The Real Guardian Shinobi
Summary: No one died after the war. Not really.
dearly beloved
Asuma Sarutobi Sr.
Kurenai was a giddy woman as she helped her daughter, Sarahime, wobbly stand up. Across from them was Asuma Jr. and behind him was Asuma. Asuma was grinning like a loon at his daughter who was happily laughing and blowing raspberries. Asuma Jr. held his arms out.
"Come on imouto," the eight year old encouraged. "Come to nii-san."
"Come on sweetie," Kurenai agreed, gently pushing her.
Loving the attention, Sarahime began to waddle and toddle to her aniki and the familiar man. Asuma and son beamed excitedly, the man crouching by his boy to lock eyes with his daughter.
"Come her musume," Asumawhispered. "Come to tou-chan."
Sarahime took her last step, falling into her brother's arms, though her attention was on 'tou-chan'. Instantly Asuma Jr. picked his sister up and, joined by Kurenai, the two began to praise the toddler. While her attention was off him, Asuma grinned and left.
'Good girl.'
Neji Hyuuga
Tenten and Lee were walking side-by-side that morning in the busy market place, chatting about Lee's recent 'challenge' with his eternal rival, Naruto. Neji was next to Tenten, shaking his head at Lee's antics: rock, paper, scissors was not a real challenge.
"Idiot," he muttered, then noticed something behind them.
Without a second thought, Neji pushed Tenten into Lee.
"Hey!" Tenten shouted angrily.
Just as she spoke, a runaway, high speed produce cart shot passed them. After it was a chubby, out-of-breath, merchant.
"Stop that cart!" the man shouted, heavily breathing.
A flame ignited in Lee's eyes as he took his good guy pose with fist. "Challenge Accepted!" he exclaimed and shot after it.
Tenten sighed in exasperation. "Lee!" she shouted, running after.
Neji was left behind; smirking and shaking his head.
'My Idiots.'
Jiraiya
Tsunade was silent, sitting at her desk, starring at her old photo of her and her team. It was just her now; her and her paperwork. Jiraiya stood in the corner, watching his teammate as she rubbed her scars. He missed that life too.
"You know Jiraiya," Jiraiya instantly looked at her, "if you'd asked again… I might have said yes."
Jiraiya smiled wistfully; too late now, for now. Jiraiya silently walked over and kissed her cheek. Tsunade jerked at the sudden chill, looking around while Jiraiya grinned from behind her.
"Won't be long now hime," he grinned.
Tsunade turned around, but there was nothing. Tsunade smiled.
"Hey Jiraiya."
Shikaku Nara
Shikaku and Shikamaru grimaced in unison as another scream sounded from the delivery room. Shikamaru returned to his pacing with more vigor while Yoshino tried to pacify him with a pat on the back.
"Its perfectly normal," she assured.
"Could have sworn you were louder," Shikaku grumbled. "Not that I'm complaining honey! Of course not!"
Yoshino smiled. "Just think, soon you'll be a daddy!" she beamed.
Shikamaru smirked. "And you'll be a grandma," he teased.
A dark aura covered the woman. "Are you calling me old?!" she barked.
Shikaku stood, waving his arms. "Don't get her started! You're only hurting-!"
"Dammit bastard! When I'm done in here you dick is so coming off!" the declaration was followed by a scream and then the shriek of a baby.
The Nara family looked at the doors expectantly with baited breath. One of the doors slammed open and Shizune's head popped out.
"It's a girl!" she beamed.
Instantly Yoshino hugged and kissed her son who was smiling brighter than Lee and Naruto combined. The two went inside the room while Shikaku was left stiff in shock.
"I'm a grandpa," Shikaku whispered. A grin split across his face. "I'm a grandpa!"
Shikaku ran into the room. "Shikamaru, I'm a-!"
Shikaku paused in the doorway and a small smile graced his face at the image before him. Shikamaru was holding his little girl, kissing Temari while whispering his thanks. It reminded the shadow-nin of the day his king was born.
"Welcome to the world little miss," Shikaku murmured.
Shikaku turned and walked away, fading into the crowd of the hospital.
Itachi Uchiha
Sasuke was sitting in his dressing room, alone, dressed in a traditional Uchiha marriage yakuta. Itachi watched with a small smile as his otouto wringed his fingers; clearly nervous. Itachi walked over and put his hand on his brother's shoulder; making the other shudder.
"It's okay otouto," Itachi said calmingly.
"I wish you were here aniki," Sasuke whispered. "I… I'm scared."
"You have nothing to fear foolish little brother," Itachi replied promptly. "I'm here. I'm always here."
"What- What if she doesn't come? What if the pressure of being Mrs. Uchiha becomes too much?" Sasuke ranted. "What if I die of fright?!"
"Then I'll beat you in your death," Itachi said simply.
Itachi moved to be in front of his brother. "Sasuke, you will get married. You will forever be in love, and you will give the clan many children. You will do it right… If you don't then I'll have died for nothing and that will severely piss me off."
For whatever reason, Sasuke snorted in amusement; maybe he was remembering a funny joke… Suddenly, the door opened, causing the Uchiha brothers to look over; Naruto's grinning head was tossed in.
"It's time," he said, radiating happiness.
Sasuke gulped and stood, walking towards the door and his best man; Itachi was behind him. Sasuke, Naruto, and Itachi walked down the hall; Naruto noticed his 'brother's' emotions were on high so he gave the other's shoulder a squeeze to calm him. Sasuke looked at the blonde and gave an uneasy smile. Itachi smirked slightly at their bond. The three stopped at the alter and Naruto took his friend's shoulders.
"Today's the real start of your life here Sasuke," Naruto said. "You're getting married."
Sasuke smirked, grateful. "Hn. Dobe."
Naruto glared playfully, punching the Uchiha Head's shoulder. "Teme," he said affectionately.
Itachi grinned. "Ready Sasuke?" he asked.
The doors at the end of the alter opened and everyone stood. A pink haired hime stood at the doorway.
Itachi looked at his brother again; seeing a man instead of a boy. "I'm here otouto," he assured.
Shin
Shin was silent as he watched his brother sit at his recently made grave. Sai was wearing black clothes and holding a small bouquet of white lilies with sunflowers, Shin's favorite. Though Sai had learned a lot about humanity and its emotions, Sai still came across a blank with this situation.
"I'm afraid this is the first time I've ever visited a grave before nii-san," Sai mused, "I hope I'm doing it right."
Shin smiled, taking a seat by his brother. "There's no right way nii-san," he replied. "I'm just glad you visited at all. I'm awfully lonely in this hill all on my own."
Sai tilted his head. "I think I've finally formed bonds with people other than you. I can't be sure with how much ug- Sakura! - hits me. And that's a lot."
Shin chuckled. "Love hurts," he replied idly. "Do you have love in your life Sai? Someone to call your own?"
Sai paused. "I'm afraid I've confused on something nii-san… and I'm not sure who to turn to… Pencil-dick said this could help…" he said quietly, the last part to himself.
Shin's eyebrows rose. "Oh?" he asked curiously.
Sai hesitated. "A male, a young man named Chojuro of the Seven Swordsmen shows strange emotions around me… and his face seems to attract blood quickly when I'm around."
Shin laughed. "It sounds like the boy has a crush. What of you Sai-chan? Do you show 'strange' emotions as well?"
Sai frowned. "I've never felt love before nii-san… It's something I want to test but Sakura says the heart is not to be played with," Sai looked at his chest, grasping over his heart, "but it's… my heart… that says to try…"
Shin smiled and patted his brother's back. "That organ usually knows best," he replied.
"Sai-san?"
Shin and Sai turned around to see the boy plaguing his thoughts; Chojuro. The boy blushed at the attention, nibbling on his lip with his shark like teeth.
"Sakura-san said you were here," he mumbled, looking away. "I'm sorry!" he bowed. "It was disrespectful of me to interrupt! I'll leave-!"
"Chojuro-kun," Sai said. The boy paused and Sai gave a smile. "Join me?"
Chojuro blushed darkly before nodding. He walked over and kneeled next to Sai; he nearly fainted when the other pulled him closer with his arm. Sai smiled, a real smile, and looked back at the grave stone.
"Nii-san this is Chojuro; the boy I was telling you about," he said, sincerely speaking to the other.
Shin smiled. "Nice to meet you," he replied.
Inoichi Yamanaka
Inoichi was silent from his crouched position near the flower shop window. "I'm telling you hana, this is the year. Any day now." (hana means flower)
Naomi Yamanaka was silent as well as she checked off on her clipboard for inventory. The silence was broken as Ino walked in, lugging a large box.
"Here are the rest of the seeds," Ino grunted as she put the box down. "Anything else I can do for you kaa-san?"
Naomi smiled. "No Ino, and thank you. I appreciate you coming here on your day off," she said.
Ino smiled back, turning to leave. "Well this will be my shop one day and if I don't who will?" Ino paused. "Kaa-san, what is that? In the window."
Naomi looked up, though she already had an idea of what her daughter was asking. In the window was a modest purple pot with a lily that hasn't bloomed. The lily's stem was light green with dark green stripes and the flower itself was a magenta color; the outside was at least.
Inoichi snorted. "Only my pride and joy," he said, "second to my girls of course."
Naomi smiled. "That is a rare Aka Tora from the Moon Country."
Ino frowned curiously. "Red Tiger?" she asked.
Naomi walked over, nodding. "It's said to be red and black inside," she replied with wonder.
Ino's eyebrow rose. "You don't know?" she questioned.
Inoichi shrugged. "Only blooms every hundred years on the red moon. But this is the year! Pakkun-san told me- I swear!"
Naomi shrugged as well. "It was never documented, and it only blooms for ten minutes before dying."
"Why do we have it?" Ino asked in confusion. "We don't usually sell such an exotic plant."
Naomi and Inoichi gave small smiles. "It was an anniversary gift," she replied.
"Swore it'd be the prettiest thing she'd ever see," Inoichi added.
Ino frowned sadly. "Too bad tou-chan won't get to see it," she murmured quietly.
Naomi sighed, walking back to the counter. "No," she replied. "I'll just have to tell him about it the next time I see him."
Ino smiled, hugging her. "That'll be a long time from now," she said.
Inoichi finally looked away from the plant to look at them. "Damn right," he grumbled.
Anko Mitarashi
Anko and Ibiki were on opposite sides of a metal table, in the middle: a suspected spy of the dead Akatsuki.
"Talk Sonba!" Ibiki barked, punching a dent into the table.
Sonba jumped and began to tremble but remained silent; he was strong, but not strong enough. Anko smirked seductively, sauntering over to the man; she laid herself over him, her breast touching his back and her breath on his neck. Sonba shivered.
"I can't wait to make you sing Sonba," Anko whispered, licking the shell of his ear. "Ibiki and me are gonna have so much fun."
Sonba's eyes widened as the whispers in his head turned deadly. Ibiki didn't know what was up but he went with it. He leaned over.
"So don't talk Sonba," Ibiki hissed, "Good for me. I'll be the one to begin skinning you till you beg for mercy."
Sonba's eyes hardened. "I know nothing," he grumbled, closing his eyes.
Anko smirked. "So you can speak," she whispered. "Good. Then I can get pleasure from your screams."
Sonba's eyes flew open and he covered his ears while screaming. "Make her stop! Stop hissing in my ear you snake-bitch! Shut up!"
Anko snickered at Ibiki's shock and her victim's insanity. "Tell me everything."
Yamato
Team Kakashi were together, minus one, at Konoha gates; discussing the strategy for their newest mission. Off to the side were Yamato and Itachi Uchiha, both had their arms crossed over their chest. Itachi was giving an ugly blank stare with his mangekyo while Yamato gave his infamous scary face; it was the ultimate stare down. Finally, one spoke.
"Hn. I expect you to watch my otouto," Itachi said sternly.
Yamato sneered. "And you'll watch Sakura-san," it wasn't a request.
A few more tense moment of glaring/staring.
Itachi scoffed, rolling his eyes. "She carries my nephews," he said finally.
Yamato nodded. "He's part of my team," he replied simply.
Though Yamato never got the chance to meet Sasuke on good terms, the Uchiha was a part of his team, and by extension, someone to protect. Team Kakashi were the only people Yamato could truly call his and Yamato protected what was his.
Itachi looked at looked at Yamato long and hard before nodding. They shook hands in agreement when Kakashi announced their departure.Yamato gave the Uchiha a salute before shooting after his team.
Yamato grinned. "Just like the good old days," he called, then directed a 'scary face' at Naruto. "Right?"
Naruto shivered and Sasuke noticed. "What is it?" he asked, tensing in case of attack.
Naruto glanced over his shoulder. "It felt like someone was giving me that look," he choked while shivering again.
Sai gave a fake smile. "Don't be such a baby pencil-dick," he said.
Naruto was appalled. "Oi!"
The Guardians
Every Shinobi of all ranks and almost every civilian of Konoha was dressed in black, listening as the priest gave his final prayer. The others were in the back, listening, and waiting.
It was a serious one. Newly promoted jounin, Iruka Umino, has fallen, poisoned after saving the Rokudaime Hokage, Naruto, after a failed assassin attack. Loved by all, all have come to say goodbye.
Anko tapped her foot impatiently, biting her thumb nail as she looked around. Yamato noticed and smacked the back of her head. Anko fell forward but instantly righted.
"Oi!" she barked, glaring.
"Shhh!" the others hissed and she blushed.
Yamato deadpanned. "Show some respect," he whispered. "Even if we're about to see him we should be silent at his funeral."
Anko growled. "When?!" she hissed back, throwing her arms up.
Itachi gave her a blank stare while Hiruzen chuckled. "Iruka-kun isn't one to be late He'll be here soon," he assured.
Jiraiya nodded. "You must remember; it's harder to transition when there are so many negative emotions."
"Especially considering everyone here has been helped by him in some form," Inoichi added.
Anko frowned. "But you didn't take nearly as long Sandaime-sama," she said worriedly.
Just as she finished speaking, particles began to gather and glow; creating a mass of sorts. When the glow left, Iruka fell to his knees. While the sensei was panting, everyone sighed or smiled in relief. Neji walked forward, holding his hand out.
"Sensei?" Neji asked.
Iruka looked up and gasped at the sight of them. Neji smiled.
"Welcome to the team."
End.
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Ok, I know others died and Inoichi + Shikaku are 'iffy' on being dead but I wanted to use them. And I know Asuma didn't die during the war but I have a lot of ghost stories with him now and coming up. No Ruru is not dead, I just used him because I, literally, chose at random (don't really want anyone to die); I almost chose Kakashi but his life was just starting.
Anyways, R&R
SYMPATHY.