Chapter 3: Family Reunion!

Hitomi-Name I'll use be using for Hinata & Hanabi's Mom/Hiashi's Wife per reader comments/suggestions!

"Live today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Just today. Inhabit your moments. Today is calling to you, trying to get your attention, but you're stuck on tomorrow, and today trickles away like water down a drain."

-― Jerry Spinelli, Love, Stargirl

Naruto & Hinata-Hyūga Compound

'I'm your future daughter, Hinata. No, he'll turn me away before I can even finish speaking.'

Dozens of options come to mind on how to greet Hiashi, none sounding any better than the last when she repeats them back to herself under her breath.

Father must be expecting her though, manor quiet despite this time of day. It comes into view as she turns the corner, rooftop tiles tinted with ambers and golds from afternoon light.

'Naruto hid himself out of sight.' Hinata notes, half looks behind her to no longer see familiar blond hair or orange-black attire.

But she senses him still tracking her from the shadows, blows out a breath that this will all hopefully go well.

She doesn't recognize either of the guards ahead, Hiroshi and Hizoto probably too young currently to hold any official titles or duties.

Still, the pair lift up their naginata blades at her approach, only lower them slightly seeing the white eyes trademark of their clan.

"You...are you a Main or Branch member returning from assignment?" The man on her left asks.

Hinata purses her lips, lie on the tip of her tongue to say Branch when footsteps approach from ahead.

Hiashi.

The pair instantly straighten and bow at his approach, Hinata taking in her Father's younger features. Stress lines don't mar his cheeks or under his eyes, auburn locks not yet peppered with the beginnings of telltale gray at the roots she's only witnessed once or twice.

Though pearl eyes are just as icy and stoic as what she's used to seeing, arms crossed.

"So you came here after all. Fine, let us go to the back in my private quarters. Hirazuki and Hiroyomi here will ensure we have no interruptions." Hiashi orders, nods for Hinata to give follow.

Memories flit to life of the compound during this era, the parts of the grounds not yet built to make way for coming Branch and Main members over the years. The koi pond glistens an emerald blue as they walk by, fish swimming towards the water's edge as a hand drops low towards them.

Hitomi.

"Mother." Hinata whispers seeing her giggle at a patch of silver-orange koi nibbling at the tips of her fingers.

"Don't worry, I brought enough for everyone." She chimes out softly.

And Hinata's pace slows to watch her, head pulsing at a particular memory.

"Don't be afraid Hinata, I'm right here beside you." Hitomi promises, grabs at her hand to gently pull her closer. They take in their reflections in the water's ripples, breath in the scent of hydrangeas, tulips, and lavender nearby.

Hinata's eyes skirt between her and back inside, the chants of sparring echoing behind them.

"Everyone, again! Palms up! 1...2...3!" Grandfather shouts.

Hinata squirms with the ends of her kimono, dark blue threading twisting and pulling under the weight of her grip. "Shouldn't I...be inside watching them? Father said starting next year I'll need to join in."

Hitomi's smile cracks for a moment before shaking her head with a renewed smile.

"No, you don't need to go in there just yet sweetie. I won't allow it until Hanabi is at least a year old."

Hinata follows her gaze to her sister as gently rocks her at her light stirring, first time seeing her up close since her birth last week. A grin etches up her lips taking in ruddy cheeks and soft brown locks.

'I'm a Big Sister now.'

The title led to a flurry of whispers behind her back regarding heiress duties and responsibilities, words she couldn't fully understand that always fell to a hush whenever Grandfather or Father stepped into the room.

Hitomi hugs her back to her side before she can protest staying out here longer or dwell on the thought, Hinata beaming as she shrouds her in warmth against a cool spring breeze. Hitomi grins back as Hinata burrows into her to avoid her fellow clansmen's stares, fingers brushing at her locks.

"Stay as close to me as you need dear because I won't let anyone change my mind on this. Come, you haven't had lunch yet; have you? I'll show you how to make those cinnamon rolls you've gained a sweet tooth for."

Hiashi roughly pulls on her arm as soon as their eyes lock in the here and now, forces her attention forward.

"I didn't say to stop. Keep going and match my pace."

Inside his private quarters he's already set up two mats, cups of tea placed on opposite sides of each other.

Hinata straightens, ignores the lurch in her chest feeling Hitomi's eyes follow them silently.

"I can assume I don't need to repeat what you already saw of my records?" Hinata begins gently once they're situated.

Hiashi nods, white eyes hardening to steel. "Yes, I'm well aware via Lord Third who you are and how you got here. Something about a war taking place in your time period and a scroll sending you back for your own protection?"

Hinata sips at her tea, mulls over how to go about this. "Correct. I'm from about 16 years in the future. I...I would like to discuss some matters regarding the future of our clan."

Hiashi arches a brow, Hinata forcing her posture to keep still.

"Oh? And what changes does my future daughter feel are necessary for the Hyūga?"

Hinata presses on despite his tone. "We should be united as one clan instead of split between Main and Branch families. It...It will breed resentment, and I don't want to repeat such negativity with Neji or-"

Hiashi holds up a hand. "No. You realize you're asking to change a policy we've had in place since the Warring States Era, right? It was created to prevent outside clans and rogue shinobi from learning the secrets to the byakugan. You've surely been taught this in our clan's private lessons; haven't you?"

Hinata nods, clicks her tongue. "Yes, of course. But that doesn't mean it should continue on through the decades. There's going to be a Kumo shinobi that will try to kidnap me in 3 years and though you kill him, it leads to Kumo wanting a body back in return for the killing."

Hiashi's eyes a fraction seeing where she's going with this.

"Hizashi, is he-?"

"He goes in your place yes, because he has the curse seal." Hinata answers before he can finish.

A mix of features cross Hiashi's face before they flatten all at once.

"-Though this pains me, so be it if it can't be prevented any other way once we get to that point in time. The curse seal is useful in times like that and yet you wish for us to abolish it?"

Hinata's hands curl in her lap with Hiashi noting the action, the flicker of anger in her eyes. His eldest is a lot more soft-spoken reminding him of Hitomi. It's not exactly what he expected or needs her to be based on the details he'd gotten about her, tests the frustration simmering and cracking just below her neutral look.

"Why did they choose you for that assignment that led you back to this time period?" He pursues.

Hinata draws in a breath.

Because her other clansmen had already been sent to the frontlines, because she wanted an assignment that separated her from needing to rely on Neji, Ko, or anyone else...

To fight alongside Naruto.

"Did you think you'd change my mind on Curse Seal with that example alone? The Branch family exists to serve the Main, to protect and sacrifice themselves should the byakugan ever be in danger of being compromised." Hiashi reiterates.

Her hands coil tighter. "Even if that means the loss of your twin brother? The death of your fellow clansmen that fought beside you on and off the battlefield? There are other ways to protect our clan's secrets Father without punishment of a seal we can activate at any time-"

Hiashi gets to a standing position, gaze fully dark now matching her own ire.

"Challenge me then; right now. If you can back up your words with action, I'll truly consider it."

Her stomach tosses about like a storm under his frigid stare, pushes down reluctance as she gets up to match his stance.

"Alright."

Hiashi starts the countdown before racing forward, jabs straight into her left arm and side knocking the breath out of her. He was never this rough even during their most intense spars before she left for the Island Turtle or in her younger years, maneuvers to not fully stay on the defensive or in such close range.

"Slow, you're holding back. Are you really even my daughter? The future heiress? Fight me like I'm truly your opponent and not your Father." He sneers.

Hinata abruptly moves to the side before his hands can pierce at her shoulders and arms to make her fall, strikes the center of his back briefly stunning him.

"I am." Hinata scowls as he momentarily pauses, Hiashi cutting a hand through the air before she can attack any further at his blind spot.

She shifts backward at the gust of wind, teacups spilling over, moves in for his left side before he can fully take out her right. She imbues lightning along the tips of her fingers, rushes to match his speed once more as their palms clash.

"Rotation!"

Hiashi spins the current of electricity away, streak of black scorching against the oakwood.

"Interesting. But still not enough."

Hinata ducks before he can fully jab at her right shoulder, jabs fire into both his knees briefly toppling him.

Still, that doesn't stop his right hand poised for her chest before he completely falls...

A hand jumps between them before the Gentle Fist can connect.

"Hiashi, stop this!"

Hitomi's voice is a thunder, pair stilling in place.

She takes in her husband's injuries first, quickly dabs cool water against his burnt knees, bruises forming shades of violet to crimson along his legs before opalescent shifts to Hinata.

"Are you alright?" She questions gently.

Hinata mutely nods.

Hitomi nods slowly in return at that, smiles faintly. "I'll deal with my husband now. There's much we need to discuss with what I overheard from you two."

Her chest clenches, fingers reaching for her kimono before she can help it. "M-Mother, I-"

Hitomi pats at her hand meeting her halfway and her heart crumples seeing her wary expression. "I...I see you get your features from me. However, for now, please leave with your guest."

'Guest?' Hinata repeats to herself.

Naruto approaches from the trees, eyes wild and dark. Two sets of guards move out of the shadows as well should he try anything.

Hinata glances from them to Hitomi, swallows back the taste of blood.

"I-I will visit another time once things are cleared up." She finds her voice.

Hitomi doesn't answer, curtly nods as she gets Hiashi to a standing position back into his private quarters, guards following blocking her from intruding.

Everything moves in slow motion after that as she steps over fallen tea and burnt floorboards. Naruto pulls her against him, any other officers kept at bay from a single look sent in their direction.

They stop at the Naka River before they go back to Minato and Kushina's apartment, Hinata blinking back a sting of tears taking in her reflection.

It doesn't look as bad is it hurts.

Naruto squeezes at her hand, chuckles weakly. "Sorry, I should've asked Mom where she keeps the first aid kit to have brought it along."

She studies the bruise blooming against her left cheek, constellation of cuts and marks growing along her arms and legs too. She reddens as her eyes turn to Naruto when his fingers brush at her face. Hinata catches his hand before he can drop it, holds it against the band-aid he places on.

Her mind swirls with wondering taking in the light flush to his own face at what he would've done if Hitomi hadn't stepped in when she did, chest starting to ease some.

"Thank you for coming."

Naruto shakes his head, azure brightening. "Of course! Next time, I'll even join in if you want me to y'know!"

Hinata giggles, slowly pushes herself to a standing position.

"L-Let's head back."

Naruto points in the northwest direction before they go too far. "Ah, before I forget, Dad said they moved to a bigger location. Got a messenger toad saying we have extra guests, but he didn't go into detail beyond that."

Hinata hums at that as they arrive at this new mansion via the toad's directions, pause noting a blond and violet haired child playing near the gate's entrance.

The girl looks up to them first hearing their footsteps, beams racing forward.

"You're late Papa, Mama!" Himawari chimes out.

The boy holds back, frowns as the girl slips out of his reach. "Wait Hima, you're gonna confuse them y'know!"

'Dad? Are my parents babysitting or something?' Naruto questions, looks around for Minato and Kushina.

Himawari launches herself at Naruto's legs, nuzzles in.

Oh, she meant him.

'Eh?!' Naruto looks to Hinata, equally puzzled.

"Welcome back!" Himawari continues on despite Naruto and Hinata's perplexed looks.

Boruto tries and fails to pull Himawari off, gives up at feeling his parent's stares.

"Ah, do you have us confused for someone else?" Hinata questions.

He shakes his head, points at them both.

"No, you're our parents. We're from the future too y'know!"

Uzumaki Family/Naruto, Hinata, & Jiraiya-Living Room & Front Yard

"Unfortunately, we haven't gotten any new updates from Lord Third. Or really have any full details yet on that scroll they came to the past with y'know!" Kushina starts with a clap of her hands.

The past two days they've gotten relatively the same answers: they don't know how Boruto and Himawari got here either.

The scroll they used remains indecipherable.

Minato clears his throat, glances towards to the center clock.

11:00 AM.

His official inauguration ceremony is set for 1:00 PM sharp today.

He peers over to Himawari dozing on Naruto's chest without care, Naruto having scooped her up at her prodding. Boruto meanwhile tries and fails to focus on a book he found for him on shinobi weapons, gaze skirting between the pages and his sister.

Kushina catches Minato's eye, snickers.

But Hinata beats her to it, pats the empty spot beside her.

"Um Boruto, right? Do...Do you want to lay down as well?"

He's been far more tense than his sister, unsure how to speak to them or behave besides polite mutterings and walking on eggshells around them.

'I hope Father isn't too harsh on him in the future.' Hinata considers at his nervousness.

"No, No, I'm okay. But thank you." Boruto mutters.

Naruto snorts beside her, points to the spot beside him instead.

"You can barely keep your eyes open and you keep looking in our direction y'know! Ya don't have to lie about it if you're sleepy! Hinata and I don't bite!"

Hinata reddens at his declaration, but grins.

"Naruto, we can't force him." She adds in gently seeing Boruto's stiff posture.

Kushina too gives him a pointed look and he winces, scowl twisting at Boruto's features now when he looks back towards him.

"Nobody asked you Old Man!"

Naruto clicks his tongue. "I'm 16. That's not old!"

Boruto shrugs. "You're practically Grandpa's age at the moment."

'Oh, he's lucky Hima's on my lap right now y'know!' Naruto matches his frown into a staring contest, only stopped by a flash of scarlet locks blocking his view.

Kushina walks up behind Boruto, flicks at his head causing a light yelp before picking him up and setting him down beside Hinata unceremoniously.

"No back talk mister! Now lay down. I know you were up late reading and walking around past midnight." She orders.

Boruto hurriedly does as she wants without argument, head settling between Naruto and Hinata.

Kushina moves behind her son next, lightly flicks his head too.

"Behave! No being rude to each other y'know!"

Naruto nods, deflates as she returns back to Minato's side.

"Since today is the launch of me becoming the Fourth Hokage, Kushina and I will unfortunately be away for most of the day. We bought plenty of food, drinks, and snacks. I also set up toads around the parameter incase anything happens; do you all remember the family code?" Minato begins.

Naruto and Hinata nod in unison. "The whirlpool swirls counterclockwise in the north."

"I set up some sealing traps as well, but Boruto and Hima can still play around the yard! They're just extra precautions! Do you need us to run any last-minute errands before we head for the Hokage Rock?" Kushina asks.

Naruto peers to Hinata who shakes her head, if anything, it feels like they're being too over prepared.

Naruto waves up a hand. "We can handle the house for a few hours y'know! I...I kind of just wish I could go to the ceremony too."

There's little information he's gotten on how his Dad was as Hokage, no matter now short his tenure was.

But he and Hinata already stick out too much, guests from neighboring nations are going to be in attendance.

They aren't even supposed to be in this era.

'Best not to risk more gossip or intel potentially spreading.' He sighs.

Minato ruffles gently at his head.

"We'll get some training in once these celebrations die down."

Azure brightens some at the prospect, nods.

The house falls silent as soon as they're gone, Boruto and Himawari's soft breathing filling the space between them.

Naruto scratches at his cheek, considers a thought that's been weighing at him.

"Boruto...he kind of reminds me of you. Well, not a minute ago when he called me old. Before that!"

Hinata giggles, shuffles with her toes.

"It's like Kushina said though, he's a mini you. Even Himawari looks like you."

Naruto shakes his head at that. "Nah, she's got your hair plus the byakugan too. When Boruto took the last pancake; you saw how mad she got! Heh, it's just the whiskers, not sure they like that they got that from me!"

Hinata blinks. "I like your whiskers Naruto. What's wrong with them?"

'Because they remind people of this Tailed Beast in me, that they're worried I'll lose control and unleash it one day.'

But those words stay on his tongue, shrugging instead.

His stomach twists more with asking if Hinata is okay with this. He's pretty sure none of the girls their age or even from back at the Academy would be happy with this news of having kids with him. He's nobody's type really after all going by how many girls are attracted to guys with looks similar to Sasuke or Sai. He couldn't have told Mom and Dad that back then in his mindscape or even now how unpopular he truly is.

'Is Hinata happy about this? Disappointed? Disgusted? Mad? Confused?'

Hinata leans against his shoulder, face a deep pink avoiding his searching gaze.

"I'm glad Naruto. I-I can tell you have a thousand thoughts racing in your mind."

He releases a breath, beams feeling his chest lighten.

'Because I love you Naruto.'

A warmth washes over him recalling that, throat tightening up wondering if her feelings have changed any since then. She had said that to him once, right before rage had consumed him, right before everything with Pain spilled into war...

'Maybe I should ask her about that to be sure I wasn't imagining it!'

At least to hear her say it again.

"Do...Do you still love me?" Naruto asks tentatively.

Hinata squirms for a fleeting second, nods.

"Of course, and...not just as a friend. However, you don't have to answer me back just yet." She assures him.

Heat runs over him once more in elation, Himawari stretching her hands into his face before he can answer back everything running across his mind.

Dazedly, she looks around, recalls where she is when she peers up to Naruto and Hinata.

"Papa? No, younger Papa and Mama?" Himawari clarifies.

Naruto nods, not sure what to make of that title as she slides down to the floor.

She peers over to outside, brightens seeing sunlight falling along the greenery. They haven't had a chance to fully clear out the front or backyard of webs, weeds, and creeping vines, Naruto giving follow as she races for the door.

"Let's play hide and seek!" Himawari declares.

Hinata hangs back. "One of us should stay with Boruto-"

"I'm up! I wanna join too y'know!" Boruto leaps up from the sofa, takes Himawari's hand as they weave into a nearby bush.

"Hima and I will hide first. You guys can be the seekers! No peeking Papa or Mama using her byakugan!" Boruto calls out.

Naruto pauses, listens for the direction of their giggles as he counts down from 10.

He nods for Hinata to go right while he'll go left.

'Hmm, well they can't have gone too far away considering all the seals and traps Mom and Dad put down. Maybe up into the trees?' Naruto wonders, peers upward just to check.

Nothing.

He twists to head for the front yard only for Himawari to pounce upon him out of a foliage of leaves, skin an ashen white.

"P-Papa, look! There's a ghost at the front gate!"

Naruto's brows furrow, follows the direction she points in before freezing.

'Pervy-Sage?'

Boruto hops down from the roof, eyes narrowing to scrutinize the man.

"That's not a ghost Hima, it's just Old Man Jiraiya, remember? Papa's mentor." He reasons.

But he hesitates at stepping forward seeing Naruto's pained expression.

And he recalls then a bank and school holiday Old Man Kakashi put into place: War Remembrance Day.

"How come Mr. Toad Gramps isn't buried at the cemetery like Uncle Neji, Inojin's Gramps, Shikadai's Gramps, and the other shinobi heroes who died in the war?" Boruto questions.

Naruto squeezes at his hand in return as Himawari toddles over to Jiraiya's memorial site, pats at his headstone before placing down the sunflower.

"Good job Hima!" Hinata cheers her on as she maneuvers back to them with glee, watches in awe as she lights the incense.

"Naruto chuckles at the moniker, sits down gliding Boruto's fingers across the spelling of Jiraiya's name and titles. "Jiraiya, Boruto. Err, but I called him Pervy-Sage. He was my teacher and many others mentors before me so that's what I used for his headstone. As for why he's not buried at Konoha's cemetery? Well, his body was unfortunately never found."

Boruto nods along, follows his lead clapping his hands. He offers his fallen sensei a cup of sake and karaage. Naruto grinning as they settle back into the shade.

"Pervy-Sage. Mom. Dad. Please keep watching over us."

"He's not dead...right?" Boruto presses at his silence, grabs at his pants leg to keep his distance.

Naruto shakes his head slowly, blinks back the burn of tears coming.

The last time he saw Jiraiya they enjoyed a bowl of ramen together at Ichiraku's, he planned to fully investigate the Akatsuki's leader while he would try to track down Itachi.

"I'll treat you to anything you want on the menu Kid once we're both done with our assignments!"

If he knew back then it was a potential suicidial assignment, he would've asked him to bring reinforcements. Would've forced Granny to add some backup whether Pervy-Sage wanted it or not...

If he knew, his future children wouldn't be wondering right now if he's a ghost.

He steps forward without thinking, Boruto and Himawari hesitantly moving with him.

Jiraiya meanwhile fidgets with disarming a wire trap, scowls as he gets stung again.

'What type of seals and barriers did they place around here knowing I was coming?! Geez, its like a minefield! How am I supposed to get around all this?!' He grunts, tired of getting shocked.

"Pervy-Sage!" Naruto declares excitedly, beams taking him in alive and here, reaches a hand forward.

And stops himself seeing Jiraiya's blank look.

'This is the past. This is the past!' He thoughts berate him.

He drops his hand to the side, balls it away.

"Sorry, I, err-"

Jiraiya waves up a hand, scoffs. "Pervy-Sage, huh? That's an awful name for children of the future to call me!"

Naruto hesitates as he goes back to fidgeting with the traps.

"What...What are you doing?"

Jiraiya hums, scratches a hand through his hair. "Oh you know, deactivating these traps Minato and Kushina put up. I guess I gotta do this the long way if you aren't gonna let me in!"

Naruto blinks before snapping his fingers.

'That's right! Old Man Third and Dad said they sent him a message!'

"We'll let you in Mr. Toad! It's okay to, right Papa?" Himawari answers, glances to Naruto for confirmation.

"Wait! Have you confirmed Jiraiya's identity?" Hinata comes up behind them.

Jiraiya peers over to her, looks her up and down before grinning back to Naruto.

"Got a Hyūga girl in here too, huh? Seems we have similar taste in body types Kid! In fact, I would say-"

Naruto pulls Hinata behind him before he can finish, Jiraiya studying him curiously seeing a flicker of vermilion run across his eyes.

'Hmm, those eyes just then looked eerily similar to Kushina when she's pissed.' Jiraiya regards.

"You're right, this isn't Jiraiya. Let's all stay away from him."

He begins to pull them all away, Jiraiya instantly pouting.

"Hey wait, I only go for older ladies! Don't leave; these seals and traps will take hours to days to deactivate!"

Naruto rolls his eyes as he looks back at him over his shoulder.

"Oh stop pretending already y'know! You deactivated those first seals/traps easily and could've been hopped the fence."

Boruto blinks in surprise as Jiraiya's easygoing grin briefly slips, jumps over the gate with ease.

He cracks at his neck and arms. "Well, well. Guess you do know me Kid! Or at least you did know me considering these kiddos here think I'm a ghost. You thought I was a ghost too for a brief second, didn't you? Seems Minato and Sarutobi-sensei were right in saying you guys come from a dark timeline."

Naruto looks down, cerulean clouding, says nothing to confirm or deny his theories.

'You already know.' He purses his lips as Jiraiya's gaze softens.

"So, which one of you exactly am I supposed to be researching more into? I have a rough idea from staring at all of your features and what I've already overheard."

Hinata speaks up for Naruto.

"All of us. We're all from the future at different points of time."

Minato & Kushina-Hokage Tower Banquet Room

"Congrats again to Namikaze, oh I guess I should call him Lord Fourth now! You two must be so excited to move into the Hokage's private residence!" Momoko gushes, tips her wine glass out to Kushina.

Kushina forces a light giggle with a nod, clinks her glass back before setting it aside as soon as her eyes move away to Reina on the opposite side of the room.

Outside, she watches as the sun dips low on the horizon, wisps of pinks and reds slowly darkening to black.

A soreness crawls down her back, wiggles her toes to relax.

'Good thing the sake being served is clear enough that nobody would notice me sipping water instead. Naruto, Hinata, and the kids would be so bored here like me! I'm getting tired of this small talk!' She stifles a yawn.

Minato weaves his way to her side.

"Just one more hour to go Dear."

Kushina smiles genuinely at his arrival, nods. "Yeah, I'm not sure how much more gossip I can take on if Mr. Asashi's son is actually his or not or if Madam Natsume really did forget to pay for all her groceries last week. The horror!"

He drops his head towards her neck, tips of her ears warming at the feather-like kiss he brushes there.

He clears his throat softly and she nods discreetly for him to go on.

"Master Jiraiya made contact with the children. As soon as it's polite enough to give an excuse to leave, we will."

'Ah, that explains the sensor going off in pocket.'

She'd nearly bolted back for the house, only stopped by catching Minato's stare, same buzz alerting him in his vest.

Violet eyes glitter in rising amusement.

"Should I create a distraction? I already stick out with my red hair and avoiding of all alcohol sent my way."

Minato chuckles at the thought, she would do it if he gave her the go ahead to feign a dizzy spell or stomach cramp.

"No, I saw Mikoto near the punch bowl. I can meet you there once I've chatted with every dignitary and ambassador in attendance."

Kushina restrains a giggle as Koharu and Homura come up behind him as if having heard him, stacks of paper in hand.

"Lord Fourth! We're glad we caught you before the night ends! There are some policies Hiruzen put into place during his tenure we'd like to discuss with you on continuing and some new additions we think will benefit the village." Homura begins.

She doesn't miss the way their gazes skirt to her, to her stomach.

Minato sends her a brief panicked look.

"Ah, sure! Though, must it be tonight? Festivies are all around us."

Kushina grabs at his hand seeing Koharu raise up a hand that she won't take no for an answer.

"Sorry, my husband and I are in the midst of an intimate conversation which you two just rudely interrupted y'know! Unless you want to hear about how we're personally going to celebrate tonight...?" She trails off.

The pair's faces flush, Kushina twisting them away before they sputter out how unbecoming she's acting as wife of the Hokage now.

Minato snickers under his breath.

"Well, the implications of that statement are going to be stuck on their minds for weeks now."

Kushina winks at his grin.

"You're welcome!"

Mikoto smiles at her approach, nods with her head to the duo as the reluctantly head back over to Danzo, Hiruzen, and other colleagues from their generation.

"I swear you say the silliest things without care Kushina!"

Kushina scratches at her cheek hearing a hush of whispers to her right, eyes upon that them look away as soon as she glances in their direction. Really, she should've chosen her words better. The last thing she wants to do is inadvertently embarrass Minato.

Her gaze falls to Mikoto's tiny bump, nudges her gently.

"You and Fugaku are expected another child?! Ooh, do you think it will be another boy?"

Mikoto gently hushes her. "It's still too early to tell Kushina! Fugaku says he doesn't care either way as he's focusing so much on Itachi's training. However, Itachi has told me in secret he hopes for another boy. A strong bond between brothers."

Kakashi-ANBU Headquarters/Konoha Marketplace

"Great work as usual Kakashi. You're dismissed."

He nods, turns away to head home before reminding himself he needs to get groceries, pet food too.

And a congratulatory gift for Minato-sensei.

So much seems to have changed in the village despite only having been gone a week for this particular assignment, confetti and old balloons still lying along cobblestone paths from earlier celebrations in the week. Meanwhile, he'd stopped a potential defector that had been in route for Iwa at a rice paddies checkpoint, sliced at his and his broker's necks before either could beg for his sympathy.

'Same old. Same old.'

He should request an assignment that takes him somewhere cooler, feels the lack of clouds already heating his skin.

'What should I get sensei?'

He's not big on sake or any particular fancy foods that he can recall as he always had Kushina's cooking tucked away in some type of bento box.

'Rin would be better at choosing a gift than me.' He frowns before shaking the memory of her away. Knots still reside in his chest no matter how often he visits the Memorial Stone, replays in his mind and dreams how he could lose his two teammates so fast.

'Alright, guess I'll bite my tongue and ask Kushina.' He decides.

He pauses outside their apartment door, brows furrowing at the darkness he sees from a slip in the blinds.

Specks of dust line the windowsill, the beginnings of some silvery webs in corner, leaves piling along the doormat.

"Who are ya looking for kid? Minato or err Lord Fourth and his wife moved from that apartment days ago. Landlady just hasn't gotten around to putting up the For Rent sign yet." Sawamori questions.

'Who's this old guy? A neighbor or eavesdropper?' He wracks his mind to recall.

Kakashi sighs, steps back from the entrance, this is news to him.

'Why didn't my commander Kozu or Hidenori update me on this?'

They've probably been busy with extra security measures since Minato's inauguration, assignments piling up now from the days they took off to celebrate and catch up with others.

"Do you happen to know where they moved to?" Kakashi ventures to ask despite knowing how much Kushina dislikes this guy.

The feeling is mutual telling by Sawamori's deepening annoyance on this subject, snorts as he flicks a hand up.

"What do I care where those two went?! Must've been something urgent Lord Third set up for them as they left in the middle of the night while I was at my job. Swear I heard some kid's laughter and running about here too, but never actually saw them. I'll be glad for the quiet that'll return to this area is all I can say and-."

'Well, this guy is no help.' Kakashi muses flatly, leaves Sawamori before he can finish talking.

He curses his rudeness, Kakashi deciding on the market next.

Neither are at the stalls they frequent most or Ichiraku's.

The lunch rush makes it harder to get groceries, pushes through window-shoppers and curious onlookers surprised to see him back in the village.

Sunlight burns on his back as he clutches his bags close, searches the crowds for any familiar blond or crimson locks.

He'll gift Minato these books on shinobi travels and this Make Out Paradise: Evenings Collection he figures can't be so terrible despite the librarian Mrs. Morita giving him the stink eye at checkout.

'That book isn't for children!'

Well, it's not for him really. He'll just borrow it after Minato is done with it.

He hears his old classmate to his left before he sees him, half-turns.

Gai.

'No, can't deal with him right now.' Kakashi walks backwards.

"I'm telling you; these aren't the same youth laced energy drinks Dad and I used to get every morning! It's missing that kick, that fire!" Gai declares to a vendor.

"'Youth-laced' or whatever you morons called it isn't a thing Kid. Now scram before you scare away potential customers!" He growls back. shoos him off with his broom to get going already.

Kakashi immediately weaves further away from them back towards the fish stands. Gai will surely want to celebrate his successful assignment with laps and full body workouts, no matter how sore he currently is.

He passes an ikayaki stand, slows his pace seeing Minato's cloak at the tail end of the market, away from the crowds.

'Finally.'

Though he stays at a distance seeing another blond with him.

'A family member? Sensei rarely spoke about his parents, I assumed most of his family members are already deceased.'

Kakashi studies the boy beside his him, does a double take at how uncanny their likeness is as he leaps away to the rooftops with ease.

He isn't a civilian, figure moving swiftly using the shadows of the trees to avoid as much detection as possible.

A shinobi too then.

Minato sees him before he can move forward, waves him over.

'Who was that?' Kakashi wonders, watches as the boy disappears into coming dusk.

Minato nods in the direction Naruto's left in.

"Welcome back Kakashi! I take it your mission went well?"

Kakashi nods, passes him the two books.

"Yes, congrats sensei or Lord Fourth now I should say."

Minato chuckles, accepts the gifts gratefully with a bow. "Oh either is fine with me! Hearing people call me that is still taking me some time to getting used to!"

Kakashi gestures with his head towards where that guy is moving.

"Who was that just now? A relative of yours?"

Minato hums, smile flattening and Kakashi straightens, gives follow.

They don't speak again until they're near an empty training grounds.

"No, that was...my son. From the future." He explains casually, grins again at Kakashi's rare look of puzzlement.

He bottles his emotions so much now, obsidian always too murky for friend or foe to know what's on his mind.

Minato goes on at his silence.

"I have a special personal assignment for you Kakashi. I'll explain on the way to my new home."

-x-

Does anyone know how old Kakashi was during his ANBU years? I'm ballparking it at 14-16, but I couldn't get an exact answer while researching for this chapter! It's a lot of fun writing all these interactions among everyone!

Anyways, I plan for Naruto and Hinata to have a semi slow burn romance. They'll keep putting their feelings on the back burner considering everything that's going on until eventually...one of them explodes and gives in! It's anyone's guess who that will be first!

Pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters along with bonus content. I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there! Discounts still going on, you can use the code FC557.

Appreciate any thoughts as always!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!