holy hell! I had no idea that this chapter wasn't posted! I'll give you all an explanation. I typed this thing about a week ago I think, and I went through all the muss and fuss of posting it too. Somehow, something must've went wrong. I hadn't checked back in on this story, so i had no idea that something was wrong. I was kinda startled to have not received any reveiws about it yet, but now I know why. and have both been doing funky shit like this to me for a while. So i'm sorry. Here's the ending to "Bound By Misery"
Chapter Twenty-Three... Again
The next day, all of Konoha turned out for a very special event, called by the Hokage. Everyone gathered that the site of the previous night's party and festival, where a podium was set up.
The Hokage stood up there, accompanied by couple Anbu, Shizune, and a few jounin. Among the jounin was Kakashi, who sat in a chair looking pretty laid back, reading a bright orange book, titled "Icha Icha Paradise." Also up there was Iruka, looking a little nervous.
The people filled in the many seats that were there. Naruto walked into the town square with Sakura's arm hooked in his own, yawning away his sleep. He was still dead tired from all the partying and activity the previous night. He sat up front with his girl, where consequently most of Naruto's classmates were.
"Hi, Naruto-kun," said Hinata with a warm smile. "Good morning."
"What's up, Hinata?" asked Naruto, sitting next to her with Sakura on his right. "Enjoy the festivities last night?"
"Very much," said Hinata. Naruto was glad to see one of his closer friends had finally gotten over being so shy and introverted. Hinata always felt so negative of herself, but she had proven herself to be quite strong once her confidence was boosted.
"Excuse me, everyone!" called the Hokage behind the podium, followed by clearing her throat. All the talking and chatter died as they focused their attention on the Tsunade. "Thank you," she said. "I have called this assembly for a very important person to this village. I called this assembly without giving away its purpose so as to make it a sort of… well, surprise for that special person."
The Hokage looked down at Naruto for a second. Shit, she wasn't talking about him was she? Naruto hoped this wasn't going to be turned into another celebratory gathering or anything. He was all partied out, and he couldn't stand the embarrassment.
"Of course, the special person I'm talking about is none other than Uzumaki Naruto," said Tsunade. "By now, almost all of you have heard all the details of his brave endeavor to end our conflict, and he did it all for us. This gathering today is to honor the loudest ninja in all of Konoha for his heroism. Naruto, kindly step up here and join me."
Naruto stood up, extremely aware of himself suddenly. He wondered if he looked stupid how he walked up to the podium to join where Tsunade, Iruka, and Kakashi all stood. He could hear his heart beating.
He could take on the fiercest enemy in the entire world, but he had stage fright. Perfect.
He stood up next to them while the audience sat in reverent silence. "Naruto," said Tsunade loudly, placing a medal around his neck. "You are a very special person to us all now. You have served the town of Konoha more than it will ever be able to repay you for. You baffle us all with your courage and bravery in the face of any threat you meet, never bending or buckling under all the pressure that's been put on you. You have all of Konoha's appreciation. Thank you Naruto-kun."
Tsunade swept the blushing blonde into another bone crushing hug. Naruto couldn't speak, so he just smiled at her when she let go.
"I'm not very good at the talking thing," said Iruka sheepishly on the side, walking up to Naruto. "I am honored to have been your teacher for your time spent in the academy. I can't even imagine how things would've been if you had been so perfect at everything from the beginning. You would've passed your exams with ease, would've excelled in your work and training. You would've become a very different person from the Naruto you are today, and you know what? No one would want that to change. If you had been that person, then you would've have the code of 'Never Give Up,' or 'Never Run Away'. That's what defines you Naruto. You're the bravest and most determined Shinobi in Konoha, and if you stay that way, you'll be Hokage for sure."
"Thanks Iruka Sensei," said Naruto with a grin.
"Tsunade asked me to say some things about you," said Kakashi with a lazy wave. "Not much to say really. All I've got to say, everyone already knows. I knew you were a weird one when you got put into my team. You were the most enthusiastic and energetic person I'd ever met, and nothing seemed to get you down for very long. In fact, anything that brought you pain made you that much more stronger. Well, I'll just say congratulations then. Congratulations Naruto, and thanks for being a great first student. You've made me proud."
"Thanks Kakashi Sensei," said Naruto.
"Anything you want to say, Naruto?" asked Tsunade.
"Speech!" yelled Ino from the front row with a laugh. It was followed by several choruses of "Speech," leaving Naruto with no choice but to oblige.
"I guess I don't have a choice," sighed Naruto loudly. Some people laughed as Naruto took the stand. He cleared his throat. "I don't know where to begin. I guess I'll start off by saying that it's always been an honor to belong to Konoha. It was a long time ago it seems that I was just a little screwball with no real direction in life, a little brat without half a brain-
"What's changed!" yelled Sakura from her seat. The crowd all laughed.
"Well, I guess I'm not so little anymore," said Naruto with a laugh, rubbing the back of his head again. "I love Konoha. When I thought I wouldn't be coming back, I couldn't bear it. I didn't want to leave this place behind, and it sickened me that I was never going to see this town and its people again, but I would give anything to make this place safer, to make these people happier. Now that I'm still alive, I never want to feel that way again, the feeling of leaving behind such a beautiful place.
"But make no mistake that I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it came to that again," said Naruto a little more seriously than people were expecting. "I would lay down my life without a second thought for you all, each and every one of you. I've worked really hard to be acknowledged by you all, struggled to gain your approval. It's been my dream, right next to my passion to become Hokage someday, as you all know I'm sure. I see you people smiling before me, listening to me, and it makes me feel so good inside I can't explain it. I am overjoyed to be with you all. That's all there is to it. When I become Hokage, however long it happens to take, I will be the best Hokage you can want. I'll do everything right, and I'll do it with you all in my heart, where you belong, forever to stay…
"Umm, that's it. Thank you."
The people started clapping uproariously and cheering, shouting, applauding and whistling. The roars could be heard for miles.
Ten Years Later…
Uzumaki Naruto was taking a stroll through the park, wearing a long white robe and giant round headdress with eh symbol of Konoha on its front. Walknig next to him was his wife with pink hair and green eyes. Running along in front of them was a little boy of nine years with blonde, spiky hair. He was chasing a butterfly along the path.
"So how was your day?" asked Sakura.
"Nothing exciting really," said Naruto. "Received the latest reports from Temari and Kankouro in Suna. They're doing well over there too."
"All thanks to you," said Sakura with a smile.
"I didn't do much," said Naruto.
"You were the one who strengthened our ties with the country of Sand tighter than ever," said Sakura. "Ever since you became Hokage a few years ago, they couldn't get enough of us."
"Well that's due in large part to the siblings of Sand," said Naruto. "They said it was Gaara's wish that Sand and Konoha be close. And now Sound is our ally as well. It's looking to be a peaceful time for the future."
"That's wonderful news," said Sakura, wrapping her arm around her husband while he did likewise.
"Oh, I did receive some interesting news today," said Naruto. "The Sound finally captured him. He was a bit tough, as they explained, to bring in, but he's been imprisoned and is set for trial in a few days."
"That's good news to hear," said Sakura. "Every day I wake up regretting letting him get away when Itachi joined that fight. I'm glad he finally got his own punishment though."
"He was Konoha's last true enemy really," said Naruto. "Konoha continues to remain at peace."
"You're a wonderful Hokage," said Sakura, giving Naruto a kiss. As they walked, they came across a couple sitting on a bench quietly together. One had long white hair, the other, long blonde hair.
"Hey there, Naruto," said Jiraiya. "Hi Sakura."
"Hi guys," said Naruto and Sakura in chorus. The couple on the bench were holding hands. Shortly after Tsunade resigned as Hokage five years ago, they married each other. It wasn't totally unexpected, but it still shocked a lot of people.
"Hi Aunt Tsunade and Uncle Jiraiya," said the blonde boy with them, running up to the pair.
"Hello there, Iruka," said Jiraiya with a smile down at the child. "Have you been behaving?"
"Yes sir!" replied the boy in a salute. "I've been very good."
"Glad to hear it," said Jiraiya. "Your Aunt and I found something for you today, so we bought you a little gift." Jiraiya shuffled through some things in a satchel and took out a brown paper bag stuffed with candy.
"WOOOOWWW!" exclaimed the boy. "Thanks Aunt Tsunade and Uncle Jiraiya!"
"Make sure it's okay with your parents before you go eating it though," said Tsunade with a laugh.
"Can I?" asked the boy to his mom and dad.
"Eat all you want!" said Naruto. His wife smacked him.
"You can have one piece before dinner, and then maybe some more after dinner for desert, okay?"
"Okay Mom!" said the boy. He ran off with the bag, finding more things to do while his parents and "extended" family talked.
"So he's got the aftermath of the Kyuubi in him?" asked Jiraiya.
"Yeah, like it's some kind of bloodline ability or something," said Naruto. "He must've picked it up when… err, Sakura and I-
"Say no more," interrupted Tsunade.
"I'm interested," said Jiraiya, taking out a small orange notebook and a pen. "Any details you could offer would be great for the next volume."
"What did I tell you about that damn book?" asked Tsunade. "I told you no more writing! Have you been publishing under my nose?"
Just then, Kakashi strolled by with a bright orange book in his hands. He didn't show many signs of aging. He still looked the same, possibly due to the fact that he still kept his face covered. "Hey, Jiraiya, nice edition. This is your best ever!"
"Hello, Hokage-sama, Sakura-chan," he said as he continued to pass by. Tsunade glared fire at Jiraiya.
"Old habits die hard, eh, Tsunade?" he asked sheepishly.
"Indeed they do," she growled, cracking her knuckles.
"We better be going," said Naruto, pulling Sakura along. "It was nice running into you guys again!"
He hurried along, grabbing his son before he had to witness any of the fight bound to be started. "Those two," said Sakura while shaking her head. "So different, yet they belong together so perfectly."
"Daddy, what's a Kyuubi?" asked Iruka. Sakura and Naruto stared at each other for a second.
"What do you mean, Iruka-kun?" asked Sakura. "Where'd you hear about anything like that?"
"I heard you and Aunt and Uncle talking about it," said the boy curiously. "What's a Kyuubi?"
"Superb hearing already," thought Naruto. "Kyuubi, how many more of your abilities does my son have?"
Possibly all of them.
Naruto slapped his forward. "Don't worry about him," said Naruto. "When you're older, I'll tell you all about what the Kyuubi is, okay?"
"Awwww, moaned Iruka.
"Don't 'awwww' me," said Naruto in mock anger. He picked the boy up and placed him on his shoulders. "Or I'll have to punish you. I'll take you home and tickle you until you can't breath."
"Okay, I'll be quiet," said Iruka, laughing all the while.
So when will you tell him, Naruto? I mean, he's going to hear all about me sometime.
"I'd rather not think about it right now, Kyuubi. I thought I was rid of you ten years ago, but even death didn't stop you from somehow 'imprinting' your thoughts and psyche into my own. It's hard enough thinking while sharing my brain with you."
The Kyuubi laughed. I don't even know how I ended up in here. Buy you know you're all natural now still. That boy though. He's going to have a lot of the abilities like you had when I existed in you. Advanced hearing, sight, phenomenal amounts of chakra that he'll be able to pull out at will, a natural ability to fight. I daresay he'll be just like you.
"What about the Iris? Will he receive that as well?"
Tough to say. If he does, I wouldn't worry about it. There's nothing demonic about your child. He's just going to be strong. That's all.
"That's not very reassuring, Kyuubi."
I'm the one who passed everything into your seed in the first place, Naruto. I should know better than even you what your son will be capable of.
"Whatever," he thought.
"Naruto-kun, are you alright?" asked Sakura. "You look deep in thought."
"I'm fine," said Naruto. "Just thinking about… you know." Naruto jerked his eyes upward toward his sun. Sakura caught on.
"I don't think there's anything to worry about, dear," said Sakura. "Everything will be alright." They arrived at their house and entered, at which point Naruto took his son upstairs to his bedroom.
"Okay, you monster," said Naruto, laying him in his bed and tucking him in. "It's bed time."
"Okay," yawned the kid. "Can you tell me a bedtime story?"
"Well, let me think," said Naruto, sitting down next to his son's bed. "I think I can manage to give you a good one. Do you have any favorites you want to hear?"
"Tell me the one about the Little Engine that Could!" said Iruka happily.
Naruto smiled. "That's one of my favorites too," said Naruto. "Okay. This is a story about an overcoming huge obstacles, doubt, fears, and overwhelming odds, and coming out on top of it all and succeeding by working hard."
The End
That's it all! I will be turning out more about Naruto and Sakura eventually, but I can't think of anything right now to spark my creativity. if you can suggest a general theme, I'll take the best requets and write you something. Best suggestion gets the PRIZE! Yay, my first request ever! The rules are as follows: It must be a pairing of Naruto and Sakura. Anyone else can be in it, and you can even ask for other pairings. That's about the only rule. If you want a more modern story, say so, or if you want it set in old Konoha, that's cool too. I'll be taking AU or cannon fics.