Chapter 30: The Eulogy

The news was heard. Lives were lost but one important man stood alone to help protect his village and he paid the price. Of course it would rain today, today was meant to shed tears. The third gave his life to protect his village. To protect his people.

Everyone was dressed in black to pay their respects.

Konohamaru sobbed into Kira's stomach his goggles pointy sides digging into her skin, all he could feel is pain after losing his beloved grandfather. Kira herself felt his pain. She held him giving her comfort towards the little boy. Naruto and her shared a look. The village had many fond memories of the old man. He had been nothing but kind to everyone, treating all of us like we were his family.

"Master Iruka…" Naruto spoke softly gaining Iruka's attention as well as both Konohamaru and Kira. "Why do people risk their own lives for the sake of others…?" Naruto never lifted his face from Hokage mountain.

It took Iruka a moment to figure out what to say. Konohamaru sniffled staring up at his big bro confused. What was he trying to say?

"When one human dies...they pass away. Along with their past, their current life, and future. Many people die on missions or through war. And when they die, it happens startlingly quickly...and simply." Iruka sensei let that hang on the air for a moment so Naruto and anyone listening in would understand.

"Hayate is one such example. Those who die have dreams and goals, but they all have something else just as important. Parents, siblings, friends, their fellow villagers, people who are important to them. Bonds form between them and those who are precious to them from the time they are born, through trusting and helping each other."

Kira out of instinct looked over at Naruto, they formed in her eyes the best bond of them all. She was lucky to have him as her friend and never forget him if anything happened. Konohamaru wrapped his tiny arms around Kira's leg staring up at Naruto. The kid might have lost his grandfather but he wouldn't lose Naruto.

"These strings that connect them, as time passes grow thicker and stronger. There's no logic or reason to it. People just do things like that, because they have precious things to protect.

A strong hand placed itself onto Kira's shoulder. Her smaller hand grasped onto him. What Iruka said was true, there was no logic or reason behind any bonds that form. They happen to their own accord.

"Yeah...I'm starting to get that now…" Naruto spoke so softly it was like it wasn't really him. "But...it's painful to die, too."

"Well, the third Hokage didn't die in vain. He did leave all of us something important. " Kakashi spoke straight ahead not looking at Naruto. Naruto glanced over confused. "Well, don't worry. You'll understand eventually."

Naruto grinned up at his instructor causing the few to stand by grow a smile once again. "Hey, give me some credit. I understand."

As the funeral progressed the sky started to clear. The clear skies seemed to help lift some spirits as the funeral ended.

Naruto quickly joined Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke. Konohamaru clung tightly to Kira's leg not wanting her to leave as well. Moegi and Udon were quick to find their friend.

"You doing okay Konohamaru?" Moegi asked softly resting her hand on his shoulder to show her comfort. Konohamaru nodded into Kira's stomach. They knew he was lying. You didn't have to be a mind reader to know how hurt he was.

Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura appeared beside Kira. "Come on Konohamaru, Kakashi sensei said he would take us out to Ramen it'll help." Naruto spoke squatting down to his level.

Konohamaru glanced back at his friends unsure. "I'll take care of them, don't worry." Kira spoke softly placing her hand on the back of his head affectionately. Konohamaru gave his second smile of the day holding her hand as the group walked to Ichiraku's for some lunch to lift their spirits.

Sasuke stayed behind watching Kira walking with Konohamaru. Her motherly nature showed brightly as she did her best to keep Konohamaru happy. He wondered what their kids would be like. Probably spoiled. She'd spoil the hell out of her kids.

Sasuke could see it now, they'd have a large land of property their three kids running around playing tag or something. His little girl would look like her mom, her beautiful shiny gray hair pulled back in a braid as she chased after her brothers. They'd all have his charcoal black eyes. Kira would sit in his lap laughing over something the children would do and all Sasuke could think he would do at that moment is just watch her. Watch her laugh, watch how her long gray hair would fall into her eyes as she leaned against him. He'd be the happiest a man could be. He'd get the girl, he already has the house, and they'd have the kids. Life would be perfect. He just needed to complete his promise. He would kill Itachi one day.

Kira suddenly looked back staring at Sasuke confused. He was taking too long and had a good distance between them. Konohamaru clutched onto Kira's hand looking back and forth between the two. "Why'd you stop Kira-chan?"

Kira smiled down at the boy. "Can't let anyone get left behind." she looked back over towards Sasuke who was just standing there, watching her. She felt a cold chill run down her spine, just the way he looked at her reminded Kira of their night alone in the tent. How he up and just grabbed her face.

Kira did her best to forget his kiss but snippets of his thoughts would run through her head. It was pure stubbornness that she decided Sasuke Uchiha didn't like her. He couldn't like her. He should like Sakura or Ino or any other girl. Not her. Though the fear that he could was always evident. She refused to believe that he may actually like her. Even if she heard Sasuke call her cute after she healed Gaara.

Sasuke quickly joined up with Kira giving her a nod and a look that she couldn't quite understand. Was that adortion in his eyes? Or was it something else? She couldn't tell. It's just the way he looked at her she never saw on Sasuke's face before. She walked beside Sasuke more confused than she should be. He casually let his hand slip beside hers.

She glanced at their hands and back at him confused. What was he trying to do? Was he trying to hold her hand? Was this because he was sad over The Thirds death? That had to be it...right?

Konohamaru glared over at Sasuke. He could see just how clearly he cared for his girlfriend. He wouldn't let some cool jerk take her from him. He called dibs first. Konohamaru pulled Kira to move faster and away from Sasuke. If he had to give her up he'd give her up to big bro because Big Bro would still let them play together...even then Big Bro would have to fight him for her!

Kira giggled softly letting the kid pull her away from Sasuke and any other boy who might like her.

At the restaurant Naruto had already saved Kira, Konohamaru, and Sasuke a seat. Konohamaru quickly sat next to Naruto saying that he had a super secret mission for him and his big bro. That left Kira and Sasuke to sit next to one another.

Konohamaru might not have liked her sitting so close to that cool dude but he needed to speak with Naruto.

"Hey Naruto…" he whispered softly gaining the blond's attention. "I got a problem." Konohamaru nodded over towards Kira and Sasuke. Kira was chatting with Sakura over something and Kakashi was looking over the drinks. He really needed a good one today.

Konohamaru whispered his worry to Naruto and watched him look over at Sasuke who was looking away boredly. Then over at Kira who seemed to be in the middle of some sort of girl chat. They seemed to have made up somewhat.

"You think Sasuke likes Kira? No way. Sasuke doesn't like anyone." He laughed. Sasuke didn't like any girls, he was just lame and wanted to get all the girls attention though because he secretly likes attention. The attention whore.

"I'm telling you Boss, he wants her to be his…" Konohamaru glanced to make sure Kira wasn't paying attention before pulling up his hand and showing his pinky. "Who wouldn't? She's a dame bro bro." Naruto glanced over at Kira again not seeing it.

"Don't worry. Even if Sasuke liked her, she doesn't like him." Naruto assured making Konohamaru relax. He was quick to snuggle up against Kira's arm smiling up at her. Udon and Moegi stared at their leader watching him relax and smile. They were happy he was feeling better but knew he'd get upset again...next time they'd make sure to cheer him up, thought it was great having big sister Kira and big brother Naruto be around. They always seemed to make Konohamaru feel better.