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Epilogue
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"Sasuke and Itachi's ashes were buried in the Uchiha clan's graveyard," the elderly Hokage said. "Many people visited Sasuke's plaque to honor him bringing Orochimaru's reign of malice to an end." He puffed the pipe solemnly. "Itachi, unfortunately, did not have it so easy in death. He was acknowledged by his actual name, but nobody dare attended his grave. Visitors intending to pray for Uchiha Tsuku came across no such grave and opted to leave their offerings to Sasuke." His cloudy eyes lowered to his lap. "I wonder… I wonder if Itachi's spirit has wandered because of it."
Kiyomi sniffled and wiped her eyes. "That was a sad story, Ojii-chan."
He nodded. "Yes. And what's most upsetting about is that it was spawned by a man who wanted to live forever. He brought so much misery in his quest for immortality."
She looked over at the stone faces. "But why was Sasuke's face carved near the Hokage heads?"
"You mean, why wasn't his name just added to the hero memorial?"
She nodded.
"He was a hero for slaying Orochimaru, and one of the most promising shinobi ever to emerge from Konoha. He veritably possessed Hokage strength." He peered over at the sandstone likeness. "If he'd focused his energy on becoming Hokage instead of putting all his efforts into fighting his brother, he could have obtained the title. No Hokage had stopped Orochimaru before, and Sasuke's act was like a Hokage's feat. Tsunade knew this and allowed his face a place on the cliff in honorary recognition." He tapped the ashes out of his pipe and slipped it inside his robe. "But we mustn't be sad – tonight we'll celebrate their memory at the Obon festival. The last thing they'd want is for us to be forlorn during such a joyous occasion."
Kiyomi's frown radiated into a smile. "Yeah! You're right!"
He smiled and patted her head.
Her eyes lit with awareness and she wandered through the field, gathering a bouquet of blossoms.
The Hokage walked up to her. "Hmm… what are you doing, Grand Daughter?"
"I'm gonna leave this bouquet at Itachi's grave before we go to the Obon. Then he won't be sad because somebody remembered him!"
His lips crinkled into a smile. "That's a very kind thing to do." He stooped and started picking a bunch of flowers. "And I'll give this to Sasuke."
"Hooray!" she chimed, adding blades of grass to the arrangement. Humming, she plucked a final bud and skipped down the hill.
A warm breeze skimmed the meadow, sending gentle waves through the grass. The Hokage gazed at the image of Sasuke and smiled. "You impacted us all, even generations after your death." Tears welled in his happy eyes. "I'll never forget you, Sasuke, and thank you for listening to me and carving his face up there, Grandama Tsunade… believe it."
Kiyomi stopped and called back to him. "Hey! Grandfather Naruto!" We have to get ready for the festival and give these flowers to Sasuke and Itachi!"
"Fine, fine, I'm coming!" and he hobbled down the path to her. Dragonflies zipped through the dusky sky, accompanied by the strains of taiko drums in the distance. It was certain to be another beautiful festival.
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