Introitus: Requiem Aeternam
Faith lies ahead, like the sun will rise
Leaving Gaara to his country and going back to Konoha, the Jinchuuriki from the Leaf, his teacher and his peers were feeling too happy to think about the problem the Jinchuuriki himself was facing – they just saw another one like him being killed – and they had to resurrect him.
Naruto was practically thinking only of his beloved Kazekage – he was:
'Alive and safe and it IS totally my pride.
See, I'll get to his point too, I'll become Hokage and we'll reign side by side!'.
Not that he wasn't sorry for the old woman, but someone has to die in every war.
Kakashi was half dead, however happy – okay, everything went well.
Half of the Akatsuki was dead the same – it had been worth its price.
He was also thinking of his kids' skills – Naruto and Sakura were more and more proving him to be incredibly grown.
Gaara was thinking:
'FUCK IT ALL I AM ALIVE'
- but just like Sakura did, he always managed to keep his stone-like serious face, when on the inside he was howling for joy.
He prayed in silence and time by time exchanged a glance with Naruto.
Sakura was thinking:
'Sasuke, Sasuke, THIS is your brother – he's so gonna kill you.
And, when did Naruto become that AWESOME?' and 'Chii-O-Baa, you were such a great person.
Thank you, really, heartily.
I wish I will manage to become such a skilled ninja as you were, when I reach your age'.
The only one who managed to keep his head straight on the point, while they were all praying for the old woman's death, was Neji.
Yeah, Neji.
He stared at Naruto, in silence, realizing the peril – the total danger – that was hunting him.
The Akatsuki.
You say that guy dropping bombs?
And the other, with puppets?
And that shark-man?
What about the immortal?
And – ITACHI UCHIHA?
He still was around.
'One good thing Sasuke could do, of course he isn't doing it…Instead of playing the puppy with Orochimaru couldn't he kill him?
What a traitor…and Naruto still looks upon him as his beloved pseudo-brother.
Well…I wouldn't have an Uchiha brother even if I had to be killed instead.
Who cares for him?
Naruto is left alone with himself, like always.
Not that I particularly care…but Naruto will end up letting Sasuke kill him, if he goes on this way.
I better have a talk with…Kakashi…'
Before they reached their homeland's gates, Neji asked him in fact:
"I thought, there is something we must worry about now.
Kakashi, the Kazekage is a Jinchuuriki just like Naruto is.
Those guys can come at any moment here in Konoha, like they did there, and kidnap him.
We have to think about something – you may give any light – you know more"
"Not to say that, properly. I saw many things but it's not that I know such incredible matters.
The one to ask here it's certainly Jiraya – and maybe Tsunade.
If we only could ask Orochimaru himself…" and he laughed.
"However, good point, Neji.
Thank you.
Are you sure you want to stay in Guy's team? It's an old thing between us -"
Guy intervened:
"Huh, so now you're trying to take me away my kids?
Don't listen to him, Neji.
You are so much skilled, Kakashi, that you don't NEED a third member.
You're perfect just as you are, the three of you"
"How could I stand you for all of these years?" said Kakashi, and he laughed again.
In Konoha, it was Neji himself to go and tell Jiraya.
He reflected, in silence, for some minutes, looking in the void.
Then he remembered something – he evoked a toad – Neji: 'oh, wow'.
They talked about something – a prophecy – a 'scroll' with something written on it.
Then Jiraya said – "I may have found something, but I have to go there and ask the other major toads before I can act.
Will you gently tell Naruto that I go and come back in – see – a week?"
"Of course!"
Neji went, told Naruto everything, and listened to his reply:
"If it wasn't for you…who would have thought of it in time?
Yes, you're right.
I must protect myself.
However I wanted to ask you something totally different.
It's days that I notice that every time you look at me you start fixing me and then look like – you were astray, thinking of something else.
It's like I reminded you – of something.
What's up?"
Neji, who was actually staring at him NOW, in silence, then said:
"Oh, I don't totally know. I neither noticed I do. I'm sorry – is it annoying?"
"No, absolutely – of course!
If you shouted stupid things in my ears I think it would be, but in this way…what's up to laugh about?
I bet you wouldn't like it the same! Let's try?"
"I'm gonna kill you if you do something like that! Don't shout! Your voice is so loud..."
"It's not loud! It's called HAPPY!"
"Unless you think of Sasuke again…" said Neji, with a sad smile.
"You too… you're all thinking that I should leave him, right?" replied him, even sadder.
"Actually I'm the only one who thinks it, as far as I know – anyone wants to bring Sasuke back.
He's one of us, in fact he's always been.
But, personally, I don't believe he will be willing to come back.
He's completely different from your Sasuke – he already was when he left.
He was stone cold frozen, blackened.
I wonder if you will have your Sasuke back"
"I hope. No one's like him."
"It isn't necessary to be like him to be good enough for you…"
"I'm not saying this.
I miss him.
He's wronging, and I am his best friend – I still am his best friend.
I have to protect him – even from himself, isn't it right?"
"TOTALLY right.
It's you, you are right.
I'm only wondering about how can you consider him your peer – when it's quite obvious that he's a coward, and you're far more courageous and strong that he's ever been – and I think, will ever be.
It's all, I didn't want to annoy you…"
"You never care of annoying people, Neji…what's up?
You're so worried?
I think the Akatsuki will let me be quiet for some time…
It's true, the last time it has been so difficult to make them leave…but they will wait for a week, no?
Jiraya is coming back! Don't worry!"
Neji stood up smiling and saying:
"You know, if you weren't yourself, you'd probably have already broken down and get depressed for this Sasuke thing.
But you are yourself, and you are so strong…"
Naruto smiled at him.
"Have you seen Kakashi? I think I'm gonna eat some ramen!"
"No, I didn't. But he will show up at the ramen place, some time. I think I'll come along."
"Yay!"
Jiraya came back only two days later – he had got his information and had to ask Naruto about his wills.
It took an entire day to Jiraya and Kakashi only to make him understand the plan.
"You are 16, aren't you?"
"Yes…"
"Ok, now – this prophecy says – okay, wait. This thing says that when you will be 22, okay? 22, you will have built a complete relationship with the Kyuubi – OKAY, you will control him. Alright?"
"Right. And so? Now I'm 16."
"I told you already fucking twice, shit, Naruto..." Kakashi sighed. "We want you to become 22."
"Of course, I don't want to die before!" smiled him.
"JIRAYA! Change!"
Jiraya came in place of Kakashi while he went to relax his nerves a bit.
"Okay, listen: you do this, and NEXT WEEK you will be 22. You understand?"
"GREAT! It is wonderful! I will be 22 earlier! Haha! When do we begin?"
"It's not a training, Naruto.
We still have to convince the major toads – as I call them, but you will neither have to speak, okay?
Don't even speak, I'll do it.
Now, you have to come with me – by them.
The TOADS, Naruto.
You come with me – tomorrow we leave.
There they will explain you everything... okay?"
"Okay. Then?"
"Then we will ask for someone else's help – you know that old woman who died to rescue Gaara?
Her brother.
He's there.
THERE in the Kazekage's palace. Okay?"
"Okay – so we go there?"
"… no, right question.
I think it would be better – we can go straight there from the toads. Okay?"
"Okay. Then?"
"We'll ask the Hokage's advice. She's really good in these things".
"Huh.
Wait, this means, we go to the toads, we go to Gaara, we go to the Hokage – and then I become 22.
Okay, and I'll control the Kyuubi – so?
What for?"
"KAKASHI! Change!"
Ad te omnis caro veniet.
