Welcome to the bittersweet grand finale! Check out my author's note at the end regarding future works and more! Happy Reading!

Epilogue Part 2: Of Life Lessons

"This hardly seems like training; in fact all we've been doing is talking for almost the past 2 hours." Boruto yawns.

Though Sarada and Mitsuki have ensured they've blocked his path out of here, they'll keep this endless conversation going in circles possibly all night if need be.

Moonlight breaks through the trees, silver catching on barren branches and wet leaves now illuminating the three of them under this patch of grass they sit at.

"We just want to know what's been bothering you lately that's all. As soon as you tell us, we'll go." Sarada clarifies once more.

Over an hour has passed since she left her bedroom with Mitsuki at his prompting of knowing where he was, surely Mama and Papa knew she had gone as soon as she had slipped out her window into the night.

She glances to Mitsuki to further back up her claim who nods calmly in agreement. "If something is troubling you Boruto, you should let us know now. As a team, an integral part is trust in each other."

Boruto and Sarada both looked at him then, surprised he had so much wisdom.

"Of course I could also use my snakes to get the answers we seek." He continues with a growing smile, emphasizing his point by lifting his sleeves up to reveal what seemed like dozens of white snakes within.

And Boruto stiffened, this plan was only supposed to involve him alone. He had done so many weeks of research in Konoha's main library on the minuscule articles he managed to find and online of how to time travel, theories he wanted to truly put to the test.

But the more people that knew, the higher the risk it would reach back to Mom and Dad…

Fast.

"Did you guys know that Himawari and I accidentally time traveled to the past around like 6 years ago?" He mused quietly, studying their reactions carefully.

Sarada's lips tightened, clearly not fully believing him while Mitsuki only continued to grin with a nod.

"Yes, from the pictures in your home when I came over for dinner that time. That in some it seemed like your parents were too young, that you and your sister appeared to be the same age in photos from different eras. Also my parent has mentioned to me he's studied the topic of time travel before."

Sarada arched a brow, she had been over to the Uzumaki household plenty of times before; when had Mitsuki picked up on these so called photos and not her?

"Is there a point in your mentioning this all though?" She questions to keep them on topic.

Boruto looks between them both quickly, fingers gliding before pulling at clumps of damp grass. Once he revealed his true thoughts there was no going back…

"What would you guys say if I wanted to repeat that?" He asked.

"I'd say you're being an idiot." Sarada stated flatly.

Well, it's not the worse response she could've given him honestly, Mitsuki still taking in his statement quietly.

"Why do you even want to go back in time and potentially screw up the past altering things in the present?! The past that was filled with so many wars, battles, and sadness over deaths our own parents had to fight and go through just to survive in order to eventually get to the peace we have now. I'm sure your reasons for going back aren't so noble." Sarada exclaims and Boruto avoids the knowing in her eyes that will easily find she's right.

"I must agree with Sarada on that being a bad idea. It wouldn't be beneficial to you or anybody to create potential rifts in the time stream just out of your selfish desires." Mitsuki adds in.

He swallows, biting the edge of his tongue to think, to not take Mitsuki's words so personally especially with his same typical smile upon his face...

Inevitably, his mind fills with the small moments Sarada continues to speak of; of the days when Mom and Dad were still getting adjusted to their current home and truly getting used to them all living together as a family. Long nights they had stayed up nursing him or Hima through colds/fevers or reading to them until they drifted off. Going back means memories becoming altered, events potentially ceasing to exist if his plans for revenge come to fruition...

Was it worth it to risk corrupting those memories?

-X-

"Hinata, sure you don't want to go to bed? I can handle him when he comes in." Naruto notes pointedly at watching her yawn for a third time.

Evening has long since turned to night, the two sitting in only the light glow of their amber lamps. Every so often they hear the low buzz of fireflies or crickets outside the windows, sighing at the lack of footsteps.

Hinata shakes her head to his question, regarding him with a sleepy smile. "I'm okay, I've stayed up longer waiting on you or finishing up records/inventory for the pharmacy."

Naruto laughs, pressing a kiss to her temple as he wraps her close into his arms. He wishes he had her patience and resilience to handle situations so calmly…

Because all he wants as soon as Boruto steps through that door is to pop his head in!

'This is more than just being unable to sleep, something bigger was bothering him he refused to tell either of us about; why?'

Finally at a little past 1:30 am they hear the familiar click of the front door opening, both turning to see a fragment of blond hair slowly stepping into the light.

Boruto.

He freezes at the sight of them, sucking in a tentative breath.

It was one thing to run into Mom during his past late night stints, that had happened too many times now, however Dad was here with her on this occasion…

Shit.

Hinata is the first to speak, lilac orbs roaming towards the living room clock before back to him as her gaze turns cold. "You're about 5 hours late to dinner now."

'I know; I'm sorry Mom…'

The thought of any food at the moment wouldn't even stay down anyways, stomach curling in on itself at the mix of upset and annoyance in her expression.

And Dad, he's unreadable.

He points to the solitary chair across from the sofa where they sit and he nods his head silently as he plants himself down.

"Was it worth it to lie to us? Again?" Naruto asks, edge of curiosity in his voice making him look up.

Still he can't figure out Dad's face, wincing when he glances to Mom only to see she's becoming as blank as him.

'No, they're losing trust in me.'

The thought sends his mind and heart into a cascade of wild panic and in the quiet of the room he feels the beginning panging thrums of an erratic heartbeat, of yelling and pounding at his chest for the truth to be revealed.

"It, No-err I was with Sarada and Mitsuki." Boruto finds his voice.

Hinata studies him carefully, even without the byakugan activated he feels he could easily dissolve into a puddle at the snap of her fingers.

"This late?" She questions.

"Yeah…they wanted to know why I had been acting so weird lately." He continues.

Naruto snorts then, letting out a hollow laugh that sends a new wave of pressure to his chest. "Funny, Hinata and I want to know the same thing."

And it's then he knows he won't leave the room, can't leave this room without giving his parents the full truth of his problems. Of why his bouts of insomnia keep returning.

Boruto forces himself to stare at them properly, hoping he can hear himself speak over the loud stream of blood ringing in his ears.

"The past Mom and Dad; I want to go back using a time watch or scroll and kill Takeda myself."

If anything, it's a relief to see their expressions change…

Though, not to a good ones.

Mom's worry returns as she glances back to Dad, squeezing at his hand as his lips tighten as he gives her a tiny grin before his gaze returns back to him.

"Well Boruto, we're afraid that's impossible."

'What? No way, this must be some lie to keep me from going through with the plan.'

His thoughts are put to rest though as Dad finishes, crushing his unattainable dream before it can even start.

It was stupid to even imagine, Boruto realizes as he swallows down hundreds of knots at hearing this new painful reality. Tears sting at the back of his eyes he refuses to let slide down.

"Hinata and I destroyed the time watches and all scrolls over 10 years ago."

-X-

This lump in his bed can only be Himawari.

But she hasn't crawled into his bed in years.

Azure eyes drifts open as soon as they sense his approach, moonlight catching on her strewn violet hair making it shine with white as she sits up properly into view from his pillows.

A grin curves up her lips before he can even speak.

"You got in trouble! You got in trouble! What did you do this time to get Papa and Mama so riled up?" She questions in an excited whisper.

Boruto rolls his eyes at her antics, plopping down beside her nonetheless. What happened to attempting to be mature?

"Geez, you're being a baby about this."

As he expects Himawari huffs, whiskered cheeks pouting out as she shoves him lightly. "No, I'm not! Take that back!"

Boruto ignores her complaining, glancing at the bags settled under her eyes as she attempted to smooth out her hair.

'She's been waiting on me too…'

"You should go back to your own bed. Mom and Dad are going to do their nightly room check soon."

Himawari simply shrugs, cocking her head as she pokes at his arm gently. "Tell me what happened big brother. Are you okay? Is this about going back to the past? Because you know we can't and-"

"Don't worry Hima, I know. Mom and Dad reminded me." Boruto interrupts her before he can feel the throws of his chest begin to ache once again.

They also happily reminded him he would no longer have access to his games, TV, or computer for the foreseeable future. Shikadai and Inojin were going to have to use the landline to reach him…

Ugh.

Himawari moves to lean her head against his stomach, very much acting like a toddler again however he doesn't question it. Instead he's reminded of nights so long ago where she barged into his room like this during thunderstorms or bad dreams of monsters lurking in the shadows.

Thunder always seemed to shake the house slightly bringing her footsteps right to his door. She sniffs and clenches her eyes shut from the world as he described billowing dark clouds swollen with rain as nothing but the sky performing a light show and dance for the world.

"Well they need to be quieter, I can't sleep!" She hisses, circling his blankets tighter around herself until only her face stuck out.

"It will be over soon, don't worry. Mama and Papa say they have to take breaks in between. To let the rain have its turn to make everything quiet." He explains back, rubbing circles into her back as he'd seen Mama do before until her eyes finally close.

In the morning Himawari is still glued to him, his sheets now tangled around them both.

"Hima, wake up!" He whisper-yells, poking at her cheek only for her to squirm before turning away from his touch.

And its then he notices the wet spot on his bed, that Himawari never did wake him for him to take her to the restroom...

Outside his door he can he hear the voices of Papa, Mama, and what sounds like Auntie too ringing throughout the quiet of the house.

"It is you guys! I can't believe anyone would question it, I mean what other kids have Naruto's facial markings, your hair colors/verbal tics, and the abilities of our clan?" Hanabi remarked.

Hinata lightly admonishes her with a hush to lower her voice. "W-We know! Honestly, it's not a big deal; it's to be expected not everybody would believe us."

Naruto nods in agreement. "That old lady did make a good point. I don't think I would believe myself either if a few days ago you told me Hinata and I's two kids from the future are stuck here from messing with a scroll and don't realize they're in the past."

Hanabi scoffs and Boruto imagines she's crossing her arms not ready to give up the argument. "Still, she didn't have to be so rude about it to you Hinata! Saying you were oh, what was that word she used...fornicating! Right, saying you were 'fornicating' around with Naruto when your thoughts should've been focused on the war is a complete lie! If I was there I could've given her a few choice words for you!"

What on earth is Auntie talking about?

Both Naruto and Hinata redden then, sighing.

"It's fine, all we needed were a few groceries and snacks for the week. We didn't need to create an even bigger scene." Hinata notes, blushing further at the idea of Hanabi spouting out just more of the things she had learned from Boruto and Himawari to all the nosy civilian already curious about their situation.

She had already grown so attached to her nephew and niece in a short amount of time.

"Anyways, we should go wake up the kids! I don't think it's typical of them to sleep this late." Naruto coughs to get them back on track.

"Ah, I hope they got enough rest. It was storming so much last night." Hinata notes.

And meanwhile Boruto freezes up with panic, shaking at Himawari to no avail. They're going to see that wet spot and think it was him!

Great.

He grinned for the first time that night at the memory despite having to embarrassingly explain to Mom and Dad why exactly his bed sheets needed cleaning, patting Himawari's shoulders gently to awaken her.

"Go to your bed, you'll drool all over me."

"No, I won't!" She slurs back, though she takes his hand anyway as they hop out of his blankets just like so many times before and allows him to guide her back to her room.

Only she doesn't let him go as easily.

"If you went back I wouldn't be able to see you!" Himawari whines lowly, hugging him until he hugs her back with enough tightness to placate her.

"I told you already I wasn't going back you know!" Boruto mutters back. Maybe he'll stay for a few minutes to make sure Himawari doesn't immediately come back to his bed…

"Yesterday is gone for all of us Bolt."

That was one of the biggest things Dad had brought up.

Not only had he and Mom decided it was too risky to keep the time watches and even the old scrolls he and Himawari had used all those years ago in existence after their own fiasco (especially with the chance there could be another crazed scientist or shinobi wanting to alter events), they had shattered them both into minuscule pieces with all the other nation's approval and burned away all documents/books studying their creation and works.

"Technology and society aren't ready for such things as Naruto and I saw and had to deal with. Please Boruto, don't let thoughts of revenge cloud you. Killing Takeda would've only caused more repercussions in the now then you could even think of; not just for you." Hinata explained.

And glancing down at his sister he's reminded of what he could've lost in the present and in the future.

He really does have to keep moving forward.

-X-

"Still awake?" Naruto asks tiredly into Hinata's neck.

They had listened to the sounds of their children talking, Boruto eventually giving into Himawari's demands (as usual) and letting her sleep in his room only for one night.

His voice vibrates against her skin as she turns over with a nod, it's now ticking close to 4:30 am. A thin ribbon of oranges and reds is visible in the distance, though for now the sky remains pleasantly dark.

"I wish I knew how Boruto got it in his head that it would be a good idea to go back." She whispers, sitting up properly.

Naruto shakes his head, wondering the same. Their son was a complete enigma when he wanted to be, or at least his bright sunny grins weren't always real…

'Like how mine were.'

"Boruto seems to understand now that we explained things properly to him. Though just to be safe we should invite Sakura and Sasuke over for dinner at some point this week in case Sarada brings it up to them as well." Hinata states bringing him back.

The idea of Sasuke peering around his house in apparent boredom doesn't sound very appealing, however it's been awhile since he's been around all of his old teammates at once.

Plus, it would be nice to show off Hinata's cooking skills!

"Sure, it's better that everybody is on the same page anyways you know." Naruto yawns before a sudden devious grin etches his face.

And Hinata only arches a brow, his smile infectious as she finds a small grin making its way up her own face. "What?"

"Think we could get away with what we did the other day before they come over?!"

Images quickly flash to mind then of flushed skin meeting over toppling clothes, of long kisses and short gasps leading to moans as Naruto thrusts into her while her nails bury into his tan flesh. It's over too soon and he picks her up and leans her back against the coolness of the shower tiles, ready to go again as she feels him harden…

"N-No! We were lucky Himawari didn't even notice us the last time!" Hinata stutters out before she can be reminded of any more, flicking his shoulder as Naruto breaks into snickers.

He leans close to her, breath smelling of coffee he had used to stay awake waiting on Boruto, caffeine still evidently running through his veins.

Alcohol and coffee were two of many drinks Naruto rarely used and tonight Hinata could see why again.

"Hmm, you only stammer around me nowadays unless you're aroused. Anyways, we've been 'lucky' as you say plenty of times before! I'm sure Hiashi and the other Hyuga elders don't know just how different you are around me, behind closed doors…" He trailed off.

Hinata giggles into his light pecks to her lips, pushing him down gently so that she's above him before blushing at realizing what Naruto is clearly imagining from his stare and growing erection.

"W-We both have work in the morning or really a few hours now!"

"You know we won't be able to get anything done running on like 3 hours of sleep." He counters back with a lazy grin.

His eyes and fingers hover then to the sight of her pink bra slipping off her shoulder from beneath her nightgown, hooking his thumbs to the straps to slide it down further…

He reverses their positions in a flash so that he's on top now.

And this time Hinata does nothing to resist.

True to his statement from the night, Naruto is still in bed beside her in the morning, he stretches like a cat before peering around for his boxers and catching her eye.

"You hurt me!" He jokes, gesturing to an array of thin scratches along his back and arms.

"Oh, those'll be gone by the afternoon!" Hinata retorts, though she can still feel herself turning red under his stare.

She watches as Naruto moves to pull out his phone from his pocket, grimacing at the over 5 missed calls from Shikamaru asking where the hell he is.

"Sorry, sorry! I got caught up waiting too long for Boruto to come home…yes that's what really happened! Alright, I'll email you the reports as soon as I get my laptop on. No, I'm sure I can come in for a half-day…I mean if you say so. I promise I'll be there bright and early on time tomorrow you know!" Naruto explained amid the conversation, grinning over to Hinata between Shikamaru's clear scolding of him.

"Well, he was mad! He said I need to tell him the day before if I'm going to call in or work from home. I wasn't playing hooky on purpose though!" Naruto reasoned.

"You're going to work from home today?" Hinata mused at his eagerness.

Naruto nodded, hopping right back into bed. "Yup! You should join me!"

Hinata giggled, it hardly seemed like he was going to get any 'work' done going by his current behavior and lewd grin sent her way when his gaze drifted languidly over her.

"Come on Hinata, the pharmacy can handle you being gone for one day!" He continued and Hinata's smile widens, still on the fence whether to go through with this.

Their children's reactions differ to the sight of the both of them still in their pajamas.

"Yay, if Papa is staying home can I too?!" Himawari cheers, pouncing onto him for a good morning hug.

Naruto pauses, feeling Hinata's stare. "Err, well if it's okay with Mama perhaps? She's been working hard too so she should get a day off as well to stay with us!"

"I agree! Mama, join Papa in staying home!" Himawari decides for her.

They both sport her with matching silly smiles and pouts then for extra convincing.

"You shouldn't miss school Hima, though I suppose since it is Friday just this once is fine." Hinata finally considers making her and Naruto grin even brighter. It seemed like all of them were breaking the rules today.

Boruto only blinks, puzzled still as to why Naruto was hanging around. Is this part of his punishment? Leaving a clone behind to watch him or something?

Naruto waves at him goofily as he attempts to walk with Himawari clinging to him. His slippers are each on the wrong foot making him nearly fall over multiple times…

Never mind, this is the real Dad.

"I didn't know the Hokage could just take the day off." Boruto grunts, taking his seat at the kitchen table.

Himawari sends him a look that instantly makes him quiet, moving to take a long sip of his juice.

Naruto smiles, paying no mind to his grouchiness. "Being Hokage has perks like that! Besides, don't you want me here?"

Boruto coughs mid-sip, frowning as he made use of fiddling with his utensils. "I-I didn't say that! I'm…I'm glad you're here it's just weird is all you know."

"It's not weird! I'm glad you and Mama are here this morning!" Himawari relates before heading to help Hinata with setting the plates.

"So, what's on the agenda for you to do today?" Naruto asks to get a conversation started. It's typical of Boruto to shut-down most of his attempts to talk to him, but he's sure he has nothing to run to this time (usually in the form of having his nose buried in one of his games, his phone/computer, or watching TV) to distract him from speaking properly face to face.

He shrugged, what was there to say? "School I suppose then straight back home. That's going to be my life for the next few weeks considering everything you and Mom took away."

Naruto frowned, his flat tone left much to be desired. "You know why we did this though, right?"

Boruto nodded, scrunching up his nose. It's too early to create an argument. "Yeah…I just wish things were different."

"We all do. I'm sure if I was your age again I would've tried the same thing."

Boruto looked at him fully then, though Naruto had already stood up to head to kitchen to supposedly 'help' with scrambling the eggs.

He just wanted more kisses from Mom…ick! Staring at them briefly though gives him flickers of the past once more, of their teenage selves pattering about trying to learn their likes and dislikes in terms of foods.

'Some things haven't changed at least.'

There wasn't much time to keep thinking on it however, from the corner of his eye out the window he sees dark hair coming down the street.

Of course Sarada couldn't leave what happened last night alone.

-X-

"Papa wants to see you after school ends." Sarada explained after waving over to Aunt Hinata and to her mild surprise Lord Seventh beside her, isn't he usually at the Hokage office by now?

Boruto probably wouldn't answer if she asked.

She gauged him for his reaction to her statement, expecting him to be troubled by this news or at minimum worried, but all he gives her is a short nod before walking on ahead after giving his own goodbyes to his family.

'There wasn't any way his plan would've worked, though I suppose he's already realized that.'

Still, she partially wishes Boruto would've put up some type of fight to argue with her or at least spout that he could have come up with a new strategy.

Morning is slowly bringing back the return of heat, sky littered with only a few clouds throughout the stream of blue.

Maybe Shino-sensei would let them have class in the shade.

Sarada dares a glance at Boruto, hands buried deep in his jacket's pockets glancing at opening markets giving a few waves here and there to regular patrons and shop owners.

This silence of his is unnerving her and as much as she hates it, Mama is right.

He's worrying her.

"How can you guys understand really? Neither of you have went through any type of similar situation involving time travel or kidnapping. Mitsuki, you aren't even really a human. Do you even know what it feels like to be sad? Angry? Because you always just look weirdly happy all the time!"

His outburst before leaving them shook her, trying the rest of the night to ignore the lump that had settled at bottom of her chest taking in his words. Mitsuki didn't seem too shocked or hurt at all by his statement (it's true he had reasoned to her), though Sarada sensed even he was unsure what to do to help Boruto feel better for once.

It wasn't as if the thought of time traveling wasn't tempting, Boruto even sinking in that meeting with a younger version of her Papa would mean learning more about the Uchiha family history he resisted so much speaking to her about...

"Admit it, you want to know too what your parents were like when they were younger."

But she ignored Boruto in the end before she did something she would regret.

She had barely managed to stomach some fruit and toast Mama had laid out for her before leaving quickly to avoid any more probing questions, Papa watching her beneath the veil of his newspaper the whole time over breakfast.

'You're not being fair Boruto. I know what it's like to at least be targeted for my sharingan.' Sarada thinks, nearly voicing said thought aloud until Boruto speaks up.

"I'm going to go hop the train to meet with Shikadai so you can go on ahead."

She grabs him by the collar just before he can move to jump to the rooftops, attempts to twist her scowl away failing.

"Hold on! You're not planning to skip or do something stupid, are you?"

Boruto's grin quickly molds into a scowl and for a second Sarada feels relief things are slightly normal again between them at this simmering argument soon to boil over, that he'll stop saying such strange and hurtful things and go back to being the same annoying idiot who she can trust in.

"No, you'd just tattle on me to Mom and Dad if I did so anyways!"

Sarada gritted her teeth, reaffirming her hold. "Only because we don't know what crazy and dumb stunt you're going to pull next!"

He glances back to her then, eyes shining that annoying brilliant blue with a sudden air of confidence and she hates that her heart suddenly jumps at seeing him give her a true smile for the first time in so long.

She should've asked Mitsuki to come with her.

"You worry too much! Honestly, you'll get wrinkles and look like an old lady by the time you become Hokage if you keep that up! Yes, it's true I wanted to go back, but not if it means hurting the people I care about in the here and now. My old man and Mom reminded me of that, that there are goals like still being a shinobi who can watch the village from the shadows that are more important to me than revenge."

'What?'

And Sarada's grip loosens then, enough for Boruto to slip away.

She doesn't move to go after him as she watches him maneuver from building to building catching up to the train with ease, he'd already known exactly what to say to make his escape from her.

"Ah, so that's what happened with your phone, geez your mom can be just as bad as mine when it comes to disassembling things! That's rough, anyways maybe you could say you need your phone for an emergency?" Shikadai relates during lunch.

'Mom isn't going to go for that.' Though he nods as if such an idea would work.

Everyone's parents know each other, they always seem to know where they're at and what they're doing…

Such as when Sasuke is the one to approach him on his way home instead of the other way around.

"Sarada tells me you were looking into the time watches." He relates between bouts of their sparring at the nearest training ground.

He's hardly broken a sweat in comparison to him, gliding with ease away from each of his swings and punches.

This isn't what he wants to talk about, now Uncle Sasuke is going to lecture him?

But he clenches his tongue to keep anger at bay, nodding as he settles down into the grass. It smells of wildflowers and past rains, dirt soaking and clinging to his legs.

"Yeah, that's right." He states simply, hoping that's enough to satisfy him.

Sasuke lets out a low sigh, observing as cobalt orbs drift away from his stare. There's a lot of Naruto in Boruto yes, however hearing this news reminds him of why he sees part of his old self in him.

"Do you remember the story I told you of the shinobi who betrayed his friends for power?" He questioned as he sat down cross-legged next to him.

Boruto paused, stopping at his picking of leaves and blades of grass. "Yes, how his friend stopped him before he fell completely to darkness?"

"Correct, and you know it was myself I was referring to then, right?"

His eyes move fully to meet his at hearing that, Boruto pursing his lips thoughtfully. "I…I had a hunch, but you never actually said it was you."

It's hard to imagine Uncle Sasuke as anything but Dad's old rival/friend. That at one point all that had consumed his thoughts were revenge and power.

"I'm sure you might have difficulty picturing it, though Naruto at one point in time was stronger than me. I left Konoha during my teen years becoming a missing-nin only letting hate and anger guide me. At the time, it felt like I was being left behind in terms of skills and strengths and wanted to use any opportunity that came forth in order to prove that wasn't the case. " He continued.

'No, I can imagine.' Boruto considers, reminded of the cool metal of the shinobi gauntlet that had been on his wrist just days ago.

"The reason I bring this up is because if you had been able to go back and kill Takeda, it probably wouldn't have made you feel better in the long run. You would still have the memories of the things he did to you regardless. You're a good person Boruto, don't use your skills to create a cycle of vendettas or negativity. Peace may not last forever in our world, though we should do our best to keep it going for as long as possible." Sasuke finished.

Sucking in a breath, he nods. That's probably the most Sasuke has ever spoken to him!

When he looks at him again though he finds him frowning; stoic expression back in place as dark eyes narrow.

"Also, I would appreciate it if you stopped giving Sarada reasons to break our dishes or destroy the plants. She talks about you too much." He states casually though he doesn't miss the sharpness lingering in his tone.

Oh.

And all Boruto can do is flinch, scooting away uncomfortably from him. It's not his fault Sarada whines about him to her parents, maybe she'll get off his case now that she knows he's not going to do anything insane!

Guess training is over for now.

-X-

'Change of plans, we're meeting at the Hyuga manor now! Be here by 2:00 pm!' :) Boruto read to himself.

Himawari can never resist ending one of her texts with a smiley face.

He wasn't sure why they were having lunch at Grandpa and Auntie's house in the first place. It wasn't anybody's birthday and no other special occasions were coming up as far as he could remember.

Maybe it was just to celebrate this mini break they had from school in preparing for the exams. He was definitely going to appreciate the extra hours he got to sleep in and time away from doing classwork in the heat.

Hiashi is the first to greet him just as he approaches the front gate, swinging him into one of his bear hugs before he can even say hello.

"Boruto, oh look at you! You've gotten so big!" He beamed proudly, patting at his arms and comparing their heights.

"Grandpa! Geez, you saw me last Saturday you know! My height hasn't changed that quickly." Boruto regards, grin etching up his face nonetheless at his usual greeting.

A swish of auburn hair comes into view, Hanabi crossing her arms at said scene. "Father, stop that! He can't breathe with you hugging on him so tightly like that!"

As soon as Hiashi lets him go though, she pulls him in for her own hug. "Besides, it's my turn now to give him a hug! How's it going? You hardly stop by to see us, unlike your sister Hima!"

Boruto's response is too stifled to hear, pulling his head out of her arms. "Because I see you guys like every week!"

Hanabi only ruffles up his hair with a smile as she lets him go, gesturing for them to follow her to the gardens. "Come on, you're the last one to make it. Your dad has a big announcement he wanted to make with everyone here."

'She's right, everybody is here.'

Himawari, Mom, and Dad come into view first. Even Auntie Sakura and Uncle Sasuke are here with Sarada in tow near the back.

"Man of the hour is finally here!" Hanabi cheers out, patting his shoulders gesturing for him to make his way in.

"Big Brother come sit beside me, I saved you a spot!" Himawari yells out to him, patting the cushion beside her.

The room quiets once he sits down. He still doesn't understand exactly what's going on, only being hushed by Himawari when he whispers to ask what's happening.

Naruto stood up with Hinata, the pair walking towards the front of the meeting room. "Glad you could make it here on time Boruto! I'm sure you're wondering what brings us all together on this fine afternoon!"

'Yes, clearly everyone seems to be in on this secret except for me.' He notes, glancing over to Hima who's practically bouncing in her seat. The only other person who seemed as confused as him was Sarada who seemed to be leaning forward to listen.

"Hinata and I were talking and got together with Sasuke and Sakura to discuss vacation plans. It's been a long time since all of us have had a good long break to simply relax. Sakura I know has been busy with an influx of emergency cases at the hospital, Hinata's been seemingly taking orders nonstop from the pharmacy due to some drug shortages in other villages, and Sasuke here never actually seems to take time off except when he's here in the village briefly. Now this is all still in the working stages, however we were thinking the best time could be early next month when the chunin exams are over and I'm done with the summit meeting." Naruto reasoned.

Himawari giddily hops up and down as soon as he finishes, excitedly swinging at his arms. "Did you hear that Bolt?!"

"…Ah, yeah I did." He breathes out and it's hard to keep away a smile pushing up his own lips too.

A big family trip; with everyone? He couldn't recall such a thing ever happening before.

Dad finds his gaze from the crowd, matching his grin.

Travel talk swells the air soon enough, attendants moving to pass around various trays and snacks. It's too warm and crowded to stay inside though, shifting himself up to head out to the patio where he can get a taste of the cool wind.

"So, whatcha think of my idea? Pretty great, huh!" Naruto asks, taking a seat next to him on the wooden steps.

Boruto finishes his bite of rice, shaking his head. "Well it wasn't all you, you know! Mom helped you out!"

He affectionately bumps his shoulder at that, nodding. "True! Are you feeling better? The medication Hinata's trying is on the lowest dose scale so it shouldn't make you drowsy during the daytime hours. We don't want to use Ino if at all possible like you wanted."

"Yeah, I have it on me." Boruto replies, patting his pocket to prove his point.

Ultimately, nothing happened exactly as he wanted. Mom and Dad found out very easily about his plans and squashed them.

Despite that though he had learned things about them he never would have. Topics he never could've gotten in the classroom on other aspects of shinobi life, of the sacrifices his parents made for him and Himawari…

"You two, they're about to pass around some bowels/plates of ramen and burgers, I'm sure you don't want to miss that!" Hinata beckons them back inside and Naruto practically jumps to get up.

"Coming Boruto?" Naruto asks, holding a hand out to him.

He grabs it in return just as eagerly as he helps him to stand, there's no way he's going to miss out on some of Mom's cooking.

"Yup!"

'Time to make new memories!'

-x-

It's been a long journey and I'm going to miss writing this, but we've finally reached the end! Thank you to all my readers; new and old for checking this story out! Happy Fourth to all of my US readers as well! Hopefully we can get to 500 likes maybe lol!

Honesty hour, I've been thinking for a long while and this will most likely be my last NaruHina fanfiction. (My well of NaruHina ideas has dried up, at least for now). Any ideas I do get just kind of float around and don't stick.

Not to say I won't come back to the Naruto fandom, I just don't want to write anything I'm not sincerely passionate about that I wouldn't be able to finish or love, I commend authors I see who have been writing for years on stories I think I would lose interest in or forget where my plot/ideas were going. I kind of want to write for My Hero Academia or whatever else that may fancy my attention if you see me over there next lol.

On Another Note, I finally created a Tumblr page with my brother's pushing to expand myself. It's still a work in progress right now, but it's a fun space where I plan to blog and talk with you guys while hopefully also posting my own original works there soon enough so please check it out if you get a chance or have the time to! Just message me if you're interested and I'll send you the link! :)

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!