Disclaimer: Naruto and all its characters are the properties of Masashi Kishimoto. No profit is made off of this fan-fiction story. Any additional original characters located in this story are designated as such and belong to the author, Jae (Dae T. Angel).

—.&.&.—

EPILOGUE

Four months and twelve days. That was how long it took for Naruto to wake up. Sasuke would not readily admit to having counted the hours and minutes leading up to the moment, but he was sure the others knew the truth.

The event had happened innocuously.

Sakura had stopped by the compound to check on Naruto's vitals, per her daily routine, and it was not until she had finished jotting down her notes that Naruto's eyes had fluttered open. The room had gone silent as she and the other two occupants—Kurama and Sasuke—watched Naruto blink tiredly, then mumble: "Hey…."

Their reactions had varied but held the same underlying sentiment.

First, Sakura's eyes had gone glassy with emotion, though she held herself together with a relieved smile. The light swat of her notepad and a gentle squeeze of Naruto's hand as she greeted him completed the picture.

Kurama, whose chakra manifestation had become a faithful fixture at the blond's bedside since the beginning, had grumbled about Naruto taking his sweet time. It was evident to all of them that there was no real displeasure in its words.

Sasuke was the last of the three to say anything.

The sheer force of emotion that had washed over him at seeing Naruto wake had nearly buckled Sasuke's knees. He had taken a moment to gather himself, filtering all that he felt into a single sigh. Then he leaned over and kissed the other man.

The way Naruto's lips smiled against his as Sasuke whispered, "Welcome back, dobe," assured him the blond understood what he did not put into words. And when Kanaye had rushed into the bedroom after hearing the news, something else solidified in Sasuke.

As he watched both father and son embrace one another, he knew he would do anything to ensure they were always this happy.

—.—

Before entering the Hokage's office, Sasuke knocked to alert her of his arrival. Once permitted in, Tsunade looked up from her work and greeted him with a smile.

"Sasuke, right on time," she said, amused.

He approached her desk, then stood before it—hands placed neatly behind his back.

"I heard the situation with Naruto resolved itself," she continued.

"For the most part, it has," Sasuke confirmed. "Some days are harder than others, but he's been handling them well. The therapeutic chakra regimen you and Sakura had put together for him also helps."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes and rested her chin on the back of a propped-up hand.

"Officially, I had nothing to do with that effort. Understood?"

"Understood."

Another beat went by before the Hokage shifted her position again. This time folding her arms beneath her bosom on the desktop. Her expression was wistful.

"I wanted to thank you, Sasuke. I know the task I saddled you with wasn't easy, and frankly, I didn't know how it would play out. But I'm happy I took the gamble."

Sasuke paused, taking in her words with a measure of wariness. His brow furrowed slightly as he broke eye contact with her.

"Godaime-sama, I'm not sure I've fulfilled the mission to its most optimal conclusion. I haven't exactly provided that unequivocal vouch of Naruto's character that was needed. If anything, I'm worried I might have complicated the situation," he said somberly.

When the woman chuckled, Sasuke looked back at her.

"Give yourself a little more credit, Uchiha. The very fact that the Kyuubi is a contributing member to your little household is all the leverage I need," Tsunade said with a smirk.

He stared at her, processing this information before the meaning behind her words dawned on him.

"You're talking about how this strengthens Konoha's position of power among the other hidden villages, correct?" he asked.

"Damn straight I am," the Hokage grinned. "The Kyuubi seems to be loyal to Naruto, so it would be pertinent for Konoha to keep Naruto as an active asset in our ranks—not locked away in prison or something of the like. It's just the right amount of political opportunism I can use to stuff down the Council's throat. I hope that brat appreciates how lucky he is."

She leaned back in her chair, looking pleased. "It doesn't hurt that a few members of Konoha's oldest shinobi clans stand behind him."

Her smug look slid into a knowing leer.

"Or something of the like," she added obliquely.

Blinking at her pointed wording, a light blush heated Sasuke's cheeks. He cleared his throat awkwardly but stared resolutely ahead.

"Anyway, good work, Uchiha. I trust your judgment and your discretion. I knew you wouldn't let me down." Tsunade segued, done with her teasing.

Feeling assured by the Hokage's explanation, Sasuke nodded and allowed a small smile.

"Thank you, Godaime-sama," he said.

Then he paused, considering the next thing he was going to say.

"It might be relevant to know the Kyuubi's name," Sasuke stated. "It's Kurama. I think it would appreciate it if people knew that."

Tsunade raised a brow at his statement but offered her acknowledgment.

—.&.—

Kurama watched lazily as Naruto took a seat at the entrance of its cage, then gave the man a curious look.

"Back again, brat? Seeing me during your waking hours isn't enough?" Kurama drawled from where it lounged, head resting on its claws.

Naruto smiled, looking sheepishly off to the side, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I dunno. Maybe seeing you is a good distraction from my thoughts," Naruto answered.

The fox hummed noncommittally. It knew Naruto still struggled with his restored memories. Though the man and his alter ego had reconciled into a single identity, the more enduring challenge of reconciling with his past was still at hand.

"Well, don't expect me to sing to you this time," Kurama said blandly.

Naruto laughed. A comfortable lull soon fell over them.

After several moments, he spoke up again.

"My mother and father. I don't see them around you much anymore," he remarked.

A few of Kurama's tails flicked aimlessly on the floor, curling and unfurling around it.

"They're remnants, Naruto. They're anchored here by the seal and their connection to me, but they only show up when they think they need to… or when they want to annoy the shit out of me," Kurama rumbled.

Naruto chuckled at the sarcasm of its last point.

More silence.

"Do you think they might turn up now?"

Kurama raised its brow as it turned its head to face him.

"Why would they need to? Do you intend to be a pain in my ass as a family?" it asked.

"No, bastard," Naruto rolled his eyes. "I want them here so they can show me how to remove the seal."

Befuddled silence floated around them. Kurama narrowed its eyes, dubious.

Was the brat being serious?

"What are you getting at?" the fox said slowly.

Naruto stood, brushing himself off.

"I want to keep up my end of our bargain," he offered.

Kurama gawked at him. All nine of its tails stood up at attention.

"You know if you remove the seal, there's no guarantee your parents will remain here, right?" it pushed.

"Why are you fighting me on this?" Naruto countered, bemused. He shook his head and smiled lopsidedly when Kurama stared at him some more.

"I'm at peace with them not being here. You gave me the chance to see them, and I'm grateful. The least I can do is be as good a friend to you as you have been to me. You deserve this."

As he spoke, the incandescent forms of two unmistakable people manifested from the ether to take up space on either side of him. Naruto exchanged hugs with them both.

"I never thought this day would come, but you're right. The old fox deserves freedom," Kushina said, stroking Naruto's cheek.

"A deal is a deal," Minato agreed, chuckling.

Kurama's disbelief grew while it took in the sight of Naruto's parents guiding him through the motions of the release for the conduit and seal.

"Do you… do you think you're cool or something, brat?" it said, voice straining as it tried not to lose its composure.

Naruto ignored it, but his grin stayed in place.

The talisman on the seam of Kurama's cage and at its base was lit on fire with blue chakra flames. The walls of the chamber began to rumble.

Finally, on its feet, Kurama watched as the gates eased open. It looked down at Naruto as the man concentrated on completing the ritual.

It decided at that moment that it would stay him, even without the compulsion of the seal. There was no other place it wanted to be than with this human and his family.

Kurama's family.

—.&.&.—

-fin-

—.&.&.—

A/N: xoxo -Jae