30 Wating for End 2 (2/2)

”Hey, Himawari.” Naruto greeted awkwardly.

Himawari detached herself from his leg, though she quickly replaced it by throwing her hands up in the air. Getting the signal, Naruto awkwardly took her into his arms.

With one arm wrapped around his neck, she snuggled her head along his chin. In her free hand, Naruto saw the stuffed toad doll in her tight grip.

”Who's this?” The man asked as lightly as he could, trying to move passed the awkward feeling in his chest.

”Jiraiya.” She answered airily, bringing it up closer for Naruto to see.

Naruto chuckled, ”Is it your favorite?”

”M'hm.”

”Who got it for you?”

Himawari gave a megawatt smile just a few leagues under his own, ”Papa.”

With Naruto busy with Himawari, Hinata had made her way to Sakura, who was sitting in the corner of the room with a young red-haired woman, ”Sakura, Miko.” She greeted.

Miko gave a low bow, ”Mrs. Uzumaki.” She returned. As she came up from her bow, her smile turned into a scowl as something caught her eye, ”Yomi, take that out of your mouth!”

Now alone with Sakura, Hinata quickly filled her in on their plans for the evening.

”And Lady Tsunade okayed this?” Sakura asked, slightly skeptical. When Hinata nodded, she rubbed her temple, ”Okay, I guess. Need me to bring anything?”

”Naruto said he wanted to have a barbeque, so anything small is fine.” Hinata answered smoothly. After a pause, she began to fumble with her hands as she shifted on her feet, ”Actually, there was something I wanted to ask of you.”

Sakura quirked an eyebrow.

Naruto, who was smiling at Himawari's antics as she told him about Jiraiya the Toad, caught Boruto playing in the corner of the room. He was with a little girl around his age, the two of them building a brink house. The girl, who was laying the roof, accidently set the block down at little too heavily, the house falling with a clatter.

Boruto's eyebrows twitched in annoyance, ”Way to go, four eyes.”

”It's not my fault.” The girl defended, ”If you'd have built the walls better, it wouldn't 've happened.”

”Yeah right-”

”Boruto, enough.” Naruto blurted out. He realized he was standing over the two, looking down at them as they realized he was there.

The boy looked up, ”But Dad-”

”Boruto's mean!” Himawari called out helpfully from Naruto's arms, pointing at her brother accusingly.

”Nuh-uh!” He refuted animatedly, ”She's the one who-”

”You're the one who started calling names. Apologize.” Naruto said, discreetly eyeing the little girl. Though she might've thought she'd been discreet, he saw her wipe away her eye.

Though he grumbled for a second, he relented. His face relaxing to semi-remorse, he said, ”I'm sorry.”

”S'okay.” The girl muttered, looking away from the boy and up to the older man beside her.

”What's your name?” Naruto asked.

It was Boruto who answered, giving his father a confused look, ”You know who she is, Dad. It's Sarada.”

Seeing the little girl's face at seemingly being forgotten, Naruto quickly said, ”Of course I know who she is. I was just kidding, Sarada.” He tried to smile as reassuring as he could, but it came out so awkwardly he couldn't help but cringe.

Reassured, the girl smiled, ”Hello, Mr. Uzumaki.” Getting up, she gave a low bow, ”It's good to see you again.”

”Sarada, go and get your things, we're leaving.” Called Sakura from the other side of the room.

Sarada looked up at the pinkette as she answered, ”Okay, Mama.”

”Boruto, you too.” Hinata said, ”Get you and your sister's jackets.”

”Okay.” The boy said, quickly getting up to run towards his cubby.

Watching them do as their mothers said, Naruto's eyes wandered to Sakura. Walking up to her, he quietly asked, ”Is she your…you know?”

”My daughter?” Sakura put together with a slight laugh, ”Yes, she is.”

”She's beautiful.”

”Oh, uh…thank you, Naruto.” The pinkette said sincerely, taken aback.

Looking back at the girl, he said, ”Sasuke must be proud.”

Her face faultering, she mustered out, ”Yes, yes he is.”

”We'll see you guys later tonight?” Naruto asked.

”Of course.” She took Sarada's hand, who had meandered over to her mother's side, ”Tell Naruto goodbye, Sarada.”

The little girl looked up at Naruto shyly, ”Goodbye, Mr. Uzumaki.”

”Bye.” Himawari said for her father, giving a flapping wave.

As Naruto watched the two leave, Hinata came up beside him, Boruto's hand in hers, ”Are you ready?”

”We're going home?”

”I thought we could get some ramen first.”

”Yay!” Yelled Himawari and Boruto together, the boy pumping his fist in victory.

Naruto smiled, ”Let's go then.”

-x-

As they walked through the bustling streets of Konoha, Naruto realized that it was not the same place he'd left it. By the time he'd left for the war, construction within several districts was still going strong. Now he could see that the village stood stronger than ever within the massive crater, with several skyscrapers peeking out along the edges. And with these new buildings, came new people. The streets were packed with the comings and goings of civilians and shinobi alike. Carriages rolled along the center of the streets, with the bystanders walking at the edges to go along with traffic.

Naruto couldn't help but take it all in, a look of wonder on his face at how prosperous this Konoha was. His eyes stopped on the mountain side, specifically the empty spot next to Kakashi's still rather fresh carving.

And like he'd done a million times before, he pictured his face up on that mountain side.

”Hey, Naruto!”

Freezing, Naruto stopped in his tracks. When his body refused to move, he forced it to turn with pure will power. Behind him, walking at a leisurely pace, was Iruka Umino.

He'd aged well, the only true signs of age being the creases along his jaw and forehead. Likely from yelling at one or two too many students. His headband was missing, along with his usual chunin's uniform, instead wearing a leisurely blue jacket and black pants.

Slowly, Naruto unwrapped Himawari from her hold on him. As he placed her in Hinata's arms, his eyes never left the encroaching Iruka's face.

Nothing holding him back, Naruto met Iruka halfway.

”Congr – oomph!” Iruka coughed as Naruto barreled into him, wrapping him in a tight hug.

Taken back, Iruka was at first hesitant to return the gesture. With a lopsided smile, he said ”I know it's been a couple weeks since I last saw you, but I didn't think that you'd miss me that much-”

Iruka paused as Naruto's shoulders started shaking, the blonde's body practically vibrating in older man's arms.

Hinata stepped forward, concerned, ”Naruto-”

She was interrupted when Naruto threw his head back, laughing uproariously.

Iruka, chuckling awkwardly along, said, ”I just heard the news from Kakashi. Congratulations.”

Naruto's laughter had subsided, though a chuckle still remained, ”There's so much that I wanted to say to you if given this chance, but now that it's here, I'm kinda blanking out a bit.”

”You don't have to say anything, Naruto.” Iruka said, assuming the blonde was referring to what he'd say when he became Hokage, ”You got where you are all on your own-”

”No.” Naruto cut in sharply, ”No, I am what I am today because of you. I am who I am because of the kindness you showed me. The kind of kindness no one else bothered to give or show. I owe you everything.”

Blushing now, Iruka rubbed the back of his head bashfully, ”Gosh, Naruto. I don't know about all of that.”

”I just wanted to tell you that, before everything's said and done.”

If the man was confused by that, he didn't show it, ”Well, all I can say is that I'm proud of you, Naruto.”

”Hey, we're on our way to Ichiraku's.” Naruto stated, nodding his head to his apparent family, ”You should come along, my treat this time.”

”I'm actually on my way to a mission.” Iruka explained with an apologetic smile, ”Next time?”

Naruto's smile dropped like a rock. The smile quickly came back, though noticeably more forced, ”Yeah, next time.”

Patting Naruto on the shoulder and giving Hinata a departing nod, the man walked passed them, ”I'm looking forward to it.”

Hinata watched as Iruka submerged into the crowd, his figure disappearing into the chaos of Konoha's business district. Looking at Naruto, the man seemed to be off in his own little world, looking up at the Hokage Monument pensively.

”Naruto are you coming?”

Though he answered, he didn't take his eyes off the monument, ”Yeah, sorry.”

”It's okay.” As Naruto walked up to them, Himawari reached out for her father.

Pausing, Naruto smiled before taking the little girl back into his arms. Their walk continued without much drama. The occasional civilian would come to him giving greetings, and a few shinobi called out their congratulations over Naruto's good news. Apparently the news had no problem spreading among Konoha's ranks.

And though he gave proper thanks to anyone who approached him, Naruto couldn't take his attention away from the Hokage Monument. More specifically, the spot right next to Kakashi's sculptured visage.

That attention was averted by a smell that invaded his nose. Looking forward, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. Sitting right where it'd always been, Ichiraku's Ramen stood proudly in the bustling streets. Even from the slight distance, he could hear Mr. Ichiraku's boisterous laugh.

Boruto must have been even more excited than he was, as he'd let go of his mother's hand to run ahead into the stand. As Hinata called after him, the two adults quickened their pace. Entering the stall, they were greeted to the sight of Boruto trying to lift himself up onto the tall stool, failing miserably as several costumers watched on in amusement.

With his free arm, Naruto quickly gave the boy his much needed lift up. Giving his father the smile that must have been an Uzumaki bloodline, the boy quickly called out his order, ”Three miso's, old man!” He called out boisterously.

Mr. Ichiraku lifted his head up, a grand smile on his face, ”Well, if it isn't little Boruto Uzumaki!” Before Boruto could retort to being called little, the older man continued, ”And little miss Hima too? My, it must be my lucky day!”

Hima laughed, sitting on Naruto's lap as she pointed at the man, ”Old man!” She said, looking to her father for conformation.

”That's right.” Naruto complied, though halfheartedly. Most of his attention was on the now greyed Mr. Ichiraku. Though he'd aged well, Naruto could see the lack of a pep in his step. Sadness welled up in his chest as he watched the older man start to talk to Hinata.

Mr. Ichiraku found his way in front of Mr. and Mrs. Uzumaki, wiping his hands as he asked, ”What can I get for ya'll?”

”I already told you I wanted three miso's, old ma-”

”You're only getting one.” Hinata chided, much to Boruto's disappointment, ”I'll have a tsukemen, please.”

”And what about you, Naruto?”

Said blonde was forced from his daze, blinking it aside as he said, ”Oh uh, a miso.”

”Coming right up-”

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”It's good to see you again, Teuchi.” Naruto cut in, his voice heavy.

Mr. Ichiraku stopped, giving him and then Hinata a confused glance. Finally, he put on his smile, ”Well, it's always good to see you again, kid. Your smiling face pays the rent for this place, after all.”

”Is Ayame around?” Naruto asked, subtly looking for any sign of the woman.

”Oh, she's up in the Land of Hot Springs with that new husband of hers.” Teuchi answered as he headed to the back to get to work on the order, ”I'll be right back, folks. Don't go anywhere.”

As Teuchi disappeared into the kitchen, a thought occurred to the blonde, ”We forgot to order for Himawari.” He realized.

Boruto looked up at him, his eyes squinted, ”You and Hima always share a bowl.” He said as though it was obvious. Tilting his head, he asked, ”Did you hit your head or something? Is that why you were in the hospital?”

”Uh, yes. Yes, that's why.” Hinata answered quickly. Seeing Naruto looking at her, she gave a nod in agreement with what their son had said.

Mouthing a quick 'oh,' Naruto decided to look around the restaurant. It didn't take more than one look to notice that almost everyone was looking at him. Most were trying to be discreet, but some were simply looking at him in open awe.

Deciding to ignore the onlookers by watching Himawari play with her toad doll, his smile grew at how the girl innocently shuffled the toad along the counter, muttering little sounds to go along.

”Do you still think this is a dream, Naruto?” Kurama's asked from within the seal.

”Yes...maybe. Probably.”

”I can feel your love for her, brat. That warmth in your chest, it's for her. That kind of thing can't be fabricated. This is reality-”

”Yeah well, reality is often disappointing.” Naruto thought solemnly.

Kurama paused, ”And how could this possibly be disappointing?”

”Because it'll come to an end eventually, one way or another. Just like everything else.” Naruto answered, ”That's why, reality or not, I'm gonna make the most of this for as long as it lasts. I owe myself that.”

”Order's up!”

His bowl of miso slid in front of him at a professional degree. As the smell wafted over him, he watched as Boruto began to dig into the dish with an abandon not to dissimilar to his own. Hinata, being herself, calmly pinched together a few strands before blowing onto the still steaming noodles. Taking the chopsticks set in front of him, Naruto quickly snapped them apart before diving in for a swirl of noodles. Not bothering to give it a blow, he happily slurped away.

As he chewed, he noticed that something was off. It tasted just as he remembered. But, it was different in some way he couldn't directly place. He was taken out of his thoughts when Himawari turned up to him, her doe eyes glistening expectantly.

Quickly realizing what she wanted, he swirled up another few strands of the noodle. Giving it a quick blow, he carefully fed the noodles into her waiting mouth. With a happy hum she slurped it up, chewing animatedly as gave her father a broth covered smile, her full mouth restricting her from giving the complete Uzumaki grin.

After a swallow, she squeaked, ”Thanks, Papa.”

”You're welcome, Hima.”