Yikes, is it the last chapter? Wow, it took a lot longer to get to this than I thought it would when I started, but I'll talk about that in the end authors notes. Right now, I just want to say thanks for reading. I'm so glad you've enjoyed the story, even those of you who got ticked off that I stayed true to DarkSakuren's NaruSasu pairing for this story. Back then it was one of the two big points to the story, so that, and Naruto being Gaara's sister, was something I just could not change. I just had to be true to the original. I just got through it a different way.
This chapter should pretty well tie up the loose ends for now. Of course there's a lot more that happens in the Naruto Universe than I have here, notable Itachi's arrival in Konoha after the Sandaime's funeral, but that isn't part of this story. Whats that? You want to see what happens next? Well, here's two things you can do to have that happen: read this chapter; leave reviews (specifically on this chapter, but on past chapters would be nice, too; after all, if you really think this is a good story, it'd be nice to see you review more chapters and leave your thoughts there)
Thanks again for the read, and now, the FINAL chapter of: Naruto of the Sand!
The funeral was a very emotional affair for the village. Sarutobi Hiruzen had been the hokage for several decades now, especially with the Yondaime's death. There were many that could remember him visiting the academy or the various shops around the village, just to do it. Then there was the small bit of family that remained; Naruto, Konohamaru, and Asuma. Uncle Asuma had personally escorted Naruto and Konohamaru to the funeral. He had been gone for a good deal of the youth to this point, but in the past few years of his return he had been trying to make up for lost time. It helped to have his powerful presence standing next to them, especially for the younger Konohamaru.
While there was a lot of sadness to go around, Iruka helped to lift their spirits, reminding them of the Sandiame's teachings, that he lived on with the next generation's Will of Fire. Naruto smiled as she remembered what her mother had said once more, that those you loved lived on in your heart. If that was true, then she would remember him in her heart till her dying day, and all the things he had taught her. It was the least she could do for the man that had given her so much.
Gaara, Temari and Kankuro had tried to be there, but after a short session of throwing around his Sand Naruto convinced him that it might be better for him to stay away. After all, most of the village was, as of yet, unaware of their personal involvement in the invasion, and would likely be angry with them. Still they made sure to send a good number of flowers to show their respect for the late Hokage.
Later on, back at home, there was a knock on the door. Ebisu answered it while Naruto continued to hug the sobbing Konohamaru. He returned a moment later.
"Naruto, Kakashi is here to speak with you." The girl stared into space for a moment. He never had lied to her. Still it was him who should have told her about what really happened. Him who really hid the circumstances of her birth. She sighed before kissing Konohamaru on the cheek heading to the door.
"Yes, sensei?"
"Naruto...I know this may not be the best time, but I think a talk is in order." He gestured out the doorway. "Take a walk with me?"
"...sure."
There was silence between the two for a good while. It hung in the air like an over saturated cloud, waiting to break.
"Sensei-"
"I'm sorry, Naruto," he said, stopping her.
"What?"
"I'm sorry," he repeated. "I...I have not done my duty to you."
"What do you mean?" He sighed.
"I have never lied to you," he said, "but I'm afraid that, for my own selfish reasons, I did not tell you the whole truth concerning your parents." A tear fell down from his eye, his usual twinkle missing. "I was afraid."
"Afraid? Of what?"
"Of saying it, or really reliving the past, of admitting something to myself. I'm not sure, but I know it was fear that kept me from telling you when I should have. Now, though it might be a bit late with all that's happened, I need to tell you the truth. Sensei would not want you to hate your own siblings." He turned to Naruto, pausing as he saw her small smile. "Naruto? What is it?"
"Oh, sorry, sensei," she chuckled. "I was just...happy with what you were saying. You see, I actually kinda already know the whole story now." He shook his head.
"No, you don't; I lied to you-"
"Techincally you just didn't give me a full answer," she said. "But I do know the whole truth now." Kakashi began to get frustrated.
"Naruto, there is...shouldn't be anyone else alive who could have told you the truth besides me; I don't know who you talked to-"
"It was Mom; well, it was my other mom, Karura, the one you told me about. She told me." Kakashi blinked.
"Naruto..."
"It's...a bit complicated, but I saw dad, too." If Kakashi's mask were not firmly in place, his jaw would have dropped to the ground.
"What? How the? When the? What the crap?" Naruto laughed at his confusion.
"Sorry, sensei! I guess, yeah, it happened while I was fighting with Gaara. I got knocked out for a few seconds and dad, well, mom first, Karura kaa-san, showed up in my head, then dad. I guess mom wasn't too happy with him, because he had to explain to her about how he and Kushina kaa-san died, and about the kyuubi's attack on the village and how he had to seal the fox in me, then something about needing to help me out later, so I guess I'll be seeing him again later, maybe, but Karura kaa-san was real mad at him for it anyway, at least for a bit, and the she talked with me and she told me the whole story from her point of view and all, and how she died but that she used that really cool technique and-"
"Whoa, slow down Naruto! I can barely catch everyhing you're saying!" Naruto paused, taking a couple deep gulps of air to replenish her lungs. "Now, sifting through the things I already knew...Sensei and Karura appeared in your mind?" Naruto nodded. "And they talked with you?" She nodded again as he scratched his chin. "Well, I certainly don't get it, but you are right, so I guess I have no choice but to assume it really happened. Heh, sensei always was full of surprises. Still, like I said before, I lied to you. Whether you think of it that way or not, I feel like I lied, so I must ask your foregivness."
"You know sensei, I wasn't sure what I was going to do about that. I was kinda mad at you before, but you said something about it before I could. Still a little mad, but I can forgive you," she said.
"That's good," he replied using his eye smile to show his relief. "In any case, I've got someone else I think you should meet."
"What? Really?"
"Yeah, she's in the hospital, but I think she'd like to meet you, too."
.
Review please; after all, this IS the last chapter.
.
She jumped lightly through the trees. She couldn't be sure where he was, but she'd been around him long enough to guess. She'd been so busy at the flower shop up till the funeral that she hadn't had a chance to find him yet. Still, it was time he was confronted; time that he did more than sit around. At least sitting around was preferable to what else he could have done. He could have run away.
Yashamaru had been kind to her, telling her it was unlikely that he would leave, that he thought his feelings were genuine, but he was an enemy, too. How could they be sure, even if he had changed when it all happened? That was why she needed to find him now. She had to know if her heart was going to be broken again.
She came to an ubrubt stop as she spotted something and sighed in relief. He's still here...
Dosu was poking at the fire when he felt her presence behind him. He was almost surprised. Almost. After all, she was the only one to see him without all his heavy gear and know it was him. Still, it was...troublesome.
"What do you want," he sighed.
"What do you think?" He shrugged.
"How should I know?" She tapped him lightly on the head.
"Very funny. You know why I'm here, Dosu." He grunted.
"Fine, yes, I know. And I don't like it." She stomped her foot down, raising her voice.
"Yeah? Well too bad! You can't just stay out here forever. This is Konoha, the leaf village, and you are still formally part of an enemy village. You can't hide out in the training grounds camping for forever."
"Yeah? And why not? We both know I can't go home, and I don't have much reason to do anything else. Zaku is dead for sure. I saw them carrying his body from off the roof of the arena after the battle. Kin? She's got that Sand boy. She'll probably go with him after all this is over. Me? I have no more teammates. They were the reasons for what I did, keeping them safe. I have no team anymore."
"You don't have to have a three man team you know," she noted quietly. He clenched his teeth.
"In Sound you don't get attached," he stated. "No shinobi should. Attachments make you weak, vulnerable, easy to manipulate. They get you killed."
"They also let you live," Haku pointed out. "You said it yourself; your teammates were your reason before. Can't you find another reason," she asked, tears coming to her eyes as she remembered what she had been through, loosing her own reason for life. She had almost ended it, despite what Zabuza-sama had said, but Naruto had helped guide her again, given her a reason to live, to feel worthwhile. There was silence in the clearing for a while before she broke the silence again. "I wish I could give you your new reason," she said, "but I can't. I can only ask that you find it, or leave. I don't want you around if you won't decide." She turned and began walking away.
"...I really hate you, you know that?" She halted, tears flowing freely now.
"I suppose...I should have."
"I just don't like being forced to make decisions, but you seem really good at making me do that," he muttered, kicking sand up onto his fire, putting it out before striding to her, taking a spot next to her. "Alright, I'm coming you darn woman." She stared at him.
"But...you said..."
"And I meant every word," he muttered, "but you are really good at making me do stuff I don't want to. Come on, I'll even let you turn me in. Maybe they'll let me join up. After all, being a shinobi is about the only thing I'm good at." Haku smiled, giving him a hard hug despite his blush and she rushed him back to the village, hand in hand.
.
Again, just a little reminder to review, especially this chapter. Adding a review to previous chapters would be great, too, just so I know what I did in each chapter that was preferred or not. Reviews help writers learn.
.
"Come ON sensei! Can't you at least give me a hint? Have I ever even seen this person before?" Kakashi laughed as they navigated the hospital.
"I wouldn't say I wanted you to meet her if you had met her before...though I suppose she was actually one of the first people you ever met; you just can't remember."
"Eh? What the heck? Jii-san never even told me who all came to my party when I was born; how is that a clue?" He chuckled as they neared the room her was directing her to.
"Actually, you met her before that."
"Ah come on; if I know one thing about that day it's that only the people who came to that party knew about me, and you're the only person from before the party that knew about me, too."
"Perhaps," he teased, "or maybe we only thought that."
"Senseiiiii! Stop being mean! I swear, I'm gonna-"
"Oh, Kakashi! Back again?" Rin was sitting up in her bed, reading a book when Kakashi opened the door, ushering in Naruto. "I was beginning to wonder. You still need to tell me...wait...is this," she asked, pointing at Naruto while looking at Kakashi questioningly while he nodded.
"Wow...you're pretty," Naruto said. "Who is she, sensei?"
"Actually, I'm his girlfriend." Naruto's eyes bugged out.
"Whaaat? No way! But, but the books he reads, and the, the-"
"Books?" Rin raised an eyebrow to Kakashi's stammered reply.
"Ah yes, books, well you see, that is I, urk, that is, hey Naruto, meet Rin!" Naruto cocked her head to the side while Rin slapped her forehead at his obvious change in subject. She'd let him for now; after all, she could always torture the truth out of him later. She knew some pretty good torture methods these days.
"Rin? What's a Rin? I've never heard that name before?"
"Ah, actually, you have, Naruto. I know, because I told it to you. Rin," he said, motioning to the woman in the bed, "is the one that delivered you." Naruto shook her head a few times as she wrestled with the concept.
"Delivered me? But that would me that she, that she knows, you know?"
"Yes, Naruto; I did, and I do. If I must say despite your resemblance to Sensei and Kushina-chan, you bare a marked resemblance to Karura-san as well."
"But, but I thought that sensei was the only one still alive...you're supposed to be dead!"
"She might as well have been," Kakashi said quietly. "She was gravely injured, but Orochimaru found her. She's been experimented on for years now, brainwashed and tortured, but then we found each other during the invasion, and her memory is returning."
"...wow. That's amazing. Oh, sorry that happened to you, Rin-san."
"Oh come on, you're making me feel like an old woman," she said, shivering. "I'm not that old. I might remind you that I was much younger than your...sand mother when she gave birth to you." Naruto scratched her head in embarressment.
"Ah, sorry, but well, um, it's just that I still don't really know you, you know?" Run chuckled.
"Of course, that is true, but we're going to be getting to know each other better. Kakashi tells me that Hokage-sama was taking care of you these last years. Can't say I'm surprised that your god-father hasn't been around much; he never was one to sit anywhere for too long."
"No kidding," Naruto muttered. "Pervy sage needs fresh 'inspiration.' If he stayed around too long women wouldn't be hanging out at the baths any more.
"...Naruto, I think we're going to get along wonderfully," Rin said, smiling brightly. "But the reason I was saying that, is while Kushina-san did have someone else in mind initially, that person's husband didn't want her to be your god-mother...so I got the job instead. It's my job, and my please, to take care of you now; once I get out of this hospital of course." Naruto was oddly quiet, staring down at the ground. "Naruto? What's wrong? Do you...not want me to take care of you?"
"What? Oh, no, that's not the problem. It's just...I was wondering what would happen to us, but I can't leave Konohamaru alone like that..."
"Konohamaru?"
"The Hokage's biological grandson," Kakashi supplied. "Him and Naruto are adopted siblings."
"Well, then we'll just have to take him along, too. Siblings shouldn't be separated after all."
"...you mean it?"
"Of course!"
"Then...yes! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you," Naruto shouted, pouncing on the bed and hugging her god-mother enthusiastically before Kakashi gently lifted her off the bed by her collar. "Hey, what's the big idea sensei?"
"Think about it Naruto; there's a reason Rin's in the hospital." Naruto took a moment to notice the pain written beneath Rin's smiling exterior and began to apologize.
"Besides, it's my turn."
"Huh? You're turn?"
"Girlfriend, remember? So you'll be seeing a lot me, even outside team meetings." Naruto's eye twitched as she considered the possible future implications.
"That...is just weird feeling, sensei." He shrugged as he let her down.
"Fair enough. Still, I think I'll enjoy the perks."
"Really? Well maybe I'll treat you to some 'perk' right now," Rin said, pulling his arm to draw him closer as she moved to work off his mask.
"Eeeeew, gross," Naruto yelled covering her eyes and stomping out of the room. It wouldn't be till much later that she realized she'd just missed the perfect opprotunity to figure out the answer to the biggest question: What IS under Kakashi's mask?
.
The next day it was finally time for all the prisoners to be let free. The discovery of the Kazekage's body was already helping to speed peace negotiations, but there was not yet talk of a new Kazekage. It seemed that the village was going to try running itself with the council for a little while until they had a mentally stable kazekage candidate who wouldn't be so easily manipulated into starting a war they couldn't win. No one knew a bit about Baki and the Sand Siblings involvement in the invasion. They would be able to return to the village with everyone else. Still, in order to give proper good-bye's, it was granted that they be released last. Officially it was because as children of the now dead Kazekage they might possess valuable intel. It was reasonable, though they had already parted with any intel they would have been willing to reveal. Now they stood at the gates with Kin, Naruto, Yashamaru, and Sasuke, though the latter was watching as he leaned against a tree several meters away from the group.
"Make sure you write back, okay? 'Cause I'm gonna write you every week kid."
"Of course, Kin-chan. I don't forget my friends like that!" "Of course," she laughed. "Still, I had to make sure you know. You are a spaz."
"Well, you're going out with my brother," she retorted, causing the pair in question to blush. "So I had better stay informed."
"Yeah yeah, that's right; embarrass me to your heart's content," Kankuro muttered before sticking out a hand. "Anyway, you're one cool cat, sis. You're gonna be great someday. Maybe then we can let everyone know that we're actually related." Naruto stared as his hand skeptically while he talked, brushing it aside to give a hug. Gaara inched away slightly, face flat and arms crossed.
"Come on, sisters want hugs, you know; not handshakes."
"Heheh, sorry," he said as Temari and Kin joined the hug.
"We'll miss seeing you," the oldest girl whispered.
"Me, too. We didn't get too much time to know each other, but as long as we all keep writing, I don't think that will be a problem."
"Yeah, guess not. We have to leave now, though. I love you, Naruto. Be safe, okay?"
"Heheh, well, I can't promise I'll be completely safe; after all, we're shinobi! But I'll make sure I'm alive 'till I make it to Hokage. Fair enough?"
"...fine," Temari said, sighing loudly.
"I love you, too," Naruto laughed.
"Take care squirt."
"Later kid!"
"You two, too," she said, addressing Kankuro and Kin. Then she turned to Gaara while the others said their good-bye's to their uncle.
"Well, I guess it's time for you to go." Gaara grunted an acknowledgement. "You gonna be okay?" He shrugged. "...you really aren't into talking, are ya bro?"
"I have become used to silence."
"Well, if you're gonna stand out better in your village you're gonna need to make some changes." He shrugged.
"I will adjust." He glanced over at Sasuke. "I still...don't like him, but I approve. He will protect you to his dying breath. His eyes told me this."
"And told me with his heart," she replied. She would have moved in for the hug slowly, but she knew his distaste for the gesture so she simply darted in, squeezing him before he could react. "Now, you may be my big brother, but only barely, so I get to look out for you, too. Play nice with the other kids, no more killing on a whim, and try to smile some, okay?" He grunted again, though his discomfort was telling. "Alright, good enough. Temari's gonna work on you back at your home, and she'll be giving me progress reports. You do not want to make me come over there to punch you back into shape so listen to what she tells you, got it?" Her stare was so scary that even he had to suppress a gulp.
"Fine, whatever," he said, disentagling himself from her hug. "Temari, Kankuro...it's time we left."
"Alright, move out gennin!" These were the only words Baki said as they left, but he nodded towards Naruto, a silent thank-you in the air for what she did for Gaara. Sasuke walked up to Naruto, slinging an arm around her waist as she waved to the departing group. Gaara turned one last time, just outside the gate. His gaze fell on Sasuke.
"Uchiha."
"Gaara."
No words need be said. They knew how special the girl in Sasuke's arm was, and they understood that they would both do all in their power to protect her. Gaara nodded once more to his sister, then turned and left. Yes, mother, I think I understand better now. She is...a good sister, and she is protected.
As they dissappeared around the curve of the road Naruto and Sasuke turned back into the village.
"So how often will they be writing?"
"To be honest I don't think Kankuro will. Boys are boys," she stated. "But Kin and Temari will probably write every other day or so, like normal people. It'll be kind of funny. We'll each get letters from the other about the same time since it takes a couple days for letters to go back and forth. They'll get their replies to their first letter while their second one is still on it's way!" She chuckled.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just wait an extra couple days so that all the letters actually correspond?"
"Tsk tsk, Sasuke. I told you, that's what a boy would do. Temari and Kin are normal people."
"...of course." Naruto leaned into him, thinking on her next little trip that was coming up.
"So, what now?"
"Eh? Oh, well, Jiriaya sensei said that he wanted to take me on a trip. Said he needed to find 'a replacement for the village' 'cause there was something he didn't want to do. We're gonna be looking for Tsunade."
"Tsunade? Isn't she the last of the sannin?"
"Yup! Won't that be so cool meeting her! The strongest kunouchi in the world..." She gazed at the sky dreamily, not realizing that her first meeting with the Slug Sannin would be less than satisfactory. "Oh, pervy sage also said that he was going to start teaching me some of tou-san's moves. Rasengan's first, but then we're gonna be learning about some of the other techniques, too. Well, foundations, he said. Apparently it's gonna take a long time to get some of them down."
"And you'll be okay? Just you and him on the road for who knows how long?"
"Well yeah; after all, I've already done a whole month with him, and I'm his god-daughter. Rin-chan would kill him if anything else bad happened, too."
"Fine; I guess it'll be alright."
"Heheh, yeah; believe it!" She sighed, settling into the crook of his arm again.
"Hmmmm, I love you."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"!"
"Fine, I love you, too," he said.
"That's better," Naruto purred, clutching his arm. Yeah, life was good. A lot had already happened since she was made a gennin, but there was still so much more to look forward to. She was just starting to realize that it was just like all the stories said: each new ending is just a new beginning.
Well, that's it. Naruto of the Sand is...over. :( I have to say, it's been a long, fun ride. When I started this story I had no IDEA that it would end up this long. I thought,you know, maybe this will be 10, 15 chapters tops. The original story started just before the chuunin exams and had just gotten to the forest of death. All of that took about 4 chapters. I didn't even consider back then how much extra time the back story for all the characters would take, or how much deeper I was going to go into this world. I saved Haku, Kin, and Dosu, AND hooked all three of them up. Also Rin and Yashamaru, too more dead characters. Its just crazy how a story will take on a life of it's own, telling you how to write it.
In any case, thanks for coming along for the ride. We're glad you took it with us. Please review and tell me what you thought of the final chapter.
Also remember, reviews will impact a possible sequel, so they're REALLY important.
Take care!
~CaptainFlye