Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I do, however, own the plot to this story and Hikari.
Summery: It's strange how you don't realize how much you've ingrained someone into your life until they're gone. The village of Konoha found this to be true the day Uzumaki Naruto's light was put out. Now the Nine-tails is still showing no signs of reforming and the Leaf Village has hired a trio of unclaimed ninja to help retrieve Sasuke from Orochimaru, but the subtle similarities between the groups leader and Naruto are startling and Kakashi doesn't know how long he can handle this partnership before he finally loses his sanity.
Rating: T for now
A large amount of Konaha's residents were gathered for the event. Some had been close to the blonde boy no longer with them, while many others had merely seen him in passing every now and again in the village. No one felt it possible that this was happening. 'How could this have happened?' Naruto had always been an unstoppable ray of light, and unconsciously people had begun to see him as a permanent fixture in Konaha. None of them could believe he was suddenly gone. How could someone who never gave up suddenly be plucked from their lives as easily as one would pick an apple? Not one of them had seen the village's future lacking the loud mouthed ninja. It was unimaginable, even to those who had hated him for the fox he contained.
Those who knew him cried for the boy who had worn his heart on his sleeve, and those that did not cried for the empty space in their lives they hadn't even realized he had been filling. The ceremony was over before long and people began to trickle away after leaving a flower or two. Soon Kakashi, Iruka, Konohomaru, and Lady Tsunade were the only ones left; all of them thinking the same thing. This wasn't supposed to happen. Naruto was never supposed to die. Tsunade was silent as she kissed the tips of her fingers and pressed them to the stone before walking slowly away. The weight of loss stooping her shoulders once again. Konohomaru sniffed and rubbed his eyes before straightening, a determination entering his expression. "I'll make you proud Boss!" he promised. "I'll be the best Hokage this village has ever had! I Promise!" He then stalked off towards the Konaha training grounds, intending to make good on his word.
It was down to two when the rain began to fall. The two sensei Naruto had adored. With all but Kakashi gone Iruka's expressionless mask slipped. A harsh sob escaped his mouth and his legs gave out. Startled, Kakashi caught him. Sinking to his knees underneath the weight. Iruka continued to sob not caring if Kakashi thought him weak. Holding the heartbroken man as he wailed Kakashi felt his own tears slip silently from his mismatched eyes down to his rapidly dampening mask. His chest ached and he couldn't help but wonder if he'd finally found the death that would kill him with grief. He tightened his hold on the brunette in his arms and bowed his head, giving in to the emotions that tore at him. Neither of them sensed the audience they had...
Nearby, a pair of eyes watched the scene undetected. Eyelids slipped closed to cover the pain filled brown. He had expected the brown haired mans reaction to be sorrowful, but he hadn't realized it would be so gut wrenching for the man. But there was no turning back now, and the man would surely get over Naruto's death quickly enough. He, like everyone else, would forget the blonde boy soon he was sure. With a last look at the now rain drenched pair, the figure turned silently and vanished from the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
A/N: Let me know what you think? This will probably be a long story. Though, I'm not sure how long yet. I'm just going to see where it takes me. Please be constructive with criticism. I appreciate errors being pointed out so I can fix them, but I'd prefer it not come in the form of mean words.
