So I was not very happy with the last two chapters of Naruto. Now I want to make it right, mostly for myself, but perhaps there are more who will like my ending. I want to fill up all the holes that are left. I'll try to cover everything and will focus more on answering my questions than on love, though I will leave the hints I think should be in there. This chapter is set after chapter 698 and does follow the flow of chapter 699, but I have changed a few things.
I apologise if there are things you wished were in here, but this will be what I focus on, to also entertain myself ;) now please enjoy!
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After the chaos of the war this silence was welcomed. Enough words had been spoken, trying to explain everyone's position, everybody's believes and perhaps also insecurities. Now with shattered bodies they laid still, waiting. Life was slowly seeping away from them through their cut of arms, caused by the final blow they both had delivered. Both had broken more bones than they'd ever had in any fight they had participated in. They suffered more wounds than anyone had ever caused them. And all had been done by someone they called their best friend.
That idea made Sasuke's heart beat just a little faster. Maybe he should've realised something sooner. Maybe in a way he had, but ignoring something like this was far easier. Pushing away every bit of feeling he might have for someone had been better over the years. An Uchiha loved more than any other person the first Hokage had said and therefore they hated more than anyone too had the second Hokage added. But now he could not deny it anymore. His body was giving up and holding your tongue at a time like this would be foolish. But what was he supposed to say? He had admitted that Naruto was his best friend, but Naruto had done far more for him. The silent tear that slipped down his cheek was enough of a hint, for now. Death would soon take over and with him gone, Naruto could make all his dreams come true. That would be Sasuke's sacrifice.
But before it happened their rescue finally showed up and Sasuke caught himself feeling relieved, because now he could make things right. Make amends. Sakura would heal them and they would both live and then Sasuke could proof that he had learned. That he could change his ways. Her soft footsteps reached closer and she crouched down. Her eyes were sheltered away, hidden behind her pink hair and he remembered the time she had cut it off just to save them. He had disregarded her strength for a very long time, never acknowledging her, never seeing her as worthy, but as he felt her chakra slowly sink into his skin, healing their wounds simultaneously, he knew she was worthy. She belonged in this team as much as Naruto and he did.
With eyes still cast up at the bright blue sky, clouds slowly passing by, Sasuke muttered 'thank you.' Who his words were spoken to, no one could be sure. Except for Sasuke, because he knew it was meant for everyone. For the whole team. For their support, but also for fighting. If they hadn't, who knows what would've happened to him then.
Chakra strengthened their bodies again and soon Sasuke felt able to sit back up. His missing left arm felt a little odd now, but looking over at Naruto and seeing that big grin spread over his lips, he knew it would be alright. His best friend was here.
It was time. Time to release the jutsu and let everyone wake up. A hand was stretched out in front of him and for a moment Sasuke hesitated, but the determination in those bright blue eyes made Sasuke grab the hand in front of him in a tight hold. In sync they turned around, Sasuke's right hand facing Naruto's left and then together they made the hand sign, letting their last bit of borrowed chakra flow through them and finally let go.
Miles away the tree was withering away, the branches sinking down to the ground and rotting away instantly as soon as they hit the ground. The flow of chakra the branches had used to live was now taken away, the flow cut off as the buds they held were now blooming, cocoons breaking open to finally release their victims of their eternal slumber. Ultimate dreams were ending one by one. With the first blink of the eyes disappointed coursed through their bodies, but when reality struck, smiles formed. It was over. The war was finally over and they had all survived. The tree had not taken them.
Struggling to break from the papery cocoon she tried to move her shoulders more, but the energy had been drained from her body. Then a shadow was cast over her and fear struck her heart for a second until she noticed the shadow moving down and helping her out of her prison. A stranger, someone from another village, someone with a kind smile and Hinata instantly shot one back. There was no danger left. They were all safe.
Waking up beside a still badly wounded Gai and the person that could've been the man's son, Gaara felt confused at first. It had all happened so fast and reality didn't hit him right away. Until he saw more people waking up and heard the cheerful shouts, soon accompanied by someone calling his name. Eyes widening Gaara carefully stood up, legs shaking under him. Sand was leaking out of his gourd, but he didn't pay it any attention. Because there slowly shuffling towards him was his sister, his brother not far behind and they were calling his name and they were crying and this was it. They had won and they had survived and that was all that mattered. Using his last bit of strength he took the few final steps towards them. Strong arms were wrapped around him, Temari and Kankuro holding him a tight hug, and that was all he needed right now. The love of his family.
Some were unsure of what would happen now, their dreams possibly happier than with what they would end up now. Enough crimes had been committed. They had threatened the world, killed more than they could count and now they had to live in a world of peace. What would happen to them? Could they be forgiven?
Right now Suigetsu didn't worry about that. Right now he pulled off the last bit of cocoon of Juugo's shoulder, freeing him. They didn't know what had happened to Sasuke and of course expected the worst. Suigetsu had never understood the guy anyway and it was something he had always been intrigued by, but now he wanted simple. Juugo was not difficult to understand. Suigetsu could rile him up easily and then fight him. That was what fun was. And there a few meters away someone else woke up too and Suigetsu couldn't stop the grin from spreading on his lips. There was the other person who entertained him the most in life. Karin. Oh how he had missed her and of course she had missed him too. That was just how they worked. And Suigetsu would never stop teasing either of them and they would be stuck with him forever. Team Taka, without Sasuke this time.
Smiles and laughter was shared, happiness reaching everyone's mind as soon as they saw someone they knew, someone they cared for. And then a hand would land on their shoulder, giving the other a pat to show their affection. Embarrassing tears would be wiped away and then let out freely as they were wrapped in a hug as the other told them it was all alright.
Then there was one who woke up confused, having come out of the centre of the tree. His body used to fuel it more and make it grander. Opening his eyes felt odd, trying to remember where he was, was even worse. He was not familiar with this place nor did he understand why everything seemed to be in ruins. War was coming and here he was, lying in a deserted place. Then out of the corner of his eyes he saw something moving. A hand was reaching for him and then suddenly the face of Tobi doomed up in front of him, or was his name Madara?
Finally sitting up Yamato looked down and saw the tree still attached to his legs. With one frustrated pull, he ripped it off himself and then saw the body crumble down right in front of him, the swirled mask disappeared in a pile of rubble.
And then he found himself again not as alone as he initially thought, someone he didn't know moving up to him. The sign on his headband was not familiar to him, but the meaning of it made his heart skip a beat. How much had he missed? 'What happened here?' Yamato whispered as the stranger reached out his hand, helping Yamato to get back on his feet.
'We won,' the other answered with a big smile. In response Yamato sank right back down to his knees, exhaustion and relief tugging at his muscles.
But celebration was not the only thing happening, because their victory had come with many losses. Ino's dream may have been a superficial one, but here in her reality she no longer had a father. No longer had a role model. No longer had the person in her life that had taught her everything she knew. No matter how often she had screamed at him, had told him he didn't understand her, he understood her better than anyone. Inoichi was the person who had made her the person she is today. Together with Shikamaru and Chouji her father's strength would live in, InoShikaChou would never be forgotten.
Having left the kind stranger that had helped her up Hinata had walked on on her own. Fatigue was trying to pull her down, but she couldn't stop now. The familiar bark of a dog she knew too well reached her from behind, but there was no need to look back. Akamaru passed her in a slow trot and soon the owner of the dog came up next to her too. Kiba shot her a toothy grin, but it slipped away quite quickly. The buzz of a million bugs reached up from her other side and for a moment Hinata felt her heart warm. Her hands grabbed another on either side of her. Holding her teammates close Hinata found the courage to step forward and find her cousin.
'He didn't die for nothing,' Kiba muttered once they reached his body, Neji still wearing this soft smile on his lips as if death was what he had longed for all this time.
Stone crumbled away from the big round boulders, releasing the tailed beasts from their encasing. The rubble was shaken off, a shiver running over Kokuō's back. The five tails slapped away the few last pieces of stone still lingering in the beast's fur and then with one last look around, the horse like creature ran off, leaving a trail of dust behind.
The other tailed beasts were not in such a hurry, but most moved away as soon as they were let go. The smell of freedom was too alluring to not instantly take. They would go home and leave the rest behind, hoping the humans would now leave them in peace. But Son Gokū did not doubt that one second, putting all his trust in that strange kid, the one who would change everything, the one that reminded him so much of his father.
The last one to completely step out was Kurama and Sasuke watched Naruto react to the tailed beast, the creature Naruto considered a friend. Something Sasuke still couldn't completely understand, but the smile Naruto shared with the kyuubi was something he was almost jealous of. These two went from hating each other to becoming great friends, allies, one. They knew each other, knew each other's bodies and strength. Could empower each other and fight together in perfect sync.
But hadn't it all been Naruto who had made this possible? Believing in the good in everyone?
A heavy hand landed on his shoulder and Sasuke felt his heartbeat raise a little. Glancing to the side he looked right into the smiling face of the one he called his best friend. 'Time to go home,' Naruto whispered, giving Sasuke's shoulder a soft squeeze.
Sasuke just wasn't sure where his home exactly was.
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Characters © Masashi Kishimoto
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