Fading Sunlight ✧
The sun hung low over Konoha, casting golden light across the rooftops. From the Hokage's office, Naruto stared out the window, his eyes dull with exhaustion. Papers lay scattered across his desk, untouched despite Shikamaru's best efforts to organize them. Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, Shikamaru studies him carefully. The deep lines on Naruto's face, the dark shadows under his eyes, he had barely spoken all evening, only offering brief nods or tired approvals. With a quiet sigh Shikamaru finally spoke.
"Go home, Naruto." Naruto blinks, sluggishly turning toward him "Huh...? What did you say..?"
Shikamaru pushes himself off the wall, stepping closer, hands bracing the desk. His gaze is firm but concerned. "I said go home. You're practically so tired Naruto. The village can wait ... Just this once."
Naruto considered arguing. There was always more to do, always another task , another responsibility. But when he met Shikamaru's eyes , they were steady and unwavering, he couldn't bring himself to protest. "...Yea. Maybe you're right, Maru..." His voice is hoarse. Shikamaru's lips twitched something close to relief. "Good. Let's go."
For once, Naruto didn't rush ahead. He falls into step beside his friend. Walking in silence, Shikamaru shot him, a tired, knowing smile before heading down his own path. Naruto watches him go, the familiar slouch is oddly comforting... In a way he couldn't explain. Before turning toward home.
When he steps inside, a strange stillness greets him. The house was quiet, too quiet in fact. Not peaceful in a way but.... Suffocating.. Pushing the thought aside, he made his way to the kitchen. Hinata stood there with her back to him, tidying up. Her movements were slow, methodical... But yet her posture is tense.. At the sound of his footsteps, she turned.
Relief flickers in her lavender eyes, but it was brief, quickly replaced by something more guarded... This makes Naruto pause... Why is Hinata's expression guarded?... Did he do something wrong? Hinata was never this guarded... But his thoughts were interrupted as Hinata says.
"Is that you Naruto? Or just another one of your clones..?" Her voice is gentle, yet the words she says struck him harder than expected... It hurts... His chest tightens, he understood why she asked. He had sent clones too many times, and missed too many moments. The memory of Himawari's disastrous birthday, the disappointment in her eyes, surfaced into his mind... Swallowing the guilt, he took a step closer. "No... it's really me.."
For a moment, she simply stares at him, searching, then. As if reassuring that it is really him, she finally murmurs. "You're home early..." There was no accusation in her voice. No bitterness. Just, quiet surprise. Yet despite her soft smile... Naruto can tell there is something off.. from it.. Then it clicked, to him. Something was missing. The warmth, the tenderness. The way she used to reach out to him... "Welcome home." Familiar words but the warmth they once carried was gone. Not completely gone but it is dull... Naruto forced a small smile, rubbing the back of his neck "Shikamaru told me to take a break. Figured I could spend some time with you guys." The blonde voice is quieter almost hopeful as he looks at Hinata
"it's been awhile."
Hinata eyes flicker with something unreadable. She carefully set down the dish in her hands. "Spend time with us?" The whisper held no anger, just exhaustion. "Like you haven't been gone for weeks?" The words weren't loud but they cut deep... Naruto's throat tightens. He knew he hadn't been home. But hearing it aloud, so plainly, made it feel so real in a way he wasn't prepared for. He opens his mouth grasping for something to say- but suddenly a voice cuts him off.
"Why are you here?"
The voice was sharp, young. Naruto turns just as Boruto, his son steps into the room. His son's hands were shoved deep in his pockets. His gaze indifferent- unimpressed as if seeing his own father, was no different from passing a stranger on the streets. Naruto barely had enough time to react before Boruto scoffs at him. "Shouldn't you be at the Hokage tower?, your office? Or did the 'Great Seventh Hokage' finally remember he has a family?" The words his son has said to him landed like a punch to the gut.
Naruto stood frozen in place, breath caught in his chest. He wanted to say something, anything, but Boruto had already turned on his heel, disappearing down the hall without another word. Silence settles over the room again. Naruto looks back at Hinata, she didn't meet his gaze. She simply turns away, quietly resuming her task. As if she had already given up on the conversation. Naruto sighs rubbing his temples tiredly.. But before he could retreat to his thoughts, the sound of small hurried footsteps echoes through the hall. Naruto barely has enough time to react before a small figure lunges into him, clinging into his legs.
"Papa!"
Himawari's voice was bright, filled with joy. The child clung to him tightly, her tiny arms were wrapped around his legs as she beamed up to him, her eyes sparkling with delight. "You're back!" She giggles, her excitement bubbling over.
"I missed you so much Papa!"
Naruto's breath hitches. Slowly, he knelt down, his hands trembling slightly as he enveloped his daughter in a hug. Pressing his face into her soft hair, he held her close. Her presence is warm. He looks at his daughter's eyes with a soft smile , he whispers.
"I missed you too, Hima." His voice, thick with emotion. His throat tightens as he feels the small rise and fall of her breath against him. Himawari pulls back just enough to meet his gaze, her smile never faltering.
"I'm so happy Papa! You're really home!"
She practically is bouncing on her feet, this warms his heart seeing his daughter like this. Himawari tugs his sleeve eagerly.
"You'll stay home tomorrow , right? We can play all day with Big brother and Mommy!, Right, Papa?"
Naruto hesitates. The words caught in his throat... He knows he couldn't promise that to his daughter... The village would always call him back... But looking at Himawari's eyes wide and expectant. So innocent and full of trust.. He couldn't bring himself to disappoint her.. When he , already disappointed, his wife and son. So he forces a smile, cupping her small cheek gently.
"Of course Hima." He murmurs, this is a little white lie. He couldn't hurt his daughter's feelings. But it was worth it when he sees his daughter's face lit up with joy. Before he could say anything else, she tugged his hand bouncing excitedly.
"Can we play now, Papa?, Please??"
Glancing outside at the late hour, Naruto should have sent her to bed. But tonight, he won't be responsible but he will make sure his daughter is happy! With a playful gasp, he taps his chin. "Hm Play? At this hour?" Himawari nods eagerly, Naruto grins. "Alright... But the Seventh Hokage doesn't go easy on little princesses!" Laughter filled the night as they chased fireflies in the backyard.
Meanwhile inside, Hinata stood by the sink, she had been scrubbing the same plate over and over, her mind somewhere else. The sound of their laughter made her pause. She softens, through the window, she watches Naruto twirl Himawari in the air, her giggles filling the night like melody. For a second, Hinata's grip on the plate loosens, her gaze softening.. It is a beautiful sight something she longs for. This is what she wanted... But the warmth faded when reality sank in.
That tomorrow, he'd be gone again.
The lonely nights will continue. The empty promises would pile up. Hinata lowers her gaze, gripping the plate tighter as she returns to her task.
Some time later, Naruto carries a sleeping Himawari inside, her soft steady breaths tickle his neck as he walks down the dim hallway. When he reached the living room , Hinata was already there waiting. She had finished tidying up. Without a word, she steps forward and gently takes Himawari from his arms. Her touch is delicate and careful. But her face remained unreadable. Calm and distant.
Naruto hesitates, his arms feeling empty. He opens his mouth, searching for words but nothing comes out. Instead he watches Hinata cradle their daughter close, and disappears down the hall. He stood there for a long moment, staring at the empty space. Then, he hears it , a gentle creak of a door opening. His head lifts slightly, expecting Hinata to return, to join him in their bedroom.
But she didn't, she lingers in the hallway, her silhouette barely visible in the dim light. Then, barely above a whisper, she says.
"I'm sleeping in the kids' room tonight."
Naruto's throat tightens at Hinata's flat , distant tone. He takes a step forward reaching out faintly. "Hinata, wait—"
She didn't stop. The door to the kids' room closes softly behind her. And with that she was gone. Naruto stands there unmoving, as her words hit hard. The house left like.... Colder..? And for the first time in a long time, he felt lonely...
Alone, he stands in the dimly lit living room, listening to Himawari's sleepy giggles and Boruto's quiet snores. With a sigh, he trudges to the shared bedroom , He and Hinata are supposed to sleep in together, collapsing onto the mattress, the silence sinks in... It was suffocating..
"What am I even doing anymore?" He mutters. Seeking comfort, he drifts into his mindscape. The iron gates stood open, no longer menacing. Behind them, Kurama lay lazily, cracking one eye open.
"Hmph. Naruto?" The fox grumbles.
Naruto smirks weakly "you sound disappointed,"
Kurama studies him, slumped shoulders, dull eyes , forced grin. His voice rumbles "You're worse than usual, Kit."
Naruto chuckles dryly, staring at his reflection in the water. "Being Hokage was supposed to fix everything... It should make people respect me and appreciate me, But all it did was turn me into a stranger in my own family." His fists clenched. "I should've been there..."
Silence, then-
"Ugh. You're such a drama queen," Kurama grumbles "What's next? Writing in a diary ?, Dear Diary, my son glared at me today or my wife didn't join me today. I shed a single manly tear."
Naruto blinks and stares at the fox, then a short breathy chuckle escapes him. He clamps a hand over his mouth, but laughter breaks free.
"There it is!" Kurama grins smugly.
"I thought I almost lost you there for a second." Naruto shakes his head, grin tugging at his lips. "You're such a jerk, you know?"
Kurama huffs. "Better than a soggy melodramatic Hokage." Naruto smirks. "Says the walking furball who got defeated by a teenager's friendship speeches," Kurama's ears twitched at this comeback. "Oh-ho... You wanna go there?"
Naruto grins widens "I bet if I told my son, he'd have a field day, The mighty Nine tails taken down by motivational speeches." Kurama narrows his eyes. "You wouldn't."
"Oh I totally would."
A massive tail lashes out, sending water splashing onto Naruto. "Oi! Kurama you-flea-ridden fox!" Naruto says, drenched with water. Kurama smirks "oh I'm just getting started."
Naruto glares but the fire in his eyes was real again. The same spark he had as a knucklehead kid. For the first time in what felt like forever, he laughed heartily.
For the first time in a while, the silence is comfortable. Naruto let out a slow breath, his chest feeling a little lighter. Kurama's deep voice broke the stillness. "Feeling better? Or do I need to knock you around some more?"
Naruto huff, offering a faint smile.
"Yeah... A little."
A quiet moment passes before Naruto murmurs, "Sometimes, I wish I could stop. Just for a while. No hokage duties, no expectations. Just ... Be me again ya know?.." His voice wavers, the weight of his voice pressing against the air. Kurama's ears twitch, his sharp eyes softening with understanding. Naruto let out a hollow chuckle.. "Wouldn't that be something? No paperwork , no meetings , and stuff-just sleeping in and causing trouble again.." But the longing in his voice is undeniable.
Kurama watches him, silent as Naruto's expression grows serious. "But I know I can't stay a kid forever, I have responsibilities- as a Hokage, as a husband and as a father. No matter how tired I am.... I... Can't walk away. They need me..." His grip on his pants tightens, with resolve in his gaze .. "and I won't run away from that , as that is my ninja way..."
The fox studies him for a long moment, taking in the exhaustion, the stubbornness, the same selfless fool from years ago even now.. this knucklehead is still selfless. He exhales through his nose, amuse by him. "Tch. You really are a pain in the ass ,you know that?" Naruto blinks. "Huh?" Kurama smirks. "You're barely standing, yet you won't shut up about responsibilities idiot." Naruto chuckles "Yeah... I guess I still am." The fox studies him, then he lowers his gaze. His claws idly scrape the stone floor.
"Still the same brat." He mutters. Naruto gives a tired grin. "What expected me to mature so much just cause I aged up?" Kurama snorts. "My mistake."
He rests his head on his paws, eyes half-lidded. After a long pause, he spoke again, more slower though thoughtful..
"... There might be a way, you know."