With You in the Future

699.9 (Part 2)

Knowing the Land of Fire frontier wasn't too far from here, Naruto sped his pace. Unfortunately, Shikamaru's and Kakashi's presence behind him prevented him from running. Like them, he was tired. This Five Kage summit had lasted too long, but despite his brain that got more and more numb at each endless meeting, he wanted to keep a good pace to arrive quicker at the village.

"Tell me your secret." he whispered to Shikamaru walking by his side.

"My secret?" he repeated.

"Yes, for not having headaches every time you come back from those meetings." Naruto held his head as to emphasise his words.

"I can't believe I'm hearing you saying that. You who want to become Hokage, you should thank the Rokudaine who had brought you with him-"

"As a bodyguard." Naruto cut off. "Plus... it's not the same thing to be at a meeting as the Hokage."

Shikamaru liked to tease his friend, but he knew very well that if Naruto wanted to, he could stay days in a meeting room without eating or sleeping as long as the problem wasn't solved.

"You're so thick-headed. Wait a bit and it'll go away." The advisor laughed.

Pouting, Naruto was about to argue when the third traveller behind them caught their attention. The two shinobi turned towards their Hokage.

"Maybe we could take a short break." Kakashi proposed. "I'm not young anymore."

"Are you serious!? We had a break two hours ago. If we keep walking that slowly, we'll never arrive in the village in time to-" Naruto stopped talking when he saw Shikamaru walking past him to lay down under a tree.

He was quickly joined by Kakashi taking out a book from his pocket.

"You've got to be kidding me?!" exclaimed the blonde.

*****

"First!" Boruto yelled when he touched the gates.

Himawari came way later behind him. Out of breath, she put her small hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath as Hinata was clapping. "Well done, you both were faster than the other day."

"Oi! Boruto! Himawari!"

The Uzumaki trio turned and saw Temari with Shikadai approaching them. Happy to see him, Boruto waved his hand the highest he could, Himawari miming him.

"You see, we're not late. We're right on time." Hinata said to her son.

When the Naras arrived, the conversation was firstly about the children, then when Boruto and Shikadai went playing, Himawari sat next to her mother, focused on a line of ants.

"So? How was your visit at Suna?" Hinata asked. "We haven't seen each other since you came back."

"The usual", Temari sighed. "Shikadai is too spoiled. Having two brothers both crazy about their nephew doesn't help the way you want to educate your child. At least, Shikamaru's mother was with us. It made them quieter."

While keeping an eye on their mischievous sons, the two mothers kept talking and Hiamawari was looking at the horizon from time to time.

"Good evening, Temari. Hinata." Greeted Captain Yamato with Izumo and Kotetsu.

As soon as Naruto would cross Konoha gates, the three ninjas would have to be their hokage's bodyguards again. Despite being in time of peace, the five kage decided to have at least one bodyguard with them. Especially after the last men-bomb attacks in the different villages.

Suddenly, Himawari stood up, eyes wide as she pulled on Hinata's skirt. "Mama, look."

Under the light of the lamp street, three figures walked towards them. The first one was recognisable by his lage hat, the second by his ponytail and the third by his erratic waving.