Well, it had to end sometime. Prepare for some brief déjà vu. Don't worry, it was done on purpose. See if you can spot all of the differences.

And until is completely done with their little glitch, this story is going to remain ongoing. However, we all know that this is the last official piece of the story. I'll mark it complete when I stop receiving that error message.

Disclaimer: Riyuto-san does not own Naruto. Strange. It feels like I've said this before….

Epilogue

"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story." ~ Orson Welles

Seven Years Later….

Uzumaki Naruto stifled a yawn as he sat at his desk in the Hokage Tower. He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms around his head, turning towards the window. It had been seven years since the defeat of the time ninja, and things had been rather peaceful ever since. He had become Hokage about 4 years ago, and help a love hate relationship with the position ever since. His older self had told him to prepare for the paperwork, but he didn't truly understand until he had to actually do it all.

It took hours, but he couldn't complain. He was living out his dream, and he was happy. It still amused him to this day at how much Kushika's statements about the future kept on coming true. That meant that the two time lines weren't so different after all, even with previous knowledge of the future.

His eyes fell upon the many pictures sitting atop his desk, and he couldn't help but smile at them. The first picture on the left was him at his inauguration, wearing the Hokage hat and robe, standing next to Tsunade and a blushing Hinata, his arms wrapped around both of them with his wide, stupid, ecstatic grin plastered on his face.

His eyes ventured to the next picture; He and his wife on their wedding day. He wore a simple ceremonious robe of orange with black flames rising from the bottom, while she was garbed in an elegant, noble kimono of light purple and streaks of light blue running diagonally down the back. Hinata was clutching Naruto's arm lovingly, eyes watering, her head resting on his shoulder. Naruto had his famous smile on with one eye open.

The picture besides that one was one he cherished deeply. A four year little girl sat in a swing, her long blonde hair flowing through the wind and a happy smile on her face. However, that one was not his favorite photo.

No, his favorite picture sat in the center of the desk. There was also a large, framed copy hanging in his office, as well as his bedroom at home. There were three people standing in the frame. A sixteen year old Hinata stood to the side, her arm wrapped lovingly around a sixteen year old Naruto's, her head resting on his shoulder smiling sweetly. Naruto had his arm wrapped around Hinata's, giving off his goofy grin. And the part he loved most about the picture sat atop his shoulders; His four year old daughter. She had the brightest smile on her face Naruto had ever seen.

This was taken just days before they returned her to her own timeline. It was Naruto's memento of their time together, to prove to himself that the events had actually happened.

Naruto leaned back in his chair as thoughts of the time ninja came flooding back to him. He remembered what his future counterpart had told him. Naruto glanced down at the calendar and sighed. In the other time line, this was the exact date that the time ninja had broken free from their prison.

Over the years, Naruto and the others had worried that, since Osamu and the others came from the other timelines time stream, that they would still come from their own and wreak havoc on the village once again.

Memories of the previous night came to Naruto's mind.

Naruto and his wife were sitting at home, in front of a fireplace. In front of them was a four year old Kushika, playing with her dolls and other toys cheerfully. Hinata and Naruto were content to just sit there, and watch their daughter play with her toys in peace.

Hinata sighed. "I still don't know what is going to happen tomorrow, Naruto-kun. I'm worried about Kushika-chan." She said.

Naruto turned to his wife. He could understand the fears she was having. "I understand what you mean, Hinata-hime. I've had several long conversations with Shikamaru about this, and based on what Osamu told me and Rei has said, we have nothing to worry about. Shikamaru strongly believes that the time ninja did not exist in the future, or the past or present. They existed outside of time, in the time stream itself. Once they were defeated that one time, it was completely finished."

Hinata nodded. "Yes, Rei-san tried to reassure me that the Village Hidden Through Time no longer exists, but I can't help but worry. What if they are here, and try what they did last time?"

Naruto kissed Hinata's forehead softly. "Then I'll just have to beat up each and every one of them. I'm a lot stronger than I was back then, and we would have the advantage. We know they're coming."

Hinata sighed and leaned up against Naruto's shoulder. "I hope that Shikamaru-san is right."

Naruto nodded, and his eyes continued to follow his daughter as she played house with her dolls. "I do too, Hinata-hime."

Naruto shook his head and stood up to stretch. He yawned, and thought for a moment. "Well, Kushi-chan did mention that we went on a picnic the day we first met. And I just happen to be through all of my paperwork this morning."

Naruto thought about creating a clone, but decided instead he would go and pick up Hinata and Kushika personally. With that, Naruto walked out of his office and told Sakura to take the rest of the day off. He was going to go and spend time with his family.

Before stopping by his home, Naruto made a quick detour.

Naruto found himself inside of one of Konoha's many cemeteries, kneeling over a tombstone, his hand resting over the words Namikaze Minato, Yondaime-Hokage carved into it. He still remembered the way he had first learned about the identity of his father. It still blew his mind to this very day.

His eyes ventured from his father's grave to the one next to it, reading Uzumaki Kushina, Wife to Yondaime-Hokage. Next to that one was a large tombstone Naruto had built himself, engraved with the words Uzumaki Daichi, loving father and grandfather. Pulling himself back up to his feet, he paid his respects to his parents and grandfather and prayed for them.

After, his eyes lingered over his father's grave once again. "Are you proud of me, Otou-san?" It was barely even an audible whisper and more of an escaped thought. He remained frozen to the spot for several seconds, as if looking for an answer. Naruto sighed as he turned to leave, his coat tail danced alongside the wind.

Naruto arrived home to find Hinata brushing Kushika's hair and trying to get her dressed into her pink dress. Naruto suggested the picnic, and Kushika's eyes lit up. She jumped up and down, very excited about the idea of spending the entire day with her Papa.

Naruto smiled and scooped her up into his arms. Hinata walked up to him and gave him a hello kiss, and told him she would get the food ready for the picnic. Naruto offered to help her, and she accepted gladly.

It took only a few minutes until everything was packed into the basket and ready to go. Kushika rode atop her father's shoulders all the way to the park.

Hinata and Naruto exchanged nervous looks as they strode towards what could possibly be an ambush. Naruto tried to smile at her reassuringly, but he wasn't even sure if he was convinced they were one hundred percent safe.

The family found a large tree to sit under, so that the sun wouldn't get in their eyes as they ate and talked.

After a little while, Naruto and Hinata could feel the apprehension slipping away as they decided to enjoy the day, regardless of their worries.

Hinata made Kushika a small ham sandwich, and the child nibbled on it merrily.

Naruto smiled at Hinata. "So how are we doing today?" He asked, placing his hand over her rounding womb. Hinata was 3 months pregnant with their next child.

"We're doing lovely," She answered.

"I'm doing great too Papa!" Kushika exclaimed, plumping herself down onto Naruto's lap, half eaten sandwich still in hand. Naruto smiled down at her.

"That's wonderful, Kushi-chan."

"You wanna see what I colored yesterday Papa?" She asked earnestly. Before Naruto could answer she reached into one of her pockets and withdrew a scribbled drawing of herself in the center, Naruto on the left, and Hinata standing on the right, Hinata had a glob for a belly.

Naruto stifled a laugh"…That's great Kushi-chan, but your momma's not really that fat." He said.

Kushika looked up at her father with an inquisitive look. "But Papa, you said that Momma was gonna get bigger with the new baby."

Naruto laughed, and Hinata giggled. "I did, but I didn't say she was going to be as big as a watermelon." Naruto said, patting his daughter on her head.

Kushika tilted her head in confusion. "Then how big is Mama gonna get?"

Naruto blinked a few times, and took a cautionary glance over at his wife. He didn't want to answer wrong and have to suffer later for it. Hinata had her brow playfully raised as she awaited Naruto's answer as well.

"Umm…Uhh…" Stammered Naruto, searching desperately for the right answer. "You see, Kushi-chan…No matter how big Mama gets, we will still love her with all our hearts because she is Mama, and we love her very much."

Kushika nodded happily, and cheered. "We love Mama, big or small!"

Naruto chuckled, and caught the look Hinata was giving him. It said, "Nice save." Naruto grinned at her, and reached into the basket for another sandwich.

As time passed, Naruto came to realize that nothing out of the ordinary was happening. Hours had passed since the picnic in the park, and still there was not a single hint that time ninja were going to attack today.

Naruto let out a sigh of relief, as did Hinata by his side. Kushika was walking and holding onto her mother's hand. It was obvious at this point that Shikamaru had been right. The time ninja had been defeated once and for all back then. The two hundred story of revenge had finally come to an end.

On their way back to their home, Kushika spotted a man selling ice cream and began hopping up in down. She ran over to her father's side and began tugging on his robe as she pointed over at the ice-cream vendor.

Naruto and Hinata shared a look before he turned down to Kushika. "Would you like to get some ice cream, Kushi-chan?" He asked.

"Really? I love you, Papa! You're the best!" She cheered. Naruto and Hinata laughed as the Uzumaki family made their way over to the ice cream man.

He took one look at Naruto and his eyes widened. He bowed in deep respect. "Rokudaime-Hokage-sama, what can I do for you and your family this evening?" He asked.

Naruto chuckled. "Relax. I just want to buy some ice cream for my daughter."

The man bowed again. "Of course sir, what can I get her?"

Naruto looked down at his daughter. "Kushi-chan, what flavor of ice cream would you like?" He asked.

Kushika grinned. "Sherbet!" She said.

Naruto's eyes widened as a certain memory flashed through his mind. They had done this before, about seven years ago. Naruto's eyes softened. He turned to his wife. "You want anything, Hinata-hime?" He asked.

Hinata nodded. "Now that you mention it, I would love some sherbet ice cream as well."

He nodded, and turned back to the vendor. "I'll take two sherbet ice cream cones, please."

"Yes sir, coming right up sir." Said the man. He scooped up the ice cream into their separate cones and handed them to Naruto, who in turn handed them to his two favorite women.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun." Said Hinata as she accepted the cone of ice cream.

Kushika nodded as she got hers. "Thank you very much, Papa." She said.

Naruto paused for a moment. Everyone but Kushika knew of the events of seven years ago. While it was true that that Kushika and this Kushika were two different people, it still felt as if they were one. But how could Naruto tell her that the peace they enjoyed today was all thanks to her? How could he tell a four year old that she was a major key in saving the world seven years ago?

Naruto smiled lovingly down at his daughter. "No Kushi-chan. Thank you."

THE END

I can't believe it. It's over. It's finally over. After nearly 3 years of writing this story, it's over. There are a lot of things I want to say, but I promised the sneak peaks of the prequel and the sequel, so here they are. Enjoy….

Prequel: The Bonds Before Time: While Naruto and Hinata receive news that they are expecting, Naruto and Hinata discover that pregnancy isn't as easy as it's cracked up to be. And the events of 200 years ago are explained for the first time from the eyes of Satoshi, a fun loving teenager who wants nothing more than to live out the rest of his days in his small village with his brother and his friends. Fate intervenes, however, and nearly destroys Satoshi in the process. Watch as Satoshi vows revenge, and sets off to finish things with Osamu once and for all.

Sequel: Bonds of Time II: The Paradox One year has passed since the war with the time ninja. Kushika has been returned to her own time, and peace has resumed throughout the village. However, due to a training session gone horribly wrong, Naruto and Sasuke find themselves seventeen years into the past. They thwart one villain and save the village, but are they prepared for the consequences of tampering with the past? And why are there two Narutos?

I don't want to give anything else away.

Let me just say that, when I started writing this, it was because of writers block for a different story. I posted the first chapter, and wanted to see what people thought of it. It received so many positive reviews I decided to focus my attention on it. Many thanks to all of you who read this story up until this point. It would not have been possible to make it here if it wasn't for you guys.

I'd like to give a special shout-out to some my favorite reviewers. Rasenganfin, Skysrpke, Kage bijuu, obloquious, naruhina pwnz, and Captain Flye. Most of you were there when the story first started all that time ago, and stuck with it. Others are just plain epic and deserved the shoutout.

Go read Rasenganfin's fic Hinata's Guardian. It's pretty long, and good. I highly recommend it. And obloquious informed me he was going to be posting his first fanfiction ever, so go and check that out when it's posted.

I would like to thank you all for reading my story. I'll admit, most of the time when I was writing, I would question whether or not I was a good story teller. However, your reviews inspired me to keep on going.

You stuck with me, through thick and thin, and have finally reached the end of my story. If you would be so kind, please review and tell me; What you favorite parts were, who your favorite villain was, who your favorite OC was, most memorable thing about this fic, if you would read it again, and/or if I can expect to see you guys in the sequel.

By the way, I just took a look at the total page count. This story was exactly 386 pages in length.

Once again, thanks again for everything.

Until we meet again….