It was an ordinary day. The sun is at its highest as noon approaches. But for the people of Konoha, it is another day of rebuilding their village from the recent attack from the Akatsuki's supposed leader.

Neji stood at the edge of the crater where they had found his cousin, Hinata, lying on the ground bleeding to death. The air is stale and dusty. He spots the pool of blood still littered around the bottom of the crater. He had been confused, confused as to why Hinata would willingly put her herself in a suicidal position. Neji had underestimated the feelings his cousin had for Naruto. He thought it was a passing fancy, simple hero worship for the man who had given her confidence and support back when she was 12. But it was deeper than that.

He could not comprehend such feelings. He has not experienced romantic attachments like that. And he fears that it might prove to be destructive for his cousin later on. What if… She won't be as lucky the next time? What if they won't find her in time when she yet again decides to sacrifice herself for the ones she loves. What if he won't reach her?

She is his sister. Biologically so. His father had sacrificed himself to save his family. For Neji to lose a loved one without him doing anything to prevent it from happening created a conflict inside him, a gnawing fear that he wouldn't be able to live up to his father's legacy.

"I knew we would find you here."

Neji does not need to see to know who it was. His teammate's voice is very familiar to him, ingrained within him.

"I wonder why they haven't closed this yet." Neji asked, jerking his head towards the malformation.

Ten Ten shrug her shoulders and walk up beside her teammate.

"Maybe because they want to be reminded of Naruto's heroics. I don't know." Ten Ten explained.

"It's ugly."

Ten ten smiles at Neji sympathetically, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "She's alive, you know. Hinata I mean."

Neji just sighs, his eyes drifting to his teammate. "What if she won't be next time?"

Ten Ten fell silent.

"We can't just tell her to stop loving him so we could protect her. A girl's earnest feelings does not change so easily." Ten Ten explains, holding a hand to her chest. A wistful look on her face.

Neji wondered if Ten Ten had ever loved like that, or maybe she is currently experiencing it. He feels curious but he does not want to pry.

"Where did you hear about this?" Neji asks, a light teasing in his tone.

His teammate chuckles, turning to leave and beckons Neji to follow.

"I heard it from Sakura. That girl is still pinning after that Uchiha traitor."

Neji stops walking, surprised.

"I thought Sakura's warming up to Naruto?" Neji asks. Although that thought leaves a bad taste in his mouth. The pink haired girl is a close comrade to Hinata. The thought that Sakura is developing feelings for the man his beloved cousin loves leaves a seed of anger inside Neji's chest. Although he does not support Hinata's tendency to be sacrificial to the one she loves, he supports the positive effect Naruto's presence has on Hinata. Hinata has grown immensely because of her admiration on Naruto. And Neji likes that very much.

Ten Ten chuckles, waving the thought off. "If she is, then she's lying to herself. I may not entirely be a hundred percent feminine but I'm good at understanding a girl's heart." She states smiling assuringly at Neji. "Come on! Let's check the Hokage office for a mission."

Neji was about to run off with Ten Ten when he heard a whimper. He stopped walking, halting Tenten's movement. The brunette stared, confused at his sudden hesitance.

Much to her alarm, Neji's byakugan activated. She quickly pulls out a scroll and her kunai, ready to tackle whoever dared ambush two of the members of Team Gai. She look around, they had walked a bit farther away from the crater and were now entering the budding trees that Yamato had planted and grown to cover Konoha once again. The shrubs are all healthy green, evident of the artificial help they got.

Neji's vision range widens as he looks for the source of the whimper. The shrubs become transparent, as did the trunks of the trees. He continues until he sees something a couple of yards away from where he was standing.

It was a toddler.

Lying face first on the dirt, whimpering but not outright wailing. The toddler is wearing a dirtied one piece and seemed to be alone. He does not know the color of the child's hair or clothing as everything is gray scaled in a byakugan's sight except for the chakra patterns. He was surprised to see that the child has a very extensive chakra reserves for someone her age. And it looks familiar, very similar to that of…

Neji gasped and turned off his Byakugan. He ran to the child, shoving the shrubs aside. Tenten gasps and runs after him. There he sees a dark haired girl with a wavy hair. He takes the whimpering child to his arms and looks around for anyone that may be the child's parents.

"Neji! You can't just run off li- Oh My! Is that a baby!?" Ten ten pockets her weapons and kneels beside Neji who neglected to comfort the child as he turns on his byakugan to look for indications that the kid's parents were around.

The child is currently burying her face on Neji's white robe, smearing dirt on it from her hands. She appears to be about a year old.

"Kaatan… Toutan…" The toddler whimpered in fear.

"There there… Where are your parents?" Tenten cooed, patting the child's head reassuringly. She took the child from Neji's arms and then showed her face. Ten Ten gasped once more.

Neji turned off his byakugan, silently cursing. "I can't find anyone nearby. Not even a body." He turns to Ten ten who was still staring at the child with wide eyes. Neji's brows furrow and he peers at the child. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

The child has wide blue eyes. A very familiar shade. In her cheeks are familiar scars, two on each cheek. There was no doubt that the child looks like a very familiar comrade of theirs.

"Her eyes! It's like looking directly into Naruto's! Even the shape is the same! What is going on Neji!?" Ten Ten asked with urgency.

Neji frowns. "It must be a relative perhaps? Although her chakra… No… Nevermind that. We must take her to Shizune-san! She might be hurt."

Ten ten nods. "We might be able to find her parents looking for her in the village too."

With that Neji and Ten ten took off to find the medic nin who might be able to help them with this mysterious child.

"Perhaps you are due to a few hours of respite, Hinata."

Two dog ears perked up sniffing the air around him. Kiba clicked his tongue seeing his two teammates walking towards him. He frowned seeing Hinata's bandages covering her head and he knows more is covering her wounds underneath her thick hoodie. He had been told that she had suffered great injuries in trying to help Naruto combat the behemoth that leveled the whole village.

"Hinata! What are you doing here?" Kiba shouted towards his teammates, accompanied with a bark from Akamaru.

"Kiba-kun! Akamaru-kun!" Hinata exclaimed, the nindog bounded to her with his tail wagging in glee. Hinata slowly went down to pet the dog, mindful of her injuries.

"Hinata has developed a case of stubbornness." Shino explained bluntly.

Kiba winced at that and moved his hand to stop Akamaru who was busy licking Hinata's face, drenching her bandages with his saliva.

"I'm fine Shino-kun, really. Shizune-san herself said that I'm in perfect condition. My bruises are healing fine. Besides, I need to start training soon to prepare." Hinata explained, slowly rising to stand.

A moment of silence passed between them. The weight of Hinata's words falling in on them. The rumours of an upcoming war is no secret to the Shinobi of Konoha. But most carefully avoids the topic around civilians who had just started rebuilding their homes and establishments. With the Godaime in coma and the daimyo and Konoha's representatives still discussing who will become the new Hokage candidate, the thoughts of war is a very dim prospect in the eyes of the masses.

Shaking his head is exasperation, Kiba sighed and crossed his arms. "This is so depressing. They should really get on with choosing who the next Hokage will be." He did not add that he hope that it would be him. "I heard that there will be an upcoming Kage summit. With our Godaime close to death, Konoha needs a new Hokage stat."

Hinata frowned at this. "Tsunade-sama will not die. She will get through this." She added with conviction.

"Eh- I-I didn't mean that she will!" Kiba added defensively, raising both hands in surrender at the sight of a deeply frowning Hinata. His mind flashing with memories of an angered Hinata who was almost as scary as a pissed of Sakura.

Before their conversation could progress, three newcomers decided to join them. Coming out of the newly restored Yakiniku Restaurant was the former Team Asuma. Shikamaru was the first one to spot Team Kurenai but it was Ino who greeted the group in glee.

"Oi! Hinata! Out of the hospital already?" Ino called as she ran towards the group.

Akamaru greeted the newcomers with a series of barks then prancing around Ino before returning to his Master's side. Shikamaru walked leisurely towards the group mumbling about how troublesome the day is going while Chouji had already dug into the take out bag they had carried out of the restaurant.

"Ino-san, good day." Hinata greeted bowing slightly towards the team. She smiled respectfully at the group and was happy to see Shikamaru smiling back at her in respect.

Shikamaru had cornered her a day before, thanking her for the courageous feat of jumping to Naruto's rescue when nobody had done so. It seems that the teen was tasked by his father to relay their thanks to Hinata. In Hinata's opinion, she did not do anything special to warrant the gratitude of the Hokage's advisor. She merely did what her heart told her to do and that was to be there for her beloved when he needed someone. That was something she was not able to do so back in their childhood. She was weaker then. That was something she had diligently tried to overcome growing up.

"Eh?! What do you mean that Da-"

"Keep your voice down, you idiot!"

Hinata blinked as she was dragged out of her stupor. Before her is Ino landing an irritated slap on the side of Kiba's head. Behind her is Shikamaru and Chouji looking around, anxious that someone had heard their conversation. She sent Shino a confused look and he only slightly shook his head as if telling her that this is not the right place.

"Come!" Ino stated dragging Kiba to an alley while the rest followed suit.

The moment they entered the secluded alley, Kiba wrenched his hand off and scoffed.

"No way he's the new Hokage candidate, he's shady as fuck!" Kiba exclaimed, his face contorting in disgust.

"As unusual as this might be, I agree with Kiba's sentiment. Shimura Danzo is simply queer." Shino nodded his head in agreement.

"They had already decided. Tou-san tried to reason with the daimyo but failed. So troublesome." Shikamaru added, pure frustration in his face.

"Do you guys know what this means?"

Everyone stared at Chouji who appeared to be as serious as one can be despite the barbeque sauce smeared on his cheeks.

"The war is as good as confirmed. I had overheard from Tou-chan that Shimura-san is one violent person." Chouji dropped.

"Tsk. Wars are most troublesome." Shikamaru added sighing in defeat.

"I was hoping we could finally take a breather after that Akatsuki leader." Ino also sighed in defeat as she slumps on the semi dilapidated wall behind her.

Hinata couldn't help but be sad too. She had hoped that things would go better now. Especially for Naruto. With this talk of war, Hinata's sure that Naruto would be obligated to risk his life once again for the sake of the village. A noble cause that she could get behind with. This means that she would have to train harder so she could fight by his side to protect the village. She had vowed to do so and she never goes back on her word, that's her nindo.

"Then there's the problem with Sasuke." Shikamaru added, his tone seems to have dropped even further.

That made the group perk up in confusion, their eyes on Shikamaru.

"Sasuke-kun?" Ino inquired hopeful but worried.

"The traitor? What trouble did he get into this time?" Kiba sneered.

"I don't know the specifics but a group of Kumonin came yesterday morning and reported about a certain Konoha defector, wearing the banner of the Akatsuki, who kidnapped an important Shinobi from their village." He explained, his countenance darkened.

The news garnered mixed reactions. Kiba sneered and scoffed as though the news was expected but tasteless nonetheless. Chouji appeared saddened, while Shino remains indifferent as always. Ino appears to be the most devastated.

"Sasuke-kun? He can't be." Ino whimpered closing her eyes as though in pain, she slumped to the ground. "Poor Sakura." She added as an afterthought.

"What did you expect?" Kiba scoffed combing a hand through his hair. He tried to sound cynical and uncaring but it was evident that he was moved by the news as well.

Hinata closed her eyes, her temples had started to ache at all of the bad news coming in. She was not close to the Uchiha, indifferent to him even. But she knows that he is Naruto's precious person and she trusts Naruto's judgement in his character. But she can't simply fathom why Sasuke had joined the very organisation that was after Naruto's life? What was the purpose to all of this? She does not understand. Perhaps Naruto does.

"This is quite a mess." Shino simply said as he scratched the ear of a whimpering Akamaru who sensed the heavy atmosphere from the group and was being affected by it.

"Worst is, we can't do anything about it. We are powerless for the time being." Chouji added before letting out a deep sigh that hovered above the group.

Shikamaru pushed himself from the post he was leaning on and straightened, "Soon we'll be getting missions from our new Hokage. He might not be our ideal Hokage but our loyalty is to the village, and the Hokage embodies the village."

Silence prevailed in the group. Neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Shikamaru's sentiment.

"What should we do now?" Kiba asks, his countenance still low.

The Ino-shika-cho looks at one another before sharing a nod.

"We'll continue training with our fathers." Ino answered for them.

"We still have so much to learn." Chouji added.

"We have a legacy to uphold." Shikamaru said finalising their plans.

Hinata observed the unspoken words between the team members. Their eyes reflects their shared loss. The death of their teacher and team advisor still fresh on their minds. They have something to prove of as the students of the late Sarutobi Asuma. Hinata has no idea what it feels like to lose a teacher as her own is still living and thankfully away from harm after Kurenai was brought back to life after the Akatsuki leader attack along with the baby she carries. Although she had lost her mother and uncle, she was too young back then to truly experience the turmoil a death of a family or family figure will bring. Her thoughts drifted to Naruto, he had also lost someone dear to him, didn't he. Now this news about Sasuke…

Kiba stood up and stretched his arms above him. He lowered his arms and smirked towards Shino and a contemplating Hinata.

"Guess I'll be training too. You game Shino? Hinata?" Kiba asked.

Shino stoically nods. "Affirmative. With the rumours of an upcoming battle, training ourselves is a must."

On the other hand, Hinata was hesitant. Although training with Kiba and Shino is her norm,memories of her failed attempt on rescuing Naruto came back to her. Her Jūho Sōshiken still needs some polish evident by her defeat in the hands of the Akatsuki leader. And to polish that fighting style, she needs the help of her clan, specifically her father. She had decided...

"I'm sorry Kiba-kun, Shino-kun. I plan to train with my clan."

"Eh?" Kiba was surprised by this. "That's good news Hinata! It's good to know that they are warming up to you!" He exclaimed.

"She had gained their respect, why? Because she had bravely faced the Akatsuki leader when no one else did." Shino added with a slight proud smile.

Hinata appeared embarrassed by this while Ino looked confused.

"Eh? Hinata's the heiress right? Why would she need to gain their respect?" Ino asked.

Hinata blushed in shame. "I-Ino-san… It's a tad complicated, it's because-"

"NARUTO-SAN? ARE YOU IN SOME KIND OF JUTSU?"

"DON'T COME NEAR!"

That came from outside the alley.

"Naruto?" Kiba exclaimed in confusion. Wasn't Naruto still in the hospital?

"Naruto-kun?" Hinata walked outside of the alley and the group followed suit.

What they found was not Naruto. But a blond boy, still in the cusps of toddlerhood, crying his heart out in the middle of a construction. Some people who were hammering away at the top of the construction, peered down on the boy while most people, who were carrying supplies, had dropped their chores to try to approach the boy.

It was then that they noticed that the boy is holding a kunai, a dangerous weapon to the eyes of the civilians. The reason for their hesitation.

Hinata studied the boy for a second and she couldn't help but gasp. He is the exact copy of Naruto during their childhood aside from the shape of his eyes. Another obvious distinction is the number of birthmarks in his cheeks. They are only two of each side instead of three.

The boy is holding a kunai glaring menacingly to the civilians trying to approach him. Although he stood there as threatening as a toddler can be, tears shamelessly flowed from his deep blue eyes. His lips trembled as he darted his eyes from one stranger to another.

"What you make of my village!" The boy yelled, his broken nihongo betraying his young age. He appeared disturbed at the sight of the village rubble.

His arms trembled but he remained steadfast. The sight tugged at Hinata's heart. The boy reminded her so much of Naruto back when they were young. She had the sudden urge to run to the child and take him to her arms, to comfort him.

"He looks like Naruto-sama." One civilian murmured.

"A relative perhaps?"

"I ignored Naruto-san most of the time so I don't really know." One civilian guiltily admitted.

"What the fuck? Did Naruto fail a jutsu again?" Kiba exclaimed.

"I highly disagree with the thought that Naruto had done this." Shino adds.

"Or it could be a trap." Shikamaru stated as he walked ahead of the group and took charge.

Shikamaru raised his hand and his team moved immediately. Chouji blocked the civilians from approaching the crying boy while Ino prepared to invade the child's mind to see if he poses a threat.

"No! Ino-san, wait!" Hinata called as she ran towards Ino who was in the process of doing her clan technique's hand sign. She acted on the impulse of protecting the child. She didn't know why she feel the urge to do so, this child is a stranger, or worse, a spy. But something told her that she will regret it if she let anything happen to this child.

Ino immediately stopped her signs and whipped her head confusingly in Hinata's direction. Everyone seems to be confused on Hinata's outburst as their attention is now on her.

And that includes the boy. Watery deep blue eyes darted to Hinata. The boy looked at her wide eyed and then… A hopeful smile bloomed. A smile so similar to that of Naruto's.

"Kaa-chan!" The boy exclaimed, dropping the kunai he was holding as he ran towards Hinata with open arms.

"KAA-CHAN?!"

Their collective shouts could be heard from miles away.

"She seems to be well." Shizune states, ruffling the dark head of the little toddler sucking on the fruit loli she often gives to their younger patients.

"Any idea who her parents are, Shizune-san?" Neji asked, looking at the cooing baby sitting on Shizune's lap.

"Let's not pretend that we can't see the similarities between this kid and Naruto-kun." Shizune sighed. "This is very confusing. She seems like a real person, not a bunshin or doll."

The medic nin then proceeded to pick up the toddler and place her on Neji's lap who awkwardly tried to hold the squirming child firmly on his grasp.

"I took the liberty to extract some of her hair for examination." Shizune stated as she turned the nearest monitor connected to some cables and lab equipment that Neji could not understand.

He look around in awe of the place wondering how the medic nin and the other hospital employees managed to salvage the equipments for the hospital when most were devastated by the attack on Konoha.

"See here?" Shizune pointed to the monitor showing vague lines that Neji does not know the purpose of. "These are the DNA of a legitimate human. I first thought that she might be a product of Hashirama cells but found no trace of the said cells on her." She then faced Neji again. "Yamato-taicho would be a great help right now but he's busy."

"Have you tried to compare her DNA to that of Naruto's?" Neji asked.

Shizune frowned and shook her head. "Currently, all the health records had been decimated. We had to begin anew. And that includes Naruto-kun's. It would be a great help if you'll direct him to me once you see him. We could extract DNA from him for comparison."

"Toutan!" The child chirped with a satisfied smile on her face and proceeded to throw the half eaten loli to the ground. She hummed with pride at her actions.

"So adorable!" Shizune cooed taking the child off of Neji's lap and into her arms.

"Pweety? Hima?" The child chirped pointing to herself with her chubby hands.

"Hima? Is that your name?"

The child nods her head. "Himawawi! Yah!" she said waving her hands in glee before hugging Shizune's neck. The medic nin blissfully melted on the hug cooing even more. TonTon, who was at the side of the examination table, could only fume in jealousy.

Neji could not help but to smile at the child. She seems to be a happy and calm child. She hasn't cried out loud since he had found her and had taken to smiling at every person they passed through on their way to Shizune.

The door wooden door opened showing a worried Tenten and a beaming Rock Lee.

"Neji! Tenten said that you found a youthful child!" Showing his bright teeth, Rock Lee posed a thumbs up to show his approval. "Let us partake in the quest of finding her parents together!" he practically yelled.

Shizune sighed in defeat. "Lee-kun, this is the hundredth time I'll tell you to please lower your voice in the vicinity."

"Yaaaah!" The child beamed with her hand flailing around, then she copied Rock Lee's pose which seems to render Rock Lee into tears.

"Such a youthful child! Let me welcome you with an embrace!" Rock Lee declared running towards Neji and the child with open arms.

Neji manage to stop him with a kick to the face.

"Behave yourself!" Neji yelled.

Tenten could only facepalm herself. "Ugh, why does this happen everyday…"

"At least Gai-san is not here to join in." Shizune tried to comfort the brunette.

But the chaos ensued as Rock Lee is now trying to pry the child off of Neji while the child squeals in glee as she was tug between the teens like a rope.

Shizune then sighed and waved her hand dismissively. "If you guys can't be quiet then please leave."

"But the child-"

"I'll send for you later Neji-kun. Once I find Naruto-kun."

A thought entered Neji's mind. Where is Naruto?

"The final work will settle it all! Become such a masterpiece that That failure will be like it was cancelled altogether… Naruto!"

He could still hear Nagato's voice…

"Is the final part approaching?" He murmured to himself.

He tossed from his futon. New bandages had been placed on him from his earlier scuffle with that violent lady from Kumo. But his injuries don't bother him that much anymore. He stared at the ceiling of the temporary holding he was placed in, a place the civilians (Mainly Inari and Tazuna) had build for him so he has a place to recuperate from his injuries.

"Ne, Nagato… You said you were the failed part. But I might also become a failure if I couldn't even save my best friend." He closed his eyes. "Just like you weren't able to save yours."

The silence was deafening to him. He knows there's still hope for Sasuke. He knows it from within his heart that he could still save Sasuke. Reach out for what little light left within him. But the doubts are still there. He thought of Sasuke's pain. He understood them now. The pain of losing someone very dear to him.

He could still feel the hollow ache from Jiraiya's passing. An ache that would never go away. Is this what Sasuke had endured on all of those years? The hollowed ache and guilt that you weren't able to do anything to prevent it?

Bright blue eyes blinked up at the sealing. Does the final part includes him to lose everything just like what Sasuke did? Is his path closer to Sasuke's after all?

"Aahhh… I want to do something." Naruto mused and raised his hand. A sharp pain from his sides produced a wince from him. He sighed remembering Shizune's words. He still needs a week to fully recuperate both his physical form and his chakra reserves. He can't wait that long, who knows what trouble Sasuke gets into during that time. He had to reach Sasuke.

To tell him that he finally understands.

Knock! Knock!

The person behind the door opened it without Naruto's answer. It was Sakura (and Sai lurking creepily behind her).

"Naruto? Why are you still in bed?" Sakura asked, walking inside the small cabin. She places her hands on her hips in typical Sakura fashion and glares at her patient.

"I thought I'd be resting." Naruto answers back as he sat up and ran a hand through his blond hair.

"You can't rest with an empty stomach!" She yells as she snatched the blanket off of Naruto.

"Follow what she says Dickless or she'll drag us back to hell." Sai said in a cheerful blank smile.

"Shut up!" She yelled to Sai as he received a slap.

Naruto couldn't help but chuckle at this. This is one of the reason why its so fun teasing Sakura as she gets riled up so fast. He wonders if Sakura ever noticed that Sai is also teasing her because of her easy combustions.

"Can you two get out so I could get ready?" Naruto asks as he stands up and walk towards his set of casual clothes, the only ones he has as of now.

"Why not change in front of us? There's nothing to see anyway." Sai quipped.

It seems that the slap he received from Sakura was not enough. He had to have a punch too.

Naruto studied Sakura as they walked towards the newly remade Ichiraku stand. He hadn't really studied her reaction of the news they received yesterday. She must be as devastated as him, although she's doing a good job hiding it. So unlike the girl he had once knew who wore her emotions right up her sleeves.

She's still as beautiful as he remembered. The giddy feeling he experiences when looking at her was still there albeit not as much as he had in his younger days. A selfish part of him still whispers on his ear on what a great opportunity he has to snatch up Sakura, especially when Sasuke is now considered a villain. But it was not about winning anymore. Naruto's growing out of such childish thoughts. And procuring Sakura is a lost cause. She might not say it, but her heart still belongs to Sasuke. He wonders what her thoughts are in Sasuke's recent actions.

"How's the Godaime?" Sai suddenly asked, taking both teens off guard.

As if they couldn't get any gloomier…

"You know Sai, you asks things at the worst time." Naruto quipped, glaring at the still smiling Sai.

Sakura scoffed. "What did you expect? He has no sensitivity to human emotions whatsoever."

"T-That's too cruel Sakura-chan…"

"Ah… So you can't just ask for other people's health. The book did not tell me anything about it. It said that asking for people's health is a good conversation starter.." Sai said in a thoughtful manner, not at all offended by Sakura's insult.

"I-It's okay to ask other people's health." Naruto clarified as he sweat dropped. Sai is a weird case.

"So then, how's Boobs doing?" Sai asked cheerfully.

A tic bloomed on Sakura's forehead. "Oh please tell me you didn't just call my incapacitated Master 'Boobs'." She grinded, already raising an angry fist.

"Oh, I meant the other boobs. The girl with the Hyuga eyes." Sai clarified, oblivious to his impending doom.

"You mean Hinata?" Sakura blinked. "I should still really punch you for that."

"Hinata has boobs?" Naruto asks.

"Oh yes Naruto. Did you know that females has breasts." Sakura quips in a patronising tone.

Naruto stopped walking as he envisioned Hinata. Then a look of horror and embarrassment dawned on his face. "Hinata has boobs!" He wailed, either in dejection or pleasure Sakura cant tell.

The pink haired medic nin could only facepalm herself. "I'm surrounded by idiots." She grumbled..

"By the way, How is Hinata?" Naruto asked. He hadn't really seen the girl around despite the fact that he had actively sought after her days prior to thank her for her bravery.

'She loves me like a friend! I'm glad!' Naruto thought with a smile. He ignored the disappointed pang in his chest. Of course he'll be happy that Hinata sees him as a good friend! Loves him for it even.

"She went home before you guys were discharged from the hospital. I'm sure her family is taking good care of her." Sakura said with a smile.

"You think we could stop at the Hyuga sector after we eat? I want to thank her fo-"

A body of a child collided with Naruto at that moment, jarring Naruto out of his thoughts. He looked down at the child who collided with him who is sprawled at the ground from the strong impact. The child had been running it seems.

"Hey, you okay?" Naruto kneeled down at the child ignoring the sharp pains he is feeling from his wounds.

The child quickly stood up, staring in awe at Naruto, unable to say anything.

"Tou-chan! Tou-chan! It's the hero!" The child exclaimed, leaving Naruto speechless as he bounded to his father who was standing not to far away from the crash site.

"F-forgive us Naruto-san!" The father stuttered, appalled that his son had collided with the village hero.

Naruto could only awkwardly wave the the apology away. "It was nothing." He said with an awkward smile. Still not used to the hero worship tone that most of the villagers had equipped towards him. He remembered the times he was ignored and forgotten by these people. The times he had longed for their acknowledgement. Now he finally earned them.

"Kazuki, watch where you're going next time." The father admonished the child as he scooped him up to his arms and placed him on his shoulders.

"Yay! High up Tou-chan!" The child cheered in glee.

Watching the father and son walk away tugged something within Naruto. Something else about him had also changed. He finally knows who his father is. The Yondaime's proud smile is still fresh from his memories. Naruto wonders… Would the yondaime and him be as close as those father and son if he were alive? Would he take Naruto up his shoulders too?

He suddenly envisioned himself with a son of his own. Would he know how it takes to be a father?

"You okay Naruto?" Sakura asked in concern, peering down at the still kneeling Naruto.

The blond shook his head and carefully stood up from his kneeling position.

"Nothing… Just thought of wanting a son as cute as that kid someday."

"Is it really okay if we take this child to Shizune-san?" Hinata asked as she rearranged the napping boy in his arms. She ignored the confused and intrigued looks from the people around her who are all trying to look past her friends who are currently surrounding her and the boy.

"It's a far safer choice." Shikamaru answered as he walked in a far relaxed pace right in front of Hinata. "Right now, we don't know who we can trust. Not even my father. Shizune-san on the other hand is solely loyal to the Godaime."

"I don't get it." Kiba said, trying to look as relaxed as Shikamaru and the others.

They are currently traversing through the destroyed village with an O formation with Hinata holding the boy at the center of the formation. Usually, this formation is used during missions involving guarding someone or something. Shikamaru had immediately took the role of a leader the moment the 'clone' child (as Kiba had taken on calling the child) fell asleep in Hinata's arms.

Hinata feels disturbed at first that they are treating the child as if he's a weapon when she feels no malice from the child and could assure that he's just a confused boy who had mistaken her as his mother. She had checked the child's chakra pathways and assured them that the child is definitely a real one but Shikamaru, the wise one amongst them, had the hunch that there is more to this than meets the eye. The child could be a kage bunshin, albeit a very strange one.

Not wanting to endanger anyone, Hinata agreed to take the child to Shizune, a medic nin, so she could examine the child in a cellular level. Although their first instinct was to contact Sakura first but because of the latest news about a certain ex-teammate of hers, they decided not to bother her.

"Maybe we should contact Naruto as well." Ino suggested. "I mean, someone might be conspiring against him."

"Yeah, it can't be coincidence that this kid looks so much like him." Kiba agreed to Ino's suggestion

"Could I just be dreaming right now about a child looking like Naruto-kun and calling me kaa-chan?" Hinata asked creating an awkward silence. She then blushed hard when she realised what she had just said. "F-forget wh-what I said."

"Aaaaanyway, we're almost there." Chouji said, pointing towards the half destroyed hospital which is currently being repaired in a hurried manner.

From afar, Hinata could make out the workers already finishing the base of the building. Most of the workers are volunteers from other villages within Hi no Kuni. She was surprised that there's so many outsiders helping Konoha back to its feet. She was especially impressed by how fast they're making progress in remaking the village. The Hyuga house itself is close to completion with the help of Yamato-taicho and his mokuton.

The group went to the office in silence as Hinata kept the boy situated in her arms. The child remained asleep for the duration of their walk but had stirred awake the moment they went inside the building, probably noticing the sudden change in temperature. It was a lot cooler inside.

"Kaa-chan?" The boy asked pushing off of Hinata's shoulder and rubbed his sleepy eyes.

"I'm not your kaa-chan. But where's your real parents?" Hinata once again tried to ask the child. She had asked him this before but he was more interested in napping than anything.

The boy blinked at Hinata and started wriggling. Hinata had to balance herself as she walked. "Down Kaa-chan! Boruto can walk remember?"

"Boruto? Is that your name?" Ino asked as their formation started unraveling the closer they got to their destination.

The child only stared at Ino's face before frowning and shyly hugged Hinata's neck, burying his small face on the crook of her neck.

Ino giggled. "He's a bit shy, isn't he."

"Awww… I'll admit, he's adorable." Chouji cooed, seeing the boy's blushing face from behind Hinata.

"I have a theory that Hinata might have almost the same features as the boy's mother or caretaker and thus he sees her as that person." Shino explained.

"I thought so as well." Shikamaru agreed.

Before anyone could say anything, they arrived at Shizune's office and Kiba promptly opened the door without knocking.

"Oh!" Ino gasped, her face turning red.

The usually composed Shikamaru also appeared to be embarrassed. "W-we're sorry to disturb you."

Kiba looked like he's almost combusting. "I-I'm sorry!"

Inside the room is Kakashi sitting at a stool with his hitai-ate on the table next to him. Standing between his legs is Shizune, holding his face on one hand and some kind of flashlight on the other. Shizune sputtered at the newcomers and waved her hands in dismissal frantically.

"Y-you got it wrong! I'm merely examining Kakashi-kun's eye!" She immediately reasoned. Kakashi only grabbed his hitai-ate and giggled into it like a perverted school girl.

"That's what they say too when they get caught." Ino said.

"Don't worry children. Your eyes were not desecrated." Kakashi chuckled as he tied his hitai-ate back to his head and covered his right eye. "So? What's so important that you disrupted my check up?"

Hinata, who had also blushed at what she thought they had walked into, pat the child on his back telling him to turn and face Shizune. The boy turned and did something unexpected.

"Shishidaime!" The boy pointed to Kakashi.

"Did he just told me to 'die, die'" Kakashi deadpanned.

"I think he just said 'four, four'" Kiba clarified.

"I think it was 'Mr. Mr.'" Ino added.

"Nooo!" The boy shook his head. "It's this!" He then opened his right hand while he folded for of his fingers on his left.

"Roku! I think you meant six!" Hinata said as the boy shoved his fingers to her face as if only she could understand his language.

"Yes! Rokudaime!" The boy exclaimed, bouncing in Hinata's arms.

"Rokudaime? Kakashi-sensei's not the Rokudaime." Shikamaru murmured but it was more to himself than to his peers.

Meanwhile, the others just waved it off as something a child would make up.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the boy. But then it widened in shock.

"Is it me, or does that child look like Naruto." He observed.

Shizune immediately facepalmed and massaged her head. "Oh no, there's more of them." She groaned.

Shikamaru perked up. "Eh? What do you mean Shizune-san?" he asked.

As if burdened by the knowledge, Shizune started swaying from where she's standing. Sensing this, Kakashi left his stool and Shizune practically fell on it.

"Neji-kun just left earlier carrying a baby, a girl, who looks like Naruto-kun too, but with dark hair." Shizune informed.

Silence fell on them as they realised how grave the situation is.

"Clones? Someone made Naruto clones?" Kakashi narrowed his eyes. A sudden paranoia bloomed inside him. Could it be that Danzo? No, cloning someone is impossible... Impossible if you're not Orochimaru.

'This is bad.' Kakashi thought. 'If this is truly Orochimaru's doing. Then… With Tsunade-sama in a coma and Danzo as Hokage, defending Konoha from a bunch of Naruto clones will prove to be difficult.'

"No, I'm sure they're not clones. I tested the child Neji had taken in and she was definitely a child born from two parents." Shizune answered.

One could practically hear Kakashi and Shikamaru breathe a big sigh of relief.

"Then… Who is this kid?" Kiba asked, jerking his head to the Hinata and the boy's direction.

"I'm Uzumaki Boruto-ttebasa!" The boy answered enthusiastically, pointing his thumb on his chest in an arrogant manner.

…

…

…

"Don't lie little boy. Lying is bad." Ino said wagging her finger at the child, a frown on her face.

"What if that's the truth."

All looked at Shikamaru's direction.

"What if this child is truly an Uzumaki." Shikamaru continued.

"Did Naruto impregnate anyone while he was away with Jiraiya?" Kakashi asked Shizune but his question generated gasps and denials from the other rookies, particularly Hinata.

"N-Naruto-kun wouldn't do that!" Hinata denied. But her heart tightened at the prospect. That is probably the most probable answer to this whole thing right now. But the thought of Naruto with another woman almost brings her down to her knees. The pain would be too great, she wouldn't know how to cope with it.

"Naruto doesn't even know how babies are made." Kiba supported Hinata's denial. His eyes darting towards Hinata in hidden pity. It better not be so or Hinata would surely collapse with that knowledge.

"With Jiraiya-sama gone," Shizune's voice broke but she quickly composed herself. "W-we have no one to ask except Naruto."

"I'll go look for that guy!" Kiba declared as he stomps out of the room.

"Can you fetch Neji-kun too? Boruto-kun-" Shizune gestured to the child still in Hinata's arms. "-Might recognise the other child Neji-kun found."

Shino, who was going to accompany Kiba, nodded his head as the two boys left for their errands.

Kakashi watched as the child who is almost the carbon copy of his student coo at Hinata's face, trying to cheer her up from her saddened mood. He admonished himself for being so insensitive. Albeit he didn't really know that Kurenai's student was harboring affection towards Naruto. He continued watching Hinata and the child as both were offered a seat as they waited for Naruto and Neji. Ino sat beside Hinata and tried talking to the child but the boy shied away from Ino's touches. It was then that Kakashi noticed something as the boy turned his head towards him and sent him a Naruto-like smile.

The boy has the same eye shape as Hinata.

Could it be?

AN: This was supposed to be a short one shot but I decided to make this a two shot instead so I could add more scenes between Neji and Himawari and maybe more. Boruto's speech is deliberate, I noticed that kids tend to have a lot of grammatical errors when they first started talking.

Edit: Thanks Aquify for noticing that blunder! XD lol, I wrote Iwanin instead of Kumonin. I'm surprised that I was not struck by lightning.

Special thanks to my editor Gio-san! XD I just realised that I forgot to give you credit. Sorry!