005

Kurenai's

The night breeze lingered on my bare skin. Seemingly, the new Konoha's wind is cooler than ours. Gives chills but doesn't make you uncomfortable.

Healthy trees from afar, no dusty air flew by, and the Leaf's familiar scent gracefully entered my nose.

It's still home. It still is Konoha.

"The Tower is on another level." Choji laughed a little.

Naruto who has his arms around Choji raises his hand to cover the brightness in his eyesight's accord.

"Damn, they have the budget for these?" Naruto said while stealing chips from Choji's pack in hand.

Well, it won't be stealing since it was visible to Choji and Choji is just too kind to consider it stealing. Naruto is his friend.

"You have the budget for this, Naruto?" Choji asked him.

"How would I know y'know?!" Although shocked by the question, Naruto replied in full volume of his voice. Blushing while holding his chest.

Oh God, you know he liked that.

"Why make the tower like this?" Lee beside Naruto.

"Or maybe our's is just dark?" Choji added.

Shikamaru on the other hand unfortunate to be hearing his friends' pointless conversation shook his head. Hands on his pocket while head is up confidently just like his sensei. Just like how my man is walking.

Asuma, having a big build walked beside Shikamaru. A cigarette halfway done was held captive between his lips. He's feeling the wind that made pass based on his relaxed expression and closed eyes.

They're on my right side.

"They will notice we're all gone." Sighs. "I can picture their immediate response." I heard his deep voice.

Asuma glanced at me. I wasn't sure if he was talking to me so I waited for a second look. And he did give another.

"Lady Tsunade would make Genma and the others panic. Well, it's not like it isn't a big deal." I chuckled as I look up at him.

He stared and didn't even reply. We are all walking and this man is not paying attention to where he is going.

He's at it again!

I rolled my eyes to suppress a smile.

Not saying anything I hold him by his elbow, pushing him a bit. He smiled at me while biting his lips. What I've done was oblivious to others so we're fine. Asuma and I don't want to be PDA, we like to keep everything private.

At least 10 meters away, the modern Hokage Tower with lights brighter than any day could be. In the entranceway of the building, there was a woman facing towards our aim.

Bigger did my eyes go. The woman mimicked the way my eyes grow wide. From worried to shock her beautiful face went.

Catching a glance of someone I knew. My eyes caught with pearly white orbs.

"Hinata," I whispered.

My grown student.

Her eyes roam through each one of us using her byakugan. But she only did that briefly and moved her eyes to the approaching kid. She scanned him thoroughly.

Her face matured and is now more prominent than it is to my student's as of now. Her eyes didn't change as much but her aura did.

A lenient eyes, she perched upon the kids.

"Nothing really changed in its structure and design but you can smell modernity in it." Sai plainly said beside Sakura.

I turn to have a look at them. They're by my left. It was Sai, Sakura, and Ino.

"You and your art, Sai," Sakura said. Shaking her head.

"Right, it seems strongly constructed,"

Ino replied.

Ino, unconsciously hooked her arms to Sakura's. Sakura then puts her hand on Ino's which made them both realize what's happening between them.

"Ew, this Forehead! Don't latch yourself to me like we're friends."

"Eh?! You're the one who put yourself close to me, Pig!"

Sai smiled and Hinata laughed because of what they saw in front of them.

"You're too harsh, Ugly."

"What you say, Sai?!"

Some of Shino's bugs were attracted to the shining building, flew, and crawled close.

"Cold?" I asked Ino who removed herself from where she was earlier.

"Yes, kinda." Ino chuckled, awkwardly.

"You can hug my arm as you did with your best friend." I said, 'innocently' teasing her.

No doubt she's feeling cold, she's wearing a crop top. Ino pouted and came close and did what I suggested but did not say anything to deny what I said about her 'friend'.

"Is it too bright?" Shino asked her teammate Hinata.

"No, it's fine Shino-kun," Hinata answered with a small smile.

"Hinata-sama?!" Neji on our front. With those who walk on the lead.

"H-hai?" Hearing such a call from her cousin made her turn.

But seeing Neji is not looking at Hinata. Heads of our troop were curious base on what I have seen in my peripheral vision. The Genius Neji didn't show even the slightest of mind to us. Nor that he motioned his body to face our direction after the call.

Neji was facing forward.

I throw my eyes back to where my older Hinata is. She's hugging the kid with golden blonde hair. Providing comfort for the boy.

I felt Ino's body stiffen through her arms. I put my left hand on top of her inclined arms around my right. Her wide mint eyes hold contact with my red ones.

"It's not who I think it is. Right?" Asking with a good volume just enough to make everyone hear.

I wasn't able to answer her because we were distracted by the whiskered boy.

"Don't sway!" He laughed.

The girl who I certainly believe is Hinata's daughter is hugging them despite her cute height.

Laughing with the two made her look so loving, glowing, and more than what contented means.

Asuma turns to me. Lean down to close the distance our height difference made. "She looks like Hinata." He said.

"She is Hina." I mouthed.

"Oh. Naruto and Hinata then." Asuma got back to straighten his posture.

What?

"Are we really in the future?" Ino, still not recovering from the bewilderment.

"She smells like Hinata..." Kiba said. Sureness is drawn in his tone and pausing to slowly let the odd situation sink in. Akamaru was heard agreeing with him.

"Eh? I don't get it. Hinata's there." Naruto pointed toward where the younger one is.

A short dread of silence hovered over the air. The kids are also not talking but greeting Hinata silently.

The younger Hinata was piercing stares at her older self. Also roaming her pearls to the whiskered kids standing beside Hinata.

We're awfully close to where they are standing. Awkward, the situation should be described as. We stand there just waiting for any signals or anything to happen.

Adjusting to the place wasn't easy.

"Woah."

"Look at that."

The place was beautiful. All the bright colors were there. The entrance was crowded because of everyone including them, Hinata, Sai and, the kids. We haven't got to see the ANBUs again.

The Jonins are here, remotely with us. My eyes caught Sai moving farther away. A Jounin with brown hair came close to him. They talked shortly.

"Sai," Hinata called.

The attention of the two was stolen by Hinata's call. Hinata converse with them until the Jounin nodded and disappeared.

"What now?" I nonchalantly ask.

Not knowing Kakashi was near beside me, he replied. "Let's just observe and wait. I'm sure we're safe here, tho."

"You think Sai will make us go straight to the Hokage?"

"Yeah, he will. They are aware that this is a high-rank mission now." Gai cut in. Resting his arm on top of Lee's head.

Our gaze went to the kids. A boy who looks like Shikamaru was whispering. The girl with a great sense of style bobbed her head. Sai's child was the one facing the Nara. The girl with the glasses fixed her eyes downward obviously listening.

The kids Hinata was with a moment ago were isolated with them. The boy is seemingly distracting the little girl.

"Eh?! Nii-chan you'll be scolded again!" She doesn't look worried about that... In fact, she's smiling.

The blonde boy chuckled and stole a glance at Hinata.

"Mom will probably confiscate my game again. I'm in danger." He acted scared.

"Haha! I will protect you from Mama, nii-chan." The girl shook both their holding hands.

They're siblings?

"Oh. Naruto and Hinata then."

Is this what Asuma meant?

"Really?" Sakura approached the two.

Various of heads turned to her. Sakura stopped walking when she was in front of the siblings. Naruto wanna follow as always but was stopped by Shikamaru.

He will do no good. Good thing Shikamaru thought it would be best to let Sakura handle this, only her, without Naruto.

Curious Naruto stayed where he was pulled not really paying much mind to Shikamaru's prevention.

Everyone was attentive. Everyone wants answers, thanks to Sakura we might be receiving them now. Brave but impulsive Sakura.

The girl with red glasses crossed her arms, shut-eyes tightening.

The small girl was ready to engage with Sakura's conversation. The Naruto-looking brother looks in Sai's direction but is unfortunate to have no notice from the two.

The girl's big ocean blue eyes were curious. She plasters a kind smile while looking up. Sakura returned the smile, squatting a little to balance their gaze. The boy sighed, not protesting.

"What's your name?" Sakura offered her hand.

The girl's eyebrows close their distance a little as she looks down at Sakura's hand. But then she held Sakura afterward.

"Himawari." She smiled still looking at their hands.

Sakura then nodded. Emerald orbs sparkled with adoration, her other hand flew behind her back turning a fist.

"Is that woman your Mom, Himawari?" Sakura politely pointed to Hinata.

The boy shared a look with probably Shikamaru's son. Both talking using their telepathy.

"Mm! She the best y'know." She said glancing at her brother... Teasing? 

"Oi, don't imitate me like that!" The boy's face goes red as he pulls his sister close to him.

Himawari laughed. "Dattebasa, ttebayow." The way she says it was cringeworthy and you can see she made it that way. But still, it was cute.

"Hima, you're teasing again!"

Her brother's hand was apparently aiming to shut her up but since Himawari was not behaving he accidentally covered her sister's eye.

"Oh no, I can't!" She laughed.

"Really?" Sarcasm was evident in his tone.

"Boruto, Hima," Hinata called.

We look at her. The siblings behaved from all the teasing.

"Boruto huh?" Kakashi mumbled.

"Kinda weird. Right, Neji?" Naruto nudges Neji as he asks.

"I'll kill you." Neji eerily turns to his friend.

"Eh? Why are you overreacting? You're weird too y'know." Naruto's forehead was creased. Tan palms were held up as if stopping Neji from coming closer to him.

As Neji was about to confront him or... attack him. I grabbed Neji by his waist. His brown locks were disturbed in their still state.

"Let's check how our Hinata is doing."

I said while guiding him to where Hinata is.

Neji wasn't happy about that. Trying to soften my hold on his waist and wrist.

"No." I firmly said. "At least make him realize. Let him wrap his head around what is happening before you skin him alive." That was nearly a whisper.

"I can't just let him, knowing that he's too head over heels with that Sakura." Grunting a little. Frustration was all over his face.

"It's been so long here. I mean I don't know, more than 15 years or something. A lot has changed now, Neji. We know Hinata is in love with Naruto but I think she won't settle for him if the feeling isn't mutual." I said as clearly as I can, emphasizing every word.

His handsome face screamed disapproval. He's so protective.

Our eyes traveled to Hinata and Shino. They too were attentive to Sakura and the siblings. Hearing Neji's sigh of defeat when he gets a gaze of his cousin, I know he wouldn't object anymore.

They did not mind us. Completely indulge with the show in front of them. Neji did not speak and just stand near his cousin.

A strong smell of smoke and manly sweat dominated its way to my nose. Asuma appeared behind me.

"Tsk. We'll be old now, Kurenai. Hinata and Naruto made two already." In a low voice, he spoke with a drunk tone. Apparent to me that he's sleepy.

"It will be a long night. Get your shit straight."

"A long night that I did not want." He breathe out a grey-colored smoke that embraced half of my face.

"I'm sure we have a big family. Can't wait to see our kids."

Not lying, l am already used to his smoke but what I heard and what I inhaled made me cough.

You should be thankful that I love you if otherwise, shit would happen! I wanted to shout at him but my lungs were pretty occupied.

I cough like I'm having pleuritis. Why would he say things like that? What if the kids hear that and think of it the wrong way?

His hand went to my back gently tapping me. Almost tearing up from the panic attack I held his vacant arm to regain my posture.

Oh, dear...

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