I do not own Naruto Shippuden or any of the characters.


Homeward Bound

Menma stood on the rock, the waves lapping at the stone below him, a fine mist reaching him. Slowly, the boat finally set sail, Temujin and his surviving friends onboard, as well as a few of the survivors of the Nomadic Tribe. As the ship slowly passed the rock, Menma jumped onto the ship, landing beside Temujin, who had a certain ferret on his shoulder.

"Just couldn't stay away huh?" Temujin grinned.

"Well, my original mission was to retrieve that ferret," Menma said.

Temujin glanced at him and he smirked, shaking his head.

"If he wants to go with you that's fine," Menma smiled. "I really just came to say goodbye."

Temujin nodded, smiling and held out his hand Menma reached out to shake it but Temujin turned Menma's hand so that the back of it was up and set the fragment of Gelel Stone he had kept against Naruto's hand, the fragment sinking into his skin instantly, the same seal as was on Temujin's chest appearing on Menma's hand. Then, the seal glowed for a moment before fading.

"It's not a full stone, so you won't be able to control Gelel Energy to fight like I can, but it will strengthen your ability to heal things," Temujin said.

"My Medical Ninjutsu?" Menma blinked. "Awesome. Thanks."

"You're welcome," Temujin smiled. "Also, here. I won't be needing this anymore."

He held out his sword and Menma smiled, accepting it.

"I made it expand and collapse using my Gelel Energy," Temujin said. "Your Chakra can probably do the same."

Menma experimented channeling chakra into the blade and it extended to the length of a normal sword. He collapsed it again and smiled, putting it back in the sheath and thanked Temujin again.

"Good luck," Menma said. "Warring states are dangerous places. You sure you don't want to keep this in case you have to defend your friends?"

"It's alright," Temujin smiled. "There are always other weapons in warring states. Besides. I kicked your butt before without it, so I think I'll be okay."

Menma snorted in amusement then jumped up onto the railing.

"See you around Temujin," Menma said before falling off the railing and flipping, landing on the water before turning, running back to the shore where the others were waiting.

"Nice sword," Shikamaru said.

"Thanks," Menma said, hooking it to the back of his belt, where Temujin had worn it. "I'll make adjustments so it doesn't break when we get back."

Menma turned to Kahiko who crossed his arms.

"So, I take it we're not getting payed?" Menma asked.

"Nerugui is gone," Kahiko said. "Some of our people are gone, and the Mines of Gelel are gone...We'll send your pay to the Hidden Leaf. You have our thanks for helping us finally end that nightmare."

"You're welcome," Menma said. "Take care."

Kahiko nodded and the other members of the tribe waved as the three ninja began to head home. As they travelled, they remained mostly silent. When they were halfway home, they stopped for the night and Hinata gave Menma a look he knew all too well. She wanted to see Naruto. He nodded, sighing behind his mask and she smiled. After a bit, Menma left into the trees, saying he was going to the bathroom, actually getting away from the others and creating a clone before changing into his old outfit again, having the clones seal him. Then, the clone returned to the camp, telling Hinata the seal was ready, since Shikamaru had gone to bed. Then, the clone led Hinata back to the seal. Once there, he released Menma, who smiled when he saw Hinata. She smiled as well, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Don't cry Hinata," Naruto said, stepping forward and wiping her tears, the Menma clone walking into the trees and disappearing.

"I'm sorry about what happened last time," Hinata said.

"Hinata, don't," Naruto said. "You didn't do anything wrong. I wanted to too. But, like I said. You're too young. I'm sorry I hurt you. I just couldn't let myself do that."

Hinata nodded, hugging him.

"I love you Naruto," Hinata said.

"I love you too Hinata," Naruto said. "What's wrong?"

"Some children were returned to life recently," Hinata said.

"It wouldn't have worked on me," Naruto said, already knowing where she was going with it. "They had only died recently and still had bodies. I've been dead a long time and I'm only a manifested spirit."

Hinata nodded and Naruto sighed, kissing her. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. After a moment, he pulled back and smiled.

"I'm going to have to be careful with you," Naruto smiled.

Hinata blushed but nodded, resting her head against his chest.

"I wish I could find a way to bring you back," Hinata said, tears starting to fill her eyes again.

"You don't have to," Naruto said. "I'm always with you, and I'm waiting for you. We can be together again once you get here. And in the mean time, Menma is able to allow us to see each other for a little while at a time."

Hinata nodded and smiled before it slowly faded.

"We almost lost him today," Hinata said. "Naruto...why do you love me?"

"What?" he blinked.

"Why do you love me?" Hinata asked.

"I...I love you because you're beautiful," Naruto said. "Because you're kind to everyone. Because you're one of the only people who ever truly cared about me, no matter what anyone ever told you. Because you're strong, and brave, and you do whatever it takes to protect the people who matter to you."

"I see," Hinata said, turning her face into his chest.

"Hinata, what's wrong?" Naruto asked, starting to get worried.

"I don't deserve your love," Hinata sobbed.

"Yes you do!" Naruto assured her, extremely worried now. "Hinata, you do. No one in the world is as kind and gentle as you. Hinata, talk to me."

Hinata was sobbing too hard to speak for a bit. Then, finally, she managed to stop and sat up.

"I just...needed to vent," Hinata said, sniffing but smiling. "Thank you, Naruto. I'll be alright."

"Are you sure?" Naruto asked.

Hinata nodded and Menma sighed, nodding as she set her head against his chest again. After a little bit, she was asleep so Naruto stood, carrying her back to her tent and gently covering her before leaving and finding Shikamaru waiting. He sighed quietly and motioned for Shikamaru to follow, heading back to where he had left his clothes. As he began to change, he answered Shikamaru's unanswered question.

"It's the only way I can be with her," Menma said, pulling his mask on and letting his hair go back to being red. "And it lets her see Naruto, even if she does have to continue to believe he's dead."

"And what happens when she finally finds out who you really are?" Shikamaru asked.

"She won't," Menma said. "She can't. I can never tell her the truth."

"That's bull shit Naruto," Shikamaru said. "You could have told her already if you weren't afraid."

"But I am!" Menma snapped. "I'm terrified of losing her! That's why I haven't told her yet! I'm terrified of losing her over my lies! I'm terrified of losing everyone! That's what Menma Uzumaki is! He's my being a fucking coward!"

Shikamaru remained silent and Menma sighed, staring at the ground.

"I'm sorry," Menma said. "I shouldn't have yelled."

"Do you feel better?" Shikamaru asked.

"Not really," Menma said.

"Didn't think so," Shikamaru said. "And you won't until you stop lying to yourself and to her. You know what'll happen if you tell her the truth. You can't run from it forever. It's inevitable."

Menma sighed. Maybe Shikamaru was right. But he was not going to risk it just because the second smartest ninja in the village said so. He was too stupid for that.


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