Day 1
As the group entered the village, thousands of locals ran up to them, cheering the victory of Kakashi's group over Orochimaru. Iruka-sensei appeared in front of Naruto out of the crowd.
"Congratulations Naruto! You saved us all!" He embraced the blonde child, but the boy did not stir. Iruka stared into Naruto's eyes. They looked lifeless, as if he may not ever smile again. Iruka's smile disappeared as his glance focused at the boy who lay in Kakashi's arms. Sasuke!
He stared at the motionless body, his eyes were closed, and blood stained the cloth. In the whole group, there wasn't a student or teacher that was free from the blood splatter. A cold shiver ran down his spine, and sadness overcame his emotions.
"What happened?" He whispered to Kakashi whose cheeks were soaked by tears. His voice would not come clearly, and stuttered as he tried to answer.
"Naruto…w-was the one that saved us all, but…" he sobbed wiping incoming tears. Iruka also felt tears, and didn't hesitate to show them.
"…Sasuke didn't survive… he died…p-protecting Naruto…" Iruka looked at Sakura, who also had the same expression as Naruto did. Iruka went back to Naruto who had dragged himself to his original swing that he would go to.
"Naruto…" He said, patting his former student. Naruto was sobbing heavily, and couldn't resist crying.
"I-I couldn't save him…" he choked. "He was my best friend… and I couldn't save him," Iruka-sensei brought Naruto to his cheat, and held him tightly. Both of them cried as others did as they saw the best, youngest ninja death right in front of them.
Although Sakura was in much pain, she held on to her lover's freezing hand. She held on until it was time for some Jonin to take him away. Ino doesn't know yet… she thought, as she walked up to the horribly depressed fox-boy. She too, held him next to her, and they shared tears till evening covered the sky.
Later that night, a feast was prepared for the young heroes by the Hokage himself. Many of the Chunin, and Jonin were there, and focused their gaze on Naruto. They saw that the children refused to eat. As the adults began to stir with worry, the Hokage got up to make a speech.
" We are here now to honor two, no, three kids who risked their lives for the sake of our village. Sakura, who used her wits, and helped when it was needed, Naruto, who destroyed the leader, and the supporters who assisted our foe, and Sasuke Uchiha, who sacrificed his life in order to save another's. We shall give these three special rewards; Sakura shall be given an occupation to be a teacher for future students, Naruto will be promoted as a runner-up to be Hokage, and Sasuke shall have his name engraved on our stone of heroes.
People clapped, and encouraged the children on their good work, but the children, not even the teacher moved, or showed their emotions to the new promotions. Iruka stared at Naruto. He would usually be excited at how well he's done, or would cry in happiness and embrace the only person he cared about. A tear dripped down his cheek.
TO BE CONTINUED…