I do not own Naruto Shippuden or any of the characters.


Aftermath

Ryuu opened his eyes, finding Yugao kneeling over him, looking relieved and fully healed, including her broken bones.

"We're alive?" Ryuu blinked. "How?"

"I'm not entirely certain," Yugao said.

"It was Pein," a miniature Katsuyu, Tsunade's summon slug, reported from beside them. "After you restored his chakra, he used what you gave him to revive everyone he had killed here to life."

"He did?" Ryuu gaped. "Holy shit. I had no idea that's what he was planning. So, who does that include?"

"Well, there was you two, Shizune, Kakashi, Sasuke-"

"Sasuke died?" Ryuu interrupted. "How?"

"One of the Peins, one who could absorb Chakra, managed to catch Sasuke and drained him of all of his strength, killing him," Katsuyu stated. "Before then, he managed to kill two of the other Peins. Unfortunately, one of them was able to return life to defeated Peins, as it did with the one you destroyed."

"Oh yeah," Ryuu nodded. "Anyone else?"

"A very large number," Katsuyu nodded. "Most of the residents of the village were killed. Fortunately, they were all saved."

"Did Danzo die?" Ryuu asked.

"Danzo did not take part," Katsuyu stated.

"Coward," Ryuu spat. "Alright. Which way is Naruto?"

"To the West of here."

"Thanks," Ryuu smiled, vanishing in a flash of light, as Fu used to.

Yugao stood, heading in that direction, Katsuyu riding on her shoulder. When Ryuu found Naruto, he was nearly unconscious, being carried in a half cocoon of paper, courtesy of Konan and Nagato was riding along beside her, his red hair now white and his body more emaciated than before, if that was possible, but alive.

"I must thank you Ryuu Uchiha," Nagato smiled. "Because of you, I'll survive. You have my word, we will have nothing to do with the Akatsuki. And as of now, Amegakure will be an ally to the Hidden Leaf."

"You know, I think Tsunade could help you with those rods if you stick around," Ryuu stated. "It'll be a bit of a hassle to get you accepted but Naruto's done similar things before."

"While Lady Tsunade might be more open minded than others about accepting them as allies, she is currently incapable," a Katsuyu clone on Naruto's shoulder stated. "When she had me protect everyone, she used the last of her chakra and fell into a coma."

"Damn," Ryuu growled. "Who's next in line?"

"I'm not sure," Katsuyu admitted. "Normally they would choose their successor but Lady Tsunade didn't do that."

Ryuu sighed and nodded then turned toward the village.

"Kakashi Sensei's coming," Ryuu stated. "I'll go see how he takes it, he's more open minded than Lady Tsunade. Besides, it's not like he can keep the two of you here."

Nagato nodded and Ryuu went to meet Kakashi, finding him not far away. Kakashi sensed that Ryuu wanted to talk so he stopped.

"What is it?" Kakashi asked.

"Naruto did that thing he's really good at, with a little help from me," Ryuu stated.

"He didn't kill Pein did he?" Kakashi asked.

"No," Ryuu stated. "Pein revived everyone and swore allegiance with the Hidden Leaf."

"What do you think?" Kakashi asked.

"I think he meant it," Ryuu stated. "I also think that he would make a strong ally if we could get the village to overlook his little, misunderstanding."

"That won't happen, for a long time at least," Kakashi stated. "The woman maybe. Not Pein."

"I know," Ryuu stated. "He has several dozen rods in his back, keeping him physically weak and unable to move freely. We has a machine for transportation. Tsunade could maybe get the rods out but I hear she's...disabled."

"Yeah," Kakashi nodded. "Naruto?"

"With Konan and Nagato," Ryuu stated. "That's Pein's real name. Come on. We should go get him before he passes out. Oh, and, how's Hinata?"

"She's alive," Kakashi stated. "Pein, or Nagato, I guess, missed any vital points. Sakura was able to save her."

"Good," Ryuu nodded. "I'll go make sure she's there to meet him."

Kakashi grinned behind hi mask and nodded and then continued past Ryuu to retrieve Naruto from their new secret allies. Ryuu left to make the proper greeting preparations. When Kakashi reached Nagato and Konan, he stopped, eyeing the pair carefully before looking to Naruto.

"Don't worry," Naruto smiled tiredly. "They're friends now. It's all good."

"You're so tired you're practically high," Kakashi chuckled. "You really used up a lot of energy huh?"

"Oh yeah," Naruto nodded. "Nagato's really strong."

Konan rested her hand on his shoulder, transferring some of her chakra to him. Then, she opened the cocoon and he stepped out, walking over to Kakashi and smiling.

"Thanks Konan," Naruto smiled. "That helped a lot."

"You're welcome," Konan nodded. "We're going to retrieve one of the Peins then we'll head back to Amegakure."

"You sure?" Naruto asked.

"Yes," Konan nodded. "If Tsunade wakes up and agrees to work with us, send us a letter. We'll make arrangements then."

Kakashi nodded and he and Naruto turned to leave.

"Naruto," Konan called out.

He turned back and saw her holding out a bouquet of paper flowers.

"For Jiraiya Sensei," Konan stated.

Naruto smiled and nodded, taking the flowers from her and thanking her, then heading in the direction of the memorial he had made for Jiraiya. kakashi followed, deciding to pay his respects as well.


Ryuu stepped out of the trees and a cheer arose from the assembled crowd. He smirked but shook his head.

"Naruto's still a ways away!" he shouted over the crowd. "Sorry."

"We're cheering for you right now," Sasuke stated. "Katsuyu told us that you stood up to all of the Peins to protect Lady Tsunade, even going so far as to use the Fifth Inner Gate."

"That wasn't as selfless as you think," Ryuu said stopping in front of Sasuke and smiling. "I heard you got canned by a leach."

"Fucking cheater," Sasuke growled.

"I agree," Ryuu nodded. "Now, where's Hinata. I have one last selfless act to do before you and me start planning our next hunt."

"Is it that time?" Sasuke asked.

"Nearly," Ryuu nodded.

"Hinata's over here," Sakura stated from off to one side. "She's still a little weak but I can't do much else for her."

Ryuu walked over and healed her the rest of the way, leaving Sakura speechless, then led Hinata to the front and leaned in to whisper.

"Did I miss anything special when you tried to fight Pein?" Ryuu asked.

"I told him I..." Hinata blushed and trailed off but Ryuu grinned, understanding and nodding.

"Good," Ryuu nodded. He went berserk after that," Ryuu grinned. "So here's what you do. When he gets here, you'll be standing in front and you're going to look him straight in the eye. While you do, I'll use my abilities with Genjutsu to remind him of what you said using his memories, and he'll be forced to give you an answer. If he answers the way you want, will you need help?"

"I'll probably faint," Hinata blushed.

"Yes," Ryuu agreed. "But if you want, I can always push you into him before then."

Hinata blushed bright red at the underlying meaning of his offer and he grinned. Then, she surprised him and shook her head.

"I think I'll be okay," Hinata stated. "But you might need to give him a push, he doesn't take hints very well."

"On that, we can agree," Ryuu chuckled looking toward the trees and seeing two silhouettes. "Here he comes."

He stepped back so Hinata was in front, and already blushing bright red, and a moment later Naruto stepped out to a massive deafening cheer, much louder than Ryuu's, which was entirely lost on Naruto. His eyes had met Hinata's instantly and Ryuu had instantly begun to replay her confession, not her death or her actually fighting, but her confession in Naruto's head. After a moment, Ryuu stopped, deactivating his Sharingan as Naruto began to hurry down the hill and toward the others Ryuu and Sasuke both very inconspicuously told the others to stay put and watch, and the village complied. After a moment, Naruto slowed to a stop in front of Hinata.

"You're okay," he smiled, relief painted all over his face. "I was so worried."

Hinata's blush darkened by a dozen shades but she managed a small "thank you".

"I...a-about...what you said..." Naruto struggled to form any sort of coherent words. "I...um..."

Hinata felt her head beginning to turn toward the ground and remembered Ryuu's instructions. She raised her head again, looking Naruto in the eye and seeing that he was really struggling to speak, and was just as red as she was.

"Did you...mean it?" Naruto managed, finally.

"Y-Y-Yes," Hinata nodded. "Of course I did. And it won't change."

Naruto nodded, Ryuu not needing to activate his Sharingan to see Naruto's hands shaking slightly.

Nervous, good. Ryuu thought.

"I...uh...I f-feel...th-the...the same," Naruto managed to force out.

Ryuu did activate his Sharingan this time and saw Hinata had maybe three seconds before she fainted. So, in order to help her, he gave her a tiny shove, not even enough to move her, in reality. But she still stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. Ryuu sighed quietly, resting his face in his hand and glancing at Sasuke who looked just as exasperated as him. They both looked back just in time to see Hinata pull back in time for Naruto to kiss her. Everyone present cheered even louder than when naruto had made his appearance. Ryuu and Sasuke grinned at each other and Kakashi smiled behind his mask. After several seconds, Naruto and Hinata separated, the people from the village still cheering, and Naruto grinned.

"What?" Hinata asked.

"Remind me to thank Ryuu later," Naruto grinned.

Hinata smiled and kissed him again then turned, standing beside him, fingers lacing with his own and leaned on his shoulder. Ryuu and Sasuke both exchanged a look and vanished with the Body Flicker Technique, heading to Ryuu's training field to talk.


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