Day 31

Memories

"Oh, do you remember that, Naruto? When Hima-chan first got her boyfriend." An image of a young Himawari popped in front of them and Naruto grumbled, pouting at the image.

"Don't remind me of that! I tried to scare off the boyfriend but at the end I embarrassed myself."

"Boruto-kun told me that Hima-chan was the one who put the Silent no Jutsu on you."

"What! My little girl did that?" Naruto sobbed into his arm and Hinata hugged him close, smiling while massaging his scalp.

"Naruto, she is your daughter."

"You're right. Ooh, look at that one! That's when…uh…wait Hinata, don't look at those!" But it was too late. Hinata watched with wide eyes as Naruto's memories showed up in front of her. The images were of their mission to save her little sister, Hanabi. She never noticed the many times Naruto glanced her way throughout the mission and his eyes held so much emotion.

She turned to her husband, who was young and grinning sheepishly, and launched at him, hugging him close while a few tears ran down her face. "Naruto," she sighed happily.

Her lavender kimono with the Uzumaki and Hyuuga symbol on the back was washed with the sun's rays and her beautiful, indigo locks tickled his chest. He hugged her closer, his body covered with a traditional but orange kimono with his Hokage robe.

"Hinata, don't cry. You know I love you." He kissed her temple and she looked at him, smiling widely.

"Y-You're right."

"Let's see how our children are doing." He waved his hands and the images of his love-struck face disappeared. Instead, it was replaced with a much older looking Boruto who was gripping his hair as his assistant brought more papers for him.

"This sucks," Boruto said as he glared at the papers.

"Oh dear, looks like our son didn't like the Hokage's position as much, Naruto." She giggled into her hand as she watched her son groan over his work.

"I thought he was going to like it. Huh." He squinted and tried to figure out if it was the position that Boruto was stressing over or the papers.

"Let's see what our Hima-chan is doing." Hinata waved her hands and the image of her son disappeared. Himawari was shown on her knees, her indigo locks braided and flowers in her hand. The young Uzumaki brushed the tombstone and smiled almost painfully.

"Kaa-chan, tou-san, I miss you guys so much."

Hinata grabbed Naruto's hand and her heart broke as she watched her daughter cry over their tombstones. She leaned against Naruto's shoulder and he held her close, his eyes baring pain as he watched his princess mourn over their deaths.

"Why did we have to die so soon?" asked Hinata, her young features frowning at the thought.

"I don't know, Hinata. I don't know." He paused when Himawari's children came into view, each holding a flower.

"Kaa-san, why are you crying?"

"We're visiting your grandparents, remember? Come and say hello."

"Hello obaa-san! I miss you and your cookies. Here's a flower for you." Hinata felt sudden warmth like she always does when someone close to her comes and talks to her. She smiled and laid her hand on her chest.

"Jii-kun, I already mastered Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! I can do up to three!"

"Yatta, he's an Uzumaki alright!" cheered Naruto, feeling the same warmth his wife felt on his chest.

"Kids, go along to your father. I need to talk to your grandparents."

"Bye obaa-san and ojii-san." The children kneeled in front of the tomb stone and kissed their palms, pressing it against the marble. Hinata and Naruto watched as their grandkids ran away and they focused on their daughter.

"Gomen for Boruto-nii-san not visiting. That goofball is so caught up in his work but I think he's just too sad in coming in terms that you both died. When we found you both in your room together…" Himawari broke off and bit her lip, her blue eyes wide with tears. "It's amazing how the whole town mourned the loss of Konoha's finest hero and number one unpredictable ninja and the Hyuuga's Byakugan Hime. You know, the whole world knows your love story." Hinata gazed at Naruto who returned the look with confusion. "It's inspirable." Himawari stood up and wiped her tears. "I love you guys so much. I'll come back next time. Next stop, Neji-oji-san."

Naruto waved his hands and the visual disappeared. He glanced at Hinata who was wiping away her tears. She glowed with love and he smiled, swooping down and kissing her lips. She was stunned for a moment before returning the gesture. Her hand came up and wiped away his tears that slowly began to descend down. He broke the kiss and sobbed, hugging her close. "I'm so happy that they're okay," he choked out, breathing in Hinata's scent.

"Me…" she took in a deep breath, "m-me too."

They stood like that for a long time, neither one moving from their spot. The field they were in was filled with different kinds of flower. Each one represented a flower someone dropped off on their tombstone. The sun never left the sky here—it was called heaven—and it was always warm. Hinata gently pushed Naruto down till they were both lying down, facing each other. She closed her eyes and involuntarily, the memory of the day they died appeared in front of them. It was so sad watching their funeral as many of their friends mourned. Yet, after every visit from her family her spirit felt alive and well and warm. She was sure Naruto felt the same. It was always sad when they cried and told them how much they wished they were there but they remember them. Naruto and Hinata are never forgotten.

"Hinata, I love you. I-I'm happy—and I know it's selfish of me—that we at least died together. I can spend the rest of my after life with you." He brushed a strand of indigo lock behind her ear and she smiled.

"We were meant to be together even after Death," she whispered, tracing his whisker marks.

"Death—or anything—could never separate us." He kissed her lips as the sun kept shining bright with warmth.

Their love story will never be forgotten and even when their hearts stop beating and they look on from the sky above, their love will continue to grow forever.

Fin