Author's Note:
Well this is the start to my first Finfic so please be gentle J. Yes I've re-done this prelude. I wasn't really happy with the first version but I felt I had to get something posted or I'd never get this story written.
Also I don't really have anyone I can get to proof this work for me and as my old English teacher would say, "When you proof your own work you see what should be there and not what is there." If any of you would like to help me with that please feel free to e-mail me.
Disclaimer: I, sadly, do not own Naruto or any of the characters from the show/manga.
As Autumn's Leaves Fell.
Prologue
Autumn. What hope is there when all the things that were once green and vibrant and, most importantly, alive slowly start to wilt and dry out and, finally, die around you? Why stay when everything else is leaving? How does one face the coldness of the coming winter? Everyone must find these answers themselves so that they might carry on.
They gathered there at the entrance to the cemetery in bitter coldness of the early February. They had slowly made their way here each on their own. Each seemed to be deep in their own thoughts but all their thoughts revolved around the friend they came here today to bury.
It had taken months to retrieve his body. Even though he had not been born to the Leaf village and, if events had followed another path, he would have been their enemy. But he had died defending their village. He had the right to be buried here.
First to arrive was a silent Haruno Sakura, she carried a lone white lily with her. She paused at the gate. Unsure if she should continue. Worrying about who might already be waiting at her destination. Next was shy Hyuuga Hinata, in her own hands she carried a small bouquet of camellias. Her face reddened slightly when she saw Sakura but she brightened when she saw Sakura smile and waved at her. Hinata return the greetings and waited beside her. But the smiles didn't last. Today was not for smiling.
Hinata's cousin Hyuuga Neji, his face stern and stoic, and Ten-Ten, her face held only sadness, were the next to arrive. Ten-Ten carried a bouquet of Hydrangea and Neji a small box. They greeted the other two quietly as they joined them. Their voices low and somber. Today was not for laughter.
Rock Lee and Gara were the next to join the growing group. Both wore grim faces and carried small boxes of their own. Nara Shikamaru and Temari arrived shortly after. Shikamaru held his small box and Temari carried daffodils but she looked uncomfortable, she wasn't sure if she belonged there but she had known him so none of the other would have a right to complain about her presence. But none would have. Today was not for petty arguments.
Inuzuka Kiba and Akamaru, Abruame Shino and Choji were the last to arrive. Each had a small box and each locked in their thoughts. Today was not for idle conversation.
Today was for grieving. For remembering the friend that they had lost. Even if it they had only know him for a short.
Only three people were missing. Two had left the village before he had arrived and would have been outsiders had they been there. That left the last person…
"Shouldn't we wait for…" Lee started to ask before the weight of the other's glares silenced him.
After that they moved slowly and quietly passed the gate so the could see him again. To pay him their last respects. To give him their last goodbyes.