Chereads / After The Last / Chapter 22 - Epilogue

Chapter 22 - Epilogue

"You have to focus on your opponent and wait for the chance to give him just one hit," Hinata told Boruto. She was training him with Taijutsu.

"Doing shadow clone technique is a lot easier than this," Boruto complained. Hinata furrowed her brow.

"Okay, let's call it a day," Hinata said when she noticed Boruto's boredom. They went to where Himawari was. She was sitting on the bench with a gloomy face.

Hinata and Boruto noticed her sad expression, so they talked to her.

"Hima, what's wrong?" Hinata asked her. Himawari lifted her head to face her mom. Boruto was behind her.

"I just feel lonely knowing that we don't have dad here often after he became the Hokage," Himawari said. Boruto and Hinata were a bit surprised. Then their face turned sad as well.

Naruto got busy as the leader of the village. He barely comes home and sees his family. It couldn't be helped because it was his responsibility to take everything in control and work hard for the peace and safety of the villagers. Those were the things Hinata tried to tell her children. She tried to make them understand the situation and she understood that they were still kids and could not keep up with everything around them and as a mother, she really tried and gave her best to support Himawari and Boruto.

Boruto reminisced the days when their father was with them and they were so happy together.

"Dad, pass the ball to me quick. You are so slow." Boruto yelled at his dad, they were playing.

Hinata and Himawari were sitting on a piece of wide cloth lying on the ground. There was a basket full of food beside them. They were having a picnic near the lake. Himawari was smiling genuinely and her mom was very happy to see the two boys playing together.

"Hima, join us here!" Boruto yelled at Himawari and Naruto smiled at her. Without any trace of disagreement, Himawari ran towards the two and played with them. They were so happy like there was no tomorrow.

Boruto also reminisced the days when their dad was always present on special occasions like their birthdays and other important celebrations.

"Shadow Clone Technique!" Boruto shouted and a doppelganger appeared. Naruto was surprised.

"Dad, I made it! I did the Shadow Clone on my first try." Boruto happily told his dad. Naruto could not help himself but smile at him.

Hinata and Himawari were just watching them.

"You did a great job, big brother," Hima said while clapping her hands.

Hinata was watching her children having fun.

"Why not train Hima with Taijutsu, Hinata?" Naruto said. Hinata was astounded for a while and she got back to her casual expression after.

"Sure, that's a good idea," Hinata responded with a smile on her lips.

"I'll show you my Taijutsu skills too, dad." Boruto boasted at her father.

"Sure, I would like to see what you got," Naruto said while grinning.

Both Naruto and Hinata trained their children the basic combat styles and techniques. The family was complete and they were enjoying spending their free time together.

Boruto clenched his fist after reminiscing those old but gold memories with their dad. He felt sad for Himawari who was still young to experience such shortcomings from their dad. He only wants Hima to be happy.

"That stupid old man." He murmured with a gloomy face.

"Boruto..." Hinata muttered upon seeing Boruto's face. She understood what they feel.

"What if we make a cake together? Let's surprise dad and see him for a while." Hinata suggested. She wanted to light up the mood a bit. She knew the kids would love to see their dad and they missed him so much.

Boruto, who wanted to object because of the disgust he was feeling, just went to help them make the cake. Boruto saw the excitement and joy on Himawari's face knowing they would see their dad. His chest which had a bad shot a while ago turned to be calm and at peace. The three of them were enjoying making the cake.

"It's finished!" Himawari yelled.

"Yeah," Boruto said while he still had some icing on his face. Hinata and Himawari laughed at him. He gave them a 'What?' look.

The three were off to the Hokage's office to surprise Naruto. Upon their arrival, Shikamaru noticed them standing at the doorway.

"Hinata?!" Shikamaru muttered with a twitching brow.

"Shikamaru. Is Naruto around?" Hinata asked. The two kids remained silent.

"Yeah, he is inside. Why don't you come in?" Shikamaru said. Hinata nodded.

They opened the door and saw Naruto working behind his laptop. He did not notice their presence. Shikamaru, who was about to see Naruto, just let the family spent time with him and left them inside the office.

"Daddy!" Hima yelled. Naruto immediately turned his gaze in the direction of the voice.

"Hima, Hinata, and..." Naruto muttered. Naruto smiled upon seeing his whole family.

Boruto gave him a smirk while Himawari ran towards her dad and hugged him.

"You guys. Why are you here?" Naruto asked.

"We want to see you. We missed you so much, daddy." Himawari told him. Naruto's eyes became cloudy. He missed them too but because of his duties as the Hokage, he could not be there for them always.

"We bring you a homemade cake," Hinata said and hands over the box.

"Thank you Hinata," Naruto said.

"Boruto? Why don't you come near us?" Naruto asked him.

"I'm fine," Boruto said not looking at him with his lips pouting. Naruto just gave him an awkward smile.

"Are you busy?" Hinata asked.

"Kind of," Naruto replied. He did not want to say it, but his desk tells it all.

"I see. We'll not stay longer, I guess." Hinata said.

Naruto's eyes saddened and turned his gaze at Boruto who was looking around the office. He stared at Himawari who was smiling in front of his face. He then looked at Hinata who had a worried face, but she was trying to make Naruto feel easy. Himawari let go of him and joined her big brother looking around.

"Hinata..." Naruto murmured. Hinata looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Thank you for taking care of Boruto and Hima. I don't know what I would do without you. I apologize for letting you do all the work at home. I know it's hard to raise two kids all by yourself while I am here being the Hokage, but I promise to make it up with you when I got the free time." Naruto explained.

Hinata shook her head and smiled at her worrying husband. She looked at the kids who were having fun watching them around the office and discover new things.

"Don't worry about that, Naruto. Leave it to me. Focus on your duty as the leader of this village. You are the most important person in this place you should focus more on the welfare of everybody and I'll do my best to take care of our children." Hinata gave Naruto assurance.

Naruto took a sigh upon hearing Hinata's statement. They looked at their children who were enjoying each other's company.

"I promise to protect the future of these kids with my life," Naruto muttered. Hinata smiled at his statement.

Hinata and the kids waved goodbye at Naruto.

"We will visit you again soon, dad. You take care, okay?" Himawari said and winked at him. Naruto just smiled at her daughter and waved goodbye to them.

They completely left the office and the door closed. Naruto stood up from his desk and opened the windows. The fresh air swayed the curtains of the office and Naruto felt the coldness of it on his flesh. He then looked outside and thought.

"I want to witness the story of these kids that are about to unfold."