"Speech"

"Thought"


Chapter 1: Orange Petals

A harsh wind encircled the silent village in the midst of mourning, the whisper upon the winds the only thing bugging the crestfallen shinobi who had collected together earlier in the morning. Of course not everyone was there but not due to mission commitments, after all, who would come to the demon child's funeral? Only a handful of characters had arrived to commemorate the young male's life, the people who had spent their time close to the fallen, shedding a pearl tear each time they think back upon his mischievous antics. They all knew Naruto was always a bit dim-witted; especially when it came to others but he still had a brilliant mind for battle strategies when everything appeared to be lost, igniting more hope amongst his comrades as he reassured them they would all be okay.

That's what he said on the last mission.

Naruto had lied to them that day, everything would not be okay. In fact, things would become the pinnacle of sorrow for many who loved him for his optimistic personality and raw determination, especially now he was gone. It was obvious he would never be fully free, not with the Kyuubi sealed inside him and Akatsuki fast on his trail seeking to control it- it didn't seem fair. It never did. He was orphaned at birth, sealed into a fate of perpetual hate by his fellow villager's hands and now his life had ended. However amongst all the grieving each shinobi felt for their fallen friend they all knew that if Naruto was there, he would merely shrug it off and tell people to move on, not wanting anyone's life to be ruined because of him.

As the funeral began celebrating and acknowledging his life, one by one the couple of dozen ninja began to make their way one by one towards the open casket containing Naruto, each pausing for a moment to blink as if they believed it was merely illusion, but then soon realising it was real and placed their flower upon the body with a silent prayer before moving on. After eight or so fond wishes to their fallen comrade in the afterlife came Sasuke, the ninja that was in a sense both his eternal rival, but also his best friend. As he blinked back the tears beginning to form within the corners of his stone grey eyes he noted how Naruto looked as if he was only sleeping, ready to jump up and yell "Got you!" before laughing and running off, relishing the look on all their faces. Of course that wouldn't happen, no matter how much Sasuke pleaded with the Gods.

"Wake up you dobe! You can't just pretend you're dead for the fun of it! Come on Naruto. Wake up! Please…"

It wasn't long until Sasuke crumpled onto the side of the casket, his head burrowed upon the furrow of his arm allowing the tears he had tried hard to keep back fall, echoing the light shower that dropped from the sky.

"Even the sky is crying for him…it's just like with Haku. Just like the snow."

Kakashi was soon there to wrench the ninja away from his friend- his best friend, struggling against the wild antics the shinobi tried as he screamed to stay close to Naruto, the flower that had been clasped in his hand falling from his grasp upon the body landing just where his heart would have been. The petals the flower bore were of a brilliant orange- the trademark colour of the optimistic ninja. They were chosen specifically for him, wanting to make it just that bit more special in the flood of ceremonial black that everyone who attended wore. Just as Sasuke's flower found its own final resting place across Naruto's chest he felt his legs buckle underneath him, his sobs screaming to the heavens why they took his friend, why they took the only person who ever understood him.

"Sasuke…"

The comforting hand upon the ninja's shoulder was quickly swatted away as the crying protests died down to a sorrowed murmur, each of the others who had gathered harbouring a downhearted look in their eyes towards the male. Even the pink-haired female who usually held a constant admiration for the Uchiha wasn't allowed near, despite being one of the few people he trusted. He couldn't handle it. His friend was dead- and it was all his fault.

As the funeral came to a close and the casket containing Naruto had been hidden from view under the earth the mourning shinobi began to filter from the grave, each paying their last respects before leaving, their heavy hearts kept lifted only by their feet. Hinata had to be supported by her cousin Neji on the way home, this being one of the first times when the cousin didn't feel hatred for the heiress. They were all in this together. The rest of Team Eight followed numbly after the pair, with Shikamaru reaching up to the white and brown furred creature nestled upon his head, comforting the creature as it whimpered. Shino still maintained his silence, but it could be felt that the sadness had affected him as well. What was left of Team Guy headed off as well after Lee gave his famous smile towards the grave albeit if it were more solemn at the occasion, putting a reassuring arm around TenTen's shoulders as their sensei did the same on the other side, both staying strong to keep the kunoichi upright. The sand siblings followed soon after, Gaara giving a softer version of his usual blank gaze when it crossed the etched stone marker depicting the grave, his own way of paying respect. Tsunade had to be shepherded back to Hokage Tower with both Jiraiya and Shizune pulling at her arms, with once or twice having to suddenly grab her as the female sannin suddenly sagged in their grasp, overcome with the death of her little 'brother'. The fallen's former academy teacher stood motionlessly as he stared at the gravestone, quite not believing the last piece of his family was gone. Iruka always viewed Naruto as full of life, so to see him like this- to see him dead, was unnatural. He was soon snapped back to reality by Kakashi from a gentle shake upon his shoulder, giving a weak smile before following in the path of the others.

After a while only the original Team Seven remained as the rain continued overhead; drenching those who were left to the bone, their ceremonial black clothes sticking to their skin, each ignoring the shiver that had begun to creep up on them. It didn't matter- their comrade was gone, and they would never get him back. It was only when Sakura collapsed into their sensei with fresh streams of water finding their way down the usual tracks in her cheeks did Sasuke stir from his unmoving position, his head following a flurry of orange petals dancing within the air directly above where Naruto was buried, entranced by the unusual dance they performed. His fellow team mate soon turned to mimic his action with their teacher soon following suit, the tears silenced as they each watched the flower tribute swirl above them. Only after a while did Kakashi dare speaking, the single eye watching them the same as his students.

"Looks like Naruto wants to say not to worry."

It was a lone silence after that until either of the students piped up, the moment when they had both chosen to speak being in unison, each speaking the same word to the breeze in a wish that they would make it to him.

"Naruto."


A/N: This is my first time writing a fanfic of any sort, so any reviews would be greatly welcomed. This just sort of came into my head one day so I had to write it somewhere.

Disclaimer: Naruto or anything affiliated with it doesn't belong to me. I'm no where near that good.