A/N: Originally, I had this long-winded note about some of the shite I've been through, but in hindsight, it's just a bit too heavy. On to reviews!

Colbycox0916: Honestly? Just go for it. I find it helps if you have two separate versions of a chapter before you post. The raw, unfinished version that is literally just an outline of ideas, basically stream of consciousness for the story. Then, a refined, edited and streamlined version that you post. If you can find a BETA for the edited version, even better.

Guest: uh... that wasn't a chant. That was a song chapter. The song btw was 'Indestructible' by Disturbed.

Just Retribution: Ho. Lee. Shite. Well, if I earned the review, then it can't exactly be called wasted, now can it? As for a few of your suggestions and gripes, I did realize all of that, but I appreciate the input. There's a lot of things behind the scenes that I don't really write into the story, but connect it all in my head, and I do apologize if that makes it a wee bit harder to follow. I've always been the writer who tries teasing out everything, expositing here and there without people realizing it's an exposition dump. Main point of your I want to address: Naruto's PTSD.

The way I see it, and tried explaining it as, is that even though he does have that support system, the recent stresses he's been going through (ie, re-joining the shinobi force, knowing about an upcoming invasion, trying to manage all his new abilities, etc) have been exacerbating his condition, pulling him back to acute stage. It's rare, but it does happen irl. Small things that separately, aren't too bad, but together feel crushing and painful. As for his leaving for Uzushio, I'll try to appropriately address that this chappie. Finally, the Naruhina: yeah I'm with you, love it. But it's not so much he cared what they thought about him, but what they'd think about her. He was trying to ensure the best future for his friend.

Sometimes I just have a very difficult time getting my thoughts to come out right in writing.

On an unrelated note, if any of you are writing stories and looking for a BETA, I am always available to help further the cause of leisure reading. I can provide a reference if necessary, and would very much like to help everyone become a better writer.

Chapter 52: [God is in the Rain]

Rain pelted down in droves as Naruto stood outside Konoha gate. He felt as though the weight of every drop were another mountain on his shoulders.

"We could sneak you in, you know," Itachi murmured, peering out from his straw hat. Naruto merely gazed with dead eyes at the gate some fifty yards in front of him. This was as close as he was legally allowed now.

"It's not what he'd want," the blond replied in a hollow voice.

"I'm sure,"

"Itachi," Kisame cut in. "Leave it. The Uzukage doesn't want to hear it right now."

The entire Akatsuki Guard stood around Naruto, some leaning against trees, others crouching in the branches or on the ground. In the distance, a solemn song cut through the rain, coming from the Village graveyard.

They're probably putting his body to the Sarutobi Flame now...

"Nagato," Konan whispered to the red-head, but not nearly quietly enough. "Why couldn't you or Naruto..."

"He lived a life of no regrets, Konan," Nagato responded softly, staring at his leader. "Naruto-sama couldn't bring himself to prolong it unnecessarily."

"A shame I couldn't get a new puppet out of it," Sasori grunted.

Silence rang true for a moment, before the blond in charge of the rag-tag group spoke up once more.

"You will. We're going after Orochimaru, and we're going to end that son of a bitch." Naruto could feel the sadistic glee radiating from Kisame and Sasori. "But first, we need to rebuild the Guard numbers back to ten. Any word on Kakuzu?"

"He is amenable to a non-hostile sit-down with you," Nagato said.

"Itachi," Naruto said firmly, going into Kage mode. He heard the young man snap to attention. "Head to the main bank, and tell them Shiro Kazuya is withdrawing all assets and holdings effective immediately, as well as closing all accounts." the Uchiha left without a word, walking forward calmly.

"Zabuza, go retrieve Haku, and see if anyone else wants to leave."

"Why would they?"

"Konoha is about to hit a major recession. Don't be afraid to let anyone know that. Especially see if any of my friends are willing to come. But you absolutely, no question, must get Konohamaru. If Tou-chan or Oba-chan fight you, tell them I sent you, and it's for his own good."

"They might not believe me." Naruto grunted and pulled out a scroll.

"Unseal that if they do. It's something only I carry, and they'll recognize it." the Demon took the scroll and started toward the village as well. "Nagato, You're going in to find Karin and Honoka. See if they're willing to come, and if the Mizukage asks, tell her I'll set up negotiations for trading Honoka when we settle. Konan, I want you to go to The clan heads of the Hyuuga, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Inuzuka, Aburame, Sekazu, and Nara. See if they're willing to lend any of their clan members who want a change of scenery. I'm willing to pay for a guard if need be."

"Hai," the duo said simultaneously, and started forward.

"Kisame, see if you can get a campfire going. Sasori, set a perimeter. I don't want anyone trying to get the drop on us now that we aren't protected by Konoha laws."

As the last of his guards set about their assigned duties, Naruto remained where he was, looking at the Village of his birth. Remembering the Council meeting from the day of the Invasion- a day or two ago.

Flashback

"And so, in the absence of one carrying the Title Hokage, this council will govern until a suitable replacement can be found." the words barely made it through the door as Naruto glared heatedly at the two Anbu members standing guard.

"I said move aside, now."

"And I said, we can't do that, you brat."

"Y'know what? Fuck this Shinra Tensei!" as the guards were blasted into the door, which was then thrown off it's hinges, Naruto strode forward with purpose. He felt many stares directed onto him. Every single clan head in the village was present, as well as the Civilian council, which until recently, held no sway anymore.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Koharu demanded.

Naruto planted his foot on the end of the table, and kicked out, pinning the two elders against the wall.

"Shut up and listen. I did not come here to pitter-patter and bullshit. You are going to tell me exactly why the council has taken control, and why you're saying the Hokage is absent, or so help me, I will fucking decapitate all of you and hang your entrails from the Monument."

"You hold no power here Genin," spat on of the civilians. Naruto ignored him.

"The next person to open their mouth had better do it to explain."

"Uzumaki-san," Hyuuga Hiashi said delicately. "As of a few hours ago, the council had no choice but to take governence."

"Why is that?"

"He's gone, Naru," came a broken voice. Naruto snapped his head over to see Asuma, looking broken, with tear-marks on his face. "The snake got him from behind with the Kusanagi." the information hit Naruto like a lightning strike, and he suddenly felt nauseous.

"But.. Jiji... he can't... he..."

"Hiruzen went the way he would have wished," Shibi said quietly. "As a warrior."

Naruto stumbled back, then bent over, placing his hands on his knees, looking for all the world as though he were about to vomit.

"But I saw Orochimaru, as the enemy retreat was called," he panted. "His arms were beyond fucked."

"A result of your jutsu, it seems," Shikaku Nara stated calmly. "The residual traces from your barrier turned on him when he summoned the sword."

"So... he lost it?"

"We have it in custody," Inoichi said with a nod. Naruto took a few deep breaths, then stood straight, regaining a bit of composure.

"I'd like to claim it."

"You have no claim on it, demon! As if we'd arm you!" shouted one merchant. Naruto turned on him, thunder on his face.

"I HAVE THE ONLY LEGITIMATE CLAIM ON THAT WEAPON OUT OF EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM!" he roared as blood pulsed through his veins. "MY CLAN FORGED THAT SWORD!"

"WHAT CLAN? THE SARUTOBI, WHICH YOU WERE ADOPTED INTO?" the merchant screamed as he stood, pushing his chair back with a squeal. "HOW ABOUT THE GUTTER-RAT CLAN, WHERE YOU LEARNED TO BE A THIEF!"

Naruto fell silent, as did the rest of the room. The man looked extremely smug, as though he'd won.

"The Uzumaki Clan," came a new voice from the doorway. Every head turned to see Senju Hashirama standing there, leveling his gaze at the man. "Who helped forge this village, and to whom you owe your lives this day, because of this boy."

"Shodai-sama!" Naruto snapped to a salute. "I thought you'd have dispelled by now!"

"Not so, I had to make sure things were okay before I left."

"Sensei!" Hiruzen's old teammates piped up in shock.

"Kami, you two got old," Hashirama said with a grimace. "So, as I was saying. If it weren't for this boy, all of you would likely be dead right now."

"And how is that?" the same Civilian from earlier snarked, apparently not realizing who he was talking to.

"He harnessed the power of the Kyuubi to turn away the enemy," Hiashi said calmly. "I saw it myself. He wiped out the strike force in a matter of minutes."

"WHAT?!" came the reverberating screech from almost everyone else in the room.

"This cannot stand!"

"Kill him now!"

"It'll kill all of us!"

"SILENCE!" Hashirama roared, cowing everyone to quiet. The man stood rigid, rage on his face. "You would penalize one of your greatest men for defending his home?" The Shodaime Hokage shook his head in disgust.

"Now I'm seriously doubting my decision to form this village."

"Yes, well Shodai-sama," the same civilian from earlier said sarcastically. "If that's who you really are, you're dead. You don't hold a voice in this council anymore."

Hashirama glared at the man.

"That may be true," Hiashi said. "But he is still present, so we should take his thoughts into account."

"If you kill this boy, you risk hell coming down upon all of your heads. His death would lead to a tragedy never before seen."

"We saw it thirteen years ago!"

"Really? You had multiple Bijuudama land in the center of the village? It seems remarkably intact for such an occurrence."

"What the hell is a Bijuudama?" asked the Hebi clan head.

"It's a large, dark, very dense sphere of Chakra fired from the mouth of a Bijuu. It's destructive capabilities are beyond comprehension."

"Oh, you mean that thing the Yondaime teleported away? It didn't seem that bad."

"Consider how far away he sent it, though," Shibi piped in.

"Regardless," Homura snapped. "We cannot let this danger remain in our village."

"I motion to exile the rat!"

End Flashback

From there, the result was a foregone conclusion. The majority had voted for the idea. Only his friends' parents, his tou-chan, and Jozun, had voted against it. Unfortunately they weren't enough.

"Zabuza is on his way back," Sasori said calmly.

"That was quick."

"He also has more than just your cousin."

"Hmm," Naruto hummed. He'd sensed the three extra chakra signatures with Zabby. "Tou-chan, never thought you'd desert."

"I couldn't just leave my kid to fend for himself."

"What about your responsibilites with the Sarutobi?"

"They'll be joining us when we settle."

"Was that always the plan, or is this impromptu?"

"Naru, I know you always intended to bring a few people you truly care about with you. There's no other way you'd be able to leave outside of a body-bag. The Sarutobi just decided the whole family would be on the list."

Naruto smirked a little.

"Goody."

"Troublesome. Naruto, you never do anything by half do you?" Naruto turned slowly, his eyes wide as he beheld the sight before him. The rookie twelve, Jozun and Kisa, and at least half of the Hyuuga clan at the minimum stood before him.

This wasn't an honor guard.

This was an exodus.

Naruto began laughing, throwing his hands skyward, closing his eyes and feeling the skywater fall onto his face. His Jiji's favorite saying came to mind.

"God is in the rain," he whispered reverently.