Chapter 13: Mornings Afterwards

"Out of sight above the house, the mirror moon reflected the sun of a day not yet dawned, shining the pale light of tomorrow on the yard and on the paper birches."

-Dean Koontz, Breathless

Boruto & Hinata-Hyūga Compound

"...Papa isn't talking to me."

He hates having to admit that aloud, gut clenching up as the sentence leaves his lips. Lying has never been his forte here in the past or future and Naruto no matter his age can easily see through him anyways being put on the spot like that.

Dried blood still lingers under his bandages, taste of dirt and sweat never that far from his mind.

Himawari turns over on her pillow, takes in Boruto's sour look studying the ceiling tiles. He's been talking and eating less as the village turns towards recovery mode now after the Invasion, hasn't even gone to the training hall to spar like he normally would in the mornings.

The injuries along his skin have become lighter shades of pinks to yellows, but even now he still refuses to go out until most everyone has already left the kitchen or meditation rooms too.

"Don't worry, you've done way worse that he and Mama have forgiven! Papa just doesn't like when you lie cuz when it comes down to it, he just wants you to trust him." She supplies sleepily.

Boruto looks over to her to ask if this lie in particular is one Papa at his current age can look past, but her eyes have already shut, drifted off again.

He moves out of her blankets back to his own room, twists on his non bruised side to try and sleep.

When he wakes again slivers of sunlight warm his neck, cracking his eye open to see violet hair, white eyes studying him.

Hinata.

"You can't just lay in bed all day; I won't allow it any longer. A full recovery means eating properly and conducting in the light exercises as Dr. Hotonari instructed."

She pushes a plate towards him, scent of hamburg steak and salad drifting into his nose. His stomach gurgles too loud for Hinata not to giggle and for him to reluctantly pull his blankets off his head.

"...What time is it?" Boruto yawns, looks behind her to see the sun fully out, a cloudless day.

"It's close to 1:15 pm. Father checked on you this morning, but I don't agree with his idea that sleeping in is how you'll recover."

Boruto sits up fully as Hinata puts the dish onto his lap, isn't planning to leave until he at least takes a few bites.

'Well, guess she has a point and its one of my favorites.'

Hinata nods as he begins eating, settles opposite of him.

"I don't expect you to tell Naruto or I fully things you know about the future, unless you truly feel it can benefit us."

Boruto chews at his salad slowly, runs through his mind the best thing to say.

"I only kept it from Papa, from you guys cuz I didn't want plans in place to get screwed up for the Invasion y'know!"

Hinata pats at his hands before he spills his glass or food.

"It's alright Boruto, we're not mad. Not really, at least. More just confused, knowing about Lord Third's death prevented it from happening, despite him being injured enough to need hospitalization. It's important we know these things ahead of time to prevent or mitigate future disasters."

Azure flashes back to her.

"Is Old Man Third okay?! See, this is why-"

Hinata holds up a hand. "He's alive. That's what important. More details will come from him or one of his aides before week's end as an official village announcement."

Boruto fiddles with his steak sliding it around, can't even fully enjoy it.

Hinata observes him quietly. Lord Third's death can't be the only one Boruto knows about.

Shinobi die in the line of duty quite often, it comes with the territory of the job. Most though are strangers, people she's only read or heard about a few times in passing from Kurenai-sensei or the other jonin.

She purses her lips, wonders who else. People personally close to her or Naruto from their Academy days? Their sensei? Someone from the Hyūga clan or maybe someone with Uzumaki heritage who flees to Konoha eventually?"

"Boruto...who else? Who else do we need to know about? Is there anyone else you should warn Naruto and I about?" Hinata whispers.

Boruto's back goes rigid, skin turning an ashen white and she has her answer.

'So there is.'

Hinata looks away to study the garden, blooming hydrangeas and chrysanthemums shades of yellows and whites.

"N-Nevermind! Forget, I asked that! I didn't come here to add more stress to your mind." She scrambles out.

Boruto laughs lightly; he'll probably never get used to seeing her be so jittery. "It's okay Mom. Has...Papa stopped by to visit?"

To his surprise Hinata nods, points across the pond and he sees then why she abruptly became so nervous.

Naruto waves over from the bushes and his throat tightens, salad blocking his throat as he jolts for his water to wash it down.

Boruto rapidly gazes around, searches for the guards.

It shouldn't be so easy for Naruto to waltz through all the barriers the Hyūga clan puts up.

'They rarely patrol on this side except at night. Some of them still think I'm Dad and not worth guarding.' He recalls.

Especially not in the daylight hours, not when so many people are moving about that it's assumed a gardener, chef, or aide would notice him and tell Grandpa.

Naruto hops over to their side across the stone path, glances to Hinata first.

He crosses his arms. "You can't interrogate him without me Hinata! You said you'd tell me when he first woke up and got out of bed y'know!"

Hinata holds up her hands, laughs gently at Naruto's frown. "I wasn't; honest! I mean, this is my first actual conversation with Boruto outside his bed. His fever finally broke, but he was still moping around these quarters."

Naruto huffs, leans in close to her making her face burn a deep scarlet.

"Okay...but you better not be lying either! I know how to get you to talk!" He teases.

"I-I'm not!" Hinata assures him, gaze dropping from his.

She had this under control until he interrupted!

Naruto's frown switches to a smirk, voice softening as he tilts her chin back up forcing her gaze.

"Oh? Can you prove it?"

'Why are they acting like I'm not here?!' Boruto grimaces, appetite plummeting as Hinata's blush worsens.

But if Mom's distracted, perhaps he can go check on what Hima is up too...

Naruto grabs at his jacket just as he turns, tugs him back hard enough to keep him rooted in place.

His gaze has turned to ice, Boruto swallowing.

"I said I was sorry!" He blurts out.

Naruto blinks, sighs.

He wishes once more that the older versions of them were around to take himself and Himawari back to their correct time. He doesn't even have an idea of where exactly they could be searching for them...

"Yeah, but don't think you can just run off y'know. I came here to talk to you. I'm not leaving without doing so!"

Sakura-Tachiwara's Weapons Shop

"Girlie, are you sure about this?"

Sakura's brow twitches, that's the 5th time he's asked her that.

Still, her smile manages to stay plastered on.

She may have enough ryo, but Tachiwara continues to hesitate to sell the prized battle axes above him.

And really, she can't fully blame him, said axes are practically as tall as her, probably weigh Tachiwara's size if not more.

Tachiwara looks from her back to the twin blades.

"What are you? A collector? You may have the ryo for them, but I'd hate for my blacksmith Ryumoto's work to just end up hanging on some wall or being melted into kunai or shuriken when you grow bored of them."

Sakura purses her lips, he's the last weapons shop who hasn't yet turned her away, readies the lie she made in preparation walking up to his store.

"I understand your concerns Mr. Tachiwara, truly I do. To be honest, these are going to be a gift for my Dad, but I'm trying to keep it a secret! Heh, he wants more protection since the Invasion and he figured with his history in the lumber field, these could be of use to him."

Her stomach clenches as Tachiwara goes silent, auburn eyes shifting from her back to the axes for a long minute.

And then a smile breaks out across his face.

He pulls down each axe one at a time and she tries not to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Well now, why didn't you say so earlier?! That's sweet of you; wish my own daughter knew my interests! Anyways, he's not the only one wanting extra weapons as backup! Let me know what he thinks of them!"

Tachiwara pauses seeing Sakura struggle with just holding up one.

"Hey, I have some free time if you need help walking those back over to your folks-"

Verdant snaps back to him.

"No! Ah, that would ruin the surprise I mean. Besides, my sensei is planning to help!"

She doesn't wait for his response, grabs the second axe, tries not to cry out at the surge of pain as she drags both outside.

Heat flushes her face as strange looks get sent her way from every direction, metal screeching and groaning against cobblestone. As bad it sounds, thank goodness Ino isn't around, too busy with multiple flower orders for both civilians and shinobi grieving losses felt during the Invasion.

Kakashi-sensei strides up to her as she passes the training grounds and she wishes he had some cats to rescue or groceries to carry for some old lady like his usual excuses for being late.

'I should be happy he's here, despite seeing me this way.'

He blinks, pats a hand to her shoulder.

"Can, I err help you with those axes Sakura?"

Sakura attempts to shake him off, but her body trembles, legs akin to jelly.

"No...let me handle this." She softly orders.

Even her voice sounds cottony and far away to her ears.

And a crack in the pavement nearly makes her fully tumble, Kakashi catching her.

"Sorry, but I would rather not watch one of my students collapse in front of me."

Spots fill her eyes, clenches her teeth as pain rockets through her.

Kakashi's gaze rattles her the most, the same look he gave her off and on back in Wave.

Someone to be protected, never on the frontlines.

'You're weak. In the way.'

Naruto's doppelgänger comments on her future must've been a lie...

Sakura reaffirms her grip on each blade, swallows back nausea roiling on her tongue.

"Don't look at me that way sensei, you can't take these axes."

Black darkens her vision before she can hear his response or say more, sinking again.

When she wakes it's in her own bed, windows drawn letting in only thin slits of sunshine. The familiar comfort scents of gardenia and sea breeze hit her as she jolts up.

"-Thank you again for bringing her back home safely Kakashi." Mebuki's voice floats up from somewhere downstairs.

"Hey, sometimes we wonder why she even wants to be a kunoichi when her falling like that could've led to a bawling!"

Sakura slaps at her face. Ugh she shouldn't subject Kakashi-sensei any further to such horrible puns and jokes, pauses seeing the two axes in the corner.

Her chest lightens.

'He kept his promise!'

And better yet, he must've sealed them in some scroll when he dropped her off here to avoid extra questions from her parents.

Quietly, she patters out of bed, takes in her reflection in scratched metal.

Her arms and legs throb, body coated in dried sweat with blisters marring her hands.

But a grin tugs at her lips, it's fine.

She will tear her muscles, break various bones, and then heal them all over again.

'Don't worry, I'll learn how to use you guys.'

It will not be just medical ninjutsu she studies for the future she promises herself.

"Alright, now to just come up with a way to practice with these some in secret!" Sakura smiles.

Hiruzen & Jiraiya-Konoha Central Hospital-PACU unit

'The surgery was a success.'

But Hiruzen hasn't smiled once since being wheeled into the recovery wing, the only patient reserved to this entire area.

Dusk approaches and he's said nothing to him, has barely touched at his food.

Jiraiya rubs at his chin as he bounces at his knee, wishes he brought his flask along recalling the first things out of his mouth when he awakened.

"I have to retire, for good this time."

Just thinking about it makes his stomach lurch, he needs something to get the edge off.

"Stepping down? Now?" Jiraiya finally repeats.

Hiruzen nods, points to his legs wrapped fully in bandages.

Feet gone now into two stumps, but the phantom pains very much remain, only semi dulled for now until the anesthesia fully wears off.

"Look at me Jiraiya. Do you really think I can continue to lead the village in this state? This will need to eventually be announced to Konoha's citizens. I must step down and then I can name you to be my successor-"

Jiraiya waves up his hands before he can finish.

"Whoa now, lets not get ahead of ourselves! There's a reason I'm Konoha's best spy, not Hokage. Besides, I live to wander and explore new lands, meet beautiful women! I can't do all that cooped up here in the village!"

Hiruzen studies him flatly and Jiraiya ignores his disappointment, ignores the twinge in his chest that he's letting him down.

He raises a finger. "Now, that isn't to say I haven't thought of who can take your place sensei! Tsunade may be willing to-"

"We have no idea where she is. And she's retired from active shinobi duty. Be serious now Jiraiya." Hiruzen curtly cuts him off.

Jiraiya sighs, leans back in his seat. "I am being serious! At least let me finish; geez! Anyways, I believe I can convince Tsunade to return to the village and take over as the 5th Hokage!"

Hiruzen studies his bedsheets, shuts his eyes to think.

And Jiraiya meanwhile looks outside towards the west forests, last ebbs of orange and red hues crossing against the treetops.

He's sure Tsunade's hiding out somewhere in that direction towards Tanzaku Quarters, would never resist the thrill of their upcoming festivals and underground gambling dens.

He glances back to Hiruzen as he reopens his eyes.

"There is still the matter of Naruto along with Boruto and Himawari."

Jiraiya waves off his concern. "I'll bring Naruto along; I can get in some training with him during the trip. As for the other two kiddos, better that they stay here in the village at the Hyūga compound, don't you think?"

'If the Akatsuki are poking around for Naruto, he needs to be away from here.' Jiraiya determines.

Hiruzen hums, drops his voice hearing the night shift team coming in. "Didn't you say earlier that Himawari exhibited some...jinchuriki like behavior? Is she okay? Should more tests be run on her and Boruto?"

Jiraiya shakes his head, grins lightly.

"No, no. Don't wanna scare her. But hey, all the more reason to see if Tsunade can take a look at her to figure out what's going on!"

Hiruzen purses his lips. "If what you saw back at the ravine happens again and Himawari's chakra becomes unstable, the Akatsuki could pinpoint on her too. Bring them along, I want to take no necessary risks to the village while we're in this temporarily weakened state."

Jiraiya deflates. "Ugh, you want me to babysit two extra kids? You know how much of a handful Naruto can be!"

Hiruzen rolls his eyes. "You've done something like this before. Willingly."

And Jiraiya bites his tongue not to argue further.

Obsidian sharpens on him like a blade.

"Decide before this week's end Jiraiya. You bring both Boruto and Himawari or at least Himawari. One way or another, I'm entrusting you to protect Konoha's jinchuriki. We need to be careful knowing Orochimaru and his associates are still around."

Jiraiya's brows furrow. "Kabuto is still locked away under heavy surveillance. I doubt that we're going to get any further intel from him-"

He goes silent as his night nurse Tomiko steps in, a cheerful brunette that easily sways both men's attention.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I finished getting report from Sawako. I need to do a quick check of your vitals Lord Third and draw some bloodwork Dr. Kanaguri ordered."

Hiruzen nods, pats at her hand.

"Whatever you need to do my Dear! I'll be your best patient over these next 12 or so hours to make sure your night hopefully runs smoothly."

Jiraiya holds in a snort as Tomiko warmly laughs, even his flirting isn't so obvious with the women amid the Red-Light District's brothels.

"You know she just thinks of you as an Old Fart, right? Like a loving Grandpa?" He mentions once she leaves to do rounds on her other assigned patients down the hall.

Hiruzen shoots him look and prickles race up his arms.

"Friday, before midnight. I want your decision by then."

Jiraiya blows out a breath, shrugs helplessly.

"Fine sensei, I'll figure something out!"

Even if he isn't going to exactly like it.

Hiashi & Himawari-Hyūga Private Quarters

"Shukaku and Kurama, huh? I didn't know Tailed Beasts had names." Hiashi regards.

Himawari bobs her head eagerly, giggles at his puzzled look as she peers up at him.

Is he being silly or serious with her?

'Don't forget where you are.' Boruto's reminder pops to mind, this is the past and bijuu are seen only as weapons; nothing more.

"Yes, of course they all have names Grandpa! Papa talks to all the Tailed Beasts. Kurama likes to sleep, but when he's awake, he says Papa needs to train more often."

Hiashi nods along. "I suppose your Father doesn't get many opportunities to train when he's busy with Hokage related responsibilities."

Her smile falters for a second before nodding.

"Can...Can I tell you a secret?"

Hiashi blinks, leans his head close to her as she scoots off his lap.

"I, err sometimes wish Papa would change his mind on being Hokage. Especially seeing right now what he deals with. Big Brother gets mixed up with him a lot and when that happens, people ignore him, whisper he's annoying, or try to sell him broken weapons or expired foods."

Hiashi ruffles at her locks.

"Jiraiya told me of the...incident that truly made you mad. That's why I wanted us to have this brunch together away from the attendants and potential gossip mongers amongst them."

Himawari fiddles with the hem of her shirt.

"You're not mad about it; are you?"

Hiashi quickly shakes his head, hugs her close once more at her paling look. "No! However, it needs to be looked into Himawari as we can't just ignore this occurrence. It's best we be prepared in case there's a repeat of that episode again where there's the potential for more witnesses."

"I won't let that happen! I promise!" Himawari hurriedly assures him even if she doesn't know how she tapped into the beast's power the first time.

Hiashi nods, but his grin doesn't match this new look in his eyes and their shared cups of tea turn bitter on her tongue.

Himawari straightens.

'I'll just train and meditate more! Like Grandpa, Uncle, and Auntie do before their spars.'

She's never been as strict with herself to follow their sessions, hands curling at her sides.

Footsteps approach, Hiyoto popping into view.

"Apologies Master Hiashi. The Toad Sannin Jiraiya is at the entrance requesting an urgent meeting with you." He explains in a single breath, bows awaiting his response.

Sweat slicks her palms.

Has he come for Big Brother or both of them?

Pearl eyes flash to her to relax, but it does little to stop coils forming in her throat.

Hiashi squeezes her shoulder as he gets to a standing position.

"Thank you Hiyoto, open the gates. I've been expecting him."

Naruto & Hinata/Boruto & Himawari-Hyūga Meeting Hall

'Why is Pervy-Sage here?'

He strides in casually to the Hyūga manor as if his presence here is ordinary.

But he turns his gaze back to Boruto before he can dwell on it, grits his teeth to get right to the point.

"Alright, I can understand why you lied, though you need to trust Hinata and I about big events like this if it can help better the future."

Boruto huffs, crosses his arms.

"I can't! I promised Old Man Third to only report major details to him. He said...He said it could trigger too many alternate timelines leading Hima and I back to a wrong future or a time travel paradox."

Everything he said goes right over Naruto's head from his blank look; he's rather as well have spoken a different language.

Naruto scratches at his cheek, looks to Hinata for help. "Paradox?"

Hinata hums thoughtfully. "Do you mean causing other events to happen that didn't happen originally? Because if so, we've already changed the future if Lord Third didn't die in the Invasion."

Boruto nods. "But I don't know exactly about other future events now that could maybe or maybe not happen."

Naruto steps forward back to him, Boruto squirming all over again at his glare until he shoots a hand forward, tussles up his hair warmly before hugging him to his side.

And Boruto feels his face redden, scowls and pushes his hands away.

"Geez, is this what's been worrying you and keeping you up at night? We'll figure out a way y'know No matter what situations change!" Naruto beams confidently that for a moment Boruto forgets they're currently the same age.

'No wonder people look to Papa for advice.' He absently realizes.

"How do you know?" Boruto asks curiously.

Naruto's grin doesn't fade. "I don't! Just trust me!"

His interest evaporates. 'Ah, of course.'

Boruto elbows him away in return ignoring Naruto's scowl, sighs trying to recall World History of the Shinobi Nations Aburame-sensei or Anko-sensei would give them.

'Ugh, what happened after the Invasion again? They had to find a new Hokage-'

"Oh good, you're all here. Saves me the trouble of having to repeat myself!" Jiraiya cuts into his thoughts, towers over them before nodding towards the meeting hall.

Boruto peers to Hiashi as he takes his spot at the front of the room.

'What's going on?'

Himawari joins them last just before the doors close, cheeks flushed pink as she hurriedly sits beside Boruto.

His brows instantly furrow, reaches to pat at her tightly clasped hands.

"Hey, you okay Hima? Have any idea what's going on?"

Cerulean is clouded, clears when he shakes her hands a bit rougher.

Her gaze flickers between the front of thd room and him.

"Grandpa said further studies and individual training needs to be done to...prevent another episode like the one that happened at the abyss." She murmurs quickly.

Boruto blinks. "When Dad was training for the Finals?"

Himawari nods. "I- well, it's dangerous not to know what exactly happened to me back then."

"Oh, should we do more sparring sessions then?" Boruto offers.

Hiashi clears his throat and the pair twist themselves forward going silent.

"Jiraiya has an update regarding Lord Third." He begins.

Jiraiya rubs at his chin, mulls over his choice of words before nodding.

"So, to put it simply, Old Man Sarutobi wants to step down. He experienced major injuries in his fight against Orochimaru and isn't in any position to lead the village. He tasked me with the job, but I turned it down in favor of finding Tsunade who he also trained. Any questions so far?"

Naruto raises his hand. "Is Old Man Third okay? Who's Tsunade? She's not a pervert like you; is she? It would be bad for Konoha if she gets as easily distracted by men like you do with women y'know!"

Hinata purses his lips. "Do you know where Tsunade is currently located? The little information we've gotten on her from History lessons is that she retired years ago."

Jiraiya clicks his tongue. "Hey now, watch that tongue of yours Kid! I wouldn't be a terrible Hokage; I just don't wanna do it! However, I'm still strong, charismatic, handsome, and have connections!

"You forgot dirty Old Man." Naruto mutters.

Jiraiya turns his gaze back to Hiashi.

"You would say I have great qualifications to be Hokage too, right?"

Hiashi's gaze is stone. "Finish this matter already."

Jiraiya pouts. "To answer you Hinata, yes, my spies have given me an update on a woman matching one of her many disguises in Tanzaku Quarters."

He points then to Naruto and Himawari.

"And you two will be coming with me! Consider it a mix of training and hopefully having Tsunade look into what caused that trigger of chakra in you Himawari."

Hinata nods to Boruto. "And Boruto?"

Jiraiya shakes his head.

"Specifically, we need these two away as two Akatsuki members are poking around Konoha. They don't need to make any connections on what Himawari may or may not be."

Himawari squeezes his hand until it turns a mix of violet-red, about to stand on his behalf. She's never been that far from him since they time looped to this era. Even if she'll be with Dad and Toad Gramps, her chest tightens ready to request over and over him coming too.

Boruto opens, then closes his mouth, shakes his head at Himawari keeping her rooted in place.

"You'll be fine." He mouths to her.

And Himawari blinks back a sudden wave of tears and jitters, irons her features to be calm.

This isn't up for discussion.

It never was.

Tsunade-Midnight Blossom Pachinko & Poker Den

'3-7's in a row again?' Tsunade pauses.

Her worst fears gaze back at her beneath a neon blue glow.

She's on a winning streak.

Amber eyes skirt the den, same faces she saw here last night and the night before that.

No shinobi around as far as she can tell.

And even though Shizune hates it, she downs another shot of plum sake in one go, pushes herself from the slots to collect her winnings.

Moonlight slices every corner and edge in lines of silver, it must be somewhere past 2:00 am.

But every hair on her arm is alert as she pockets her ryo, studies each straggler or drunken groups for anything off.

Nothing.

Back at Midnight Blossom's connecting hotel she studies the bars closing up for the night, love hotels and brothels still beckoning customers under bright gold and red lights. Normally, the late-night activities and revelry of others would amuse her, but luck being on her side can only spell danger...

Shizune trudges to her side, doesn't bother hiding a yawn as she studies the clear night.

"So, how much did you waste away tonight?"

Tsunade snorts, fishes out a wad after wad of ryo.

"I started winning midway through the night."

Shizune gapes in shock, doesn't notice fully as Tsunade gazes in the direction of Konoha, eyes narrowing.

'Trouble's coming my way. I need to get the hell out of here before dawn.'

-x-

Apologies on the longer than usual update, a mix of writer's block and life stress. I'm exciting to have Tsunade & Shizune join in especially with the changes currently made towards canon.

As always, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters and bonus content! I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!