Scent
The scent was all too familiar.
Blood and salt and iron. She knew them to well. The smells of death.
"You idiot you can't die!" Sakura screamed over the crashing of weapons and explosions. She desperately attempted to staunch the bleeding with her ninjutsu.
"Stop." He croaked. "I lead I good life, ya know?" Blood bubbled at the corner of his mouth. "I did everything I wanted to do."
"Naruto!" Sasuke landed next to his friend's body. "I saw an explosion and Kurama diss - Oh fucking hell." His face changed from concern to one of shock as he saw the mess that was his friends abdomen. "Kami, this isn't happening. I'm not seeing this."
"He's dying isn't he?" Hinata arrived on the scene.
"Don't talk about me like I'm already dead." Naruto feigned a smile. "I still have a good few minutes left."
Sakura swatted his shoulder. "Don't fucking joke about dying, you aren't going to die."
"Do you want me to get . . ?" Hinata began
"The kids don't need to see this." He cut her off. "I just need you to undo the seal for me."
"Naruto . . ."
"I'm dying, don't let him die with me." He reached out his remaining hand to grab Hinata's. "You look so beautiful. Like an angel."
"Don't waste your energy." Sakura huddled over him attempting to repair the damage.
"Even you can't heal him." Sasuke placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder, tears streaking down his face. "Hinata you have to do it."
"I know." Hinata's voice shook. "I know, I know, I know! I just -"
"Hey." Naruto squeezed her hand and attempted to smile through the pain. "It'll be alright, got it. I made it to sixty-four, that's longer than Pervy Sage. I died trying to protect everyone ya know? I don't have any regrets. I lived a life to be proud of."
"Naruto. . ."
"Hinata this pain is killing me, set Kurama free."
"Don't make jokes you idiot, you're dying."
"Sasuke if I don't joke, no one will. I made my peace, now you make yours. Choose the next Hokage wisely, the dead should not make decisions for the living. Tell Minato to never let Akiko go. If he hurts her, hurt him, Sasuke." He hissed in pain. "Tell the triplets that no single part is greater than the whole, but individual identity is important to the strength of them all. Don't wear black at my funeral, it's a dreadful colour - sorry Sasuke. And always all of you remember this, tell this to everyone, carve it into my headstone, teach it to the children of our children, never go back on your word -" He coughed, droplets of blood landing on his flak jacket, "Because that is my Ninja way, ya know!"
"We know, Naruto." Hinata prepared to unleash Kurama, with the seal destroyed this was the only way to free him. "Because you never did."
-x-x-x-
Kurama rampaged for a day and a night, protecting the leaf and it's inhabitants. His jinchuuriki had been taken from him in the most brutal manner possible, a weapon designed specifically to cut through a tailed beast's protective chakra. After he had eradicated the enemy remaining soldiers he shut himself away in a cave. He would forever remain an ally of the Leaf, protecting the Will of Fire that had protected him. He would never, however, have another jinchuuriki, choosing to protect himself from the pain of loosing another
-x-x-x-
Naruto's funeral was held three days later. Like Naruto had requested everyone wore bright colours, orange was especially prevalent. The ceremony lasted three hours. The four other Kage, members of the Rookie Nine, Kakashi, the Elder Toad all spoke. They spoke of the early days and the later ones, of his successes and failures. Gaara shared the story of how Naruto saved him, Kakashi told of a snot nosed brat who refused to give up, Sasuke reminded everyone that the hardships were not what mattered but how you over came them did. Everyone had a story to tell about Naruto, the great Hero of the Leaf, a child who had had nothing and a man who had had it all.
Through out the ceremony those who had known Naruto personally remained stoic. They had shed their tears, but knew he wouldn't want them to be sad that he was gone, rather be happy that he had lived.
I reccomend 'Sadness and Sorrow' or 'Hokages Death Theme" as good songs to listen to during this. I don't normally ask this, but did this go well? Like is the writing OK? Or should I stay away from writing sad stuff?