Chapter 2: Rise from the ashes of the Leaves
The morning of the funeral came and Naruto was filled with mixed feelings. On one side, Naruto was ecstatic that Hinata had said yes to his proposal and he was to be Hokage. But on the other side, he was still mourning the deaths of the men and women whom had sacrificed everything for they're village. Snapping out of these thoughts at the sound of a gentle knocking at his door, Naruto quickly walked to and opened the door to find his future bride standing outside waiting. "Hinata, I'm glad you're here. I could use the company right now."
Seeing that the tears were about to pour out of Naruto, Hinata quietly walked over to Naruto and hugged him. He feels so warm, I hope this helps him, all I can do is stand by him and help in anyway I can.
Walking toward the center of the village hand in hand, both Naruto and Hinata were nervous about their announcement to the entire village. Naruto turned and looked at Hinata and began, "Hinata. Please stay by me today, I don't think I will be able to do it alone."
Giving him an assuring nod, Hinata squeezed his hand slightly and firmly until they arrived at the place where the funeral was to be held.
They walked to their seats, all the while hearing whispers and seeing glares as they walked by the villagers. Hinata finally understood why the majority of the village disliked Naruto and didn't like him even near them. She squeezed his hand a little harder than before. They finally made it to their seats in the front and sat down. The funeral itself was not that bad, it was seeing Tsunade in the coffin that troubled him the most. I still can't believe she's been dead. Why her? She may have had a bad temper, but she was a good and kind-hearted person.
Seeing the expression on Naruto's face, Hinata grabbed the hand she was already holding with her remaining hand.
Feeling her strength, Naruto straightened up in his chair and waited in silence until the end of the funeral. As his last goodbye, Naruto walked up to the casket and whispered, "I'm sorry, if I only came back a few days earlier. I could have helped all of you then, not just let you die. I promise to avenge you, your deeds as humans and Shinobi alike will be remembered by those who knew you." With that, Naruto turned around and walked back to Hinata. The line of those who knew the dead continued.
Once the funeral itself was finished, Hiashi stood in front of the entire village. "I have an announcement. As is the tradition, the next Hokage will be proclaimed now." The villagers were all thinking that the next Hokage would be Jiriya or Kakashi. With those thoughts in their heads, smiles began to form. Hiashi continued. "Everyone, the decision of the next Hokage was difficult, but the one we have chosen has, as Tsunade and even Sandaime said themselves, the will of fire. Turn and bow to the new Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto. Or should I say Namikaze Naruto."
The look on everyone's faces was great, even on Naruto's. How the hell did he find out the Fourth was my father? I didn't even know about it until a year ago. Though that would explain why Hiashi was being so nice. Naruto looked around. Man, the faces on these villagers are awesome, they don't know whether to clap or cry. Hahaha!
Hiashi then walked up to Naruto and had him take a knee, "Naruto, do you accept the responsibilities that go along with being Hokage?"
"I do accept, I will defend this village with my life, and death if necessary."
"Then arise, Rokudaime Hokage." Hiashi grabbed and held up Naruto's hand as most of the village stayed silent. Only those who were Naruto's friends were clapping. Hiashi then added to the speech with, "To make this day even more joyous, the Hyuuga clan has an announcement. My daughter, Hinata is to be wed, but not to whom you would all think, but to Namikaze Naruto." The villagers once again were silent. The few cheers of their friends and family quickly broke the silence, and then it grew to the whole village. As the cheers died down Hiashi added, "The date of their wedding is to be in two days."
Naruto and Hinata quickly turned to a smiling Hiashi. They both whispered into his ears, "What do you mean two days? We thought we would have a little more time to plan this out."
Hiashi turned and looked at them understandingly. "I know it is rushed, but I assure you, it will be the wedding you both always dreamed of."
"My only concern is that it has been Hinata that has dreamed of a wedding, not me. I just pray that it will meet to her dream."
The two days went by before Naruto could blink. There he was, standing in front of a mirror, buttoning up his shirt. Wow, I honestly would not have expected all of this to happen a month ago. I'm getting married to a wonderful woman. I'm Hokage. Does life get any better? Hearing footsteps, Naruto turned to see all of his friends standing at the doorway. "Why are you standing there? Come on in."
They all talked to him, but the message was the same, "Wow, I can't believe you and Hinata are the first to get married, who would have thought it possible." Sakura walked up to Naruto, fixed his jacket and said, "You proved me wrong, and there is a girl willing to put up with you. Now go and make her happy."
Looking down at his watch, Naruto realized that the ceremony was but a few minutes away. "Alright, Kiba, Shino, Choji, Shikamaru, Lee, and Neji. Let's go out and wait at the alter."
Both Jiriya and Kakashi stopped Naruto on the way out. Jiriya started first with, "Naruto, we're both proud of you. Treat the young lady with respect and she will treat you the same without any doubt. I wish you both as much happiness as you can have. Though I can't believe you're getting married before I am."
The last part made Naruto chuckle at his master's joke.
Kakashi spoke next, "Naruto, I remember when I first met you. That eraser still embarrasses me, but you have really grown. Lead with Hinata this village through these troubled times." With these words, they both left and went to their seats.
Naruto made it out to the alter just as the music began to play. The entire crowd turned and looked towards the back. Naruto's gaze fell upon a beautifully dressed woman in white. Feeling just as nervous and shocked as he was when he first saw Hinata at the ramen stand two weeks earlier, Naruto stared with the biggest smile on his face as Hinata made her way up the isle with her father escorting her. Naruto stepped down from the steps and gestured for Hiashi to let go of Hinata and took her arm. They walked up and the ceremony began.