdown in a restaurant. He just wanted her to talk to him. "You're not fighting this alone Hanabi. You know I'm on your side. Not Naruto's. He's not even talking about this to anyone, so neither will I. In respect for both of you. I'm on your side though. Everyone knows not to come to me about the situation, because they'd get a rude awakening for an answer. I don't care how legendary they are."

Smiling Hanabi looked at Konohamaru and a light blush dusted her cheeks. She loved when he was protective like this. Having her back whether she was right or wrong. She loved this man, and he loved her.

Hanabi just wanted Hinata to have someone have her back when she was facing hard times like this.

"Mom. You do NOT have to make Sarada and Mitsuki a lunch today too. Just because they come unprepared for training, doesn't mean we have to feed them." Boruto started packing his training bag as his mother got his lunch ready. He didn't ask her, honestly he was going to grab a bite to eat while out and about.

However, lately his mother has been so HANDS ON with everything he does. Where he is going, if it is official work or if he's just goofing off. A restricted curfew even, and she was not playing about it. His mother was always the disciplinary, and it wasn't like she was being unfair right now. It was just Boruto felt more pain for his mother than anything else.

Boruto knew what separated parents looked like. Sure his social group parents were all married, but not everyone he knew was like that. His father was coming by in the mornings while his mother ran 'errands'. The two never saw one another, and his father 'worked late' so much in the office he never spent the night at home. It was very much obvious what was happening.

Boruto wasn't surprised though. He gave his father a second chance, and this is what he does.

Himawari told Boruto about uncle Neji's birthday fiasco. That was the day their mother fully lost it, and Boruto wondered just how much his strong mother held in before she finally couldn't take it anymore.

He could tell she was still holding it in even now. "I shouldn't be gone long mom. Five hours top. Going straight to the training grounds and after we eat, I'll be back. So no later than five."

Hinata smiled at him and still handed Boruto three lunches. Ignoring his complaints that his teammates shouldn't have one. Boruto could be just as mean as Hanabi. Hinata saw what he was doing. Cutting off open doors to her. Sarada was Sakura's daughter, and Boruto didn't want Sarada to be a gateway for her mother to inch into their family affairs. So, he'd limit his time with her. "Thank you for letting me know. Dinner will be ready at 6:30 then."

"Sounds good. Why don't I take Himawari with me. Since she wants to enroll in the academy, she can get a head start in what she'll learn there."

Himawari frowned for a second in confusion. She was supposed to be hanging out with team ten today. Doing craft projects with Inojin. Boruto looked at Himawari and arched his brow, silently telling her that her play date was canceled. He didn't want her alone with them right now. Another way for adults to use children as gateways. "Oh yeah! That sounds fun. Could I go with Boruto, mommy?"

Hinata obviously saw what Boruto was doing, and gave him a look that said it. Boruto was always trying to be the 'man' of the house, and the protector of Himawari and herself. Hinata didn't need him to take that burden, she needed him to be happy and just think about his life. "Why don't you, and Himawari go to the movies and arcades tonight as well? It is a Friday, and you have been working very hard Boruto."

She walked over to her purse that was hung up on the wall and pulled out some yen for Himawari. "Mom. I can pay for me and Hima. Don't worry."

"Nonsense. What I'd love for you and Himawari to do is have a nice day. Have a good practice. Hang out with your friends, and not worry about dinner curfew tonight."

Also, don't worry about her. Have a life of your own. Please.

Boruto pouted, but accepted the yen and ushered for Himawari to go the front door. Gosh his mom was perfect, even when she wasn't.

Hinata watched Boruto and Himawari leave. Now slumping her shoulders at being alone. It was a bittersweet feeling to be alone now a days. Whether Boruto was away on his mission or assignments. Or Himawari either taking a nap or doing her own thing when her social meter was out. Hinata got plenty of alone time either way.

The funny thing was, it wasn't really that different compared to when Naruto was actively here.

She laughed at the dark comparison as she headed to her bathroom. Her safe place lately. Sometimes when Naruto was here in the morning, and Hinata didn't have a morning errand, she would find safety in the bathroom. If not, Naruto could easily venture off into the bedroom or anywhere else in the house. He wouldn't violate her privacy in the bathroom.

She didn't know when this separation became a necessity, but Hinata was finding herself avoiding Naruto and a lot of people. Why? Was it Naruto's fault she was too much of a coward to admit she was struggling? No, she was the one too weak to admit this. She was the reason her family was split. She was the reason her own life was falling apart.

'As for my daughter. You can take her. She's useless.'

Placing her hands on the sink in the bathroom. Hinata leaned on it for leverage. Taking heavy breaths as another flashback washed over her. She was getting use to these, 'episodes', but it didn't mean she liked having memories hit her at random moments.

'A burden.'

'A failure.'

'Worthless.'

Maybe her failed marriage was a testament to her 'daddy issues'. She never spoke up when she was feeling upset with Naruto, because she was too afraid to speak up to her father. To anyone for that matter.

Hiashi wasn't the best parent, but he was an amazing grandfather and Hinata thought she moved past her trauma from him.

Looking back up at the mirror, Hinata touched her hair. It was oily and Hanabi was right. It smelled. Her fingers glided from the top of her head to her split ends and frowned at the length. It had grown out from the bob cut she had, and grew uneven from her not taking care of it. She opened the cabinet under the sink and pulled out Naruto's barber set. Opening his bag to take out the scissors and clippers.

She assessed how much she was going to trim. Just enough to get her bob back even, and then she'll wash her hair.

'Your hair needs to be short. You can't defend yourself well enough with long hair.' At the time, when she was younger. Those were true words from her father.

She clipped and clipped until she reached her bob length. Then she clipped more. Pulling out the clippers Hinata yanks the short hair she had left in the back and the only sound that could be heard in the bathroom was a buzzing sound. Hinata cutting all her hair on the back and sides, leaving it in a pixie cut with her bangs framing her face. Just like when she was younger and a Genin.

When she was truly worthless.

Looking in the mirror she frowned at her face. Where was the shape? She felt like she didn't have a frame anymore. Just chubby cheeks and a double chin. Hinata didn't see what Naruto saw in her. Maybe he didn't see anything in her anymore, and that's why he stopped coming home. He tried for a few weeks. He really tried to make himself love her after the invasion and just found himself disgusted again.

She was a disgusting slob of a failure.

Taking the scissors, Hinata went to stab the mirror. Hoping to shatter it into millions of pieces, but stopped herself short. The cleanup and explanation wouldn't be worth it. She wouldn't destroy the house that her family loved so much, because of her lack of being able to cope.

Instead she went to the bathtub and started her a bath. Turning it fully on hot. Stripping herself of her clothing, she sat in the bathtub as the water filled up. Unfazed by the burning liquid consuming her skin. Just looking at the wall as she waited to grow numb from the pain. It didn't take long, Hinata was no amateur to this.

When the water filled up to her collarbone, Hinata turned it off. Smiling to herself at how steamy the bathroom became. Finally, she was starting to feel at ease. She could breathe normal again. She felt like she was going to be okay. Even if this was only temporary.

Hinata sunk in the tub until her head went under the water and she laid herself at the bottom of the tub. Staring at the ceiling in thought.

Maybe she would wash her hair? Or maybe she would just stay under here, and fill her lungs with water. That way she could finally stop being a burden to her family, and they could truly move on from her.

A bubble escaped Hinata as she choked. Her eyes widened, and the thought she just had scared her straight to the bone. What was she thinking?

She tried to sit up, but it felt like a weight was on her chest. She needed to get up, but she couldn't. She was too…weak.

Another bubble escaped her, and Hinata felt like she saw a light on her ceiling. What was that? No. Who was that? 'Hinata. Get up. This is not your end. This is not how the Byakugan Queen ends. GET. UP.'

Toneri?

'GET UP!'

"Hinata!"

Hinata forced herself to sit up in the bath and took a large gasp of air. Her eyes wide and a dizzy feeling hitting her from the lack of air. Her eyes rolled up to look at the ceiling, where she saw the light. That was until she realized she heard Hanabi calling her name as well.

Turning to the bathroom door she saw Hanabi staring at her. Looking petrified. "What the hell are you doing!? Are you fucking stupid Hinata?!"

What? Hinata could barely get her wits together as she looked away from Hanabi. She ran her hands through her hair and looked at the loose strands of hair, from her haircut that ended up on her hands. That's right. She has to wash her hair. "I…I have to wash my hair. B-Before the kids come back."

The look of, 'What the hell just happened?' crossed Hanabi's face. She let out a heavy breath and walked over to her sister. Sitting on the side of the tub, Hanabi looked at Hinata and reached for the shampoo bottle. "Hinata…what did you do to your hair?"

"I cut it."

"Why?"

As a reply Hinata shrugged her shoulders. Her mind still reeling over what she saw. Or maybe what she thought she saw? She closed her eyes to avoid the shampoo suds from getting in her eyes and let Hanabi wash her hair. It turned from a shampoo and conditioner, to a full on bathe. Hinata just let her sister bathe her, because she was too incompetent to do it herself.

The sound of the blow dryer didn't snap Hinata back. She didn't even notice she was in a robe. She was just so confused from what just happened. Why, after all these years did she see Toneri? He was on the moon still. Was there some type of connection to her lack of sleeping and what she just experienced? She still wasn't sleeping well, and her eating was almost nonexistent.

"Let's get you in bed Hinata. You finally look decent again." Hanabi watched as Hinata got up from the toilet and walked into her bedroom. Just so disconnected, like Hanabi didn't just walk in and see her sister looking as if she was trying to harm herself.

Hanabi helped Hinata get in the bed and laid the blanket over her. Turning the lights off in the bedroom, Hanabi got on the other side of the bed. Where Naruto would typically lay, and got under the blanket as well. She spooned her big sister and hugged her tightly. "You know. You're not the only one hurting Hinata."

"I didn't mean to hurt you Hanabi. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. I know this is all my fault." Hinata grunted when Hanabi pulled her closer and it was such a painful grip.

"Shut up. Stop blaming yourself, and admit you need the help Hinata. Seeing you like this is breaking me. I try, and I try, but week, after week you get worse. I don't know what to do. When did you shut me out Hinata? When did you forget who you are?!"

Hinata felt Hanabi tremble and sniffle her tears. Hanabi was breaking right before her. She caused her sister this pain. Hinata never in her life made Hanabi cry. "Please. Hanabi."

"No. All you keep doing is pushing everyone that loves you away Hinata! Why?! Because those people you thought were your new friends and family have turned on you? When it's all said and done Hinata. Me and father, your real family. We are all you need."

Hinata shook. Her hands shook, and she laced her fingers with Hanabi's that was holding her stomach. "Hanabi. I need to fix what I did to my family. I ruined everything because I can't fix myself."

"You can't fix yourself until you find yourself Hinata. Please, just let your family help you. Don't…don't leave me Hinata. I need you. I need my sister. We've lost enough from our family. I…I can't lose my sister too. You're the one to help me plan my wedding. Stay here, and do all the motherly duties you have always done for me. Gosh Hinata. Please, if no one tells you they need you, know I NEED YOU!"

Hinata turned around and held her sister. Letting Hanabi cry in her arms while holding her tight. Just like when Hanabi was a little girl and would have a bad dream. "Hanabi. I'm not going anywhere. I was just trying to take a bath, I wasn't doing 'that'. I wasn't doing what you thought. Don't cry." Hinata shushed her crying sister and kissed her forehead.

"Let me help you Hinata. Stop pushing family away."

"I…think I would like that help Hanabi." To fully submit back to the Hyuga clan. Was a curse and a blessing.

"Thanks for coming to the movies with us dad."

Himawari smiled as she sat in the middle of Boruto and Naruto. The film they chose was specifically for Himawari, so she didn't get nightmares tonight. "No problem Hima. Do you want to hold the popcorn?"

Naruto had of course paid for Boruto, Himawari and his way into the movies. Getting them all food and drinks. Even though he absolutely hated paying movie theater prices for simple snacks.

Boruto had sought his father out after his training with team seven. Already knowing he was at Kakashi's home. His dad has been getting off work like clockwork at five in the afternoon. Like he was trying to show his mom that he was being consistent. That he wouldn't keep doing what he's been doing. That work wasn't more important.

It just took their mother having a mental breakdown, and kicking him out for his dad to commit to this.

Still, Boruto was mutual in all of this. He understood his father's workload and passion for being Hokage. Something in his mom just…made her snap. Even Boruto could see his mother's decline, no matter how hard she tried to seem perfect.

Boruto looked over at Himawari and his father as they laughed with each other while eating popcorn. Waiting for the previews to end. His father looked just as tired as his mother. Boruto could tell his dad didn't shave this morning. That he was straining to smile, and when he laughed it was more forced than anything.

Boruto knew his dad loved his mom. He was always all over her in the past. Something between the two just disconnected around the time of the invasion. A little before the Chunin exams, and heavily after.

"So your mother really let you two miss dinner and have a night out? That's unlike her. Did she say she had plans?" Naruto leaned over to Boruto when the movie started and Himawari seemed engulfed in it. Watching as his son arched his eyebrow and looked at his dad. "No. She didn't say anything about plans. Me and Hima aren't her spies either."

Grumbling and pouting is what Naruto wanted to do, but he straightened himself and focused on the movie. Boruto had a point. His son was typically a level headed thinker like his mother. "Alright. I'll walk you two home after this ends then."

"Dad." Boruto looked at his father with a dull look. He knew the rule Shikamaru made for Naruto being out and about. "Me and Hima will walk you to Mr. Kakashi's, and head straight home. I can take care of the both of us."

Gosh this was breaking Naruto's heart. He wanted to go home with his kids. He wanted to go home to his wife.

"Alright. I guess we had fun at the arcades, and we have a good movie right now. You just umm…tell your mom I said hi." Boruto nodded his head in agreement, and the three focused on the movie. It was a good night, and they did have a good time with their dad. Like Boruto said, they walked Naruto to Kakashi's home.

Like the true ninja Naruto was, he left Kakashi's and went back to his home.

In the shadows, and so concealed his Anbu ninja's couldn't even sense him. Naruto watched Boruto and Himawari go into the house, and he could sense Hinata was in the house. He saw the light to their bedroom turn on, and watched through the curtains two figures walk out his bedroom and into the living room area. It was Hinata and Hanabi.

Is that why Hinata wanted the kids to stay out later? So her sister could sit there and brainwash her some more.

That woman. If Hanabi wasn't fond of Naruto, he was starting to reciprocate the feeling.

If he called, Hanabi would answer. In the morning when he would be there for the kids, Hanabi would somehow be there. She was fucking everywhere. It almost made him upset with Hinata, for letting Hanabi have so much control over her. For refusing to talk to him. Especially when he's done nothing but try to reach out to his WIFE.

To the love of his life.

Naruto crouched down and looked around to find some bushes to hide behind when he saw his front door open. He was in the shadows, but if anyone could seek him out, it was Hinata. Speaking of which, she's the one that opened the front door. She had a black cap on her head, an orange hoodie and black shorts. Like a reflector type orange. Watching from his position, he saw Hinata start to jog.

She has NEVER went jogging at night the whole time they've been married. That would have given him a damn heart attack. Not saying she couldn't take care of herself, but still, anything could happen.

Naruto of course followed her.

It was a jog that was borderline a run. She stayed in the well-lit areas, and Naruto could see Hinata wasn't even tired. She still had the stamina in her.

A month not seeing Hinata, and Naruto noticed how baggy her clothing fit on her. More than usual. She had lost weight. Her chubby cheeks were fading away. He's heard about her clean eating now. How she stopped eating desserts, but still let the kids have some. He didn't understand why she was doing this to herself? He didn't understand why any of this was happening really.

It was a quick run. She did four miles, and Naruto followed her the whole way until she was back at the house. "You didn't have to do that Naruto. I imagine you're exhausted from work, and being out with the kids. Please take care of yourself. Konoha and the kids need you."

Just like he thought. If anyone could sniff him out, it was Hinata. "I take care of Boruto, Himawari, you and myself last. I take care of my family Hinata." She didn't look at him, and Hinata already felt like she had to escape this situation. She couldn't do this. Not with Naruto right now.

Wordlessly she unlocked the front door, and shut it immediately after. Locking it. Telling Naruto not to follow. Again, shutting him out. Rejecting him.

The walk back to Kakashi's was bitter and silent. A million and one thoughts were running through Naruto's head. Like if Hinata didn't know he was following her, would she have done something else? Seen someone else? Did she want to see other people? Is that why all of this was happening?

"Aww. Where have you been Hokage…why are you sweating Naruto?" Kakashi looked at Naruto as he placed his hat on the table and took his cloak off. "Seriously. Where did you go Naruto?"

Naruto looked at Kakashi with a deep frown. Where did he think he went to? A damn whore house or something. "I followed Hinata while she went on a jog."

Kakashi watched as Naruto went into his overnight bag and grabbed his night clothing to take a shower. "Did she know you were watching her? You two finally talk?"

Several cracks could be heard as Naruto rolled his neck. Clearly annoyed. "I was trying to make sure she didn't sense me following her, but she did. At the end she pretty much told me to not do that again."

"I'd say. Stalking her is a bit extreme." Naruto shot Kakashi a dirty look. He was in no mood for Kakashi's dark humor. "Me sleeping on your couch for a month isn't a 'bit extreme'? Hinata not talking to me about what the hell is the issue is not a 'bit extreme'? Everything is just my fault."

"Didn't say it was. Just said following someone without their permission is stalking, and that itself is a bit extreme. That being said, she knew you were following her, and she let you. Sounds like you're making progress."

Naruto only shook his head as he walked towards the bathroom to take a shower. Maybe he was tired of being the only one trying.

Kakashi watched as Naruto practically stomped over to the bathroom and shut the door in a mini temper tantrum. Kakashi only shook his head as he walked over to his balcony and opened the sliding door. Getting a better view of the moon.

"My is that moon looking big tonight. It seems so close. Like you can touch it."

End of chapter.

First, I want to point out that depression is real. It's a feeling that can consume some more than others and put people in a really void and stuck place. They don't mean to hurt the people around them, but can't seem to stop themselves from hurting people. It is a lot of trial and error to help conquer such an illness.

Hinata is stuck. She is in that void and she blames herself for not being strong enough to get out that void. She's so angry with herself she mentally puts herself back to that stage in her life when she was her lowest, because that's where she feels she belongs.

Hanabi has no team in this story. Her focus is transitioning to clan leader. Also, I hope I am doing the KonoHana pairing justice. I haven't ever written their relationship out into actual scenes. Hanabi is fighting for Hinata. What is with the guilt though?

That being said, Toneri. Is that you? Will you finally make a breakthrough in one of my stories and play a role? Right now? When Naruto is starting to become suspicious on wtf his estranged wife is doing with her life.

Boruto. I adore the 'man of the house' role Boruto tries so hard to take. I wanted him to be neutral because the Chunin exams/Invasion arc has already happened. This story is based after this and Parent's day. So, Boruto knows and understands Naruto a lot better. He's not going to rag on him at a dark point in his father's and mother's life.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. See you next Friday!