Chapter 25: Funeral and Family Dinners

Okay, so I put together a list of the chapters remaining that I came up with and it looks like we're going to have 10 more chapters counting this one. I think I'll wait a few more weeks and then focus on this story exclusively to get it done. So I guess I'll strive for starting that either next month or the one after. We'll see. I'm planning to end this story at Search for Tsunade arc, and I won't be making a sequel but I welcome anyone would like to make it themselves if they wish. Just send me a PM if you would like to do it and I could give you a shoutout in my final chapter. First come first serve.

It was a dark cloudy day to match the mood of the Hidden Leaf Village. They had won the battle, but lost their Hokage. The man they had all looked up to. Everyone donned black for the funeral. Naruto met Sakura outside her home. They didn't say anything, there were no words to exchange between the couple. Her parents also came and saw the look on Naruto's face. Mebuki recognized it as one of sadness, she'd seen it on him before. But back then she'd only seen a demon that should have been dead in her opinion. Now, she saw him as a boy who had lost his idol. She'd seen her daughter come back home after the battle was over, covered in sand and depressed. She'd asked Sakura if she'd been injured. Sakura simply replied she was fine, but from the way she'd said it, Mebuki could tell something happened. Sakura then told her one thing, that Naruto Uzumaki had saved her. Mebuki finally saw that the boy was not the demon he contained. She'd made up her mind in that moment that she would open up to him. But now was not the time. A little later perhaps.

Sakura walked over to him and took his arm, letting her head rest on his. They waited, her parents watching for a few minutes. Then Sasuke arrived. The three genin walked together with Sakura's parents trailing behind them.

All of the village Shinobi had gathered, dressed in black as well with forlorn expressions. Konohamaru was crying softly with Ebisu next to him. Then the elders, Homura and Koharu began the speech.

"We are gathered here to today to say goodbye to the Third Hokage," Homura said. "He was a true shinobi, strong, kind, and wise. He's led us well for longer than most of us have been alive."

"We two are one of the few who have lived since the days when he was but a young ninja," Koharu said. "How the Second Hokage went into a suicide mission and named him to be the Third as his final wish during the Second Great Ninja War. We sometimes disagreed with him, but he did well by this village as a whole."

Several other jonin came up and spoke of times with the Hokage. The Anbu that had been with the Hokage in his final battle felt immense guilt.

We could not get inside the barrier to help him. In the end, all we could do was watch. One of them thought. Then, one by one, each shinobi took a flower and put it on the grave.

Iruka remember how the Hokage comforted him over the deaths of his parents at the hands of the Nine Tailed Fox.

Kakashi wasn't there right away, as he was in another part of the graveyard. It was the same training field where he had held his bell test for his squad. He looked at the memorial stone that held the name of his friends Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara. Soon Kurenai came with flowers for Hayate as well who'd died before the battle even took place. None of the Shinobi shed tears, save for Konohmaru. It was a shinobi rule. No matter how much a ninja was hurting inside, they had to be strong.

Naruto remembered his time with the Third, how he would transform with the sexy jutsu and argue with him. The walks they'd take through the village, watching the sunset together from on top the Hokage Mountain. Finally his turn came and he put his flower on the grave stone.

When he took his place back in the circle, he looked at Iruka who was comforting Konohamaru.

"Iruka Sensei," he started. "Why do they do it? Why do people risk their lives for other people?"

Iruka thought for a moment. "Well, when someone passes away, it's the end. His past and future, all the dreams he once had. They disappear along with him. This is true even if he dies honorably in battle as Hayate did. All the ties that bind him to the living are severed. All except one, the most important of all. People. Parents, siblings, friends, lovers and these people, the ones left behind. A circle of friendship that grows larger and stronger as time passes. Its hard to explain it, we remain in the circle together. We have no choice, its important to us."

"So we do it because we have to, I get it," Naruto said. "Still I'm sad he's gone."

Sakura squeezed his hand reassuringly, while Sasuke listened to Iruka's words as well. His face grew grimmer as he thought back on recent times. How he'd seen Naruto and Sakura growing stronger together. He used to think that in order to be strong one had to be without friends, and rely solely on themselves and their own strength. But the way of the Hokage was to work with everyone in the village, to rely on bonds. He thought back to Shino coming to his aid against Kankuro, which had saved him the time to get to Gaara quickly and save his strength. No one could do it alone, not even the Hokage.

He sighed and made a new resolve. He would still avenge his clan, he would do it with bonds forged between those here in the leaf. Naruto, Sakura, Shino, and anyone else. He'd need to start opening up to them.

"Think of how sad it would be if he died for nothing," Kakashi said. He'd arrived late as always. "But he left us something precious. Don't worry, you'll understand someday."

Naruto smiled. "Hey, give me some credit!"

Sakura stood beside him holding his hand. She looked up. "Hey, the rain! It stopped."

They looked up, and saw the sky suddenly clear as the sun emerged. Kakashi watched as the funeral began to end and its attendants left. He saw them, Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Ino, Shikamaru, Chojii, and Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke. This was the next generation to take up the flame that was the will of the Hokage. The Will of Fire.

"Bye Iruka Sensei! See you later!" Naruto said waving.

"Alright," Iruka said.

Team 7 had gathered at the Hokage House overlooking the village with Kakashi. A new Hokage would be selected in time. Naruto wished it could be him, but he knew he was not ready. In time though, he would be. Soon he walked Sakura home. The couple didn't say a word but when they did get home they found her parents waiting for them outside.

"Hello Naruto," Kizashi said.

"Uh… hi," Naruto said.

Mebuki came forward, a look of remorse on her face.

"Naruto, thank you for protecting my daughter in the invasion. I'm sorry for how I treated you," she said.

"Its okay," Naruto said. "I'm not so sure how I would react to… someone like me if I weren't like me."

She giggled softly at that. "Why don't you join us for dinner tonight? I imagine things will get pretty hectic for you ninja soon. We lost several of our shinobi and this will likely mean more work for you."

Naruto smiled. "Thanks. I'll see you tonight."

He looked at Sakura who managed a smile at him. He then walked off to change out of his funeral garment at home. The dinner that night went well with the Harunos asking Naruto for details about the Invasion, Chunin Exams, his past missions as well as his time in the academy. He told them about it all with a wide smile for the most part.

…

Sasuke headed to the Aburame residence. He'd seen Shino at the funeral but hadn't talked to him. He felt it was time to correct that. Time to correct all his past misconceptions. Arriving at the door he knocked and Shino's father soon arrived.

"Well, Sasuke Uchiha. This is a surprise."

"Is Shino home?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes just a moment, Shino!" the head of the clan called.

Shino soon appeared in the doorway.

"Sasuke," he greeted.

"Shino," Sasuke replied in turn. "Are you alright? Did you suffer any injuries?"

"Nothing serious," Shino said. "At least, nothing my father wasn't able to save me from."

Sasuke's eyes widened. "Your father had to save you?"

"Kankuro hit me with a poison blade," Shino said.

"I'm sorry," Sasuke said.

"It was not your fault, you had a mission to stop Gaara," Shino said. "I did my duty assisting a comrade and my village."

Sasuke nodded slowly, knowing he was right.

"Well, I appreciate your help. I know I haven't been the most social person."

"Nor have I," Shino said.

"But I've come to realize that maybe it is not the best path," Sasuke added. "Seeing Naruto and Sakura grow in both strength and in their relationship has caused me to realize that a shinobi can't do everything himself. Perhaps we should get the Rookie Nine together for a… uh.. gathering."

"Well, you've certainly changed, Sasuke," Shino said. "You never wanted to do gatherings before except as part of Shinobi events."

"I know," Sasuke said.

"Well, I think that Hinata and Kiba would be open to the idea," Shino said.

Sasuke nodded. They'd meet at some point later and he'd talk to them. "Thanks. I suppose I'll see you later."

…

The Rookie Nine gathered at the center of the village a couple days later, missions were supposed to restart tomorrow and rumor had it that it was going to be hectic. Genin were going to be selected for more dangerous assignments. At least they were not just raw genin anymore.

"So, Shino told me you were the one that wanted us all to get together Sasuke," Shikamaru said. "How troublesome, well, lets get this over with."

Sasuke looked at the rest of them. "I know its strange for me to ask all of you to come together like this."

"Yeah, you've never been very sociable since… I can't recall," Chojii said.

"You're just shy, right?" Ino asked cluelessly.

Sakura frowned at her friend and former rival.

"No," Sasuke said. "I've been focused only on getting stronger to avenge my clan. I thought that others would slow me down, but seeing Naruto and Sakura working together, as well as training with them has made me realize that maybe I was wrong."

"Wow," Shikamaru said. "Guess things have really been a drag for you if they caused you to change that much."

"Does this mean you're willing to go out?" Ino asked eagerly.

Sasuke looked uncertain at that. But sighed, "I suppose. I do need to rebuild my clan at some point. Fine, we can go on a date, Ino."

"Yes!" Ino said eagerly.

Sasuke wondered if accepting that was a mistake. But he did need to improve his relationship with the rest of them. Hopefully it would work out in time, he would avenge his clan, but he needed to have friends by his side as well. He was a Leaf Shinobi, as well as the Last of the Uchiha, the last one that counted. He knew somewhere out there was his brother. One day he would face him and avenge the betrayal and slaughter of his clan. But that day would not likely come for some time.

…

On the mountains overlooking the Hidden Leaf, two figures in dark cloaks with red clouds looked down on the village. Their faces were hidden by straw hats. One of them carried a strange yellow handled sword with a blade wrapped in bandages.

"Must have been quite a battle," the larger of the two said.

"It was once home, now look it," the other said. "A pile of rubble."

"You almost seem said," the other stated. "Don't tell me even someone like you possesses feelings for his home village?"

"No," the second person said. "Lets just get what we came for and get out."

He pulled back his hat partially, revealing a three tomoed sharingan.