A/N I don't own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto does, and he does a great job at it too.
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Chapter 4 - Shadow of a Final Salute
The beeping sounded in the hospital room as the light shone in illuminating the blue haired girl lying on the bed. Hyuga Hinata was not unconscious but she was unaware of the world, she merely stared up at the ceiling with her pale white eyes, not even bloodshot from all the tears that had leaked down her face. She had been this way ever since she saw Naruto's mangled body and showed no signs of improving. Even now the hospital had hooked up intravenous feeding to keep her nourished.
Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino watched her in silence praying that she would wake up. Akamaru sat beside the chair that Kiba was slouched in keeping a silent watch on his partner and life long friend. Shino just stood gazing down at Hinata his sunglasses missing out of respect, this last mission had cost too much. None of them were sure that they or even Konohagakure would ever truly recover from this.
Both of them were so intent on their vigil that they did not notice the arrival of Yuhi Kurenai, their former sensei and team leader. She had not been able to go with them due to her two month old daughter, Hitomi. Though if she had been there what she could have done was minimal. The battle was truly the clash of the titans, not even Kakashi had dared to step into the fight between the Uchiha brothers and Naruto. Kurenai sighed and looked down at the student she always considered her favorite despite the fact that they all should have been equal in her eyes, she always had a special place for Hinata.
Kurenai imagined that the conversation she had a few hours ago telling her of what had happened was probably forever burned in her mind as a deep gaping wound that would not heal. Kurenai sighed again, hoping for some response from Hinata, some sign that she would come back. She quickly turned around when she felt a presence behind her; there in the doorway stood Hyuga Hiashi and behind him was Neji.
Hiashi motioned with his head for Kurenai to come into the hall with him. Kurenai bowed respectfully to the clan head, "Hyuga-sama."
"Yuhi-san, I was hoping you could tell me of my daughter's condition." Hiashi said returning the bow.
"The doctors have a lot of fancy technical words for her condition," Kurenai said wistfully. "To put it in layman's words that actually make sense, Hinata has broken with reality."
"How, Neji gave me some details, I know you weren't there, but Neji didn't witness what happened." Hiashi actually had a look of desperation.
"Honestly the only two witnesses to what happened are Uchiha Sasuke and Hiroshi Koji, though from what I understand Hinata watched Naruto take a death blow meant for her and then have his body mutilated before her eyes by Itachi." Kurenai looked into Hiashi's eyes, "How would you feel if you saw that happen to someone you love?"
"Hmm, I see." Hiashi closed his eyes and went into thought, "I may not have liked her infatuation with the loudmouth, but even I cannot dictate to the heart, and I know what it is like to loose someone like that." Hiashi's faced closed then, he assumed a mask that he had learned well, one that blocked all his emotions from the world, he had become very good after his brother's sacrifice and the old fools of the Hyuga Council of Elders writing him off and then perfected it after his wife's death, he might as well be a stone wall.
Neji fidgeted behind Hiashi, anxious to visit and see his cousin, the last he had seen of her was right before he rushed to the Hyuga compound. The only reason they only arrived hours later is the Council had tied up his uncle and the branch house guard were those intensely loyal to the Council and would not let him pass. Hiashi had been furious with the guards but had spared them no time but to utter dire threats before quickly rushing to the Hospital with Neji. "Uncle," Neji said, in public he tried to maintain his professional exterior he only said uncle in private or when he was agitated or in a hurry.
"Of course," Hiashi looked down at Neji, "Let me have a few moments first please." Hiashi took a step to the door, "I will be back out in a moment, I must go see the Hokage about this, and I would like to talk this Hiroshi."
"Of course," Kurenai offered a feint smile, "Take your time." Kurenai, despite the situation felt a little better, she was happy that Hiashi had finally accepted his daughter years ago after Naruto's victory over Neji, then she cringed at the thought, how much did they owe him that they could never repay and had never acknowledged.
Hiashi stepped through the door quietly, Akamaru whined softly and looked at him and Shino looked up and bowed slightly, "Hyuga-sama."
Hiashi offered a slight bow in return, "Forgive me for intruding." Hiashi glanced at the back of Kiba's head quickly before continuing, "I know you are her team mates but may I have a few moments alone with my daughter?"
"Of cou…" Shino started.
"Hell no," Kiba interrupted Shino speaking for the first time since they had arrived at the hospital. Shino actually had a look of shock; his emotions were showing more then normal due to the events of the last few days.
"Kiba," Shino hissed, "He is her father, we should leave, and you should apologize."
"No," Kiba practically barked, "He always treated her like second class shit, I ain't leaving."
Shino was about to speak up and respond when Hiashi held up a hand stopping him. "It's alright, I know I pushed her hard and she deserved better." Hiashi's eyes bored into the back of Kiba's head, "However that does not mean I do not love or care for my daughter, I will forgive your words this time because I too was on a team and I understand the bonds that form between team mates."
Kiba just grunted in response and Shino spoke up, "Kiba, we need to leave, he deserves this time we will come right back." Shino stared meaningfully at Kiba, "If you don't I will have my bugs drain your chakra and carry you out." Kiba sent a death glare at Shino, but seeing the bugs begin to move on the bug user relented and got up out of his chair throwing a look at Akamaru. Shino turned to Akamaru once Kiba left the room, "Don't think that I haven't learned enough after being on a team with you two for this long, I know he told you to stay but this time is for Hyuga-sama." Akamaru lowered his big head, Shino turned to Hiashi and bowed again, "I will take my leave." Then the bug user turned and walked to the door opening it for Akamaru to walk out and then following him shutting the door behind himself.
Hiashi just looked down at his daughter silently as they left, barely registering their departure. Hiashi sighed and felt his energy leave him, fathers were not supposed to see their children like this it was unnatural. Hiashi deftly moved the chair that Kiba had vacated closer to the hospital bed and sat down in it taking Hinata's hand carefully. He sighed and his mind filled with memories of her. His mind went to one of his proudest moments, though he had not seen it himself. Hiashi smiled as he remembered it, he remembered how proud he was when he heard that Hinata had overcome her timid ness and fright and stood up to Neji, and then, even when mortally wounded and for all intents dying from the wounds that Neji had inflicted in vengeance and anger at the main house had stood again on her own two feet when no one should have. Then Hiashi realized something else, it was not him, or his teachings or training that had allowed her to do that, but the boy who had encouraged her, the one who had just given his life and been brutally murdered for her.
"Hinata, you need to get up," Hiashi said softly, hoping to reach his daughter. "This is just another time like the chunin exam, you are heavily wounded but you can't let your spirit be defeated. Naruto wouldn't want that." Hiashi thought he saw something pass over his daughter's eyes. Many had said that the Byukagan eye was evil. It was often said that the eyes were the windows to the soul, many people though said the white pupil less eyes of the Hyuga blocked that view, and thus was an evil curse. Hiashi though knew a truth, something he had seen countless times the white eyes showed more of the soul more clearly then those of normal eyes. Hiashi knew he was reaching his daughter. "Please Hinata, do you think Naruto gave his life so you could just waste away like this. Do you think so little of Naruto's life, the price he paid for yours that you would waste it like this."
Hiashi knew it was harsh, but he also knew something else, these were the words that his wife had said to him when his brother had died for him. Unfortunately they were the words no one said to him after his wife died to save him. Though there was no proof he knew the cloud was behind it, true the ninja was a Nuke Nin from cloud, but he knew that he was just on mission, a mission of revenge, though they could never publicly say it they knew they had been tricked and given Hizashi's body and not Hiashi's. His wife had pushed him out of the way of the lethal kunai and died shortly after. Hiashi saw in Hinata himself after those deaths, and he would not let it consume her like it had him. He had adopted his cold exterior, getting close to no one again; they were just snatched away from him. It had taken years but he had finally been able to crack that mask, true it was only around his daughter's and nephew, but at least around them he had learned to be himself again. He wanted Hinata to just go back to being herself.
"Please, just come back, make your life worth something to honor his," Hiashi gently brushed Hinata's bangs back and stood up. "We all want you back, please don't give in, don't give up, isn't that your nindo?" Hiashi smiled as he saw Hinata's eyes briefly focus on him and a wave of fresh thick tears came out accompanied by a sob. It lasted for a moment before she was staring at the ceiling again. Hiashi felt his spirit lift as he left the room. Seeing Neji and her teammates waiting outside the room he gave them all a smile, true it was not his mask he presented but after he saw Hinata fighting to overcome he felt glad. "She is strong," Hiashi told them, "She will come back, I think more than any of us she has inherited Naruto's Will of Fire and strength."
Shino gave Hiashi a look and cocked his head his sunglasses back in place. "But Naruto has not yet been burned and joined those who watch over us, his Will of Fire has yet to start."
A solemn mood descended over them and then Neji actually laughed out loud, the others looked at him like he had flipped. Raising his eyes, Neji looked at them all before laughing again. "This is Naruto we're talking about, number one prankster and rule breaker." Everyone still gave him a look, Neji gave them a sigh a broad smile still in place, "Do you honestly think that he would let a little thing like the rules hold him back, he is probably already watching over us, just to spite the rules. I bet he is with the Sandaime right now pulling pranks in the afterlife and driving all of those who went before with his insane stunts."
Everyone looked at him for a moment then slowly began to chuckle, Hiashi actually had a humored smile on his face and Shino eventually went to laughter. Kiba spoke up then, "Knowing the loudmouth he is probably planning to orchestrate some big prank for all of us when we finally join him."
"Guess that means we better live long lives," Shino said joining in, "The first one of use to go please send back reconnaissance for the rest of us." The four of them stood there enjoying the laugh, amazed that even in Konohagakure's own comedy ninja – the maverick show stopper, the one and only Naruto still found ways even in his death to give them humor and a laugh.
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Kurenai and Iruka stood in front of the Hokage's desk. Only Tsunade wasn't sitting there. Both Iruka and Kurenai faced the corner of the room were the Godaime was standing in front of Naruto's body. Iruka looked at her and raised a quizzical eyebrow; Tsunade just sighed and rolled her eyes, "Haven't you ever heard of an Honor Guard?"
Iruka could here the sarcasm dripping from her voice. "Of course."
"Well good," Tsunade said quietly, "At Uchiha Sasuke's request Naruto will have a Honor Guard until his funeral. I have agreed to this and am pulling the first shift, if either of you care to volunteer I do have work to do. I had been planning on getting Kakashi as Naruto's team leader, but if you would like to go first Iruka that is fine."
Iruka offered a smile and moved to take her place. "I would be honored."
Tsunade sighed again and moved to sit at her desk behind the mountains of paperwork, one of these days there would be an avalanche and she would be buried alive until a rescue mission was launched, she suddenly regretted giving up her position to Iruka, now she had no excuse to ignore those damned papers. "You are probably wondering why I called you two here?" Both Iruka and Kurenai shook their heads in the affirmative. "As you both are no doubt aware Naruto recently killed your former team member Uchiha Itachi, there is more to it, but we need to wait for the third party to show up."
Iruka and Kurenai both looked at the other, after about a minute Shizune came in with Sasuke trailing behind her. Sasuke threw a glance at the corner where Naruto lay, though it was obvious by Sasuke's expression that he wanted to be standing where Iruka was, Sasuke's slight nod showed his approval of the Hokage honoring his request. "First it's get the hell out of here and rest, now it's come back quick, what happened to the rest you were screaming to me about?"
Tsunade gave him a scowl and turned her attention to Shizune, "Shizune my Elder sense is tingling, would you go head of the old fools and keep them busy for me?"
Shizune rolled her eyes and bowed, "Of course Hokage-sama." Then turning smartly on her heal Shizune marched back out the door.
"If you were going to drag me back why did you make me give up my guard position?" Sasuke actually whined out.
"I didn't intend to," Tsunade said through clenched teeth, honestly she hated having to drag the dead looking Uchiha back here, he was about to collapse from drug overdose and exhaustion. "Hiroshi though just notified me of another situation, I swear he is as bad at reporting things as Jiraiya and Kakashi."
Sasuke grunted knowing well his old sensei's habit involving reports and punctuality. Moving stiffly Sasuke made his way to one of the chairs and collapsed unceremoniously into it, letting the cushions swallow him as he tried to stay awake, "Let's just get it over with then."
"What situation Hokage-sama?" Kurenai spoke up for the first time since entering the office.
"Uchiha Itachi made a final request of Hiroshi, he asked to have his eyes surgically removed and given to his former team mates," Tsunade pointed at Kurenai and Iruka. "You two."
Iruka and Kurenai had looks of pure shock; they had expected several things when they walked into the Godaime Hokage's office but not this. "H-Hokage?" Iruka stammered out. "A-are you serious?"
"Yes, do you accept, we only have a few more hours, the jutsu to preserve the eyes will only keep for another few hours before we can no longer successfully transplant them." Tsunade said in a deadpan voice. "So I ask now, do you accept?"
Iruka was the first to respond, "That bastard is no team member of mine, he killed Naruto." Iruka visibly shuddered. "How could I take that when every time I would look in the mirror or use it in a fight I would be reminded of that, he was like my son damn it. So hell no, take my eye and burn the damn thing."
Tsunade just moved her view to Kurenai, "I feel the same, I just came from the hospital where Hinata is, he is responsible for that, and if Hinata does recover I would not want her to look at me and remember Itachi bearing down on her and Naruto getting in the way. So destroy mine as well, I don't want anything of that traitor to remain."
Tsunade shook her head, "I'm sorry, but I can't do that and you know that, even if not for what else he said, those eyes are to valuable for research here in Konoha." Tsunade then fixed her gaze on Sasuke, "I didn't ask you here as a representative of the Uchiha Clan and thus owner of the eyes, frankly, though the crimes that will lead to your death or imprisonment will be dropped you are still going to face heavy punishment." Tsunade took a deep breath, "The only reason I am even considering Itachi's requests is I don't want those vultures of the council or that smug bastard Danzou doing to much celebrating at Naruto's death as they already are, and you all know why." Tsunade was now clenching a fist in anger, "I don't want to lose those eyes, they are valuable, I just don't want Danzou and the council having them, so I move on." Tsunade relaxed in the chair. "Itachi said that if neither Kurenai nor Iruka desired the eyes that you Sasuke would be given the choice of who receives them."
Sasuke sank further into his chair, sinking into the cushioned depths, his face a picture of shock, anger and many other emotions all-vying for space and time. Slowly Sasuke shook his head and closed his eyes. "That bastard. He is dead and still wants to play damn mind games with us left behind, he wants to leave a mark to make us remember and taunt us." Sasuke's eyes snapped open and his face finally settled on an emotion, pure unhinged rage. "Destroy the damn things, say they got damaged during transit, hell I'll destroy them myself, I know enough of this bloody village to know they just treat me special for my name, not me. So the village elders wouldn't dare harm their precious last Uchiha, especially if I possess the last set of Sharingan Eyes." Sasuke sneered.
Tsunade actually graced them with a smile, "Well, that settles that. Ah well, unfortunately due to incompatibilities the eyes suffered irrevocable damage in an unfortunate accident."
Everyone started to smile but they were cut off by a voice, "I think you may want to reconsider that Hokage-sama."
Everyone spun around to face the door that was open, Tsunade spoke up voice dripping with venom, "Why is that Hiashi?"
"Listen to what I have to say first," Hiashi turned to face Sasuke, "Alright?"
"Whatever," Sasuke faced forward in his chair again going into one of his sulks.
Hiashi took this as a cue to start, "I do not think Itachi is truly a traitor."
When he said this Sasuke's head snapped around and he immediately burst out. "What the hell do you mean, he slaughtered my whole clan, how can you not call that a traitor?"
Hiashi gave Sasuke a pitying look, "I'm sorry, before he left the village and fled, right after the massacre and his meeting with you," Hiashi nodded his head indicating Sasuke, "He came to me, I did not yet know of the massacre until he told me what had happened, with a twist. He wanted to deliver a warning and ask a favor in return."
"Why didn't you tell the Sandaime Hokage this?" Tsunade demanded, "You with held information, you are walking on thin ground Hiashi, be careful or you will be charged with treason."
Bowing slightly to Tsunade Hiashi picked up again, "Indeed Hokage-sama." Turning to address everyone he quickly resumed his tale. "He told me that his friend, Uchiha Shisui found evidence of a plot to overthrow the Hokage and the council and the Uchiha clan to take control of Konohagakure. I do not know all the details, but due to a failed plan Itachi ended up killing his best friend and gaining the Mangekyou Sharingan to use to prevent this treason and protect Konoha. Itachi said at first he was skeptical, but that he went through all the evidence that Shisui had collected and that he came to the same conclusions."
Iruka scoffed, "You really believed him, did he give you this supposed evidence?"
"No," Hiashi said simply, "Itachi said he left it hidden where only someone with the Sharingan could find it."
"Kuso," Sasuke cursed, "If that's true then no wonder I didn't find it when I researched the room to find the hidden manuscripts on gaining the Mangekyou."
"You mean it could be there now," Tsunade asked.
"Yeah," Sasuke said leaning forward finally engaged in the conversation, "If Itachi was telling the truth it should be there."
"If," Iruka voiced his disbelief, "If, we are talking about the lunatic who mutilated Naruto's body to kill him, I wouldn't trust him if he said the oceans were filled with water."
Sasuke sat back in the chair again, "Yeah, I agree with Iruka-san."
"Still, I think we should check up and see if it is true." Hiashi spoke up quickly, "There was a warning he delivered and if this evidence is real it is a warning we should heed."
"Yeah, we should find out what we can." Tsunade added, "Sasuke, you have a half hour to go to your compound and find this evidence, if it was hidden for Sharingan user's you should find it relatively quickly, just don't expend too much energy, in fact, just in case, Kurenai go with him to make sure he does not collapse, I don't want to risk Naruto's legacy."
Iruka gave the Hokage a strange look at this, "What does that mean?"
"Nothing," Tsunade said quickly, too quickly. "I have a short mission for you as well, go find Hatake Kakashi and bring him here in thirty minutes, don't let him be late, tell him if he is, I will cut off his what allows him to enjoy Jiraiya's damn perverted books." The feral smile that went over Tsunade's face scared Iruka who started to move.
"Hold it," Sasuke said when he saw that, "You promised, if he goes then I stay and will be the Honor Guard, that is more important to me then same damn evidence and bloody eyes."
"Let me finish," Tsunade interjected. When Sasuke spoke up Iruka suddenly remembered what he had been doing and had moved back to his guard position. "I need to speak with Hiashi, so," Tsunade turned to Hiashi. "Would you please take up the honor guard for Naruto?"
"What?" Hiashi had a confused look, "What is going on?"
"At the request of Sasuke, and to which I have agreed, Naruto will always have a Honor Guard until his funeral." Tsunade finished and a look of understanding crossed Hiashi's face.
"Well," Hiashi started, "I never really liked him, but he did save my daughter's life and helped Neji to get over his bitterness giving me back my nephew." Hiashi looked deep in thought, "So I would be honored to perform this duty, it will give me a chance to talk to you after all Hokage-sama." Upon finishing Hiashi moved over to Iruka bowing quickly and going formal, "Iruka-san, I am here to relieve you and take your place."
Iruka went formal and bowed moving to the side, "I am relieved." Iruka moved to the door to find Kakashi, "Take good care of him, please." Then Iruka was gone before Hiashi could respond.
After Sasuke and Kurenai left the room closing the door the Tsunade turned to Hiashi, "Ok, I want to know what this warning it?"
"If I may hold onto that until we verify if the evidence does exist or not." Hiashi sighed, "I do have another matter though, in a way it ties into the warning. I have already assigned officially Neji to mission, as is my right as the head of his clan. I also gave an unofficial mission to Hinata's team members Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba," Hiashi gave a slight smirk, "And Akamaru, of course."
"What mission, I assume it is the same since you brought it too me like this?" Tsunade's curiosity was showing itself in the way she leaned forward. "What would possess you to do that?"
"It is a guard mission for which I will pay for the services."
"Who is the guard for?" Tsunade asked.
"Hinata," Hiashi's fists gripped in suppressed anger. "I fear that the Hyuga Council of Elders will try to make a move and mark her with the caged bird seal using her current state as a proof of her weakness."
"Why now?" Tsunade was puzzled, "Aren't you in charge. We have left internal checks of your clan alone, just as was done the Uchiha's though if what you say is true that may have been a mistake."
"Honestly, I made some big mistakes," Hiashi said sullenly. "I always hopped to get rid of that damn curse seal ever since the bastards put it on Hizashi. However I was still gaining and coming into my power when he died, and he was helping me to cement my power base to oppose the Elders. Hizashi was the head of the branch house and I had his support, but when he died the Council moved quickly to block and force through his successor until Neji or when she was born Hanabi came of age. This would not be for many years and they put a puppet who followed their orders in place." Hiashi sighed sadly, "Do not mistake Neji's and my brother's hatred of the curse seal and the branch system for what is the general feeling of the house. Most of the branch house is just as fanatically loyal to the Council and our Traditions as the main branch."
"What does this have to do…"
"If I may, I am explaining my failure that is leading to the current situation." Hiashi interrupted.
"Very well," Tsunade replied, "Continue."
"With my loss of my brother I lost a lot of my will, with the death of his wife soon after I ignored my responsibilities and the Council snatched up as much power as possible, as it stands now after over a decade of political maneuvering and the Council and myself wield equal power. It used to be that I alone would have the choice of who would be branded with the caged bird curse seal of my two children. However the Council tried to force their collective muscle and force through the decision, especially when it became obvious that Hanabi had more potential the Hinata seemed to. I played a juggling game for years, playing a delicate game of stating that with both unmarked we have a spare as it were, just in case. They bought it, up until Hanabi entered the Academy and Hinata failed her first Chunin exam so horribly to a branch house member. Thankfully she passed the next chunin exam that she went through, this allowed me to balance it again, but unfortunately, Hinata is not a fighter. I believe with her nature she will make an excellent medical Nin, never before has there been a med Nin with the Byukagan and with her knack for salves and her calm nature I believe she would excel. Unfortunately in our clan, being as old, prestigious and stuffed up as we are we only count fighting talent, so she is over looked as being weak."
Tsunade actually let out a whistle, "That is what you get when you inbreed worse then a warren of rabbits."
Hiashi blushed indignantly, "I guess you could say that, we are still a powerful clan and still have provided some of the best to have come. I have pride in the Hyuga and what we have done I just hate the current politics. Anyway, the point is, the mission I ordered is because the Council is now strong enough and feel secure enough with the power they have taken from me that they can get away with openly opposing my decision to wait and brand Hinata while she is at the hospital. And in her current weakened state that could kill her." Hiashi was now shaking in rage. "She is my daughter, I wish she did not have to be dragged into these bloody games of politics and maneuvers she is my daughter, not a Kami-damned pawn in the Council's twisted games."
Tsunade put up a calming palm though she was not happy either. "Are you saying that they would dare to perform this risky unholy branding in my hospital?" Tsunade suddenly realized the implications and her anger soared, "They wouldn't dare to defile my hospital by laying a curse on one of my patients."
Hiashi almost recoiled at the wave of killer intent that Tsunade was letting off. "Yes I believe they would, and the problem lies in the fact that the Konoha Elders would side with them as taking legitimate internal clan business."
"WHAT?" Tsunade's scream caused Hiashi to wince at the volume; it was obvious she was seething angry now. "What orders did you give them?"
"Who?" Hiashi was puzzled, "The Hyuga Elders or Neji and Team Eight?"
"Team Eight and Neji." Tsunade ground out, "I want to know what you were afraid off."
Hiashi thought quickly, "I told them that they could let those who were friends, Neji's team, Team Ten, and Sakura, as long as they proved their identities by answering questions that only they would know the answers too, I also warned them to do the same too myself and each other when relieving one another. I told them not too let any doctors but Sakura in, not even you until I had returned with news of the mission. I would not put it past the council to bribe the doctors and use them to place the seal or gain access to do so."
Tsunade scowled, "Alright, your mission is approved, but that means that she is going to need looking after." Tsunade sat thinking for a moment before starting up again. "We have to wait here for Sasuke to return with this evidence. But I am not sure when the next check is needed on Hinata, kuso." Tsunade pondered, "Wait, you approved Sakura, correct?"
"Yes," Hiashi sounded off, "I choose her specifically, wasn't she your apprentice, I figured she would be useful just incase."
"Long day," Tsunade said quickly and moved the bottle of sake farther under her desk with her foot. "You know how those are." Tsunade gave a slight smile and then uncovered the intercom on her desk moving the piles of papers to the side. Pressing a button on the unit she spoke into it, "Would someone please send for Haruno Sakura and have her report to the Hokage office as soon as possible."
"Right away Hokage-sama," the voice crackled back over the intercom.
Flicking the infernal work-bringing contraption, at least in her honest opinion, Tsunade turned her attention back to Hiashi. "Now lets talk about this supposed warning given by Itachi."
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Kakashi sighed, he had finished his meal, well what used to constitute a feast for him, at Ichikaru's. Now he found himself sitting on a roof, his nose buried in Icha Icha Paradise, Volume 1. He smiled; this dear classic always helped him relax. He sat there for about five minutes before he finished, now which one to read, maybe reread this… Kakashi's thoughts trailed off, he just did not feel like thinking at the moment, that was why he had been reading. So Kakashi just reached into his pouch and grabbed a random one determining to read it. He brought it out and flipped it open before cursing. Kakashi had pulled out Volume 4.
Screw this; Kakashi put the book back, only one place to go now, time to talk to some old friends, that always help. Hopping down of the roof Kakashi started to make his way to the KIA memorial.
As Kakashi was walking there Iruka finally found him, "Hokage-sama has summoned you to the office."
"Whatever, when?" Kakashi murmured back, pulling out a random book and digging his nose into it not reading it but trying to appear to be reading.
Iruka glanced down at his watch before speaking, "About fifteen minutes."
"Hmm, ok I'll be there," Kakashi flipped a page. "See you later Iruka."
"I'm supposed to make sure you get there on time," Iruka said now annoyed at Kakashi's actions. "She said if you're late she would cut off what makes you enjoy those books, and she had a feral smile on at the time."
Kakashi had not been paying attention after the time, his mind had moved to a thousand miles away. When he realized that Iruka had said something he looked up, "Huh, what'd you say?"
Iruka gave Kakashi the same stare he turned on students who didn't pay attention on class. "She told me to make sure you get there on time, you can't be late or she'll remove something special, the thing that allows you too enjoy those damn books."
Kakashi's face paled and his visible eye got wide, he sweat dropped. "Ok, lets go now."
Iruka almost started to laugh at that. "We still have a good fifteen minutes."
"Hmm, so what is it about, do you know?" Kakashi decided to just put his book up, glancing at which one he had pulled out to annoy Iruka, Kuso, it would have to be that one.
"Yeah," Iruka's voice got hard, "That bastard of a former team mate of mine, Itachi, wanted to give me and Kurenai's eyes."
"What?" Kakashi actually burst out, "Are you serious?"
"Yeah," Iruka sighed, "Anyway, we said no so know it is Sasuke's…" Iruka trailed off at the look of fury that passed over Kakashi's face. "What's with that look?"
"Nothing," Kakashi breathed calming his face.
"Really," Iruka said, "I could have sworn you had that look when I mentioned Sasuke's name."
The look came back, "Damn that murderer."
Now Iruka was confused. "Murderer, if he murdered someone the Hokage would put him to death."
"Guess he speaks pretty then," Kakashi sneered. It was silent for a few moments while Iruka tried to play it out in his mind.
"I'm lost here Kakashi. Who did Sasuke murder?" Iruka's confused voice finally broke the silence.
"He had the Mangekyou Sharingan now." Kakashi said as if that answered everything.
"What does that mean?" Iruka was getting more confused.
"There is a requirement to achieve the Mangekyou Sharingan." Kakashi said quietly, "You must kill your best and closest friend."
Iruka paled, his face then slowly contorted into an expression of anger born of the depths of Hell. "You're telling me that Sasuke killed Naruto?"
"Yep, exactly that." Kakashi followed Iruka as he rushed back to the Hokage tower.
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Hiashi and Tsunade both looked up when Iruka and Kakashi slammed back through the doors, Tsunade glanced at the clock, "Damn, your almost ten minutes early, that's a first."
Iruka was the one to respond though. "Why didn't you tell me?" Iruka actually slammed a hand on Tsunade's desk and pushed papers off, "Why is the little shit still alive?"
Tsunade was confused and torn between happiness at watching the cursed paper work get so harshly treated or the fact that Iruka had dared to do it. "What the hell are you talking about?" Tsunade's angry voice didn't even faze Iruka in the least.
"I'm talking about…"
"I found it and more, it's all true." Sasuke slammed open the door. He didn't have time to react before Iruka's kick sent him flying back out the door and across the hall into the wall. "What the hell?" Sasuke managed to get out before a fist slammed him back against the wall.
Tsunade was up fast right over the desk and rushing to Iruka as he drew a kunai and started to speak, "You killed him, you little piece of shit, you killed Naruto."
"Iruka stop." Tsunade shouted in his ears as she pinned his arms holding him back.
"No," Iruka was slowly overpowering even her freakish strength in his rage. "Let me go, I'm gonna kill the little bastard."
"Stop," Tsunade spoke again, Kakashi just stood there watching but Kurenai joined in.
Before either could do anything Sasuke's eyes became Mangekyou and he looked into Iruka's eyes before Iruka sagged a little and Sasuke just collapsed. "Damn it," Tsunade released the still standing but stopped Iruka and rushed to Sasuke. Rolling him over to chekcing him out she found he was still conscious, barely. "You are almost out of chakra, we need to get you to the hospital."
"Wait," Sasuke got out, "Get me to the chair, we need to finish talking first."
Tsunade sighed, "I'm the doctor I think I know best. We need to get you to the hospital."
"No," Sasuke's voice was weak. "Just for ten more minutes. I have the evidence."
"Alright," Tsunade picked him up quickly and brought him to sit in the chair, after sitting him down went behind her desk.
Iruka moved in front of the chair and stared into Sasuke's face, "Swear to me that was real, tell me you didn't make it up."
"It's true," Sasuke's voice croaked out.
"Then thank you," Iruka bowed his head, "I may never forgive you but thanks."
"He told me when we fought at the Valley of the End that he wondered if the time he spent with you was what it was like to have a father, and the time he spent with me was like with a brother." Sasuke sighed deeply, "I decided to show his father the way he died."
"Thank you," Iruka said.
"Wait," Kakashi said, "That wasn't an attack you pulled on him."
Sasuke sighed again, "Like I told Tsunade-sama, the Mangekyou can be used for more then just attack. I showed Iruka the final few moments of what happened." Sasuke managed to turn his head to face Kakashi. "If you had stayed you would have found out I have these eyes for much the same way that you have your Sharingan eye."
"I never told you that, just Naruto and Sakura," Kakashi added quickly.
"He told me before he died." Sasuke turned to face Tsunade. "I found the evidence, and I can say it's all true to the best of my ability."
Tsunade glanced at the giant stack of papers that Kurenai had gathered up again after dropping them to help with Iruka. "How could you go through all that in a the little time you had?"
"I didn't," Sasuke smirked, "All we went through is the medical part. When I swept the room with my Mangekyou Sharingan, figured it would be better to use that just in case I triggered a trap left by Itachi. The trap dragged me into Tsukuyomi, while in the outside world it lasted for only a minute Itachi and I had a conversation as it were that lasted several hours. He told me where the hard copy information was, as well as his suspicions. While he never got any proof he overheard enough to believe that the Hyuga Elders were planning to join in on the coup."
Tsunade and Hiashi just took this in stride but Iruka was shocked, "Are you serious?"
"Quite." Sasuke nodded his head quickly. "Afterwards I grabbed the hard evidence and went through a few random papers and verified what my brother told me."
"Alright," Tsunade gave Hiashi a look. "We will discuss this after I have a chance to go through the evidence. For now I will ask again, who do you want to receive the eyes?"
"Haruno Sakura," Sasuke answered without taking time to think.
"And who else?" Tsunade continued.
"She gets both of them." Sasuke answered.
"Wait," Kakashi added in, "She can't turn them off do you think I just wear my headband like this to make a fashion statement?"
"Actually, the medical information we went through gives a procedure where she will be able to fully control the Sharingan." Sasuke stated, "That was the other part of what we went through, though Kurenai-san and myself didn't understand all the technical stuff it is possible."
"How?" Tsunade asked.
"It involves blood transfusions by a pure blooded member of the Uchiha clan," Sasuke paused, "Which I have the misfortune of being. Bunch of traitors."
"You're one as well Sasuke," Tsunade responded, "Don't forget that."
"I know," Sasuke sulked, "And that is something that will always hurt."
"Would this procedure work on Kakashi?" Tsunade asked quickly.
"From what we read it might," Kurenai spoke up, "However they were experimenting, in the records it stated they believed they need a higher level of medical knowledge to be able to complete the research."
"They could have tried," Sasuke added. "But they did not want too, the Uchiha saw Obito as a failure and did not want to risk allowing Kakashi to master the Sharingan eye, they believed he was to loyal to Konoha and would not be swayed."
"That might explain the resentment I always got from the Uchiha's." Kakashi leaned against a wall to ponder this.
Kurenai moved forward and dropped the stack of evidence and papers on Tsunade's desk before snatching the top few folders. "Here is the medical information," Kurenai handed the files she had grabbed to Tsunade while speaking.
Tsunade opened them and started to browse them silently when her intercom buzzed and a crackling voice said, "Hokage-sama Haruno Sakura is here."
Irritated Tsunade mashed down the intercom button, "Send her up."
"Yes Hokage-sama," the voice crackled again.
A few moments later Sakura walked in the office. Tsunade was the first to speak as she motioned to the vacant chair the Sasuke wasn't collapsed in, "Sakura we have a few things to go over."
"Alright," Sakura stated sitting down in the chair.
"I had a mission for you but that will have to wait." Tsunade said putting the files down on her desk, "However at the moment something else has come up. Itachi left behind his eyes giving Sasuke the choice of where they go, Sasuke wants you to have them both."
"Excuse me?" Sakura said glaring over at Sasuke.
"Do you accept the Sharingan eyes that were removed from Itachi?" Tsunade asked again.
"No," Sakura jumped up angry, Inner Sakura was screaming insults. "That bastard is the reason my team was destroyed, he caused Sasuke-san to run off, and from speaking with everyone, he killed Naruto."
"Yes," Sasuke said, "That's true, but some things have come to light, as well, look at it like this, Naruto gave his life and we have those eyes now, he paid for them with blood. Don't think of them as reminders of his death but as a kind of memorial to his sacrifice."
"You've given this thought," Sakura sneered at Sasuke.
"I had too." Sasuke stated darkly glaring at the floor.
"What's that mean?" Sakura shouted.
"Later." Tsunade yelled. Then turning to Sakura Tsunade started talking, "I will give you a moment to consider what Sasuke just said, and it is a perfectly valid point. Then I will ask again."
Sakura just glared at Tsunade though it was obvious that she was at least thinking about it. Inside Sakura and Inner Sakura were having fights and thinking at the speed of light. Sakura looked out the window and continued to think hard.
"Well, what is your answer?" Tsunade suddenly spoke.
Sakura glanced around the room quietly not believing how fast time seemed to have moved. "Even if, and I stress the word if, I accept how could I have both and not end up like Kakashi-sensei having them permanently on?"
"A procedure we located will allow us to avoid that." Tsunade said, "You would have full control of the Sharingan, including activation."
"Can't you give me a couple of days to decide?" Sakura said desperately.
"Sorry, we have only a few hours, and honestly the sooner we start the better." Tsunade smiled sadly, "I would love to give you a few days, but I can't, sorry."
Sakura sank back down into the chair and put her head in her hands. Everyone waited watching her, she sat there for almost ten minutes before asking a question. "Do you really think that this would be like a memorial to Naruto's sacrifice?"
Tsunade spoke first, "For myself, yes, I think this would be something he left behind."
Sasuke just nodded his head.
"I guess I agree with that." Iruka spoke sadly, "And on that after everything I have heard, you deserve it, I wish I had thought of that but even so, I give up my claim and you deserve it, Naruto was your team mate."
"I agree," Kurenai said softly.
"Well since everyone is answering I will too, I agree," Hiashi spoke up.
Everyone including Sakura looked at Kakashi. "What about you sensei?" Sakura asked quietly.
"I…" Kakashi trailed off and pondered his words. "I have already answered that question." Kakashi gestured to his eye. "But while everyone is encouraging you let me offer this, if you do accept remember that every time you use it, every time you look in the mirror you will always be reminded of Naruto, it is not an easy thing to bear." Kakashi turned to Sasuke, "If what you said is true, you have already accepted that burden, I hope you can live with it. It will always haunt you."
Sakura turned to Sasuke, "What does he mean by that? Have you already done something similar?"
"Yes," Sasuke was boring holes in the floor with his gaze. "I won't tell you right now what it was, but I do have something like that, and Kakashi's right, it is not easy."
Sakura drew in a breath and finally spoke up. "I guess I will say yes. I will take the eyes."
"Alright," Tsunade stood up then turned to Kakashi, "I will let you know as well, at Sasuke's request there will always be an Honor Guard with Naruto until the funeral."
Kakashi threw a glance at Sasuke and then back at the corner that Naruto was in and Hiashi was guarding. "Alright?"
"It will be composed of volunteers," Tsunade looked at Hiashi, "I need to take Hiashi with me too the hospital to quickly address a situation there before performing the surgery. So would you stand guard?"
"I will, Hokage-sama," Iruka said before Kakashi was able to answer. "I was doing it before."
"True," Tsunade responded, "But you need to get back to the academy. I would ask Kurenai as well, but she needs to come with me to the hospital for the same reason as Hiashi. You are all welcome to volunteer, but for now, Kakashi is the only one free."
"Alright Hokage-sama." Iruka gave in bowing quickly before leaving the room to head back to the academy.
"Ok everyone, lets go to the hospital," Tsunade spoke up going over and giving Sasuke a hand up. Sasuke managed to stand for a few seconds before collapsing again. "Kuso." Tsunade cursed reaching down to pick him up. "Lets get you some rest, Kami only knows the damage your overdose of soldier pills caused."
Letting Sasuke lean on her Tsunade left and soon the others followed. Kakashi just watched them go silently standing his post, and then he was alone with Naruto. He just stood there facing forward before finally speaking up, "I bet your happy, still causing trouble even when your dead." Kakashi shook his head and a smile was apparent under his mask, "Rest well Naruto." Kakashi straitened and faced forward, standing and guarding his student.
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It was somber, though not raining, not even cloudy, it was still somber. Many shinobi stood there, only a few civilians just a few. It was a bright sunny day out, beautiful and peaceful. Something was missing, and everybody knew it, it was a peaceful day and no one interrupted it, no shouts of "GOT YOU," or proclamations of becoming the future Hokage, no screams of "Get back here brat." It wasn't something that was missing, it was someone who was, the people gathered here were here to remember and honor that one, Uzumaki Naruto.
It was a small number; tragically, many people were celebrating this day, this entire week since the news of the death. These few though, these few who knew Naruto came here. They all stood behind three, short and stout, wooden poles stuck in the ground, in front of the poles, in between them and a stone memorial with names carved in it and a flag lay the body of Naruto on top of a pyre ready to be burned so he would join the Fire.
A few faces were missing, Hyuga Hinata was not there, she was still in the hospital as was Shino who volunteered to stand guard over her while Neji and Kiba paid respects to Naruto as they had both known him better.
Many other shinobi were there. Not many of all those in the village but too many to truly name, and not just any group, the elite and strong were there, Morino Ibiki who had been impressed with Naruto's ability to inspire courage and risk everything, Genma, the proctor of the matches for the final exam and had heard Naruto's words to Neji. Several others stood nearby all standing silently to pay respects.
After several minutes one-stepped forward, Hatake Kakashi, he was to start the fire as Naruto's commanding officer. He stepped forward to the stone memorial first to add Naruto's name there when he paused. Kakashi shaped the chakra into a blade at his fingertip and was starting to bend down when he stopped and looked back up. Suddenly a tear ran down his face before he stood again. "I just remembered something. Ironic it is, and prophetic it has become." Everyone was looking at him, normally nothing was said, Kakashi just continued, breaking the rules of tradition. "I remember when I performed my test to see if I could teach them. I had tied Naruto to that pole," Kakashi pointed to the one in the middle. "I started to explain the true point of the exercise and then I remember pointing out this memorial and saying that the names on it were those of Heroes of our village, before I could continue Naruto suddenly burst out shouting that he made up his mind that this was where he wanted his name to be, he wasn't going to throw his life away and he was going to be a hero and have his name carved on this memorial." Kakashi stopped suddenly, bowing his head and standing there letting what he said sink in. "I know that normally done, but I want to give everyone a chance to just say something, some memory they have of Naruto something he did before I finish up."
Everyone looked back and forth before finally someone steeped forward, clumsily due to the bandage still wrapped around her head over her eyes. Haruno Sakura still had a few more days before her eyes recovered from the special surgery done. She told several stories she remembered, several things that always had made her laugh. When Sakura had finished, another stepped forward, then another until everyone had gone.
Kakashi stepped forward again after over an hour of people telling their memories of the blonde. Forming the chakra in his hand again Kakashi kneeled down and prepared to carve the name in, "Well here you go Naruto, looks like you kept your word and got your wish, you name gets to be added." Kakashi started to reach forward.
"Not quite." The voice stopped Kakashi as he looked up to see Danzou and the two Konohagakure Elders flanked by forty Anbu and another fifty or more shinobi of other ranks, the rest had spread out around those gathered.
Tsunade burst forward, "What is the meaning of this?"
"Simple," The female Elder said, "We've come to tell you that the demon child's name will not be engraved here nor his body burned, it is to be experimented on."
"WHAT?" Tsunade said full blast into the Elder's face.
"Yes," Danzou said smugly, "We want to make sure that the demon does not rise again, as well it will be a fascinating study on the effects that sealing a demon has on a body."
"YOU BASTARDS." Tsunade was beyond angry and Jiraiya out of the hospital but still severely injured moved beside her. "How dare you, I am still Hokage."
"Oh yes," the male Elder spoke up, "We have also come to collect on the deal you made with us. Naruto is dead against the Akatsuki, you said you would resign from your position of Hokage if that ever happened, don't you recall?" The tone of satisfied smugness was thick in the man's voice.
Tsunade stepped forward when Danzou spoke again, "Before you do something stupid that will fail keep in mind you are surrounded by over two hundred battle ready shinobi ranked from chunin up."
"I won't give up the title," Tsunade spat, "And I won't let you dishonor Naruto like this, he is a hero of Konoha who protected the village since birth. How can you do this?"
"He is a monster, nothing more than a tool of Konohagakure, and will be treated as such, move aside or we will attack." Danzou spoke, the smugness even thicker. "Please do so, nothing would make me happier."
"You fucking bastards," Tsunade held her ground, "You'll pay for this, it may not be me but one day you will pay for this."
"We will see." Danzou replied, and then it started.
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Miles and miles from Konoha she woke up from a world of darkness to a face full of dirt, and then she started to laugh, soon she would have revenge.
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A/N
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I am sorry, very, very, very sorry. I had this chapter finished two weeks ago and did not get it out. Why, well let us all while they attend the funeral for Naruto remember my dearly departed computer, please bow your heads in reverence.
My hard drive died, taking with it ever chapter of Naruto I had as well as several stories I was working on, the worst part is it crashed right before I got this chapter out. Though I lost it and a good bit of writing I have tried to recreate it, though not the same I am actually more proud of this version, I tightened it up but I also lost a few parts, which were good, and I have been unable to recreate.
I apologize again and too make up for it I hope to have the next few chapters out soon, I had planned on a two per week schedule and as such will release as fast as I can to catch up to the now five chapter I need, four that I missed and the one for this Saturday, so expect the next few chapters soon, I hope. I hate bloody computer, they are evil, I lost a lot, over 70 gigs of information, and I am hated.
As always reviews and criticisms are welcome, have a nice few hours while I sleep and write the next chapter for you all, oh and this is the end of this first section of Naruto's death and funeral.
Sleeper Final (had to do that once)
