Even the weather had seemed to be in mourning, for it had rained lightly almost non-stop since that fateful day, such a short time ago.
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It was still raining on the day of the funeral. Most of the village had chosen not to attend. Many were glad to be rid of 'that demon boy'. Anyone who knew Naruto however, I mean REALLY knew him had made a point to attend. The Raman man, Tsunade, Kakashi the rookie 8, Neji had even talked one of the nurses into wheeling him down to the Hokage monument. This was an odd place to hold a Funeral, but Tsunade and Kakashi had discussed it beforehand, and decided that it was the most fitting place to say goodbye to the Hokage that wasn't.
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It really was a moving ceremony. Tsunade said the Eulogy, Kakashi and Jirayia each gave a short speech about the departed, about his fire, his spirit. Most of all they emphasized the joy he brought into the lives of those who took the time to get to know him. Then came the end of the requiem, the part where everyone was allowed to say their goodbyes. Sakura went first…
"Naruto you Baka, why did you have to die? I never told you, and you probably didn't figure it out, but I looked at you like a brother. Sometime you were the younger brother, Loud, Obnoxious, constantly asking me out… I never would have said this to you, but it made me feel special, knowing… knowing that there was… Was someone …" Sakura Laid a red Carnation on Naruto's chest and walked away sobbing.
Next in line was Neji.
"I really didn't know you much Naruto…"
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While Neji was saying his goodbye's Sasuke was having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that this was happening. Somewhere deep down he had always believed that Naruto was invincible. After a day he had tried to rationalize what he did. He had tried to convince himself that he was an avenger, that what he did was right regardless of who he hurt. He didn't believe it then and he couldn't believe it now. Looking around the room he could see only cold eyes. All the gazes that were turned his way were full of malice. The few people who didn't show him hate filled eyes refused to meet his gaze at all. The worst part was, he deserved it, and he knew it.
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Hyuuga Hinata had been carefully watching the faces of everyone in the room. Neji-nii-san had finished his speech as had Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji. They had all left gifts. Ino a carnation, saying that she had looked to him as an inspiration, Shikamaru a Kunai that was supposed to symbolize comradeship, and Chouji a bag of his beloved chips as well as a set of his families special soldier pills. Lee was currently standing up there with Gai and as usual they were hugging, but for once it wasn't that creepy hug they usually did. In fact Lee looked like a lost child in need of protection. Hinata decided that she would go next. Then it would be over, and she could go prepare to join her beloved Naruto-kun.
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I'm going next. Thought Sasuke as he looked over the gathering. I don't care who steps up, I WILL go next. When I'm done… I'm leaving. I can find a place to spend in misery for the rest of my life. Naruto, I'm so sorry.
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As Gai and Lee walked away both Hinata and Sasuke stood up. Each paying no attention to their surroundings, both started forward.
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Hinata was aware of a collective gasp, but she just assumed it was the fact that a Hyuuga would demean herself to say goodbye to a commoner. Damn you Dad. Why couldn't I have been born just like anyone else? She refused to look around.
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Sasuke was also aware of a gasp behind him. He on the other hand assumed it was because Naruto's murderer would dare to say goodbye. You fools, he was my brother. I would never admit it, but I understood more about how he felt than any of you possibly could. He refused to look around.
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Hinata and Sasuke were both shocked when they finally became aware of each other. But by that time, it was too late for either to turn back. When they reached Naruto's coffin Sasuke, whose mind had begun to work a little better, asked politely.
"Pardon me Hyuuga-sama, but may I go first, I'll be brief, and you need not leave"
The rest of the gathered shinobe drew a collective breath. Several of the adults prepared to leap forward. Not too fast, Sasuke deserved what he would get, but enough that there would be no permanent damage… maybe. Everyone was surprised however when Hinata, the shy little Hinata, said to him in a tone of Utmost Grace and the Epitome of command.
"As you wish Uchiha"
Everyone but Sasuke flinched. You could have chilled drinks with that tone of voice. Most were oddly puzzled as well. It was an open secret that Hinata had been harboring a crush on Naruto for years. Why she would let his killer go first, and without attacking him was beyond their comprehension.
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Hyuuga Hinata's mind had gone into overload. It didn't happen much, because usually she had time to think things through. What usually happened when her mind did overload was that she fainted. Today however was different. She had promised herself that no matter what happened she would not make a scene. So today, all the years of family training had kicked in. The cool facade was merely a way of coping while her mind tried desperately to catch up.
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Uchiha Sasuke was also in a state of shock. But since he had been in one for the last week, he didn't much mind; he just chose to ignore anything he couldn't process at the moment. All he really heard was "as you wish".
"Well Naruto, Now that I'm here I really don't know what to say to you. To be honest I never thought that I'd see this day." Sasuke slowly took off Naruto's jacket. "Here, I've been keeping this warm for you. I figured that any moment you'd pull another of your miraculous recovery, and pop up to call me a bastard again and demand it back. I guess I was wrong. I don't know what came over me, but I want you to know that I've looked on you as a brother."
Another gasp from those assembled and a muttered "if that's so why'd you kill him" from Shikamaru
Sasuke gently folded the jacket and placed it over the gifts already arrayed there. "I want you to know that where ever you are, I'm sorry. Did he just take a breath? No, he's been dead for a week. If you can hear me, I don't expect you to forgive me, I won't forgive myself. THERE! IT HAPPENED AGAIN! NO. He's DEAD, your imagining things. I want you to know that no matter what happens. I for one won't forget you for the rest of my days. Brief may they be and may I die a slow and painful death for what I've done to you. Goodbye brother."
With those last words Sasuke stepped to one side, making way for Hinata.
Hinata's mind had finally caught up and she realized that it was now her turn to say goodbye.
"Naruto-kun, I've wanted to tell you this for a long time but I… I… Steady Hinata! This is your last chance to tell him." Hinata cleared her throat tried again. "I've always watched you Naruto-kun. You've been my inspiration, my light in the darkness. In my eyes you have been the sun that pierced the clouds of night. I just want you to know that… that I… I Lo…. HINATA! Just SAY IT! Say it so you can be done and then go to join him." Hinata however was totally unprepared for what happened next. A single tear had been slowly rolling down her cheek when a hand reached up and brushed it away. Startled Hinata looked down…
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Tsunade had been a ninja for over forty years; despite her youthful appearance she was in fact rather old, and quite well traveled. She was a bit startled when Hyuuga Hinata suddenly fell to the floor, but she was shocked out of her mind when a voice inside the coffin spoke up.
"Sasuke! Sasuke You Bastard! You take and put this coat back on! I expect it warm when I want it back! You hear me?"
As Tsunade stood up anger seemed to radiate from her like heat from a furnace.
"WHO DID THAT? Who would DARE to pull this kind of prank using Naruto-san's Body?"
"Tsunade-baba" said the voice "you may want to get over here. I seem to have a hole in my stomach, and I don't think that Raman is going to be on the menu this time."
Tsunade had been angry before but now she was Pissed. Off.
"WHOEVER YOU ARE! YOU COME OUT RIGHT NOW! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!"
Saying so, Tsunade strode over to Naruto's coffin and stood facing the assembled people.
"I apologize to all of you. I thought that this would be a safe enough place for Naruto-san's funeral, but it appears that we have a breach in security. I am deeply sorry for any additional grief this incident has caused you, I do however assure you that the perpetrator will be apprehended and I will see him or her PUNISHED for what they have done here today. Now, if one of you would be so kind as to help Hinata off the floor and take her to the hospital we can continue this tomorrow afternoon."
"Huh?" Muttered Kiba
"She's sorry someone is being an ass and you need to come back tomorrow and listen to the rest of it if you want to know who's doing it, and how badly she kicked the crap out of the person." Muttered Shikamaru
"OH! Ok" said Kiba
Tsunade was about to go back to her seat when she suddenly stiffened to the feel of a hand hitting the small of her back.
"That's all well and good Tsunade-baba but I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to take a look at this hole in my stomach first. You see I seem to be losing a rather large amount of blood."
Tsunade turned slowly EVER so slowly and looked into the casket. There grinning back at her was none other than Naruto himself. Not in the best of shape, but still very much alive.
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Just before he passed out from blood loss Naruto heard a familiar voice chuckling in the background.
What did you do now Kyuubi?