Tsunade's Farewell
AN: This fic takes place seven years after the 4th shinobi war, and the events of The Naruto Alternative: Redemption. There's no need to read that story to understand this one, though the last few chapters can be useful as orientation. Summary: at the age of 24, Naruto is the 7th Hokage, happily married to Sakura, has two children, but is about to face the impending Tsunade's death. At 61 years old, her body doesn't resist anymore, given all the times she released the seal (Creation Rebirth/Mitotic Regeneration) in her life. These are her final moments. Shizune, Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and their families are there for the bedridden old lady.
I suggest the reader keep in mind the manga chapter 169, where the truth behind Tsunade's special jutsu and its consequences were revealed.
Disclaimer: Naruto and the known characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
A good night's sleep was usually normal for Naruto, since Sakura moved in with him. Seven years feeling at peace, accompanied, happy. The sad days were way in the past. Until now.
He could barely keep his eyes closed, and wasn't sure if he slept at all. Sometimes he gazed at his side, only to stare at his wife's figure, and her slow deep breaths. Or he watched the crib, which was on the other side of the room. Baby Nawaki was still sleeping. Incredibly, he had only woken up one time in the whole night. Soothing him, feeding him, and changing his diaper was the most productive moment for Naruto. The rest of the time, his mind just wandered around.
While seeing the room barely enlightened, he realized dawn was close. He got up quietly, and went to the bathroom, not wanting to lose more time.
Not long after, Sakura was awake, sitting cross-legged on the bed, as her husband put on fresh clothes.
"How did you sleep?" she asked, almost in a whisper.
Naruto turned around, after getting dressed to work. "I thought you slept ok..."
"I did, but still, I noticed your breathing..." Sakura answered, aware of his bad night.
He went to check on Nawaki, who seemed still quiet.
Sakura got out of bed, and calmly walked to her husband. She wrapped her arms around his chest, and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I know how you're feeling. But we have to be strong for them..."
"It's just... Things were going so well. And I knew she didn't have much... But I still hoped the day would never come" Naruto said, appreciating her warm gesture.
"It might not be the last day..." Sakura responded, wanted to give him some hope.
"But it's close..."
"Then, I hold you, and you hold me... And we hold them" Sakura whispered, not letting him go.
Naruto looked back at her. "Always"
They remained in the embrace for a while, trying to feel any bit of comfort. When they pulled apart, she broke the silence.
"I'll take a shower... Kohari might wake up anytime"
"I'll check on her..." he muttered, sounding happier than before. Seeing his daughter always cheered him up, though he knew that visiting Tsunade on her condition could make her sad. And he could never stand if his little girl was sad.
While Sakura headed to the bathroom, Naruto went to his daughter's room, and saw she was already awake.
"Dad, are you ok?" Kohari asked, noticing the seriousness on his face.
"I didn't sleep well..." he answered, sitting on the bedside. Every time he looked into Kohari's eyes, a glimpse of Kushina seemed to glow in there. And then there was no way he could lie to her. "Look, as soon as your mother leaves the bathroom, you have to get ready..."
"Where are we going?"
"To visit granny Tsunade" Naruto responded, trying not to sound too sad.
"She's feeling better then?" she asked. She wanted to visit her the last few days, but Sakura had said that it wasn't the right time given her sickness.
"Well... She's still sick, but now she wants to see us again" Naruto said, before hearing the baby crying.
"Nawaki..." she uttered.
"Let's go..." he stood up, and went to the crib, followed by his daughter. He held Nawaki to see what was going on, and when smelled him, he realized that wasn't it.
"I think he's hungry..." Kohari guessed.
"I'm sure he is..." Naruto bounced him back and forth, while his daughter passed him the feeding bottle.
Not long after, Sakura was back in the room, and talked to Naruto while their daughter got changed.
They all went downstairs for breakfast, as usual. Naruto picked up the cups and made some coffee and tea for him and Sakura, while she prepared some orange juice for Kohari. The little girl handled the toasts, oatmeal, and a few muffins from the last day, with her mother's help. Sakura also had to refill the feeding bottle for Nawaki, and give him some proper food. They all ate happily, talking about what was planned for the day.
"Kohari, you saved that drawing you made for granny, right?" Sakura asked, after finishing her meal.
The little girl nodded.
"Alright... Listen, pick it up, so we can get going... She might be waiting already" Naruto said eagerly, already done with coffee.
Kohari did as told, and left the dinner room quickly, heading back upstairs.
"Don't forget to brush your teeth!" Sakura added, while taking the cups to the sink.
Naruto helped her to clean up the kitchen, and then, they got ready to leave the house.
Sakura carried the stroller down the street, with Naruto and Kohari walking by her side.
These were the moments he couldn't think too much, and instead, simply enjoyed. There was no time to feel sad, because he had to watch if Kohari felt sad. And at the same time, he also needed to pay attention to Nawaki.
Kohari talked about different things on the road, as many villagers greeted the family. Everybody seemed to love the little girl with pink hair, who was kind and open to anyone. She wasn't shy, and neither loud, instead, was smart and sympathetic, just like her parents.
Nawaki also stole some happy glances from passersby, since no one could deny how cute the blonde baby with green eyes looked.
When they were two blocks away from the hospital, a familiar figure stopped by to greet them.
"Hi... It's nice to see you..." Tenten said, looking at the family, but focusing on Kohari.
"Tenten!" the little girl exclaimed.
"How are you doing?" Naruto asked, staring at the grown belly of the kunoichi.
"Morning check up?" Sakura guessed.
Tenten nodded. "Everything's in order... I'm still dreaming to have a cute girl like this one over here"
Kohari blushed as the young kunoichi smiled tenderly at her.
"You don't know yet?" Sakura asked.
"Not yet, it's not completely clear..." Tenten said. "Lee is even more eager than me... You know how he is"
"He has a smile to keep" Naruto committed.
"Lee is here too?" Kohari asked.
"No, Kohari, he's at the academy, working" Tenten responded, with a tender tone. "Anyway, I better let you go... She's eager to see you"
Naruto nodded. "We can't leave her waiting... Bye Tenten"
Sakura gave a gentle hug to her friend. "For the next check up, I'll be there..."
She smiled. "Anytime... Bye Kohari" then she made a funny face for Nawaki, who was wide awake, before leaving.
The Namikaze family soon entered the hospital, and made their way through the hallways to Tsunade's room. The 5th Hokage had been hospitalized for almost a month, and it became her permanent residence for the time being. The nurses and doctors welcomed them without any trouble, all aware of where they were going.
When they reached the room, Sakura knocked on the door in a familiar way. It didn't take long before Shizune opened it.
"Hi! The whole family is here... Come on in"
"Aunt Shizune!" Kohari went to hug the brunette woman, who didn't hesitate to hold her happily.
"Alright Kohari, Lady Tsunade is still sick... So be gentle, ok?" Shizune said, after pulling apart.
Naruto headed to the old woman's side, while Sakura stayed near the doorway with Nawaki, speaking with Shizune.
Tsunade was smiling, staring at the group, her adopted family, trying to remember every detail of the scene. She was receiving intravenous therapy through a syringe connected to her left arm, all under the sheets (to not scare Kohari). While wearing a headscarf and a white blouse, she looked as nice as possible, given her condition. The wrinkles were as a woman of sixty years old, and for her, it wasn't so bad.
Naruto led Kohari to Tsunade's right side, away from the IV pole.
"Hi Kohari... You look pretty nice today" Tsunade muttered happily. The pink hair was hanging loose, over the blooming sleeveless yellow blouse the little girl was wearing.
"Hi granny... Thanks..." Kohari said. She stared at the old woman's face, without feeling sad. After all, Tsunade already looked like that when the little girl met her.
"Did your mom brush your hair?"
Kohari nodded, before taking the drawing she made, and passed it to her.
"Is this for me?" Tsunade asked, while grabbing the image with her bandaged hand. There was a big family pictured there: a girl with pink hair, next to a tall blonde man, a pink haired woman, and by their side, an older blonde woman, holding a baby in her arms. Plus, there was a brunette woman who was smiling, next to a white haired man, and a little boy. Tears began to form in Tsunade's eyelid, moved by Kohari's gesture.
"I didn't draw grandma and grandpa because the sheet is too small... I also missed uncle Iruka, aunt Ayame, grandpa Teuchi..." Kohari explained.
Naruto chuckled. "Your room is full of pictures already... The family is pretty big now"
Tsunade smiled, and placed the drawing in the nightstand. Then she opened the drawer, and grabbed a letter. "Kohari-chan, this is for you... Read it when you're home, and save it..."
The girl took the letter with curiosity, and almost attempted to open it.
"At home..." Tsunade insisted, firmly. "You'll understand better in a few years"
"If I were you, I'd listen to her" Naruto said.
Kohari nodded reluctantly, and saved the letter in her pocket.
"Now... There's something I want to tell you" Kohari stared at her, focused. "I'll be leaving soon, so you won't see me around in a long time..." the old woman took a breath.
"Why are you leaving?"
"Because I have to meet my parents. And my little brother Nawaki... Daddy told you where his own parents are, right?" Tsunade asked, with a tender voice.
Kohari nodded.
"Well, I'm going to see them soon, and then I can tell them a lot of stories about you, and Naruto, Sakura, baby Nawaki..."
"And you will come back?"
Tsunade smiled sadly. "I don't think I can... But I'll see you again, one day... And I'll show you all my family... Even my grandpa, and grumpy uncle Tobirama" she sighed.
Kohari frowned, sad. "When will I see you again?"
"One day I promise... In the meantime, I want you to do something for me..." Tsunade sighed deeply, and glanced at Nawaki. "Your parents sometimes will be busy... So you'll have to take care of him..." she pulled a picture from under her pillow. "You're Nawaki's sister, just like me... But you can do what I couldn't... Protect him, from all the bad people of the world, and any danger... Keep him safe, ok?"
Kohari looked at the picture, where the young Tsunade was smiling next to the kid Nawaki. "Ok... I will... And then, I'll see you again"
Tsunade held her hand. "Promise"
Kohari hugged her for a moment, and Tsunade couldn't hide the tears on her face.
Sakura then approached, with Nawaki in her arms, and placed him gently in Tsunade's lap. He was awake, his green eyes wide open staring at the old lady. The baby was always soothed in her presence.
"I'll see you when you grow old..." she said, while rubbing his blonde short hair. Flooded by old memories, she leaned on to plant a kiss on his forehead. "Until then… Don't wear any necklaces… And always listen to your sister, your mom and your dad"
Nawaki cooed, and Tsunade took it as a yes. Then, his mother held him again against her chest. She grinned, and tenderly combed his hair, slightly disheveled by the recent moves.
Naruto placed a hand on Kohari's shoulder. "Now we must let her rest a little, she got up earlier than us..."
Kohari nodded, and followed her father to the doorway. She never lost sight of Tsunade on the way back. "Mommy?"
Sakura turned around, still with the baby in her arms. "Don't worry sweetie, I'll be with you in a while..."
"It's ok... I'll take you with grandma, and then I'll come for Sakura and Nawaki" Naruto assured.
Kohari didn't protest, and Naruto exchanged a glance with the three women before walking out the door with her. He teleported themselves to the Harunos' house, where Mebuki welcomed them.
Meanwhile, Sakura placed Nawaki back on the stroller, before turning back to talk with her master.
Shizune sat on the chair near the window.
"This letter is for him... I hope he can read it when he grows up..." Tsunade passed her a piece of paper, which Sakura saved in the stroller.
"We'll tell him all about you... And your brother" Sakura said.
"I know... Just don't let him be so rash" Tsunade sighed.
"It's ok... Don't push yourself more than needed" Sakura was aware of her troubled breathing.
"There's no use, Sakura... She'll do as she please" Shizune commented.
Tsunade smiled. "Sakura... I taught you everything I know... But what I lived on... So, each time you feel sad... Over a loss of a patient, or family... A discussion about Konoha... Or even an argument with Naruto... Remember me... If I could hold on, I know you will too"
Sakura then embraced her master, as gently as she could. "How could I ever forget you?"
"Years will pass by... And sometimes..." Tsunade admitted.
Sakura then pulled apart, and gazed at Shizune.
"After all we've been through..."
"Sakura... Keep holding Naruto. He usually has hard times dealing with this... More than the rest... Don't let him lose sight of the family and the village" Tsunade added, before letting out a yawn.
"I'll always be by his side… Still, I can't say it's going to be any less harder for me..." Sakura said.
"I know... But it's time... You have your own family to watch over..." Tsunade glanced at the baby, who was being soothed by Shizune.
Sakura gave a sad smile, and went for the stroller. "I'll stop by later in the afternoon"
"Ok... Just, don't wake me"
"I'll be here... Dan and Kakashi hadn't seen her yet today" Shizune said, quietly.
"Ok..." Sakura grabbed Tsunade's hand. "I don't know what to say..."
"There's not much more to be said. Just... I love you... And thank you for bringing me back" Tsunade said, with a soft voice.
"I wasn't... Jiraiya and Naruto were..."
"Yeah... But training you was one of the things I'm most proud of in my life... Set examples and aid for the next generations, it's something amazing old people like me can do... Now I can die in peace, knowing the world I leave is better than the one I grew up in..." Tsunade sighed deeply.
"Then I promise to pass your legacy... Just like you did with me..." Sakura said.
"Let children remember me... And my family..." Tsunade muttered softly.
"I will..." Sakura then pulled her hand apart, and walked slowly to the door, taking Nawaki with her. Before opening the door, she uttered. "I love you..." she glanced at both women, who nodded in understanding. Then, with a saddened look, almost in tears, she left.
Afterwards, Naruto went to pick his wife and Nawaki, and took them to Mebuki. They were going to have lunch together, so the kids could spend the rest of the day under her care. Naruto had to work in the office, while Sakura was needed in the hospital for the earlier afternoon shift.
Still, before that, Naruto had agreed to have one last talk with the 5th Hokage.
He came back to the room shortly after dropping Sakura and Nawaki. Unsurprisingly, she was still awake.
"We were waiting for you..." Shizune said, as he stepped closer to the bedside.
"I know... Does it hurt?"
Tsunade shook her head. "Painkillers are effective"
"Katsuyu checks up on her regularly to prevent infections... She can heal that..." Shizune muttered.
"But not what comes from her own body..." Naruto finished the sentence. He had got used to Sakura telling him a lot of things regarding the hospital, so even if he wasn't an expert, he understood quite well what was going on. Autoimmune disease, plus leukemia, were unstoppable for the greatest medic of the world. It was the prize of having used the Mitotic Regeneration in the past.
"Naruto... Sakura's going to be ok" Tsunade said, aware of his fears.
"She only released the seal once so far, you have nothing to worry about" Shizune added.
"I know, I just hope things in the world can keep going like this... Safely. She shouldn't be forced to use the jutsu again" Naruto reflected.
"The world is safe... I doubt there'll be another war..." Tsunade said, after taking a breath. "I liked your idea... Nawaki'd have loved it"
Naruto smiled. "The old me too... It's the best way to stay ninja without endangering lives. But it's going to take years to develop"
"We have time..." Shizune commented.
Naruto then glanced at Tsunade. "We do... Granny... Are you happy with the way things end? I mean, there's something you'd like to do, or some place you'd wish to see?"
The old woman tilted her head. "I'm happy. And I'm at peace with myself..."
"Though you'd love to see a certain place one last time" Shizune said.
Tsunade gazed at her, visibly annoyed. "Shizune... There's no way..."
"I can take you there... All included" Naruto admitted, gazing at the IV pole. He knew exactly which place to go, since Shizune had told him a few days ago.
Tsunade sighed, in defeat. "Just for a minute"
Naruto nodded, and walked to the right side of the bed. He placed a hand on her shoulder, and the other around the pole. He made sure to stay in contact with the bed too, and once everything was ready, he performed the Hiraishin.
Shizune grinned as she saw them disappear.
They landed in a circular white room surrounded by windows. Tsunade knew the place very well.
Naruto carried the bed towards the closest window so she could take a look. And the sight was just as she remembered. The sea was as blue as always, reflecting the sunlight from above.
"It took a while to find this place... I know we've been on the coast before, but the lighthouse was hard to find..." Naruto commented, as he opened the window.
Tsunade sensed the breeze from the sea, and stared at the landscape in amazement. "Not even Shizune has been here"
"But she knows you better than anyone... And this place is beautiful. No wonder why your grandfather took his family here..." Naruto said, admiring the scene.
"We'd come here every summer... With Tobirama's help" Tsunade remembered. Here she had some of the happiest memories of her childhood. During his last years, Hashirama enjoyed time with his family after resigning as Hokage. His body needed a break, as the autoimmune disease began to proliferate. Since she was born, the Senju family would come a week or so to this lighthouse, at the eastern coast of the Land of Fire. Cape Ashi, that was the name of the place.
"I read of this lighthouse in the scrolls of the Uzumaki clan... It served as a beacon for their ships and marine pilots..."
"Down there... My grandfather met Mito..." Tsunade sighed, looking down at the south shore.
"They have a pretty love story..." Naruto said, enchanted.
"Naruto... Promise me this... Don't ever put the Hokage job above your family... Take them here... Enjoy as long as you can" Tsunade said, pleadingly.
"I promise... I'll do what dad couldn't... And I remember well the 1st Hokage's words... I won't let you down" he assured.
She nodded, but then started to cough.
Naruto closed the window immediately. "I guess this is it"
After recovering, she spoke. "Thanks... All of them live in you, you know?"
Naruto realized she was referring to his parents, Jiraiya, and the rest. "Somehow maybe..."
Tsunade glanced at the sea one last time before Naruto took her back to the hospital.
Shizune went to check up on her the moment they got back.
"You almost got a cold" she said, while scanning her temperature.
"I guess it was the wind" Naruto considered.
"It's ok... I'm dying anyway..." Tsunade said, to tranquilize them. Still, she coughed again.
"Now you'll stay here, and rest" Shizune ordered.
Tsunade grunted playfully. "It's not like I can go someplace else"
Naruto smiled, even though now it was his time to leave. "I should let you sleep then..."
Tsunade opened her arms, and then he went to hug her, struggling not to cry. "I'll miss you so much"
"I know... I'll miss you too... But we'll see each other again" she said, sounding hopeful.
As he pulled apart, he stared at her, trying to capture the moment. "One day... If you see my godfather, tell him that I still miss him"
Tsunade nodded, smiling.
He glanced briefly at Shizune, before turning around. "Goodbye Granny..."
"Goodbye Naruto" Tsunade said, getting teary.
He gave a sad smile before vanishing from the room.
Tsunade and Shizune remained in silence for a while. It didn't take long for the old woman to let her head rest on the pillow.
"I hope Kakashi and Dan are here later..." she said, while staring at Shizune.
"They will..." she assured, while placing a little Katsuyu over her arm.
"Thank you for being here..." Tsunade responded, before allowing herself to sleep.
"You know I'll stay with you until the end..." Shizune said, confidently.
Tsunade smiled softly.
And soon, dreams reached both of them.
The old woman awoke several hours later, not long before midnight. The moment her eyes opened, she saw Kakashi resting on a chair next to Shizune. Their three year old son, Dan, was asleep on a little bed at the other side of the room.
Kakashi raised his head, and slowly stood up, quietly, without disturbing Shizune's sleep. He headed towards the nightstand, and served a glass of water for Tsunade.
She thanked him before taking it with her right hand.
She emptied the glass before speaking. "How long did I sleep?"
"Around twelve hours..." Kakashi muttered, with a low voice. "Not hungry?"
Tsunade slightly shook her head. "Don't wake her yet..."
He turned around, obeying.
"This could be the last time... Listen" she began to say, before taking a breath. "Take good care of them... You can stay in the Senju family house to raise Dan... My grandfather's legacy now lies in you..."
"It's an honor, and a big responsibility..." Kakashi said. He knew that Shizune's mother was the only granddaughter of Hashirama's cousin. Therefore, since Tsunade had no children, Shizune became the natural heir of the 1st Hokage's possessions. She already was like her adoptive daughter, and Kakashi turned into a sort of son-in-law. So now, he had the duty to carry on the legacy of the 1st Hokage. All the other Senjus were scattered around Konoha, and there were very few villagers who still used the surname.
"That you'll share with Shizune... You're not alone anymore" she replied.
"What time is it?" Shizune asked, slowly opening her eyes. The whispering had interrupted her sleep.
"Twenty five minutes til midnight" Kakashi responded.
She gazed at Tsunade, and frowned. "Why didn't you wake me?"
Tsunade ignored the question, and continued. "When I'm gone, Naruto, Sakura, and many other people will look up to you two... It's not easy being on top... But you'll have each other"
"Wait... Are you... Do you think it's time?" Shizune stammered.
"Maybe..."
"Twelve hours of sleep, and still no appetite" Kakashi said, to update her.
"Shizune... I know it's going to be hard... But you won't be alone. And he's going to need you both" Tsunade said, glancing at little Dan, who was still sleeping.
Shizune was speechless. After so long, thirty years of caring for Tsunade, she didn't know what to feel besides emptiness. Although in the last years she got used to a life with Kakashi, Tsunade never left her life. She was still in the house, just like Mito had been for her daughter Ena, and Tsutomu. And lately, expecting to see her wake up over and over again has become a new habit. It was hard to realize it had to end.
Kakashi then grabbed her hand. "Should I wake him?"
Before Shizune could answer, Tsunade spoke. "Yes"
Shizune nodded almost reluctantly, and the white haired man reached Dan across the room. He whispered to him after gently stroking his shoulder, and soon the kid opened his eyes.
Kakashi led him to the bedside, next to Shizune. Dan hugged her and she smiled, suddenly feeling a bit of comfort deep down.
"Hello Dan" Tsunade muttered softly.
The young kid turned around to look at her, happily. "Granny!"
Tsunade embraced him with her right arm as he leaned on her. She rubbed his hair tenderly for a while, before pulling him apart. "Dan... I'll be sleeping soon... It's late. Be a good boy... Don't run into trouble. And... Always listen to mom..." she gazed briefly at Shizune. "Granny loves you, you know that?"
He nodded happily. "A bedtime story?"
"Not this time... I have to sleep" Tsunade said quietly.
"Come on, Dan, aren't you hungry?" Kakashi asked. "I can get you your favorite snacks..."
"Yaay!" Dan exclaimed, following his dad.
But when they reached the door, he turned around. "Mom? Granny?"
"It's ok Dan, I have to take care of Granny who is still sick... I'll see you in a little while, just go with dad" Shizune said, smiling.
The little boy grunted, as Kakashi led him outside. Tsunade exchanged one last glance with Kakashi before he left.
Shizune also stared at the door, hearing the footsteps going away. Then, she turned to Tsunade. "He's going to miss your bedtime stories..."
Tsunade smiled sadly. "So do I"
"Is there anything else I can do?" Shizune asked, almost pleadingly.
"Just... stay here..." Tsunade said.
She moved the chair closer to the bed, and leaned on her shoulder. "I don't mean to... disrespect my mother... But you've been the only one I had since she died"
"I know... Sue wouldn't mind... She wanted you to be safe... Someone who could take care of you... Though it ended up being the other way around" Tsunade said, in-between sighs.
"If you see her... Tell her I'll always love her... And dad, and Dan... No matter how much time..." Shizune muttered, with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sure I will... Grandfather said so..." Tsunade assured, with her arm holding her.
They remained in silence, for a while, simply enjoying the moment, probably the last they'd be together.
"Remember something... I don't want you to be jealous... Sakura is like family... You can think of her like a sister or a cousin... But you're the daughter I never had... I wouldn't have been Hokage if it wasn't for you... You're a savior of the world... as much as I am" Tsunade said, with a low voice. She knew that back then, ten years ago, Shizune was jealous of Sakura. A younger kunoichi, not part of the family, who could learn so fast and obtain the diamond seal like Tsunade.
And Shizune felt somehow displaced. Like if all her love, care, and work for years didn't mean much. Sakura was recognized as Tsunade's heir, while Shizune was seen behind. But the 5th Hokage was aware of this. And she never left her behind. She always put her on top. She wanted her to reassure that, even now.
"And look anyway... You're a Hokage's wife... You're happy, right?" Tsunade asked.
Shizune looked at her. "Yes... But I'll feel like a part of my life is leaving with you... How can I be truly happy then?"
"Once you lose that... There's no way to feel whole... I've felt that since my parents died... I had many reasons to drink... But in the end, I was happy... I wasn't alone... And I'm glad, you won't be alone either" Tsunade said, touched.
Shizune smiled. "It's the same feeling..."
"That's why I need to ask you one more thing... Watch over Naruto... He's been without parents longer than anyone..."
"Ok... I'll try..." Shizune responded. She was aware that he was losing someone very important too. Without Tsunade, Naruto would also stay without a mother figure in his life. He could become a second Kakashi. She knew that it felt great to look down after a child, and to have someone by your side. But everyone also had the need to look up to a parental figure.
"I love you..." Tsunade muttered softly.
"I love you too..." Shizune answered.
And they stayed like that, holding each other, until sleep overcame the old woman. Shizune just closed her eyes, and got carried away by dreams of a full family.
Not long after, Kakashi and Dan returned to the room, and Shizune got up to comfort her son. He tucked him into bed, and then, she and Kakashi resumed their resting positions on the chair.
He said that he kept Dan entertained as long as he could, by showing him all the parts of the hospital, even the playground of pediatrics. He also took him outside to see the downtown lights, and the Hokage rock faces illuminated by the moon.
"Thank you..." Shizune whispered, leaning on his shoulder.
"It's nothing... What would I do without you?" Kakashi answered.
"Read perverted novels?" Shizune replied, grinning.
"For the hundredth time... That would be a sad existence" Kakashi admitted.
"If I hadn't you, I probably would have done the same"
Kakashi let out a short chuckle.
Soon, they both fell asleep, comforted by each other's touch.
At the Namikaze house, the silence of the night ruled over the house, even though one person in particular was wide awake.
Certain thoughts had been lingering on the back of her mind all day, and she couldn't ignore them anymore.
She got up from the bed, still in her pajamas, and silently tiptoed to her parents' room. She opened the door, and went to her father's side. After stroking his arm for a while, he woke up.
"Kohari?" Naruto asked, groggily. He looked at the clock. 5 am.
"Daddy? Is Granny ok? Is she here?" The little girl had a sad expression.
Suddenly, Sakura drifted to her side, also awoken by the whispering. "What is it sweetie?"
"I'm sure she's ok... She might be sleeping" Naruto said, in a low voice.
"Can you take me with her?" Kohari asked.
"You don't want to wait til morning?" Sakura said.
The girl shook her head.
Naruto saw it in her dark blue eyes, she was desperate. "Ok... But then, we come back to sleep"
Naruto slowly rose to his feet, and headed to the wardrobe. He put on a blue shirt, pants, and sandals, before going to his daughter's side.
Sakura sighed, aware that Kohari needed this. "I'll watch Nawaki..."
Naruto smiled, before teleporting himself and Kohari to the hospital. He had a special kunai on the desk of Sakura's office just in case. Once there, he guided her quietly to Tsunade's room. On their way, they were confronted by a nurse, but when the Hokage explained the situation, she let them pass. It was the fair thing to do.
Naruto opened the door, and Kohari stepped inside the room, and headed straight to Tsunade's bedside. She realized that she was still sleeping, slowly breathing in and out, in peace.
"Kohari?" Shizune asked.
Naruto noticed that the brunette medic was the only one awake in the room. Kakashi and Dan were still asleep.
"I just wanted to... see her..." Kohari whispered.
Naruto approached them in silence. "I'm sorry... She couldn't sleep"
"It's ok..." Shizune smiled, and gave Kohari a brief hug. "Thank you"
When they pulled apart, Naruto placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "I told you she was still here... Ready to go back?"
Kohari turned around to look at Tsunade. After a little while, she looked at her father, and nodded.
"I'll tell her you stopped by..." Shizune said. And she would, if the old lady woke up again.
Kohari and Naruto thanked her, before walking out the room. 'Kakashi is a heavy sleeper' he thought, while leaving.
They went back to Sakura's office, he held her hand, and then, returned to the house.
In the room, they found Sakura humming a song for Nawaki, who had just awoken recently.
"Everything ok?" Sakura asked, in a whisper.
Kohari nodded, seemingly comforted.
"Alright... Now, back to bed" Naruto said, as he accompanied her to the other room. There, he tucked her in, and told some stories about Tsunade as sleep overcame her.
Afterwards, Naruto returned to bed with his wife, who had just left Nawaki in the crib.
"Is she ok?" Sakura asked.
"Better now..." he stated, already shirt off, under the sheets.
"It'll be hard for her... I remember when I lost my grandmother..." Sakura whispered.
"Say our family is big..." Naruto said. And it was true. They had Iruka, Ayame, their son Toshi, Teuchi, Mebuki, Kizashi, Kakashi, Shizune, and little Dan.
"Yeah... That got me thinking... How sad it is" Sakura reflected.
"Which part?"
"We're sad because of her... But she is just ending a life full of suffering, losses... When she was our age, she had already lost her parents, her brother, and grandparents..." Sakura said, still in a low voice.
"I know... But she hasn't been so sad lately... We all made her smile again" Naruto assured, thinking about Sakura, their children, Kakashi, Shizune, and Dan.
"Yes but..." Sakura stopped herself, before continuing with the idea. "Have you ever felt jealous of me?"
Naruto was taken aback by the question. "Why do you ask?"
"My parents..."
And that was when he understood where she was going. He considered a lie, but she would surely see through it. Truth be told then. "Sometimes... But not for a while now. It felt worse when I was a kid... Seeing everyone around... With someone to come home to... Only with Jiraiya I began to feel like I belonged to a family"
Sakura sighed. She couldn't help but to feel bad. "Did it ever bother you? I mean, did it affect the way you saw me?"
Naruto was startled. He didn't want to be questioned about this matter. There was an easy answer, but it would never be enough. Did it bother him that her parents got to know Kohari and Nawaki while his parents couldn't? It was unfair, undoubtedly. And she had no fault. But sometimes, it ached. The idea hurted. Still, his love for her always prevailed.
He placed a hand on her cheek. "It never changed the way I feel about you... And I never wished for you to have gone through the same. Just... I've felt upset at the world, for taking away my parents so soon... Maybe Tsunade felt that too. And that's why she drank... A lot"
She closed her eyes while feeling the contact of his fingers. And after checking the truth into his baby blues, she spoke. "A part of me wants to be ok with it, because she's going to be with them finally... And that part also tells me... If you die before me, I should be ok with it too, because you'll reunite with your parents... How should I feel then?"
Naruto kissed her gently on the lips. "Just feel the way you do... It's part of why I love you so much. And I agree with you. A part of me will be happy for her, which is the same as wanting to see my parents so badly... But the rest of me, will miss her deeply, and hold on to you for as long as possible..."
Sakura smiled, because she felt the same. She circled her arms around him, and leaned on his bare chest. Feeling the warmness of each other's body, they turned to sleep again, not in the mood for other ventures.
Tsunade woke up one more time after her heartfelt talk with Shizune. She knew what was coming, and asked to be injected sedatives and opioids to treat the pain, possible deliriums and breathing troubles.
Kakashi and Dan were at the cafeteria with Hanako Sarutobi and Konohamaru, while Shizune stayed with Tsunade.
During her last moments of consciousness, she prepared herself. Katsuyu was also there monitoring the situation.
Shizune was reading the report of her status: aplastic anemia, plus chronic leukemia. She added the latest symptoms Tsunade developed. The skin was not only paler, but cooler, especially in feets and hands. And her breathing was already irregular. She had bladder issues, but that was manageable given the little amount of water she drank.
"Shizune... It's alright... Just put me down" Tsunade muttered softly.
Shizune left the paper, and went to inject another bunch of sedatives and anesthetics through the syringe. With tears in her eyes, she spoke. "I love you shisou... I'll see you in another life..."
"Thank you..." Tsunade uttered, as the drugs made her lose consciousness.
"Goodbye..." Shizune said, once the old woman closed her eyes.
Katsuyu looked down, and slowly moved to the nightstand.
Now it was just a matter of time.
An hour later, Sakura stopped by the room to see both of them. While getting in, she noticed that Tsunade was asleep, and Shizune was sitting by her side.
"She won't wake up again, right?"
Shizune shook her head. "The cancer is spread all over... We can't do nothing else by now"
Sakura sighed. She knew how bad the situation was, and they all had ensured Tsunade could resist as long as possible. Katsuyu prevented any infection (and that's how the old lady could witness Naruto's ceremony as Hokage almost three months ago), but death was inevitable. Cancer in the bone marrow, plus autoimmune complications were the cause of using the Mitotic Regeneration those times in the past. And it was terminal. 61 years, and her body cells reached their natural limit.
"There are no urgencies out there... I can stay" Sakura said.
"Are you sure?" Shizune asked.
The pink haired medic nodded silently, as she sat on a nearby chair.
During Tsunade's sleeping state, a few people got to visit her: Naruto and Kohari for a second time, Shikaku and Yoshino, Hanako Sarutobi, Iruka, Mebuki and Kizashi, Ino, a couple of nurses, and of course Kakashi and Dan. But when the time came, Sakura and Shizune were alone.
Tsunade died from a stroke a day later, on July 28th, at 5 pm. Both women were left in a dazed state for a while, caught in-between shock and sadness. They cried, until a nurse came in and then all the process went on autopilot.
A wake was held at the Hokage's tower, and everybody paid their respects to the deceased lady. Every single villager. A lot of people from the Land of Fire attended Konoha, all dressed in black clothes. The world almost paralyzed, and the other four Kages, and other foreigners traveled to the village for a funeral. The 4th Raikage, B, Darui, Mabui, C, Mei, Ao, Kitsuchi, Kurotsuchi, Gaara, Kankuro, Temari, were some of the notable guests.
In her life Tsunade had saved countless lives, especially during three shinobi wars. And all the measures, and innovations she brought to medicine and hospitals, were highly regarded by everyone. To her, there was gratitude, cherish, and admiration. For all the hardships she faced, for putting others before her, for saving the world, for changing the lives of so many people.
And so, the next day, in Tsunade's funeral, Konoha had never been so crowded in its history. Farmers, mobsters, and gamblers from distant towns, were also among the attendees, since all had a particular fond memory of the blonde woman. Shizune recognized many of them, and felt touched by the situation. She never imagined there would be such movement for her master.
In front of the grave, many people spoke to remember her. Plenty of flowers were placed over the stone where Tsunade's remains were buried. Next to her brother, parents, the 1st Hokage, Mito Uzumaki, and the 2nd Hokage, the 5th was set to rest for eternity.
A few days later, Konoha was back to normal, although Naruto had declared a month of mourning. There would be no parties, no celebrations, no happy events, all out of respect for Tsunade.
The 7th Hokage was doing the usual paperwork in the office, and soon he got tired of it. They were just mere formalities and responding letters given Tsunade's demise. He left a clone to finish the work, while he left the tower for some fresh air. Lucky for him, Shikamaru understood his demeanor.
Since Sakura was in the hospital with Nawaki, and Kohari was at Kurenai's house, he had a free time before going home.
So at 5 pm, he met Shizune at the cemetery. She had been there at that exact time the last few days.
Though there were people in and out, when they saw her, she usually was given the space needed to mourn. Everyone knew that she was somehow the daughter Tsunade never had.
However, he found her in a different spot than usual. She was standing before two particular graves, two rows away from the Senjus'. She noticed him coming by, but didn't turn to greet him.
Naruto walked silently to her, and saw the names carved on the stone.
Jin Kato, beloved husband, father, brother, and son.
Suzume "Sue" Senju, beloved wife, mother, and daughter.
Naruto saw the dates of their demise, and realized that it had been almost thirty years ago. He also spotted a bouquet of white flowers right next to the headstone.
"It's hard... It's been so long, and I got to see Lady Tsunade as a replacement for them..." Shizune muttered, with a trembling voice.
"I saw her and Jiraiya as parents somehow..." Naruto admitted.
"Did you know I've spent ten years without coming here?"
"How come?" he asked.
"You were three... Tsunade and I left Konoha for good that time... We didn't visit again, not even once... Until you and Jiraiya showed up" Shizune revealed, with a sad expression.
Naruto remained silent for a while before speaking. "I always wondered why she and the Sandaime estranged... I never asked, but I thought they were supposed to be close"
"She blamed him... For what happened to Nawaki, Dan, my parents... They only met again after the Kyuubi incident. But after that... Konoha became a distant memory once again" Shizune explained.
"And you didn't want to be away..." Naruto guessed.
"Not for long... I learned a lot from her... She was all I had... And I don't know how to feel now. A part of me left with her... But who I was before meeting her, is still gone. My old house was destroyed in the Kyuubi incident, and it was never rebuilt... It's like I lost two lives..." Shizune said, opening up like never before.
Naruto felt something like that. A part of his life was taken away with Jiraiya, and the first one, of loneliness and rejection, was also gone for good. Looking into the past, it all seemed so far away. The moment he met Tsunade and Shizune, how different it was all back then.
"Sometimes you feel like hanging in there... Holding on to something, you don't want to let go. I know how that feels... And the only thing that makes it better is my family... I'm eager to show everything my parents left me, to Kohari and Nawaki..." Naruto said.
"It's a slow process... Dan is still too young to understand so many things..." Shizune commented, starting to walk towards Tsunade's grave.
Naruto followed her. "Time flies when you have children... I think you'd need a little girl... Maybe a Tsuna, or a Sue"
Shizune laughed. "I'd love that, but I'm 38... My time is running out to have a second child"
"Come on, there's no harm in trying... I'm sure Kakashi needs it too"
"I'm afraid... Something could happen" Shizune said, avoiding his gaze.
Naruto slowed down and reached her shortly after. He stared at Tsunade's memorial. "You'd be losing hope like she did... And then someone should remind you of your dream..." Naruto finally answered, referring to what happened eleven years ago.
Shizune smiled softly. "And that would be you again?"
"Who knows? Maybe little Dan will beg you for a sister..." Naruto teased. "I bet she'd love that..."
Shizune left a bouquet of white snowbells on the grave. "If you bet, you'll win... A little Sue... Or a little Tsuna, huh?"
Naruto nodded, and read once again the inscription in the headstone.
In loving memory of Tsunade Senju. 5th Hokage of Konoha. Beloved daughter, sister, mother, and grandma. Distinguished hero and medic ninja of the shinobi wars. One of the legendary Sannins. Savior of the world. Sadly missed
He felt it right. No matter what, they'd all miss her. After all, she was the most resilient person he ever met.