(I don't own pic)

(PS: There is nothing new about this chapter my computer just won't shift it to the correct space, it keeps putting it after Part 30 and not 28, so I had to take it down and republish... sorry,)

The next few days went by boringly peacefully, Sarada's class had their graduation exam and Genin promotion exam. I watched it from afar... Lord Sixth did not go easy on them, poor kids. But, they passed, so that's something. They were sorted into teams, Sarada and Boruto ending up on the same team as I predicted, with the addition of Mitsuki... the new and improved 'Team 7'. Needless to say, Sarada was not pleased, to begin with, she tried to get a petition to change teams to Lord Naruto, stating she was not willing to work with someone as reckless and insolent as Boruto Uzumaki. However, getting the petition to the Hokage proved to be more difficult than she had originally expected, and she had to work with Boruto and Mitsuki to even see the older Uzumaki, resulting in her finding out just how well they worked together if they all coordinated. They go on their first mission today... I hope it goes well.

'Haaaaa' I sighed to myself, opening my eyes and looking over the village.

I was sitting on the stone faces once again just thinking.

'There haven't been tones of mission request in as of late... I know times of peace are preferred... especially after Great Wars, and I should be grateful my family doesn't have to fight for their lives... but is it bad, that I crave action?' I stretch my left leg and raise my right, resting my right arm on my knee.

"I knew I'd find you up here..." A voice sounded behind me.

I turned my head, my eyes widening ever so slightly when I realized Yuto was standing there with his right hand on his hip.

"Yuto?" I continued to stare at my childhood friend.

"Hmm, heads up," He chuckled, throwing what looked like a scroll at me.

I raised my left hand, catching the item and bringing it toward me to examine it.

'Chakra Control: Water Basics' Read the label.

"I'm thinking... I have you to blame for Mino's sudden love for the ninja arts?" Yuto walked up and sat beside me.

"Well... she's, a talented young girl," I mumbled, keeping my eyes on my now folded legs.

"Mm-hmm... and, how exactly did this happen?" Yuto looked at me.

"Funny enough after our reunion at the market, I just kinda kept running into her... and by running into her I mean she and her friends stalked me," I half rolled my eyes before looking at him out of the corner of my eyes.

"Yeah, I know... I caught onto all the 'Daddy I'm just going out with friends,' and 'Big sis Sarada is taking me out for Dumplings' Funny thing, I'd usually run into Sarada not... 5 minutes? after I was given that excuse, and mini Uchiha had no idea she was a scapegoat, hahaha!" Yuto looked up to the sky and closed his eyes, laughing.

"I figured there had to be something else then, so I followed her all the way out to the lake one day... and found you," I turned my head fully, watching my best friend lower his gaze again before also turning to look at me.

"You're not mad..." I raised a questioning eyebrow.

"No of course not... do you want me to be?" Yuto laughed again.

'I missed this...' I blinked.

"To be honest... I thought you'd be furious, but I'm glad you're not," I gave him a small smile.

"Minka, on the other hand..." Yuto sighed, leaning back on his hands.

"Yeah... I know..." I turn my gaze to the village again, swallowing hard.

"I don't mean to sound like a broken record... but you really scared us... we thought you'd never come back..." I felt Yuto place his hand on my shoulder.

"... I'm sorry..." I whisper.

"..." Yuto fell silent.

'It was never my intention to cause you two such worry... not you, you are my best friends...' My chest tightened.

"Come on..." Yuto stood.

"Huh? Where?" I watch him.

"We're going to see Minka," He grinned.

"I don't think that~" He cut me off.

"No, no 'if's, 'and's, or 'but's! We are going..." Yuto gave me a pointed look.

"..." I stared at him.

"And yes! I have become a lot more accretive now thanks for asking and I no longer feel the need to hide in a corner whenever I can't get something right, glad we got over that... let's go!" And he started walking away.

'Damn...' I chuckled but stood.

So we walked back into the village, continuing to talk about everything that had happened over the past ten years. Yuto had become a jounin about two weeks after I left so he could join the search. Minka had apparently quit for a while, which I felt bad for as that was my fault, but after a while she reenrolled, studying Genjutsu techniques.

"Well... we're where," Yuto placed his hands on his hips and grinned at me, turning to look at the tall white, grey, and pink house in front of us.

"I don't know about this Yuto..." I shove my hands into my pockets and turn my head down.

"Don't worry, what's the worst that could happen? I mean... she has already slapped you, twice," Yuto walked over to the door and rang the bell.

'She could try to kill me?' I bit the inside of my cheek.

I heard shuffling before the door opened and Minka looked up at her husband.

"And now? Why are you ringing the bell dear?" I heard Minka chuckle before Yuto bent to kiss her forehead.

"Just a little surprise," He smiled.

"And a big one..." He sidestepped, allowing me to see Minka and Minka me.

"Hey, Minka..." I greeted softly.

"Ukai... what are you doing here?" Minka folded her arms, narrowing her eyes at me.

"I understand you are beyond furious at me~"

"Hm! That's an understatement..." Minka chirped.

"Give him a chance dear," Yuto hugged Minka's waist.

"Ok... and?"

"And you have every right to be... I should not have left the way I did, especially without telling you and Yuto... and I know you don't want to see me but..." I lifted my head, locking my eyes with hers.

"I just wanted to say~" I clench my fists in my pockets.

"I'm sorry..." I watched Minka take a deep breath.

She shifted on her feet before shaking her head. I felt my chest tighten and I lowered my eyes to the floor again.

"God, you're an idiot!" Minka exclaimed before I felt her throw her arms around my neck and hug my body tightly to hers.

I blinked, staring dead ahead behind her in shock. Yuto stood in the doorway with a smile, Minka beginning to cry on my shoulder. I pulled my hands from my pockets and wrapped my arms around Minka's waist, closing my eyes and hugging her back.

"I missed you..." I whispered.

"I missed you too!" Minka chuckled in between sobs.

"Daddy? What's going on?" I opened my eyes and watched Mino walk into view.

Minka let go of me and wiped her eyes, all of us turning our attention to the young girl.

"Big brother Ukai!" She smiled running up and jumping into my arms.

"Hey Mino," I placed her on my hip.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Ukai is joining us for dinner sweetie," Minka told her daughter.

"Huh?" Both Mino and I asked the older female.

Minka laughed, side hugging Yuto before nodding.

"YAY!" Mino hugged my neck.

"... Thank you," I smiled softly at my two childhood friends, nodding.

They both smiled back, leading the way into the house.