Chapter 17

Visits

The story is coming to a finale, and I figured out the plot for the sequal in my head. I can assure that you will love it! Anyways, please enjoy this chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I will own Naruto eventually...I can assure it!

The sun peaked over the horizon, and shined on Konohagakure. It was probably the last sunny day they would see for a while, for it was the day before Naruto's funeral.

The area on top of the Hokage's office was set. A long black table with pictures of the past Hokage on it, Naruto's in the middle on the highest perch. The flowers that were to be given to all who attended the funeral were in a nice neat pile near the steps that brought you to the grounds.

Sakura was under a cherry blossom tree, the same one where Naruto took her to relax one day. A sad expression was across her face, but she felt that Naruto was there with her, helping her nerves calm. The thought of having him back was still fresh in her mind, but that hope was slowly fading away. If nothing was done today, he would not come back, and her heart would be broken for the longest time. Silently, she prayed for him to return, but then felt the warmth of what could have been Naruto fade away.

Sasuke was at his house, but doing a little better after the talk with Sakura. His hair was still matted, but his clothes were clean and he had at least tried to wash. Naruto was on his mind, and oh how Sasuke wished that his funeral weren't tomorrow. It was supposed to be decades from now, possibly even after his own funeral. Then he felt a warm touch sweep across his shoulders, and a light voice whisper, "It'll be alright." Sasuke sighed when the warmth faded, and he slowly curled up on his couch and went to sleep.

After about an hour, Sakura finally left her tree, and started to walk home, but she thought she heard other footsteps right next to her. When she stopped walking, she turned around but saw no one. Again she started walking, and the footsteps returned. Now she was getting pissed. Sakura wildly flipped around but again, no one was there. "Shannaro..." she growled, and tried to continue walking...but...footsteps. "STOP DAMN IT!" Sakura screamed, and turned around to see a frightened Naruto.

"Geez..." he stuttered. "Sorry." Sakura gaped and then frowned...whoops. "What's your problem anyway?" Naruto asked, his scared expression turning into a confused one.

"Oh, I don't know..." Sakura said sarcastically. "Maybe because your funeral is coming up!"

"Oh..." Naruto said, rolling his eyes. "That's all?"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!"

"I mean come on Sakura-chan!" Naruto said and stared at the kunoichi. "It's not like I'm gone forever! Remember that-"

"I KNOW!" Sakura screamed back at him. "I know..."

Naruto walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down," he soothed. "Don't get so worked up. You can't think rationally when you're all stressed."

Sakura nuzzled her head to his chest, and cried. "I don't want you dead..." she choked. "I want you with me."

Naruto's arm came around her back and held her. "I am here. How many times do I have to tell you that?" he assured her. Sakura looked up at him, sorrow filling her eyes. "I will always be here." Naruto bent down and kissed her on the forehead. "Now I have some other people to go see, Sakura-chan."

Sakura watched sadly as Naruto faded from her view, and coldness swept over her like before. "Sayonara," she muttered. "Naruto."

"You miss him a lot, don't you Sakura-san?" a familiar voice called from behind her. Sakura turned around and saw another pair of sapphire eyes looking at her. "Like he said, he'll always be there."

"Atsuiiki-san..." Sakura muttered. "When did you get here?"

Atsuiiki laughed lightly. "A few minutes ago." she answered, and smiled at Sakura. "You two really are the lovebirds aren't you?" A blush flashed across Sakura's face. Atsuiiki walked over to the kunoichi, and bent down so she could be face to face. "Don't worry about Naruto-kun."

Sakura watched as the blonde raced off, her hair flying from the back of her. "Arigatou, Atsuiiki-neechan." she muttered, and turned around.

Sasuke looked at his wall, laying down on his couch. He remembered again about how he tried to kill Naruto three years ago, and saw how this time he had succeeded in that lost ambition. Is this what it would have felt like? he thought to himself. If I had succeeded? What he had been after was power, and to get that power he would have to kill his best friend. But this time, he did not obtain what he had wanted. Rather that he obtained nothing but sadness and sorrow.

"Kuso." he muttered, and through a pillow out the ceiling. "Kuso, kuso."

"Wow..." a voice sounded in his room.

Sasuke closed his eyes. "Oh great." he muttered. "What do you want, Naruto?"

Naruto floated over to the Uchiha, and smiled. "You keep thinking about me." he said, and stared at Sasuke. "And thinking about your previous mistakes in our friendship."

"Feh." Sasuke answered, and turned his body so that his back was facing Naruto. "I can't help it. It's my fault anyways."

"No one said it's your fault." Naruto said, and stuck his head through Sasuke's couch. "I don't think it's your fault."

Sasuke sighed. "But others do." The Uchiha got up and stretched. "It was my kunai. The mission was based on me."

Naruto frowned. "But I agreed to go on the mission. I had a choice you know." he stated, and again stared at Sasuke. "Nothing leads back to you."

Sasuke shook his head and looked sorrowfully at Naruto. "Everything leads back to me, Naruto." he said. "Gomen."

The jinchuuriki closed his eyes and sighed. "You really are hopeless, aren't you?" he said. Sasuke looked at him with wide eyes. Naruto's eyes snapped open, and behind the sapphire expression was anger and disappointment. "Well snap out of it! You don't see me walking around sulking because I'm dead. So you shouldn't either!" The Uchiha stared in shock at the dead blonde's words. Naruto sighed, and shook his head. "I should be off," he coughed. "Bye, Sasuke."

Sasuke still watched in shock as Naruto vanished from his view. "Damn." he muttered.

Atsuiiki walked slowly to the Godaime's office, glancing around at the people backing off, and shutting all their doors. She sighed, and picked up the pace. The blonde ninja didn't like to be out in public, being a demon and all. "Atsuiiki-neechan!" a loud voice called from behind the blonde. Atsuiiki looked back and saw Naruto running at her. "Atsuiiki-neechan! Have you talked to Tsunade-baachan?"

A smile swept across Atsuiiki's face. "I was going to. You want to come, Naruto-kun?" she asked him in a warm voice. "It would help if you did." Naruto nodded his head, and the two blondes started walking.

"So..." Naruto traveled on. "Are you going to Tsunade-baachan for the reason I think you are?"

Atsuiiki looked over at him, and smiled again. "Don't you think so? Or do want to stay dead?" she teased. Naruto gave a shove on her shoulders. "No seriously. I am, don't worry." Her sapphire eyes drifted off to another part. "It seems I was wrong about you..."

"Ano?" Naruto said and stared at her confusingly.

"You aren't a Genin after all..." Atsuiiki continued. "I was wrong..."

Naruto chuckled. "I only agreed with you because I felt like a Genin. Which is probably why you thought I was one."

"Probably. Those types of things always got to me." Atsuiiki laughed. "It wasn't a wonder that I didn't know you. So, do you like it being a Jounin?"

The blonde jinchuuriki sighed. "It's alright...I guess." he replied. "I sure do go on more missions than usual."

Atsuiiki chuckled lightly. "Just wait 'till you're Hokage. You'll be giving those missions." she laughed, and smiled. "I remember when the Sandaime was still alive. He truly was the second best."

"Second?" Naruto echoed.

"Minato was better." Atsuiiki said sternly with a happy smile. "Much better."

The two blondes continued walking to the Hokage's office, just keeping a light conversation. Soon, they arrived, and Naruto sighed softly. "I hope this will work." he said, and walked foward, leaving Atsuiiki to catch up.

"Take those upstairs," Tsunade's voice sounded from up the steps. "Don't forget those extra lillies."

Atsuiiki ran ahead. "Tsunade-neechan!" she greeted the Godaime, and the two kunoichi shared a hug. "Haven't seen you for a while, have I?"

Tsunade smiled. "Too long. So what do you want?" she asked. Naruto came into her view. "N-Naruto?"

"Konichi wa, Tsunade-baachan." he said. "I have something to ask you."

Tsunade nodded her head and led the two blondes into her office. "What?" she asked when she closed the door.

Atsuiiki sighed. "Well...is Naruto-kun coming back to life or what?"

The light faded from the Godaime's eyes, and she sighed. "Well..."

Ooh. MORE CLIFFIES! YAY CLIFFHANGERS! The story is coming to a close, only a few more chapters. I hope you liked this chapter, PLEASE REVIEW!

Yamahato Yokimoko-san