Tokyo, Japan 

Hinata

You would've thought that since I was dating a soldier, I knew all the rules. All the routines they had; all the rituals and the damn lies they have.

No, if you were wondering. No I didn't know.

I didn't know I had to pretend that Naruto was killed in a car accident rather than fighting for his country.

I didn't know I get to keep Naruto's ID dog tag.

And I didn't know that he doesn't get the right to call our son his.

Since he's dead, the higher officers didn't think it was necessary to put his name on our son's birth certificate. Of course, I didn't tell them that I did anyway.

For the first week or so, the news spoke of Naruto as a man of bravery; a man who didn't care what happened to him as long as those around him were safe and happy. A part of me was very happy to hear such perfect words for the man he actually was. I've heard from some of the older soldiers' widows. Some of them don't get such high praise let alone a complete news report dedicated to them.

He did get a funeral service where they buried an empty coffin. Shikamaru told me after the war in the country was over, they went back to find any identification of...Naruto. Sadly, they only returned with his helmet that he threw away when he was trying to save a dying Sasuke.

It's true the first month or so was hard. I was barely able to function as a normal person.  The hospital director gave me a three month leave so I could recover and mourn. I stayed with Sakura and Sasuke because, well; the two didn't trust me in Naruto's apartment alone anyway. I lost a bunch of weight and barely ate. It wasn't until all of my friends gathered and told me it was completely unhealthy for my unborn son did I eat a normal diet again. 

I wasn't back on my feet until about month three when I returned to work. The nurses and doctors made sure to never bring up any touchy subject and they do their best to steer clear of me completely. I didn't completely evolve into a devil but I preferred to be alone most the time. 

I even got into an almost fist fight with Minako because she wouldn't leave me alone. 

It wasn't until after Hanako-senpai and Hisao-senpai pushed me into an empty hospital room to scold me. Hanako-senpai never got around to it. Instead, she only wiped her eyes a few times before calling me a whole bunch of names I don't think parents would appreciate their kids knowing. Hisao-senpai simply said, "Continue this and everybody that is actually alive; the people that still love you will one day disappear as well."

Yeah I don't think I can handle that either.

So! I returned Naruto's apartment to the landlady, gathered all our stuff, Hajime and moved into a cozy three bedroom home a mile or so away from the hospital. 

Hajime for a few months after he learned how to crawl would make his way towards the front door and sit there for a few minutes before I entered the room to find him there. He looked at the door, his black eyes unmoving, watching.

Waiting.

Eventually, my son would notice me before pointing at the door and shouting a whole bunch of nonsense. I only faked a smile and take him back to his room without saying anything.

Boruto Uzumaki, born October eleventh, a day after his father's birthday helped me a lot. He looked like an exact clone of his father with the blonde hair and the ocean-blue eyes along with those cute whiskered birthmark. It hurt, you know, looking at him for his first few hours but nonetheless, I happily held him in my arms.

Our son.

Our little baby boy.

What I'd give for Naruto to have been there with me at that time when Boruto first opened his eyes to discover so many weird faces looking at him. (Especially Kiba's since his cheek was pinched the most.)

But hey, all of that happened in a time span of one entire year. Three hundred and sixty five days, eight thousand and sixty hours. 

I've learned, for a second time in my life, how to move on. 

Only this time, knowing that I will always love Naruto endlessly.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Hinode General Hospital - Director's Office -

"Eh?!"

"Alone?!"

"Why, Father?"

Director Soga held up a hand for silence with one of his fingers in his ear, "Let me explain, let me explain."

Mina only raised an eyebrow at him, "We're waiting, Father."

The director called me into his office early this morning for a private one-on-one meeting while I was with Hanako-senpai and MInako. Being the good, good friends they were (and Mina needed to ask her Dad for some money) they followed. It wasn't long until we ran into Kazuki and Hisao-senpai leaving the library so those jerks followed along as well.

"It's really, really short," Director Soga clasped his hands together, elbow on his desk as he directed all of us. "Dr. Hyuga only needs to go to Ocrua for a week as a volunteer doctor."

"Even if it's only for a week," Kazuki cut in. "I don't like it."

 "She'll miss our wedding, Father," Mina added bluntly, making Kazuki blush suddenly.

I smirked. Hisao-senpai choked on his own spit. Hanako-senpai smirked. Director Soga sighed.

"I never even told you when she has to go."

"It doesn't matter," his daughter continued. "We'll just move it to the weekend she isn't in town."

Now how's that supposed to work out anyway?

"You can't just do that to a wedding date, baby," Kazuki lowered his head in disbelief.

She looked at her fiancee, "Why?"

"Whyyyy," Hisao-senpai stepped in. "Why can't we go with her?"

"Uh Kazuki and my daughter are getting married in less than a month," Director Soga began listing off his fingertips. "And I doubt you want your pregnant wife anywhere near a very dirty environment, Hisao."

"All very true but," he isn't one to give up. "We can't just let her go alone. Especially with, um's, anniversary coming up."

Um = Naruto's code name among my friends and co-workers.

Anniversary = he's been...gone for one year.

"I'll have a small ceremony for him there," I sighed looking at my entire team, "And I won't get lost, don't worry."

All four pair of eyes looked at me, uncertainty in all of them made me smile sadly. It might've only been a single year but so much has happened to them. From dealing with me to problems of their own...this is the first time in the entire year they can actually relax and be happy. 

Kazuki skipped the dating and went straight to the proposal with Minako about three months ago.

Hanako-senpai and Hisao-senpai dated for maybe two months then got married a month after. Now she's about three months in her pregnancy.

They're all happy. 

They all have their own families now.

"I'm not a little kid anymore," I continued. "And everybody here has a lot of things they need to worry about so I don't want any of you following me to Ocelot."

"Oscura."

"Sure," I chuckled, lightly. 

"What about Bolt and Hajime?" Kazuki asked. 

"As much as I hate leaving my two sons," I nodded once. "I trust Sakura and Sasuke as well as all of you to make sure Boruto doesn't pull his own brother's hair."

Hajime is one.

Boruto is four months old.

Yeah...very hyper little people.

"When does she leave?" Hisao-senpai asked Director Soga.

"Day after tomorrow," he replied. "It's not going to be a military base this time but a medical base ran by the Americans who will also be there along side you. There will be a few American soldiers there as well but you'll be the only Japanese in the camp."

Perfect...

"Hina-senpai?"

"Alright," I sighed loudly. "I'll go and come back as quickly as I can, I promise."