Sequel to Rogue

Grandpa

Bolt followed Sasuke through the village's streets, feeling a little better now. He didn't know why, despite a full night's rest, he woke up feeling bone tired but decided not to dwell on it much. Besides, there were many more important matters to take care of because from today his training was going to start. He was very excited because now he was finally going to learn some new cool Justus. This may come off as a little childish, but it was what it was. He liked learning new Justus, something new, something flashy, strong and powerful. He was squealing inside like a fan girl from excitement. He was wondering what was going to be touched today. Will it be more complicated, Gentle Fist? Will it be the supermassive Rasengan? Or the Chidori? For now, he just followed Sasuke, hoping that wherever the training was going to happen would come faster.

However, he would bite back his words just moments later when he realised the familiar streets they were tracking. No. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. You have got to be kidding me. There must be some mistake. There is no way. He recognised the streets that they were going through, because he had walked. Through them, countless times in his childhood, in festivals, in New Year's, every important event of the year, he, along with his family, had walked. Through these very streets to go to a very specific location. For this were the streets that led to the Hyūga clan compound, to his grandpa's home.

The realisation stopped him dead in his tracks, in the middle of the walk. Sasuke, sensing that he wasn't being followed anymore, turned around and looked at the stunned board. Had it been before, he would have attributed it to the boy's antiques or Something Like That, but now, after the previous night's reveal of his face and the confirmation that this boy was Naruto's son, he did not fail to pinpoint the expressions of realisation and Dread on Bolt's face. So, the boy has indeed been missing his family. In other words, he left reluctantly or was taken away against his will... But if that was the case, then why? Why did he not try to come back home or contact anybody when he became free? Because ever since his ventures as the Veild Reaper were. Gaining popularity and becoming known. It was very much known that he was not working under anybody else and was a lone rogue ninja. Sasuke's mind raced with such thoughts.

"Something the matter?" Sasuke asked, his stone indifferent, but in his mind. He had a very clear idea about what was going on in the boy's head.

"No, no, nothing. It's nothing." Bolt managed to stutter out a reply and hurriedly started walking again. Calm down He Said to himself in his head. I cannot let anyone suspect anything. I'm just a stranger here; I don't know anybody. Don't react. Don't react. Don't react. Don't react. He continued the rest of the walk, repeating these words in his head. Unbeknownst to him, this was already a lost cause, as Everyone already knew. Well, not everyone, the younger generation was still unaware. They did suspect something, but didn't dwell on it too much as they lacked concrete proof.  

Getting back to Bolt. Even though he had managed to salvage the situation somewhat, at least according to Sasuke, Sasuke already, however, he didn't say anything and continued with the Journey. Boruto, on the other hand, was dealing with a mess in his mind. He didn't say anything, but his mind kept bringing thoughts of his grandfather. How must he be now? He wondered. How many wrinkles must he have gained? How was Aunt Hanabi? The rest of the Hyuga compound? Was the central courtyard still the same as he remembered it from his childhood years? The same wooden fence, the same wooden porch of the traditional Japanese house that his grandfather loved and cherished with all his heart. Throughout his childhood, his grandpa's home was like an old castle, like the ones shown in movies for Bolt. He would visit the house and play pretend with all his distant cousins. like he was in a period drama or movie playing the young Lord or master of the House. The last time he saw Grandpa. It was probably for his birthday. Afterwards, through all the incidents that had happened, he hadn't had the chance to meet him. His grandfather, even though an energetic man, was still old. And his years were catching up to him, even when he was visiting him for his birthday before all the events happened. His grandfather, although nothing serious, was starting to show signs of declining health. He must be much older now, Bolt wondered in his mind. Part of him was excited to see his grandfather. Another part of him dreaded that something unforeseen might have happened. After he had disappeared from the village and that thought scared him. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he were to find out that. He had missed his grandfather's final movements due to his own action. Not being able to say goodbye or even see him one last time properly... His train of thought was broken with Sasuke announcing their arrival. Lifting his Head up. He was met face-to-face with old wooden gates that he had seen countless times in his childhood.  The Gates showed signs of having been painted over again and again for their maintenance, even though that change felt familiar. Boruto couldn't help but realise how much time had actually passed since he had left the village, how much had possibly changed and how many people could have possibly been just gone walking inside the compound broad back all the memories with every step he took the garden, the Koi pond,  the front courtyards, everything was wher he remembered it to be just the way he remembered it to be but it wasn't exactly the way it was in his memory, signs of change were visible to the one who came back after a long time. The mark of moving time was clear as day. He remembered playing in the garden trying to catch the Koi, getting scolded by the other extended family members for making Mischief, running through the compound with his sister going on little pretend Adventures, their grandfather sitting on the corner porch smiling at them with his tea and hand and at times chasing them together pretending to struggle, saying that they were too fast. He felt a lump in his throat and pressure behind his eyes. No! He scolded himself internally. Now isn't the time to cry. Taking a few deep breaths, he managed to gain some semblance of composure. And continued following Sasuke.