'It's been one year. One year in this shithole without him.' This same thought, and similar ones, are floating through the minds of twenty or so people, all gathered in a small ramen stand, mourning the loss of one of the greatest people they had ever known.
Tsunade was crying for the loss of her 'little brother' and clinging to Jiraiya, who for once didn't have a lecherous look on his face. Instead, his face was marred by grief, knowing he had lost yet another pupil. Shizune sat next to her mentor, also mourning for the lost boy that she saw as her annoying little brother.
Hinata was also crying, being supported by Shino. Next to them was Iruka, who looked dead. He looked ready to keel over, if not supported by Kakashi's shoulder. Surprisingly, Kakashi's little orange book was absent, forgotten in favor of the large sake bottle in front of the gray-haired sensei.
Old man Ichiraku and his daughter Ayame were behind the counter, serving ramen, sake, and anything else they had to the mourning shinobi.
The Konohamaru Corps. were there next to Iruka, mourning the loss of their 'Boss' and big brother figure. Konohamaru took it the worst. He had looked up to Naruto, as mentor, teacher, friend, and brother. Only Tsunade came close to knowing his pain.
Sasuke sat in a corner, brooding to himself. He felt that he was to blame. If he never went to Orochimaru, then he never would have been under house arrest at the time Naruto needed him the most.
Shikamaru had his head on the counter, mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like 'Troublesome' every once in a while. Next to him was Chouji, who was stuffing his face with ramen. It was his way of dealing with the pain.
Asuma was next to Kurenai. Though they didn't get to know Naruto as well as the others, they still thought he was a nice kid, who didn't deserve his fate at all.
Gai and Lee were crying, and not the fake anime tears either. They had both gotten to know Naruto really well. Naruto had come to them, asking for help to improve his taijutsu. It was these afternoon sessions that allowed them to open up to each other.
Tenten was also crying. Naruto had become the equivalent of a little brother to her. Her family saw him as the container, not the contained. They were the only weapons' shop to actually sell him usable weapons.
Neji was supporting Tenten. He had changed a lot since the Chuunin Exams, where Naruto beat some sense into him. After that day, he became a more open person, and a loving cousin to Hinata.
Izumo and Kotetsu, the 'Forever Chuunin' as Naruto called them, were currently on gate duty. If not for that, they too would be there at Ichiraku's.
In the tiny ramen hut, these people mourn for the one who brought them together, and who brought them even closer because of his death. Secluded away, they cry while the rest of the villagers celebrate the 'death of a demon.'
Kotetsu and Izumo stand at the gates, wishing to be anywhere but here. Anywhere but the place that shunned a boy who did no wrong, the village that, even now, celebrates his death.
A staggering figure walks up to the gate, another drunk shinobi. Kotetsu turns away, its Izumo's turn to deal with the drunks. The shinobi, seeing Izumo, staggers over faster, several sake bottles in his hands.
"Heeyyy guuyyysssss." Yep, definitely drunk off his ass.
"What do you want? Can't you see we're busy right now?" Izumo snaps.
"Aawww, lightennn uuupppp. It'ssss tiiimeee to CELEEBRAAATEEEEE!!!!!!! Theee Deemonnnn'ssss DEEEAAADD!" he yells cheerfully, not noticing the dark scowls on either of the chuunin's faces. Suddenly, the nameless shinobi lands in an ungraceful heap several feet away from the gate.
"Don't you DARE speak about Naruto like that again, GOT IT?! If I hear you say ANYTHING bad about Naruto again, I will not hesitate to beat you like the worthless mangy dog you are!" yells Kotetsu, finally snapping at the shinobi's behavior. The shinobi looks up, and suddenly cowers in fear. Knowing it's not because of either of them, the chuunin turn around… to one of the most horrifying scenes in seventeen years.
The Kyuubi is standing not three feet from the gate.
The ramen stand is quiet. Only those who are crying can be heard, everyone taking peace from the silence surrounding them. That peace is broken suddenly by the appearance of Kotetsu, who is out of breath and trembling.
"Kotetsu?! Aren't you and Izumo supposed to be guarding the gate?!" Tsunade questions, not quite understanding why he would be here, shaking like a newborn bunny.
"Lady Tsunade, you must come quickly! The Kyuubi is standing right outside of the gate!" Kotetsu pants out. Everyone is surprised. Didn't Kyuubi die with Naruto?
They all rushed to the gate, eager to see if perhaps, since Kyuubi is alive, then so is Naruto.
Kyuubi stood, proud and tall at the entrance to the pathetic village known as Konoha. He turns his head, sensing the approach of all of those who had cared for the kit in some way, shape, or form. 'Good.'
There stood the most powerful bijuu known to man, Kyuubi no Kitsune, looking as calm as a dog, guarding its home. Confusion spread through the group from Ichiraku's. Why wasn't he attacking? One would assume he came to finish the job he started seventeen years ago.
"Pathetic Humans. You must be wondering why I'm here, right?" Kyuubi asks, his voice reverberating throughout the village, most of which has been evacuated with the citizens heading to the bunkers.
"Yes, actually. Why are you here?" Tsunade steps bravely forward to address the demon. Just then, Ayame and Old man Ichiraku arrive, having followed the shinobi.
"I come here with a proposition for you mortals."
"A really nice proposition, actually." Suddenly, a blond teenager with his arms crossed over his chest steps out from behind Kyuubi's front leg. He's practically transparent, a ghost really. One that they all know and love.
"NARUTO!" everyone shouts, glad to see their favorite knuckle-headed ninja again.
"Straight from Kami herself." With that, two others step out. They are the First and Second Hokages.
"Kami's a woman?" asks Jiraiya, thinking about the implications.
"Yes Jiraiya. Kami is, in fact, a woman." Out steps the Sandaime, still dressed in the formal Hokage robes, next to Naruto.
"And yes, Ero-sennin, she does hate perverts." None other than the Yondaime steps out, in front of Kakashi.
"Sensei?" Kakashi asks quietly, not sure whether to believe his eye or not.
"Hey there little Kakashi. Not so little anymore, huh?"
"Hey, don't forget about me Sensei!" A boy in his early teens steps from behind the Yondaime. He has short black hair held back by orange goggles, a scar over his left eye, and his right is red with three black tomoe.
"Obito?" Kakashi asks in that same, quiet voice.
"In the flesh, so to speak." replies Obito, with a smile similar to one orange-wearing shinobi.
"Even though we don't have flesh anymore, right Dan?" Another little boy with brown hair appears. Next to him is a tall man with blonde hair, the one he was talking to.
"Yes Nawaki, we no longer have flesh." The blonde man replies.
"Uncle Dan?!" "Nawaki?!" Both Tsunade and Shizune shout, surprised to see their loved ones again.
Two more people appeared. One, a man with long dark hair and pale lavender eyes. The second is a woman with long brown hair tied into a bun on her head and beautiful brown eyes.
"Father?" Neji asks in the same quiet voice Kakashi used.
"My son, you have grown up well. I'm very proud of you."Hizashi smiles at his son radiating his pride.
"Mom?" Tenten shouts, surprised to see her there.
"Yes dear, it's me."
Another woman steps forward, towards Sasuke. She has a kind smile on her face, long black hair, and shining onyx eyes. "Sasuke." she breathes out.
"Mother?!" For the first time in a long time, Sasuke loses his composure. Tears fall gently down his face, and he looks like that cute little kid again.
Hinata steps forward suddenly towards Naruto. "How? I-I th-thought y-you d-d-died?" she asks in disbelief.
"I am dead Hinata-chan. It took a while, but I finally talked Kami into my idea."
"A-and w-wh-what's th-that N-n-naruto-kun?"
"Well, Kyuubi's gonna destroy Konoha. I talked to Kami and we agreed that I would be allowed to help all who I considered my precious people." Now he addressed all present. "You will now be given a choice. Kyuubi's gonna destroy Konoha. Your choice is to stay here, and most likely die a horrible death. Or, you come with us now. Kami has decreed that none shall survive this night. Right Kyuu?"
"Yes Kit. None shall survive the night."
"By coming with us now, we save you from that horrible death, and take you to heaven with us. The choice is yours. Choose wisely."
"Naruto-kun, I choose to go with you." Hinata replied, surprised at the fact that she didn't stutter once.
"We choose to go with you!" and "Take us with you!" were the responses of everyone else.
"Let's go then." Dan suddenly grabs Shizune and Ayame, at the same time Nawaki grabs Tsunade and Shikamaru. The Nidaime grabs both Kotetsu and Izumo. The Sandaime steps forward next, grabbing both Jiraiya and Konohamaru. The First grabs Moegi and Udon. Naruto grabs Old man Ichiraku. Obito rushes forward and grabs Kakashi and Shino. Hizashi grabs Neji and Gai as Tenten and Lee are grabbed by her mother. Sasuke is grabbed by his mother, who also grabs Chouji. Finally, the Yondaime grabs Kurenai and Asuma. As one, the spirits pull their loved ones out, leaving the bodies behind. Naruto passes Old Man Ichiraku to Ayame. As one, they vanish quietly, going to heaven.
"N-naruto-kun?"
"Hinata-chan, I know you used to follow me, and I know how much you love me. I want you to know, I love you too." At the last statement, Hinata looks ready to faint. Quickly, Naruto grabs her hand and yanks her out of her body. They stand there, looking at each other lovingly. As they share their first kiss, they gently fade away into the night.
Kyuubi watches as the Kit's loved ones all fade away, going to their final rest. Then, the Kit grabs his mate as they also fade.
"Hehe, now it's my turn. Foolish mortals. Had you left Kit alone, instead of beating him to death, this would never have happened. Humans truly are stupid." And with that, Kyuubi proceeds to complete the massacre.