Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; it is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. Anohana is owned by the Super Peace Busters which consists of Mari Okada, Tatsuyuki Nagai and Masayoshi Tanaka. I own nothing and I am just a humble fan.

Author's Note: Hello everyone, I am back with a very short story. I am trying something new here. This story is a crossover between Naruto and Anohana. I have to confess, Anohana is one of the most tear jerking anime I have ever seen. It hits so many notes and imparts so many lessons. The story is about a child who died early on and how her death impacts her family and loved ones. She comes back as a spirit to help her dear friend Jintan figure out the way to fulfill her wish so she could pass on to the afterlife and be reincarnated again so she could return to the world where her friends and loved ones reside. It's a story about how all the friends confront their PTSD and make their amends as they are grateful to Menma for this second chance at saying goodbye.

This anime and manga imparted so many life lessons to me. I am so grateful to IncredibleT1 who told me about it. I was reduced to a blubbering mess at the final episode from the bittersweet ending. I was glad to see Menma confess to Jintan how much she loved him and that she wanted to be his bride. I am glad they all got closure and Menma moved on to heaven. I imagine Menma in heaven smiling down at her family and loved ones knowing they will be okay and that the Super Peace Busters will be friends forever.

I encourage you all to read the manga and watch the anime, it truly is beautiful.

I hated the bittersweet ending; it felt so sad to my heart. I am going to write a better ending. The Orange One known as Uzumaki Naruto always saves the day, and he will save it again. I am not sure how long this short story should be. If you want me to continue it after chapter one, please do let me know.

Without further ado, let us begin

Prologue- The Orange One Does What He Does Best

Naruto Uzumaki had a great life. He had a life in which he had no complaints. He was the leader of his village, his home. He found love and had children of his own. He protected his home and the world from war and ensured that children could grow up in a world where they could live long enough to savor the taste and joys of life.

And when he passed from the world, the village mourned him along with his friends and family. He did well for a guy who was once treated as the village pariah.

He expected to be reunited with his family and his Ero-Godfather in the Pure Land, but was then somehow brought back to another world by some sort of higher power. He had no idea why something like this happened. The Higher Power, someone he thought of as Kami, simply told him that his presence is needed in this new world and that it would have an impact on many people.

And so, Naruto Uzumaki was reborn in this new world as Naruto Yadomi, the elder brother of Jinta "Jintan" Yadomi. He enjoyed the peace and quiet and serenity of this new life. He no longer was hunted and he did not have to worry about being a leader.

He and his brother had an interesting set of friends known as the Super Peace Busters; a group of kids who dedicated themselves to keeping the peace. Being friends with this group of people brought him such peace and happiness and made him feel happy to be brought back to this new world. He missed his friends and family and Kurama, but he knew they were looking down at him in happiness.

However, joy and sorrow was the part and parcel of life. His new mother Toko was sick with some unknown disease. Just like Jinta, he was hesitant to meet his mother while she was sick like this. He hated saying goodbye to his first mother and he had no idea what he was going to do here.

His friends came to visit his mother and they would all enjoy those steamed buns with raisins that his mother would make for them. He never knew he could find another thing to eat that he would enjoy just like Ramen. He was shedding tears at why he had to feel pain like this again.

One day, when he came to visit his mother again, she had begged him to take care of the family. She wanted him to watch over his father and brother and to make sure they would smile and cry and never withdraw into themselves. He saw how his mother had made peace with herself and knew she was not long for the world. She somehow recognized that he would be able to stay strong to see her wish through.

There was a lump in Naruto's throat. What could he really do here? Could he be capable of making this promise?

He was shaken out of his thoughts when the door opened and he saw Meiko, otherwise known as Menma by her friends. She was close to his mother and for some reason, he felt very close to her and felt comforted by her presence. She was always so overjoyed to see him. He could always notice her gaze upon him and she always had an interest and where he went and what he did.

And in turn, Naruto admired her gentle heart and her selflessness. He admired how she cared for everyone and cried when her friends felt hurt. She would also feel sad when he felt sad and happy when she felt happy. She admired him and he too came to admire her.

He had no idea that apart from Hinata that he could feel pure genuine love for another. And Menma felt deep love for him as well. Menma had told him that she had a wish and he tried to figure out what said wish was.

And at this moment when his eyes locked with hers, he realized exactly why Kami brought him back and gave him a new identity. He saw how Anaru had asked Jintan if he liked Menma, and Jintan harshly said no which made Jintan feel embarrassed and run away while Menma gave an embarrassed laugh. He saw how Menma died chasing Jintan and how the friends had drifted apart. He saw Menma's family stuck in their trauma about losing their daughter, and how Jintan had withdrawn into himself. He saw his friends carrying such profound grief and PTSD as they blamed themselves for Menma's death.

And worst of all, he saw Menma come back to life as a spirit, wanting to move on to heaven so she could be reincarnated again. She helped her friends reunite with one another as they confronted their pasts and their roles in her death. He saw how much Menma loved Jintan and everyone else and how she wanted to be his bride. She had come back to fulfill his mother's wish of making Jintan cry again and when they all had finally made amends, the unthinkable happened.

Jintan confessed that he loved Menma and Menma shed tears as she wished to stay with all of them and play with them all, but knew now that he said goodbye, she had to go. And she went to heaven with a smile on her face.

Naruto had seen so much sadness pain in his life. Yet, seeing this made him claw at his face and sob in horror and in sheer pain as Menma and his mother were horrified by what he was doing. He ran out of the hospital ignoring their cries as he collapsed somewhere and just sobbed in pain.

Was this the life he was condemned to? Was he meant to be a puppet? Was he meant to watch his loved ones die and be able to do nothing? He had seen so much death and pain in his life in the Elemental Nations and was reminded of his failed promises and the people he could not save.

It was at this point he made up his mind about what he was going to do. He was the motherfucking Seventh Hokage, and the protector of his loved ones. No matter what, he was going to change things. There was no way in hell that future was going to unfold, not while he had something to say about it!

XXXXXX

On a hot summer day, the seven friends were sitting in their small cabin, their favorite place. Some of them were playing video games, some were sitting on the tires, Menma included. Menma was stealing glances at Naruto as he stared at the sky with a melancholy expression. It was at this moment that destiny was being written as Anaru spoke up as she wanted a question of hers answered. It was the question that was on the mind of many. Anaru used Naruto's nickname to start the conversation.

"Hey… Naru… what do you think of Menma? Do you… like her?"

The entire group's attention was on Menma and Naruto as Menma was looking down in embarrassment while Jintan was looking at his brother to hear his answer. In fact, all of them wanted an answer.

Yukiatsu, the calm and composed one spoke. "There are no secrets here among the Super Peace Busters."

Tsuruko nodded as well. "Go ahead, Naru. Tell us the truth."

Poppo cheered Naruto on. "Go ahead Naru. You are so cool. Tell us what you think."

Naruto looked at Menma who was still looking down. Naruto smiled as he remembered Menma's wish. Menma wanted to be his bride, but she also promised his mother that she would be there for him and take care of him. He closed his eyes and smiled. He never could save Neji or his godfather. There were many mistakes he made in his life and may promises he could not live up too. Yet, he would be damned if he let that horrible future come to pass. And so, Naruto would say what he wanted to say and he hoped it would be enough for Menma.

"Yes… I love Menma."

The entire group stilled as Menma just looked at him wondering if he grew a second head.

"Of course I love Menma. Menma is kind and pure. Menma cares deeply for everyone and loves us all. Menma cries when we are hurt and is happy when we are happy. So, I love Menma. I will always love Menma. I will always be there to care for Menma."

He got up as he slowly approached her and saw her shedding so many tears. He gave Menma a big hug as he held her.

"I know Menma, I know. I know your wish. You couldn't tell me but I figured it out. I love you too Menma. My mom asked you to take care of me. And that's good. But who will take care of you? Don't take everything on yourself. Your friends and I, we will always be there for you."

"And the love I feel for you, It's the kind of love where I hope you be my bride when you are older. I love you Menma, please don't ever forget that."

Menma could not stop crying as she held her favorite person and sobbed in his arms as Naruto tearfully smiled. Naruto could then feel his friends give them both a hug as they too shed tears of their own.

Naruto held Menma as he smiled tearfully. He was sure in his heart that things would be okay. The Super Peace Busters would be okay and he would do everything he could to preserve Menma's smile and make sure his family was okay. He was The Orange One and the motherfucking seventh, there was nothing he could not do!

Chapter End

Well everyone that is the chapter. Please read and review generously. I hope you all enjoy it. Please give this a chance. I am sure you might like it.

God, writing this out made me cry. The anime and Manga was some of the most heartfelt things I read and watched. It was so profound and heartfelt. It reduced me to a blubbering mess. Meiko "Menma" Honma is indeed one of my favorite characters and she is a good soul.

Anohana imparted many lessons to me about my loss and moving on and knowing that our loved ones will always be with us even after their passing. Anohana has also taught me to not be stuck in the past and to look towards the future. It is a story that hits all the notes and tugs at your heartstrings.

I hope I wrote something good for Menma. If you want another chapter, please state that in your review. The max this story could be is 2 to 3 chapters.

This is also my heartfelt plea. Cherish your loved ones and your friends. I have come to terms with the fact that one day my grandmother will pass away in the future from her illness. I know that her loss will have a deep affect on my family. Yet, I will always hold onto the hope that in heaven, we can see our loved ones again.

Stay safe everyone and much well wishes to you and your families. I will see you all in the next update.