Everything Ends

Itachi turned slowly when he heard the door crash to the floor. His eyes were closed and a smile was upon his lips.
"How nice of you to join us." He said quietly, "We were just getting ready for a ceremony: A funeral ceremony. Maybe you could help me build the pyre?"
He began to laugh; a choked, forced laugh, that sounded wholly unnatural.
Kiba's fists were clenched by his sides.
"Bastard! I'll tear you to pieces!" He cried, starting to move forwards.
A long, slender arm stopped him.
"He's my opponent, Kiba. This is my brother. And I've always sworn to avenge my family." Sasuke said, " By killing him. You take care of Hinata."
Kiba nodded again, and edged around the brothers. Hinata had been laid across the desk in the room, her hands bound and mouth gagged. Tears stung the corners of Kiba's eyes as he untied her and lifted her limp body up into his strong arms. She was so light, as if there was nothing to her. Kiba held her tightly to his chest as walked dumbly from the room. Behind him he heard Sasuke's blade slice through the air towards Itachi. Did he imagine it, or did it hit something, with a dull thud? Kiba's senses were dulled, but this time it was no genjutsu. His head throbbed as he carried his love through the still calmness of the temple and towards the doors. Not one sound came from Hinata. He didn't know if he could even hear her breathing. Akamaru whined at his side, looking up mournfully at the small, dark-haired girl. As he reached the doorway, his legs gave way. He landed on his knees at the doors, Hinata still held in his arms. He carefully laid her down on the stone-slabbed ground, brushing her hair gently from her face with the last of his energy. His injuries from the fighting were worse than he thought, and he knew he was bleeding internally. He pressed a hand to her wrist, desperate to find a pulse, as he leant his head on her chest to check her breathing. The pulse was faint, her breathing laboured, but she was still alive at least. Kiba threw back his head in relief, letting out a howl of grief, anger, love, pain and joy… All the emotions flooded out of him as he screamed to the heavens.
The last thing he remembered was a voice.
"Kiba-kun?"
And then blackness.

*

*

The sun shone high in the sky over the bustling and busy streets of Konoha. The market was buzzing with activity as people bartered and argued, as they laughed and shouted at each other. Children chased each other though the alleyways and winding streets, whooping and screeching as they played their games. A solitary figure in black walked slowly toward the memorial stone a little way out of the main village. They kept their head low, looking up only when some children ran across their path. A single, white rose was held in the person's hand as they walked, each petal dazzlingly bright.
Approaching the memorial, the person took down their large hood, to reveal dark hair and wide eyes. They knelt before the stone monument and placed the rose at the foot of it. Hands clasped, the person began to talk quietly, to no one in particular. Their eyes were closed, and a tear slid down their cheek.

*

"I've not slept well this past year. It's hard, without you around. Different. People say you were a hero, and that you died defending our village. It is an honour to die the way you did. You know, it's a year to the day, and no one seems to remember. Everyone gets on with whatever they have to do. Maybe it's best they don't remember the dark days. But how can I not remember? How am I meant to sleep at night, knowing that things were left between us as they were? I feel like you might have died hating me, and I couldn't bear that. Everyone tells me that they're sure that's not the case. That you still watch over me from somewhere. I hope you are not disappointed in me. I miss you terribly. Every day is hard to get through. The village lost so many good people that day.

But I lost you.

I lost my father."

Hinata rose from her kneeling position carefully, and turned around.
Kiba stood waiting for her at the end of the pathway, his face solemn. She walked quickly to him, holding him close as she cried bitterly. He stroked her hair, and whispered comforting words to her. He reclined his head to the monument before they left, as a mark of respect.

"Sleep well, Lee-kun. And you, Hiashi-sama."

*

Shino stepped out of the shower and dried himself quickly. Shivering slightly, he dressed, and then went into the living room he shared with Kiba, and now Hinata too. Replacing his glasses, he grinned behind his high collar. Today, he was going to tell them about the new housemate they'd be having. And what a surprise that would be! A key turned in the door, and he turned to see the couple arriving home. Hinata sat on the sofa, quiet and composed, as Kiba loudly clanged around in the kitchen, making tea.
"Kiba!" Shino called, "I need to talk to you about something."
Kiba popped his head around out of the kitchen door.
"If it's about the noise from the bedroom, then I've told Nata to be quiet…"
"Kiba-kun!!!" Hinata blushed deeply.
Shino shook his head.
"No, baka, it's not that. It's just…" he gulped, "Well, I've been seeing someone a-and, I think it's serious. I'd like them to move in with me."
Kiba dropped the kettle with a crash.
"You? Bug-boy? You've got a girlfriend?"
"Yes, Dog-breath, I've got a girlfriend!" Shino exclaimed.
"Well, Shino-kun, who is she?" Hinata asked from beside him.
"Well, um…you see…"
"It's me!" A loud voice came from the bathroom.
Hinata and Kiba turned to see none other than Ino step out of the room in nothing but a towel. Kiba and Shino instantly had nosebleeds and fell backwards, while Hinata and Ino rolled their eyes at the stupidity.
A few minutes later, when the boys had composed themselves, and Ino was dressed, they all sat discussing how it had happened.
"Well, after last year, everything was a little crazy. When we were fighting the enemy, after you'd run off into the temple" Shino looked at Kiba, "I went back to help out on the front line. Ino needed some back up and I was there. When she was injured, it was horrible. I immediately took her to Sakura to be healed. After the village defeated the invaders, I spent a lot of time watching over her in the hospital."
Ino squeezed Shino's arm affectionately.
"He was there for me when I really needed someone. It wasn't long until I realised that what I felt for Sasuke was merely a childhood infatuation. Shino helped me to understand what love really is…"
At this point, Kiba mimed throwing up to Hinata, and she giggled.
"I'm pleased for you both, really I am." She said, smiling.
Shino smiled back, although his expression was invisible.
"Well, I wanted to tell you… I'd like Ino to move in with me. I know it will be a little cramped, but it's what we really want." Shino finished.
Hinata smiled knowingly at Kiba.
"We have some news for you. Kiba-kun and I have decided to get married, and Neji as the new Hyuuga clan leader, has agreed that we can live at the compound."
Ino's mouth dropped open as Shino shook Kiba's hand and hugged Hinata.
Everything was changing, that was for definite.

*

Sasuke stood at the gates of Konoha. Tsunade stood in front of him, her brow furrowed.
"You know you're welcome back any time? And you must come to visit. I've arranged a guide for you…"
The Hokage smiled at the young man in front of her. And he actually smiled back.
A shout from inside the gates made the two ninja turn, and see Naruto and Sakura running toward them.
"You weren't really going to leave without saying goodbye, were you? Baka!"
Sasuke smirked at his former team-mate.
"I didn't know if you'd come."
Sasuke was leaving the village. But this time, with the permission of Tsunade, and with different intentions. After finally having got the revenge he sought, he felt his days as a ninja were over, and was retiring to a nearby village. Here, he felt he could live out the last of his days in peace. But of course, he would visit now and again.
"Ah, here's your guide! This is Sumi. She's the daughter of the village's magistrate. She agreed to escort you to the village, and has even organised you a welcome dinner with her family." Tsunade said, waving to a young girl who was approaching the village on horseback.
The girl jumped down from the horse and strode up to the group, smiling widely.
"My name is Sumi. Pleased to meet you, Sasuke-sama. We've never had a ninja come live in our village before, we are indeed privileged."
She removed her riding helmet, revealing a full head of long, sumptuous golden hair, which glinted in the setting sun. Bowing slightly, she held out a hand to Sasuke, which he accepted, and then led him to the horse.
"We can ride together." She said, "It's a day away, but I ride well. Farewell, Hokage-sama!"
Sasuke turned to look at Naruto and Sakura.
"Don't follow me this time, baka!"
Sakura nodded tearfully and Naruto raised his hand as a goodbye.
They watched their friend ride away, and stayed there at the gates for a while.
"Sakura-chan. You know how it's all changing?" Naruto said, when Tsunade had finally left them alone.
"Hai?"
"Well, I wanted to ask you something."
Slowly, Naruto got down on one knee.
Sakura gasped as he did so.
"Will you marry me?" he asked her, grinning cheekily.
"Oh, Naruto, of course I will!" she cried, jumping into his arms.

*

"Till we meet again."
"Hai."
The lovers embraced, as the sun set above them. Not knowing how long it would be until they saw each other again, they cried in each other's arms.
"Really, you two, this trip has been long enough. You have your duties to think of." A voice interrupted them.
Gaara stood staring at his sister and Shikamaru as they cried. He didn't like to upset his Temari like this, but they couldn't just visit Konoha whenever they wanted, plus he was running out of excuses for them to go there.
Then an idea struck him. If his sister were to marry Shikamaru, a Konoha ninja, she could have dual nationality. It meant travelling a lot, but he was sure it would be better than now.
The Kazekage thought of this all the way home to Suna. It was just getting the word to Shikamaru that would be the problem…

*

And that's the END! Hope you liked it lots and lots!