She stared intently at the blonde-haired Hokage, her nails digging crescent moon indents into her palms as she battled the urge to activate her Byakugan. The clone gazed up at her with a feeble attempt at a reassuring smile from behind his desk. Then, without warning, a sharp pop echoed through the room and the man before her vanished into thin air.
A shadow clone.
He wasn't truly there. But why?
Why would he let her down like this? They had planned this— their first date in what felt like forever without their children. Where could the genuine Naruto be?
With a sharp pivot, Hinata stormed out of the office, her emotions in turmoil. Her vision was clouded, only able to picture Naruto's bright, mischievous smile. That same smile was slowly becoming a sore point for her. It was the identical grin he would wear every time he made — and subsequently broke — a promise. Why was she so quick to trust him, time and again? Just the previous night, she had been half-tempted to give him the cold shoulder. His excuses seemed endless, and she was growing weary of them.
But that smile of his always seemed to melt her resolve. It never failed to pull her in, and each time, she found herself forgiving him, trying to put the past behind. Naruto, in their early days, was an open book; she never had to second guess his feelings or intentions. But as he grew more engrossed in his Hokage duties, that transparency waned.
"Hi, Hinata-sama!"
Hinata's footsteps faltered, and she turned to see Shiho, standing a few paces away. She hadn't interacted much with Shiho, but was aware she was the cryptographer of Konoha's decoder team. The woman's usual radiant smile and upbeat demeanor were always on display whenever their paths crossed.
Trying to mask her frustration, Hinata replied, "Hello, Shiho-san," and offered a polite smile.
Shiho adjusted her glasses with a hint of nervousness, then cleared her throat. "If you're searching for Hokage-sama, I believe he's at Shushu-ya," she blurted, her voice tinged with urgency, as if she had been holding onto a secret.
Hinata's eyebrows knitted in confusion. "S-Shushu-ya?"
"Yes, Shushu-ya," Shiho affirmed with a decisive nod.
Hinata reciprocated the nod, her determination renewed. She set her sights on her new destination.
To Shushu-ya she would go.
XXXXXXXXX
Sasuke trailed behind his wife, the weight of his missteps evident in his stooped posture. As Sakura's tense silhouette moved ahead of him, he mentally berated himself. She had every reason to be upset, and he was painfully aware of why. The door clicked shut behind him as he stepped into the living room, following the fading sound of her footsteps.
Sakura turned, her emerald eyes locking onto his, searching for answers. "Did you not see me sitting there?" she murmured, her voice edged with hurt. "I called out to you multiple times."
Avoiding her gaze, he felt a sinking sensation in his chest. He didn't have the words she needed. It would be dismissive to pass it off as a fleeting, masculine distraction. Such behavior was uncharacteristic for him, and Sakura knew it.
Tears glistened in Sakura's eyes as she recounted, "I had to call your name four times, Sasuke. Four times! It took a pinch to make you react." Her raised fist threatened to crash onto their newly installed floor.
He was strained under the financial burden of yet another repair bill. In an instantaneous motion, he teleported next to her, intercepting her clenched fist before it could damage the floor. "Sakura," he whispered urgently, "I'm so sorry."
Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to spill. "Every time I hear those rumors, a part of me dies. I wanted so badly to trust you, but today…" Her voice broke as she buried her face in her hands.
"Sakura, those rumors hold no truth," Sasuke tried to console her.
"I know," she said, her voice muffled by her hands. "But when I saw you looking at Hinata…"
Sasuke quickly interjected, not wanting her to revisit that moment, "I—"
He remembered too vividly, the allure of Hinata's purple eyeshadow that perfectly complemented her lavender dress. His gaze had, unwittingly, been drawn from her eyes, to her lips, tracing the curve of her necklace, and then — to her modest but captivating cleavage. He had been ensnared, completely out of character for him. It was only Sakura's sharp pinch under the table that had snapped him back to reality. And by the time Hinata approached their table, guilt prevented him from meeting her eyes.
The shame of that moment was overwhelming.
And when Sakura pointedly complimented Hinata's dress, her tone laced with icy undertones, he was flooded with realization that his wife caught him staring— and then the fear crept in.
Suddenly, out of the blue, she asked, "Do you still have feelings for Karin?"
The question caught him off guard. But then it clicked. Sasuke had a past, and that past involved both Karin and Sakura. While his love for his family and friends, including Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi, was absolute and pure, romantic love was a convoluted maze he often lost himself in.
During his travels, he had Karin by his side, but his heart yearned for the letters from Sakura. The fleeting moments of intimacy with Karin never ignited the passion he hoped for, whereas just the thought of Sakura with someone else caused a pang of jealousy. And yet, his misadventures with Karin were no secret, thanks to a drunken evening with his friends. He reminded himself not to drink sake ever since then. A drunk Sasuke was apparently a chatter. Sakura never quite let go the revelation of his life with Karin.
He had tried, truly tried, to express his love for Sakura. From cooking breakfast with his one arm to setting up surprise romantic baths. But now, he understood that actions alone weren't enough. She needed to hear him say it.
Meeting her gaze, he declared, "Sakura, my love is only for you, not Karin. Otherwise, we wouldn't have Sarada, our family. This," he said, holding her hand firmly, "is my world. It's you I want to be with."
He genuinely loved Sakura. Through their ups and downs, she never left his side. She was his rock, his constant.
Sakura persisted, "But tonight…?"
He took a deep breath. "If you need to hear it, then yes, I'm sorry for how I looked at Hinata. I deeply regret it." Lifting her chin gently, he continued, "I just want things between us to be like they used to. Can we move past this?"
Hesitating for just a moment, she finally said, "Let's move past it." Their eyes locked, and Sasuke recognized the hint of lust in her eyes as he leaned forward closing the gap between them.
XXXXXX
"That'sh a lotta...whatchamacallit...crap, ya know!" Naruto slurred, sloppily patting Sai on the shoulder.
"I think you mean load. Not loud." Sai corrected.
Naruto squinted at Sai, trying to focus on his face. "Sai...you ever think...like, you're kinda odd? But like, in a good, sorta not-bad way, ya know?"
Sai just stared, then sighed, "That seems like one of those...um, backhanded things. But alright, Naruto. I get you." He paused and looked at the dark-haired woman sitting on the other side of Naruto. "Naruto… you sure you didn't have, like, stuff tonight?" His whisper was barely audible as Naruto gestured wildly at the bartender for another drink.
"Look at you, Naruto-kun, going all...drinky-drink." Shizuka hiccuped, her gaze sweeping over the graveyard of sake and beer containers in front of the blond.
Naruto hiccuped. "This place? My place! I love this...uh, joint! Me 'n Sai, we...we drinky-drink 'cause Shika's all...ya know, boring now." He made a face like he tasted something sour, but quickly brightened up when another drink appeared before him.
Resting her chin on her hand, Shizuka smirked, "You want company, Mr. Hokage?"
Naruto blinked at her, then grinned sloppily. "Hell yes! Every night!" His excitement caused him to splash some beer on the counter.
Sai, rubbing his temples, murmured, "That's...probably not a good idea, Naruto."
"Blah, Sai! Don't be a...um, party...dumper? No...um…"
"It's party pooper." Shizuka supplied.
Naruto pointed at her with a triumphant grin. "That! Party pooper! Thanks, Shizu...Shi...you! Funny word, poop!" He broke into tipsy giggles.
Naruto was close to finishing his paperwork when Shizuka stepped into his office. It had been years since their last encounter. She mentioned sending a gift to congratulate him on his ascension to Hokage, but amidst the avalanche of presents he received, hers might have been lost. She proposed grabbing drinks, a tempting offer, though he was well-aware of his pending dinner plans with Hinata.
He rationalized that it wouldn't take much time. He could simply create a shadow clone to finish his work and spend a brief moment with Shizuka before joining Hinata.
On their way to Shushu-ya, Naruto couldn't help but appreciate Shizuka's beauty. Memories surfaced of a time when she had proposed marriage in their younger years, a secret unbeknownst to many, including Kakashi and Sakura. He had declined her proposal back then, harboring feelings for Sakura. Since then, he hadn't given Shizuka much thought, but upon her entrance to his office, recognition was instantaneous.
Walking alongside such a striking woman was bound to draw attention, and Naruto knew all too well the pitfalls of gossip. He detested the inevitable rumors that arose from innocuous interactions.
Spotting Sai, Naruto swiftly instructed Shizuka to wait. Persuading Sai to accompany them proved a challenge, as Sai voiced his reservations about the evening, hinting at Hinata's expectations. However, Naruto brushed those concerns aside, confident his meeting with Shizuka would be brief.
He couldn't have been more mistaken.
The sudden feedback from his shadow clone jolted Naruto — a vivid image of Hinata glaring intently. He instantly realized that she was aware of his predicament, implying that he had lost track of time. A quick glance at his watch confirmed his fears.
"Damn!" Naruto exclaimed, causing some nearby patrons to turn their heads.
Naruto made an attempt to rise hastily, but his coordination betrayed him. Just as he was about to tumble, strong arms steadied him.
"Na-Naruto-kun!" Shizuka exclaimed, clearly taken aback.
With considerable effort, Sai kept Naruto upright. "Naruto, maybe it's time to head home."
"N-Need to go... Sai... I need to... before..." Naruto's voice trailed off, his words clumsy and jumbled. But he halted abruptly, sensing the familiar yet intimidating chakra. His gaze followed the sensation, and there she was. Hinata approached with a fury in her eyes that he had never witnessed before. Naruto tried to summon sobriety, but it eluded him.
Stopping in front of him, Hinata's gaze darted from Sai to Shizuka, fixating on the latter for an extended moment before settling back on Naruto. The intensity of her stare was unfamiliar and unsettling. It was as though she was contemplating how best to unleash her frustration. Naruto knew better than to talk in his current state, yet the connection between his mind and mouth seemed to malfunction.
"Hina-chan! My wonderful wife, why... why're you here?" Awkwardly, he wriggled free from Sai's grip, draping an arm around Hinata. "You know Sai, right? And this is Shika...Shiku... no, Shizuka! Hinata, meet Shizuka." He faltered, glancing back at Hinata whose icy expression remained unchanged.
His tongue seemed to have a mind of its own, drawing him further into a grave of his own making.
"Perhaps they could use some privacy," Sai suggested with an uneasy smile.
Ignoring his word, the green eyed woman spoke. "I'm Shizuka. Pleasure to meet you, Hinata," Shizuka greeted, extending her hand with a warm smile, despite the redness on her cheeks from the drinks.
Naruto's gaze darted from the extended hand to Hinata, gauging her reaction. Hinata momentarily softened her stern demeanor, offering Shizuka a polite smile and accepting the handshake. Yet, Naruto couldn't ignore the palpable tension radiating from Hinata; her chakra was overpowering, a clear sign of her suppressed anger.
"It's good to meet you, Shizuka-san," Hinata replied courteously, retracting her hand. She then turned to Sai, "You don't need to leave on my account. I'll be taking Naruto home. Thank you."
While her words were wrapped in the gentle tone many associated with Hinata, Naruto sensed the storm brewing beneath.
Laughing awkwardly, Naruto said, "Guess it's bedtime for me. Catch you later, Sai. Good to see you, Shizuku!"
"It's Shizuka, Naruto-kun," she corrected with a patient smile.
But before he could amend his slip-up, Hinata was already guiding him towards the exit. Naruto gazed down at his wife, the gentle aroma of almond and honey wafting towards him. It was the perfume he had gifted her years ago. He couldn't help but notice her dress, elegantly draped over her form. Overwhelmed by his intoxicated state, he impulsively leaned in, brushing his face against the crook of her neck.
"You smell so good," he murmured, pulling back slightly, his words slurred, "But then again, you always do."
Hinata seemed to be a statue, unresponsive to his words or his touch. She silently supported him, ensuring he didn't trip over his own feet as they walked back home. Once inside, he braced himself for an outburst – perhaps the sharp sting of a slap. Instead, Hinata carefully eased him onto the couch, then turned away, her silhouette disappearing up the stairs.
From where he sat, trying in vain to sober up, he called out, "I lost track of time, Hinata! It was just Shizuka, and I hadn't seen her in so long. I promise, I'll make it right..." His voice trailed off as he spotted Hinata re-emerging, a suitcase in tow.
Panic surged through him, pushing past the alcohol-induced fog. He stumbled to his feet. "Hinata? What... Why the suitcase? Where are you going?"
She took a steadying breath, her voice soft yet firm. "I need some space, Naruto. Just a few days to think."
"Think? About us? The kids? You can't just leave!" He reached for her, desperation evident in his touch. "What about everything at home? The meals? The chores?"
She evaded his grasp, her eyes darkening. "Is that all I am to you, Naruto? A caretaker? Someone to keep the house tidy while you disappear?"
His hands fluttered defensively. "No, Hinata! That's not it!"
She took another step, the door almost within reach. "Naruto, when was the last time you told me you loved me without being prompted? After last night, I thought maybe things had changed. But today? It's the same story."
His voice cracked. "I do love you, Hinata. More than you can imagine."
She paused, her hand on the doorknob. "Then show me." Without another word, she stepped out, leaving Naruto to grapple with the weight of his actions and the deafening silence of their home.
XXXXX
Three days. That's how long it had been since his mother hadn't been home. Boruto observed the clumsy scene unfolding in the kitchen: his father, struggling with breakfast, seemingly oblivious to the smoke rising from the forgotten bacon on the stove. His sister shared a fleeting, pained glance with him.
Himawari's voice was gentle, trying to ease the situation. "Dad, don't worry about breakfast."
Naruto, smeared with flour, responded with his typical upbeat laugh. "Ah, your mother usually handles this, huh?"
A surge of bitterness welled up in Boruto. Pushing back his chair with a sharp scrape, he made for the exit. But he didn't get far before Naruto's voice, tinged with desperation, reached him. When Boruto didn't stop, he felt the weight of his father's hand on his shoulder, trying to anchor him.
"Where are you off to?" Naruto's voice was strained.
Jerking away, Boruto's voice was sharp, edged with suppressed anger. "Training with Sasuke-sensei. But maybe you should be more focused on getting mom back instead of playing house by pretending everything is fine!" Without waiting for a response, he stormed out, the door crashing shut in his wake.
Every footfall was a testament to his anger; an anger compounded by past disappointments and fresh wounds, like the memory of his father missing Himawari's birthday.
Reaching the training ground, Sasuke's piercing gaze greeted him, "You're late."
Boruto's frustration boiled over. "Blame the old man, he's been impossible."
Sasuke's reproach was immediate. "Watch your words about your father."
The words were on the tip of Boruto's tongue, a retort detailing Naruto's failures. But thinking of his mother, and how she despised petty talk, he swallowed them down. Sasuke might not have been one for idle chatter, but now wasn't the time.
"I need to train." Without another word, Boruto lunged at Sasuke, his emotions channeled into every move.
Each step was laden with frustration, every punch an attempt to erase the morning's events. As he approached, Sasuke's sharingan eyes flared to life, the tomoe spinning, assessing and predicting.
Boruto unleashed a barrage of rasengan, letting his chakra whirl and spiral into destructive orbs. But Sasuke, ever the master, deftly dodged each one, his form a blur. With each miss, Boruto's emotions only intensified, making his moves more aggressive and erratic.
Summoning a shadow clone, Boruto tried to flank Sasuke, aiming to land a strike from behind. But Sasuke was already steps ahead. With a swift Chidori Stream, he sent a surge of electricity through the clone, dispersing it instantly.
Frustration mounting, Boruto tried a different approach. Using his gentle fist technique, he aimed at Sasuke's chakra points, trying to disable him. But Sasuke countered with his own taijutsu, parrying Boruto's strikes and landing a few of his own.
Breathing heavily, Boruto took a few steps back, reassessing. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his chest heaved with exertion. In a desperate attempt, he activated his Boruto Stream technique, a whirlwind of wind and lightning chakra. He sped towards Sasuke, but the Uchiha merely tilted his head, evading the direct charge.
Suddenly, Sasuke's hand shot out, grabbing Boruto by the wrist and twisting him around into a firm hold. With Boruto trapped, Sasuke whispered, his voice laced with disappointment, "You're distracted, Boruto."
The weight of the hold wasn't just physical—it bore down on Boruto's pride and emotions. Breaking free, he stumbled back, his face a mixture of frustration and shame.
Sasuke's stern expression softened, the Sharingan deactivating. "Is everything alright, Boruto?"
Boruto looked away, his voice a mix of anger and stubbornness. "I'm fine."
Sasuke observed him for a moment, his eyes filled with understanding and a hint of sadness. "We can continue training if that's what you want," he finally said.
With a grunt, Boruto replied, "Just... let's keep training. No talking."
Sasuke nodded, taking a combat stance once more. He needed to get all of his frustration out before he saw his father again or else he was going to punch the old man himself.