Naruto:

The Last Shinobi War

By Sean Wade

Chapter 1: Heartbreak, then Put Back Together

A tall, well-built figure walks down the blackened streets of a mournful Konoha. Realizing soon after entering the village that his master had disappeared, he began to think 'What happened here? I know a lot of things can change in two years, but this is just ridiculous. It looks as if the entire village has been destroyed.' He continued to look around, his blond hair swishing with his movements. As he walked he stopped in front of a mirror. For the first time in years he was able to seen himself, 'Wow, those whisker marks sure have gotten thicker and darker. And it looks like I have his resemblance.' Looking down,' I hope I do the family proud by wearing these robes. They were layered to create protection, warmth, and stealth. The outer layer going from the hood splitting at past the arms down to the waist. The rest was black. A makeshift vest made up of black leather straps were clasped together by his Konoha headband. He wore leather gloves that resembled gauntlets that went to about his forearms. (I know, not the greatest description, just think of the Jedi adventure robes in star wars the force unleashed) He continued on his way only to stopin front of what once was his favorite shop, he began to realize that this is really happening and that no one seems to be around. That was what he thought until he noticed a lone Shinobi on top of one of the buildings. Wanting an explanation, he jumped up to the Shinobi. "Hey, can you tell me what happened? Wait huh?" it wasn't until he got closer that he realized that the Shinobi was indeed his former master Kakashi.

"Yo." said a very battered Kakashi. He suddenly realized who it was he was talking to, "Naruto? Is that really you? Well you have grown, but not quite as big as me yet, are you? Well, follow me."

"Why and where would I be going? I just want to know what the hell happened here. This place used to be so beautiful, who would do such a thing?" his anger began to slowly well up within him until a voice he had not heard in a long time came from behind him.

"Kakashi! You know you were supposed to send Naruto and have him report to the council as soon as he was found. And yet I find you just standing here talking to him as if it were the old days." Naruto turned around to see a very vexed Ino behind him. "Anyways, Naruto. I need you to follow me to the Hokage's office to speak with the Elders about some very urgent business." Seeing that he had plenty of questions she cut him off before he could ask with, "I can see you're curious as to what is happening, but your questions will be answered by the council."

Ignoring what she just said, Naruto cut in with, "Why the Elders, why can't I go talk to Old Lady Tsunade? I mean, she the one in charge if it's that important." Ino's only response to his question was a mournful look and a motion to follow her. Naruto turned and looked at Kakashi and said, "One hell of a welcome home party. I hope that you can come over to my apartment later." He left without another word from either.

After a quick run down the street, Naruto stood in front of the Hokage's office, merely observing the noticeable damage to the roof of the building. He was then quickly hurried up the stairs to be greeted by yet another familiar face. "Sakura-chan, what is going on here?" she merely put her head down and pointed to the Hokage's office.

Taking his hint, he walked in to be greeted by the two of the council members Homura and Koharu. Once again asking the question of what was going on, the Elders looked at each other and sighed, "Naruto, you're going to want to sit down." A knot began to form in Naruto's stomach. "What we're about to tell you will not be pleasant, but every word is true, so don't try to tell us otherwise. As of last month, we have been at war with the Rock, Mist, and Rain Villages, who have been under the control of Akatski. We had been fairing well in the war until three nights ago. While we slept, their Shinobi attacked while being led by the Mizukage. As you can tell, the fight made it all the way to the Hokage's office. It was on the roof that Hokage-sama bravely fought the Mizukage, where she was defeated soon after." A look of surprise overtook Naruto's face, tears welling up in his eyes. It can't be. Old Lady Tsunade can't die, she was one of the most powerful Shinobi I ever knew, and she was one of the three legendary Sannin. It's just not possible that she died. Seeing the confusion on his face, Homura went and kneeled beside Naruto, "Naruto, she isn't dead, though she will never again be able to live the life of a ninja." Naruto's face was in his hands, not knowing what to do. The two Elders motioned for Sakura to bring someone else into the office.

The voice of a once hated adversary spoke. "Naruto. I know this is not the best time to be talking to you, but it is for the well-being of the village that you listen to what I'm about to ask you." Naruto looked up from his hands to see Hiashi Hyuuga standing in front of him. "Good. Now it appears that the council members have informed you of the death of Hokage-sama."

"Good? How is it good? I want to know HOW IS IT GOOD?" Naruto's temper now flaring. His eyes were flashing red, the pupils were becoming slits. Before he could continue with his tirade, he was stopped by the emergence of Hiashi's daughter, Hinata, whom he couldn't help but feel that she looked somehow different than how she used to.

"Umm, Oto-san. I need you to look at the papers concerning Naru…" She cut herself off as she noticed Naruto sitting in the chair across from her father. " Oh….h.h.h. hello…..Naruto-kun." her familiar stutter returned making a smile somewhat crack onto his face. Her face began to turn red. Blushing that Naruto had found her relieving, she slowly backed out of the room and closed the door.

Hiashi quickly turned back from the door to Naruto and began, "Now, as you can see, the village is in need of a new Hokage. As you may or may not know, Tsunade-sama never officially chose her successor. With her unable to decide due to her being in a coma, that leaves it up to the council to make the decision. And we believe that you would be the best choice to replace Tsunade. But as a new guideline, every Hokage must be married."

Naruto was now shocked and blushing at the fact that he would be unofficially be expected to get married to become Hokage. But the thought of whom he would pick as his bride was one of the last things on his mind. "But I'm sixteen years old. Wouldn't someone like Jiriya or Kakashi be better suited for Hokage?"

"Naruto, they know of your bloodline. Just be honest with yourself, you are the best suited for the job, even over Kakashi or myself." With much to Naruto's surprise, Jiriya, his master, was standing in the window.

Naruto regained his composure and answered with, "Ero-sennin, how do they know of that?"

Realizing that he gave away a secret of Naruto's to his face, he leapt out of the window yelling, "Sorry Naruto, guess you'll have to take the job."

Sighing deeply, "This isn't how I wanted the job, but the responsibility has not changed, I accept. But on the matter of the marriage, how long do I have to choose?"

Hiashi sighed in relief and began with, "In two weeks time, you must have chosen your bride, and as a courtesy to you, the word of you becoming Hokage will not be announced to anyone for two weeks, at the funeral of the fallen, as is customary to announce the next Hokage at the retirement ceremony or funeral. Thus, the reason why you only have two weeks."

Flabbergasted, Naruto began to think of whom he could ask. Sakura… no…she's already in love with Saskue. Ino… not really my type. Then the unexpected choice appeared without his knowing at his apartment later that day.

"Hinata, why are you cleaning my apartment? Not that I'm complaining, it's just, aren't you like royalty in Konoha?" she blushed; wondering if he was about to figure out that she liked him. Slowly she collected her things and walked out. Naruto, being dense as usual with girls, did not put the clues together at that moment.

Sitting by a pond in the forest that he had first started training in as a gennin, Naruto was awoken out of thought by the faint scent of lilies. Closing his eyes, he began to feel his surroundings until he found who he was looking for behind a tree... "You, behind the third tree from the pond on the right, I know you're there, so just reveal yourself." Much to his surprise Hinata stepped out, shaking from being so nervous. "What are you doing Hinata? You nearly scared me half to death." The problem appearing in his mind. "Hey can I ask you a question?" she merely nodded, not believing that he was actually talking to her. "If you had to find someone to marry in a short amount of time, how would you go about finding someone suitable?"

Still shaking, she answered, "I…. woul…. would…. try to. …find ……someone to stay ……with me through the good times and… the bad. Wh…why. ask Naruto-kun?"

"No reason in particular, just wondering about random things in my free time."

Hinata merely smiled, "Well…. I …gu…. guess…I'm off." turning, the thought occurred to her, How did he see me behind the tree while dozing off? Naruto-kun must have gone through a lot of training to do that. I also wonder what Oto-san wanted to talk to him about. As she was thinking this, she turned to quickly peek over her shoulder at Naruto only to see a swirl of leaves blow away. Where did he go? A look of surprise appeared on her face. He must have really gotten stronger; I hope I managed to keep my promise.

Emerging from behind the Hokage's office, Naruto decided to talk with Sakura about his predicament. "What, married? What kind of sick joke is that? Who would want to put up with you all the time? I had enough trouble with you when we were on the same team; I can't imagine living with you all by myself. You're going to have issues having girls go on dates with you, let alone marry you."

"What's so hard to imagine, I bet I could get any girl to go out with me. I don't know about marrying me in two weeks, but definitely date." it was then that he noticed Sakura making silly faces of him. The jokes continued until he got feed up and try his luck.

Feeling energetic, Naruto marched from the office to the street where the villagers had emerged from the shelters a few hours earlier, to see that they where morally battered but still going on with their lives.

After about an hour of being rejected, Naruto proceeded to walk to one of the training grounds. Sitting on one of the logs nearby, So this is what Ero-sennin feels like when he tries to get women to go out with him? Naruto realized that he was actually intruding on someone's training. Wow. She's training really hard. I wonder who it is. Straining himself trying to see, Naruto began to inch forward. Just as he was about to see who it was, he slipped off of the log and into a puddle of mud. The girl, startled by the sound of Naruto falling, quickly turned and blindly struck, only to hear the pained cries of a very shocked Naruto.

"Naruto-kun? I…I'm…soooooo…. sorry." blushing at the knowledge of the fact that she just hit him. Things started to spin and turn black.

As Naruto got up, he turned to see who hit him only to see Hinata stager and faint into his arms. Not knowing what to do, he merely looked around, hoping that someone was nearby to help him. After giving up on that idea, Naruto laid her head on the log and left to get her some water. Wow. I never pictured Hinata as the type to train so hard as to pass out. Guess you learn something new everyday. Reaching down to fill a canteen with water, he noticed a presence that he hadn't felt since that morning. "Ok Jiriya, you can come out now."

As she began to come to, Hinata found herself lying on a log. How did I end up here? Looking around, she noticed the bag of someone. Getting up, she began to look around to see whom it was that helped her, not remembering what had happened earlier. After wandering for a little while, she saw Naruto talking to Jiriya, she was just about to walk out to ask if he was the one that helped her, but as she thought of this, she began to become nervous and decided to hide behind a tree and try to figure out what to say to him. Then Naruto's voice caught her attention.

"Ero-sennin, why did you tell the council of that? That was a secret that I was going to keep secret until I felt it was necessary. You and I both know that I'm still not ready to defend the entire village."

"Naruto, if I waited for you to reveal yourself, the council probably would have chosen either Kakashi or myself, which neither of us felt that we were competent enough for the job at the moment. Had it been ten years ago, either one of us would have accepted the offer, but now the only one who is capable of leading this new generation against Akatski and their plans is you." Jiriya now turning away from Naruto and towards the pond, "By the way, have you come up with a name for that special talent of yours yet? Remember that the actual name died along with the Fourth, so it does need to be renamed." He then quickly took off and disappeared from sight.

Seeing Naruto this serious gave Hinata Goosebumps. I've never seen him that serious about anything. I wonder what talent they were talking about. Shrugging off these thoughts, she walked back to the log and sat down just as Naruto was walking back with water.

"Oh, I see you're awake after that little mishap." A look of confusion was clearly read by Naruto on Hinata's face. "You don't remember do you?" She merely shook her head and gave him a curious look. "In short, I slipped and fell and startled you. You hit me, rather hard by the way, and then you passed out. I couldn't let you just lay there, so I decided to help you out." For some reason, talking with Hinata felt nicer than talking with anyone else. He felt secure when talking to her. "Hey Hinata." Getting her attention, he continued, "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you go with me to eat some ramen? After all, I owe you for making you faint."

Hinata turned red, not believing what she was hearing. Naruto-kun wants to go out with me? I've dreamed of this day, but never thought that it would happen. Wait; just for ramen, we're just going as friends. "Sure, I wouldn't mind at all. Just let me go get changed first."

"Hey Hinata. You didn't stutter at all. That's has to be the first time I've heard you talk normally." Something was really different about Hinata, he couldn't figure it out, but he was determined to find out what.

Later that night, Naruto sat in his favorite re-opened ramen shop waiting for Hinata. Then he caught the scent of lilies in the air. He quickly turned to see Hinata timidly walking over towards him. She had a glow about her that simply left him speechless. The kimono she wore was a pale gray, matching her eyes. Mouth dropping to the floor, he couldn't help but stare at her.

Seeing Naruto's reaction to her, she thought that he didn't like the way she looked. She quickly turned and began walking away. But before she could take a couple steps, she felt an arm stop her. She looked to see Naruto looking at her.

"Where are you going? I waited without eating any ramen; I'm probably going to go insane if you leave now."

"I thought that you didn't like the way I looked, so I thought you could eat in peace without a person like me."

"Like you? What do you mean? You're strong, intelligent, and beautiful." The words came out of his mouth before he could stop and think of what he just said.

Shocked from hearing what he just said, she began to blush in that he just called her beautiful.

Standing there, Naruto finally realized what it was that he just said. The best way to get out of this situation to him was to play it off and keep going with what they were going to do.

After a silent, awkward bowl of ramen, Hinata began to stare out of the corner of her eye at Naruto. I wonder if he really meant what he said. I don't know if I'm ready to try and be with him. I know it's been over two years, but this is too much. Then thinking to herself, Huh, that's odd. Don't I usually faint by now? Maybe, just maybe. Hinata gulped, slowly turned to Naruto and… nearly fainted looking him in the eyes.

It was at this time that Naruto was finally picking up on Hinata's subtle hints. I wonder if there is any chance that Hinata-chan likes me. Nah, what could she see in me, besides, I don't think she could get past the whole Kyuubi being sealed in me thing.

Seeing Naruto look at his feet, Hinata felt strangely displeased and for once didn't stutter, "Naruto-kun, why do you look down? Your head should be high and proud as it usually is, the way it must be. Others do feel inspired by your courage."

"Like who?" asked a very depressed Naruto.

Realizing that to cheer him up, she'd need to reveal her secret to him; she gulped then said, "Like me." Naruto looked up in shock. "To be honest, at first it was only inspiration, but then it turned into a bit of a crush, but I was always so amazed by your perseverance and wished deep down that I could be more like you." Blushing more and more as she spoke, Hinata could see that she was getting through to him.

Looking Hinata in her pale gray eyes, Naruto began to muster all of his courage. Why am I having such a hard time just asking her out on a date? It's not like I've chosen her for sure. Subconsciously, he knew that she would be the one to be with him. Finally, Naruto began with interrupting Hinata, whom had still been trying to cheer up Naruto, and said, "Hinata-chan." She looked on with curiosity. "Are you doing anything tomorrow tonight?"

Tears began to flow from her eyes involuntarily. He actually asked me out. Am I dreaming? No, even in my dreams he never actually asked me out. Snapping out of her daze she stammered with, "Yeah Naruto-kun, I would love to." She said it in such a speed that one would think that she was making sure that if it was a dream; she would have time to go on the date before she awoke.

Nearly two weeks had gone by since Naruto asked Hinata out and things were going exceedingly well. But the funeral ceremony was the next day and Naruto was nearly out of time. He knew he needed to ask Hinata to marry him, but he knew that he would need to tell her about the Kyuubi, he didn't want to trick her, and he was petrified of how she would react. After thinking about it for a while, Naruto decided to go to the one person he could trust. "Ero-sennin! Can I talk to you for a second?"

"I told you, treat me with more respect. I am your master after all. But what's on your mind?"

"I found a girl. But I haven't told her of the Kyuubi and I don't know how to ask her to marry me."

"Sounds like a problem to me, but I don't know what to do. There is only one man who could help you."

"Where can I find him?" asked an eager Naruto.

"Just look in a mirror. Love is something that you must figure out on your own."

Staring blankly, Naruto wanted to ask more questions but found himself unable to do so. Wandering the streets, Naruto was deep in thought only to be accidentally knocked down by the very girl he was thinking about. "Hinata-chan?" Looking down immediately Hinata started to apologize as if she had done it on purpose. "Listen Hinata, did you do that on purpose?" She shook her head no. "Then why are you apologizing like that? No matter, let's take a walk."

Leading her to the pond were she gave him his advise, he decided that this would be the place to discuss with her what he is and ask her afterwards. Finding a boulder to sit on, they sat down in silence. Finally, Hinata broke the silence with, "You wanted to talk to me about something Naruto-kun?" feeling dread fill up in her; I hope he didn't bring me out here to dump me. I don't know if I can handle that.

Mustering up as much courage as he could, Naruto began with, "Do you remember anything about the monster that attacked Konoha years ago?"

"Just that it was an evil giant fox with nine tails. That's about it. Why do you ask Naruto-kun?"

Wincing at the word "evil" coming out of her mouth, Naruto continued with, "The Kyuubi was defeated by the fourth, but not entirely destroyed. He sealed it within a newborn child, killing himself, but saving Konoha. Knowing full well that the child would be ridiculed and treated as an outcast, and in most cases, hated." Looking Hinata in the eyes, Naruto could see that she was confused and wondering where he was going with this. "You see, I'm the child with the Kyuubi sealed within him." Turning away, Naruto felt himself being hugged from behind. "Why? Shouldn't you hate me for what I am?"

"Why should I hate you? You are the kindest and strongest person I have ever known. There is no way that I would think badly of you."

"I'm glad to hear that. Then I have a question for you." Naruto got off of the boulder and slowly got to one knee and revealed out of his pocket a case. He slowly opened it as he asked, "Hinata, I know we're still young, but will you accept this ring and be my wife?"

Tears welling up in her eyes, she was left speechless. All she could do was put her hand out for Naruto to put the ring on her finger.

Taking this as a yes, Naruto quickly put the ring on her finger. He then got off his knee and gently kissed her. Wow, I never thought I would feel this good to be with someone. I know it was rushed, but I think I picked the right person for this relationship.

Once they were done, they happily strolled back into town to inform Hinata's father of this decision that they made together.

They stood outside of the Hyuuga residence for what seemed like hours before either one was able to gather the courage to step forward. To their surprise when they entered the entrance, not only were the Hyuuga there, but Jiriya, the two council members and Kakashi were also waiting. All of who were smiling at them approvingly.

Naruto was the first to speak, "What are you guys doing here?"

In a rather cheerful voice, Hinata's father Hiashi spoke, "We're celebrating the announcement of your engagement of course."

"How did you know about that Oto-san?" piped in a rather flabbergasted Hinata.

"Hinata, you live in a village full of Shinobi, did you think that we would take our eyes off of our next Hokage?

Looking confused, Hinata asked Naruto, "What do they mean, "our next Hokage"?"

Realizing that Naruto hadn't told her that part yet, Hiashi stepped in with, "Don't blame Naruto for not telling you yet. I just got over excited and forgot that we told him not to tell anyone until tomorrow. Now never mind that. You two make a perfect couple. You've dated for two weeks and look at you, there is more trust between you than most in this village. You two will defiantly make it together." Looking away from Hinata and Naruto, Hiashi turned to the other guests and said, "Now everyone, raise your glasses. We shall toast to a couple that will lead this village to peace!"

The only thoughts that ran through Naruto's head were that of, Didn't Hiashi always think Hinata was weak and I was a monster? Something isn't quite right; I'm going to have to ask Jiriya about this.