"Naruto Uzumaki, heed my warning: you will face me before this night's end in the valley to the East of Konoha. Only after you fall to me will I finally claim Konoha and cease my vengeance…"
"… Don't keep me waiting."
Naruto kneeled in front of his pine-wood desk. Bowing low in respect to the picture frames proudly standing upon his desk, he winced slightly as the light of the fireplace flickered and danced, welcoming a cool and distinctive breeze into the office of the Hokage. Keeping his eyes firmly closed, he recovered from his position, kneeling comfortably on the floor in front of Minato's and Kushina's pictures. A peaceful sigh left his lips as he opened his eyes, greeted by the dim orange hue of the room.
"I was beginning to think you wouldn't show."
"… or hoping."
Naruto smiled as he took to his feet, walking over to his desk and lifting Kushina's picture to his face.
"Why would I hope against seeing an old friend?"
Naruto replaced the frame and turned calmly, an accepting smile fixed on his face as the figure's form slowly hazed into view, his Sharingan already prominently affixed and crimsoning his eyes. Though his gaze would intimidate the most adamant of Shinobi, Naruto met his cold stare with the same warmth that he did when they were children - sworn rivals confidently sparring against each other. The figure walked forward, muffling his footsteps on the expensive emerald carpet, quickly looking the blonde haired man up and down.
"Given the circumstances governing the last decade, I can think of a few reasons," he said, his voice reminiscent of a whisper. He paused for just a moment. "Seems you've settled in to Minato's coat rather well."
Releasing a breathy laugh, he readily approached the ominous figure.
"Of course. It's an honour to wear the coat of the Fourth Hokage… My father, Minato Namikaze."
Extending a hand which was firmly grasped almost immediately, Naruto smiled and met the eyes of his old teammate.
"Welcome home, Sasuke."
A wicked smile crept across the shinobi's face. Sasuke returned Naruto's gesture with confidence, but found himself merely humoured by his words.
"It's been many years since I've called Konoha my home, Naruto, and I don't intend to call it so any time soon."
Expecting a different response, Sasuke quickly released Naruto's hand as Naruto smiled and laughed.
"Well, that's about to change now, isn't it?"
Sasuke smirked.
"Just a premonition, but I have a feeling I'm not going to like what this so called 'meeting' entails."
"Well, I hope, for both our sakes, that I can change that."
Naruto strode over slowly towards his desk, motioning towards a chair situated on the opposite side.
"No offense, but I'll stand."
"You do realise that I called this meeting under peaceful circumstances?" Naruto said, standing behind his desk and opening a draw. Sasuke folded his arms.
"I do. There wasn't a single stationed Jonin around, which is unusual – almost the entirety of the Konoha Eleven are Jonin now and, from what I've heard, fiercely loyal to their Hokage."
Naruto met Sasuke's malicious eyes with a stern gaze. He could sense the sickening intent in his spiteful words – Sasuke surmised that none of them would have made a difference, even if they were posted tonight.
"Sasuke, underestimating people, especially your old comrades, will be your downfall. Had every Jonin that I've tutored been here tonight, I can guarantee that you wouldn't have made it past the first floor."
A smirk and coy laugh was all that the threat prompted from the crimson-eyed Uchiha. Nevertheless, Naruto procured a scroll from the top drawer of his desk, removing the magenta ribbon around it and moving towards Sasuke. Handing the scroll over, he was met by a presumptuous remark.
"A peace treaty, I assume?" came his uninterested tone, opening the scroll to peruse the contents.
Naruto shook his head.
"That document contains the entirety of your criminal life - committed crimes as well as accusations."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he read over his entire life. He didn't react beyond an occasional smile and quick glances to Naruto.
"If you are willing to surrender to me, to finally give up the reckless and barbaric ideals of vengeance against Konoha and myself that drive you forward, every action on that list will be forgiven and forgotten. You will be welcomed back to Konoha with open arms-"
"By you, at least."
"No, by all of us," Naruto corrected, still standing proudly before Sasuke as he read the scroll. Neither side gave an inch as Naruto continued. "You seem to forget that even though the world views you as an ethereal force of destruction and death, you still have people who care deeply for you in Konoha, Sasuke."
Sasuke bitterly folded the scroll upon those words, throwing it aggressively to the floor.
"So," he began, turning from Naruto to explore his office, "you think that keeping your tower free from the watchful eyes of your precious Jonin, arranging a completely anonymous meeting between the two of us and offering to wipe my record if I return to Konoha peacefully will be enough of a reason for me to abandon my life-long goal?"
Naruto sighed deeply, maintaining his stoic demeanour and following Sasuke's movements about his office with his eyes.
"I honestly thought it would produce the exact same results as I find myself currently presented with."
"Good. So you know you can take my record and burn it for all I care. The people I've killed mean nothing to me."
"You know that's not true, Sasuke."
"Isn't it?"
Sasuke chuckled menacingly as he found his way to an open cupboard of pictures. He uninterestedly browsed the frames, seemingly amusing himself by unnerving Naruto. Within the large selection of portraits and pictures were the former Hokage's, pictures of the Konoha Eleven, Tsunade, Jiraiya and Naruto… and a picture of the original Team Kakashi. Meeting the picture with as much spite as he could, he laughed in his old sensei's face, so to speak.
"You practically have a family album surrounding you every day. Doesn't that make you the least bit ill?" he questioned, reaching for a frame.
"You have the eyes of your deceased brother to take lives through. Which one seems to be healthier?"
Sasuke paused for just a moment, stopping his hand short of selecting a certain frame that caught his attention. He turned to Naruto, an emotionless look across his face. Suddenly, a small smile crept onto his features, growing larger along with an insidious cackle. Naruto began to notice the small black markings creeping up the side of Sasuke's neck. He precautiously prepared for an attack as Sasuke's maniacal laughter subsided, leaving only his grin as he plucked the frame from the second highest shelf. Naruto shuddered, clenching his fists.
"I'm still so happy for you and Hinata… poor girl, took her so long to tell you how she felt," Sasuke recollected, taking a keen interest in the photo. "I'll bet Hiashi was furious."
"It wasn't easy gaining his blessing, no."
"Oh, I'll bet. Would have been even harder for the two of you to conceive, what with her fainting around you all the time."
Sasuke released another vicious laugh. Naruto glared, approaching the cupboard slowly.
"Put the frame down, Sasuke."
Sasuke snickered, smiling as he traced along the top of the frame with his finger.
"Such a pretty young woman, too…" he mused, taking the frame and wandering towards Naruto, making sure to keep eye contact. "… wouldn't it be a shame-"
Sasuke quickly whipped out a kunai, twirling it in his fingers.
"-if something were to-"
Sasuke gripped the kunai, pointing it straight for the picture.
"… tear you three apart?"
Finding themselves in a locked death stare, Naruto offered his hand, motioning demandingly to the picture frame that Sasuke still held firm.
"Enough games, Sasuke. Put the frame down."
Sasuke grinned. Retracting the kunai, he quickly retraced his steps to where the frame had originally taken refuge. Soft laughter filled the room once again.
"Miyuki Kushina Uzumaki - the daughter of the Hyuga Heiress and the great Jinchuriki Sage Hokage…" he said, a mirthless smirk tainting his words as he took one more look at the picture, "… she's going to have an interesting upbringing."
Naruto winced as Sasuke wickedly ran his fingers across the frame. Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he turned towards Sasuke.
"In regards to your concern, Hinata and I are doing quite fine raising Miyuki. Now, for the last time - put the frame down."
Naruto's tone was stern – even stern enough to rouse a raised brow and side-glance from the chilling figure. Sasuke met his gaze once again, releasing a contented chuckle and following with an apathetic sigh.
"Naruto, Naruto, Naruto… why would I waste my time taking away a portrait?" he sang, replacing the frame half-heartedly and then holding up his arms whilst continuing to explore the remainder of his office. "Taking away the real thing will be so much more satisfying."
An irritated but understanding sigh left Naruto's lips as he shook his head and made his way to the crumpled scroll containing Sasuke's criminal record.
"Sasuke, we're no longer children. Attempting to provoke me with your threats won't work." Naruto proclaimed strongly, retrieving the scroll and heading towards his desk.
"Clearly. You've grown up so fast," came his cold and sarcastic response, interesting himself in the lists and piles of books stashed away in the far left corner. Placing the scroll on his desk once more, Naruto sighed, turning belligerently towards the dark-haired man.
"You honestly think that killing me will finally help you achieve your life-long goal of ultimate power?"
"I do."
"And even after I have offered a peaceful solution, you still reject the compromise because you're afraid that these people won't accept you?"
Sasuke suddenly stopped where he stood. His arms fell deftly to his side as he faced away from Naruto.
"I'm not afraid of them, Naruto."
"Then why do you reject my offer of peace for that sole reason?"
Sasuke turned violently, his Sharingan glowing angrily through his eyes as he unsheathed his blade.
"I have my reasons to reject your pathetic attempts to bring me in, you wretched insect! Are you forgetting that I constantly surpassed you in every task that we underwent together? What makes you think you have the power to change what people think of me?"
"Because the matter falls under my jurisdiction."
Sasuke recoiled, meeting the cerulean gaze of his once laughable teammate. He seemingly forgot that Naruto Uzumaki was now the Hokage as faint memories of his immature antics flashed across his mind. Forever the butt of the joke, he was always late, getting into trouble, failing assignments and tasks… Sasuke couldn't grasp how much he'd grown in his absence over the past years. Though he would never admit it, but he was almost proud of the Shinobi his former teammate had become.
"I can wave every blemish against your name. Every bounty across your head will be cleared and you will be made a permanent resident of Konoha. All I ask is for you to sign the back of the scroll. Every detail of the contract is there. After that… you can kill me."
Sasuke almost dropped his blade. Staring at Naruto disbelievingly, he released a frustrated grunt.
"What… what are you talking about?" he said through gritted teeth. Naruto turned to the confused Uchiha, unwavering acceptance prominent in his gaze and not a flippant thought to be found.
"That is what you wanted, isn't it? To finish your vengeance once and for all?"
Sasuke's eyes widened. He couldn't make heads or tails of what Naruto was saying for a moment.
Only a moment.
Sasuke quickly smirked. He knew what Naruto's game-plan was, and he wouldn't have another second of it.
"Yes, you're right. I do wish to finish my vengeance, to finally gain the ultimate strength… to finally overcome you, Naruto. However…"
Sasuke sheathed his blade, rousing a suspicious stare of realisation from Naruto.
"If you think that I'll buy into your stupid act of peace and take your life simply because you offer it, then I'm afraid you don't know me at all."
Naruto released a defeated sigh – he knew that the notion for a peaceful surrender was an extremely long shot.
"I will take your life, Naruto, but I will take it honourably, as a warrior should… and I will take it tonight."
Sasuke turned towards the open window, the thick blanket of night quickly consuming him.
"Then, there is no other way?"
Sasuke stopped before the ledge, looking out at the view from the top of the Hokage's tower.
"You will fight me, Naruto Uzumaki. If you refuse…"
Naruto braced himself for the threat as Sasuke turned menacingly towards him, malice tainting his words.
"… my vengeance will be called to your family, starting with Miyuki."
With that, Sasuke flashed a kunai, throwing it straight towards the scroll holding Sasuke's criminal record. Naruto turned to the scroll, watching Sasuke's kunai pin it to the desk. Turning towards Sasuke once more, he was met with the dark emptiness of his office, barely kept alive by the dull glow of the fire.
"… Sasuke…"
Naruto knew this outcome would follow the events he'd put in place to organise this meeting, no matter how carefully he indeed did tread. With no other option available, he proceeded towards Sasuke's kunai, noting the dark paper attached to the hand. Removing it from the desk, he opened the note to peruse the contents, not noticing the soft footsteps making their way towards his office. With a heavy heart, Naruto placed the kunai in one of his desk drawers.
"Knock, knock!"
Naruto turned in surprise towards his door, unwillingly flaring out his father's coat in the act. Quickly regaining his senses, he walked toward the door, only to have it swung open. A tall, beautiful woman with amber eyes and blonde hair walked into the room, accompanied by a shorter woman who was just as beautiful, if not more, sporting dark blue hair and pale lavender eyes. She warmly approached Naruto, holding a small child with long blonde hair in her arms.
"You have some visitors, sweetheart."
"Hinata, Tsunade!"
Naruto smiled as the women made their way towards him. Tsunade donned a large green coat and brown boots over her usual attire, lined with some sort of cotton while Hinata kept to her favourite lavender colours, simply wearing a longer jacket and dark dress that covered her boots.
"Yup, grandma's here, too," laughed Tsunade, giving a quick smirk and folding her arms as the child squirmed excitedly in Hinata's grip.
"Papa!"
The child reached towards Naruto, who smiled and kneeled down, opening his arms. Hinata followed his motion, kneeling down and allowing the child to jump safely from her arms onto the floor. With a wide smile and wider arms, she madly dashed towards Naruto, her deep cerulean eyes having want for nothing more than her father's embrace.
"Miyuki," Naruto said through a gentle laugh, picking up his daughter and holding her high above him, spinning her in his arms. Hinata gently strode alongside him as Naruto held Miyuki in one arm. He gently took Hinata's hand, intertwining their fingers as she leaned forward into a loving kiss. Tsunade approached the two, smiling. Her arms remained folded as she tittered amusedly.
"Seventeen years on and the two of you still give me butterflies."
Hinata pulled away from Naruto, gently caressing a hand across his face as he turned to Tsunade, returning her warm smile.
"Seventeen years on and you still look as young as the day we first met, 'Grandma'," Naruto said, offering his hand for a hug and returning her light-hearted humour.
"You won't see me acting my age any time soon," she joked, planting a kiss on his cheek as she embraced him. "It's still so surreal to see you standing here, Naruto… Minato would be so proud."
Miyuki playfully tugged at Tsunade's jacket, her long blonde hair draped over Naruto's shoulder as he held her. It wasn't the first time Tsunade had said that, but it always had the same impact. Naruto wished so desperately that his parents could have been alive to see him live out his dream…
"Thank you, Tsunade," came his usual response, embracing her and giving her cheek a quick kiss. Tsunade withdrew from him, turning to the young girl and brushing her hair out of her face. Laughing to herself, she turned to Naruto.
"Still can't believe that this little angel came from you, Mister Uzumaki," she laughed, as Miyuki happily laughed along with her. Naruto smiled, pulling Hinata close.
"This one deserves credit for that. Thankfully, the only thing she got from me was the hair colour."
Hinata smiled, motioning to her daughter.
"And the eyes. But she can already change to her Byakugan!" she exclaimed excitedly, softly tugging at Miyuki's boots, to which she laughed and squealed excitedly. "You wanna show Grandma?"
"Ok!" called Miyuki as Naruto set her down. Miyuki quickly made the hand signs necessary, closing her eyes. The veins around her eyes slowly enlarged, and then…
"Byakugan!"
Tsunade let out a gasp of surprise as Miyuki's eyes quickly changed from their cerulean hue to a brilliantly bright white. Miyuki looked up at Hinata and reached for her.
"Mama's all blue!" she cried as Hinata smiled and laughed, clapping as she bent down to pick her daughter up.
The remaining hour was filled with standard conversation, ranging from how everyone's day was going, to clothing - obviously a subject brought to attention by Tsunade and Hinata - then to the hardships of raising a family. Continuing to ease into the relative calm that now filled his office, his thoughts quickly turned to the threat that Sasuke had put forth. Remembering Sasuke's letter as a troubling stare came across his visage, he turned blankly towards the window. Miyuki had already slipped into a peaceful slumber as she lay in Hinata's arms. Naruto needed to know they'd be kept safe. As long as they remained unaware of the ensuing battle, no harm could come to them. Naruto stood up and stretched, ready to declare that the night's events draw to an end.
"Well, I don't know about the two of you, but I'm ready to get out of here for the night," he said contentedly. Hinata nodded and stood along with Tsunade, who re-wrapped herself in her jacket, preparing to face the cold outside. Hinata approached Tsunade, offering Miyuki to her.
"Tsunade, could you take Miyuki home for me?" she asked, holding the child towards her. As Tsunade stood somewhat confused by the request, the look in Hinata's eyes swayed her from questioning. Taking the child, she held her similarly to Hinata and bowed as an unfortunate conclusion befell Naruto.
"Of course. Shall I wait for you to return?" she asked. Hinata nodded.
"If you could. You know you're more than welcome to stay at the house." Hinata smiled and bowed her head in thanks.
"Very well. Don't be too long, you two."
Tsunade nodded, smiling and turning for the door. Naruto could tell that the two knew and did not approve of his intentions, but at the same time, they would not persuade him from protecting the village… or his family.
"Tsunade."
Tsunade paused at the door, turning towards Naruto.
"Summon the Elite's. Tell them the Hokage requests their assistance immediately."
Tsunade smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.
"I'll leave Miyuki with Shizune and return momentarily, then."
"Thank you."
With that, the legendary Sannin disappeared behind the door. Hinata stared at the door with a smile.
"You're not facing him alone."
Naruto released a deep sigh and smiled.
"You saw him, then?"
Hinata turned to Naruto, empathy deep within her eyes as she pulled her husband into an unyielding embrace.
"After you ordered the Jonin away from the tower, I knew something was wrong. I activated my Byakugan hours ago and haven't taken my eyes off you since," she admitted as Naruto placed his arms around her.
Naruto should have expected this. Hinata was wise beyond her years and her recent training with Tsunade has earned her almost rivalling medical skills to the Sannin. Of course she'd known and, by the way the Sannin reacted, she'd obviously already told Tsunade.
"Tsunade knows as well, then?"
Hinata nodded, lifting her head to Naruto's eyes.
"We all do."
Naruto turned to face the voice, immediately recognised as Neji's, as the Konoha Elite Force (formerly the Konoha Eleven) stood before him: Tenten, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi and Sakura Haruno - respectively including Naruto and Hinata. This, Naruto expected. What he didn't expect, however, was Might Guy, Kakashi Hatake, and Kurenai Yuhi to be standing behind their original teams. Even Anko Mitarashi had joined the group. Surprised, but grateful, Naruto bowed to his fellow Shinobi – his near life-long friends.
"I suppose then you know that this is a task that I must complete alone."
"Well that's just not gonna happen, man," Shikamaru retorted, moving towards Naruto and folding his arms. "You of all people should know that. We all fight as a team, to protect Konoha, no matter what."
"Shikamaru is right, Naruto!" chimed in the ever-energetic Lee. "Together, we are an unstoppable force of endless youth! There is no enemy who can stand against the combined powers of the Konoha Elite!"
"I couldn't have said it any better myself, Lee!" exclaimed Guy, immediately regressing to his youthful days and sporting the famous "Good-Guy" pose as Lee prominently did the same. "And don't count us short! We were all your leaders once upon a time and let me tell you this: We will not stand idly by while our Hokage risks his life to defend our home! It is through teamwork that we have defeated every threat prior and only more of the same will ensure another safe morning for all of Konoha!
"You said it, Guy-Sensei!"
"Yes I did, Lee!"
Naruto smiled, remembering how similar Lee and Guy were and all those times that they'd shared countless tearful embraces upon merely sharing the same viewpoints. Just the thought was almost enough to inspire a chuckle. He turned to Kakashi, shaking his head.
"They're still doing that, huh?"
Kakashi shrugged and nodded, slipping a sly look to his right towards Guy.
"You should try training with them."
A round of laughter circled from within the group, even inspiring a smirk from the always-serious Neji. As the laughter died down, however, Kakashi stepped passed Sakura, kneeling to Naruto and prompting the rest to do the same.
"However, what they've said rings true, Naruto. As your Jonin Elites, we are bound by duty, honour and, above all, family, to serve and protect you at all costs. I speak for the entirety of the Elite Force of Naruto Uzumaki that when our Hokage stands, we shall all stand and fight beside you! We will follow any order, any command… every instruction! Just as you have many times before, we are all willing to lay down our lives to protect our family."
"All of our family."
The entire group turned towards the voice as Tsunade smiled from behind the ranks. She looked around whimsically at the kneeling Jonin, smiled and then turned to Naruto.
"I'm too old to kneel, but you know I'm with you all the way."
"Every step of the way!" reiterated Ino, turning to Tsunade and giving a confident nod which she returned. Naruto smiled and walked towards Kakashi.
"I've never asked you to kneel, Kakashi. I'd never ask that of any of you. Please," Naruto said, motioning for the group to stand. Without hesitance they obeyed, firmly standing at attention as each one of them awaited instruction. As they stood, Naruto walked towards them.
"My friends, I know that what I ask isn't fair. We've been through wars, homicidal killers and almost unbearable hardships together. I know that asking to face Sasuke alone is not something that you wish to hear from me, but you must understand – I'd only ask this if I had no other choice."
Sakura walked towards Naruto, folding her dark red jacket across herself.
"What do you mean, Naruto?"
Naruto frowned as he painfully turned to his former teammate, then to the rest of the ninja surrounding him.
"Sasuke has said that if I fall to him, his vengeance will cease and he will claim Konoha."
"We aren't about to let that happen!" snarled Kiba, stepping forward and assuming a fighting stance.
"You've got to be an idiot if you think he'll finally end his stupid quest for vengeance after he kills you," came Kurenai's cool tone, "and doubly so if you think we'll let you sacrifice yourself to save us."
"I'm not asking you to allow me to become a sacrifice," Naruto interrupted, holding up a hand and turning to Kakashi. "I called you all here to ask of you two things."
Kakashi met Naruto's gaze hard, listening intently to his every words.
"The first and most important thing I ask of you is to protect the village at all costs," he said sternly, turning towards his desk. "I'm not sure if Sasuke will attempt to attack the city directly or if his challenge is merely a diversion to remove me from Konoha for a sneak attack-"
"Then you mustn't go!" called Neji, taking a step towards Naruto and pleading with him. "Naruto, you have a wife and a child to protect! If the village is attacked, then-"
"If I don't meet Sasuke's challenge, he's threatened to kill Miyuki."
A dead silence filled the room as Neji's eyes stared helplessly towards Naruto. Hinata turned to Naruto, a look of shock and pain in her eyes. Naruto turned shamefully and walked towards her.
"That is the only reason that I'm even willing to go through with this without the aid of my Elite Force," he continued, taking Hinata's hand in his as tears began to fall from her cheeks. She leaned forward, resting her head on his chest. "I know Sasuke – he won't stop until he's either killed me, or destroyed Konoha. It's for this reason that I will meet his request while my subordinates remain in Konoha, protecting the home and families we love at all costs… and if necessary…"
Naruto released Hinata as she looked up. He kissed her forehead and then met her eyes, praying that she'd forgive him for keeping this from her. He turned proudly and strongly towards his comrades, hoping in turn that they would accept the burden he was soon to place on them.
"… Succeeding in my place, should I fail to kill my old friend."
The entire group's eyes widened as the impact of those words hit them like a Rasengan to the gut. Naruto knew this promise would come at a heavy price, but he also trusted every person in this room with his life.
"I know what I ask is high, but I don't know how much Sasuke has improved over the past seventeen years. All we've heard about him are bits and pieces from his crimes and the small amount of intel we've been able to gather. But, on the other hand, he doesn't know how much I… no, how much we have improved. Not a day has gone by that we've not trained, pushed our limits and exceeded even our highest expectations. As a country, we are strong. As a team, we are invincible. No matter the outcome of this battle, Konoha will remain thousands of years from now! It is up to us to protect its inhabitants, to fight for its freedom, to never back down, no matter how dark the night may become! Should I fail in this battle, then you, my Jonin, my Elite Force… my family! You will become the light that breaks through the darkest night and shines throughout the Earth! The greatest warriors in the world - The Elite Force of Konoha will never be broken!"
A loud cheer erupted from the group as they met Naruto's fierce gaze. He turned to Kakashi, Guy, Anko and Kurenai, thankful that they met his words with confident stares.
"Kakashi, Guy, Anko, Kurenai! You will all follow Tsunade throughout the town and activate the 'Eternal Sleep' jutsu within every household. Sasuke isn't one to fight small – he'll be sure to make a show of it. Ensure that every villager rests easy tonight! Upon completion, return here and observe the battle through Hinata's Byakugan. I'll leave determining when to intervene in your hands, but ensure that Sasuke cannot detect you and that the village is safe!"
"Yes, sir!"
Kakashi, Guy, Anko and Kurenai all proceeded outside with Tsunade, leaping from the tower towards the village.
"Lee, Kiba, Shikamaru, Neji!"
"Sir!"
"You will take the village entrance. No one gets in, no one gets out! If the mission is successfully completed, I will return to collect you myself!"
"Yes, sir!"
The four proceeded out the window towards the entrance, quickly being swallowed by the night as they disappeared from view. Naruto returned his gaze to Shino, Choji, Tenten, Ino and Sakura.
"As for the rest of you, you are to secure the town! Every house is to be locked and sealed until my return or Sasuke's death! Upon completion, you may choose where to station yourselves: at the entrance, throughout the town, or return here to witness the battle with Hinata and your fellow Jonin! Move out, and stay alert!"
"Right!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Be careful, Naruto!"
The remaining five dashed away to move through town.
Naruto looked forlornly at his friends. Every one of them was willing to lay down their lives to protect him and ensure the safety of Konoha. A tear left his eye as he came to a sudden confronting question – would he ever see them again?
"Naruto…"
He was surprised as he turned to his right. Hinata remained steadfast to his side, unwilling to leave him. He turned to her and quickly drew her into a loving embrace.
"Hinata, I'm so sorry it's come to this-"
"Shut up."
Her voice was muffled as she placed her face within his chest once more. Her arms wrapped themselves tightly behind his back, refusing to let him go. He placed a hand against her head, wishing this could have ended peacefully, without the need of death from either side.
"The only reason I'm allowing this to happen is because I refuse to believe that you'll lose to him," she said, lifting her head from his chest and meeting his soft and caring gaze. She pulled him into her fierce passions, meeting his lips like she'd never have them again - a cherished moment of love between the two, no matter how often it occurred. Tears left her eyes before she forced herself to pull away from him. She traced her fingers through his hair as she held his forehead to hers, locking eyes with the man she loved.
"You will return to me, you hear me? You promise me, right now, that you WILL come back."
Naruto closed his eyes and placed his hands over hers, taking hold of them both and moving them to his lips. He placed a gentle kiss upon her fingers as he met her eyes.
"I promise, we will see the morning together. We will raise Miyuki through a time of peace. Hinata, this isn't our end. I love you."
He gently stroked her cheek as she closed her eyes and nodded.
"I love you. I'm going to see what I can do in town and then I'll be back up here in five minutes."
"Good, go. Keep everyone safe!"
Naruto turned towards his desk, grabbing a box of signature kunai and Sasuke's letter, folding it into his pocket and then turning to the easternmost window in his office.
"Naruto…"
He quickly turned, seeing Hinata standing in the door.
"… I won't move from the top of this tower unless you're by my side."
He met her gaze firmly, nodding.
"As soon as this is over, I'll carry you down myself."
A smile passed her lips before she made her way to the ledge, leaping towards the town and melding into the thick darkness. Naruto turned towards the window once more, stealing one more quick look at the letter. Folding it back into his coat, he took one last look towards the entrance before leaping towards his final confrontation with one thought etching away at his mind – no matter how this ended, this would be the last time he'd ever see Sasuke Uchiha.
"Naruto Uzumaki, heed my warning: you will face me
before this night's end in the valley to the East
of Konoha. Only after you fall to me will I finally
claim Konoha and cease my vengeance…"
"… Don't keep me waiting."
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN NARUTO OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. PLEASE SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL RELEASE. ALSO, I PUT THE DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM THIS TIME BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANNA DISTRACT MY AWESOME READERS FROM THE BADASS LETTER BY SASUKE AT THE TOP.
AND YES, I KNOW IT WAS AT THE BOTTOM AS WELL, SO IT'S KINDA REDUNDANT. DEAL WITH IT.
Chapter two due sometime next week! (hopefully)
R 'n' R, good writing to all!
LS.