By RequiemofDementia
Epilogue: The Funeral
All eyes remained on Hyuuga Neji, as he stood calmly, his eyes locked with those of the head of the Hyuuga family.
"What?" Hiashi asked.
Neji's eyes narrowed faintly. "The funeral for Hitomi Shinzui is today."
Hiashi laughed to himself, his eyes still not leaving Neji. "That might indeed be cause for celebration, Neji."
"You will show respect for Shinzui-sama."
Hiashi's eyes widened slowly. "What?"
Neji took a bold step forward, his voice dangerously low. "Shinzui-sama held a position of respect, and gave his life to defend Konoha village from Orochimaru. You will show him the respect he deserves."
Everyone's eyes remained locked on Neji, as he confronted Hiashi. Then, Hinata stepped forward slowly. "Yes. Shinzui-sama deserves respect."
The gathering was massive, a great many people having come to pay their respects to Hitomi Shinzui. Some had never even met the man, but recognized that he had paid the ultimate price for Konoha, and came out of respect.
Even representatives of the Hyuuga family were present, although the reason for their presence could have been respect, or more likely, because of Neji's adamant determination to get them there.
Chie's hand came to rest on Airen's shoulder. She knelt, tears streaming down her face. Riki stood by her side as well, his face still stone, but inside, he showed the same emotions as Airen.
Rei stood before the gathering, speaking softly of Shinzui. Everyone gathered listened, even as their own memories of the man played through their minds.
Chie could not imagine what Rei must have been feeling. Not only had she lost her husband, but also the father of the child that even now grew in her belly. Never once had Chie doubted that Shinzui had been a great man.
"Chie."
The young boy looked up at Shinzui, the origami ninja falling still, and landing on its back in the dirt. Chie's eyes were wide, afraid that he had been caught.
Shinzui slowly knelt by him, a smile crossing the older ninja's lips. "Don't stop."
Chie nodded slowly, looking towards the little origami creation. "You are not mad?"
Shinzui shook his head slowly. "No, Chie, I am not. You have a great talent, Chie. And there is nothing wasteful about using that talent to bring smiles to others."
Chie looked up and Shinzui timidly. "It's you."
Shinzui nodded, a smile on his lips. "Of course it is. I could tell that the moment I saw it."
Together, the two sat and watched the little origami ninja run around.
Shinzui had been more to Chie then just a sensei, he had been the closest thing that Chie had ever had to a loving father. A tear rolled down one pale cheek. "Shinzui-sama."
Kakashi shook his head slowly. "We can't do that, Shinzui."
The young Shinzui grinned. "Maybe you can't do it. I know I can."
Kakashi straightened to the challenge instantly. "I can do anything you can do."
"Really?"
Kakashi nodded quickly. "And I can do it better then you can."
"Then let's go."
It was not a true ninja mission, but they applied themselves as if it was. There had been trouble because of it, of course, but the sight of the head of the Hitomi family leaping around with itching powder in his underwear was worth it.
"I'll do my best," Kakashi said softly. He knelt down slowly by the grave, the first ever copy of Icha Icha Paradise that he had ever read carefully placed between the flowers. "This is yours."
Riki looked down slowly, his eyes on the headstone before him. Shinzui was gone. It didn't even seem possible.
Shinzui stood slowly before the two boys, a smile playing over his lips. "You'll have to go through me first."
The two thieves looked at Shinzui, tilting their heads. They did have the advantage of numbers. They rushed forward, drawing their swords as they did. However, it was not Shinzui that they struck, instead a wooden log, which fell to the ground.
"Shinzui-sama!" Chie shouted abruptly.
Shinzui was behind the two already, his hands delivering powerful blows to the back of their heads. The two thieves slumped forward, unconscious.
"Remember," Shinzui said softly. "You must always protect those you care for."
Riki nodded slowly, as he blinked back unshed tears. "I will remember."
Airen could not move. Too many emotions ran through her head. Her brother was gone. Her mind was filled with images, Shinzui always being there to help her, to teach her, to guide her. And now, he had given his life to protect her.
She did not even notice as the figure slowly knelt next to her, but she turned and grabbed onto him the moment she heard his voice. "It is okay to cry," Iruka said softly.
Clinging to Iruka's side, she buried her head against his chest and did so. No one looked, and no one thought her any less a ninja.
Rei slowly stepped back, a sigh escaping her lips. She had known that this day would eventually come. Her husband was a ninja, his death was inevitable. But she had not expected it so soon.
She awoke with a scream, her eyes opening as she looked about the room. She felt the comforting arms of her husband slowly curling around her.
"Shhh," Shinzui whispered softly. "It was a nightmare."
She turned her eyes to him, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clung to him. "Shinzui-koi," she whispered.
When she looked up again, his lips hold a soft smile, one of his hands gently caressing her cheek. "I will always love you, Rei, even after the life has left my body, I will be watching and loving you."
Rei's lips slowly curled into a smile, as her head nodded. She was sad that he was gone, but she knew that Shinzui had never lied to her. Wherever he was now, he was watching over her, and he still loved her.
It had been a long ceremony. Mourners had been present until long after the sun had gone down. Eventually, Rei had instructed Riki to carry Airen home, and he had done so without hesitation. Now, only one person remained before the grave.
His eyes were focused upon the tomb stone, his voice was soft.
"Shinzui. There is still so much to do."
His long tongue came out slowly, stroking along his lips, as a soft, evil chuckle escaped him.
Author's notes.
takes a moment to wipe my tears away I wrote this story a feww weeks ago now, and am only now getting to post it. As I reread, and try to put together pitiful little author notes, I try to capture what I was feeling when I wrote it.
That is easier with this one. I tried to get inside the characters heads, and imagine how they would feel. And, this is not a good time, for any of them. They all have special memories of Shinzui, and I try to capture that.
And what is this at the end? A familiar tongue? A hint for a sequel? Keep an eye out for The New Sannin: Beyond the Grave.