Time to finish the Invasion arc! That's all I really have to say about this. Onward to the chapter!
Thank you guys for the fave, follows and reviews, I'm rather amused and also feeling somewhat guilty for everyone's reactions to the previous chapter… okay, guilt over!
cassianaswindell123: You'll see~
VenaHope: Pein as hinted by human path did not get all the information that some people would believe, but he did see some things that left him concerned.
Ringo1327: Sasuke actually doesn't have Amaterasu because Itachi was the one who gave it to him. I'll have to work on his powers later, but human path is indeed screwed at this point.
Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf: It was an anime convention, took pictures of lots of cosplayers and bought so much merrrrrrrcccchhhhhhhhh (which in reality was just a bunch of little blind boxes and a wall scroll but hey… anime is expensive). I think you are the only reader to not be sad by Deidara's death so good job!
Infra: Madara and the others did not disappear because he is using Kabuto's edo tensei. Even if the summoner dies, the reanimated shinobi are still free to do as they please, in reality all his death does is give Madara and the others complete freedom.
CooKie-Chaan: Omg I love that you scared your brother! XD Absolutely brilliant!
MidnaMoo: Hi Midna! Glad that you caught up with everything! I am happy that everyone has been having all these strong emotional reactions, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to convey the pain everyone was feeling in the story and this easily squashes my fears.
Eternal: … This made me laugh harder than I was expecting.
silverwolf310: Ukon and Sakon are more in the same state as Sai where I don't know what to do with them, I'll try to make a side story including them even if it's brief. To be honest Izuna had it coming as he was way to cocky with his sharingan to understand that Tobirama was an extremely fast shinobi. It's fine that you haven't commented! Glad to know you are catching up, and good luck in college! :D
Warning: Violence, language, emotional moments, plot twists (kinda). Pretty tame really.
Disclaimer: At this point I'm even doubting Kishimoto's ownership of Naruto, he doesn't even draw or script Boruto and hasn't done much lately. I still don't own Naruto btw.
3rd person POV
Naruto looked around the crater in confusion, "I thought we were going to Konoha? Where are we? Where's Pein?" The smoke caused by the summoning completed blocked anything more than 40 feet away, leaving Naruto and the toads almost blind to their surroundings.
Shima hopped over solemnly, "This is Konoha… the village was destroyed by Pein…" Naruto couldn't believe his ears, how could the village be destroyed? Just how strong was this Pein guy? Wait, Sasuke is on his way, maybe he can provide some information… odd… Deidara wasn't anywhere nearby, neither was Kakashi.
Jumping off Gamakichi, Naruto was quickly greeted by an enraged Sasuke. Blood pouring from his eyes as the smoke finally cleared and his mangekyou sharingan stared at Pein as animal path summoned all of them at once.
"Sasuke… what happened to your eyes? Who… who died? Who did you see die? I know you only get those eyes seeing someone die!" Naruto tilts his head with narrowed eyes, watching Sasuke clench his teeth, head lowering as his body trembled. Something wasn't right, "Where's Itachi and Deidara-nii? I thought they would be with you."
"Naruto…" Sasuke's voice was shaky, almost threatening. Blood lust filled the area as Sasuke's temper was slowly losing control of itself.
Naruto focused his nature chakra, "I can sense Itachi, but not Deidara-nii. Is he not in the vill-"
"DEIDARA IS DEAD!"
Naruto froze as the blood from Sasuke's eyes were replaced with tears, "What…?" Dead? How could his brother be dead? Nothing could touch him, let alone kill him.
Sasuke's eyes morphed from rage to anguish as he wasn't able to hold back tears, "He…" He raked his hand roughly through his messy hair, "the long haired one… took something from Deidara. I don't know what it was, but… Deidara…" Sasuke took a long, shaky breath, almost like a gasp as breathing became harder for him, "I'm going to help you kill him, with the new eyes Deidara's death gave me. I will protect you from the Akatsuki, Naruto."
Naruto turned his attention to Pein, glaring at him intensely. Tsunade tried to take over the battle, but Naruto sent her away noticing how weak she was. Tears threaten to spill out, but he took a deep breath to stop them, the Kyuubi was itching for the chance to take over his body. The Kyuubi's influence was causing him to slowly feel nothing but hatred for the man in front of him, but he didn't want to hate, if his brother had a reason for keeping this Pein alive, then he wanted to know what it was.
"Neh… Sasuke, I have enough nature chakra for the option of 6 rasenshuriken, 12 giant rasengans, or 16 other jutsu… I… help me find the main body, dattebayo." Naruto rolled his shoulders with a fire in his eyes. He doesn't want to cause more bloodshed, but at the same time Pein cannot be allowed to roam free anymore. He'll take down these gingers and find the real leader of the Akatsuki.
Sasuke stared at Naruto in shock, how was he so strong? Sasuke could barely keep his mind focused on the enemy without wanting to burn him to the ground. Blinking away tears he cracked his neck, "Unlike Itachi my eyes are perfectly fine, in fact…" He pulls out a chakra pill and munched on it, "I can endure these new jutsu's my eyes gave me longer."
Naruto nods in affirmation, "Let's see if our training paid off. We'll take this bastard on!"
From across the battlefield, Pein slowly blinked, "This would be easier if you gave yourself up, Uzumaki Naruto… but if you want to make it harder, we'll make you experience the ultimate pain. Let us see if Deidara wasted his time preparing you to face us or not."
Somewhere not of this world
Deidara's POV
More darkness… I always find myself in darkness. The ground felt like stone, yet there was no sound, no vibration. I was lost, but I could tell this wasn't the afterlife… well, not really. Must be limbo if anything, why the hell would I allow myself to pass when I had unfinished business?
"Damnit Nagato… I should have told you about Obito, even if you didn't believe me I could have filled your mind with doubt, un." That's all it takes, break the faith of the master and the servant takes over his own life.
Seemingly out of nowhere, I was standing in front of a traditional Japanese house. It looked… familiar. I don't even bother knocking, I slide open the door and remove my shoes, leaving them in the genkan as I lightly stepped on the cedar flooring. What I didn't expect was for someone to be here.
"Who are you?" Looking up from staring at my feet, I lock eyes with a woman. She had black hair, dark soft eyes, and that voice…
"Uchiha Mikoto…" The matriarch of the Uchiha clan, why am I meeting her here? Remembering my manners, I quickly bow, "Forgive my intrusion. My name is Deidara… I uh… well… Where is Fugaku?"
"I hope you have a reason for the informalities." I keep myself in that bow as Fugaku approached me, keeping my eyes locked on his feet, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with someone you know that has unfinished business?" I had to keep myself from wincing at his tone, man no wonder Sasuke had self-esteem issues, I'm getting them just by being around this guy.
Slowly standing up, I stare at my father-in-law blankly, "I see no reason in being formal with you yet. As a fellow shinobi, I outrank you by a longshot. Being an ANBU captain and ambassador for Konoha to Kirigakure does that, un."
Fugaku's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "With how long the two of us have been dead, and you're younger than Itachi… Impressive. But that still doesn't answer my other question."
Right… well, I might as well tell them, "I…" Why did my mouth feel so dry all of the sudden? "I am Itachi's… husband…" The reactions were just as I expected.
Mikoto's eyes lit up, as if saying "It's about time" while Fugaku…
I barely had enough time to block his kick, the force still sent me flying outside.
Fugaku grabbed the collar of my shirt and yanked the upper half of my body up, "If this is a joke, it's not funny you bastard! My son is not gay! He is the heir to the Uchiha clan!" Oh boy, how am I gonna explain this to a pissed off Uchiha dad?
"Think whatever you want, I have pictures if you don't believe that I'm married to him, un." Fugaku's sharingan glared at me, but the moment I said pictures I had Mikoto kneeled besides me, hands out expectantly. When Fukagu tried to get her to back away, she simply shoved him out of her way and kept her hands out in the process.
Blinking a few times, I reach into my pouch and pull out a scroll with the kanji for book on it. Within it I had a small but thick photo album that Mikoto did not hesitate to snatch from my hands and rush inside. In the process she began to drag her husband with her. I guess being dead for 10 years does a lot for a woman's confidence?
"Deidara-kun, please come inside, Fugaku will behave himself." Not like he could really hurt me, I can't die a second time after all… technically a third time.
Returning inside, hopping over the genkan to keep my feet clean I head to the main room. Now I understood why this place was so familiar, it was Itachi and my house before the Uchiha massacre. It was formal and stiff… yet I could also feel the love inside it.
I sat in front of the Uchiha parents as they flipped through the album. Mikoto was noticeably excited at the wedding photos while Fugaku was trying to keep his eye twitching to a minimum. I guess me being in a bridal gown has him questioning my gender, or the fact that my voice is this rough male voice was messing with his head.
I softly clear my throat, "Also, you two are grandparents. We had a close friend of mine carry twins for us, un." The moment I had finished that sentence Mikoto had turned to the only photo of the twins I had Anko take of us.
It was taken the day we took the twins home. Itachi was holding Minami, a peaceful smile graced his lips, allowing her to nom on his pointer finger. I was holding a miffed Shisui, dorky grin on my face and doing a peace sign. In the background were Sasuke, Naruto and Kimimaro; Naruto had a matching grin while the other two had passive expressions. Some things never change really.
"... They seem happy." Fugaku took the photo out to examine it, "I don't think I have ever seen Itachi smile like that, not since Sasuke was born at least."
"Considering how you chose to raise him I don't blame Itachi for having the emotional range of a thimble around you. War or not… you… you don't take a four year old to the battlefield, un." I wanted to be mad at Fugaku, but he was never really cruel to his sons. He is the embodiment of a traditional Japanese father, strict with his sons but will proudly talk about them when alone with his wife.
Too many fanfictions write him as abusive, cruel, and uncaring, but that isn't the case. Fugaku was under constant pressure from the village and his clan, and had to raise Itachi and Sasuke the way he did to ensure their survival. Too many like to compare him to Minato but both were raised under different circumstances. Minato was not raised under a prestigious clan, he got to marry the wild Kushina and enjoy a happy life.
Too be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if Mikoto and Fugaku were part of an arranged marriage.
Fugaku sighed in defeat, "I admit… I was not the best father for them, I should have been more understanding of Itachi's views and Sasuke… I should have payed more attention to him. Maybe if I was a better father…" Mikoto pats his shoulder in understanding, I didn't offer any comforting words.
I quietly watched the two admiring the photos. There was no need for words. Being dead for so long, I can only imagine they took this time to reflect on their lives.
"Tell us what has been happening all these years, how the boys are doing. And tell us how you met Itachi." Mikoto carefully slid the book back to me. Her motherly smile made me relax in my spot, she was always seen as a gentle person. But her words proved my theory, the dead cannot watch the living.*
"Well… I… was reborn into this body… and I met Itachi when he tried to make me join the Akatsuki. I called him a cutie and fled to Konoha where I met Uzumaki Naruto…"
Back to the living
3rd person POV
"Damnit… SNAP OUT OF IT YOU DOBE!" Sasuke was dodging the floating stones caused by Pein's chibaku tensei. At some point in the battle, Naruto had lost control of himself and the Kyuubi was slowly taking over. Sasuke was sporting a nasty burn mark on his abdomen and his shirt was tattered from the fight, but he was struggling relentlessly to get to his friend.
The fight had gone to an almost comical level of absurdity to Sasuke, everything looked distorted, from Pein's expressions to the random attacks the Kyuubi would use. RIght now Sasuke was blaming everything he saw on his eyes, he did not see the Kyuubi slam a boulder on Pein like a hammer to a nail, he did not see Pein jumping through water like a dolphin… and he DEFINITELY did not see his face turn 20 types of goo before punching the ground.
Yeah… as long as he kept telling himself that it didn't happen, maybe it will go away.
Naruto was trapped within a perfect sphere of earth, and Sasuke couldn't break it. Each time he got close to the sphere, Pein would add another layer. If this continued then Pein will have Naruto completely trapped. The fight was going so well up until Naruto lost control, Pein had almost no way to predict their combination attacks and Naruto's seals protected them from most of the paths' attacks, but now the tables have turned and Sasuke was almost out of chakra.
"I'm not going to let this bastard take you…" Reactivating his mangekyou, he embraced the agonizing pain of using susano-o and drew its flaming sword. Locating the most chakra in the sphere, Sasuke threw his sword, crumbling the area and allowing a furless Kyuubi to emerge from the gap, "Disgusting… I thought the Kyuubi was a fluffy fox… Deidara… Deidara always gushed about its orange fur."
The naked beast roared furiously at Pein, still trapped in the confines of the stones. Before either one could try to stop the Kyuubi, it vanished in a puff of smoke.
"How can it…? Heh, you really are full of surprises." Sasuke deactivates his sharingan seeing Naruto standing on the sphere, glaring at Pein with yellow eyes. He didn't know what Naruto did to break the fox's hold, but whatever it was it worked.
"Sasuke, leave the rest of the fight to me, dattebayo."
Feeling himself already drained, Sasuke nods at Naruto, not sure if his friend could see him or not. Turning on his heel, he finds Sakura, Shizune and a withered Tsunade, "Sakura, I need to be healed, I'm close to…" In the corner of his eyes, he sees Itachi nearby, still holding Deidara, "fainting…"
The last thing Sasuke heard was Sakura yelling his name, and his head smacking the ground.
Back in the afterlife
Deidara's POV
"And… now I'm here…" I stare at my lap after I told Fugaku and Mikoto what has happened the last ten years. Honestly, they were handling it pretty well, even to the point where even Fugaku chuckled at some of the situations Sasuke got himself stuck in. Mikoto was sitting there awwwing at my story of how Itachi proposed to me.
"But you died. So now what?" Fugaku folded his arms, obviously not pleased with the fact I'm dead.
Sighing softly, I run a hand through my hair, "That's my problem… if I stay dead, Kabuto could use edo tensei to bring me back and use my abilities to his advantage. And considering I… Well… let's just say I'm stronger than some are led to believe, un." It is true that Kabuto doesn't like to take the free will of others, but I bet he would be more than happy to break that rule with me.
But now I had my own questions, "Why are you two in limbo?" Now the two were shifting nervously in their spots, guess it's my turn to interrogate.
Mikoto looked to her husband before sighing, "We… wanted to wait. Itachi… with his plans… we had expected to see him, and we wanted to talk to him before moving on to the afterlife. But… you gave him something to love again, something to live for."
"Waiting for Itachi would only make us stay here longer than expected." I nodded at Fugaku's words.
"I-" Before I could say anything, a green light envelopes me, "What the…?"
Mikoto gives me a sad smile, "Looks like it really isn't your time. Tell the boys… that we're proud of them."
"Don't worry, they know, un." I close my eye as the light sent me back to the land of the living.
Back to… what Deidara said
I woke up smacking my head against something. I really should have seen that coming, considering my first action after breathing was to shoot myself in a sitting position.
"Ow! Fucking hell Nagato! What the hell did I hi-" I was briefly cut off when two arms wrap around me, and a head buried itself in my shoulder, "Itachi… love?"
Itachi was shaking, I could feel his tears being absorbed into my shirt as he muttered nonsense. Raising an arm, I place my hand on his head, massaging his scalp as I observed everything around me. Fukasaku just woke up, so did many other shinobi that were killed during the invasion. Sakura was crying, Sasuke was unconscious, Tsunade was…. Yeesh.
Nuzzling Itachi's head with my own to get his attention, "Itachi… I need to find Naruto and Konan… can you help me please?" I spoke in a soft voice, not sure if he was all there at the moment. Thankfully, I felt him nod. Within seconds I was on his back, and within minutes we were in the forest.
"I'm sorry I put you through that…" I stare at his now passive face, eyes a little puffy from tears.
"I'm not going to let you go into dangerous situations alone anymore. That is your punishment for dying, Dei."
I had to smile, he used my nickname, he's not mad. I let out a hum of agreement and allowed us to travel in silence.
It didn't take long to find Naruto and Konan, she was handing him a bouquet of paper flowers. Both pausing at the sight of us, "Deidara-nii?"
"Did you think Nagato was going to skip me or something? What's with the sad look baby?" Itachi let me slide off his back so my brother could yank me into a tight hug, "You can lecture me later if you want… but I need to speak with Konan. Okay baby…? Go back home, un." I could already sense Kakashi making a beeline for Naruto. Once Naruto released me, I sent him off and locked eyes with Konan.
Guilt and sadness were plastered on that beautiful face of hers, Nagato and Yahiko's bodies were gently wrapped in paper coffins for travel. This poor woman was planning on guarding those two until her dying days…
Sadly those days would be sooner than expected.
"Come to Konoha, Konan." I hold my hand out to her as she stared at me in shock, eyes searching for trickery.
"But… Nagato and I…" Konan stared at my hand in disbelief, "We attacked and destroyed the village…"
"And Itachi killed his entire clan, Kisame and Sasori have murdered high ranking figure and I've killed Danzo and enough people to populate a medium size village. Your point sweetheart, un?" My lips morph into a smirk as Itachi smacked a hand over his mouth to hide a snort. Yay, I can still make him laugh!
"But… I should take Nagato and Yahiko to Amegakure... so they can rest in peace."
"They could never rest in peace knowing the girl they loved spent the rest of her days guarding their corpses… Tobi will hunt you down and kill you for Nagato's eyes, un." With the way things have been going, Obito will get the rinnegan one way or another. But at the very least I'll keep Konan safe.
Konan bit her lower lip, I couldn't help but notice she messes with the stud under her lip, must be a nervous tic. I could see the cogs going into overdrive in her head, unsure as to what she should do. So I waited, I didn't care how long this would take. It could go into the night for all I care, I will follow her to Amegakure if needed, I'm going to have her be in Konoha where she will be safe.
"Nagato… after killing you… he mentioned that Amegakure would not be safe for me to return…"
I nod while keeping my voice soft, "Because he saw my memories… Tobi will try to kill you, and even with the paper bombs I know you have hidden in the village's water," Her face morphs to bafflement, "he has access to a large number of sharingan, and with them the ability to sacrifice them to nullify any jutsu used against him. You would be wasting your chakra protecting your friends, un."
Now Konan lowered her head, looking at the Akatsuki ring on her finger. Each second that passed by looked like the weight of the world would press down on her shoulders, crushing her spirit. I slowly approach the older woman and place a hand on her shoulder, "Nagato… gave his dream to Naruto, right?" She slowly nods her head, "Then protect Nagato's dream through Naruto… come to Konoha and help him create a world of peace. I can help make any funeral arrangements you would want for Nagato and Yahiko, and if you are concerned for Amegakure… we can help you make a clone so you can still run the village. I'll even work with the medical team to create decoys for your friends' bodies, un."
I had this unstoppable feeling that Obito will get the rinnegan no matter what I do, but this slows down the process by a long shot… or at least forces him to rely on Zetsu.
For the longest time, Konan remained silent and Itachi and I could only stand there and wait. Finally, she looked at me with a peaceful expression, "I will return with you two to Konoha… but give me a few days to prepare. I will return when Konoha is rebuilt or if there is a threat in Amegakure."
Satisfied with that response, I gently take the rose out of her hair and hand her an exact replica, but made with my clay, "If you are in danger, destroy this flower and I will come to your aid, un." I watch her put the rose in her hair before I turn my attention to the bodies, "Let me and Itachi hide them for now, I think I can find some sealing jutsus that will preserve their bodies."
Konan did not hesitate to give them to me, which I rested on top of some larger chocobos I made. I gave her a tight hug, catching her by surprise, before sending her off back to her home village.
Itachi gave me a bemused expression, "Why didn't you destroy the bodies?" Taking my hands, lacing our fingers together in a manner that silently reminded me that he was still shaken up by nearly losing me.
I take his hand and gently kiss each finger before answering, "Because that is Konan's right as their friend and fellow teammate… besides, Kabuto already has Nagato's DNA; why destroy them for the purpose of stopping an edo tensei, when he already has what he needs to bring back the rinnegan?" Itachi nods at my logic, "Itachi… what… would you do if I did die…? Knowing that Kabuto would most likely use edo tensei on me…?"
The grip on my hand tightened to the point of being painful, but he refused to release my hand, "I would make sure I was the first person you fought… and I would seal you… no…" He looks up at the sky, "I would use Shisui's eyes to break his hold of you… and have you help me fight him…"
A small smile traced my lips as I give him a kiss on the cheek, "We both know I would have killed him before you used Izanami though. Let's return to the village, gotta give Konoha's hero a big ol' hug, un."
A few days later
The progress is slow, but Konoha is rebuilding, it's a little hard when Yamato is the only wood style user in the village. I'm still keeping my edo tensei shinobi with the twins, Hashirama had a wood clone meet me the previous day. Madara is apparently worried sick and the twins absolutely adore him.
Other than that… I'm questioning why I'm at a meeting with the Land of Fire's feudal lord and various other daimyo. I do remember this scene. This is when Danzo becomes the temporary Rokudaime Hokage, but he's dead… so what are the elder's planning?
I must have zoned out, everyone is looking at me, "What?" I see the lords all scoff at my apparent rudeness, watch it.
Shikaku cleared his throat, "I had nominated Hatake Kakashi as the next Hokage, and since we-" He motions to the other clan heads. I don't remember the meeting being this big, "know that you would want an input. You do represent the Uzumaki and Uchiha clan after all."
Realizing that I could potentially control who is chosen, Koharu turns to the feudal lord, "Do not listen to a word that boy says, he is an outsider that weaved himself into the village. If anything, I'd say he's the cause of the destruction, bringing dangerous missing nin into Konoha…" I feel my head moving like a parrot in shock. Did this old cow just pull a Danzo on me?
The lord fanned himself, "Hmmm… good point on not listening to him, we can't allow an outsider to decide politics. Why don't you step out, young man?"
'Don't yell, don't yell, don't yell…' Oh how I hate adults sometimes, ironic that I am one, "No. I don't think I will step out. So please shut your money filled mouth before I end you three like I did Danzo, un." The lords and village elders paled at my proclamation. The clan heads kept their mouth shut, none of them seemed surprised at this point.
"That is treason talk!" How can it be treason if I hold no loyalties to someone who can't sit for five minutes without using a fan?
"You killed Danzo?"
"Orders from the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen himself. I have the documentation sealed off in an underground bunker." I proceed to dismiss their existence, "Nara-sama, regarding Kakashi… I have a wager for you…"
Near the outskirts of Konoha
"The Rokudaime Hokage huh…?" Kakashi looked at the hat in mild interest as he stood before the village elders and Shikaku. I was lounging on a tree watching the whole thing.
"Correct, with Tsunade out of commission, we thought it would be best to appoint a new Hokage. And we chose you." Shikaku smirked at his old war buddy with confidence. The elders refused to make eye contact with Kakashi, they had no puppet to use since I destroyed ROOT and killed Danzo. I happily proceed to start humming You're Welcome from Moana, just to boost my own ego.
Kakashi didn't move as the hat was placed on his head, except to give Shikaku his famous eye crinkle smile, "I'm honored… but…"
Kakashi poofed in a puff of smoke, replaced with a bewildered Itachi. The hat rested on his head in a crooked manner due to a lack of spikes for hair.
"I think if anyone should be Hokage, it's Itachi."
The four of them whip their heads to the tree I was in. Kakashi stood on the branch opposite of me, reading his book. I snapped a picture of Itachi staring up at me, he had the eyes of a confused owl and the face of a lost puppy… damnit, I can only resist this for so long- he tilt his head, damn Uchihas and mastering the puppy look… wait that doesn't sound right.
I smirk at Shikaku, "I win, pay up, un!" Hopping off my branch, I practically skip to the Nara and hold out my hand. This earned me a defeated chuckle and a wad of bills landing in my palm.
"You really do know people, Deidara-san. I have full support of this." Of course Shikaku was somewhat upset that he lost the bet, but at the same time was happy for Kakashi's choice.
Itachi waved his hand to catch my attention, "Dei… what's going on?" He takes off the hat, nearly dropping it when he realized that he had the Hokage's hat on his head.
"We need a new Hokage while Tsunade is unconscious. The clan heads wanted Kakashi has Hokage due to him being a student of Minato, un. But they also wanted my input…"
Shikaku joined in, "Deidara-san shot down the elders' and the lords' inputs. He wagered that Kakashi would make you Hokage instead. If Kakashi didn't then he would have been Hokage, and if he did pass the hat to you… We all agreed to support you wholeheartedly… and also I betted 10,000 ryo." I pat the man's back in sympathy.
"I never make bet unless I know the odds were in my favor, un." The elders at this point were glaring at me, not like I cared, "Soooo… what do you say, Itachi?"
My owlish husband blinked at me slowly, then looked at the hat, "But… I… This is…" He looks to Kakashi, "Are you sure?"
Kakashi looked up from his book, a rare genuine grin was on his face behind that mask, "You've done so much to ensure the safety of this village, always thinking for the future of the village. You, are a true Hokage. Not me." Wow… that was a very mature answer, "Also I didn't want to deal with the drama it came with and Naruto's too young." There we go! There's the Kakashi answer!
Itachi didn't speak for a moment. He slowly rubbed the rim of the hat with his thumb, admiring it. Straightening his back, he bowed lowly to Shikaku and the elders, "I will do all I can for Konoha, please support me in this. I humbly accept the title of Rokudaime Hokage."
Shikaku smirked, "I'll go inform the clans." Turning at his heel, he left without a word. The elders gave Itachi a slight bow before also leaving.
Taking the hat from Itachi, I plop it on his head, "Oh you look so cute!" Clapping my hands in delight, I wave Kakashi over, "Look at him! So mature and absolutely precious!"
"You sound more like a doting mother than a supportive husband." Kakashi chuckled and examined the now flustered Itachi, "It suits you."
"Thank you Kakashi…" Itachi looks to me with a smirk, "Naruto is not going to be happy with this."
I roll my eye, "He'll get over it. Let's go pick up the twins, it'll take a few days for the announcement to be official, un." Creating a bird, we hopped on it and flew off to the house.
Before we even landed I was yanked off the bird and hands were instantly all over me. Madara was frantically patting down my body, sharingan shifting, looking for signs of pain. I swear if I didn't stop him now he would hold me upside down to check for blood flow.
"Madara-sama?"
"The connection had broken for a few hours. You died." It was not accusation, he stated it as a fact, "You died and none of us could figure out why, then you suddenly came back."
I began twiddling my fingers, "W-well, you see… I uh… I was… I mean I…" How do I explain to Madara that I messed up? There's no explanation, I let my guard down. I didn't have to speak anymore though, as I was soon pulled into a tight hug, a gloved hand weaved itself into my hair to keep me still.
"Don't do it again. I don't want to have to deal with that grief again… Like when I lost Izuna..." I go ragdoll in his arms, letting him think to himself. That is, until he noticed Itachi, "You're Hokage now?" That single phrase brought out Hashirama and Tobirama.
"Ah! Congrats Itachi-san! You're the first Uchiha to become Hokage!" Hashirama clapped Itachi on the back, the force sent my husband into a series of coughs, "Tobirama and I will give you some advice! Come on!" Before Hashirama could drag him away, Tobirama slammed his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Let the man spend time with his children, ani*." Tobirama gives Itachi a nod of acknowledgement before yanking his brother back to give him space. Hashirama lost his balance and proceed to fall on his ass in the process, "Have some dignity ani, you are the Shodai Hokage."
"Then don't tug on me, Tobirama!" I couldn't help but snicker into Madara's chest, I could barely see my surroundings but Hashirama never fails to bring me amusement.
Itachi bows to the Hokages before rushing to the bassinets, Madara lets me go so I could join him. Without hesitation we both scooped up an infant in our arms, pleased to see them instantly relax at the sight of us. Even though we were separated from them for only a few days, I could feel their difference in weight and strength, babies really do grow fast.
Nuzzling Minami's face with my nose, I sit down next to Izuna to finally allow my body to relax after several days of stress. Itachi quickly followed suit, setting down his Hokage hat and sighing.
Izuna gently booped Minami's nose, causing her to squirm in my arms, "Will you and Itachi have more children besides these two?" He smiled softly when she sneezed in my arms and proceed to try and hide her face from Izuna's finger.
With a soft sigh, I shake my head, "I doubt it, I've grown up always only wanting two children, un." Itachi nods in agreement with me, somewhat focused on Shisui's endless demands for his dad's attention, "And if they all somehow awaken their mangekyou it would cause problems for the future. The last thing I want is for them to fight over their eyes…"
Itachi's face pinched up slightly, before his eyes lit up in realization, "Dei… Sasuke had awakened his mangekyou sharingan after you had died."
I arch my neck in confusion, my voice laced with mild annoyance, "Is that so? He never told me this… great, just great." I bow my head while exhaling a large amount of air, "I'll have Sakura prepare an eye transfer for you two once the hospital has been rebuilt. Knowing Duck-kun, he'll spam those eyes until he goes blind, un." Memories flash of the anime, how Sasuke was going blind after barely a month of having the mangekyou, yet Itachi lasted almost 10 years with only minor eyesight problems.
Deciding that he's waited long enough, Hashirama plopped down in front of Itachi, grinning like a kid in the candy shop, "Okay, so tell me what you have planned for the village!" Eager much?
I slam my hand against my forehead with a groan, suddenly feeling tired. Taking Shisui from Itachi's grasp, I go to another room where Madara followed me like a lost puppy. Passing the babies into his arms, I pull out a futon and throw off my coat, "Wake me up when Hashirama is done talking Itachi's ear off, okay?"
Madara rolled his eyes with a smirk, handing the twins back to me, "Just rest Deidara, I'll stay nearby." I have a feeling that he's not going to let me out of his sights for a long time.
With the reassurance of not being alone, I laid the twins down on either side of me, making sure they can't roll over or get hurt in the process. Closing my eyes, I hear Madara shut the nearby blinds, and sleep taking over my conscious.
Happy that Deidara is back? There is no way I would have continued this story without my SI. So an explanation for why I had killed Deidara: Remember how I said my beta and I determined character's fates with a coin toss? Well… Nagato lost that coin flip, and as I was planning things out it struck me, "Hey… why don't I kill Deidara?" and then it went from there. That way I could use his reanimation plot no jutsu thingy and have it be impactful still, cause in an alternative version I could just have Deidara get Pein to betray Obito… but coin toss. Also spoilers: Konan is going to live. :D
Next chapter is not going to be any real story progression, in fact it's gonna be like the filler series right after the Invasion arc. Since the fic is reaching its final stretch, I will not be able to fill in all of the side stories that I had in mind in those last dozen or so chapters… so I am going to have that chapter be dedicated to flashback land. In it will be some stories I have promised like Kimimaro meeting the Hyuuga elders, and also confirming a ship that no one has been able to guess so far.
* On multiple occasions when the dead communicate with the living, they are always blissfully unaware of what is going on. Hashirama and Tobirama seem confused seeing an old Hiruzen, Kakashi had to tell Haku and Zabuza that they are a part of the edo tensei, and Kakashi also had to tell his life story to his father. Everyone that died seem ignorant to what is going on, so I'm going with the idea that they cannot see the living.
* In the anime Tobirama calls Hashirama ani, which in kanji form means elder brother and sounds very old fashion.
As always, reviews are loved and I will see you all next week with a crap ton of side stories. Kage summit arc will happen after that.
Bye!
