Naruto Karyuden

Chapter 61: Academy Days XX - Next Generation

ACADEMY DAYS XX - NEXT GENERATION

Once the joyous news spread throughout their friendship circle, Hinata received wave after wave of guests, most only briefly dropping by to say their congratulations. From their closest friends and teachers, to the Union ambassadors, to fellow clan leaders.

No one wasted any time to give their best wishes to the family, some already dropping gifts for the parents-to-be and some even meant for the baby, like toys and clothes.

Among the first, however, was someone Naruto expected to sit back and wait for things to blow over. Much to his surprise, Sasuke visited them in broad daylight and through the front door. A rare occurrence lately as Sasuke prefers to not really be a major presence around the streets.

The two opted to sit on the roof rather than the comfort of the couch, although looking over the lively Uzumaki compound is relaxing in its own right.

Once sat on the tiles, Sasuke worlessly offers a closed fist.

Naruto looks at him in confusion but grins when he realizes the intent, and returns the fistbump.

"Congratulations. Truly."

"Thanks! I seriously still can't believe it's happening."

"You've changed so much these past 10 years." Sasuke looks over the newest clan's district. "First leading a revived clan, now becoming a father. Who would've thought?"

"Not like you're that different." Naruto chuckles. "You're a whole different person, too."

"Yes, well, I had someone knock some sense into me." Sasuke leans back, taking in the clear skies above. "If you hadn't beaten some sense into me, I don't know where I'd be right now. But I know I wouldn't have been this..." He pauses, trying to find the words.

"Happy?"

"I guess that's part of it. Feels a bit more complicated than that."

"It usually isn't." Naruto shrugs. "You might just be overthinking it." He taps him on the shoulder.

"I might be."

From below, a familiar voice grabs their attention. "What're you two doing up there?" Tsunade calls out to them.

Peering down, they see the Hokage and her cousin, Fusuma Senju, standing in front of the house.

"Granny, Fusuma, hey!" Naruto waves to them. "We're just hangin' out."

"Is Hinata home?" Fusuma asks. "We bring gifts."

"She's taking a bath, but I got a few Clones in there so make yourselves at home."

Sasuke stands up from his spot. "I'll just take my leave. You see to your guests."

"You know," Fusuma speaks up before he can go. "You don't have to leave. We haven't had the chance to speak and I'd like the chance to."

"We don't have much to speak about, do we?" Sasuke says bluntly.

Fusuma laughs at his openness. "No, but it all starts with something small, doesn't it? There's been a lot of bad blood between the Senju and the Uchiha. I wasn't in a position to do anything about it back then, but I can at least do something now, no matter how small."

"Come on, man." Naruto pats him on the back as he stands up. "It'll be fun."

Sasuke sighs. "Alright."

Naruto grins and Flickers down to the ground where Tsunade immediately drapes a hand over his shoulder and locks his head in her arm. "You been taking good care of your wife, kid?"