I would like the thank everyone for the wonderful reviews. They really mean a lot to me!
BluntRaps, I am sorry about your grandmother. Mine passed away in pretty much the same way that Hinata did in the story, and under the same circumstances (though no Byakugan Blood-Tears, it was a stroke). It always hurts to lose a person that you love and care about.
Lancecomwar, you are right. I have updated the fanfic and fixed it. Thanks!
As I said in my "More than enough" fanfic, this is the conclusion of the "Life Support" story and it's based on the Day 31 prompt "Memories" of Naruhina Month. Speaking of "More than Enough", the lemon is coming along quite nicely.
I don't think I'll do this sort of fic again, as it bought back too many painful memories. Hopefully, you will still be able to enjoy it.
If you want to read something funny and light-hearted to cheer you up just skip to the end of the story and read the omake. It involves Konohamaru and Hanabi, and how they became a couple.
Anyway, enough talk for now. Enjoy the fic!
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Naruto didn't cry when Hinata passed away.
He really didn't. When Hinata flatlined, he gave her a kiss on the forehead and whispered a quiet "Thank you", before informing the medical staff. He then called Hanabi on her cell, informed her of what happened and headed towards Noriko's room, where the family had gathered to see the newest member of the Uzumaki family. He told Bolt, Himawari and Naruko that their mother was lucid and happy during her final moments and then gave them a hug as they cried on his shoulder. They then joined the rest of the Uzumaki family told them the news of Hinata's passing and turned their attention to the newborn baby. Today was supposed to be a happy day.
He spent the rest of the day chilling with his grandkids and sharing parenting tips with Noriko's husband. He told him how to properly make the baby burp and how to change the diapers without getting his nuts kicked. He warned Inojin, Himawari's husband not to teach the kid anything weird. When Sakura came and informed them that it was time for them to leave, he took his family for a celebratory meal at Ichiraku Ramen.
Himawari asked him if he would like to spend the night at her place. He told her that he didn't want to impose himself on her and assured her that he would be OK. Himawari reluctantly agreed to let him go, making a mental note to check out how he is doing in the morning. She walked him back to his apartment and gave him a warm hug before going her way.
Naruto turned the key to his apartment and walked inside.
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"I'm home!"
When he didn't hear a reply, that was when it finally hit him; The warm memory of her welcoming him back; Her warm hug and her loving kisses as he returned to her; Her encouraging words of support when he came back tired and spent; Her soothing touch whenever he was angry and troubled.
Naruto grew up alone. He had no friends and no family. He used to spend as much time as he could outdoors. He used to dread returning to his apartment. It was cold, messy and empty, a sad reminder of his solitude and sadness. His apartment was just a place where he slept and got ready to face the day. It wasn't a place that he actually enjoyed living in.
Then Hinata came and changed all that. The day when he returned and heard her say "Welcome Back!" was the day when his apartment truly become his "home". Her presence filled his apartment with a sense of love and warmth that he always looked forward to returning to. She gave him a warm and loving family, that he enjoyed spending time with. And when the kids grew up and eventually moved out, she kept keeping him company and filling his life with mirth and joy.
Naruto realized that he would never again hear her voice again; he would never again feel her soothing touch and listen to her calming voice. His apartment was once again lifeless, cold and empty. It was no longer his "home" anymore. Not without her.
That was when he finally cried.
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The funeral was supposed to be a small familial gathering.
But when the village was informed that Hinata Hyuga had just passed away, everyone showed up. To the people of the Konoha Village, she was far more than just the seventh Hokage's wife. She was a beloved motherly figure, their precious "Byakugan Princess". Hinata understood her husband's bond with his village and also strived to help him make it a better place in her own special way. While Naruto was known for being brash and outgoing, Hinata was known for being calm and understanding. Nearly everyone had a story about her, exalting her wisdom or her kindness.
The first ones to show up and mourn were Hanabi and Konohamaru. Naruto recalled the day Hanabi showed up at their place and asked Hinata for advice on how to approach the third's grandson. Hanabi was trying to emulate Hinata's way of love of watching and admiring someone from afar, but Hinata adviced her against it, telling her to follow her own way instead. The next day Hanabi challenged Konohamaru to a duel. And the day after that they were on a date. They got married the year after that.
The next people to arrive were Shino and Kiba. They always shared a special bond with Hinata as her team-mates. They trusted each other completely and knew that they could always rely on each other both when they were on missions and when they had personal problems. Even when Team 8 was disbanded after the war, they still kept in touch with each other and they still kept their bonds of friendship strong.
Naruto never forgot what Shino did that day. He took off his dark glasses off to reveal a pair of bloodshot wide brown eyes. He then bent over and cried on Kiba's shoulder. It was the only time in his life when he actually saw the Bug-Ninja cry.
The Hyuga-clan members attended the funeral en-masse. The branch family and the head family were finally united, thanks to Hinata's and Naruto's efforts and the animosity between them was a thing of the past. Right now all Hyuga-clan members were equal, as the Caged-Bird seal had been abolished. They hung their head down and offered a prayer for the beloved Hyuga that united them.
Ino, Sakura, Sai, Choji, Shikamaru and the rest of the Konoha 11 were also present. In the years that followed they all bonded as true friends and companions. Hinata was always special to them because of her kind and caring nature. They knew they could always trust her sage advice and confide in her. Hinata was the one bought Ino and Sai together, and the one that advised Choji on how to approach Karui when he developed a crush on her. She was the one that emotionally supported Sakura and helped her with raising Sarada when Sasuke was away. She stood by TenTen and Rock Lee when they had financial problems and helped their business survive and thrive by using her connections with the Hyuga clan.
Naruto even noticed that a number of ninjas from other villages had arrived to pay their respects. Gaara, Killer Bee, the Raikage all stood in silence and reverence before her.
Like Naruto, Hinata had touched the lives of many people in her own special way. Through her grace and kindness, she made her village a much better place. And the people loved her and mourned her loss.
Naruto wished they would all go away… He wished he could just tell them "go".
Hinata was the love of his life. His wife. His best friend. His lover. His companion. The mother of his kids. His soulmate. His other half. How could all those people understand who she really was, and what she really did?
He hugged his kids and stood by them while the ceremony went under way. Pretty soon people started leaving. Naruto waited until he and his family remained. The kids stood in the back while Naruto went near his wife's grave for a few private moments.
He knelt down on the grave with the inscription "Hinata Hyuga" and touched it. It felt cold in his hands.
"I wish you were here to tell me that everything's going to be OK. I wish you were here to tell you how much I miss you and how much you meant to me."
"I love you. You will always be inside my heart. Wait for me, OK?"
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When somebody close to you dies, you don't lose them right away. You attend the funeral, you say goodbye to the physical body of the person, you tell yourself that this person is now gone but they never completely leave you. As you continue to go on with your life you will continue to come across bits and pieces of your life with each other, which will bring out another part of that beloved person that lies inside your heart. You will then say goodbye to that part, that beloved memory and move on… until you encounter another…
Those bits and pieces can be anything…
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…A vial of medical ointment…
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After the match with Kiba that Hyuga girl with the weird eyes bent over bought fourth a weird vial.
"Na…Naruto-kun, here!"
"What's this?"
Kurenai-sensai approached me and told me in a calm manner.
"Medicinal cream"
Is this for real? Nobody ever gave me something just like that. Besides, I just beat her team-mate!
"Why for me?"
"Just take it Naruto."
"Uh… sure… Thanks, you're nice Hinata!"
She's weird, but she seems nice.
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…A familiar view of the training grounds…
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That Hyuga girl thinks I am strong but I am really not! I am weak! I just pretend to be strong!
"Hinata, do you really think, I'm that strong?"
"Huh?"
"I may appear strong to you but that's because I act all tough because I'm so frustrated from always failing."
There, I said it! I bet she's disappointed in me now…
"That's not true! Even when you always fail… In my eyes… You're a proud failure!"
Huh?! What was that? A "proud failure"?
The Hyuga girl fidgeted with her fingers for a while before going on
"Because you're not perfect! Because you fail… you have the strength to get back up! Because I believe that's what true strength is… I think you're an incredible strong person!"
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…A pair of moon-shaped earrings…
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As we are both holding hands and running inside the cave, I know that I have to say it right now. I'm in love with this girl and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.
"Hinata?"
"What is it?"
"Do you remember that lesson in class? The one with, "If the end of the world came, who would you spend your last day with?" I wrote no name because I didn't know my parents, and I had no friends. But now I can clearly say it. I want to be with you. From now on, I want to spend all and every single one of my days until I die with you, and only you, Hinata!"
I can literally see the tears flowing in her eyes.
"Naruto-kun...!"
I tell her to put her arms around me and hold tightly. I use a rasengan to blast my way out of the cave while she tells me that she'll never let go.
We finally reach earth. For a while time begins to stop. Gravity seems to stop. I see the longing look on her face…
We kiss and it feels like I'm in heaven.
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…A kid eating a cinnamon-roll…
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"Come on, Naruto-kun try one!"
"OK, if you say so. Are you supposed to eat it in a special way?"
"Just bite and chew a little, then leave it to melt in your mouth a bit before swallowing."
This tastes really good! Though I wonder how Hinata can eat them and still keep a figure like that…
"Naruto-kun…"
"Yeah?"
"You have some crumbs and syrup on your cheeks!"
Hinata bought her face close to mine and gave me a kiss where the crumbs and syrup used to be.
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…An old song on the radio…
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The wedding ceremony was finally over and me and Hinata head over to the reception to see our friends and relatives. Ino, TenTen and Sakura take a selfie with Hinata, while Iruka sensei is congratulating me.
As the wedding reception goes underway a strange song starts playing. It talks of the stars and people about life, struggle, death and birth. Hinata, approaches me for the first dance of the evening. I have to admit it's a strange choice for a wedding song, but I love it! It's strangely soothing and moving.
As the chorus of the song reaches its crescendo, we lean our faces closer and share our first post-marriage kiss.
Everybody cheers!
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…A familiar lullaby that your child sings…
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Hinata is holdind little Himawari in her hands. She just finished breast-feeding her and is now patting her back softly to get her to burp. Bolt can't stop looking at his newlyborn sister. I go near Hinata and give her a soft kiss on the cheeks. I smile at her…
"See what we've done?"
Hinata begins to sing a sweet lullaby as she puts the little girl to sleep.
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…A white kimono…
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"Hey, why are you so sad Hinata? It's our 50th anniversary! Cheer up!"
"I've gotten old Naruto."
"Come on, you're not old. You just matured like a fine wine."
"More like sour milk… My hair's all white, my breasts are sagging, and my hips are full of cellulite. I am not the little girl I used to be."
"If that's the case... How come I want you so much right now?"
"Huh?"
I lift Hinata up and bring her closer to the window. The moon is full and shines beautifully against her finely aged features. I bring her closer and bring my face near hers. I can literally see the moon in her eyes.
"I want you to know… You are more beautiful than the stars at night."
I kiss her and slowly lower her to our bed as I take her white Kimono off.
I try to take in as much of her scent, her taste and her features as possible while I caress her body and she slowly succumbs to pleasure. This could be the last time we ever make love.
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…as you encounter more of those bits and pieces and you acknowledge those beloved memories you will be able to move on. You will never stop loving or missing that person, but you will be able to live on while keeping them inside you.
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It's been a year since then…
Naruto just spent the day playing with his grandchildren and his great-grandson. He is growing up to become very strong.
'I wish you were here to see how much he's grown…'
For some reason he didn't feel like going to his house right now. He decided to take a small detour and pass by the Ninja Academy. As he walked by and reminisced about his younger genin days, he noticed a very familiar swing.
'I can't believe it's still here! Can it still hold me?'
Naruto pulled the ropes and tested them. They seemed strong enough. He sat down on the swing and moved himself back and forth.
He remembered his days of solitude, before Iruka accepted him, before he became a genin, when he would swing around and wonder to himself, "why don't I just give up?", "why don't I just leave?"
"I really wish I was your friend back then!"
Naruto snapped his eyes open as he heard the voice of a small little girl in the back.
"After you saved me from the bullies, I realized that you didn't deserve all that hate that was directed towards you. I really wanted to play with you, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it."
Naruto turned to face the little girl. She had short dark hair and huge lavender eyes.
"You were being told to stay away from me, were you not?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Then, it's not your fault. A kid can't help but listen to a grown-up's advice."
"Still… I wish I could find the courage in me to disobey. I wish I could have stood by your side back then. I… I…"
Naruto leaned over to kiss the little girl in the forehead. She immediately turned into a beautiful woman with long black hair in a white kimono.
"You acknowledged me; you loved me for who I truly was. In my lowest moments you gave me strength and courage. You watched over me. You never gave up on me. You became my wife, you gave me a family and you made me the happiest man in the world. What more could I ask of you?"
The woman put her arms around him and leaned her head against his chest.
"How about a walk?"
"That would be nice. What do you say we stop by for ramen?"
"I'd love to…"
And the young couple walked towards the light…
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OMAKE: Hanabi VS Konohamaru
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"Onee-san, there's this boy that I like."
"That's wonderful Hanabi-chan."
"I need some advice!"
"OK, what troubles you?"
"Sis… How did you it with Naruto? I am trying to do that thing you did where you watch and admire someone from afar, but it doesn't seem to work very well for me…"
Hinata looked at her sister with a solemn look on her face.
"Hanabi-chan… It didn't work very well for me either. I nearly lost Naruto because I was too hesitant to approach him. Don't do what I did."
"So, what am I supposed to do?"
Hinata gave her sister a hug and patted her on the head.
"I don't know." she gave her a comforting sisterly smile and added "Look. Just forget about what I did, and try to do things your way. It's the best way."
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The next day, Hinata and Naruto watched as Hanabi approached Konohamaru and challenged him to a duel. They stealthily followed them and proceeded to watch quietly from a safe distance.
Hanabi and Konohamaru were actually quite evenly matched. Konohamaru knew several of Naruto's advanced techniques and managed to keep Hanabi at bay. He knew that she was a member of the Hyuga-clan and that he really shouldn't engage her in melee combat. Meanwhile, Hanabi managed to avoid his long-range attacks and managed to get near him a few times. All in all it was a close call.
What eventually determined the course of the match was a tactical miscalculation on Konohamaru's part. He summoned a bunch of shadow-clones and proceeded to perform the "Reverse Harem No Jutsu" by turning them into a bunch of hunky, well-oiled, naked studs. He then prepared a small non-lethal rasengan to hit her with once she was having a nosebleed.
To his great surprise, Hanabi wasn't even distracted. She performed the Hyuga Rotation, which dispelled the shadow-clones, and then proceeded to 64-palm him. His rasengan evaporated as he fell down on the ground, completely beaten.
Hanabi lied down a couple of meters next to him, and started catching her breath. It had been a tough match.
"How… How… could you defeat my ultimate Reverse-Harem No Jutsu?"
"It's simple really," huffed Hanabi "Right now, I'm only attracted to you."
"Huh?"
"I really like you! Please go out on a date with me!"
"Wait, wait, wait! You challenged me to a duel and you kicked my ass, just because you wanted to ask me out on a date?"
"It's my ninja way."
Konohamaru was flabbergasted. He didn't know how to respond to this.
"You know Hanabi-chan… You are really scary, gloomy and weird…"
Hanabi's face darkened...
"…But you know what? I really like people like you!"
He gave her one of his brightest smiles as he continued "It's on! Tomorrow at Ichiraku's Ramen at six?"
Hanabi gazed at Konohamaru with a stunned look. Her face was completely red.
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It was at this point that Naruto felt Hinata's lips on his.
"Let's go and give those two lovebirds some privacy. I think they are going to get along just fine!"
