She's My Everything

8

"Remember to do your homework and study for tomorrow's quiz" Said Shino as all the kids picked up their things and left. Himawari took her time to pick her things before another girl walked past her.

"Let's see who picks you up this time, little ant." Said the redheaded girl with a smirk as she left the classroom. Himawari only glared at her the whole time but in reality she was struggling to hide her huge sadness of her own father not being able to pick her up at school.

"Himawari? Care to tell me what's happening to you?" Said Shino as she lifted up her head to face him. She trembked and tried to look away, trying her best to control her tears.

"I-it's nothing...s-sensei..." she said. Shino looked at her for a while and remembered his last talk with Kiba over the phone a few days ago so he knew who Himawari was and all the things she was going through.

He sighed, "You know, I once knew someone who stuttered every time she wanted to hide something from others."

"Really?" She asked.

"Yeah, she'll panic whenever someone got too close to her or confronted her about anything. She often faded in front of people. But unfortunately, that lead to many people try to bully her."

"And she defended herself?"

"Not that well to be honest. But one day someone stood up for her. She was surprised at his act, and they became friends. Really close to be honest. He taught her to stand up for herself and to never give up no matter what."

Shino came close to Himawari who still payed full attention. "And I know, you can be like her. You're stronger than you think, so cheer yourself up before Sakura comes and picks you up."

"You....you really think I'm that strong?"

"I don't think. I know it."

Himawari's face glowed with happiness and confidence as she grabbed her things and hugged him. "Thank you Shino sensei!!!"

And with thay she left, leaving a satisfied Shino behind.

*****

"Where is she dattebayo?!?!" I asked as I saw that she was taking longer than expected to arrive. "Is she always like this?"

"Hey, she's a kid and she can get distracted by other things." Sasuke said as he picked up his phone. His facial expressionschanged drastically. "What is it?"

"Sasuke, this is bad. You're not gonna believe this."

"Go on." The Uchiha replied in his usual cold tone.

"It's Neji....he's back."

"Wait who's WHAT?!?" Sasuke yelled as he gained my attention. I turned around to face him and ask him but then I heard Himawari's yelling at me with excitement.

"Papa? Uncle Sasuke? What's happening?" Himawari's said as I hugged her tightly. "You came out of the hospital."

"I did dattebayo. And guess what, we have a new house!!" I reolied with a grin as she looked at me with doubts. "What? You don't wanna come with me?"

"You....you never wanted me in the first place." She replied while lowering her head. "You....you wanted a DNA test to know if I'm your daughter."

I kneeled in front of her. "Look, I....I'm sorry for not believing you. You're my daughter Hima, nothing will ever change that. In fact, from now on I promise to take care of you. We'll stay together no matter what happens understood dattebayo?!?"

"Yes papa!" Himawari replied with a huge grin as she hugged me. I stood frozen, feeling her arms around me. It was weird, but the feeling was right.

She's my daughter.

"Just do that. No failures. That'll hold him up for a while." Sasuke said as he hung up the phone. "Guys, duty calls. The house is a few blocks from here. If you need anything just call me."

"Is everything okay uncle Sasuke?" Himawari asked with curiosity.

"Hn. Everything's fine little one. You know what to do if something happens okay?" He replied as Himawari nodded. Then he gave me a warning look in a way only I understood.

'I know, I know'

The road to our house was silent. It was killing me because I didn't know what to do with her. Should I talk? Should I make jokes? What? WHAT?!?!?

"Papa?" She asked.

"What?" I replied.

"My legs. They hurt me a lot."

Then it hit me. Her condition. "D-Does it hurst a lot?" I asked as I noticed her tiredness as we walked.  Then I picked her bag m, hoping that it will help her. "How about that? Feeling better dattebayo?"

"Yeah but...I don't wanna keep walking, can you carry me?..." she asked as I sighed and picked her up.

This is the way I used to carry Boruto around.

"You know we need to do a lot of catch up dattebayo.  I said as I carried her.

"We do?" She said with curiosity as I nodded in approval. "Nice! I wanna hear it all."

"Oh you will. But first we have to enter our new house so brace yourself dattebayo!" I said as I started to run with her on my arms as she started laughing.