Well, here you have it, the next installment! in the pov of Iruka and Kakashi though, like usual, i tried to make it obvious with each switch. Enjoy!

Chapter 10

We walked into the large, open room filled with the soft light of dawn. The air was thick with sweet floral scents barely masking the salty stench of bitter tears; all eyes were bloodshot and swollen, either still crying or freshly out of tears. Every person Naruto had ever met congregated parallel to, but not on, the aisle marked out by white Lilly and baby blue Forget-Me-Not flowers. We all knew where that aisle led to, though no one seemed able to allow their eyes to follow it to the large black casket at the end.

Itachi and I had decided to lay him in a glossy black casket trimmed in pure white gold, with a closed lid that was best for everyone; Naruto wouldn't have wanted anyone to see him bruised and beaten like that. His picture sat atop the lid, the famous Uzumaki smile assuring everyone that he was – as all had known him – happy.

Kakashi walked next to me, his covered face serious, eyes distant. Itachi walked on my other side, with Sasuke next to him. Both of the Uchiha faces held a tear-stained sadness; detached, though neither cried. The Uchiha Clan pride kept their tears from falling anywhere but in their home, though all could easily see the pain they carried with them. I hated seeing pain on their faces, but there was nothing I could do; tears silently ran down my cheeks.

Unable to lift my eyes high enough to view the casket and grieving persons around me, I turned to find an empty seat though instead I found myself embraced by a familiar face.

"Oh Iruka, I'm so sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do, please, don't hesitate to ask." She looked up at me, usually bright eyes dimmed with grief.

"Thank you Sakura, I'll be sure to let you know if I think of anything. The most important thing you can do now is don't forget how much he cared for you." I smiled sadly as I turned away from her; everyone was trying to be so comforting, only adding to my misery.

I wandered from group to group until I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

"Iruka?"

Taking instant relief in that voice I exhaled heavily, "Yes Kakashi?" I wanted to run from this depressing place.

"You're getting pale Love, sit and rest; let them come to you." Worry filled his eyes.

"I don't want their sympathies. I want them to let me grieve in peace. You know as well as I do that Naruto never would have wanted all this," lifting my hands in exasperation I sighed, "misery. He would've begged everyone to smile; to be happy that his pain was gone. You know as well as I do that he would have hated all these tears!" my voice was rising, anger building in my chest.

"Iruka, Love, calm down. This won't last much longer; soon we will go; a few more minutes and all this will be behind us forever." As he looked into my eyes I saw his meaning and nodded.

The large room filled with the wailing sounds of grief; the women apologized in a poor attempt to comfort Iruka; the men gossiped among themselves, asking each other what happened and who had beaten poor Naruto to death. No one knew who had killed him, no one but the few directly involved that is.

Ibiki wasn't here; he'd left town the eve of Itachi's return. He'd figured out that Iruka and I were planning on leaving town after the funeral so he was busy trying to figure out where we were headed to while he hid from the Uchiha.

The Uchiha brothers still refused to look at each other; Sasuke angry for reasons he refused to say and Itachi furious he hadn't been notified sooner. They blamed each other and they blamed themselves; though, both agreed Ibiki was completely at fault. Iruka, having left his chair by my side, walked to where the Uchiha brothers sat near each other, not touching.

"Boys . . ." they simultaneously looked up, thankfully recognizing Irukas' voice. "Boys, neither of you are at fault for the death of my son. I do not blame you; how could I –" his voice caught, heavy with tears. Iruka started again, "how could I blame you when the two of you were the best things that had ever happened to him. You boys were the reason for the light in his eyes; you gave him the happiness and strength he couldn't find for himself. Without you, I'm afraid I would have lost him much sooner." He paused again for breath; his words caused a silence to fall over the room, drawing tears from all our eyes. He laid his hands on the Uchiha shoulders before him. "Please forgive each other for what happened. Put the blame aside, you are brothers after all and shouldn't live the rest of your lives with such pain. Do yourselves a favor and love each other with the same energy and joy that he loved both of you." Iruka smiled sadly, turned taking my arm, and we walked from the room. We left that wretched place never to look back.

"Kakashi?" I looked at him, knowing sadness filled my face.

"Yes Love?" he lifted an eyelid, peeking at me through his lashes.

"Thank you for –"

His finger gently found my lips, "The plane is here; it's time to board. And no need to thank me Love, you know I would've stayed by your side even if you had asked me to go. Now come on, let's get on that plane." My man of little words wiped a tear from my cheek with his thumb, took my arm, and led me through the airport crowd.

I leaned in to whisper to the Stewardess taking tickets, double-checking our package was safely aboard already. Kakashi and I boarded the plane then found our seats. I looked out the window the beautiful city below shrank away. I knew then that I would never see my home again. Allowing a few tears to escape my eyes, I leaned my head back against the headrest of my seat and whispered, "America, here we come . . ." I exhaled deeply and closed my eyes.

XD Whatcha thinkin? I wanna know!