Well damn you all. You win I'm writing a sequel. It's going to be called relics of war. It'll be out sometime in the next few weeks. First will just be a quick summary of the last one so that you guys have time to find it and follow it if you want. Just for staying with it here is a little extra for you.

Naruto's POV

Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn. I'm staring out the window, watching the sunset over my village. Clouds blow in front of the shirking sun and light up deep shades of red. The door creeks open and someone comes in. I don't check to see who it is instead just thinking of her.

A small scratching noise starts from behind me and I sigh. "What do you want I said I wasn't taking any visitors today or could you not hear me through that thick skull?" That should get rid of the stammering idiot.

"It's okay Naruto I miss her too." With a shake of my head I face the voice. Sai sits on the top of my desk scratching in his note book with a cluster of colored ink next to him. "It's so strange isn't it? She was here for such a short time, yet the village seems so empty without her. "

"Yeah." I can barely muster the word from my throat. Family is something I had never experienced and even though I couldn't become too close to her with my position I still felt like her being here was just enough. I follow his swift and steady hand watching the gentle strokes. The portrait is almost perfect.

He looks up noticing me watch him. "It was for her birthday. She said she didn't know the exact day but I thought she seemed like a summer child. Funny, I hardly ever do colors but when I do I can't possibly find the paint I need because it simply doesn't exist."

"How true, the rare things in life can never have replicas." I turn back to the window staring at the busy streets. People are rushing to get home to their families and friends. None know how lucky they are. Hinata is in the main lobby try her best to fill out all the paperwork I have been avoiding since she left. I don't know what I would do without her.

"It wasn't your fault." The scratching continues but in a slower fashion. "As silly as it sound, it's hard for me to remember her face. I know it hasn't been more than a week but grief distorts my memory. I can't help but wonder if life would be easier if I had stayed in ANBU."

"I don't blame you. Many people would give up their other emotions for the relief of anguish. I couldn't though. Without pain there cannot be happiness, we wouldn't be able to tell the difference." The last rays of light disappear and the lamps of the town begin to light. Each one twinkling into existence until a warm glow surrounds the city.

Hinata has finished and is cleaning up, about to call me down. I grab my robes and prepare to leave. Sai is already packed up and the painting still lies on my desk.

I pick it up for closer examination. Gaara's arm is draped around her shoulder and Sakura smiles at them from the left, Ino rolling her eyes on the other side of Sakura. Kiba holds her right side elbowing Shikamaru who has a look of boredom on his face. Fang and Akumaru are laying in front their paws crossed and head resting on the other. I hold my place behind the happy couple.

My eyes trace the edges of the painting on their own accord, unwilling to draw themselves toward the object of my angst. Slowly I force myself to look at her. Her trench coat is partially obscured by the dogs but her necklace is painted with reflected chips drawing the eye to the relic of her past. One arm is draped happily around the Kazekage and the other is holding up a peace sign. A genuine smile graces her face.

"I couldn't help it. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect her. The elders would have had her killed or banished. At least this way she can still visit or maybe if we are lucky return." I stare hopefully fondling the edges of the already crumbling paper. Nothing stays.

"I know. But you know as well as I can that she will never be able to live here again. She can still visit but it will be hard. We may as well have lost her." He opens the window and I head to the door. Hinata is heading up the stairs now ready to take me home for dinner.

"Sai. You got it wrong, they aren't black."

"What aren't?"

"Her eyes. They're a dark brown with black slashes shooting out from her pupils."

"Oh, I'll try to remember that." With that he was gone and I was left standing alone. Waiting for my life to come and find me again.

Review or PM if you have anything you would like in the new one.