RECAP: The fourth of the last chapters
Though they were both Kage now they always celebrated their anniversary. Their anniversary came up, they rode the teacups, made love multiple times, danced like they did on their wedding night, reminisced, loved each other and held each other like they did when they were sixteen. They got back and Naruto checked in with the elders.
"We've got a strong pocket of chakra coming towards the front gates."
"...Well what is it?"
"We don't know. But they seem to have the chakra of Jinchuuriki. You and your husband'll need to go check it out, you're the only ones who could suppress this if need be. Bring some back-up of course."
"Of course. How much time do I have?"
"...About four hours. Go prepare."
Naruto sent messengers to everyone excluding all children except Naru and Shisui. He went home and told Gaara what was going on. Minato over-heard on got curious.
"Are you guys gonna be alright?"
"There's always a risk."
"You scared?"
"No I'm more confused. These two to four people have the same chakra capabilities as me and your father. I don't know anyone like that. I think the chakra reader must be too tired."
"...Be careful."
"Alright, no matter what happens, you stay here alright?"
"Fine, fine...not even if I'm really curious?"
"Not even then."
They kissed him goodbye and he called Izuna to see what he knew. The same amount. Naruto and Gaara and the rest assembled at the front gates.
"Anyone have an idea of who this is?"
Itachi knew.
"...Naruto...it's Madara and Kisame. There's no one else it could be. They're here for you."
"I can take em!"
"...They've been preparing for almost 6 years now..."
"I got this! Alright, start evacuating the citizens. Keep about 30% of the chuunin out here and 9% of jounin out here and send the rest to surround the village. And we will wait. We've got about two more hours before they're here unless they increase speed so let's hurry it up with the civilians."
They did. Two hours passed. Ninja surrounded the village while some were dispersed within it. Nato and Izuna had decided to be some of the ninja dispersed within the village.
"Who do you think it is?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's some super ninja and we'll defeat him and be the most revered ninja ever!"
"...Okay. But why so much security, I mean why the evac?"
"...Good point...I'm sure we don't have to worry."
Naruto was eagerly awaiting Madara on a rooftop. Trying to see how much longer he'd have to wait. The others joined him, worried he'd get himself killed.
"I'm gonna slit that bastard's throat."
"...He's not here yet, concentrate."
"Right."
In a split second Madara and Kisame were past the out ring of defense and on a rooftop across from theirs.
"Well Naruto. It's been a long time."
"Hard to believe you're not in a retirement home."
"I'm in the best shape of my life. Hope you are too. This wont be fun if it's too easy Naruto."
Gaara stepped in front of Naruto. Itachi did too. He was wondering how Madara could possibly still be alive. Minato and Izuna had found a great place to watch. They heard the name Madara and both were struck with fear.
"They're in danger, it's Madara!"
"We can't do anything. We'll just distract them, don't get any ideas."
Minato watched as they threw futile attacks at Madara, he dodged so easily and threw them back worse. They were thinking about stepping in and helping but they were scared. They were all attempting to protect Naruto while he was trying to protect everyone else. Madara was using his easy jutsu's on them all, leaving them clinging to life. All of them bleeding and batter and half-conscious. He grabbed Naruto and got him on a higher rooftop, giving him the upper hand. Gaara looked terrified but Naruto couldn't see it, he was losing blood and about to attempt to kill Madara. Madara's old eyes must've missed the kunai in his hand.
Kisame swooped in and continued to restrain Naruto. Gaara was beyond frustration. It hadn't been too easy for them to take Naruto, they weren't as young as they used to be. Minato and Izuna stepped out of the shadows to get a better look. Minato noticed Gaara kept having to wipe his tears. Tears of fear and frustration and anger. Gaara saw them.
"Nato, leave!"
"No, why do they want dad?"
"Nato get out of here!"
Sakura grabbed the two of them and threw them in an alley.
"This isn't your fight. If you stay out there your fathers cannot fight well enough to save their own asses! Stay here dammit!"
She left. They stayed. They were in some sort of standoff. Kisame was preparing Naruto to be extracted. The other ninja's attacked had absolutely no affect on the two of them. The six years they used to prepare were helping. Madara was staring down all of them.
"Itachi. I thought you'd be dead at this age."
"..."
"Men your age are meant to die in battle."
They started to extract Kyuubi. Naruto couldn't fight back. Gaara was screaming and attempting to kill them but it wasn't working. Naruto went into another realm, another realm with the nine tails. Waking up in the familiar dark cell, slightly flooded with water.
"Naruto...they're getting me out of here."
"DAMMIT!"
"It may sound sappy but I don't want you to die either. Once I'm half out the rest will follow, I'll try and break it off then. Then I wont be under their control and you'll have a chance."
"...You're being nice?"
"...That man will make us Jubi...I will not be morphed into one demon. We were separated for a reason Namikaze. You've gotta wake up and wake up soon or the world will plummet into chaos again."
"That's what you want! You want chaos! Why should I trust you?"
"I don't want chaos! I want to raise it myself! I can't very well do that if I'm combined with the other demons."
"...Alright...you'll probably just be sealed into someone else anyway."
"No one can hold me."
"...Right. Let's do this...maybe in another life we could be friends. Like Killer Bee and Hachibi."
"Hachibi's a fool. You are too for thinking such trash."
"You really are just a bitch. Let's get this over with. Hope life goes well for you."
"It's gonna hurt. I'll lend you my chakra to kill Madara."
"...Alright, I can do it."
Naruto woke up and Madara and Kisame got aggrivated. Naruto was able to use Kyuubi's chakra for almost a full minute as he decapitated Madara. Kyuubi left him and he collapsed on the rooftop. Gaara ran to him. The others attempted to seal Kurama into Minato but failed. He was free. Free to raise hell. Naruto was free too, free of his demon. Kisame fled and the others ran to the rooftop, including Minato and Izuna.
"Dad what's going on!"
Naruto was breathing heavy and bleeding heavy. Gaara picked him up and Sakura helped them to the hospital. Minato clutched at his collar and squeezed Izuna's hand.
"Dad what's happening?"
"...I think it'll be okay."
Minato squeezed Izuna's hand tighter and they start towards the hospital like the others.
"He said it'd be ok. Don't worry."
"...No...no he said he thinks it'll be ok...he always say 'it'll be ok'...he never puts the 'I think'...what if something's going really wrong?"
"You're reading too much into that."
"...Yeah...maybe you're right..."
They got to the hospital. Naruto was just coming out of his unconsciousness. Sakura got him on a gurney and started diagnosing him. Naruto already knew what was happening. Gaara was sobbing, he'd taken Lady Chiyo's life in his revival, they had no Lady Chiyo here. Gaara was clutching Naruto's hand and had the other on his face.
"Naruto, you listen you're living."
"...Gaara, please, don't do that to yourself."
"No dammit! You don't get to die! You're living do you hear me?"
"Gaara, I love you, more than anything in the world."
"NO! Don't you start saying your goodbyes!"
"..."
The rookie 9 flooded in with Minato and Izuna leading. Minato and Sasuke dashed to Naruto's side. He was smiling and crying. Gaara was just crying and clenching his teeth. Minato deduced what was happening and started crying himself. Kakashi was there, he wouldn't cry, he'd seen Naruto's father die and now this. He had no more tears left.
"Minato, you too, I love you too."
"...Dad..."
"It'll be ok Nato, I'll keep an eye on you. Sasuke...I love you too, one of my best friends."
"Naruto don't say goodbyes."
"Look at Sakura. Does she look like she thinks I'll be ok?"
Sakura was covering her mouth shaking her head. They wheeled him to a hospital bed, more comfortable. Sakura continued trying to work on him. Gaara sat up in the bed behind him leaving Naruto's head against Gaara's chest. Gaara held both of his hands and put his head down on top of Naruto's. Sasuke, Kakashi and Minato went with him.
"Sakura, please. You can fix him right-"
"Gaara, don't do that. Don't put that pressure on her. Sakura you're the best medical nin ever, one of my best friends, I love you. Gaara, I love you more than anything. I'll wait for you over there."
"You wont have to, we're going to die together when we're old and grey. You'll see your grandkids."
"No I wont. But you will, you're going to live to be and old man."
"Not without you! I wont!"
"...Gaara...I really love you more than I can express...will you sing it to me?"
"...If you don't die..."
"Please..."
Gaara was sobbing and holding Naruto so tight it hurt. His hand was clasping his so tight but Naruto's hand was weakening and he could feel it. Sakura was sobbing too, knowing the outcome.
"Sakura, use my chakra to save him!"
"No Gaara...I don't want you to do that. I want you to live. This is how it should be. I'm glad we got our anniversary at the teacups. It's my favorite part of the year. I love you so much Gaara."
"Don't die...don't die."
"Please sing it, I'm getting a little scared."
"Take me with you."
"I can't but I love you. I love you so so much."
"...Ok...I'll sing it...but please don't die..."
"I'm so sorry."
"...Naruto no..."
"I love you."
"Oh God I love you so much, Sakura help him!"
"No, Gaara calm down. I love you all."
"Oh God Naruto don't go."
"I love you."
"Don't go don't go."
"I'll watch over you, I'll miss you but I'll wait. I'll see you again."
"No, don't leave me."
"Believe me I don't want to. I love you Gaara."
"I love you too Naruto."
"Minato gets our rings remember. Remember that. I love you."
"I love you so much."
"Will you sing it to me. I'm scared...I can't see you."
"Of course. I love you. Don't be scared, I'm right here."
Gaara managed a half smile as he got in Naruto's line of vision. He started singing Naruto 'You Are My Sunshine'. He kissed Naruto a few last times. Naruto didn't have the life in him to cry anymore. Everyone else was crying enough for him. Minato grabbed his hand and Naruto did his best to squeeze it. Gaara continued kissing him and singing to him until finally there was nothing left. He died. His last sight was a crying yet smiling and singing husband of his. His husband Gaara. Sakura couldn't help. Gaara started bawling.
"Oh God Naruto! He's gone! He's really gone! No!"
Sakura was going to console him but she couldn't console herself. Sasuke and Kakashi were doing the same. Minato was crying almost as hard as Gaara. He was really gone, no amount of magic chakra from Sakura was going to help this time.
"G-gaara I have to-call it."
"Oh...oh God...he's gone...my Naruto."
"Gaara I h-have to c-all it."
"He's dead."
"...Time of d-death...00:03..."
"He's gone...he's not coming back this time...he's really gone..."
"...Oh Naruto..."
"He's still warm...he can't be gone he's still warm. Sakura help him, he's still warm!"
She cried harder as she shook her head. Gaara looked at her desperately but knew she couldn't do anything. He kissed his forehead one more time and sobbed even harder as he climbed out of the bed. He put his hand on Naruto's face and kissed him one last time. Minato was still holding Naruto's hand like Gaara. They couldn't let go. No one could, Naruto was the best thing to happen to so many people. Kakashi needed something to do or he'd go crazy, losing another teammate.
"I'll go tell them."
"...Tell them that he loved them all...tell them that..."
"They know."
"Remind them."
Kakashi left and told the others, they began consoling eachother. Izuna took Minato away after he'd said goodbye, he needed to leave. Gaara refused to talk to anyone or leave Naruto's side. Sakura went through the typical procedure regarding paperwork. She took her turn in trying to get him to say his goodbyes.
"Sakura what am I gonna do without him...I can't leave his body much less live without him for the rest of my life. We've never been apart more than three days since we were sixteen."
She just hugged him, he still clung to Naruto's dead hand. He would've stayed there all day if he could've.
"What did he want?"
"...He wanted to be buried. Buried. So do that burying stuff. I'm going to be next to him."
She nodded, trying not to cry any harder than she was.
"Gaara...say goodbye."
"...I can't..."
"You have to. I need to get him ready for his funeral. You need to start grieving and mourning."
"It's only been like an hour."
"It's been 9 Gaara..."
"...I can't just leave him...he's my husband...he's my Naruto. You can't expect me to leave him here...he hates hospitals..."
"Go home...Gaara...your son...you two's son...needs you...needs his only father."
"...But...I don't want to leave him...I need to remember everything about him."
"You do. Trust me, you remember. You remember everything. Say goodbye."
"..."
Gaara turned to Naruto's body, kissed him.
"Sakura can you give me a minute?"
"...Sure."
She left him. Gaara's crying started up again.
"...Oh...I'm not ready for this Naruto. Why'd you have to leave me...I already miss you more than I can stand. I...I'm so not ready to just say goodbye to the love of my life. My husband. Why wouldn't you let me just save you...Minato needs a dad like you. I'm no good for him...I need you...I need you so much...So so much. I love you more than anything. I never wanted to leave you...I wanted us to die in our sleep, in our twin bed, the same night, holding each other. I just want you to hold me one more time...that's a lie. Once wont be enough. I want an eternity with you...I love you. You're my Naruto...I'll miss you and love you forever...I really hope you can hear me up there...because...I wanna know that you know that I love you. I can't love anyone else...not after you...I just want to be with you...and I can't...and it's awful...and I love you so much...and I...ugh...I can't leave you here...you look...like...you still...it's like...you still smell like you, you still...I want you to wake up so bad...and you're not going to...and I...oh...ok...Naruto...I'm leaving your body...but not you. We're still very much married, I wont cheat. I love you. I love you so much. We're still married...we just can't be together for a while...I don't know...how I can leave your body...without knowing if you can hear me up there. If you can't...how will I talk to you...tell you I love you every morning...like I always do...how will you know?...I don't know if this stuff works but...a sign that you can hear me...that you know what I'm saying...that you'll keep hearing me...would be fantastic. If you can give me a sign or if you can even hear me...I need to know..."
"Gaara...you should go home."
"Just a little longer Sakura...please."
She left again.
"...Just...talk to me...can you...no there's no way you can do that...how about...I don't know...just something...to let me know your listening...that you love me."
Gaara got a wave of something, it made his mind race to all of his and Naruto's best memories, their first kiss, their first date, their first time, their best days as a couple, their best days as parents, their anniversaries at the teacups. Gaara burst out crying both out sadness, nostalgia and love for Naruto.
"...Thank God...ha...you can...you can actually do that now...thank you for that...I love you...I'll still tell you that every morning...I'll still love you more and more each day...but I will miss you so much...you holding me at night, holding my hand when we go out, kissing me, hugging me, smiling at me...I'll miss you so much...it's going to hurt...but...I'll be with you soon...I promise...I love you Naruto...this is a very, very temporary goodbye."
Gaara kissed him one more time. Sakura took him out of the room and walked him home, bawling. He got home. Minato was there. Sobbing as well. Gaara sat next to him and put his arm around him and kissed his head. Sakura left them.
"Dad...I can't believe he's gone."
"...Neither can I...but...that's the way it is for ninja..."
"But dad...I keep thinking...that any minute he'll burst through the door all energetic and smiling again...I've been watching that door for an eternity and he's still not here."
Minato cried harder and Gaara pulled him closer.
"It's hard now...but it gets better. I promise."
"You can't know that dad..."
"...You're right I don't...but i trust Naruto...he's watching over us now...so we should be happy that he's...happy. In a better place, you know the cliche. He still loves us, he's still watching over us...loving us. Don't be sad."
"...How do you get over something like this?"
"I don't know..."
"...What was he to you...he's my father...so I know what it's like to lose a father...but what did you just lose?"
"...What is Izuna to you?"
"My best friend...the only person I've ever really loved."
"Naruto is my Izuna...the only person who loved me...my best friend. The only person I could even begin to think about spending my life with..."
"...Dad I miss him so much..."
"I miss him too. I miss him too. Let's get out of this house."
Still sobbing Minato nodded. They started walking around looking for somewhere that didn't remind them of Naruto.
"...Dad...I just wanna like...sleep off...all of this...just sleep for like ten years...til I can move on."
"Don't worry about moving on just yet. It'll take some time. I know that. I know it'll take time."
"...This is hard."
"It'll get easier..."
"Where should we go?"
"...I don't know."
"...Aunt Sakura's?"
"...No...we spent so much time there before you...so much..."
"What about...what about...a bar?"
"We're not going to drink this away."
"We don't have to drink. Let's just go, go and eat or something."
"...Ok..."
That's what they did. They ate at the bar. Crying into their food making it inedible. They were soon approached by sympathetic bar-goers. They didn't know what had happened but they knew they were crying. They didn't bother sharing their story, not yet.
"We should go home. We should try."
"...Oh Dad...I don't know...I know about that...that...that's a tall order..."
"...I know it is...it is for me too I swear...but we need to start somewhere."
"...Ok...alright..."
They walked home, sobbed hard when they walked into the apartment. It seemed so empty without Naruto, so empty. Like no one had ever lived there at all. Gaara and Minato said goodnight. He crawled into their twin bed. It seemed so big. He couldn't handle it, but he had to for Minato's sake. Or so he thought. His door opened.
"Dad..."
"Nato? What's wrong?"
"...I...I can't do it..."
"...It's ok...our...or...I guess...it's just my bed now...well...my bed's too small for both of us, come on."
"...Dad...I'm so sad."
"I am too, it's ok to be sad."
"...I...I've never been this sad...I can't stop crying."
Gaara got up and hugged him.
"It's ok...I know it's weird to be this sad."
"I feel like...I just...I can't take how I feel."
"It's ok, I know exactly how you feel. I do. I'm sorry you have to go through this."
"I'm sorry you do. I can't imagine losing Izuna...dad this is so painful."
"Just...think about all the great times we've had together, as a family. I know it's hard to be in this much pain but you wouldn't and I wouldn't trade any of those memories for anything, even if it means this much pain."
"...Yeah...I wouldn't but...I wish he was here."
"He's still watching over us, the same energetic Naruto we know and love, he's still taking care of us."
"..."
"Come on, let's sleep."
They walked back to Minato's room with the queen sized bed. They fell asleep a few hours later. They drifted through the next few days. Then came the funeral. Minato couldn't help but sob uncontrollably. Gaara was doing the same. They watched them put him in the ground. Sakura and Sasuke were desperately trying to console the two of them. Afterwords the whole rookie 9 took them out to eat. Gaara and Minato didn't really want to go but they didn't want to go back to the house. It was pretty silent. Nobody was crying anymore, probably dehydrated. Minato and Izuna were walking around the block. Neji was the first to break the silence.
"...Now what?"
No one responded for a while. Finally Sakura said something.
"...We grieve...then try and move on."
"Move on? Move on. Just...just forget about him?"
"No not forget Gaara-"
Gaara's eyes were welling up.
"I get that this isn't such a huge loss for all of you but this is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. The absolute worst."
"Gaara we're all grieving, we get it."
"No you don't! You don't get it. None of you knows what I'm going through, or what Minato's going through...you can't."
"..."
"I've never wanted to die so much in my life...and it scares me that it doesn't scare me...I'll never be with Naruto again as long as I live...none of you can understand that...you can't..."
"..."
"...I don't even know what to do with myself...I can't go home and sleep in that bed...or the couch...I can't go through his stuff...I can't do anything...without feeling suicidal...it's the weirdest thing I've ever felt...but I just want to be with Naruto."
"...I get that...we're all married...we can't imagine losing them...we may not know how this feels but...we no it's not something that's easy to deal with or get over..but we're here for you."
"I wish he was too..."
"We all do."
"...I can't believe he's really gone...I just...I can't believe it."
They stayed a little while longer. They all invited themselves over to Gaara and Naruto's apartment afterwords. Gaara didn't feel like entertaining. They slowly left. Leaving Sakura, Sasuke and Kiba. Gaara was tired and his face was raw. He'd been staring at a picture of him and Naruto on their first anniversary at the teacups.
"Why don't you go get ready for bed."
He got up without saying anything and went into his room. Sakura looked over at Sasuke who got up to go talk to Gaara. He was lingering at the dresser. Holding one of Naruto's shirts.
"...Smells just like him..."
"Gaara..."
"I...miss him so much...it hurts so bad..."
"It must be hard to lose someone so important but you need to give yourself time."
"...But how much time?..."
"As much time as you need."
"What if that's the rest of my life...what if I never get over him."
"You're never getting over Naruto, it wont happen."
"..."
"But I believe you can get over his death."
"...Well...I'm glad someone believes that."
"Gaara it could take longer than you hope-"
"What if it takes shorter...what if I get over him too fast...what if I didn't love him like he loved me."
"Don't even say that. He still loves you just as much as you love him."
"...You guys aren't going to start forcing me to meet someone else are you?"
"...I don't think it'd be fair...Naruto's your soulmate...it wouldn't be fair to whoever you dated."
"...I wont date...I'm still dedicated to him. I still love him. I vowed I always would and that wasn't a lie."
BOTTOM NOTE: Okay so I just had a minor panic attack since I read up on stuff and it turns out that you aren't married in heaven. I literally flipped out. It makes me so incredibly sad. But I guess if and when you go to heaven you're not gonna be sad so...til then. Oh and yeah I know it's long.