Epilogue

It had been a year since the Akatsuki had been defeated. Slowly, the village was beginning to trust Naruto again. They still looked at him warily as the blond walked through the reconstructed village.

Naruto sighed.

"Guys, come on," he said. "I have to go meet up with the Hokage. He told me he had something important to talk with me."

"We're not finished yet," Gai exclaimed.

Gai and Kakashi were having another one of their competitions. This time, they were competing in the number of bowls of ramen they could eat.

"I will not let you defeat me, rival," Gai shouted as he downed another bowl of ramen like it was air.

Naruto groaned.

"Naru, what are you doing?" Itachi's voice came from behind him.

Naruto spun around and smiled at his boyfriend.

"Itachi," he exclaimed. "Could you come with me to the Hokage Tower? Dad said he wanted to talk to me. Kakashi was with me, but then Gai dragged him into a ramen eating contest."

Itachi sighed.

"Those two never change. Let's go," he said.

The two walked away, leaving the two rivals to their ramen.

"What does the Hokage want?" Itachi asked.

"Don't know," Naruto said.

They reached the Hokage Tower. Naruto glanced at Itachi and frowned. The Uchiha didn't look different on the outside, but Naruto could tell something was off with him.

"Itachi, you okay?" Naruto asked.

"Yes," Itachi said.

"You're lying Itachi. Something is up with you," Naruto said.

"Naruto, honestly, I'm fine. Come by the Uchiha compound after your meeting with the Hokage," Itachi said. "I have to talk to you about something."

Naruto nodded and waved goodbye. He walked into the Hokage Tower and to his father's office. He knocked a couple times before going in.

"Hey dad, you wanted to see me," Naruto asked.

Minato smiled, putting down his pen. He stood up and walked over to Naruto.

"Yes," he said. "Naruto, you've proven yourself trustworthy again. I will allow the chakra seals to be taken off."

Naruto blinked in surprise.

"You're letting me use chakra again?" he asked.

"Yes," Minato said. "It's already been a year, and everyone is warming up to you again. You haven't done anything to make us doubt you, so starting today, you'll be able to use your chakra again."

Naruto smiled. Minato performed a long series of hand seals and touched his hands to Naruto's shoulders. Black seals appeared before disappearing. Naruto felt his chakra come back with a whoosh.

"Whoa," he said.

Minato chuckled.

"By the way, congratulations on mastering the Namikaze bloodline limit without the use of your senbon," he said. "You have long surpassed me with that and also with the Rasengan. I'm proud of you son."

Naruto hugged him. Minato hugged him back.

"All right, I have to get back to work. You should go to Itachi now," he said.

Naruto tilted his head in confusion.

"How do you know about that?" he asked.

Minato's eyes sparkled mysteriously.

"He was here earlier to talk with me about something," he said. "That's all I will say; you will have to find out the rest from Itachi."

Naruto frowned in suspicion before disappearing in a yellow flash of light.

Naruto appeared at the entrance to the Uchiha compound. He walked in. He saw Sasuke and Shio in the distance, fighting over something. He chuckled as he walked over to the two.

"You guys fight like an old married couple," Naruto said.

The two looked at him.

"Naruto," Shio exclaimed. "You're here! Hang on, how did you get here so fast?"

"I'm allowed to use chakra again," Naruto said.

"That's great," Shio exclaimed.

"Anyways, it's good you showed up," Sasuke said. "Now Itachi can quit being so nervous."

Naruto blinked.

"How come everyone knows I'm meeting up with Itachi?" he asked. "Is there something I don't know about?"

"You'll know soon enough," Sasuke said, smirking.

"But seriously Naruto, you should go in before Itachi wears a hole in the floor with his pacing," Shio said. "I've never seen him look so nervous. He could grow wrinkles."

Sasuke whacked her on the head.

"OW," Shio exclaimed. "What the hell was that for, teme?!"

"Shut up, dobe," Sasuke said. "Naruto, just go in and talk with Itachi."

Naruto just nodded, still confused. He walked into the main house to see Itachi pacing furiously in the living room, muttering to himself. He was wringing his hands together nervously.

"Itachi, what's wrong with you? You didn't look this nervous earlier," Naruto said.

Itachi halted in his tracks and stared at him dumbly.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Hello," he called.

The blond snapped his fingers in front of Itachi's face. Itachi flinched back, blinking.

"Naruto," he exclaimed. "You're here!"

"Yes, you told me to come here after my meeting with dad," Naruto said. "Now, what did you want to speak with me about?"

Itachi sputtered and began patting his pockets.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath.

Itachi sat Naruto on the couch.

"Wait here," he said. "I'll be right back."

Itachi dashed out of the room. Naruto sighed and shook his head fondly. He caught something out of the corner of his eye. He looked over to see a black forehead protector. He reached over and grabbed it. The symbol was slashed through.

"My old forehead protector," Naruto muttered.

Naruto brushed his fingers against the slashed symbol before reaching up to his new forehead protector. He huffed.

"Naruto," Itachi asked.

Naruto looked up. Itachi was standing in the doorway, looking calmer now.

"Hey Itachi," he said.

He held up his old forehead protector.

"Why is this still here?" he asked.

Itachi looked at it.

"I don't know," he said with a shrug.

Naruto looked at the slashed symbol.

"I have no more need for this one anymore," he said. "It only serves to remind of what I did, even if it was for the sake of Konoha."

Itachi gently took the forehead protector from Naruto and put it on the table next to the couch, holding Naruto's hand.

"Naruto, that's in the past now," he said quietly. "You should look to the future now."

Itachi placed a little black box into Naruto's palm. Naruto blinked before opening the box. He gasped as he saw a simple silver ring. He looked up.

"I-Itachi," he breathed.

Itachi looked at him with intense crimson eyes.

"Naruto," he began. "I have decided I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you with all my heart. Naruto…will you marry me?"

Naruto was speechless. A tear escaped his eye and streamed down his cheek. He furiously wiped his eyes before lunging at Itachi. Itachi caught him.

"Yes," Naruto whispered.

Itachi smiled happily and slipped the ring onto Naruto's left ring finger. Then he hugged Naruto tightly and their lips crashed together. After a long passionate kiss, they parted and Naruto rested his head against Itachi's chest.

"I love you, Itachi," Naruto said.

Itachi squeezed him lovingly and kissed him on the head.

"I love you too."