Chapter 6: Blood Ties
"There was no moon. The sky above our heads was inky black. But the sky on the horizon was not dark at all. It was shot with crimson, like a splash of blood. And the ashes blew towards us with the salt wind from the sea."
― Daphne DuMaurier, Rebecca
Naruto & Hinata (Future)-Uzumaki Household
"He doesn't know, does he?" Hinata mutters hoarsely as Naruto gets off the phone with Sasuke.
The heat of another coming day without the kids burns on their skin, sunlight flickering along the squash and okra she just planted with Himawari and Boruto earlier in the month. The plan for the fall months was to start planting pumpkins and lotus root, maybe spend one or two weekends up in the mountains to search for matsutake mushrooms.
'We have to find a way to hopefully get them back home before autumn turns to winter.'
No, they will get their children home before then.
They settle along on the patio steps to idly watch the afternoon drift by, Naruto having already texted and emailed Shikamaru and his advisors he's taking another week off work.
"Take all the time you need Naruto. I already know what planned meetings you had coming up or documents that needed to be reviewed and signed through the end of the year. Focus on your family." Shikamaru motions with a shoo of his hands before he can even enter said office, understanding smile enough to get to turn back around.
That had been nearly a month ago.
He's replayed that fateful afternoon every day in his thoughts and dreams, how Boruto and Himawari slipped too far from his grasp...
Guilt gnaws at him to the point if he isn't sleeping, he's feverishly researching for clues on where in time the children could've got sent too.
"I'm sure that despite this happening, they're handling it together Naruto. In terms of our research, I have a feeling that they're stuck in the past. If it were the future, the technology we have now I feel would've gotten them back to us faster than this." Hinata mentions softly.
'Heh, Boruto would be so mad if he could see me right now. He might see it as I only took time off work when he and Hima have disappeared.' Naruto rubs at his face.
Hell, he'd take off the entire next year too just to hear his complaining and dry retorts again. The pattering of his footsteps about the house, head buried in one of his games with Himawari follows after him with one of her stuffed animals.
"When all of us are back in this house safe and sound, we'll do a long family vacation and I'll spread out my off days." Naruto promises.
But for now, his head thrums, another migraine creeping up.
The sky rumbles in the far distance with rain, gray clouds gathering seeming to follow their despondent moods.
Tear tracks have become permanent marks on her cheeks Hinata lets slide down her chin to her lap, Naruto wraps his arm around her, pulls her to his chest when she feels another sob about to erupt from her throat.
If not even Sasuke knows exactly where in time Boruto and Himawari are, how will anyone else?
"It's more a matter of pinpointing how backwards or forwards in time they are. Without that, it would be a seemingly endless search of millions of points. Additionally, we need to be sure we can get them back to this time period without any damage to their bodies. I know they used a scroll of some sort; we need a similar item that we can use in conjunction to all go back or forward." Sasuke relates.
"The Intricacies of Time: Leaps forward & backwards was the name of the scroll. I shouldn't have...I just didn't consider Boruto would mess around with any of those scrolls and books when both he and Himawari know better." Naruto grunts.
Hinata loops her arm with his. "Please don't keep blaming yourself Dear. We'll figure out a way to get them back."
Sasuke nods along silently as Naruto repeats himself. If not for Hinata's presence beside him, he's sure he would be completely hunched over spiraling over these what-ifs.
He clears his throat to continue on. "If there was a sign of where their presence is or was at, this would be easier. But I'm not going to give up hope and neither should you two. I'll continue to study what I can find in the various dimensions and keep you posted as soon as I track down some type of clue." Sasuke reasons.
Naruto shakes his head of the discussion as he buries his head into his arms.
"No new updates."
Hinata blows out a puff of air. "I know you have the Kage of the other nations looking into leads as well. I-I don't think there's much else we can do right now."
Naruto's stomach grumbles before he can speak, sighing, clutching at his gut to keep it's growling down. He's really only ate light meals and snacks since Boruto and Himawari's becoming stuck somewhere in time.
A half-smile rises to Hinata's lips as she guides them both to stand. "Come on, I can make us some miso ramen with edamame and rice."
"I don't even feel like eating ramen." He mutters, Hinata blinking in surprise before Naruto lets her guide him to their kitchen. He perks up some as the smell of spices, chashu, bok choy, and eggs fill the room.
"We'll feel better with proper food in our systems Naruto." Hinata advises as she takes out cups to measure the soy sauce and miso paste.
He wraps around her side to help chop the spring onions and slice the pork belly, drops a kiss to Hinata's forehead when pearl eyes peer up at him.
"Thanks, we could both use the distraction."
Hinata gives a hum of agreement and smile, brings the pot to the boil just as Naruto's phone buzzes again.
They both look to each other seeing it's Shizune calling.
"Ah, Lord Seventh. Sorry to bother you during this stressful time, but are you and Lady Uzumaki home?" She greets him quickly.
Naruto clears his throat, waves Hinata over once she turns off the stove.
"Yes, we're both home. Has...Has something come up?"
He can hear the sound of her shuffling papers, a muttering to someone else.
"Ah, actually yes! Shikamaru seems to have an update he wants to give you and Lady Uzumaki in person regarding your children as soon as you get the chance."
Boruto, Himawari, & Jiraiya (Past)-Konoha Marketplace District
"Water Release: Typhoon Jet!"
Jiraiya side-steps Boruto's torpedo of water, ducks under Himawari's fingers poised for his chest.
"As much fun as I'm having sparring with you guys, I have to cut it short to actually get some proper intel out of you two, confirm some suspicions I have!" He chimes out before turning away from the siblings.
"Come out now Gamataro, Gamakiro!"
He snaps his fingers, tongues shooting out wrapping around Boruto and Himawari's torsos from behind, forcing them to the ground.
"Ugh, get your dumb toads off of us! I told you everything I know already y'know!" Boruto gripes, wiggling under the Gamatoro's weight to no avail. It isn't so heavy to completely crush him, but it feels like a series of stones are upon his back.
'So he knows a mix of wind, water and lightning. That's quite the amount of ninjutsu to know for a boy his age while his sister has the byakugan. Hasn't used any ninjutsu yet, but she could be hiding another latent ability that just hasn't been fostered yet. Interesting, they both clearly know some basics and more.' Jiraiya observes.
"Sit back Gamatoro." He orders at seeing Boruto nearly squeeze himself out, he's craftier than Hiruzen mentioned from his letter.
Himawari watches him carefully, struggling lessening at seeing Boruto's exhaustion.
Gamakiro sits her up and against him at Jiraiya's nod.
Jiraiya munches on a bag of snacks as he waits for Boruto to settle down, looks to Gamataro when he finally stills before snapping his fingers once more.
His tongue curls around Boruto, sits him upright beside his sister.
"Better?!" Jiraiya supplies at Boruto's frown.
It's been nearly half an hour now since he snuck up on them like this, now watching from the rooftops as the night markets awaken under a sky shades of amber to violet. Most passing civilian and customers pay them no mind or don't even peer up towards them, once again invisible.
Jiraiya shakes his head at Boruto restarts his fidgetinh, taps affectionately at his nose only furthering his frustration.
"Relax, Kid! Be like your sister beside you taking this all-in stride now!" He chortles.
Cobalt twists over to Himawari casually leaning against Gamakiro as a pillow, smile etching her lips when she meets Boruto's gaze.
"Well, it's kind of like having one of my Mr. Toad books come to life!" She beams, pats at Gamakiro's head just as she saw Jiraiya do earlier.
Jiraiya chuckles. Neither were probably going to leave this area without the other, but he can never be too careful.
Boruto rolls his eyes, glares back over the towards the Sannin. "What else do you need from us?!"
Jiraiya waves up a finger as if it's obvious.
"You know, I've spent years interrogating people Kid. Shinobi and civilian, the old and the young. Everyone has a tell when they're lying. Be it a shift of the eyes, squirming, cheeks going red. Some are less obvious than others, but generally it's easy to see when I'm being lied to. In your case, you wrinkle your nose just slightly, flicker your eyes downward."
Boruto clenches his teeth, hates that his face is growing warm under his bemused smile.
He scoffs, looking away first. "How do Hima and I know you're the actual Jiraiya and not some imposter y'know?"
Jiraiya hums at that between bites of dango before snorting at the very idea. "Nah, we both know I'm the real deal! I can't let you go until one of you is fully honest with me!"
'Honest about what?' Boruto purses his lips, if he doesn't know the answer, he doubts Himawari will. He isn't giving them any hints at all on what he truly wants to get out of them. Is it Old Man Third's untimely death in the invasion? The Fourth Shinobi World War?
Bile skims the back of his throat at a sudden thought. 'No way am I telling him about his own death.'
Old Man Third said to limit their discussions of the future except with the proper officials, he can't be sure if Jiraiya qualifies under that category though going by his current behavior.
Himawari sits forward curiously, giggle escaping at their ongoing stalemate.
'It's a bit like Boruto with Papa.'
She clears her throat getting both guy's attention. "Alright, I'll go first! What do you want to know?"
Boruto's annoyance switches to worry. "Hima, we can't just-"
Her eyes fall to him, cerulean softening at his concern. "Maybe it's something easy Big Brother! Besides, we can't just sit on this rooftop all night. Grandpa or one of the guards will come looking for us!"
Jiraiya beams. "Well, I already told Hiashi where you two are via my messenger toads, so no need to worry about that!"
He looks between both siblings, claps his hands.
"Alright, well since you two are pretending like you don't know what I'm talking about, I'll just outright say it! All this talk of things you guys use in the future like emails, internet, texting, and no mention at all of my world-renown Make Out Paradise series?!"
Boruto's features flatten. "...What?"
"My novels! Surely your parents brought them up at least once?! By now, they should've made at least a movie or two about them and I'm probably on my 10th installment in the series! Women must flock to me across the nations with love letters via email or text while directors and publishers want to know when my next books will be out." Jiraiya goes on.
Himawari looks to Boruto, as equally puzzled as him.
Boruto leans forward curiously. Papa and Mama have never let him or Hima look at Jiraiya's novels for a variety of reasons ranging from they wouldn't 'understand it' to not being 'mature' enough yet to read it.
'Wait, now's my chance to just ask him directly to tell me what's in these books! Maybe I'll pick up a skill I can show-off back at the Academy to Shikadai, Inojin, and the others!' He grins.
'Hmm, aren't these the books Papa and Mama try to keep locked away from us? I don't want us to end up opening a book that has secondary abilities within it again like that scroll.' Himawari considers at seeing Boruto's renewed interest.
"Tell us about them y'know! I've asked Mama and Papa before what they're about, but they always change the subject!" Boruto pipes up eagerly.
He and Himawari have experienced a lot now since being in the past, surely that's given them enough wisdom to learn about said tactics and skills he's heard in passing from so many adults that have apparently read his novels.
Jiraiya considers their expressions before rubbing his chin.
"Hold on...how old are you two again?"
"12 and 10!" Himawari chirps out, nodding between them with her head.
Jiraiya goes silent for a long minute before looking away back to the marketplace and mountains.
When he looks back to them, he smiles with less enthusiasm.
"On second thought, never mind! You two aren't old enough yet for my material and I don't want to deal with your parents' wrath! Unless I come out with a kid/teenage version. Hmm, that's a market I've never considered looking into!"
He claps his hands making his summons disappear, casts them both with a serious look as the streetlights flicker on.
"Alright, I've gathered enough from studying you two and Hiruzen's message that you're Boruto and Himawari Uzumaki. The children of Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyūga; correct?"
They nod slowly in unison, Jiraiya pointing to the mountains and forests to the west.
'Those ties could spell trouble should more people find out their true identities.' He considers.
"Way out there are other villages from within the Land of Fire. More people are trickling in for the Finals tournament once the Chunin Exams reach that stage." Jiraiya explains.
Boruto follows his gaze, in the coming dark all he sees is the rolling greenery, silver light pooling along trails that merchants favor for overnight travel, torches and lanterns specks of yellows and reds in the distance.
"Now, Hiruzen mentioned that you two gave him intel on an upcoming invasion into the village. I can tell you that one reason he called me back to the village was to protect you two." Jiraiya mentions as he looks back to them.
Himawari draws in a breath. "From...who?"
Jiraiya taps his fingers against the rooftop tiles.
"Multiple people I suspect. All the Great Nations have history of conflict and tension with each other, though the one from most recent times that would want to destroy Konoha right now I believe is Suna. The Wind Daimyo for years has been doing budget cuts to shinobi assignments for Suna shinobi. While its allowed Konoha to prosper as bodyguard, assassinations, and spying missions got routed to our village instead, Suna has steadily suffered. I'm sure many of their civilian and ninja hold a grudge against us."
Boruto clicks his tongue. "Nobody in Suna knows who we are in this point in time."
Himawari withers. "Actually...I think it was a Suna shinobi I ran into before the Chunin Exams started. Papa dealt with him though I think.
Jiraiya waves up a hand. "It's not just Suna. Kumo has shown interest in the byakugan once before, not to mention just general interest in any nation learning more about time travel should your secret slip out to the wrong person."
He pats at both their heads seeing them slouch with worry, but they all need to be prepared for any potential situations.
It's not necessarily the other nations that concern him though, it's the man Hiruzen only alluded to in his letter to be on the lookout for.
'Even now the Old Man might still have a bleeding heart for that guy.'
But they both know Otogakure exists, that he's probably sent some shinobi to take part in this year's Exams.
"One more thing. The name Orochimaru; does that sound familiar to either of you?"
Naruto, Team 7-Forest Of Death Northwest
"Naruto, that clone of yours or something, didn't you say he was from the future?" Sasuke starts as they walk single file reaching a clearing amid the forestry.
They've gone deep enough in where the sunlight no longer seems to fall from above, surrounded now by lush moss, thickets of bush and trees seemingly as tall as hills.
A yelp echoes in the distance followed by the clash of metal, Sakura stiffening at glowing eyes of creatures watching them from the tree's dark sides.
Naruto blinks, glances over to him.
'Huh? Why's he bringing Boruto up now of all times?'
Sakura's brows furrow. "What clone from the future? Wasn't that just someone who looked like Naruto?"
Sasuke shakes his head, onyx still focused on Naruto.
"I have some questions for him."
Naruto snorts. "Get in line, I have questions for him as well y'know, though why do you need to talk to him? Worried you're not as strong as you thought?"
Sasuke blows out a breath at his cheeky smile, of course Naruto wouldn't make it that easy without wanting to know why.
'All I need to know is if Itachi is dead or alive in their time period. However far in the future they're from.'
Sakura looks to him as well for an answer, jade swirling with silent interest.
He balls his hands at his sides. "The future. There's just one thing I want to know and I'm sure that kid probably knows."
Naruto studies his posture, huffs. "You're gonna have to tell me more than just that; you can't just be your usual moody jerkass self when you need a favor! I mean, I'm not even sure I'm supposed to be interacting with him and his sis too much based on what Old Man Third said..."
Sasuke bristles, eyes narrowing. "And yet you just said you planned to talk to him moron. Actually, I don't need your permission. I've heard through talk from the shopkeepers that he and his sister are staying at the Hyūga compound. I'll just go there once we're done with these Exams."
Sanguine flashes through azure.
"No." Naruto asserts.
He relaxes his shoulders seeing his and Sakura's startled looks. He's sure that Hiashi's guards or whatever would keep Sasuke away, but there's always a chance he could slip through them...
'I need to confirm first if Hinata and I are their future parents.'
Sakura hums as she steps between them both before they grow any more volatile. She'd assumed, like Ino, that odd boy was just one of Naruto's clones, him maybe trying to do some odd prank.
But Naruto's being oddly protective of them, probably knows more about their backstory than he's ready to tell her and Sasuke right now.
'That boy and his sister looked to be around our age. Could be children of people we all know even. So if they're really from the future, it has to be at least a good couple of years from now, at least 10-20 years.' She estimates with a quick work of math.
Her heart skitters, glances to Sasuke before shaking her head.
'No, that's not important right now Sakura! Think about where you are!' She snaps at herself, pinches her arm to keep said thoughts away.
Because more important than learning about her potential love life in the future is to figure out where she stands as a kunoichi.
Naruto straightens. "Anyways, I'm gonna go take a quick leak, then we can go find us an Earth scroll!"
Sakura wrinkles her nose in disgust.
"Ugh, we didnt need to know that!"
Sasuke holds up a hand before he can go.
"Wait, you and that doppelgänger of yours are already familiar with being confused for the other. The same thing can happen here in these very woods, so we need a way to identify each other via a code."
Naruto squirms impatiently, but nods.
"Fine, but hurry it up before my bladder bursts y'know!"
Sasuke rolls his eyes at his theatrics. "Just remember this poem we learned in class: the shinobi strikes in the midnight air, always listens for any flares. Stays hidden amid the dark should he see any sparks."
Sakura nods confirmation while Naruto sends him a puzzled look in return.
Good, it went completely over his head.
He disappears into the bushes, shuffling spiking Sasuke's nerves while Sakura keeps looking away.
'This place is filled with shinobi of various skill. We split up early, what if someone attacked him?' Sasuke clicks his tongue.
Even just doing his business could alert another team to their presence.
But then Naruto returns minutes later with a bloody kunai in hand.
Sasuke takes one look at the blade and Naruto's flat grin.
'What just happened?'
"Hey, so some perv was watching me go and was listening in on us! But, in more pisitive news, I feel relieved now!'
Sasuke holds up his own kunai before he can step closer.
"Wait! What's the password?"
Naruto blinks, shrugs. "Yeah we both know I wasn't going to bother memorizing that! For once, maybe it's a good thing I'm not a smartass like you!"
'That's not something to be proud of!' Sakura rubs at her head while Sasuke lowers his kunai after a quick head to toe assessment of him.
"Good thing I know how dumb you are." Sasuke retorts.
He pauses as he looks over Naruto's shoulders to the bushes, tensing for just a second at the blood leaking from a boy's neck pooling into the ground.
Stab wounds mar his back, jagged marks that stretch like cracks.
His stomach plunges, Naruto did that.
'What did that guy say to make him so mad?'
Hinata, Team 8-Forest of Death Southeast
"So, you ever gonna tell us what that cousin of yours did to piss you of all people off like that?" Kiba chuckles.
With both Heaven and Earth scroll in tow, all she wants to think about is heading to the tower, focusing on whatever their next objective is.
"Hinata will tell us in due time. Why? Because it could be something related to clan politics that isn't our business." Shino voices for her, nods to his beetles at which way they should go next.
Kiba gives him a bored look. It's no wonder people find him so weird seeing him talk to his beetles like that and speak in that questioning manner.
'It's nothing related to the Hyūga clan really.' Hinata nearly wants to say, pursing her lips shut.
Bringing up Boruto and Himawari is just going to lead to more questions, questions she doesn't have the answer to, but wants to know herself.
Shino holds up a hand before they can step forward, Kiba sniffing the air.
Sand and blood.
They crouch low right as they see the Sand Siblings turn the corner.
"Their blood was hardly satisfying. I know there's more people in the area." Gaara starts, all three sensing him look their way.
Hinata feels her heartbeat turn into a gallop, Kiba covering Akamaru's low whimpers.
Kankuro chuckles. "I hope one of them's that boy who hit me with that rock. I want to return the favor."
Gaara steps forward just as a voice calls to them from behind.
"Hey, you three! Give us your scroll and we may let you live!"
As soon as Gaara's attention turns to the man's umbrella do they slip the opposite way quickly.
None of then speak for the next few hours, focus alone on completing this second phase.
"Oh man, the chakra coming off that red haired guy gave me the chills! I don't think Akamaru and I have ever felt that in any shinobi we've come across." Kiba mentions when the tower comes into view.
Shino nods slowly. "All of the Sand siblings are formidable opponents. Those three that challenged them won't survive."
Kurenai beams in approval at their arrival, not the first or the last to make it.
Hinata's gaze catches with Neji's amid her searching for Naruto's team.
"Neji! This way! Gai-sensei wants to check your cheek!" Lee beckons him.
His bruise has faded to a sickly yellowish purple, looking away first from her.
A hand brushes at her shoulder, Kurenai looking her over, scarlet warm with concern.
"What did he do?"
Hinata sighs gently.
"H-He attacked two clan members that are important to me. He's...apologized, but I don't really believe anything he's said."
Boruto, Himawari, and Jiraiya-Taiho Sushi & Unagi
"I'm borrowing these two for just an hour or two more!" Jiraiya chimes out.
The guards have reluctantly let him pass to greet the Hyūga patriarch properly, waving when he sees his approach.
'Gramps looks like he's ready for bed.' Boruto muses, Hiashi donned in the formal robes he and Himawari only see him wear at night.
Hiashi peers from him to Boruto and Himawari, sighs before nodding.
"No later than 11:00 pm. They still need proper rest as growing children."
Jiraiya nods earnestly, picks up the duo onto his shoulders, heading into the forests instead of the markets.
"Where are we going?" Himawari questions, Jiraiya lightly shushing her.
"To one of my favorite hole-in-the-walls when I need to discuss business!"
Boruto lifts his head up just slightly hearing that, through the leaves and shrubbery gives way to a traveling restaurant cart, thin wisps of whites and grays coating the dark.
Redwood covers the countertops, walls decorated with pictures from the various nations. Mountains towering into the clouds to low lying waterfalls.
Jiraiya urges them forward, plops down on the stool next to them.
"Matsuda, we'll take three of the usual." He gives him a nod at his signal, clicks on his radio playing out the sounds of pattering rain and night crickets.
"Good. Now nobody can listen in on us! So, do you two know Orochimaru?"
Boruto straightens.
"Not really. I mean, I think I overheard Papa say his son is going to transfer to the Academy next semester."
Jiraiya blinks, features morphing into confusion. "Son? Who would he have...no, never mind that for now. Though this means he's really back in the village."
Himawari taps at his shoulder at his muttering.
"I've seen him while shopping with Mama! He's half human, half-snake, right?!"
Jiraiya reviews her description as she draws him out on a napkin.
Same golden eyes, long black hair.
He nods his confirmation, he hasn't bothered with a disguise if this is how she saw him.
'Did the Old Man pardon his crimes? Even sensei with these new developments should see Orochimaru is too far gone to keep alive.'
But, years from now, Orochimaru will still be alive.
Back in Konoha too.
And has a son apparently if what Boruto heard is true.
'The man I know would kill his own son just to experiment on his flesh and bones.' Jiraiya scowls.
"You both need to stay away from him and anything connected and concerning him as long as you're stuck in the past. Orochimaru currently is a rogue shinobi who defected from Konoha years ago. He desires immortality and dabbles in unethical experiments. I'm sure he wouldn't hesitate to study you two if he ever learned you're from the future, not to mention your blend of Uzumaki and Hyūga DNA." Jiraiya instructs.
Matsuda slides down 3 plates of unagi with rice, veggies, and eggs.
"We haven't had unagi in a while." Boruto notes.
Jiraiya grins again. "Well, don't just look at it, it's on me, so dig in!"
"Hot! Very hot, but yummy!" Himawari pipes up between bites, cheeks burning pink from the heat.
Boruto tears at it from the side, catches Jiraiya's stare and beams.
"Thank you!" He muffles out, Jiraiya shaking his head.
"Chew first, then speak Kid!"
Boruto continues on anyways. "Where do you think Orochimaru currently is y'know?"
Jiraiya hums thoughtfully, onyx drifting to the Forest of Death.
"Could be anywhere!" He jests to calm their worried looks.
Boruto squeezes at Himawari's arm.
"We don't need to be super concerned Hima! Papa has Kurama if things get bad!"
Himawari brightens at his name. "Oh yeah, that's true! Papa and Mama will be fine then!"
Jiraiya arches a brow. 'Kurama?'
He makes a mental note to question them on that later, knows they have their guards up to any further questions for today. They pass each other knowing looks when Jiraiya tries to listen further, say nothing more on the topic.
Himawari rubs at her eyes, Jiraiya chuckling as he puts down his ryo.
"Alright, who's ready for a piggyback ride back?!"
Himawari readily raises her arms up in response as Jiraiya grabs her, Boruto opting to walk until he lifts him up too.
He doesnt even try to fight him, dropping his head right into his hair.
"You're lucky I'm tired y'know." Boruto grunts.
"Yeah, Yeah. So you say." Jiraiya volleys back.
Sleepy and full, he hoists them onto his shoulders, nods to Matsuda.
"Until next time."
Matsuda nods back, gestures to the siblings
"Don't scare those two too much. I've seen how they've been treated by a lot of the civilian and even other shinobi during my pick up of supplies. Not their fault how they look."
Jiraiya silently nods, moves forward away from his stall as it becomes coated with mist.
Phase two of the exams has already started, he's sent a toad to make contact with Anko and the other proctors, but it's probably too late.
Orochimaru has certainly already infiltrated as one of the genin.
Clouds blot out the moon briefly as his mind reels him back to their last conversation on a night similar to this before burying it back down. The remnants of their friendship have long since died since the discovery of the corpses he took from the war...
But, none of that ever curbed his true obsession.
'He still must desire the sharingan.'
-x-
I know a lot if you have wondered what Naruto and Hinata's future selves were up to, this is the first sprinkle of them as they won't show up again for a good while!
I'll be heading to the airport later this evening my time, so I'll be on a mini writing break until October as I visit family overseas!
BUT, I do plan to add and have already posted some extra side storylines for this story on my pa-tre-on in addition to the usual early chapters, bonus content, and my original writings. I go by the TheLovelyMidnightWriter there!
Let me know your thoughts!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!