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cosplayswitzerlandaskblog · 4 years ago

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Unlike last time Hetalia got a new season, the response has not been particularly positive, and I’m seeing a lot of twisted feelings towards the show and the fandom to a point where it seems long time content creators are stepping away from it. I know anyone still active who follows me either are or were fans of Hetalia, so it should be relevant for all y’all.

As a fan who never fell out of the show, I find the response sad though healthy, and even if I know I ghosted you all on tumblr (sorry) because of time constraints and mental health, I still make the occasional CMVs. Fact is, I do not let go of special interests very easily. It seems a lot of you all started watching the show at 10-14 years old, where I myself was a bit older – 17 – and had grown a bit more. Long story short, my Naruto phase was your Hetalia phase, and no, it’s not pretty. You’re young and stupid and don’t know much critical thinking and make mistakes, and you have to forgive yourself for those mistakes, especially when the content you consume is associated with the real world in a sensitive subject.

But after seeing all these posts explaining all the bad we see from Hetalia, I wanted to make a post explaining what I learned from it – all the good that can come with a show like this if you stay aware of perspective. I am not excusing all the bad that came with it, for WWII is a serious event in history that should never be forgotten nor made fun of, but here goes:

I went from a ‘war-is-cool’ history buff to one who truly delved in and learned the intricacies of history, being fascinated with the ‘hows’ and the ‘whys’ as well as getting an excuse to look at the histories of nations which I’d never otherwise be interested in, and I know a lot of other people in the fandom did the same. This is how history should be known, as that is how we can truly apply it to the real world.

I learned to separate people from their countries. To give an example that’ll hit close to much of tumblr, when I started Hetalia I hated Americans with a passion because of the road “you” had put the world on, and I considered all y’all dumb and bad as a cause of it. Getting that excuse to take an ACTUAL look at how your nation functioned and what communities truly hid behind the borders, I learned instead that your government is corrupt as shit, your society is rigged against you and you have been forced to stand by and watch as chaos happens. It got applied to the world as a whole, where I considered other nations being as dynamic as my own, with people both good and bad, and the actions of the nation is even less of a reflection of the people in the cases of corrupt democracies or dictatorships.

I separated from Colonial world views. I was never actively racist, brought up in a proper home, and already before Hetalia I fiercely protected the rights of Muslims who are often mistreated in my nation and tried to hear them out when possible. But I was a Westerner, and even if the nation I came from had barely participated in invasions, I had learned to consider my culture ‘correct’ and native and African cultures ‘primitive’. While the journey was long, a step wise process of realizing things like there was nothing inherently ethically wrong eating dogs or partially incubated duck eggs, only in how the animals were acquired, that cultural progress is heavily dependent on perspective and that fucking genocide of native peoples still happen in this damn century, Hetalia was the stepping stone which gave me the interest in other nations to expand my world view. I probably ain’t done here – I have a whole life of outside influences to unlearn – but I’m further than most people I know in my near surroundings, and I’ve even managed to move my parents who originally taught me to respect people of all kinds in the first place.

I learned Nazis were people. This is a conversation which often comes up here on tumblr, and the demonization Nazi Germany and its government directly allows actual Nazis and fascists like Richard Spencer a free pass because they look groomed and proper. Until then, I’d simply assumed no one was ‘stupid enough to be a Nazi’ because of the atrocities of WWII and therefore looked at the world naively. Realizing how little true support Nazis had during WWII and similarly anyone could end down that pungent rabbit hole, I became careful of what I excused on social media and allowed myself to doubt seemingly normal people if their behaviour was alarming – such as the police man who is supposed to be a damn ‘hero’ of society.

I learned how to deal with material sensitive to others. A common problem in the fandom has always been the cosplaying and portrayal of Nazis, especially at cons and the like, and in a similar vein – I did blackface once because of Hetalia. The horrible thing about this is that blackface is immensely common in Europe – at least my own country – and blackface frequently happens at schools during ‘international’ events, where whole classrooms are assigned to portray a designated country. A whole of two times – in 6th grade as well as 2nd grade of high school – I was exposed to blackface as my class was given an African nation to portray – Somalia the first time, Kenya the second. No one, adult, teen or child, are aware of the history of race imitation in my country, but by the second time I was supposed to participate in dressing up as an African tribe, I’d understood the issue – thanks to Hetalia. My friend group of white, privileged, European teens discussed what symbolism was appropriate at cons or in videos – could we wear the Iron Cross? The Nazi flag? What if we burned it during the video? These thoughts are not usually a part of the mind of European youth, and I consider that a grave problem which leads to people making fun of ‘triggers’, downplaying racial issues and the like.

It offered me a means to make history personal. The biggest struggle for good history teachers and the reason we are often made to read and write letters from the periods we study is to make it seem real and get a emotional connection to these past, lost peoples. Hetalia offered puppets for me to place into historical contexts to make them truly real – the main driver pushing me away from mere fascination of war, since I suddenly felt the horrors of warfare through the characters that I loved. Things like Elizabeth I’s court, the conquests of Rome, the dissolution of the Kalmar Union, the battlefield of Somme, the invasion of America, damn slavery becomes different when something you already know is a part of it and you can see them in there. Hearing of people of the past should in itself be enough, and for the closest parts of history (WWII and afterwards) it always was for me, but we are human. We cannot understand the size of a billion, and we struggle understanding the lives of those living centuries before us, unless we are offered context.

I’m not blind to the issues of the fandom or the show. I was here for ‘the r*pist, the pervert and the p*dophile’, I know of South Korean and Chinese issues with the show, and I heard the gassing joke in the show’s dub and got nauseous from discomfort and anger. I’ve always been in the fringe of the fandom due to my social disabilities, so I don’t know everything that happened, but I’ve seen many racist OCs and disrespecting of historical sites. It’s not pretty, but I will believe these people, who were likely young, likely learned in time. And I may have been able to learn these things by other means, but not in the same way, and not through personal interest and research that’s helped me become sceptical and analysing of the world around me.

At its core, Hetalia is about watching a normal, nerdy guy learn how to draw, using stereotypic country personifications mainly from the perspective of Japan. It’s natural he chooses Japan, since he’s Japanese, and WWII is unfortunately the automatic historical event for most common people to focus on – but Hetalia doesn’t even solely focus on that, but is an amalgamation of vaguely correct historical situations played out by the characters, and often it is with the intent of comedy rather than the grimness often associated with historical settings which allows a wider audience than merely history nerds.

What I want you all to do is learn from your mistakes and forgive your younger selves for not knowing better. Maybe reflect on what you got from the show, rather than what you lost. A new generation of young Hetalians is likely coming with the new season, and us old timers might be able to help them avoid pitfalls if we stay around to teach them. The best of the show is compassion towards the people of the world combined and love of history, as I believe Hima wanted it – the worst is Nazi apologetics and racial stereotyping. We decide in what direction we take it, and what lessons we bring into the future.

TL;DR: As a lot of media intended for older audiences, Hetalia is a show which has to be watched critically, which makes it dangerous for young people to watch unhinged, but it also opens up for interest in the world beyond the borders you live within. We should be aware of the issues and learn from them, but in and of itself the show has a lot of good to offer in learning compassion for other nations and cultural groups.

#impressive how active I've become these last weeks #I kinda feel embarrassed #but Hetalia is coming back #and a lot of people are feeling dread because of it #my own feelings are mixed #but Hetalia is was gave me friends and started expanding my world view #other people might get a similar benefit from it #and I want them to have the chance #I'd love to hear the opinions of others tho #also #welcome to my usual iconic long posts

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eleanor-devil · 3 years ago

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Boruto: Sacrifices [Remade] | Chap.18 - The Ruined Birthday

Written by: Eleanor-Devil & @mirage-05

The day was supposed to be a happy one... but... of course due to recent circumstances it was everything but a happy day... and even less when the person for whom this day was supposed to be special... simply refused to celebrate.

"I don't want a birthday party, I don't want to celebrate anything, I DON'T care if it's my friggin' birthday! Just leave me alone!" yelled Boruto as he stomped away from his family.

That's right, it was the Hokage's eldest child's thirteenth birthday, but Boruto didn't want to celebrate anything at all... not when his best friend was in the fragile condition he was.

The blond shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket and kicked a small rock that went stumbling away, crashing a few times against the floor before coming to a stop. "How can they even ask me to celebrate anything..." he mumbled as he continued walking. But then his eyes softened a little... deep down he knew that his family wasn't trying to be mean or anything like that... they had just thought that perhaps a party would have cheered him up...

But he also knew that no party, no celebration would make this better... What would it mean if one of the most important persons in his life was not going to be there...?

He hunched a little, walking aimlessly, just following his steps wherever they take him. They had no training, so he spent most of his free time - and he had lots of it right now - either worrying out of his mind about his friend or trying to find a way to get him to... Well he didn't tell this latter to anyone, because he didn't want anyone to jump on him and say it would be no use, that it was all up to Mitsuki right now...

He felt a pang in his heart. How was he doing right now...? He didn’t realize that he found his way to the training grounds, almost instinctively. His steps slowed down a little when he saw that he wasn’t exactly alone… but she was probably the only person who knew exactly what he was going through right now. It was a sign of just how occupied the girl’s mind was that she didn’t even notice his approach.

“Hey…” he mumbled as he sat down next to her, making her jump slightly.

“Oh…” was the soft exclaim Sarada gave. “Hi…” she mumbled in response, and the two were once again claimed by silence.

“I… actually had something prepared for today…” the girl said quietly after a while. “But…”

“You know exactly how I feel about it.” Boruto said with a fleeting, humorless smile.

“Yeah…”

“This sucks.” Boruto stated, picking up a small rock from the ground and tossing it around, listening to it clank around. Following it blankly with his gaze for a moment, the blond then picked another one and threw it, then another… Sarada slowly laid her head on his shoulder, which gained no response from the Uzumaki as he simply fell into the routine.

Hearing multiple sets of footsteps then, and also their name being called, they couldn’t help but look back. It was their friends of course, and it had been Metal who spoke. "Umm... happy birt-”

Boruto raised a hand to stop him. "Please, just... don't..."

Metal looked surprised for a moment but a look at his friend's eyes and he understood why he didn't want to be congratulated on his special day. He heard Inojin sigh and looked to see the Yamanaka shaking his head, it looked like a disapproving shake but Boruto didn't seem to have noticed it... or if he had, he was being quite good at hiding it.

"Hey, everyone," another voice joined them.

The group turned around to see Sumire and Iwabe approaching them. This time, before he could even get a word out, Boruto cut in. "Guys, I... appreciate, but I'm not gonna celebrate this day. I can't. So please... Don't wish me..." He couldn't even get that word out. How could this day be happy? "I just... gotta go now... See you around when today is over."

And with that he just left, again all alone...

“Sarada…” Chocho tried to say, but the girl flinched as if she had brandished a whip at her.

“I… I’m sorry, I can’t…” and with that she also left, it was clear to all of them that she was trying to hold it together.

Metal sighed. "This can't go on like this…”

“I know,” Inojin agreed, rubbing his neck. “And it’s not only them, this whole situation affects Shikadai too."

“There has to be something we can do,” said Iwabe.

Sumire thought about it for a moment. “Okay, why don’t you all go and see Shikadai and we will check on Sarada with Chocho?”

"Check on her...?" the Akimichi asked, suddenly feeling a little awkward. "I really think she needs to be left alone..."

“We can’t do that though, can we?” Sumire’s tone was gentle, she was no stranger to Chocho’s social awkwardness, but also determined to see this through. "She needs us right now, even though she doesn’t realize it fully."

The dark skinned girl crumpled the bag of chips in her hand. “Yeah… yeah, you’re right.”

With a new found resolution, the friends parted ways, each group going their different way.

...

It had become a daily routine by now to hide in the shadow of the doors and watch his son carefully from afar.

The big change in Shikadai’s behavior had become a constant source of worry for Shikamaru in the past few days, but if he was to be specific, after the second meeting. He had been quiet in observing the interaction between his son and the Sarutobi heir, because he knew Shikadai had to steam off a little, which had been hard for even some of them, so he wasn’t about to blame his son for it. On the contrary, he had been quite proud of him to call Ichiro out on the harassments.

But this quietness had gone on for way too long. And it wasn’t just that. Shikadai had dropped off everything… he had almost literally dropped out of the face of earth for all there is to it, the older Nara suspected he wouldn’t even eat anything if it wasn’t for Temari and Karura. It was very often that he caught his son staring at the letter, the one Mitsuki gave him before he left Naruto’s office.

He, of course, didn’t know the contents of the letter, but whatever was in it had hurt Shikadai in a way more than what he had witnessed in the hospital, he could tell that.

And he had dropped Shogi altogether.

Which was making Shikamaru’s job even harder to understand his son. Sure, they had their normal talks like any father and son, but especially when Shikadai was as troubled as this, it was easier for the older man to read him like clear water in the game they both enjoyed so much.

It was close to physical pain to see his boy suffering like this. And he was willing to change that now, whatever it took.

Sighing inaudibly, Shikamaru moved a step away from his hiding place and approached the young boy. “Oi, Shikadai… what about a quick game of Shogi, eh?” Of course, their games were never quick per se, but he was willing to get beaten quickly for just a glimpse into his mind.

“Oyaji…” Shikadai mumbled, suddenly looking awkward for some reason. He brought his hand up to rub his neck, not meeting his father’s eyes. “I… thanks for the offer but I don’t really feel up to it.”

“Come on, it will be just one game,” Shikamaru insisted. “You usually don’t turn me down.”

“Yeah, I know but…” The young boy sighed then. “Yeah, okay… just one game.”

It didn’t go unnoticed by the older Nara that his son grabbed the pocket of his pants for a second, where he knew the letter was, but Shikadai otherwise remained silent as they sat at the table and began putting their pieces on the board.

The game started as usual, both of them falling into a familiar rhythm soon enough. It was about six moves into it that Shikamaru realized that his son was really not into it today.

“Checkmate.” he said as he put his winning piece on the board. There was a note of uncertainty in his voice, as though he couldn’t believe this just happened.

Which was the case. The only game he remembered that lasted as short as this one was when he taught his boy for the first time how to play the game.

Shikadai’s look of disbelief was a mirror of his own as he stared at the board. “I… don’t…” he gulped. “One more…?”

The older Nara just nodded and they put the pieces on once again. A chink in his invisible armor had just broken, his true emotions leaking out of it, and Shikamaru was willing to push forth.

It took longer this time… About eleven moves into the game, but surely, the young boy was beaten again. This time, Shikamaru was shaken out of his initial shock, and was able to pay closer attention. Still, he remained silent to allow Shikadai to figure out his mistake on his own, out of respect to the intelligence he was well aware his son possessed.

But to the contrary, Shikadai looked even more aggravated at the second defeat, and his movements were becoming more erratic. It took seven moves in the third round.

And they were back to six in the fourth re-match, with his son, always the poster child of calmness, practically fuming now.

Shikamaru closed his eyes, feeling the need to intervene at last. “Shikadai…” he said, leaning in closer to indicate a piece. “Why don’t you move this pawn instead?”

“No.” was the boy’s immediate - and firm - reply, which took the man off guard. Was his son offended that he showed him a move? Honestly, this was something they never did to one another.

“You will push my king to the edge - now it’s in a bind.” He tried once again, gentler.

“Only after you capture the pawn.” There it was again, the stubborn, defiant note. “I’m not going to sacrifice a pawn.”

“Where did this come from?” Shikamaru was now completely baffled. “This had never been a problem before.” The whole point of this game’s strategy was, after all, capturing the king, even when some pieces are lost.

His son’s brows were slightly furrowed, mostly out of frustration he could tell, as he continued to avoid his gaze. “Why is it that it’s always the pawns that are sacrificed…?”

Shikamaru sighed again, it was clear that the problem ran deeper than the game. “Shikadai… tell me what’s on your mind.”

And still there were no answers… but the Nara was patient, he had no problems in matching his son’s pace if it could ease the mind of the boy. Finally, almost hesitantly, the boy rummaged in his pocket and put the contents on the table. He recognized the handwriting on the letter, the one he had delivered to his son days ago. On it was a piece of Shogi, a pawn to be exact.

“Today is Boruto’s birthday.” Shikadai said, his eyes on the letter.

Of course Shikamaru was aware of that, more often than not until last year he was the one who kept Naruto on track on this kind of normalities, especially when the Hokage was too lost in the village business. He didn’t say anything, though, just allowing his son to speak his mind.

“He… he was preparing a big party for them, and I even helped for it…” A small huff of a smile, although one without humor behind it as Shikadai tapped the letter. “And for what? He left the village and left me a letter with a piece of pawn in it.” He took the pawn in his hand, looking at it as if transfixed. “Make it count… He should’ve been here to see his plan through… But…” after another long look at it, he pretty much threw the piece on the board. “Instead he went and willingly sacrificed himself like a pawn.”

So this was what it was all about… his son continued in the pause he made to formulate his reply.

“Is this what all pawns are about then? All there is to being a ninja? We play our role in the game and make sacrifices for our own?” Now he was looking at the board like it was the cause of all his problems. “And we still go and celebrate life like it still holds a meaning… Oyaji… does it?”

This was when Shikamaru had realized that they had never thoroughly touched upon this subject, not the two of them at least. Out of the household, Karura was her brother’s closest confidant. But he and Shikadai seemed to connect on a different level, and he needed to provide his son the comfort he needed.

But he was also aware that he had to do it in a way that would acknowledge his son’s brilliance, so as to encourage Shikadai in his own way, to make him come to his own conclusions.

So instead of an immediate reply, he picked the pieces they were playing with once again. “One more?”

Shikadai barely suppressed a sigh, a little crestfallen. “I don’t know if it’s worth getting beaten over and over. The strategy just won’t work.”

“No, see,” said Shikamaru, holding up a finger to stop him. “This time we’re going to play it by your rules.”

“There is only one set of rules, though.”

“Not if we go unorthodox.” He was all set. “Alright then… you make the first move.”

The young boy just kept gazing at the board. “You didn’t put the pawns.”

“Exactly.” He was watching his son’s every move carefully, looking for patterns he could identify. “You don’t want to sacrifice a pawn, right? Then we don’t use them at all.”

“We can’t do that, can we? You need all twenty pieces to play.”

A small smile - he was playing right to where he needed him to be. “Humor me.”

Shikadai let his breath out in a huff, he was indeed trying to form a strategy with the eleven pieces that suddenly seemed… almost lonely on the board. But whichever he picked came short more or less two moves later.

“This won’t do!” he finally exclaimed, openly frustrated now. “The best option - if any - is to make the first move with the rook, but you can’t foresee even one move from your opponent without the backup of the… the…” he came to a halt as finally the realization hit, and he understood that this had been his father’s plan.

“Without the pawn.” Shikamaru concluded for him softly, putting one of the said pieces in place, right where it would make a difference by blocking the opponent’s move. When his son said nothing to it, the look in his eyes turned pensive. “You see, Shikadai, as hard as it is to accept… the truth remains that you stand strong wherever you have something that is very important to you, something you are determined to protect at all costs.” He had put three more pawns on the board now, and the boy’s sharp mind could see the almost infallible strategy behind it. “So yes, while it’s our duty to protect our own as a ninja, some of us walk into the fire willingly.” He put the last piece as he drew back slightly, looking at him expectantly.

Almost infallible. But his mind had been working on a counter-strategy the moment he saw the third pawn on the board. “It still doesn’t make me feel better.” he murmured as he leaned forward to put one of his own pawns.

“I know… it didn’t help me back then either.” Shikamaru made another move, pleased to see that they were getting somewhere. The young boy raised his head with a confused look. “Back when my sensei Asuma didn’t think twice about putting his life on the line to protect the king… even when it meant him never meeting his daughter… so yeah. It was hard for me to understand that kind of devotion.”

“What changed then?” the boy wondered as he put another piece. Shikamaru thought about it for a second.

“Nothing, really… just that I understood and made peace with what mattered the most for him.” Another move. “Tell me… do you know who the king stands for?”

Shikadai took a long look at the key piece, turning the question in his mind. Practicality almost made him answer with ‘The Hokage’, but he knew better than that. The answer couldn’t be that obvious, there had to be more to it. He made another move as he weighed the options in his mind.

He still wasn’t satisfied with it, but he went with the next best option. “The people of Konoha? Our village?”

The older Nara’s smile turned knowing, his son was really like him in so many ways, not just physically… “Think about it this way.” The boy was playing almost instinctively, but he really had him cornered now. “You are a jounin leading your troop in a war. What would be the first thing you need to target from your enemy?”

“It’s… their artillery, I suppose?” He could’ve said their headquarters or the top ninja, but that would hit only too close home.

“What about the immaterial things? What could you destroy from an enemy that would have a lasting impact?”

This was a harder question. Shikadai took his time in answering, just allowing the sounds of the moving pieces on board to guide the direction of his thoughts, as if it was a river in which he was slowly floating instead of a jumbled mess.

Then he thought about his friends… not just his teammates but also his childhood friends and those from the academy… and the words just came through.

“Their hope… ideals… everything they want to build I think? Because they wouldn’t even stand up if they don’t believe in a…” He trailed off as their game came to an end.

Shikamaru was now positively beaming at him. “Checkmate. Congratulations.”

“Future…” the boy completed his sentence in a whisper, gazing at the conclusion in wonder.

“That’s what we all fight for. Don’t ever forget that.” Picking up his king, the man handed it to his son before closing his hand over his. “Besides, pawns aren’t just sacrifices. If you stay strong, give them the chance, a pawn can always become a general.”

Shikadai’s fingers tightened a little around the piece too and finally, finally a smile showed through his features, small as it was. It was all Shikamaru could ask for.

Just then they heard someone clearing her throat and turned around to see Karura looking at them with a slightly relieved, slightly amused expression.

“I hate to interrupt, but Inojin and the others are here.” she informed them. “And they said they won’t take no for an answer.”

“There is no need. I was about to go find them myself.” It was refreshing, way more than he wanted to admit, to be back to his own self. Just before he sprinted to the gates, the boy turned to look at his father once again, his gratitude showing crystal clear in his eyes. “Oyaji… thank you.”

Shikamaru didn’t answer, just raised his hand in acknowledgement.

...

Boruto had just wandered into a kid's playground and he had no idea of how he came there, but it wasn't like it really mattered. It wasn't like he cared at all. He walked over to the swings, sitting on one of them and just staying there, not even moving a little to swing.

How simple... how untouched would things have been if they were just small kids?

"Boruto..." he heard someone calling but even when the voice sounded different, he didn't look up, lacking the energy to even give a reply.

"Boruto..." the second voice came. "We know you're down because of what happened but... we're your friends too, and we want to help." There was a moment of hesitation. "Please don't push us away..." He recognized that voice as Metal's.

But he still didn't look up.

"Tch... you are just being ridiculous"

Boruto's hands tightened a little more on the swing's ropes, but he still didn't say anything, still didn't look up.

That person wasn't about to give up though. "You act like you're crying over a girlfriend who dumped you. Get a hold on, already."

"Iwabe!" Inojin exclaimed unbelievably, turning to look at his friend.

Boruto finally looked up, directly in Iwabe's eyes, fire burning in his own. "Shut the hell up."

“It’s not that easy.” Shikadai said with a sigh, rubbing his neck. “Look Boruto… I know what you’re going through…”

“You know nothing.” was Boruto’s automatic reply without thinking. This made the Nara furrow his brows a little.

“Don’t I? I was there too, remember?”

In turn, this made the blond come to a halt. Yeah, truthfully… he had completely forgotten Shikadai had witnessed what he and Sarada did too, maybe even the worst of it. Now he was feeling a little guilty. “I…”

“I know it’s hard, it’s been for me too. But… life has to move on, if for nothing, we should make sure of that because that’s what Mitsuki wanted for all of us. Do you really think he would want us to be depressed over him forever?”

Boruto closed his eyes for a moment, as he felt himself shaking a little. "What do I know what he wants...? He is not here to tell me..." He didn't care about what Shikadai just said, how was he supposed to know how life would move on? Before he knew it, his bitter side was taking over, and although he knew deep down that his friends were only worried for him, it was unfortunately directed to them. "You don't have to hang around if you feel depressed... doesn't look like it will pass away."

This time it wasn’t Shikadai who was talking, Inojin did while frowning. "Do you think we're going to leave when you need us most? What kind of friends would we be if we did that?"

Boruto didn't say anything to it but he felt Metal walking up and kneeling down in front of him.

"We don't have to celebrate anything if you don't want to but... if it makes you feel better, we can all go visit him. We're here for you, Boruto... like Inojin said, we are your friends too and if you need someone, we're here..."

"You don't know how it was like..." the blond mumbled, staring at the ground. "To have him dying in my arms... Life leaving his eyes as he bled out... His..." He squeezed his eyes shut, trembling hard. "When his heart stopped... I can't keep these images out of my head... I don't know what to do if he doesn't..." He couldn't finish his sentence.

And he didn't need to finish... because Metal pulled him in a hug that slowly gathered the other boys too.

"It will be okay, he will be okay. He is strong and we all know it..."

Boruto just broke down right there and then. Sobbing his heart out as the images of his friend dying flashed in his head. He tried, he really did, tried to replace those images with the happiest ones he could ever remember.

He wasn't even sure how long they stood there, but realized just the presence of his friends easing up his pain little by little. It was still there, he knew it wouldn't go away completely no matter what, not until Mitsuki wakes up, but it was becoming manageable, and eventually the sobs calmed down, leaving the boy only trembling a little.

“Well,” Shikadai said as they finally broke apart, with a bit of a smile. “I have something to show you. Sarada will meet us on the way there.”

The others slowly got up. "Well... we have to go anyway."

"No." Boruto said clearly, and a little firmly. "Guys... I'm sorry, you can come too. We would like that. Lead the way Shikadai."

With that, the group left the playground. Indeed, they were joined by Sarada and the other girls not too long after. Boruto noticed that his teammate’s eyes were red, as if she was crying too, but the two didn’t say anything to each other as they moved forth to the mysterious location.

Soon they found themselves in the depths of Konoha's forest. Boruto knew where this would lead to but he wondered what exactly his childhood friend wanted to show him there.

As they slowly made their way to the edge of the cliff overlooking the huge waterfall... The scene that met their eyes made Boruto come to a staggering halt, his eyes widening slightly.

"Wh... Wha..." he tried to say, but words were failing him.

The scene in front of him reminded him of a film he watched and talked to his friends about some time ago, he didn't remember when... A make-shift boat stood to the edge of the cliff, with what he was sure "Team Konohamaru" written on its prow, some of the words missing... A black cloth was attached to the ledge which stood in the middle of the boat, with a white skull figure on it - although the skull looked anything but intimidating, there was actually a smile on it, if anything, it looked a little creepy. Various other decorations and accessories laid scattered around, as if they were booty that they had gathered...

Shikadai went and picked up something. "This was our surprise... Or his, actually he planned the whole thing, I just helped." He turned to him, holding a multi-colored wooden parrot in her hands. "Happy birthday," he said, giving him a small smile.

Boruto continued gaping, speechless, as he carefully took the wooden parrot in his hands, he took it with such care as if it would break right there and then.

He couldn't believe Mitsuki had done this...how had he even managed to keep it in secret all this time? That boy sure was a box of surprises...

The blond felt his throat starting to burn, he opened his mouth but no words came out, just a simple gasp...

"That..." he finally managed to say. "...that guy..." he was clearly emotional with the situation.

“So… that day when he didn’t want me to walk with him after the training…” Sarada’s breath was hitching a little as she brought her hand over her eyes, shaking her head a little. “Was this all it was about…?”

“Yeah… it was.” Shikadai’s smile was small but soft, remembering just how excited his friend was planning all of this. “You guys’ birthdays being so close, he had to keep it from you too. That’s where I came into the picture.”

"Guys... it's alright, let it go if you need it..." Inojin said carefully. They had been just looking around unbelievably, not knowing what to say.

"So almost everyone... knew..." Boruto whispered between his heavy breath, he tried to keep the tears from falling but it didn't work... they just came back and started falling from his eyes...

All the others remained in silence while watching the two friends cry...

"And above all...he chose this place..."

"I don’t know the importance of this place, he never told me.” The Nara was looking carefully at his friend. “Just that it held a special meaning.”

“It did?” Sarada was just as curious as the rest.

He didn't want to talk about it. About their promise... they had both sworn... and he remembered Mitsuki's words from only a few days ago... '

I can't give you a promise I can't keep...'

[Flashback]

"Jump!" Boruto lost his balance when he reached the edge of the cliff, flailed his arms wildly for a bit, then both him and Mitsuki tumbled down.

It was exhilarating!

He couldn't help but scream in excitement as they fell down some meters below into the river. The chilling water cut his breath on impact and for a while, stars danced in front of his eyes. Then he kicked up and burst through the surface, laughing joyously.

"Haha, that was priceless, don't you agree?"

There were no replies.

Confused more than concerned, Boruto looked around. Where was Mitsuki? They had both jumped in... didn't they?

Fear hit him at the possibility, and he immediately looked up... He could see no one at the top of the cliff... Not even the thug was there, which made the blond frown - what was going on?!

"Mitsu-!" just then, a hand was clamped on his mouth, and he struggled to get free of it.

"Not now." came his friend's voice from behind him and Boruto felt himself immediately relaxing. "He could be around here, we should stay low."

And so they retreated back to hide behind a rock, eyes keen and watching everywhere as they listened on to the sounds...

It took a while... and the voice was dimmed due to the roar of the waterfall, but finally they heard something.

"Boruto? Mitsuki! Come out wherever you are now!"

"That's sensei..." the blond said, looking at his friend in relief. They both came out of their hiding spot, looking upwards.

Hands on her knees and bending a little forward to see clearly, Sarada pointed. "There they are, sensei!"

Konohamaru breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that his students were safe. "Come up here quickly!" he called towards the duo again, then looked at the man he had just caught and bound. "We have a package to deliver and we can't lose time!"

"Yeah yeah, we will be up there in a minute!"

Hearing the lazy and carefree tone in Boruto's voice, the jounin felt his temper rising slightly. "There is no time to dawdle! Get moving - now!"

Mitsuki looked at his friend. "I believe it would be wise to do as we are told."

"Yeah, they can wait a little." Boruto said, still carefree. "First I want to make sure of something."

Mitsuki raised an eyebrow at this - leave it to Boruto to get on the nerves of their sensei. "What is it? I'm positive that Konohamaru sensei took care of that thug."

"Nah, it's not about that."

But the blond made no further explanation as they waddled their way ashore, which made the blue-haired preteen even more curious. "Boruto..."

Then his friend finally turned to him. "Oka- whoa...!" before losing his balance and tumbling on the ground.

Mitsuki laughed for a little, which earned him a scowl from Boruto, but in a moment it was replaced by a smirk and the blond reached up to pull his friend down as well. In the next minute, they were both laughing their heads off.

"Okay. This calls for a promise." the Uzumaki said all of a sudden, catching Mitsuki by surprise.

"What promise are you talking about?"

"Simple. Promise me that, just like today, we will always be by each other's side, no matter what, always there to help each other." Boruto raised his fist. "And I promise the same to you."

Mitsuki looked at him for a second before raising his fist and bumping it against Boruto's. "I promise."

[End of Flashback] (1)

As Boruto reopened his eyes, determination shone in them. "I made up my mind," he whispered softly.

"Huh?" asked Sarada, confused.

"I want to celebrate my birthday after all." the blond said a little more clearly, finally letting his gaze drift away from the blanket of white on the ground.

This sudden change in his resolve was certainly unexpected, but it managed to bring a smile to his friends' faces. "Well, that's great," Metal said, they were all relieved that Boruto was able to snap out of it. "So if you still want we can-"

"Guys, um... I'm sorry..." the blond said sheepishly, bringing his hand to his neck. "Can we... do that later...? I... kinda have to make up for someone else first."

"Oh... uh, sure..." Inojin said with a bright smile, one which made Boruto feel a little ashamed because of the way he treated them earlier. "We'll arrange that later." Then, one by one, all of his friends came forward to hug him. "Happy birthday, Boruto."

"Thanks, you guys," he said, finally managing a small smile. He and Sarada watched until their friends were out of sight. Then the blond took the Uchiha's hand. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

Not saying anything else to her, he took out his cellphone. "Hello, mom? Mom, I'm really sorry about the way I behaved... I-I want to celebrate my birthday..." Boruto smiled as he, undoubtedly, heard Hinata's happy tone. "Can all of you meet us in the hospital...?"

...

The snow was spiraling down in a white haze out of the building, piling up on the already thick blanket on the ground. The building itself was alight, the windows glowing in the darkness.

One of the rooms had a very lively party going on inside, as lively as the hospital rules allowed of course. The room contained the youngest patient in the hospital currently, a thirteen-year-old hero.

The hustle and bustle that was going on was a courtesy of his best friend, Uzumaki Boruto, who had insisted that if he was going to have any kind of celebration for his birthday... it was gonna have to include his best friend.

Boruto smiled brightly as those who gathered in the room finished the birthday song, and then he leaned forward to blow the candles out. He was wearing a pirate hat that his friends had bought, and (because they couldn't make it sit on his shoulder) the wooden parrot was standing on the table beside him.

Claps echoed around the room; the entirety of the Uzumaki and Uchiha families were inside the room, plus Konohamaru. They were all practically cramped in the room, and although they had received some stink eyes, seeing the circumstances, they were allowed in; with the pretense that the visit should be short. Which Sakura felt the need to remind them of after they finished their share of the cake.

"I'm sorry, but this is as far as I can let you be in here." she said, with an understanding smile directed to the birthday boy, Sarada and Himawari.

Himawari pouted and let out a long 'aww' before Sarada walked over to her and put her hands on her shoulder to lead her out. The adults followed not too long after, after wishing Boruto the best for his new year.

When everyone left, the blond eyed Sakura a little nervously. "Aunt Sakura... can I please stay a little more?"

The look in the pink haired woman's eyes only softened more. "Of course, dear, but no more than five minutes."

He just nodded and watched until Sakura was out before turning his head back at his friend once again...

[Flashback]

"Oww!"

Boruto flinched a little as Mitsuki gave a short yelp of pain following a thud. He... wasn't exactly adjusted to darkness as he would like to think, plus not knowing Mitsuki's house good enough... didn't help with things much. Which was something his blue-haired friend pointed out soon enough.

"I still don't understand why I have to be led into my own house blindfolded, Boruto..."

"You'll see in a minute," the blond said, barely being able to hold back a chuckle. He didn't want to give anything away. He wanted everything to be great... he wanted his best friend to feel he was welcomed...

And in his mind? This was the best opportunity.

"At least don't make me bump into another thing, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," the blond said cheerily. "Hey, wait over here for a moment, will you? I'll be right back..."

"Boruto..." there was a warning tone in the younger boy's voice.

"Don't open your eyes until I say so!" Boruto called before carefully finding his way to the couch and hiding behind it... coming face to face with his little sister.

"Can't believe you almost blew our cover!" Himawari whispered indignantly.

"Look who's talking! Keep your voice down, will you!"

"Boruto!" Mitsuki's voice came, impatient. "Can we get over with this already?"

"Well?" Sarada asked from the other corner. "Any reason to keep waiting?"

"Is there anyone else here?" this time, Mitsuki sounded confused.

Well... he couldn't see any point in hiding anymore. The blond gave a small nod, and Himawari darted towards the kitchen to notify their mothers, who had been taking care of the cake.

They then heard Mitsuki sigh. "This is getting ridiculous..."

Boruto felt more than saw what his friend was about to do - and it was too early for it! So when he saw the trio coming out of the kitchen already - he rushed forward to stop them... just when Sarada noticed something and plopped out of her hiding spot to alert them...

And that was how Mitsuki found them when he turned on the lights. Himawari, Hinata and Sakura coming out of the kitchen, Hinata holding a huge cake with lit candles on it, Boruto practically on his tiptoes as he was trying to approach them discreetly and Sarada, frozen in the middle of waving her arms towards their direction, half-seen behind the armchair... all of them comically stopped in their tracks.

To break through the awkwardness of the situation, Himawari bent down to snatch a handful of confetti they had previously thrown around for decoration and just threw them over. "Happy birthday, Mitsu-nii!"

The blue-haired boy was so baffled that for a moment, he could do nothing but look around at the decorations with widened golden eyes. "W... what is..."

Following his sister's lead, Boruto snapped out of his stance and came over to his friend's side, putting an arm on his shoulder as he grinned widely. "Don't tell me you forgot it! Happy birthday, Mitsuki!"

The boy was still at a loss for words. "I..."

"Sorry it's not that much," the blond continued almost sheepishly, but he couldn't keep the glee out of his voice anyway. "I wanted to do something more detailed since it's your first birthday here, it should be special, and man, twelve is an important age..."

Hinata gave a soft chuckle at her overly-enthusiastic son. "Boruto, just give him a breath of fresh air..."

"...and we would've arranged something more if you told us about this previously, I mean, who says it's his birthday just the day before it?! It's a crime, I'm telling you..."

"Boruto." Mitsuki finally managed to cut in, and his voice sounded strangely tight. "It's... it's okay, I really like it...

" "Aw, well," the blond said, oblivious to his friend getting emotional. "Tell me about that again when you see what I have in stock for next year..."

"That is a long stretch of time..." Sarada pointed out, sweat-dropping.

"Come on... at least let him blow out the candles before they go out, okay...?"

[End of Flashback]

Boruto sighed. "You do realize you raised the stakes too high, right? How am I even gonna compete with this on your next birthday? There should be a middle ground before you reach the peak, y'know?"

Obviously, there were no answers. But the blond didn't seem to be disheartened by it... his smile didn't falter.

"It's alright... Even if you can't reply to me, I know you can still hear. So listen closely," he said crisply, straightening himself a little. "When you come back, I want a full-fledged birthday party." The look in his eyes softened. "And I know you will come back... because the Mitsuki I know never gives up, and always keeps his promises." He bumped his fist against his friend's, just like how they did back then.

Better not strain Aunt Sakura's tolerance.

Just when he was about to walk out... an idea came to his mind. He brought a hand to his necklace and looked back at his friend, then determination filled his eyes. He took the necklace out and walked over to the bedside table on which he had left the wooden parrot.

"Uncle Neji..." he whispered as he put the necklace on it, his hand staying over it for a minute. "If you can hear me, please help my friend find his way back to us..."

He then turned and walked towards the door, and turned back to look at Mitsuki again. "It can't be his time just yet..."

...

The change in the blond was immediately noticed when he returned to his family's side. "Onii-chan, where is your necklace?" Himawari asked curiously.

In turn, Boruto gave her a big smile. "It's alright, Hima... I just lent it to someone who needs it more."

#boruto:sacrifices #naruto #boruto #mitsuki #naruto fanfiction #boruto fanfiction

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isolavirtuosa · 7 years ago

Text

A Public Affair, Part 3: Hinata

[fanfiction] NaruSasu

Cheating has consequences.

[Previous Parts]

Part 3 under the cut:

3: Hinata

“These pickles are really good,” Naruto commented, plucking up some more with his chopsticks.

“I’m glad you like them,” I said. I smiled at him across the desk.

“Everything you make is so good, I’m spoiled rotten,” he hummed, his expression content as he chewed.

“Flatterer,” I said, shifting the rice around in my own bento before raising it to my lips.

Naruto grinned.

It was the same kind of easy conversation that we had every day.

There was a knock on the door, and Shikamaru came in. “Sorry to interrupt your lunch, but can you sign this?” he asked, holding up a document.

“You’re the one who told me not to work during my lunch break,” Naruto said with a snort, holding out his hand.

“Yes, and I wouldn’t bother you, but Sakura came in here ranting and raving about how we hadn’t signed off on the hospital’s medicinal herb order to Suna, and she needed it done yesterday, and blah blah blah, you get the point.”

“Yes, yes I do,” Naruto said, scrawling his signature and handing it back to Shikamaru.

Shikamaru left us with a slight nod of his head in my direction.

“A hokage’s work is never done,” Naruto murmured.

“Well, it will be pretty soon…”

“Ha, I feel like I’ll have more work than ever after Konohamaru’s inauguration.”

“Maybe you should put a little more trust in the man you chose as your successor,” I reprimanded him lightly.

“You’re feeling optimistic,” he said with a soft laugh.

“One of us has to be,” I said, trying not to make it sound sad.

Naruto laughed again, that quiet, subdued laugh of his.

We finished eating, and I collected his lunch box to drop off at home on my way to the training grounds. My phone started ringing, and I paused by the desk to answer it.

“Hey, Mom!” Boruto said cheerfully. “Are you having lunch with Dad?”

“Yes, we were just finishing up.”

‘Boruto?’ Naruto mouthed to me, and I nodded.

“Oh, I’m glad I caught you,” Boruto said. “Look out the window.”

Naruto was suddenly fully alert, eyes flicking around the room.

“Why…?” I started to say, walking over to the window.

Boruto suddenly dropped down in front of the window. “Boo!” he said, sticking himself to the glass.

I shrieked, then felt stupid. “Boruto!” I exclaimed, suddenly taken back about ten years to when my son was an annoying prankster.

Naruto cracked up.

“I’m glad you think it’s funny,” I said, elbowing him.

Naruto grinned at me, and I couldn’t help but grin back.

“Hey, anyone gonna let me in?” Boruto said, knocking on the glass.

Naruto went and unlocked the window.

There was a knock at the door.

“Seventh, Uchiha Sasuke is here,” Konohamaru said, sticking his head in the door.

Boruto bounced into the room, flicking his father in the forehead before bouncing over to me.

“Hi, baby,” I said, wrapping him in a hug.

“Mom…” Boruto groaned, trying to sound embarrassed.

I squeezed him more tightly.

He hugged me back, and I felt like a piece of me that had been missing was suddenly back in place.

“I missed you,” I murmured.

“I missed you, too,” he answered quietly.

Of course the moment had to be ruined, as most moments in my life were, by Naruto and Sasuke.

“What are you doing here, bastard?!” Naruto demanded accusingly.

“Your son wanted to see his teacher’s inauguration,” Sasuke answered with a shrug.

Boruto kept an arm around me as we watched the fight that was about to erupt.

“Well you could have called!” Naruto snapped. “Not that you ever charge your damn phone. You could have sent one of your stupid birds, instead. Something.”

“Boruto wanted it to be a surprise.”

“So you just desert your mission-”

“The situation has been resolved, as you know,” Sasuke said, continuing to stare at the wall. “I’ll be going now.”

“I’m talking to you, asshole!” Naruto growled, but Sasuke was already gone.

“Dad…” Boruto said quietly.

Naruto looked miserable.

“I’m sorry, should we not have…?”

Naruto shook his vigorously, his usual stoic expression returning. “No, no, I’m glad you’re here. I’m sorry, I just…” he said, hesitating, then looking helpless mumbled, “Sasuke…” like that one word would explain everything.

The sad thing was that it did.

“I’ll let you get back to work,” I said, smiling gently at him. “Boruto, are you tired? Would you like to come meet my genin team?”

“I’m fine, yeah, let’s go,” Boruto said, taking my arm and grinning at me.

We left the office and headed for the training grounds.

I pushed myself through the rest of the day with a smile. I was glad to have my son back, even if I knew it was only temporary. I was glad to have my genin team, too. Three rosy-cheeked faces, staring up at me in admiration and awe. I felt like a ninja again.

I didn’t think about the guilty look on Naruto’s face as he told me that he’d sent our son away to the Land of Waves with his l- best friend. The way he chewed on his bottom lip, promising that he would spend more time with me. We would have lunch every day. He would come home on time. He would take time off so we could travel together. This was the start of something new for us.

“I want a genin team,” is what I’d said.

Naruto was suddenly the attentive husband I’d always thought I wanted. I enjoyed spending time with him. I was content with our life together.

But what I really looked forward to every day was being with my team.

Somehow, this wasn’t what I’d imagined for myself. I was proud of the life I’d led up until now, proud of my two children, and proud of my husband. But my life had always been about them and about the village. It had never been about me.

Maybe it was selfish, but I wanted it to be about me now.

I just wasn’t sure what that meant.

The last year had been like a pleasant daydream. I’d had my team, and I’d had my husband. But that was all over now. I’d known it as soon as Sasuke had walked through the door.

It was scary, realizing that your entire life was about to change. I wondered if I could handle it, if I was strong enough.

“Hinata-sensei!”

I looked up in the trees to see my entire team standing together with Boruto.

“We did it!” Ringo said happily, jumping up and down, then almost falling off the tree branch.

Boruto caught her easily, and Ringo gave an embarrassed laugh.

“That’s amazing!” I called, smiling up at them, the expression natural and easy.

At least this part was easy

Boruto decided to come stay with Naruto and I while he was in Konoha, since Himawari had been living in his apartment while he was away. We stopped at the market on the way home and bumped into Sarada.

“Hi,” Sarada said, her eyes flicking to her groceries.

“Hi,” Boruto said, staring at the floor.

I left them to it and walked around the store, having the feeling that I was going to need to feed an army that night.

“Hey, Mom, can Sarada come to dinner tonight?” Boruto asked, catching up with me at the checkout.

“Of course,” I said.

Sarada was on her phone, and she pulled it away from her ear for a moment, black eyes meeting mine. “Mom and Dad want to come, too, if that’s all right. Mom said she’d bring dessert.”

“That would be lovely,” I said, eyes shifting to the cashier as he began ringing me out.

“Okay, I’ll tell them,” Sarada said, putting the phone back to her ear.

“Mom, Hima and that guy are coming, too,” Boruto put in, fingers flying over the screen of his phone as he texted with his sister.

“He’s not ‘that guy’, Boruto, he’s your future brother-in-law,” I reprimanded him lightly.

“Ugh,” Boruto said, continuing to text.

I paid the cashier, and Boruto and Sarada both helped me carry the bags home.

I was a bit tired from working all day. The morning had been spent cleaning the park, and the afternoon had been spent practicing chakra control. Now I had to put on my hostess face.

Now I had to face Uchiha Sasuke.

They all thought that I didn’t know. Like I didn’t notice how happy and carefree Naruto suddenly became. Like I couldn’t see the way his eyes lit up whenever Sasuke came into the room. Like I was an oblivious fool.

Of course I knew.

Now after a year of respite, here was the man himself, standing in my living room.

I wanted to feel happy about the way he was pointedly ignoring Naruto. But Naruto just looked so miserable because of it, and it made my heart ache.

“Come help me in the kitchen,” I said, nudging him gently.

“Huh?” Naruto said, looking like he was snapping out of a daydream.

“Help me in the kitchen,” I repeated.

He nodded and followed me.

We quietly worked together, preparing the food.

Meanwhile, the living room bustled with loud voices.

The evening progressed as could be expected, with lots of eating and laughing, alcohol being poured freely to help keep the elephant in the room silent.

I played the good hostess.

I was polite to the man who had knocked up my daughter before properly marrying her. I poured drinks for the man who was sleeping with my husband. I made pleasant conversation with the woman who was going to steal my son away from me.

It was all part of being the hokage’s wife.

Of course, in one week Naruto would no longer be the hokage.

“You look like you could use this,” Sakura said, coming to sit next to me and handing me a bottle of wine.

I gave her a tired smile.

“Cheers,” Sakura said, clinking her own bottle with mine.

“Oi, Mom, you’re not gonna share that?” Sarada asked.

“Nope, this is the good stuff,” Sakura said, taking a long drink from the bottle.

“Sorry, Sarada,” I said with an apologetic smile, then took a drink from my own bottle.

“Should I be concerned about this?” Naruto asked, looking back and forth between me and Sakura.

“Drink your shitty beer,” Sakura said dismissively.

“Beer is a man’s drink,” Naruto declared, picking up his can and downing it.

Sasuke let out a loud breath that vaguely resembled a snort, if an Uchiha could deign to make such a sound.

“You got something to say, bastard?” Naruto asked, giving Sasuke an annoyed look.

Sasuke didn’t say anything, sipping his sake.

“Asshole,” Naruto mumbled sourly.

“Hey, Hima, so when’s the baby due?” Boruto finally put in when the silence had gotten too awkward.

Himawari and I both gestured frantically at him to stop, but it was too late. Boruto had asked the question, completely oblivious to our horror.

“…what?” Naruto said.

Himawari met her father’s gaze, smiling as best as she could.

“Idiot,” Sarada muttered, smacking Boruto upside his head.

“What did I do?” Boruto whined in protest.

“Who wants dessert?” I asked cheerfully.

“Ba…by?” Naruto said slowly, like he was sounding out the word for the first time.

“This is getting good,” Sakura said, settling in more comfortably and sipping her wine.

“Sakura-chan!” I said, elbowing her.

“Come on, you know our two families can’t ever get together without something ridiculous happening.”

“That’s true,” I said with a sigh, taking one of the cupcakes that Sakura offered me.

“Himawari, are you…?” Naruto said, getting slightly better at forming sentences.

Himawari took her fiancé’s hand, and they both kneeled properly in front of Naruto. “Yes, Daddy, I’m going to have a baby.”

“He didn’t know?” Boruto asked. He scratched the back of his head, looking confused.

“Wow, did you just figure that out?” Sarada muttered.

“Like father, like son,” Sasuke said, shifting closer to Sakura.

Sakura gave him a weary look, then ripped off a piece of cupcake and stuffed it in his mouth.

Sasuke chewed thoughtfully. “Not bad,” he finally said.

“These are special Sasuke cupcakes, no sugar added,” Sakura said, sticking another piece in his mouth.

Sasuke gave her a small upturn of his lips, then went back to chewing.

It made my heart pull in a strange way.

Sakura knew that Sasuke was gay, had known before they’d gotten married. She had confided this to me one night after a lot of drinking. We’d started getting close after our children were older. We suddenly found ourselves with a lot of free time, and a lot in common.

Sakura had entered her marriage knowing full well that Sasuke loved her, but was not in love with her.

I wondered which was worse, never being in love at all, or falling out of love.

“You think the idiot’s having a heart attack?” Sasuke murmured to Sakura.

We all watched Naruto, staring at his daughter, his face red as his mouth moved but no words came out.

“It’s probably just temporary aphasia caused by sudden brain trauma,” Sakura said easily.

“Should I… do something?” I asked, looking at Himawari’s wavering smile and her fiancé’s terrified expression.

“They’ll be fine, gotta let the kids grow up some time,” Sakura said.

Sasuke handed me another cupcake.

I took it from him, our fingers brushing. I looked into his eyes.

He met my stare evenly, and I looked away.

“Let’s step outside,” Naruto finally said, drawing all of our attention back to him.

“U-uh, Hokage-sama, s-s-s-sir?” Himawari’s poor fiancé stuttered.

“Yeah, we need to go outside,” Naruto said, standing up and rolling his neck.

“Naruto…” I said.

“It’s fine,” he said, turning to me with a smile. “We’re just going to settle this like men.”

“L-l-l-like men?”

“Daddy.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, this is just something that we have to do.”

“Daddy.”

“Naruto.”

“Seventh.”

“S-s-s-sir?”

“Sasuke,” Sakura murmured, nudging her husband.

“What?” he asked, giving her one of his patented Uchiha Looks of Superior Annoyance.

“Help the kid out,” Sakura said, unfazed.

“What am I supposed to do?” Sasuke asked, acting disinterested.

“Like you don’t have Naruto wrapped around your little finger.”

“Do I?”

“Sasuke.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, leaning back against the wall and fixing his gaze on Naruto. “Usuratonkachi.”

Naruto whirled around. Whereas before he had been completely calm, albeit a bit frightening, his eyes now took on a fevered brilliance. “Stay out of this, jackass.”

“Who’s the jackass, jackass?”

Himawari pulled on her boyfriend’s arm, and they both started backing towards the door. ‘Sorry,’ she mouthed at me.

‘Go,’ I mouthed back. Naruto just needed some time to let it sink in, and I was fairly confident that he would be less homicidal in the morning. He tended to be overprotective of Himawari, but given time, I expected him to be reasonable. This was Naruto, after all, who thought that any problem could be solved through long and impassioned speeches.

It was what I loved about him.

Meanwhile, he and Sasuke were hurling insults at one another like children.

“God, Dad, enough already, geez,” Boruto said, putting a hand on his father’s shoulder.

Naruto tensed, turning red eyes on Boruto.

“Are you five years old?” Boruto asked.

“Excuse me?”

“Because that’s what you’re acting like.”

“I’m… not…”

“You two go talk!” Boruto snapped, pushing Naruto towards the hallway.

“Yeah, dad, please?” Sarada said, kneeling next to Sasuke and looking at him imploringly.

“We don’t have anything to talk about,” he answered coldly.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, go talk to Naruto!” Sakura snapped.

Sasuke looked like a chastised child as he stood up and followed Naruto into the hallway.

“Cupcake?” I offered, holding the tray out to Boruto and Sarada.

“I’d rather get some of that wine,” Sarada said, eyeing our bottles.

“Only for grownups,” Sakura said. “But help yourself to your dad’s sake, because lord knows he doesn’t need to get any drunker.”

“Sake is for old people,” Sarada said, stealing her mother’s wine bottle.

“We do have glasses, you know…” Boruto said.

We all stared at him.

“Did I miss some kind of anti-glass revolution while I was gone?”

We all continued to stare at him. I loved my son, but he was dense sometimes. He didn’t realize what we all knew was about to happen.

“I’ll take a cupcake,” Kakashi said, reaching out and taking one from the tray.

Sarada and Boruto both jumped in surprise.

“Were you always here?” Boruto asked, scratching the back of his head and trying to play off his embarrassment.

Kakashi’s one visible eye curved into a crescent.

“Who said you could eat my cupcakes, Sensei?” Sakura growled, snatching it out of his hand and chomping on it angrily.

“Well, Hinata offered…” Kakashi said with a pout.

“I DIDN’T SEND YOU AWAY, YOU CRUMMY BASTARD, YOU ASKED TO LEAVE!”

All eyes flicked nervously towards the closed door to the hallway.

I passed Kakashi another cupcake with a strained smile.

Kakashi smiled back.

I picked up the wine bottle and took a long drink.

“I WAS TRYING TO DO WHAT WAS BEST FOR THE VILLAGE!”

There was a loud crash.

Sarada flinched.

Boruto came and sat next to me, sliding his arm around my shoulder.

I leaned into him, my head feeling floaty from the wine.

“So Naruto really didn’t know that Himawari’s pregnant?” Kakashi mused.

“You knew?” Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Pregnant women have a certain kind of glow.”

Sakura wrinkled her nose at him.

“FUCK YOU, NARUTO!”

We all started at Sasuke’s voice.

There was some more crashing and banging.

Naruto let out a very anguished-sounding scream, and my body moved reflexively towards him.

Boruto’s arm pulled me back down to the floor.

Kakashi got up instead, opening the door and closing it behind him.

“Do you want to come stay with us?” Sakura asked quietly, reaching her hand out to rest on my knee.

“What?” I said. “No, no, we’re fine-”

More yelling filled the air.

“Mom, it’s okay to not be fine,” Boruto said. He curled both arms around me, resting his cheek against the top of my head.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, wriggling out of his hold. “Why wouldn’t I be fine? Does anyone want another cupcake?”

“Mom…”

“Boruto, let’s go for a walk,” Sarada said.

“Huh? But-”

“Now!”

“You’re so damn pushy,” Boruto groused, standing up. “Mom, we’ll be outside. If you need anything-”

“Just come on already,” Sarada said, already at the door.

Boruto gave me a quick smile before following Sarada outside.

“Hinata,” Sakura said, taking my hand.

I shook my head.

“You know what’s happening,” she said, looking at me sadly. “You know.”

I shook my head more vehemently.

“They’re never going to be just friends.”

“Stop.”

“We’re only hurting ourselves by pretending.”

“No.”

“Hinata.”

“Everything is fine, it’s-”

“Hinata!”

“What do you want from me?!” I finally snapped. “Am I supposed to say, ‘oh, well they love each other, so it’s okay’? What about me? What about my love? What about the last twenty years of my life?!”

Sakura squeezed my hand.

“It’s not fair!” I shouted, tears running down my cheeks.

“It isn’t,” Sakura agreed, her tears mirroring my own.

“I hate him right now,” I whispered, feeling the anger start to drown into sorrow. “I hate them both.”

“I do, too.”

I looked at Sakura’s miserable face, and it made my heart ache even more.

“Sakura!” I sobbed, throwing my arms around her.

Sakura’s arms wrapped around me tightly, shaking with her own sobs.

“What are we supposed to do?” I whimpered into her shoulder.

“Whatever we damned well want to,” Sakura said with a strangled laugh. “We live.”

“We live,” I echoed, clinging onto Sakura as my marriage fell apart.

#fanfiction #narusasu #isola a public affair #kick in the face

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