Chapter 23

Rokudaime – Celebration

I couldn't find a place to stop! lol. ONE MORE CHAPTER AFTER THIS ONE! Then the action-packed, dramatic, romantic sequal right after! Please enjoy this chapter!

DISCLAIMER: How I wish I owned Naruto...Naruto...Naruto...NARUSAKU!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I'm the what?" Naruto exclaimed, shocked. "Seriously? I'm the Rokudaime?"

The old man chuckled. "Unless there is someone else called Uzumaki Naruto, then yes." He said sarcastically. "Congratulations. You're ceremony will be at the end of today." With that, he left, and Naruto stood there in shock.

Sakura came rushing out of the bedroom and embraced him. "Congratulations, Naruto!" she said happily. "Your dream has finally come true!"

Naruto grinned and hugged the kunoichi back, tears falling down his eyes. "I guess so…" he said. "I guess so."

Now Sakura was dancing around the room joyfully, never had feeling so much happiness in the world ever. "Wait 'till we tell everyone! You'll be swamped with congrats!" Chuckling, Naruto walked over to his couch and sat down. "Geez, what's wrong with you?" Sakura asked, and plopped down next to him. "I expected you to be dancing around with me, you little hyperactive ninja!"

"I should be asked what's wrong with you!" he laughed. "You never act like this!"

"Maybe I felt like it now. You changed me!" Sakura answered, and grinned. "Like you do everyone!" She brought her lips to his, and then picked him up off the couch. "Now come on!" she said when they broke apart. "Let's go tell Sasuke-kun!"

Naruto groaned, and let Sakura pull him out of the apartment. "Seriously! You need to calm down Sakura-chan!" he exclaimed, trying to catch his balance as Sakura kept pulling him down the street. "It's not like the world is going to end!"

"I'm happy for you Naruto! Is that a crime?" Sakura teased. "Lighten up! You're going to be watching over the village now as Hokage!"

"For the wrong reason, though." Naruto sighed.

That stopped Sakura in her tracks. Now she understood why Naruto wasn't happy or hyper like normal. Tsunade died for his sake, and that's the only reason why he was becoming Hokage. "It's not your fault, you know," Sakura said, trying to ease his feelings. "Tsunade-shishou acted on her accord."

Naruto frowned. "It is my fault," he said. "She gave her life for me. Technically, I took her life."

"She gave you life. When you lose something, something else is gained." Sakura pointed out, and faced Naruto now. "We may have lost our Hokage, but an even greater one arises."

"You honestly think I'm greater than Tsunade-baachan?"

"Of course, Naruto."

The frown on Naruto's face disappeared. "If you say so." He said, and a smile finally appeared. "Let's go." Sakura smiled happily again, and ran after Naruto, clasping her left hand around his right. They looked at each other, sapphire eyes connecting with emerald. Sakura stepped closer to Naruto so that her shoulder was connecting with his.

"Well, well." A voice they knew all to well said from behind them. "Long time no see, Sakura-san, Naruto-kun."

The smiles on their faces disappeared in a flash. "What do you want, Sai?" Sakura growled, and flipped around to see the annoying ninja. "Can't you see we're busy?"

Sai flashed one of his fake smiles. "You two really have gotten closer haven't you? I knew it would happen." He said teasingly, and went flying as Naruto's fist collided with his head.

"You really have to pick your words carefully." He said, popping a vessel. "You little…"

"Knock it off, Naruto!" Sakura broke in. "You're supposed to be happy, remember?" She walked over to Sai and flashed her fake smile before punching him into a wall. "I'll take care of the prick."

Right before her fist came to Sai's head again, a familiar hand appeared in the way. "You three still can't get along?" the guy said. "Didn't I teach you anything?"

"I guess not, Yamato-taichou." Naruto groaned. He walked over to him and smiled. "Or that is, Sai."

Yamato chuckled. "I heard that you're going to be the new Hokage. Congratulations." He said, and placed his hand on the blonde's shoulders.

Naruto smirked. "Word gets around quickly around doesn't it?" he laughed. "Nothing can stay silent for very long, can it?"

"Can I hit him now?" Sakura asked, cracking her knuckles. "I'm aching to."

"No, Sakura-san!" Yamato laughed. "You should know that!"

"Then can I?" Naruto asked, hopefully getting a yes.

"Would a Hokage do that?" Yamato smirked.

"If he was annoying enough."

"That's not the point…"

"Too bad."

Yamato frowned at Naruto, before laughing. "You sure do have an attitude, don't you?" he said, and Naruto huffed. You becoming Hokage isn't the only thing going around. I also heard that you and Sakura are together now, huh?"

Sakura grinned. "Yep. You heard right." She said happily.

"And it's about time too." Someone said from the street. "I was sick and tired of you always moping around whenever Naruto-san was on a mission without you."

"Shut up, Ino." Sakura growled, and the blonde kunoichi stepped out.

"Wait, you did what?" Naruto teased.

Sakura blushed, then glared at Ino. "Can't a girl miss someone?" she retorted, blushing again.

Ino smirked. "Things were pretty noisy last night at Naruto's apartment. What exactly…"

"Butt out, Ino." Naruto growled this time. "That's me and Sakura-chan's business."

"So you were doing something?"

"Shut up!" Naruto and Sakura yelled together.

Ino laughed. "Sheesh, sorry. I've got to go. There's a meeting that most of the villagers have been called to." She said and started to walk off.

"Wait for me!" Yamato called as he ran after the blonde kunoichi.

Naruto stood in confusion, and Sakura again tugged at his arm. "Come on, Naruto!" she urged, and began pulling him again. He let out a soft shriek as he fell over, knocking his head on the pavement. "Oh, sorry." The blonde stood up, and rubbed his head. "We're almost there!"

Naruto ran after Sakura, entering the Uchiha section of Konoha, and then he took the lead. After all, Sakura didn't really know where Sasuke's house was, unlike Naruto. "This way, Sakura-chan!" he called from behind him as he ran west. Two minutes later, they were at Sasuke's door, and knocked.

Sasuke answered, and raised an eyebrow when he saw Sakura standing there with a large grin on her face, and Naruto with his arms crossed. "What?" he asked them, and Sakura rushed inside, pushed Naruto and Sasuke in onto the floor.

"Guess what Sasuke!" she exclaimed, and sat down on the ground next to Naruto, who was rubbing his head for probably the third time today. "Naruto's the new Hokage!"

A smile crept across the Uchiha's face, and he closed his eyes. "Congratulations, Naruto!" he said, and punched his shoulder. "You deserve it!" Naruto chuckled, and stood up. He held out a hand to help Sasuke, which he took gladly.

The blonde ninja looked outside and noticed that the sun was almost down. "Oh crap! Sakura-chan, we have to go. The ceremony is in half-an-hour!" he said, and started to go towards the door. "Ja ne, Sasuke!"

Sakura ran after the jinchuuriki, and started again walking side by side with him. They were about thirty minutes away from the office, and they we're trying to get there on time, picking up the pace as they ran. "You do deserve this, Naruto." Sakura stated, smiling. "No one else but you."

Naruto smiled back. "Arigatou, Sakura-chan." He said, and looked forward. The Hokage's office was in sight now, and the two shinobi jumped up, landing on the very top of the stairs.

"You're late…" Shizune greeted them as they arrived. "What took you?"

Sakura panted. "We went to go see Sasuke-kun for a spell." She said, and stood up straight. "Ready Naruto?"

Naruto nodded his head, and walked forward. "Wait, Naruto-kun." Shizune stopped him, and walked over with a white cloth in her hands. "This was your father's. I'm sure he'd want you to wear it." She handed it to him, and the blonde unveiled the cloth to find that it was the cloak that the Yondaime wore.

"You kept this?" he asked, and stared at in awe. "I thought you buried it with him."

Shizune shook her head. "Put it on." She said, smiling. Naruto obediently put it on, and Sakura stared in awe. He looks just like the Yondaime… she said to herself. "Perfect. It's time, Naruto."

Now Naruto proceeded out the doors, and looked down on all the villagers that came to the ceremony. All his friends, Konohamaru and his friends, Iruka, Kakashi, Gai, Kurenai, and then Jiraiya, they were all there. Naruto scanned the crowd for a sign of Atsuiiki, but alas, she was not there as far as he could see. Slowly, he took a deep breath and walked to the very edge of the balcony. "Konohagakure!" he shouted, as he began to give his speech. "Times have been rough ever since the dreadful Chuunin Exams three years ago. Many lives had been taken from us, two of which are the dearly departed Sandaime and Godaime." Tears had begun to form in his eyes, but he pushed them back and blinked. "Many, many lives have been laid down for this village, and now it is my turn to lay mine down, as the new Hokage. I am Uzumaki Naruto, Rokudaime Hokage of Konohagakure!"

Cheers blasted through the crowd below him, wails of approval. From behind, Sakura smiled. "He sure does have a way with words, doesn't he, Shizune?" she muttered, and Shizune nodded her head in agreement.

Down below, Kakashi was cheering beside Gai, while Kurenai watched the two. "He finally completed his dream, hasn't he?" she muttered, and walked next to the two cheering Jounin. "I'm happy for him."

A few more people away, Ino was cheering even louder than Chouji, but what surprised everyone, was that Shikamaru was cheering the loudest out of the other two. It was quite funny, to see the lazy-ass shinobi being the most excited out of his team.

Hinata, Kiba, and Shino were next to them, cheering and half snickering at Shikamaru. Hinata had a look of pure pleasure on her face, and Kiba was smiling and cheering all the way through. Shino, surprising, was cheering just as loud as Kiba, and possibly smiling wider.

Down a few ways was Gai's team, Lee cheering the loudest, though TenTen and Neji were pretty loud too. Lee was dancing around, and TenTen was cheering beside Neji, who had never been this active in his life.

Right in front, the best view of all, was Jiraiya and Sasuke. Jiraiya was smiling wide, understanding now that Naruto was indeed the best choice, and that he was well prepared for the job. Sasuke, surprisingly too, was cheering almost louder then Sakura would have, if it were her down here instead of up being up there.

Naruto smiled, and Shizune stepped out beside him. "You all know what's up next right?" she yelled joyfully, and the villagers below started cheering even louder. "The celebration party!"

With a snap of her fingers, all the lights that kept Konoha bright went out, and it was nearly pitch black. Torches lighted, and music began to play. When the crowd cleared, Naruto was shocked to see a dance floor right below him. "How did…when did…" Naruto stuttered.

"Tsunade bought it a while ago…" Shizune answered him, and chuckled. "After she got drunk. For some reason, she thought it would be nice. It sure is though…"

Naruto nodded his head, and turned to Sakura. "Come on, Sakura-chan." He said, and grabbed her by the hand. Sakura let out a yelp of surprise as he jumped down from the balcony, and landed on the dance floor with a yelp. "May I have this dance?" he asked teasingly, doing a fake bow.

"Of course, you baka!" Sakura answered playfully, and dragged him out to the middle of the dance floor. As they danced, the villagers started watching the two of them, staring in awe. "I love this song!" she said, as a slow song began to play. She nuzzled her head into Naruto's chest, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Naruto brought his hands to her shoulders, slowly dancing.

TenTen giggled next to Neji. "They sure are cute together," she said, watching Naruto and Sakura. "I'm glad they finally hooked up."

As the song came to an end, Sakura looked up at Naruto, and smiled. Naruto returned the smiled, and gently brought his lips to hers. They both could hear little 'Aw's from behind them as they kissed. They broke apart, and left the dance floor.

Kakashi chuckled as he glanced over at Jiraiya, who was writing furiously on a notepad, a perverted look on his face. "You know what'll happen if Naruto or Sakura sees that, right?" he said, and a frightened look flashed across the Sannin's face. Shaking, he put the notepad away in his shirt, and stared into nothing, eyes glimmering with fear as to what they would do to him. Again, Kakashi laughed, and walked away to find Naruto.

Awwww. Had to throw in the fluff! CAN'T SAY NO TO FLUFFY! I'm hyper...again...YAY! One more chapter! T-T!!!! Please review!

Yamahato Yokimoko-san