For the FF's in chapter 8, I have one vote for each.

I do NOT own Naruto.

The day of the funeral had finally arrived. We had the funeral at a local church near the school. Hinata and I both walked there. I wore a black suit that Sasuke loaned me(he threatened to kill me if I didn't wash it before I returned it), and Hinata wore a black shirt with a black skirt.

We walked in silence. I couldn't bear to talk and she knew it. The night before, Hinata helped me write the eulogy. It took me all night, because I couldn't hold the tears back every time I would reflect on a memory of my departed family. After six of hours of tears and consolation from Hinata, I was able to finish it. I just hoped it was enough to accurately portray the life of this great man. Perverted and all.

I had never been to the church before, so when I walked up, I was amazed at the sheer size of it. It was a big brick building with a white steeple at the top. The front entrance was very inviting, and I could see many people walking inside, all wearing the same color. I even saw a few familiar faces. Hinata squeezed my hand to see if I was okay. I looked at her and smiled. She returned my smile, and we went inside.

Hinata and I sat near the front. Since I was the only family he had left, it was just the two of us. Eventually, all of my friends came, including many of my teachers, and sat around us. I could feel hands patting me on the shoulder and I got many looks of pity, but I was too numb to notice. I didn't know if I was numb because of me having to get up and speak or because of Ero-Sennin's death. It was probably a combination of the two.

The funeral started with many people singing songs that told of a time when we would see our family again. Some were songs that Ero-Sennin liked. After that was done, the director asked the family to stand. I stood, the only one in the room. It was awkward. I then realized that Hinata had stood up next to me, holding my hand. Everyone noticed this, and one by one, all of my friends stood up. I cried. I got the message. Hinata whispered in my ear, "I told you, you aren't alone."

We were allowed to walk by Ero-Sennin's casket and got one final view of him before he was buried. I was the first to see him. More tears began to flow as I looked at my uncle's dead body. Hinata walked beside me and hugged me. Her presence calmed me. The director, after seeing that I was done, asked me to walk behind the podium. Hinata looked at me and nodded. I let go of her hand, which was against by better judgment. I wanted her to be up there as I was giving the eulogy. I walked to the podium, pulled out my note cards, and patiently waited for the viewing to end.

After last night, I truly hoped that Naruto would be able to do this. When I let go of his hand, I could feel the hurt that came off of him. He had to do this on his own, though. I was ready to give support when he needed it, but he had to do this on his own.

I watched as Naruto stood there, hands crossed in the front, looking down. I could only guess how hard this had to be for him. I wasn't allowed at my sister's funeral, so I didn't even get to see her one last time. Watching Naruto, I was glad that he was able to get what I didn't. Jiraiya, his last link to his old life, was gone, and he needed us more than ever. Not to sound selfish, but I needed him too. After seeing him last night, I was shook up. I couldn't bear seeing the man, who was always smiling and laughing, break down and cry bitterly. All I could do was hold him, even though I wanted to cry along with him. I couldn't, though, I needed to stay strong.

Finally, the procession was seated, and the director walked behind the podium and spoke.

"Before we go outside for burial, it was put in Jiraiya's will that his nephew give the eulogy. Jiraiya wrote in his will, and I quote, "We may not be blood related, but he is the closest thing I have to a son." Naruto looked up at that, and I could tell that he was fighting tears. The director looked at Naruto, smiled, and walked of the stage. It was Naruto's turn. I gave him a quick smile of encouragement, and he started:

"Many people know me. Heck, I'm pretty well known no matter where I go," This earned him a couple of laughs, "I grew up without a family. I had no mother, father, siblings, not even friends to play with. I was alone. On top of that, I was called a monster. People looked at me with disdain and hate. I was even beaten up frequently. Jiraiya, on the other hand, was the only person to acknowledge my existence. He looked past my past, my fear, and my hatred for those who hated me, and he loved me. He taught me many things, he homeschooled me until I was old enough to go to high school, and he even taught me how to take up for myself. Because of him, I was able to find more people that looked at me as human. This started with aunt Tsunade. She looked at me as human. Still, it was nothing compared to the love Jiraiya showed me.

Six months ago, Jiraiya enrolled me in Konoha High School, and put me in an apartment to live by myself because his work entitled him to it. On my first day there, I made my first friend, whom I consider my closest. Thanks to her, I'm actually able to stand up here without bursting into tears. Though Jiraiya had left back then, and I had felt abandoned at first, I gradually began to make many friends. All of this is thanks to that man. A man that will miss dearly, every day of my life.

I end with a word of wisdom. Jiraiya gave me this advice when I came to him with girl troubles. Cause, you know, all guys have girl troubles. I was distressing over this girl that I had fallen for, hard. I still wasn't used to trusting people, so it was hard for me even fathom that happening. I asked Jiraiya's advice on this, and he simply told me:

"Once you find that love Naruto... don't let it go. Nothing in this world will complete you. Money, Food, Smarts... only love will."

I stand before you today, as a living testament. Jiraiya lived by those words. It was HIS love for me that threw me away from that vehicle, saving my life. It was my friend's love that got me through this difficult time of my life, and it is my love for my friends that will keep me going. I will continue Jiraiya's legacy."

With that, he stepped off of the platform, and sat down next to me.

Naruto spoke with such conviction, that everyone in the room was in tears by the time it was over. The director was even shedding a few tears. A few minutes later, the family was invited outside to watch as he was buried. I tightly held Naruto. I knew this had to be hard for him.

After the funeral, Hinata and I were heading home when Lee came up to us.

"Naruto, before you go," we looked up at him, "everyone is going out for dinner tomorrow. Although, if you need time to grieve..." I put my hand up to stop him.

"Lee, I would gladly come. Are we meeting at the usual place?"

A grin spread across Lee's face, and bowed. "Thank you Naruto, and yes we will meet at the usual place, " he looked at Hinata, "And I assume you will be going to?"

Hinata nodded at him. Lee bowed to us both and left.

By the time were got home, it was nearly midnight. Hinata followed me inside.

I looked at Hinata and said "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being my friend when I needed one the most."

She looked at me and smiled. "Oh, wait right here!"

She ran to her apartment.

I opened my door, looking for the bag, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

I'm not normally this unorganized!

After a few minutes of searching, I found it.

I sat down on my couch, wondering why she left. I glanced to the table, and imagined the night I told Jiraiya about this kiss in the alley.

I wonder if he ever knew it was her...

A few minutes later, Hinata ran in with a small bag.

"I have something to tell you, Naruto."

"What is it Hinata?"

"The day Jiraiya died, he came to see me."

"He what?" He asked, very surprised.

"Hai. You had left that morning to go with the guys when I got a knock on my door. I thought maybe it was you, but when I opened it up, it was Jiraiya..."

(FLASHBACK)

"Anoo, can I help you?" I asked as I saw my friends uncle in front of me.

"I know this is going to sound odd, but can I ask you a question? It will be very personal, but I need to know."

I simply nodded, not too sure of what he would ask.

"If given the chance, would you lay your life down for Naruto?"

That shocked me, but my answer shocked me more.

"Of course I would."

He smiled and looked at me.

"You know, you get the same look of love in your eyes when you talk about Naruto, that Naruto gets when he talks about you."

I didn't know what to say to that. I just blushed.

He handed me a bag. The bag was solid red with tissue paper in it. There was a tag on the front that said "TO: NARUTO, FROM: ERO-SENNIN

"I know I can trust you. Can I ask a favor of you?"

Before I could answer he went on, "Please don't tell Naruto we talked. Also, don't give that bag to Naruto right now."

"Why don't you?"

He looked down with a sad expression on his face. "You'll know very soon why. And when that happens, give him that bag. It will answer all of his questions. Can I trust you?"

"H-Hai!"

With that, he ran off.

(END OF FLASHBACK)

"Did he know he was going to die?!" Naruto asked, jumping up.

"I don't know, Naruto. Jiraiya told me that the answer to your questions are in this bag."

I stared at the nametag. It was Ero-Sennin's handwriting, all right.

"May I?"

Hinata handed me the bag, and we both sat on the couch. I hesitated. What was I going to find in this bag?

Watch it be a signed copy of his books...

The first thing I felt was an envelope. I took it out and opened it up. There was a letter inside, addressed to me. I looked to Hinata, and she nodded. She was in as much suspense as I was.

I read the letter out loud:

Dear Naruto,

If you are reading this, then it means that I am no longer alive. I'm deeply sorry that it had to be this way, but this is life. I am writing this to tell you something that you don't know about me. You always asked me what my job was, and, now, I'm going to tell you. In actuality, I have two jobs. First of all, I run my own company. I run the Uzumaki corporation. This is a multimillion dollar company that was created by your father. Your father named you the heir. I never told you this, because I never wanted you to turn to money as your comfort. We may have lived very modestly growing up, but we had millions in the bank. Millions that has always belonged to you. It was your fathers wish that you not know about the money until you were older. My next job, and the one that may be a little hard to believe, is as a spy. I should say, I used to be one, but I have been using those skills for one task. I have been looking for a group called the Akatsuki. I had you move to where you are now, because I heard a rumor that they were following us, so I had you move somewhere else to throw them off of your scent. If you want someone to blame for your parents death, blame them. The Akatsuki have been on a long search for the Nine-Tails and others of its kind. When the Akatsuki got wind of the fact that your father had the Nine-Tails, which is the strongest of all the tailed beasts, they targeted the it. Your father had to do something with it. Seeing as how you were the only person in the family born with chakra, it was given to you. Your father and mother never wanted you to have this burden, but they did so, knowing that Akatsuki would plunge the world into chaos if they ever got their hands on the all of the tailed beats. I know this is a lot to take in, but know this. Your parents loved you very much. As do I. Do not mourn my death, If I can die protecting you, my life will have been complete. My final word to you is this, I love you, Naruto.

With Love, . Ero-Sennin

P.S. I also included two gifts for you. Put them up in a place where you are reminded of the love you have.

I looked at Hinata. "HUH!?"

"This doesn't make any sense... Ero-Sennin was a spy... THAT PERV?"

Hinata just looked at me. "In a way, it kind of makes sense."

I stared at her, " How does it make sense?"

"He taught you martial arts, and trained you well. He had you move here because they were after you, so he went searching for them. There are plenty of other things that support that."

I just looked down.

The Akatsuki... where have I heard that name before...? That's right!

"I remember a policeman mentioning the name Akatsuki when I told him what happened the night Ero-Sennin died. Do you think the guy that killed Ero-Sennin was part of Akatsuki?"

"It would make sense..."

I had a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I mean, I had no idea what to think about any of these things. I trusted Ero-Sennin, though. I know that what he wrote was the truth.

I nodded my head. "I trust Ero-Sennin. If he says for me to be watch out for a group called Akatsuki, I will do just that."

Hinata smiled, and the realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

"I'm...the heir... to a multimillion dollar company..." I let the thought hang in the air.

Hinata laughed. "I wondered when that would sink in."

"Wait, he said he left me two gifts. I wonder what they are?"

I reached inside and pulled one out. It was a blank picture frame with a note from Ero-Sennin in it that read:

Take a picture of the girl you love and set this next to your bed, along with the other one.

Other one?

Before I could pull it out, Hinata asked me, "What is it?"

I handed her the picture frame and she read the note. She blushed.

"Hinata, tomorrow we are going to go get our picture taken." I smiled at her.

Her face turned red. "A-Are you s-sure?" She asked, very flustered.

I couldn't help but laugh. I loved it when she blushed. "I'm sure, Hinata. You are the girl I love after all..."

She looked at me, flustered again. "What did you say, Naruto?"

"I said I love you!"

She stared at me, and her face gradually began to form a smile. "Well it took you long enough to say it!" With that said, she hugged me. After a few minutes, she asked, what's the next one?

As Naruto was grabbing the bag to see what the other gift was, I smiled to myself.

He said he loved me... I can't believe it...

Naruto pulled out another picture frame and froze. He stared at it. It was a picture of three people, and a child. On the left side of the picture was a man with yellow hair and a business suit on. On the right side was a woman with red hair, and she was holding a child. The last one was standing behind the two and I knew who that one was. It was Jiraiya.

"Naruto, who are those people?"

Naruto began to cry as he told me.

"Those...are... my parents, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki..." He was fighting the tears, this must have broken him.

I grabbed a hold of him and hugged him tightly.

I whispered in his ear "Go ahead, Naruto. Let it all out. I'm right here..."

Naruto began to weep bitterly.

Naruto: Hinata, I love you.
Hinata: *Faints*
Naruto: *Holds her with animated tears falling down his face* HINATA, NO!
Littlepans: I feel like I'm in the anime when watching these two...

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