Disclaimer: As much as I want to, I don't own the Naruto characters!
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IT'S MY FAULT
Funeral
As the last rays of sunlight shone over the peaceful village I stepped out of my front door. Ino's words had dug deep, deeper that anything else ever could. I had cleaned myself up, brushed my hair and changed into a clean set of clothes. I told my mother that I was going to get some fresh air and left, noticing the look of relief wash over her face.
I walked down the dark, empty street. The crisp evening air was refreshing. I closed my eyes and breathed in deep, not knowing where I was going until I opened them again. My legs had bought me to an apartment, his apartment.
I stepped up to he front door and found it unlocked, typical Naruto I half heartedly smiled to myself. I gently pushed the door open and glimmering silver moonlight pooled into the room, illuminating everything, I stepped in. the house was a mess. Scrolls and other ninja tools lay scattered all over the place. Plates and empty instant ramen pots littered the table and kitchen worktops. "What a mess." I found myself wandering further into the apartment. Soon I came to a door, I reached out and opening it, it was his bedroom. The bedroom was even messier than the rest of the house. There were clothes everywhere. I walked up to the small unmade bed that was pushed up against the wall by the window. Gently I picked up one of his shirts, an orange and black one, and buried my face in it. The smell, Naruto's smell and Miso ramen. I smiled, I was so at peace.
I looked around and noticed a box on the dresser in front of the window. Still clutching the shirt, I curiously stumbled over to it. It was a plain white box with a white silk ribbon wrapped around and a tag attached to it. I peered down at the tag, Sakura. Surprised I picked it up. "For me?" carefully I tugged at the soft ribbon and let it flutter to the ground. Then I pulled off the lid. Inside the box was filled with pale pink cherry blossom petals and on top of them lay a beautiful silver kunai. With a pale pink ribbon tied to the handle it looked so delicate and elegant moonlight slid over it making it look like molten silver and I could see my name engraved on the side, I began to shake. A piece of paper was pinned to the lid. With trembling hands I grasped it and held it up to the moonlight. "Dear Sakura, Happy Birthday, hope you like it. Naruto x"
My voice caught in my throat, I shook harder. Tears welled up in my eyes. My knees became weak and gave in. I sunk to the floor, tears cascading down my cheeks. "Don't worry Naruto, it's wonderful, thank you." I whispered as I held the shirt and the box to my chest.
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The next morning I stood at my window watching the sunrise. Deep red and golden ray bathed my room in warm light. I stared out over the early morning Konoha, it was so beautiful, so peaceful. The perfect day.
Sighing, I turned to look upon the black dress that lay draped across my bed. Gradually the sun rose, filling up my room as I slipped the dress over my head. Tying a black ribbon in my hair I loped over to my dresser. Opening the top draw I pulled out the white box and carefully took out the silver kunai, tucking it into my dress. I pulled on my sandals and slipped out the door carrying a single white rose.
I trudged down the street, the sun warming my back. Looking up I realised that I was by Ino's flower shop. I watched as she stepped out wearing black holding a white rose in her hand. As if sensing I was there, she turned to stare at me. I lowered my eyes and watched the ground before lifting my head and meeting her gaze. Minutes went by; the world seemed to pass us by as we faced each other. Suddenly Ino smiled, I smiled back. I walked up to her. No words were said, they weren't needed. Silently we both turned, and side by side, ambled down the street.
A cool breeze swept over the rows of black clad ninja, ruffling my hair. I stood between Ino and Lee in the front row, on the other side of Ino was the Kazekage, who had immediately come from Suna with Temari and Kankuro, the rest of our friends were lined up around us. Tsunade-sama stood at the front beside Naruto's open coffin. Taking a deep breath she began to speak.
"Naruto Uzamaki was an exceptional shonbi. He gave so much and put so much effort into everything that he did. He was constantly caring for others and always put the safety of his friends before his own."
I sniffed, then feeling Ino's arm on my shoulder I looked up and gave her a weak smile. Tsunade-sama continued.
"As most of you know, Naruto was the nine-tailed fox. Because of this he was shunned by many of us, treated like a monster and never showed any kind of love or affection. But he ignored this; he ignored the threats, the jeers and the hate and never complained about it. Instead he stuck to his dreams and promises, always following his ninja way, to the very end. He really was an wonderful person in everyway." Tsunade-sama's voice began to tremble, but she held on. I could see the silent tears that ran down the cheeks of other and was conscious of tears falling down my own.
Tsunade-sama paused before speaking again. "The day the Kyubbi was sealed within Naruto. The 4th Hokage's last wish was that he wanted Naruto to be seen as a hero. We never looked upon Naruto as a hero, but I think that he deserves that title now." She paused again, "He has finally fulfilled the wish of his father."
A shocked gasp washed over the crowd; although no sound was made it could be seen on everyone's face. Naruto was the son of the 4th Hokage? Glancing round I could see that everyone was just of dumb-struck as me. Ino had her hands over her mouth and on my other side; Lee and Neji's eyes were wide. The voice of Tsunade-sama snapped me back to reality. "I told Naruto this shortly before he died, but he did not want anyone to know. He told me that it would have made no difference to how people saw him, they would still see him for what was inside him, not for who he really was."
No Naruto, I always saw you for who you were, I never saw you as anything different, I thought to myself as I closed my eyes.
A few moments later found us laying flowers at Naruto's coffin. One by one, I watched our friends pass, each pausing to say their finally words. First Iruka-sensei, eyes clouded with grief, he had been hit hardest, Naruto was like a son to him, and he was the only one who had cared for Naruto. He was followed by Kakashi-sensei who simply stood there, unseen sorrow all over his face. Then came Shikamaru, Kiba, Hinata, Shino, and Choji. I took a step closer as they walked back past me. Next came Tenten, followed by Neji then Lee, each of them laying down a single white rose. Temari and Kankuro passed followed silently by Gaara. I had never seen Gaara shown much emotion by the sadness that I saw in his eyes was so painful, that I could never forget it. Lastly Ino lay down her rose and moved away. Now it was my turn. I moved closer and closer, the rose gripped tightly in my shaking hand. Gently I lay down my rose and gazed upon him for the last time.
he looked so peaceful, laying there. His blue eyes were closed and his bands of blonde hair draped across his face. He was dressed in a open black and orange knee-length coat with a black top and pants. My tears became heavier. I reached into my pocket and delicately pulled out his headband. Folding it, I placed it on his still chest. Placing my hand on his whiskered cheek I reached down and softly brushed my lips against his. "Goodbye baka. My baka."
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Finally FINISHED!!
Here is the last chapter, hope you like!
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