Epilogue
The Hoshigaki Family
When Kisame returned home he had his hands full with calming his wife down. She was very hurt that he went behind her back on something this important. But when he told her about giving his blessing, she was stunned into silence. "Did you really?" She asked in wonder.
He nodded as he kissed her forehead. "Yes I did and not because I don't want to lose our daughter. That kid had a lot of guts taking me on like that just so I would accept them. If he'd go to lengths like that for her then…well…he's got what it takes to take care of her."
Ritsuko smiled as she hugged him. "But it's safe to assume that you didn't tell him that."
"Of course I didn't," he said firmly. "It'll be a secret between us."
"You're so stubborn," she teased.
Yusei remained forever in the dark about Kisame's approval of him, though he did notice that his father-in-law wasn't as gruff as he usually was. While Yusei and Katsuye were raising their family, Ritsuko and Kisame enjoyed being grandparents. With Takashi now in the ninja academy, Ritsuko was bored at home so she found employment as part of the Hokage's security detail, similar to what she had done for the 4th Mizukage back in the day. Kisame continued to work for Konoha's Torture and Interrogation Force. "It's the perfect job," he would laugh. "It's the only job where I can beat the crap out of someone and get paid for it too."
Takashi remained a handful for his parents. He barely graduated from the ninja academy. Not because he lacked talent but because he didn't want to be compared to his "perfect" sister. At age sixteen he ran away from home and for years no one knew what had happened to him. Then randomly they got a letter from Sunagakure. He was apprenticed to Kankuro the Puppet Master; at last he had found a niche that suited him. He never did return to Konoha but instead settled down with a girl and had a family of his own.
Yasashiku Aburame
Despite his usual predictably, no one could believe that he chose to marry Anzu Inuzuka. A strong silent Aburame marrying a wild and spunky Inuzuka? It was rather unexpected but Yusei and Katsuye knew their friend well. Yasashiku appeared composed but he craved adventure. He was always at battle with his thirst for excitement and usually hid it well to please his stoic family. Anzu, on the other hand, had gotten fed up with Kei's perversion. She wanted more than just sex; she wanted someone to listen to her and to care about her needs for a change. And so she had found an unlikely confidante in Yasashiku. He was the gentlemen she had been looking for and she had plenty of spunk to satisfy his true spirit. They had a large family with six children.
Shikamaru and Chizu
Tired of the lack of respect Chizu got from work, they started their own medical clinic. Free to chose their own hours and work for willing clients, they soon garnered an impressive reputation for efficiency and compassion. As husband and wife they worked side by side though clearly she was the superior medic. When called upon for sealing jutsus; Chizu was better skilled than the top in the field. Because of her proficiency, Tsunade was fairly positive that she was part of the Uzumaki clan. Chizu never found out where her demon hands had come from, but she did learn to accept them without reservation. She and Shikamaru had one more child, a girl named Chikako. While they had always maintained good relations with Shikaku, it took Yoshino a couple of years to come around. She never did fully accept Chizu; which didn't bother her at all but never ceased to irritate Shikamaru. Still Yoshino was a very doting grandmother, revealing the gentle side she rarely showed. When they retired, they played Shogi and continued to add things to their bucket list.
Naruto
He and Hinata had a daughter named Yoshiko. Naturally he became Hokage after Lady Tsunade passed away. He was known world-wide for both his compassion and his strength, leading Konoha into an era of peace and prosperity.
Sasuke
He spent the rest of his life in prison despite his penitent attitude. It simply wasn't worth the risk to trust him again. He understood this and even though it made him sad, he was happy to receive visitors. Naruto still came to visit, as well as Itachi and even Miko sometimes. But by far the most surprising visitor was his own son Lauri. The rumors of the alleged affair only grew as the twins looked more like Sasuke with each passing day. Itachi and Miko had done their best to shield them from the gossip but that was impossible. Curious Lauri wanted to find out for himself and the only way to do that was to meet his "Uncle." Knowing that a seven year old wouldn't be allowed to see a maximum security prisoner, he devised a way to sneak inside. Even in his youth he was a brilliant strategist. The break in was a success, carried out in the dead of night and as soon as he saw Sasuke, he saw the truth for himself. The resemblance was incredible and there were no lingering doubts. Naturally Lauri had so many questions but Sasuke was reluctant to give any answers. "Ask Itachi," was all he said. "He'll tell you."
Of course Itachi was horrified to learn what had happened and especially that a child could sneak into the ANBU Prison Quarters unseen, but he was also impressed that Sasuke hadn't told him anything either. Itachi explained as tactfully as he could about his true parentage. While Lauri had been shocked to learn the truth, he still wanted to develop a relationship with Sasuke as best he could. Both he and Akiza had to keep pretending that Itachi was their dad, but they enjoyed their visits with Sasuke. He was funny and a little devious, a refreshing break from Itachi's mild gentleness. When Lauri asked if it bothered him that Miko was back with Itachi, Sasuke lowered his gaze. "I did love your mother and I know I always will. But…I'm tired of revenge. It wasn't worth it in the end to wind up here." He reached out to ruffle his son's hair. "Learn from my mistake son. Don't focus so much on one thing that you ignore everything around you. Live life to the fullest and with no regrets."
Lauri and Akiza
Akiza grew into a vibrant and vivacious girl, standing out in stark contrast to her cool and often indifferent twin. Lauri was more calculating and a little arrogant of his abilities like Sasuke had been. He never bothered to make friends but was a kind and protective brother to his sisters. He and Yusei were not super close but also were not enemies either. Still the twins were inseparable; rarely would you find one without the other. Every bit as talented as Sasuke, they excelled in the ninja academy and graduated after a year.
But despite their shinobi talent they found something more exciting and fulfilling. When they were twelve they felt that their allowance wasn't enough. So when they asked for a raise Itachi suggested they find ways to earn money instead. He assumed they'd look for part time work, but instead they decided to start a band. Akiza had a beautiful singing voice and Lauri was a fantastic tenor who also had the knack for business that Sasuke had. He took care of all the arrangements and auditions and within two weeks they were signed on by a record company. Despite their instant popularity Lauri sensed that they were missing an angle, some image that would launch them into stardom. It came to them by accident when during a concert Akiza accidentally tripped and landed on top of him, her lips pressed against his. They stared at each other in surprise and their audience was stunned into silence. Then she blushed furiously and sprouted her Kitsune ears which made her look super adorable. The crowd went wild, now convinced that she had a secret crush on her twin. That was their missing angle: forbidden sibling love. Naturally Itachi and Miko didn't approve of the fake romance for publicity's sake. Sasuke thought it was a riot; his sense of humor was irreverent anyway. It launched their musical career to new heights until they were well known in every country. Retiring from the shinobi lifestyle they toured the world sharing their music with everyone.
Because of their Kitsune ancestry they lived for several hundred years. Marrying often (since they always outlived their spouses) their descendants grew in over-whelming numbers.
Mikoto
She was still very shy and timid. But living true to her namesake she possessed a quiet strength and unfailing spirit of perseverance. Remaining close to her father she often looked to him for guidance and advice. Unlike her often impulsive siblings, she never rushed into anything. Her observant manner and keen instinctive insight gave her the reputation of a brilliant strategist. She put this to use as Konoha's eighth Hokage. After serving for sixty years she felt it prudent to retire. Not because she was too old (her longevity was similar to her siblings) but because she felt it only fair to let others have a chance at the honored position. She was greatly missed and so joined the Konoha Council to be of assistance to the other generations of Hokages. She too had many descendants.
Yusei and Katsuye
Their first child was born before their first wedding anniversary. The pregnancy had been difficult for her due to her chronic back pain and she was placed on bed rest in the middle of the second trimester. Yet in spite of pain and the boredom of being cooped up in bed, she was excited about the prospect of being a mother. She delivered their son after ten months, a healthy boy with navy hair and Kitsune features. Of course they named him Sora. They later had two other children: Akihiro (a boy who resembled his mother) and Hikari (a girl who resembled him with Kitsune ears but no tail).
When Kisame passed away, he left in his will his desire for Yusei to have Samehada. He was completely floored that his father-in-law entrusted to him his most prized possession, especially when he wasn't a swordsmen. Overtime he did learn to wield the mighty blade and used it in battle though he never could fuse with it because he didn't have any water jutsu ability.
Yusei's enduring youth was attributed to his divine nature, but Katsuye was mortal through and through. Over time she showed her age in spite of his youth. At first it wasn't so bad and was easy enough to ignore. But soon it was very obvious and he knew that in all likelihood she would only live an average lifespan and die long before him. He didn't possess the blue flame technique like his mother did but there had to be a way for him to give her one of his lives. He grew secretive and distant as he plotted and schemed until it nearly consumed him. Tired of it she gathered up his notes and threw them away despite his protests. When he tried to retrieve the papers, she grabbed a hold of him and kissed him. "Enough Yusei," She said firmly. "Let it go. I won't let you sacrifice any of your lives. Each one is precious to me and I would feel forever guilty if I knew you were closer to death because of me."
"But I don't want to lose you," he cried in her arms. "I don't think I could live without you."
"You can and you will," she said gently. "Life is a gift and each day is valuable. Let's not waste them worrying about the inevitable."
He honored her wishes and let go of his anxieties, living each day to the fullest. Despite her aging fragility, she took great pride in her family and in her husband. She didn't let their differences separate them or care that sometimes she was mistaken for his mother and later grandmother by strangers. In fact she often played it up just for laughs; her humor carried her through the occasional awkwardness. In the end she didn't regret a single thing. She lived to be ninety-six years old. Even her last words reflected the great love she had for him. "I'll be waiting for you on the other side. It wouldn't be heaven without you, my dear."
Yusei never married again, no other girl managed to touch his heart as deeply as Katsuye had. For a long time he resented his longevity. What was the point in living for hundreds of years if you only lose those you care about? He hardened, rarely laughed and smiled even less until Miko talked some sense into him. "You can't be so focused on your heartache that you forget to live…I know how much Katsuye meant to you but you know she'd want you to be happy. And what about those who are living now? Your brother and sisters? Your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren? You haven't lost them yet. They need you more than the dead do."
After that he made a bigger effort to cheer up, focusing on his family and in making new friends.
Itachi and Miko
The life Miko had given him had indeed extended his life force and he maintained his youthful appearance. When he died he only looked in his mid-fifties but was in fact two hundred and thirty-eight years old. He had lived a long and happy life, presiding over the thriving and prosperous Uchiha Clan with his wife. Yusei and Lauri, the future heirs, worked alongside them and gained wisdom from their guidance. Itachi's last wish was that the two brothers continue to work together to maintain the balance. The brothers did just that, balancing their individual weaknesses with their combined strengths. This kind of teamwork was their guiding principle and through the centuries the Uchiha Clan was renowned for their nobility, power, and spirit of camaraderie.
Miko never married again either, her love for Itachi remained true to the end. She was very much the inspiration and figurehead of the Uchiha Clan. She had that kind of compassion and eternal optimism that gently motivates and inspires. After she passed away at age six hundred, a statue was erected of her in the village with her motto engraved at the bottom: Hold on to hope when all else fails.
Long after her death, the legend of Miko and her enduring optimism continued to influence generation after generation. She just had that effect on people, giving them courage to be true to themselves despite their imperfections and to rise above their limitations.
Authors Note: I wanted to give a special shout out to my co-writer the real Miko Hayashi. Thanks again for letting me write your OC's story; it's been lots of fun collaborating with you on this series.
And of course I wanted to thank our faithful reviewers (especially the ones that followed the story from the very beginning). You've made this my most popular story ever! Thanks for your enthusiastic reviews and eager interest in this story. It was very inspiring and encouraging! Also if you haven't yet, be sure to check out my deviantart account (link on my profile page) to see artwork from this series and its characters.
I hope you'll add me to your Author Alert so you'll stay up to date with my future Naruto-related stories. I'm always writing!
