Farewell
The sky was overcast above Konoha three days later. The citizens, the shinobis and kunoichis were gathering on the main square for Naruto's memorial, all dressed black. They arrived in small groups, most of them carrying a single flower. Those who placed the flowers to the bier silently lined up somewhere on the square. The citizens formed a circle on the brink of the square, on the middle the ninjas were standing in lines. The two kages were standing beside the bier.
The crowd gave way for a smaller goup: escorted by two Anbu Sasuke came. The Hokage gave him permission to take part of the memorial. His investigation was nearly over, only the verdict was aback.
Naruto's friends and teachers like Shikamaru, Neji, Sakura, Kakashi were also approaching, but they let Sasuke go first.
The dark haired boy slowly approached the catafalque. His guards stayed behind for the sign of the Hokage. Some began to whisper 'cause they didn't see any offering in his hands.
Sasuke stopped before Naruto's picture. For a few moments he stood still, then according to the customs he bowed. Then he stepped forward. When he opened his fist a quiet tinkle sounded. He hung a small bell to the frame. He bowed again then turned to give way for the next person, but stopped: Sakura was standing there. The girl smiled at him with tears in her eyes. Another tinkle sounded: Sakura holded out her hand. On her palm there was the other bell, they got from Kakashi sensei a few years ago.
With a little nod, Sasuke stepped out of the way. Sakura stepped forward, and hang her bell beside Sasuke's.
Kakashi brought a shuriken. Few know, but it was the same wich Naruto broke Zabuza's concentration with, and so set him free.
Hinata brought a red rose instead of the usual white one.
When it seemed everyone arrived who were intend to – and many were – Tsunade stepped forward. It was her duty to say a few words.
- My friends, my fellow ninjas. We are here on a sad occasion: we have to bid farewell to a fellow citizen, our friend, our comrade. In his short life Uzumaki Naruto achieved a lot. He was an outcast in Konoha but in a short time he proved himself to be a valuable and trustworthy citizen. He was with us for only a painfully short time, but tought us a lot about endurance, the importance of believing in each other and in ourselves. Throughout these years we get to know him more or less. I could speak of him a lot, but I won't. He never loved long speaches. I just want to mention two things. First: the will of fire burned in him with an extreme intensity. The desire to protect the village and its citizens was one of the most important driving force in his life. Second: he had a wonderful gift. He was able to tempt people change. He didn't change them himself, noone can do that. He only made them look into themselves, awoke their desire for changing themselves, showed them a way how to change themselves, and along with it: their life, their destiny. I think, if he lived on, he would definitly have fulfilled his dream to become a Hokage, and a fine Hokage he would've been. -
The people listened in silence, and many recall memories of Naruto.
Sakura thought about the many occasions the boy protected her. How she decided that she has to become stronger in order to not be a burden for him.
Hinata has similar thoughts. She recalled how many times she drew strength from the fact, that Naruto was watching her. In the begining she only felt stronger in his presence, but later the mere thought, that Naruto will hear about her, and some day he might acknowledge her was enough.
Neji recalled the chuunin exam. 'When I'll become Hokage, I'll change Hyuuga clan for you…!' There and then he had no doubt that Naruto will keep his world. In fact, the changing has started then, and it still goes on. Only small things, but the closing of the gap between the main and the side branch was already recognisable. The clan Hyuuga will surely change. Neji only regretted, that Naruto won't be here to witness it.
Gaara was thinking of their fight, and the conversation they had after it. For everything he has now he owed Naruto. If it weren't him Gaara wouldn't be. He would die at last when the Akatsuki kidnapped him. Perhaps he wouldn't even lasted till then. The people of Sunagakure might have destroyed him, if he wouldn't changed. It was because of Naruto that he could ask his siblings forgivness, that he gained the respect of his town. It was because of Naruto, that he could become Kazekage.
Sasuke stared before himself with a stern face. He didn't look at Naruto's picture or the Kages, just stared in the air while thousands of memories flashed through his mind. The genin exam with the bells, the fight with Zabuza, Haku, Orochimaru, Gaara, their fights with each other… Naruto's countless shots to persuade him into returning to Konoha. The last shot, when he finally convinced him, and the last fight, wich Naruto lost… So many memories what could be even nice, and maybe they will beome nice as the years go by. But right now they hurt like hell. They hurt even more than the memories of the night his clan was destroyed. He didn't realized but tears began to fall from his eyes…
The Hokage signalled to Iruka. They agreed earlier, that he will carry the remains to the burial site as the first who acknowledged Naruto.
Iruka lifted the small box what hold only Naruto's headband, nothing else. He went towards the burial site, followed by Konohamaru carriing the special offerings: the two bells, the shuriken, the red rose from Hinata. Behind him Kotetsu and Izumo carried the swarm of the white flowers.
The others waited. Without words an order was forming, but they waited for something. Kakashi shot a questioning look at Tsunade, who nodded, and signalled the two Anbu guarding Sasuke to leave. They disappeared with a small pop.
For the sound Sasuke looked up. Sakura and Kakashi stepped beside him. He looked to Tsunade who nodded with a small sad smile, and signalled him to join the march.
Sasuke started with Sakura beside him. Kakashi was between the two of them but a step behind, he placed his hand on their shoulder for a moment.
After them came Tsunade, Jiraya and Gaara, Hinata with Neji, then Temari, Shikamaru and all the others.
Till the death of the Third not a single ninja's last trip was accompanied such a populous march.