Heros Come Back: A grand welcome home
OV: Naruto returns to Konoha after the outcome of the battle. He is reluctant to do so, but leaves the teams he has sent to finish their missions. He is greeted with a warm welcome and great rejoicing over his news of Akatsuki…and a little surprise he had discovered while gone.
AN: The fighting scenes were my rejoining of Kyuubi. In my little Naruto world he has learned how to pretty much control the fox. He still gets some comments every once in a while, but mostly they have an understanding. When Naruto needs it the fox chakra is there, he no longer needs to ask. Kyuubi has learned to read Naruto's emotions and just releases the chakra when necessary.
x.Jamie-Chan.x Thank you for your reassurance about my NaruHina fight. I was concerned my conflict scenes weren't written well. Arigato!! I will have a big surprise for you on your next reply… I have names!! XD Yay! LOL
shadowphoenix143 Thank you for your faves and reviews. I never expect to get reviews, but it really is a moral booster for someone like me who would best be Hinata personality wise. Pretty shy and reserved with no exceedingly high opinion of myself at all! I'm glad to hear that you like my little story!
Disclaimer: again! LOL I just had to steal this disclaimer, I have seen it a couple of places and I love it… I don't own Naruto, Sasuke does! LOL My own is, I don't own Naruto…it definitely owns me…and is my greatest obsession! XD I bow to the greatness that is Kishimoto-sama!
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Hinata and Sai led the group through the trees. Kiba and Lee were the rear guard. Hinata was in command of this group; she had been delighted but reserved when Naruto had informed the team of this fact. They had all accepted the assignment easily. Kiba and Shino were her teammates and were confident of her abilities, Lee was, as always, ready to embrace some new sign of strength.
They had rested the night before in peace after discussing the information on the scroll Naruto had sent them once again. They knew that this would be their last night before they reached the scene of the battle and were able to assess the situation for themselves. Each was secretly glad for a chance to escape what could have been a deathly battle; yet eager for a chance to be of aide.
At their destination Naruto was being comforted by Sasuke. Both men had been given mourning clothing, and they wore the somber black garments with pride. Naruto had begged the medic Nin to do everything they could for his friends, and they had complied. It was inevitable that a cloud of death hung over the still blood soaked battlefield.
Naruto had a hard time getting too close to the area, but he had no choice. He and Sasuke had revisited the caves along with Kakashi. They had been awestruck at what they had found.
Buried underground in a secret chamber that only had been discovered by the ever seeing eyes of the two only known Sharingan wielders was a statue. This was no ordinary statue, and Kakashi had tried his hardest to keep Naruto from finding out about it. Unfortunately Sasuke had been disagreeable to keeping it a secret from his mate, and had opened the chamber causing the statue to rise out of the ground.
Naruto had needed a couple of hours to recover from the sight of it; and he had never actually seen it before. Deep within him the Kyuubi called out to his subordinates chambered within the eyes of the statue. Naruto had shuddered at the knowledge that he stood before the statue that was to have been the container for the Kitsune trapped within him. The statue that had been the cause of Gaara's death; among others.
Kit, can you feel that power? Those are my brethren, my fellow demons. The fox was practically bragging like a proud parent. It had sickened Naruto to think that here inside this statue was the source of great power, and yet the source of great destruction.
Kyuubi, is there any way to release them and send them into the afterlife, the underworld, Hell even!? Kyuubi growled at the malice in which he spoke. Kyuubi, you must know! They won't be safe here. Once others find out what Akatsuki was up to there will be those who will seek power and will hunt these demons. It will be the cause of endless war and struggle. They could never roam freely without being endangered of becoming Jinchuuriki sacrifices again. Would you really will that of your "brethren?"
Kyuubi had actually sulked.
Kakashi and Sasuke had not been unaware that Naruto was discussing this discovery with the Kitsune. They weren't afraid of what the unpredictable Ninja might do, but they were apprehensive of how the demon fox would take his comrades being trapped in this Shinigami statue.
They were relieved when Naruto announced that he had been informed of a forbidden Jutsu that could send the demons back from where they came, back to the death world. It had been decided that with Hinata's Byakugan, the two Sharingan, and Kyuubi directing them they could accomplish this task.
As a result they didn't inform anyone else of their discovery. To do so would only invite trouble. However they made it their priority to set up camp within the hidden chamber cavern.
It was here that their fellow Konoha Ninja greeted them. Kiba knew right away that something was off within the cavern, Shino, who never spoke unnecessarily found him self forced to comment about the dangerous chakra he sensed; or at least his bugs did.
Hinata looked into the chamber when she was ordered to do so. She gasped at the discovery they had stumbled upon. Quickly the reinforcements were brought up to speed on the plan of eradication.
After this briefing, Naruto led them to their other fallen comrades. Jiraya looked peaceful; his visage was unclouded as he lay on a soft pallet. His white mane shined in the sunlight. Yamato lay beside him, also pale and still as a ghost.
Hinata cried when Naruto informed her that their wounds had been too severe. Yamato had simply expended too much chakra and didn't have enough to recover. He had passed away the first night.
He had looked into Naruto and Sasuke's faces with tears in his eyes. "I never lived. I don't even have a real name, Yamato was my most recent code given to me by Tsunade when I took over Team Kakashi while he recovered. She decided it would be best for Naruto if I kept this appearance. I didn't complain.
I was born from an experiment of Orochimaru's before he ever left the village. He had worked with cloning techniques as a means of defeating death. I was cloned from the Shodaime Hokage, Tsunade's grandfather, the founder of Konoha. I am proud of that. Through my creation, he was able to live again for a while," Yamato offered a feeble smile that turned sad.
"I was never given a name of my own; I was brought up through Root and advanced directly into ANBU. Both are organizations where identity is moot.
When I was assigned to this mission, I decided I would resign from ANBU, like Kakashi had. I wanted a chance to have a real life and a real identity. I had even picked out a name, Shunsuke.
I wanted to find love and raise my own children," he looked at Naruto and Sasuke, "You two will be the ones to carry on my will of fire. Naruto please gather my belongings, such as they are, and distribute them to those who they will benefit most."
He closed his eyes and became so still Naruto was afraid his flame had burned out.
His voice came out once again, soft and breathy, "When you look at your children, know that I will be guarding them."
It was the last thing he said. Naruto looked at his sensei and a tear rolled down his cheek. Memories of their training sessions crossed his mind. He recalled how Yamato had stood up for him in front of Kakashi when they had faced Kakuzu and Hidan. It had been he who had believed Naruto could complete the Fuuton Rasen-Shuriken.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi had all bowed their heads respectfully. They would miss their comrade. Naruto and Kakashi both made silent vows to live for Yamato. Kakashi was planning to marry Ayame as soon as he returned; he would name his first son Yamato after this great man. Naruto had decided to name him godfather over his children. He would even go so far as to make it official as an act of honor for the fallen man. Sasuke could only brood silently; he had not been as close to Yamato. He could, however, acknowledge that he had been a great Ninja and a great man.
When they had approached the great Sannin, Naruto couldn't form the words to explain his death. Sasuke had been required to explain how the legendary man had simply never awoken after his deadly fight with the Akatsuki Pein. He told them how Naruto had never left his side, and had whispered to him that it was alright for him to go.
Naruto looked at Hinata, tears ran freely down his face, but he was not ashamed to be crying. His eyes told her of his depths of despair over this loss. Jiraya had been one of the father figures in Naruto's life. He had been his greatest trainer after Kakashi had passed him over to the Sannin when he had been only a Genin.
What hurt Naruto the deepest was how this man knew his father the best of everyone. Naruto felt like he had lost Minato all over again by losing this crucial link to his heritage. Kakashi had seemed to understand this and had fully assumed the role of father. He had been a student of Minato's and tried to redirect Naruto's thoughts along this path. It had seemed to help and Naruto had been able to climb out of the depression that had threatened to overtake him.
The biggest hurdle would be facing Tsunade. She had finally realized her feelings for the great man, and their relationship was still young. She was bound to be devastated to have, yet again, lost the love of her life.
The bodies were prepared for travel, and Naruto was assigned a strong team of guards. Kakashi had drawn the lot to escort Naruto back to Konoha. Sasuke had known he had work yet to do here at the cavern. Also was the rebuilding of the Rocks Ninja. Sasuke had been assigned the task of training the Chuunin to help them be ready for outside attack that might try to invade with knowledge of their war. Juugo had been assigned as a captain also, and had a similar position for training Ninja, but he also had been assigned in the rebuilding of the villages that had been hit hardest, especially the Village of Rock itself.
That they had won would help deter most attacks, but both men were excellent choices for training. Sasuke wouldn't take any bull from anyone, and would teach the Ninja defense and techniques they could then teach others. Juugo would teach them how to understand their environment better, and how to commune with animals in as much as it could be taught.
Naruto's team prepared to depart that very afternoon. They wanted to hurry back to offer proper burials for the departed Ninja. Sasuke had pulled Naruto into a bone crushing embrace and had tried to kiss him senseless so he would have something to tide him over until he too could finally return.
As their figures retreated out of sight, the remaining Konoha Ninja prepared for their concealment Jutsu's. They wanted to make it appear the statue was still buried; actually it had been transported using a similar Jutsu to the one that had caused Naruto and Jiraya to arrive at the cavern. It had tired Naruto who had needed a lot of Kyuubi chakra combined with everyone else there's to accomplish the task. They had planned to dispose of the Bijuu as soon as the remaining teammates arrived home.
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In Konoha a wall had been dismantled with one fierce punch. Tsunade was so deeply hurt by the news she had received from Naruto's frog that she couldn't even cry. She crumpled to the floor and curled up into a fetal position begging Kami-sama to tell her why she had been cursed against love. Shizune could only stand in the doorway looking at her master.
In a dark cell down the hall from where Sasuke had been kept after his unexpected return the woman known as Konan silently mourned. Something in her heart had shifted when she had heard two ANBU whispering about Jiraya's death. They marveled over whom this Pein was, and how he had been strong enough to defeat the Legendary Sannin. Konan had finally realized just how wrong Pein had been; and just how much darkness they had wrought in the name of light. She vowed that if she was spared her life she would devote it in attempting to right the wrongs she had helped create.
The ANBU also mourned the loss of one of their elite. Yamato had been a captain, and had been a good leader. He would be missed even more than he would have ever imagined.
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Naruto's team made a quick trek back to Konoha. They completed a three and a half day journey in just under two days. They had been given a cart and horses to pull it and ride. Naruto had sat inside the cart, knowing it was his status as Hokage of Konoha that afforded the luxury, and brooded all the way home. The bodies of his fallen men rode atop the cart in sealed marble casks. Their bodies would be safely protected from anything including decay until their arrival home.
Kakashi preferred to ride outside the carriage. He didn't want Naruto to see his tears that he couldn't evade. He had lost a friend and comrade, as well as his own mentor and the author of his favorite books. Naruto had given him the completed manuscript he had found in Jiraya's pouch. Kakashi couldn't even look at it, let alone think of reading it. At least not yet!
They pulled in through the open gates of Konoha and were greeted by a large assembly. Hands reached up to lift the casks and carry them reverently through the streets to the burial ground of heroes. Funeral procession had already been planned and readied atop the Hokage building. It didn't take much word of mouth to alert the village to the burials of Jiraya and Yamato, and they assembled for the ceremony.
Tsunade presided over the ceremony, and not one person questioned this. Naruto sat with a glazed expression until it was his turn to speak. When he finished there was not one eye untouched by tears.
He had eloquated over Yamato's too short life. Had related how the man had decided to live, and had heeded everyone there to remember the man's words and to enjoy life. He had offered heartfelt words about his master, and Tsunade had dissolved into tears when he called Jiraya Otousama. His final request was that the night be spent in festival and not mourning. None were to wear mourning dress, but to live and enjoy life.
Naruto advised that this would be the best okaeri (homecoming) they could offer the two men who had both enjoyed life. After the procession of people offering flowers to the men Tsunade announced the commencement of the ceremony.
In the streets the village was being prepared for festival. The night then passed in somber festivities. Naruto was seen for a while milling through the crowd, his face wore a smile, but his eyes were lifeless and dead.
He welcomed the request by an ANBU to speak to their prisoner at her request. He ordered her cell to be opened and she brought up to him. He didn't want to think of the cells where Sasuke and Juugo had once stayed.
Konan entered the room flanked on either side by ANBU guards. She dropped to her knees in front of Naruto and stayed there until he commanded her to rise. When she finally did and he could see her face he was shocked to be able to tell she had been crying. He hadn't expected this.
She offered her life in exchange for Jiraya's. She pleaded with Naruto to allow her to atone for the mistakes she had made. He was skeptical, and was inclined to deny her until she began to tell him of her childhood. She related how she and two little boys had been orphaned in childhood and had begged for food. Naruto watched her face change as she told how Jiraya had stayed to train the three of them. Then how he had declared them old enough to be on their own.
She related their hardships once he left, and how they had struggled. Eventually they had defeated the Daimyou of the Mist and had assumed leadership of the country. Pein had been borne from both boys when one had been mortally wounded and the other had combined into his body.
She related their power and how they wielded it unequivocally to maintain the strength of the Mist. She then told how she had heard of the fight between Pein and Jiraya's conclusion. She related how she felt and what she had decided. She made her vow officially to Naruto as Hokage.
He saw her façade crack when he told her he would need time to decide her fate. She tried to remain stoic, but he saw the tears well in the corners of her eyes. He ordered that she gently be returned to a better cell.
The last thing he had to face that night was a completely sober Tsunade entering his office almost as soon as he arrived there. From the look on her face, it was his turn to condole her and keep her sanity. He told her everything that had transpired, especially his message to her during the battle.
She seemed to draw strength from Naruto's words. Eventually she left, and he retired to his chambers. He smiled for real when he entered the room and saw only the barest furnishings and nearly no personal belongings left. He would move into his new home tomorrow. He was going to insist for Sakura, and Ino if he could convince her, to come stay with him until the babies were born.
This happier thought followed him to bed and lulled him into a deep sleep. He was so tired he couldn't even dream.
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The rebuilding was going better than expected. Konoha was expecting to receive her greatly missed Ninja in another two months. Naruto read the missive three times. Two more months and Sasuke would finally be home. He couldn't wait to show Sasuke their new home, and snuggle next to him in their new bedroom. He showed the correspondence to the newly wed Kakashi who had come to visit.
The only thing he had comforting him through this long wait was that both Sakura and Ino had agreed to move in until they gave birth. Sakura had even insisted she should stay on as nursemaid for the babies. Ino had looked shocked at this suggestion, and Naruto had assured her he did not expect her to nurse the baby. She had come to terms with being pregnant, and was now married to Chouji. They had chosen to wait to consummate their marriage until after she had healed from the birthing of Naruto and Sasuke's baby.
Her decision to stay at Naruto's home had stemmed from this choice and her thinking that she would not be tempted if she was away from her husband. Naruto had been scheming to come up with something special to reward her for her sacrifice and greatest gift.
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Time passed quickly; soon it was a mere month before the babies were due. It had also become time for Sasuke, Juugo, and everyone else's return. Naruto had organized a great feast to be held in honor of their return. It wasn't every day that one village's Ninja had single handedly stopped a war and rebuilt a commanding village and its defenses. It also wasn't every day that the Hokage's mate returned from an over half a year mission.
When the team and a half entered the gates Naruto himself was standing under the cool cover of the guard house. Sasuke felt him nearly a mile before he reached the gates, and considerably before he could even see the break in the trees that would allow that first glimpse of home.
Before Sasuke could even speak Naruto had jumped over the counter and thrown himself into his arms. Their bodies melted together and their lips connected causing a visible collision of chakra to envelop them. Hinata averted her eyes so as not to stare. Kiba and Shino slipped away to their home with Akamaru following closely behind. Juugo grinned widely when he saw Anko waiting for him. She grasped his hand and pulled him toward their home. He hadn't been consulted when the new Hokage's home had been constructed; Anko had merely stated that he would be coming to live with her.
The last member of the teams looked uncomfortable at the display. This was so out of character for him, but after Jiraya's death he had reconsidered his perverted side. Jiraya was the official pervert, and he would never take that title away from him even in the tiniest way. He had decided to study more appropriate conversation topics, and had found a great linguist sensei while in the Rock. Hinata approached him and suggested they could both go and visit Sakura. He readily agreed, he felt uncomfortable to go to the Hokage house on his own, even though he had been invited to stay there also.
Naruto and Sasuke never completely disentangled their bodies from each other. Somehow Naruto guided the four of them to the new home. Sasuke grinned appreciatively when he caught his first glimpse of their house. Naruto had chosen a style reminiscent of Sasuke's own childhood home, yet different enough to brush away any dark memories. Once he slipped his shoes off and stepped through the rice paper screened door any resemblance to the home of his youth was gone.
He looked in awe at the beautiful room he stood in. It was large and had a formal tea table on one end with a cozy sitting area on the other. Comfortable chairs were situated around a fireplace and it looked so inviting. There were pictures of the village, as well as a gorgeous painting of him and Naruto on their wedding day. This portrait had the place of honor over the fireplace.
Sasuke walked through each room and marveled at how Naruto had managed to blend both their personalities into everything. The colors were muted and sophisticated, yet captured Naruto's enigmatic life force perfectly. The furnishings were understated yet comfortable and somehow sophisticated all at the same time. There were a lot of traditional pieces, and Sasuke was caught unawares when he noticed a familial crest of the Yondaime Hokage on some of the furniture pieces.
Naruto informed him that these furnishings had been held in storage by the Sandaime Hokage for Naruto when he came of age. Tsunade had secretly had them placed in the home without his knowledge. Sasuke had a sad expression crease his features when he thought how he would have loved to see the dobe's face when he had seen these for the first time.
Naruto just smiled and shrugged. There was nothing that could be done about it now. He, however, was looking forward to sharing that experience when Sasuke entered the nursery. He followed as the dark haired man absorbed his surroundings. When there were only three doors left unexplored, Naruto stepped in front of his mate.
"Close your eyes," Naruto commanded softly.
Sasuke complied and felt Naruto take his hand and lead him to the first door. "Our room you can see later, but I want you to see these two rooms now. Follow me, careful now! Don't knock your head there on the doorway."
Finally Naruto had Sasuke situated where he could see the entire room. "Before you look, I want to tell you a little about this room, okay?" he questioned.
Sasuke nodded, and an expectant look that was tinged with irritation and impatience crossed his porcelain features.
"This is the boys' room. Our twins will live here. If you object I will have different furniture brought in, but I wanted this room to be special. These are the first Uchiha boys who will proudly bear the name and carry it forward. I wanted them to know their heritage," he paused, "Okay open your eyes."
Naruto held his breath as Sasuke opened his eyes. A torrent of emotions flashed across his face chasing each other as a new one phased out. A pale hand stretched out tentatively to brush the top of the nearest dresser. The room was large; it would easily accommodate two growing boys. The walls were painted a rich indigo, and a wide window allowed the bright sunlight to warm the room.
What had Sasuke speechless, and Naruto still restraining from breathing, was the furniture. Sasuke stepped toward the beds, he laid his hand on the mattress and ran his hand over its firmness. He looked at Naruto with tears in his eyes.
Naruto's head dropped. "I'll have someone come in tomorrow and replace it," he said in a dejected voice. He had hoped Sasuke would approve of the room, it meant so much to him for the boys to have something of their ancestral name.
Sasuke stepped in front of Naruto and put his arms around his waist. He bent down and used his forehead to maneuver Naruto's face so he could look him in the eyes. "It's perfect," he whispered, causing blue orbs to fly open wide.
"Naruto, I love this. I don't know why, but for some reason I want my sons to sleep in my own childhood bed. It isn't a bad memory, but a nice thought that they can feel safe and secure and snug in these beds. The same beds I grew up in."
Sasuke looked at the set of beds, "That one is mine, the other you got from Itachi's room. I- I'm glad you chose it." He couldn't say why, but he had made peace with Itachi a long time ago. He knew his children would grow up happy and strong in this room. Their memories would be good and bright.
He looked at Naruto, "What about the girls room?"
Naruto grinned and pulled away just enough to grab his hand and lead him to the next door. Inside this room the walls were painted a soft peach color, it was a good size, but not as big as the boys room. There would be two in the other room, and Sasuke thought this room was just right for a girl. He looked at the bed and dresser. Carved into the top was Naruto's whirl symbol. Sasuke looked at him uncertainly.
"It was my mother's bedroom set," he explained. "It is all I have of her belongings, but I definitely think our daughter should have it."
Sasuke pulled his surprising blonde into a deep kiss. He hadn't expected this at all, and was pleasantly surprised. Their children would have a perfect home. More than anything because of their strong love.
They were interrupted by a soft clearing of someone's throat. They turned to see Sai standing there, his expression said that he would rather not be intruding but it was important.
"Nani?!" Naruto ordered him to speak.
"Sakura has gone into labor," he stated simply.
Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other with a worried expression mirrored on both faces. She had another month! Naruto knew she had been on bed rest for two months now, and it was hard for her. Tsunade came to check on her every other day. Naruto hadn't expected this. Sasuke's eyes grew stormy with worry.
They rushed to her side. Sai took a position near her head and softly brushed away a strand of pink hair. Hinata was attending to her, trying to calm her and stop the contractions. Naruto sent a Bunshin to fetch Tsunade, and placed a comforting hand on Sakura's arm. She tried to smile, but was wracked with another contraction.
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I'm sorry for this cliffhanger. I will tell you Sakura and the babies will be okay. But I need to get to bed and want to update this tonight. If it will let me; unlike last night. I had both parts typed but my stupid internet provider chose to update at midnight and I lost internet for two hours or more. I went to bed at 2 A.M. after trying to submit since just after Midnight!
Another unproofread chapter. I re-read Part 2 and noticed a couple of changes I need to fix. Hopefully this won't be too bad…I'll fix them all later. Now the story is racing through my head and I want to get it up!! LOL
-Kneise
