The Light That Seeps Through the Trees

Chapter 2: Graduation

Himawari and Boruto had moved in with Ino and Sai. Sakura and Sasuke wanted to take them in but upon proposing to the Hokage, who was now Konohamuru, he decided it was best for them to be with Ino and Sai.

"Why can't they stay with us" Sakura argued.

"Sasuke will be Boruto sensei. You have three kids to take care for. Ino and Sai only have one."

Sakura was still upset but decided to let it go. Sasuke just analyzed everything silently. He had been even more quiet since Naruto's death. Sakura faced him and her face softened as she saw his eyes.

Even though Sasuke didn't show it she knew he was hurting deeply. Sasuke had lost his best friend. One of the only friends that never gave up on him. A friend who chased him to the ends of earth.

Sasuke walked out of the Hokages office. He was in pain even if he didn't admit it. He had lost his friend.

Idiot, you should've gone with your family. The village told you to get to safety.

He stopped at where Naruto had been buried right besides Hinata.

I swear I will take care of them Dobe. I will be there for them like you were for me. I will protect them with my life. They will never need anything. They won't go through what you and I did.

Sasuke kept his promise as Himawari and Boruto grew up. He stayed besides them making sure they were never hungry. He took them out along with his kids and took them on trips. He saw Boruto slowly grow and as he saw him grow he saw Naruto reflected in him.

As he watched Himawari grow he saw a mixture of Hinata and Naruto. She was outstandingly smart and capable. In the academy she was at the top of her class. She graduated being the top student. The opposite of her dad. It was odd but he saw a bit of himself in her. Himawari was a mixture of all the shinobis surrounding his parents. In her he saw Hinata's kindness and beauty, Naruto's stubbornness and determination, Neji's discipline, his own cockiness, Sakura's amazing chakra control, and Shikamaru's intelligence.

She was on her way to become an excellent shinobi. Probably the best of her generation. Sasuke could see all this in just the 2 years that had gone by.

Sasuke was snapped out of his thoughts as he watched his kids come out of the academy. Kato raced towards them excitedly while Kenzo took his time walking.

Kenzo had sasukes personality but saradas hair color. While Kato had sasukes looks but Sakuras personality. It appeared the only one who had a combination of both sakuras and sasukes personality was Sarada.

"We passed!" Kato beamed

"Those are my boys!" Sakura beamed along with her mini me.

"Hn" Kenzo said as he came to stand besides his dad.

"Hn" Sasuke replied.

Himawari came out of the academy and she was greeted by Neji and Hanabi. Hanabi had flowers in her hand and she gave them to her niece. Boruto hugged his sister congratulating her on graduating and being the top of her class.

Sasuke stared at the scene. Himawari smiled at them but in her eyes he could see the sadness as her eyes landed on them. As she looked at Kenzo being hugged by his mother.

Neji looked at where Himawari was staring. He made eye contact with Sasuke. Neji nodded and Sasuke understood immediately.

They both eased their way out of the crowd and into a more secluded area.

"She misses them" Neji said.

"It's only been two years, of course she does."

"Maybe I should've had them stay with Hanabi and I in the Hyuga compound"

"No, you both did the right thing. The Hyuga council is still in a turmoil from Hiashi and Hinata's death. Who knows what they would want you guys to do with Himawari and Boruto. They are better off with Sai and Ino."

"Have you heard of Hayami?" Neji asked.

Sasuke shook his head, "Konohamuru sent Itachi to look for her but he hasn't found her."

"I have a feeling she will appear soon."

"Hn" Sasuke agreed. He had a feeling she would.

After Gaara's death she had returned to the Hidden Leaf Village. She disappeared a month after returning. Konohamuru sent itachi to look for her and it had now been two years since itachi went looking for her.

Neji and Sasuke returned to their families. While Himawari and Boruto went with Ino,  Sai, and Inojin.

The rest of the day went by celebrating the kids success in the academy. All of Naruto's friends had stopped by to congratulate Himawari. Shikamaru and Temari gave her the sweats Hinata loved to eat. Sai and Ino gifted her a painting of her family. Kiba gave her a Kurama stuffed animal. Lastly Shino had appeared and let Himawari play with his bugs for a bit while he talked with Sai and Ino.

The night had finally come. Himawari stared out her window.

Its taking time but the time will soon come. I will do what is right for me and my brother.