Chapter 3: Everyone Here Is Lying
"Things come apart so easily when they have been held together with lies."
― Dorothy Allison, Bastard Out of Carolina
Naruto & Boruto-Training Ground Outskirts
"And don't even think about running! I have this whole area surrounded y'know!"
Naruto grins excitedly, shadow clones cracking their knuckles in case he tries to escape somehow. But he's planned this perfectly having created enough clones to hide amid the trees and shrubbery, there's no way this strange kid is going to get past him without answering his questions!
Boruto withers at his victorious grin, quickly mulls over his options.
'I can outsmart Papa somehow; can't I?'
Naruto has enough stamina to create hundreds of clones in a minute, will blockade and overwhelm him should he try to get away from here too fast without a real plan in place.
He clicks his tongue at his confident smile, switches gears. "Why does it matter to you so much who I am, y'know? How come it's so important for you to have this information?"
Naruto blinks at his counter question, momentarily taken aback at his pressuring of him now for answers.
"What...Hey, I'm the one asking questions here! If you're not going to talk, I'll just force it out of you!" Naruto declares.
His clones gather in a tighter circle blocking him in on all sides, kunai and shuriken at ready.
Boruto dives under the first two as they leap forward for his arms, blows out a breath drawing up his hands.
"Fine, shadow clone jutsu!"
4 clones vs at least 100 plus Narutos'.
But Dad isn't as proficient in wind jutsu yet, Boruto pushing his hands out.
"Wind release: Gale Palm!"
That blows back a good dozen of them, Boruto nodding to his clones to take care of the ones coming in on both his left and right.
His first and second clones slams their hands to the ground.
"Lightning release: Spider Web!"
"Water release: Water Palm Wave!"
The shockwave paralyzes a whole group of Naruto about to topple him over, bursting into puffs of white smoke while the blasts of water further impede any of Naruto's clones from getting closer.
'Ah Dad could use the haze to make more clones!' Boruto briefly panics.
Hands pat at his shoulder pushing him forward.
"Don't worry, we got the ones coming from the northwest and southeast ends y'know! Just focus on dealing with the real Naruto!" His 3rd and 4th clones order before getting to work creating twin vortexes of wind and water.
"You're going to eventually get tired!" Naruto taunts from the smog and Boruto clicks his tongue, concentrates on the shuffle of grass and dirt.
The real Naruto is approaching.
'I could really use Mama or Hima's byakugan right now, but I know another way I can hopefully get out of here! No matter how risky!' Boruto decides.
"Everyone, come to the center of the field!" Boruto calls out.
"...Wait, are you sure about this? We don't know that's actually Papa we're about to attack." His first clone mutters seeing two final Narutos' just ahead.
His 2nd and 3rd clones nod warily in agreement, but the original stays adamant.
"We can't outlast Dad in chakra. It's a gamble we'll have to take." Boruto grumbles, psyches himself up.
"Giving up?" The pair of Narutos' ask in unison as Boruto races forward.
He scoffs in return. "No way!"
His clones in front do a sweeping low kick knocking them off their feet, force the duo airborne in a rapid series of further kicks and punches.
"U-ZU-MA-KI!"
The first of the Naruto clones' pops, Boruto grabbing for the remaining one to perform a spinning heel drop on...
His clone.
"Let go! Didn't you see when he switched us?! How did you not recognize it in time?" He berates him.
Boruto freezes. 'What?! When could he have changed our positions?'
It clicks in taking bits of leaves and twigs amid the clone's hair and jacket. At some point Papa must've darkened his orange jacket with mud and bark to blend in with the area, switched with one of his clones when he called them all to the middle...
His clones dissipate, toppling back to earth alone, arm tugging him forward preventing a full-on crash into the ground.
Naruto.
All he's done is intensified his suspicion, cerulean studying him in the same manner he did back in the Hokage office. Naruto tightens his hold and Boruto winces, forced to meet his gaze.
Moonlight falls over the field, silver highlighting growing bruises along his arms, thin cuts along his face.
Naruto swipes away blood from his lip. "Who...are you?"
Boruto shrugs, squirms at his darkening look.
"It's not important for you to know! Geez, Hima and I are just distant members of the Hyūga clan is all."
Naruto peers at him up and down, annoyance in his features softening some.
"...I don't believe you. Why did you just say Uzumaki if we're not connected in some way? Who taught you that technique?"
'Crap, did I say that?! Ugh, I can't say Papa taught me. Come on, think of another excuse!' Boruto wracks his mind.
"From err, watching videos online! Metal Lee's Dad usually posts weekly videos of different workout techniques and moves he used when he was a genin y'know!" He half-lies.
Because it's true that Metal Lee's father promotes youthful exercise and basic taijutsu techniques for his workout channel: The Flames Of Youth & You! but Uzumaki Barrage isn't a combination he learned from watching them.
This he learned from watching his Dad's old techniques from what he could find of old recordings of his matches when he was his age.
He can hear his heart hammering in his ears at Naruto's silence, his grip reaffirming.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but it still sounds like you're lying. I could go break into Old Man Third's office again and properly read those documents on you and your sister. I did it once to get the Forbidden scroll and can do it again." Naruto determines.
Boruto blinks, own expression switching to puzzlement. 'What? When Papa and Mama told Hima and I the story of how not to be like the boy who stole the Forbidden scroll, Papa was talking about himself?'
"You did that?" He questions softly, Naruto pointing a thumb at himself proudly.
"Of course! My name should be all over the history books in your time period y'know! I'm going to make sure I have whole chapters dedicated to me when I become Hokage!"
'You do.' Boruto rolls his eyes, tries and fails to wrench himself from his hold.
Naruto looks at him again with that odd look, eyes narrowing. "Nuh uh, you're not escaping or distracting me that easily! I want to know our connection!"
Boruto clenches his lips shut, unsure what to make of Naruto's continued persistence on this subject. His eyes flash with curiosity and nervousness, maybe just as uncertain as him on how to broach this topic.
He swallows down coils in his throat, what's going to happen to the past and the future if he tells the truth?
Naruto's hold loosens just slightly, scratching at his neck with his free hand. "20 years. I at least remember Old Man Third saying that and it made me think that maybe...just maybe I have a family by then. You and your sister both looking like me isn't just a coincidence; is it? Are...Are you two actually my-"
"Ah, there you are!" A voice calls out from above startling them both.
Hinata peers back at them.
Himawari waves beside her, takes in their ruffled attire. "Big Brother! We need to head back to the compound before Grandpa sends one of his guards after us!"
Boruto's shoulders sag in relief even as Himawari sends him an admonishing stare, silently tells him this isn't the end of this conversation to be out at a training ground alone with the younger version of their Dad.
"S-Sorry for any trouble!" Hinata mentions to Naruto, unsure which of them started this fight taking in their injuries, feels her blush rising as Naruto's stare switches from Boruto to her.
Naruto shakes his head, half-smiles. "Nah, it's my fault y'know!"
He rubs his chin at a sudden idea, abruptly grabs Hinata by the hand leading her away from the pair.
Pink crawls down her cheeks to her neck and arms for him to suddenly be this close, lips right by her ear dropping his voice an octave.
"Hey, so is it true those two are really Hyūga clan members?"
Hinata gathers her voice before she can break into a stutter. "That's...That's how Father explained it to our clan in a joint meeting with both the Main and Branch families upon their arrival to the compound yesterday afternoon."
Naruto hums as Hinata avoids his stare. "And they can do that weird eye thing too?"
"I've only seen Boruto's sister use the byakugan." She murmurs.
Naruto snorts lowly, crosses his arms. "Feels like nobody wants to tell me the full truth about what's going on y'know! Do people hate me that much to keep all these secrets from me?"
Hinata turns to look at fully him then seeing his shoulders drop, muttering aloud to himself how hard it was to create this trap alone, words tumbling out before he can think any lesser of himself.
"I-I like you Naruto."
Azure turns to lavender instantly going silent, looks to Boruto and Himawari both too busy eating the taiyaki from earlier.
'There's no one else around.' Naruto considers, slowly points at himself.
"Huh, me?"
He's sure he's misheard her or that she's feverish and rambling taking in her flushed skin, but Hinata nods, cheeks stained a deep scarlet.
"You Naruto, only you."
Pearl eyes turn towards the markets, frowns noting Hyūga guards weaving through the crowds in groups of three, blows out a breath seeing their hardened expressions.
"Boruto. Himawari. We need to return back to the manor. I'd rather us return on our own and not with one of the bodyguards escorting us."
She doesn't wait for Naruto's response only giving out a soft goodnight, practically pushes Boruto and Himawari along to get away from the area before they're seen.
Naruto watches them go reluctantly, stomach swishing at all he's learned.
'Hinata likes me? No one's ever said they liked me before! All the girls in our class like Sasuke despite how much of an asshole he is, but she doesn't?' His chest warms at the thought, before smacking his head in realization.
'Wait, ugh! I never got my answer on just how I'm connected to those siblings!'
Hanabi & Himawari-Hyūga Compound
'I think every muscle in my body is hurting.' Himawari silently bemoans, thankful they cut morning sparring to just 1 hour instead of 2.
Mid-afternoon sunlight burns on her back, sweat sticking to her like a second skin as she moves for the quiet corner of the garden.
Voices come from around the corner, slowing her pace hearing her and Boruto's name.
She crouches low into the shadows as two aides from the Branch family that help with laundry and cooking approach up.
"-Seems only the girl, I think she's named Himawari knows the byakugan. The boy, Boruto or something seems like he's skilled enough, but I don't think he's anywhere near Neji's level. I'm still not sure why Master Hiashi wanted to take in some illegitimate children. Who are there parents anyways?"
"Shh, keep your voice down Himiko! Anyways, I heard while getting groceries on Wednesday that they're from the future. That means a Main or Branch member will sleep with someone outside the clan. Going by their looks, it's obvious Lady Hinata will probably be the one who does it. Lady Hanabi I'm sure though will be matched with a suitable distant cousin."
Hazumi giggles, barely stifles her laughter.
"Losing Master Hiashi's favor means he probably will kick Hinata out of the clan at some point in the future! How sad, dropping so low in society that she'll even bed that jinchuriki boy-"
Her words falter as Himawari puts a leg out, tripping over her.
The harsh scowl upon her face evaporates staring into her byakugan.
"Don't talk about Hinata or Hanabi that way!" Himawari growls, Hazumi attempting to scramble back from her tightening hands.
She stomps down on her foot eliciting a light howl, Himiko hurriedly helping Hazumi to her feet.
"O-Our apologies Lady Himawari!" They blurt out together in a rush.
Himawari rubs at her head as they go, sighing.
'I'm no better than Big Brother at controlling my temper.'
A hand reaches for her own as soon as the pair is out of sight, peering down to see her Aunt.
Well, her 7-year-old Aunt.
Hanabi looks back up at her with a grin, cheeks a ruddy pink with excitement.
"You're the one Big Sister protected the other day from Neji in the dojo, right? You're both so cool!"
Himawari blinks, scratches at her cheek quietly.
"Eh? That wasn't anything spectacular."
Hanabi shakes her head, gleefully leads them on towards the garden while swinging their hands. "Anyone who stands up to the Branch Family's harsh whispers about Big Sister or me is cool in my eyes!"
Her smile drops some as they pass the Branch quarters, Himiko and Hazumi bowing in low positions before two Main family guards who overheard their conversation.
"-You two should know better not to gossip after Master Hiashi's warnings last week."
Hazumi huffs, glares right back, not ready to take a punishment without arguing her and Himiko's case.
"It isn't fair when Main Family members are asking and whispering the same things as us!"
Himawari quickly looks away seeing bamboo sticks in each guard's hands, crack and yelp of it tearing into skin following a moment later.
"I've never seen Big Sister get so mad before that day at Neji. Not even when she was forced to fight me." Hanabi breezily carries on, Himawari trying not to squirm at hearing the cries behind them.
'Even Auntie is used to such things happening here.'
They settle into the shade of the closest oak tree, Hanabi humming watching leaves shades of green to yellow fall into the koi pond.
"Why...Why don't you and Ma or err Hinata get along with Neji?" Himawari ventures to ask.
Hanabi shrugs as she fiddles with blades of grass.
"It probably has something to do with Uncle Hizashi. Ever since he died, Neji has looked at us both so harshly, Hinata more so as being weak, unfit to lead the clan."
Opalescent turns to her, grin returning.
"You and your brother are Big Sis and Naruto Uzumaki's kids in the future; aren't you?"
Himawari just stares in return and Hanabi snickers, her silence all the answer she needs.
"I knew it! Big Sis always watches him practice at the training grounds even when people call him Nine Tails brat or jinchuriki boy. Sometimes, she makes him bentos I don't think she ever gives him. But...eventually, she will it seems. That's good, I'm glad she'll find happiness outside the clan."
Her gaze turns towards inside, body stiffening up seeing Lady Natsu step out onto the deck clearly searching for her.
Hanabi moves herself behind Himawari. "Hide me please! I don't want to do my calligraphy lessons today."
Himawari does as she wants, waves up a hand to shush her at her continued giggling.
"You can't tell anybody! Only a few people here are supposed to know that!"
Hanabi looks up to the trees before back to her, beaming.
"I haven't told anyone how Big Sister feels! Don't worry, I'm good at keeping secrets!"
Naruto- Team 7, Training Ground 3/Konoha Marketplace District
'Damn it, how am I going to find another opportunity to get one of them alone? They're going to surely be more on guard of their surroundings.' Naruto considers.
Maybe he could ask Hinata. If...If she really likes him as she said, then she'll want to know more about who those siblings really are; right?
'We can discuss it over ramen! Wait, does Hinata even like ramen? Would that be a date? Well, in that case I should-'
Kakashi waves a hand in front of his face.
"Naruto, care to join us back on earth instead of spacing out?"
Sasuke gives him a flat look, but he arches a brow at his slow nod while Sakura studies him in concern.
He's been strangely quiet since arriving last to the grounds, even later than Kakashi-sensei was in getting here.
"You alright Naruto? You didn't eat anything for breakfast this morning that didn't sit right with your stomach; did you?" Sakura questions.
Naruto sends her a grateful look, shakes his head quickly.
"No, I'm alright! Sorry, just a lot on my mind is all. You can continue Kakashi-sensei!"
Sasuke hums dryly. "That's new for you to be thinking so hard."
Naruto twists a glare on him. "What?! I dare you to say that again asshat!"
'Well, he's acting normal enough to insults. Though it still seems like something is bothering him more than usual.' Sasuke notes.
He sends Sakura a look not to pressure him, Naruto will tell them whatever is bugging him when he feels ready to.
Kakashi holds up a hand, clears his throat.
"As I was saying, the Chunin Exams are officially coming up next month and I plan to nominate all 3 of you. However, this is a personal choice and one I won't force you to do. So, if you feel you're not ready to enter, you don't have to turn in your registration form. However, be aware that the deadline to turn it in is by tomorrow evening at 5:00 pm." He explains.
Naruto pumps up a fist excitedly as Kakashi passes out their forms to all 3 of them.
"Of course we're all entering sensei! No way am I letting this opportunity pass me up of showing off my greatness to not only village, but all of the Great Nations!"
Sasuke scoffs at his enthusiasm. "That's if you even make it past the preliminaries moron."
Naruto sends him a challenging look in return. "I could say the same to you! Our opponents are going to be people none of us have ever even faced, everything we learned in the Academy may not even help in these exams."
Sasuke says nothing in return while Sakura goes faintly rigid, absently tightens her hold against her paper nearly tearing it.
'That's right. There's going to be shinobi from every nation coming into this event with abilities we might have never even seen before. And if I'm being honest with myself, I'm nowhere near up to par when it comes to offensive attacks like Naruto and Sasuke.' Sakura realizes, feels her mouth going dry.
She must find a way to get stronger via her ninjutsu, at least have some ways to trick and trap any opponents should any part of the exams separate her from Sasuke and Naruto.
Kakashi claps his hands regaining their attention, smiles beneath his mask.
"Alright, you all are free to go. Make sure to get in some light sparring and studying with each other in these weeks leading up to the exams."
The trio decide on Ichiraku's at Naruto's pointed mention of them ditching him last time, Naruto pausing at seeing Boruto and Himawari outside Yamashiro's pharmacy. He catches the tail end of their conversation, sighs.
"-Can you just please leave already Naruto? You're bothering my other customers." Yamashiro frowns, nods in the direction of one other patron not even looking their way.
Boruto grits his teeth even as Himawari tugs at his arm for them to just go. "No, why do you keep pretending you're deaf or that I'm not here only around me, y'know? I have the ryo to pay for the medicine and then I'll leave!"
'Ah, they're not going to get any luck from Yamashiro. He always pretends he can't hear me whenever I tried to get medicine from him in the past.' Naruto steps forward.
Sakura grabs at his shoulder before he can walk over, verdant eyes sharpening between him and Boruto up ahead.
"Naruto, what is your clone doing over there?"
It's caused a mini audience to form, team 10 observing on silently. Ino catches Sakura's eye, bemused smirk rising up at one of her teammates apparently causing mischief around the village.
Again.
"Is that why you were late this morning? Because of your shadow clone?" Sasuke questions, Naruto shaking his head as he looks back to both of them.
"No! It's my doppelganger! The way Old Man Third explained it is that they messed with some scroll that sent them back to the past accidentally!"
Sasuke and Sakura look at each other before back at him.
"...What?" Sasuke questions.
Naruto waves them off, he doesn't have time to explain it when he doesn't even have the full details himself. He pushes his way through the crowds over to them, Boruto glancing to him in a mix of relief and surprise.
"Boruto, right? What's going on?" Naruto approaches.
"Pa or ah Naruto! I just want to get some headache medicine for Hima! I gave her one tablet earlier during breakfast back at the Hyūga manor, though it didn't seem to help really, so I figured we could go into the marketplace to get some..." Boruto trails off.
Himawari shakes her head as Naruto's gaze turns to her. "I'm okay! It's not even hurting as much anymore!"
Still Naruto approaches, pats and rubs at her head while lowering his voice. "Yamashiro was never going to sell to you guys and even if he did, he would probably mark the price up triple it's normal cost y'know. I have herbal tea I could give you that's at my apartment."
Himawari brightens. "Really?!"
Boruto watches him warily before shaking his head. "No, you just want to get us alone so you can get secrets out of us y'know!"
Naruto blinks in return, covers his scheming grin too late. "That's not true! But if you really don't trust me, at least let me give you the ingredients for how to make it! You can find peppermint, chamomile, and turmeric in the south forests."
Sasuke and Sakura stay back as Naruto gives the siblings instructions, Ino sliding over to her opposite side.
"Hey Forehead, is that teammate of yours losing his mind?"
Sakura bristles, jade twisting to gleaming cobalt. "No Pig, why do you ask? Are your teammates still as lazy as ever and gorging themselves away on chips?"
Ino crosses her arms, Shikamaru and Choji paying no mind to her insults, gestures with her head to Naruto and Boruto.
"I only ask because he's over there having a full-blown conversation with one of his clones it seems."
Sakura shakes her head, about to counter it's just some look-a-like when Sasuke speaks up.
"The boy beside him isn't Naruto, that much I can ascertain from just watching how the two behave and the slight differences in appearance. Besides, Naruto doesn't have a sister."
They both easily accept his reasoning, but that doesn't stop Sasuke's gaze from studying the siblings cautiously.
'Naruto said something about them being sent to the past accidentally. So that means they're from the future.'
He glances around as the crowd disperses, those two must know all of their futures depending on how far in time they're coming from him.
His thoughts spin.
'That includes my own.'
Boruto & Himawari-Hokage Tower
"How have you two been adjusting to this time period?" Hiruzen questions, gestures for the pair to pull up a chair. An aide passes out cups of green tea for them both, duo taking polite sips.
It's been a little over two weeks now since their accidental arrival in the past with still no word from their parents on how they'll get back to their correct time.
Hiruzen clasps his hands as the two get settled. "I think it would be good to have these weekly check-ins to see how you two are faring. From my end, I still haven't been able to find this Intricacies of Time scroll that you described Boruto. Unfortunately, we aren't in times of peace and none of the 5 Great Shinobi Nations would be willing to pass along such secrets. It's difficult to gather information on the potential location of this scroll outside the Land of Fire."
Boruto and Himawari nod their understanding.
He tacks on a smile to lighten the mood. "Tell me, how are things going living at the Hyūga compound? I know Hiashi Hyūga can be quite strict."
Himawari nods. "We do sparring exercises for at least 1 hour each morning and then basic academic and political lessons for 1-2 hours in the afternoon."
Hiruzen chuckles at their despondent looks. "Well, hopefully in time you can maybe soften Hiashi into the Grandfather you're used to, but I wouldn't press it. Boruto, I know you've been having trouble buying things around the markets due to looking like Naruto. Might I suggest using a transformation jutsu if you really can't find a certain product or material at the Hyūga manor?"
Boruto scoffs, crosses his arms. "I shouldn't have to use a transformation jutsu just because Papa and I look alike y'know! All these shopkeepers and restaurant owners here treat him like shit, and you just allow it! Did all of you forget that he has the Nine Tails in him? What happens when you piss him off too much?"
Silence blankets the room, aides by Hiruzen side openly squirming, deeply scowl at his rudeness towards a high official, or simply look away from his harsh glare.
Kakashi is the only one out of the jonin in the room that holds his gaze the longest before peering down.
It's surprising it hasn't happened yet. Both he and Hima can see how strained their Father's grins get having to be around market stalls that act like he's invisible. His patience would've long ago snapped.
Himawari freezes at his cursing, but her mood matches her brother's, equally stormy at what they've seen of their Father's current treatment around Konoha.
"...We have measures in place should that happen. And while yes, I agree it isn't fair and Naruto's treatment isn't...right, there isn't much I can do currently to stop the way civilian treat or think of him. I have done my best putting provisions in place so that at least he has a home to go back to and isn't restricted to just Konoha like the previous jinchuriki."
Himawari hums. "Yes, Grandma. We know."
Hiruzen looks between the two, takes a drag from his pipe. He can't change what he's already done, but he can find a way to improve things.
"Right well, moving forward. I wanted us to do these weekly updates for one major reason: utilizing you two's knowledge of the future."
Boruto and Himawari send each other skeptical looks, Hiruzen going on.
"As I'm sure you've both heard, this year's upcoming Chunin Exams will be hosted in Konoha. I'd like to know what you two know of the exams and how that can keep us prepared in terms of security and safety for both the civilians coming to watch the matches and the shinobi that will be participating."
-x-
I just like really writing for this story lol. Every time I opened my Word documents, I found myself going to this one! I think I'm just going to try and do a rotation cycle of my updates between this, The Emperor & I, and The Sacrifice. The next thing I'll update is the The Sacrifice hopefully later this week or early next week.
I'm participating in the NaruHina Fanzine Project to celebrate 10 years since Naruto: The Last (wow time flies, do you feel old yet?). It should be up on their website next month!
As always, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters. The Couple of The Month as well is Soul x Maka from Soul Eater, so I've been posting mini drabbles about them in addition to my original writings, MHA stuff, and NaruHina stuff. I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there!
Let me know your thoughts as always! I'm open on ways to improve!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!