AN: I don't own Naruto. At all. Unfortunately.

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Rain. It always rains on days like these. Days of a funeral. Days when someone most dearest to your heart leaves you. Sometimes it rains the day before they leave you...

The 6th hokage walked the long road from the Hokage tower towards the sacred burial plot of the Hokages'; the funeral procession not too far behind. The casket was of pure white, to represent the princess that was being held within. The 5th Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, Konohagokura. Former holder of the slug summoning contract. Former head of the greatest hospital in Fire Country, Konoha Hospital. And former leader of the greatest ninja village in the world. She had a lot to be proud of when she passed but it did not matter to her. The people that she cared of most in her entire life had all left her.

Naruto was one of them. His leaving the village caused Tsunade to go into a downward spiral when the team that she sent out could not find her. For years she did nothing but think about Naruto. She would stay up day and night without gambling or drinkling. All she would do was sit at her desk and think about how she would get him about and what she would do as soon as he walk into that door. She always told herself that she would hit him harder then she ever hit him before, but towards the end of her moarning she decided to just hug him to death.

Two years of searching produced nothing and teams were force back by the council. That day Tsunade discovered two things again. Alcohol tastes bad when you haven't drank it in two years...and Jiraya was a great kisser.

He was the one that brought the sake. He was the one that started reminicing about Naruto. And he was the one that silenced Tsunade's sobs by giving her the first real kiss that she had ever had in years. From that day on their relationship stayed the same. She still hit him when he did something perveted and he still wrote his books. But...its was the littles things that showed how they felt about each other. Jiraya's books were better than they had ever been. Critics said that they had a touch of softness that they had never seen from the author before. It was fresh and new. Whenever Tsunade punched Jiraya she wouldn't hit him as hard as she used too. Especially on the days when he was coming over to "drink" with her.It wasn't until three years after that their relationship became public. When they announced their wedding.

After that night of their first kiss Tsunade's fighting spirit became renewed with a passion. She taught Sakura everything she knew. Slug summons, forbiden jutsu, supreme medical jutsu, even her youth jutsu. When she was done most considered her the second Tsunade, rivaled only by the Sannin Jiraiya. And on her last day of training, when she mastered the laster technique that her sensei knew, they announced to the village the new succesor as Hokage and of their impending marriage. To say that everyone was shocked was an understatement, but to those that knew them the words 'ts about time' was said to be heard.

10 years. 10 years was how long they were together that lead to many happy memories. Jiraiya stopped writing and Tsunade stopped hit him, sometimes. They watched their "grandchildren" grow older and loved every minute of it until the day the happiness ended.

Jiraya, the Toad Sannin, author of one of greats novels in the world, personal teacher to the 4th Hokage and holder of the toad summoning contract. He was the fourth and last person to leave her. He died peacefully in his bed with his last thoughts about how could could die a happy man. Unfortunately, his dream came true.

Slowly her health deteriorated and when she became unable to form chakra she passed her title as holder of the slug contract to Sakura. She died 3 days later of oldage and grief but with a smile on her face. She was going to see everyone she loved that left her. Thankfully, she forgot about the one that hadn't died yet.

The procession stopped when it came to the burial plot and podium. Taking her stand the 6th Hokage stared out across the crowd. The entirety of Konoha came to see one of their greatest leaders off. They waited for their new leader to speak.

"People of Konohagakure. Today, you are witnessing the end of the life of one of the greatest Hokage's in the history of this village. A Hokage that brought peace to not only one but two other villages and helped bring them closer together with us. The Kazekage and Otokage from bother villages are here to pay their respects to someone that they know deserves it. The legacy that she leaves behind is not only the alliances that she forged during her terms in office, and not only the countless medical techniques that she left behind but also every one of you that has been saved by what she made. Whether done by her hands or by someone who was taught by her we would not have saved any of you. She saved your lives. And for that, we are all greatful."

The crowd cheers. Many sobs are heard from them, as well as the rows of ninjas in the front line. All of the clans of Konoha were represented, meaning every person in every clan was there. The new heir to the Hyuga clan and her family was there, standing next to her. The Inuzuka clan, dressed in their best battle armor, held their heads up high. Their newly appointed leader siting on top of his faithful beast. The Aburame clan was next to them. Looking somber and silent. Not a word was spoken between them but they all felt the same. The Chouza, Nara, and Yamanaka clans stood next to each, as they always have. Their clans have always made the best teams together and they always mourn together as well. The last clan, the Sarutobi clan, stood proudest of all. Its leader stood next to his nephew, now at the age of 20. His mother, standing next to him as well. She held her hands together and every once and a while rubbed her wedding ring as if it was a good luck charm. As the Hokage started up her speech again a lone ninja worked his way to a tree quite a distince from the procession.

"As we put the last Sannin to rest i hope everyone remembers what she stood for"

When the lone ninja reached his target he leaned up against it, the remaining water on the bark seaping into his vest. The mask on his face was still on. Its always on. The last time he removed it was when he left Sakura's hotel on the day that he left for good. It was the first time he cried in 12 years.

"Haven't seen you around here before." He spoke into the air. And as if magic, the air spoke back. "Just passing through. All the shops were closed but when I saw the funeral in session I didn't want to impose."

"She stood for justice"

Kakashi just chuckled. "Now, now. We both know that you of all people deserve to be here"

The wind chuckled back "Yeah, I'm sure I would be a welcome sight"

"She stood for strength"

"Its a good speach, don't you think?"

Silence

"So what are you doing here?"

"Thought it was obvious. I am here for them both. I missed his funeral but I won't miss them both."

"And she stood for love"

They were silent for the few moments when everyone took a moment of silence. The Hokage looked up to see Kakashi standing next to the tree and frowned. Motioning to an ANBU stationed next to her she whispered something into its ear. With a nod the ANBU lead the Hokage towards the tower, leaving the villagers to leave for their rememberence and mourning parties.

Kakshi spoke once more. "I'm going to have to tell my superiors that you're here Naruto. But...I will will give you a few moments alone with them. For old times" As he he said the last few words to his senctence he started to walk back to the crowd of people leaving the burial ground. Naruto stepped out from behind the tree in full view, facing Kakashi's turned back. "Thank you...Kakashi" said Naruto, whispering the last part. And with a nod, Kakashi disappeared into the crowd.

He didn't move until the entire crowd had dispersed. Slowly, he made his way to the graves that were home to the remains of past Hokage's and one Sannin. Jiraya was placed there as the only non Hokage. It was upon the request of Tsunade herself. She wouldn't be buried in the plot without him. Their tombstones were newly cut, white granite. Only their names were cut into the stone. Nothing else was needed. If you said too much about them it would tarnish their greatness.

Standing there, Naruto was overwhelmed with great emotion. Interally, he was crying like a boy that just lost his parents, but on the outside all you could see was the sadness. No tears. Just a look of overwhelming grief. Memories flooded his mind. Learning the Rasengen. Challenging the old hag for her neckless. Missions complained over and training sessions interupted because his sensei was too busy working on his "reasearch". Every memory filled him with such pain and happiness at the same time. Unfortunately, those moments were short lived when an ANBU appeared next to him staring at the same tombstones. It spoke almost as fast as it arrived.

"Sorry sir, but the funeral is over. What business do you have here?"

"Just came to pay my respects. I knew them well in my travels."

The ANBU paused for a moment. "I know who you are...Demon of Konoha"

Silence.

"Answer me when i speak to you de-"

"I know that you have to take me in but I will let you know that you will have to earn this capture."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." The ANBU stood there, continuing to stare at the tombstones. And then, in an instant, they both vanished.

After the liberation of the Village of the Sound the new Otokage was not chosen by the village itself. He was appointed the new Otokage of the village by suggestion (and decree) of the Hokage of the Village of the Leaves. It was the only decree that the Hokage of the Village of the Leaves made for the Village of the Sound. Most villages after they have conquered another take that village under their rule and place someone there to take orders from the main land. This was the first time in history where a leader was placed there to do nothing but lead independently as if he lived there all along. After all. He did live there for 5 years. 5 of those years spent training and becoming stronger then he ever could have been had he trained in Konoha. It was a good agreement since he lead the village to prosper as well as it has. It was better then being shunned in his home village like he once was. Besides, Sasuke had a family in Sound that he could not leave behind.

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Authors Note: Sooooooooooo. Sorry? Yeah, it has been a long while but i am back. I am going to appologize ahead of time since i know the problems will be there. The spelling or grammical errors. This is due to a mixture of the time being 4 am and not having Microsoft Word anymore. Yes, this has been done entirely on Wordpad. Fun fun...

But seriously, its good to be back. I had some free time since i got my first day off in about a month so yay. Two jobs sucks. Damn student loans. I recieve a promotion in my guild in WoW so that cool. I hope you like the chapter. I am going to say that in the next few weeks i am going to do a complete edit to all of the chapters in "Caring Fox". This is a work in progress. The posts i make are kind of like betas of my story. I make you guys happy and then i change it to what i feel is a better story. More details, better battle sense. Better dialogue...

Its going to be a better story then what i am currently writing. Trust me. you will all like it

-UnspokenFlame