It was a clear day today. The sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly today. The sun always reminded me of Naruto-kun, he was like a ray of sun materialized into a human being. Those wild golden hair of his spiking out and the smile was always warming me up, like the sun on a beautiful spring day. The sky was oddly clear today, and I chuckled to myself on how Shikamaru-san would be frowning at this. Today wouldn't be a day you'd expect to bury someone like Naruto-kun, hardly at least.

The procession started like any other funeral, almost the same as the Third. Although, at the beginning crowds riled up and riots broke out within the villagers in the street. The villagers chanting "down with the fox brat" and "Finally, he has gone to hell" shook me up. It took the looks of Hokage-sama and Kakashi-sensei to scare them away.

Although, I never really knew of Naruto-kun's past and how it was, I wouldn't know why anyone would want to treat him like this. Naruto-kun was such a bright and cheerful child and I couldn't imagine him doing anything for the villagers to hate him.

I admired him and his courage and his strength. The willpower to stand up in the face of failure and take it head on. I didn't know when, but the tears started coming out from my eyes, remembering all the moments I've had with him and the encouragement he gave to me.

Suddenly, I felt a arm over my shoulder and a gentle squeeze.

"Kiba-kun?"

He didn't answer me, but words were pointless. I put my head on my shoulder and let it all out and all he did was hold my tighter. I never felt so secure in such a long time.

I know I never had a chance with Naruto-kun, but I know in his heart if he knew how I felt. He would want me happy, and I think I finally starting to believe so.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun"

I was right in the middle of it all. I was staring at the picture of Naruto on the table. The casket was right in front of me with a table in front, the whole thing was covered in a blue cloth. A picture of Naruto giving that famous grin of his was set in the middle, his hitai-ate folded neatly right in front, flowers strewn all over the table. The petals were like our memories of Naruto, endless at it seemed.

I looked at the crowd who appeared at the funeral, not many people came. The infamous and famous "rookie nine" were here, Chouji even made it even though he was in no condition to do so. A few chuunins and jounins made it such as Gai-sensei and his team. Neji seemed in fine condition, though I could tell he was in a little pain at the moment. Although, I could see Tenten trying her best to cheer him up. Besides the ninjas located at the procession were a few civilians. I recognize two from the ramen shop down the street from my house.

"You okay?"

"Yeah I'm okay, Ino"

Ino snuck an arm around my waist and gave a gentle squeeze

"If you need anything, and I mean anything. I'm here okay, Shikamaru-kun?"

I nodded and gave Ino a reassuring smile. Wait hold on…

"Shikamaru-kun?"

She smiled at me and I swore I could see a faint blush

Women are so troublesome…

There I stood, in front of the whole procession. I know why I'm standing up here. Tsunade-sama asked me to give a speech in front of everyone…

"You at least owe it to everyone to give them a speech because you were the last person to talk to Naruto"

And she was right. I do owe it to everyone, but I don't know where or even how to begin my speech. I wanted everything to be perfect, something that would make Naruto proud. I gazed around looking for inspiration amongst the surroundings and I found my inspiration within a little girl.

"Moegi-chan, don't cry"

I remembered that girl as she was the one who always followed Naruto around along with Konohamaru-san and Udon-san. She was leaning against Iruka-sensei and being held by Konohamaru-san and Udon-san, who were also fighting tears in their eyes. Iruka-sensei was kneeling down and holding all three of them in a hug and I was compelled to say something…

"Today, we are here to bury one of own. Today, we are here to bury a comrade, a friend, a rival, a boss, and to some of us…"

I looked to everyone, and I closed my eyes and looked at myself.

"…someone we took for granted."

"Unbeknownst to me, until this very moment. I never realized how much Naruto is important to me…to us. Today, we bury the very sunshine of Konoha. The sunshine that has awaken us from the darkness, the one that leads us into the sunlight, the one that helps us see what we, sadly, taken for granted. There are times I wished that Naruto would leave me alone, you know? He would always bother me whenever I needed to do something, I always thought he would but in at the same time, you know? He thought he would always just annoy me because he just wanted attention…"

The tears came and I held them as best as I could. I remembered those memories and played them over and over in my mind. I gave a slight chuckle and cried…

"How he ever fell in love with me, I'll never know. How he still cared for me and protected me with everything he had even though I kept ignoring him and tried throwing his hopes away. But, he still did, his unbelievable faith, courage and stamina pushed him through everything, from his crush with me to fighting."

"Today, we will not mourn over the loss of our sunshine, my sunshine. Today, we celebrate his memories, his rivalries and his courage. The memories he has left with us, the rivalries he has proclaimed to us, and the courage and encouragement he gave to us. Throughout my missions with him, people have always discouraged him that he wouldn't be anything and he wouldn't amount to anything. That his dreams of Hokage are just a dreamer's dream. But look now, they said he wouldn't amount to anything…and he did. He became an inspiration something a Hokage was meant to be."

"Now that he's gone, we are to inherit the will and live it and pass it on. Pass on the courage he gave us, the love he gave us, and the rivalries he gave us. Now it's my turn to amount to something."

"No"

"It's our turn"

I gave a glancing, teary eyed look across the crowd and I saw all the tears dried and all the smiles open. A sight that would be proud in Naruto's eyes. I walked down from the steps and looked at Tsunade-sama. She smiled at me and gave me a hug.

"I'm proud of you Sakura-chan"

"Um… Tsunade-sama? Why am I here again?"

"You're here because we are waiting for someone to come"

Right after Naruto-kun's funeral, Tsunade-sama had called me to her office. I've been waiting for about a few minutes in her office. Tsunade-sama looked quite uneasy and furious at something, or someone. I just really hoped it wasn't me. I heard the last time someone got on Hokage-sama's nerves he went straight through the wall and landed outside. Let's just say they are still repairing the walls…and him.

"Arg!"

I jumped at the sudden outburst from Tsunade-sama and watched her pound her desk and through her book at me. I quickly reacted to it and dodge it. I heard a loud "oomph" right behind me and looked back. I saw the Legendary Sannin Jiraiya-sama behind me. Unfortunately he also met the book's binder in his face.

"You're late you know that, Jiraiya?"

"Yeah I know, I was paying homage to my student of course"

"Yeah, I figured as much. I'd thought you'd be peeping on bath houses again"

"Look, you big breasted woman you, I am not that evil"

"What did you say?"

I saw Tsunade-sama twich before she launched a big book (most likely one of those thick medicine books) at Jiraiya-sama and watched him dodge it.

"Hey, at least that got you in a better mood"

"Yeah, and not a mood I was expecting. Anyway down to business"

She looked at me with a smile and looked like she wasn't in such a furious mood. She changes mood so quickly it sometimes scares me, that or that's her mood"

"Yes, Tsunade-baa-"

I covered my mouth as quickly as I could, realizing the words coming out of my mouth. I thought I would never call her that in the first place, let alone the second time. Although, Jiraiya-sama had quite fun with that.

"Haha. The reports are exactly as you reported them. She even has his bad habits and his disrespect"

"Tsunade-sama! Please understand, I didn't mean…"

"It's quite alright, Sakura-chan. I feel kinda joyous myself at hearing that name again. It just shows how much you are already taking up after Naruto"

"Tsunade-sama?"

Jiraiya coughed and caused me to look at him as he explained

"Well you see, the jutsu Naruto used on you causes certain side effects. Although, these are only theorized from logic and reason. Since Naruto transferred his soul, along with the Kyuubi's soul, into you using the Shiki-fuujin no jutsu. The seal creates a pathway between the sealed chakra and the person who has the seal. This helps create a pathway for the person with the seal to draw chakra anytime from the sealed chakra. However, this is a variation of the Shiki-fuujin no jutsu, the side effects cannot be determined because even though this is a variation of the technique, this is still a Naruto original. Theorized more likely, that other than chakra, something else is being channeled to you.

This was way too much for me to think about now. I was too confused by all this to begin with and now its just being all mush to me now. I never knew the basics of the Shiki-fuujin technique before, and how it was done. So I have no knowledge of what they are talking about. But I got two things, Naruto's soul is within me and he's channeling directly with me.

But questions still remained

"Still, what is with this meeting. And how come I'm here now"

Tsunade-sama answered that for me.

"Well, Sakura-chan. Naruto gave up his soul to you to fufill your dream of returning Sasuke to us. I know you may not sound too happy with it, but as Naruto's last wish you must honor it. He also told me that he wishes you to continue the legacy of Hokage of Konoha…"

I was stunned… Naruto did that for me? He wants me to accomplish his dream for him? To be Hokage?

"…and that isn't all. Your parents and Kakashi-san has been informed of this, but you will be training with me and Jiraiya for two and a half years. This along with missions and raising your ninja rank"

I'm being trained by two of the legendary sannin? Why? It's such a honor to be trained by two of the greatest ninjas of their time, but why?

"Sasuke has three years before he becomes Orochimaru's container. Reports say Orochimaru got too impatient waiting for Sasuke and he transferred his body into another container before Sasuke got there. Which means, before we have to save Sasuke, you have to train for two and a half years to reach the level of Sasuke's ability. This training regiment is quite harsh and especially when you have Tsunade-sama and I training you in both medical and ninjutsu techniques. However, this will create a higher level of battling for you to be ready for the real deal when it comes. By the time this is over I want you to ready to fight Orochimaru and Sasuke"

I was stunned by all this as Jiraiya-sama explained. I didn't want to go after Sasuke-kun. I couldn't bear to see him like this, but this is Naruto's last wish. And I promise I will complete it. If not for my sake, then for the sake of the village and everyone else.

"Do you understand, Sakura-chan?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama"

I turned around and proceded to exit the room before I passed myself by a mirror.

What in the world…

I looked over to my left and saw myself in the mirror… I had looked the same besides the highlights of my 2 front bangs… I never had highlights

They were blond highlights, and my eyes turned into a slight blue-ish color. Are these the after effects?

"If you think that's it, Sakura-chan. Then wait until later. You have a long time ahead of us Sakura-chan. Go home now, and rest up. Your training starts tomorrow"

I smiled and looked at Jiraiya-sensei. I bowed to him and left and wondered on how much Naruto would change me. And how much I would love the change. As I closed the door I said goodbye to them.

"Bye, Tsunade-baachan, Ero-sennin"

Ahhh, my laptop sucks. I'm sorry for the long wait everyone, but I hope this would make up for it. What happened was that while I was writing the first two parts(if you haven't figured it out by now it's Hinata and Shikamaru's POV) my computer froze and windows crashed…before I had any chance to save it. If it wasn't for that I would've updated about 3 or 6 days ago. This chapter ends the "Prologue" Volumes of this story and we move into a time skip (like the actual manga) into the next Volume "Beginnings" which is in itself. I may do a few chapters to do "Side Stories" of couplings. Hereby I say I'm a fan of KibaHina ShikaIno and NejiTen. Those are the couplings I'm leading down into for the Side Stories. The Side Stories play a huge part in the role for the last two volumes. And don't worry for you drama and angst lovers because the huge drama and angst will come in due time. I will TRY my ABSOLUTE HARDEST to come up with the next chapter.

Until next time, give me reviews and they will encourage me to update faster