I would like to thank everyone who has stuck with this fic to the very end. I would escpecially like to thank those of you who took the time to review - your comments and support have been invaluable in convincing me to see this fic through to its conclusion. Thank you, and goodnight.

Epilogue

Weeks later, after Naruto had been released from the hospital and Iruka's murder case had officially gone cold, the blond teenager collected his guardian's ashes from the crematorium. It had been a wonderful service with a big turnout. The school where Iruka worked had given the staff and students the day off so that they could pay their respects, and had then taken a collection in order to help Naruto pay for the funeral. The teenager had been touched and extremely grateful. He knew it was because they pitied him and a part of him hated and wished to rebel against that. A much larger part, however, had been more concerned with trying not to compare this funeral to his parents'.

Holding the urn carefully, Naruto made his way back towards Gaara's apartment. Kakashi had kept his word and had somehow arranged it so that the two of them could stay together until the Hunter-turned-vampire returned from his quest. It made a pleasant change not having to sneak around anymore or keep secrets from everybody. Well, he did have to pretend that nothing was going on between him and Gaara whenever his social worker came round – but that was a scarce occurrence and an easy enough pretence to maintain whenever the woman checked in. For the most part Naruto and Gaara were left to their own devices, which was ideal really. They still went to Club Secret every Friday to meet with the others and dance the night away. Gaara would also go during the week to feed, which was weird and something Naruto had some difficulty getting use to. He was trying though, just as Gaara was trying to get use to his own habits and quirks. The challenge of living together was delightfully normal, which Naruto appreciated after facing such abnormal challenges like trying to survive a vampire attack.

Naruto shivered at the thought. He still wasn't completely over the whole kidnapping and torture incident. He still had nightmares and hated going anywhere alone in the dark. Gaara had told him that he'd get better with time, but Naruto disagreed. Time wasn't what he needed; what he needed was training. He'd replayed his last conversation with Kakashi multiple times in his head, and after the third or fourth time he'd picked up something he'd missed initially. Kakashi had said that after the death of Naruto's parents the Hunter had sought his father's old teacher. This mysterious mentor had turned Kakashi into a Hunter, and Naruto was curious as to whether the same could be done for him. He'd not yet discussed the idea with Gaara because he knew the vampire would disapprove. Gaara wanted him to wait until he was eighteen and become a vampire then. To Gaara two and a half years was nothing – to Naruto it was far too long. He didn't want to be powerless for that long; he didn't want to have to lean on his friends for two and a half years. He wanted to be strong, to be the one to defend them. He didn't want to be a burden. That was why he had texted Kakashi about his mysterious mentor. Naruto wanted to know who he was and whether he would accept him as a student; he wanted to know whether this man could give him what he sought. He wanted to know if he could become strong enough to protect his friends so that he never again lost someone as he had lost Iruka.

The phone in Naruto's pocket vibrated and began to play a cheerful tune. He hastily fished it out and glanced at the caller id. Speak of the devil...

"Hi Kakashi."

"Naruto," greeted the Hunter. "I got your text."

Naruto felt his heart race with anticipation. "And?"

"And I don't think you've discussed this with Gaara have you?"

Naruto frowned at Kakashi's amused tone. "I didn't want to say anything until I knew if it was possible. And what do you care if I've talked to Gaara or not?"

"I care because you might need his help in getting to the training camp – it's not an easy place to find for a reason."

"So you think he would train me?" Naruto asked excitedly.

"Maybe. You'll have to convince him to take you on as his student, just as I did. He likes to claim that he's retired from the hunting business and isn't interested in taking on another pupil."

"He took you on though."

"I was very convincing."

Naruto considers this for a moment. "Kakashi, do you regret becoming a Hunter?"

Kakashi sighed. "I regret the reasons I became a Hunter. I wanted revenge and was willing to do anything to achieve it. It clouded my mind and I've made some bad decisions because of it. I think your motives are much purer. State your case; tell him you want to learn his skills so that you can protect your friends. Whether he'll accept you as his pupil is just as uncertain as whether you will later regret making the decision. In my opinion it's a much better option than becoming a vampire."

Naruto smiled despite himself. "You would think that."

Kakashi just chuckled. He then once again became serious as he asked, "Are you sure you want to take this path?"

"I want to protect my friends."

Naruto sensed Kakashi was smiling at the other end of the line. "There's a small mountain town called Konoha six hours away by train. When you get there look for the seediest bar imaginable, because that's where you'll find mine and your father's mentor – the legendary Hunter Jiraiya."

"Jiraiya," Naruto murmured reverently.

"Good luck Naruto," Kakashi said before hanging up.

Naruto put his phone back into his pocket and resumed his journey with new purpose. He had plans to devise and dreams to make reality. It was time for him and Gaara to begin a new adventure.

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