The golden light of sunrise illuminates the sky behind the mountains of the Fire Country as if they were ablaze, marking the beginning of a new day. As the sun rose higher into the sky, the rain clouds from yesterday slowly disappeared from sight. Then a powerful gust of wind flows down from the mountains into the nearby forests, eventually being tamed by the trees until it became a gentle cool breeze as it arrived into the Village of Konoha.
Tenderly, the breeze flowed into the open window of a young blond shinobi, tickling his nose. Slowly blue eyes appear behind the sleepy eyelids. Next, the nose twitched, sniffing the cool air from the mountains. This gave Naruto Uzumaki the energy to sit up and stretch his arms with a powerful yawn, "Ah, such a nice day," he comments.
Outside his window, birds were happily chirping in the trees as if they were glad to the rain had moved on. Below, the village too was beginning to awake as some of the shop keepers began to open their businesses in preparation for customers. Black flashes on top of the neighboring buildings caught his attention as village shinobi flew by on their way on their daily patrol.
This was a queue for Naruto to get out of bed, but what he saw next really surprised him. Beside his bed was Sakura, who had fallen asleep in a chair. He couldn't help but to give a gentle smile. She had went out her way to stay at his side during this time of despair, and stayed overnight in repairing the hole in his orange and black jacket. "Thank you, Sakura," he tenderly said to her.
Quietly Naruto got out of bed and walked over to the still slumbering Kunoichi. He moved the sewing kit and his Shinobi jacket on top of his dresser, then carefully picked up his teammate and gently placed her in his bed. Naruto knew the day had just begun, and proceeded in covering Sakura up. Softly he once again walked over to his dresser and pulled out his civilian clothes, and then proceeded to his bathroom to change. If he changed right there in front of Sakura and she happened to awake, he knew he would be in a world of pain.
The streets of Konoha were slowly becoming alive as patrons began their chores by buying supplies for their families. Some shinobi teams were in restaurants getting a hearty breakfast before setting off. And up above, a couple of women were placing sheets on their clotheslines to air them out.
Everything appeared to be normal but Naruto knew that later this afternoon they will bury Kakashi's body. He knew that will be the hardest thing he had to ever do. Burying the Sandaime, Chiyo, Asuma, and his other comrades were hard enough, but Kakashi was one of the few people he viewed as his family.
While thinking, Naruto managed to find himself in front of favorite spot, the Ichiraku Ramen stand. Right now he just didn't feel like eating. Teuchi was hard at work as usual and saw Naruto walk by. It was only a few moments ago that he learned about Kakashi and Ayame became so distraught that she was too upset to work. The experienced chef knew that Kakashi's death was taking its toll on the young shinobi as well. "Hey, Naruto," he shouted, "come on in. I'll treat you to a free bowl!"
Part of Naruto was happy in getting free ramen, but then again he just didn't have an appetite. But somehow with Teuchi's encouragement he found his way to one of the stools and sat down. With his ever reassuring smile, he set down a giant bowl of Mizu Ramen in front of the young shinobi. "Enjoy, I made it special for you!"
Naruto smiled and somehow noticed his love for Ramen let him forget Kakashi's death long enough to enjoy the meal.
Teuchi smiled broadly, "A good bowl of Ramen always helps get a smile going". The bowl of Ramen bobbed up and down as the young shinobi nodded his head. And then the bowl was empty.
"Thanks for the meal," says Naruto.
Teuchi responded, "Anytime!"
Naruto happily left the Ichiraku and once again was walking down the Main Street of Konoha. More people were out now and walking about in a hustle. Up above he saw the Hokage monument and figured he should go pay his respects to them. He began running through the Hokage mansion gates and began running up the mansion's stairs until he was at the top. Somehow the stone monument faces of the Hokages always looked largest from this position.
He couldn't help himself but to remember the Sandaime's funeral three years ago and what Iruka said to him, "When one person dies, he disappears. Along with his past, present, and their future. Many people die in missions and wars. They die easily and in surprising simple ways. Hayate was one of them. Those with die have goals and dreams. But everyone has something as important as those: Parents, siblings, friends, lovers. People who are important to you. They trust and help each other. The bond between the people important to you ever since birth. And the string that binds them becomes thicker and thicker as time goes by. It's beyond reason. Those bound to you by that string will do that, because it's important."
Naruto grunts, "Yes, I think I understand, somewhat." He stares at the Sandaime's picture ahead of him, "But it's painful when someone dies."
Kakashi added, "The Sandaime didn't die for nothing. He left something important in all of us. You'll find out eventually."
Naruto agreed, "Yeah, I think I understand that, too, somewhat."
As Naruto finished remembering, a very familiar voice came from behind him, "Remembering the Sandaime, aren't you?"
"Yeah," solemnly responds Naruto as he turns to look at Iruka.
"He was proud of you, you know," replies Iruka.
Naruto was a bit surprised, "He was?"
"Oh, yeah," smirked Iruka as he got Naruto's attention. "Ever since you got your headband. He was so proud of you and put his faith in the future of this village in your hands. You inherited his Will of Fire."
"The Will of Fire?" Naruto asked.