This is the final prologue before the main story begins, please review and I hope you enjoy this final prologue
Prologue 3
Ryuzen's Regret
The clock on the wall ticked loudly, it was an echo that would drive sane men insane. In the Hyuga Compound in Konoha, it would be no exception. Especially to the one person who would try to fall asleep but would be interrupted by the seconds that would drain. He would lay as his wife would wrap her arm around him. This was the third member of Team Zero, Ryuzan Zakaba. While Ryuzan was more that most mortal men would be jealous of. Over the years, his swordsman ship had improved where he and his teammate would be on par with each other. And he did get stronger since the end of the fourth great ninja war.
Something, was eating at him. Over the past few years, he hasn't gotten much sleep. He didn't know why. He lived such a happy life these days, the woman laying next to him was the heiress of the Hyuga clan, Hinata Zakaba. He had a son named Neji, who he loved so dearly and would watch as he was trained by his Aunt Hanabi. The relationships he's forged with the village and his peers was well deserved considering how much of a turbulent relationship he had with people.
It was that sense of regret that was eating him. He would slowly get up from his bed and look out his window, the night sky was so beautiful tonight. Flawless and bright was the moon shining a beam of moonlight at him. He would place his head on the window payne. Hinata would sit up and see her husband looking out the window.
"Having trouble falling to sleep?"
"Yeah, it's happening again. I just can't explain it but it's still festering like a legion on a leg."
Hinata got up from the bed and wrapped her arms around his waist. She placed her head on her husband's broad shoulder. He gently placed his hands on hers. She kissed him on his cheek. She was worried about him, like stated before he hasn't gotten a good night's sleep. She would grab his hand and gently bring him back to bed. He would lay down with her, She would cuddle close to him and they would exchange a loving kiss.
"Honey, try to get some sleep now."
"I'll try Hinata, I'll try."
They both fell asleep a bit after that. But the thoughts kept running through his mind like a herd of deer through a forest fire. He just couldn't explain these thoughts. The continuous voices of a young girl kept plaguing his mind. And he wanted answers as to why this was happening.
Morning soon came without warning. A young boy soon came into the kitchen where Hinata was making breakfast. He has long black hair, with the eyes of a Hyuga. He wore a white vest and black martial arts pants. He had the intense focus of a Hyuga in his eyes, but they had more of a kindness to them. This was Neji Zakaba, the only child of Hinata and Ryuzan. He is set to graduate from Ninja Academy by the end of the week. Another Hyuga soon entered the kitchen as well, it was Hanabi Hyuga.
"Morning Auntie, I hope your night was pleasant." Neji would ask Hanabi.
"It was fantastic, I drank so much sake last night." She said, with a giggle.
"Hanabi, I wish you would calm down on drinking so much." Hinata scolded her sister, she only returned a cute giggle. But Hinata knew that Hanabi could handle her liquor like a champion. "By the way sis, where is Ryuzan-kun?"
"He said he wasn't hungry, he just wanted to go and train." Hinata answered, showing some concern.
"Don't worry mom, I'll go check on him for you." Neji said, getting up from his seat and headed downstairs to the Hyuga's training area. Here he would observe his father train with his sword on a daily basis.
Ryuzan on the other hand, was having trouble. The lack of sleep was hindering him beyond belief. He would stand in a kata stance, but his feet began to stagger. He was panting like a Inazuka dog in Suna country. His vision was blurry, as the mixture of insomnia and these nightmares began to take their toll.
As Neji opened the door, he saw his father fall to the ground. Neji ran to his father and saw he was still breathing, he screamed to his mom that Ryuzan collapsed. Hinata rushed to her husband and held up his head, she felt his forehead and it was burning up.
"Honey, please hold on. Please I can't lose you." Hinata pleaded, as Hanabi ran to get a doctor. Neji ran to get a bucket of cold water and a rag.
Hinata helped him to the bed, as Sakura would enter the house and head straight to their bedroom. She checked his vitals and did some tests if it was anything serious. She then told Hinata what the diagnosis was.
"You said that he hasn't slept well for a few years now?"
"I know I should have been more tentative to him when he started to tell me these things. But I didn't think that it would be anything this severe Sakura-San." Hinata said, with a sense of dread.
"Well to be honest Hinata, I can't really help you any further on that front. However I think that Ino would be more helpful for you at this moment. I will get ahold of her soon and you guys will have to see her at her house.."
"Thank you Sakura-San." Hinata said, breathing a sigh or relief.
After talking for a bit, Sakura said that Ino will see them in a few hours. Hinata hugged Sakura, thanking her for all of her assistance. She then asked how everything was going on at home, since Mafuyu was graduating as well as Neji. Sakura said that Mafuyu was so excited, especially since Kenji promised her one amazing present. Sakura soon left, and Ryuzan slowly started to awaken.
"What happened, why am I in bed." He said, before Hinata hugged him.
"Ryuzan, I thought you were a goner!" She said, with him stroking her hair.
"I fine Hinata, I'm alright honey. But what happened to me?"
Hinata tells him what happened. Ryuzan soon realizes the severity of the situation.
"Well I mean, Ino is damn good at what she does." He holds Hinata's hand. "Alright, we'll leave right now."
Elsewhere, Kenji was in Iron Country working on Mafuyu's gift. He was at a renowned swordsmith who offered Kenji a chance to make his own sword. And Kenji decided that this was the perfect opportunity to make his daughter a graduation gift.
"How's this sir?" Kenji said, as he was nearing completion.
"Very good son, a lot better than the last 7 or 8 you tried to make."
"Thank you very much." Kenji said, taking a swig of water.
There was a ringing of a bell in the next room, the man stepped out for a moment. By the sounds of it, someone was picking up supplies, he thinks he knows the voice so Kenji would step out… It was Hideki.
"Ehh, what's up doc. What brings you to Iron Country?" Kenji said
"You two timing whore, how dare you go to another person to make your sword instead of coming to me or Tenten."
"Hideki, honestly, it's not what you think." Kenji pleaded to his friend.
"Then what is it? You two timer." Hideki said, with a huff.
"I'm making a sword for my daughter, I felt like it would have more meaning if I made it myself. And besides it was Tenten who directed me to him."
Hideki thought for a bit, he knew that Mafuyu was Kenji's world and he wanted to make her a sword she could treasure. But he couldn't help but tease his friend.
"You're still a two timer."
Kenji thought of different ways to calm his teammate, and there was only one thing that would calm Hideki down.
"Fine, fine, if you want, I can let you help me finish the gift." Kenji said, begrudgingly.
"OHHHH awesome, thanks dude." Hideki said, going right to work.
Hinata and Ryuzan soon arrived at Naruto's beautiful home. Hinata would knock on the door and Naruto would open it.
"Hey guys, Ino has been expecting you two."
"Thank you Naruto-kun." Hinata said, gently grabbing her husband's hand and the two of them entered the home.
"Is today your day off Naruto?" Ryuzan asks the Hokage.
"It's a slow day today, so I had shadow clones to handle the brunt work of paper work today." Naruto said, with a mischievous grin.
They walked through the house and soon entered the living room. There Ino was sipping on some tea as Naruto walked up to her and gave her a quick peck on the lips. Naruto sat next to Ino as she flipped through the notes Sakura gave her.
"So for the past few years you've been having trouble sleeping?" Ino would ask Ryuzan.
"That's what I've been told. It just feels like I am stuck in this weird dream limbo for the most part. It feels like I have something locked away in my mind and we were hoping you could help me Ino." He asks her.
Ino thinks a bit, she sips on some more tea. She then directs Ryuzan to the spare bedroom. He will follow her, as Hinata would follow behind before Naruto stops her.
"Naruto-kun?"
"Hinata, I know you're worried, but we cannot enter that room." He says, seeing how scared she was. "Let's go get some dango, my treat."
Ino brought him in and would tell him to lay down on the bed. He soon follows her command. She then dims the lights and lights some unique looking candles. The silence in the room was so peaceful. Ino would provide him with a glass full of liquid.
"Alright, I want you to drink this. Once you do I can get inside your mind to peer into your memories."
"But Ino, I thought as a Yamanaka you could do that in the heat of battle?"
"That's true, but that drains a lot of chakra. This new method that both me and Sakura created, allows me to stay in your mind a lot longer by using tiny amounts of chakra."
He drinks the liquid, it takes like creamy vanilla milk. She then drinks it herself. The room soon started to spin, his vision began to get fuzzy and soon was out cold.
He soon opened his eyes, above him was a ceiling. He would get up from where he was laying and saw a massive hallway littered with doors. He looked down the massive hallway and the doors were neverending. He would feel a hand gently grab his shoulder. He would turn around and see Ino behind him.
"Ino, just where are we?"
"In your mind. This is the inner sanctum of your memories and dreams. Many different people have different layouts. Yours I have to say is more straightforward."
"So each of these doors contain a memory or a dream?"
"Yes, I'm glad you caught on pretty quick."
He would test this out and open a door and peer behind it, he would then slam it quick with a huge blush on his face. Ino was curious, but didn't want to go further into that one.
"I'm not gonna even ask… pervert."
He chuckled as both of them started to walk throughout the hallway. What Ino was looking for was a specific set of doors. They would open various doors. Some involved his time in ninja academy, the missions he went on during the early days as a part of Team Zero. It takes a while but they soon would arrive where Ino was looking for. There were a couple of doors that were different colors than before.
"These might be interesting." She said, as she opened the door. "Come on, we're going in." He would gulp and the both of them soon entered.
What they saw was Konoha from when they were little kids. He looked around and it was cold and windy. They looked around and saw the orphanage where he lived as a kid.
"It's the old orphanage where I grew up. This is where I met Naruto and Tenten… and where I met Kenji as well."
"Were you guys friends?" Ino asked him.
"Not at first, I would be much later in the ninja academy when I would become friends with Naruto and Kenji and then later it would be Tenten who would be a great friend."
Much like his teammate, he didn't have a family when he was growing up. Ryuzan would find out later in his life that he was found in the forest outside of Konoha. Unlike Kenji who was dropped off at the door of the orphanage.
"But while it was a place we called home. This orphanage was hell on earth."
"I didn't know that to be honest." Ino said, shocked to her core.
"Yeah, there would be times if some parents would come in to adopt a child. They would lock you in another bedroom to show a child they would deem worthy."
Just as Ryuzan said, the orphanage director would lead a few kids into another bedroom as one little girl would be adopted by a lovely couple. In the room was Kenji, Naruto, Tenten, and Ryuzan. They would just sit in that room, not really communicating. While Naruto would console Tenten and Kenji as they would cry. He just sat there in the silence.
It would then flash forward when the director would get arrested for the mistreatment of the children. Old man Sarutobi would soon enact a law where certain orphans would get their own apartments. Tenten would get adopted before that though, but Naruto, Ryuzan, and Kenji would get their own apartments.
They then flashed towards the ninja academy. This is where Ryuzan would become friends with Kenji.
"When did that happen?" Ino inquired.
"Well it happened a week into our first year. I was looking around the courtyard for a place to eat. I saw Kenji sitting on a log with Sakura Haruno. They were eating lunch together. I would take my place under the tree and begin eating my bento box."
"Hey Ken-Kun, I have to ask Ino a question. I'll see you later." The girl would say.
"Ok, I'll see you after school then." Kenji would say. She would take off and he would sit there and eat his food. He would then notice Ryuzan sitting alone. "Ehh, what's up doc?, you seem lonely? Did you want to sit here and talk?"
"Are you sure, I mean I didn't want to intrude."
"It's no trouble at all doc."
Both of them sat there and would eat their meals and then Kenji would remember Ryuzan.
"Now that I think about it, you lived in the orphanage around the same time I did, right?"
"Yeah, your name is Kenji Hayabusa right?"
"Yeah, and you're Ryuzan Zakaba if I'm not mistaken?"
We would talk about our dreams and our goals in life. Later we would meet Hideki later that month and the three of them would become friends.
They left the room to go to the next door, he would take a huge breath and would enter the room. Both him and Ino would flash towards the Chunin Exams. More importantly, the forest of death. They would see Hideki, Ryuzan, and Kenji battle with a team of grass ninja. They outclassed the three of them to the point that after Team Zero defeated them.
The damage that the three of them took was too much for them. While Ryuzan would use some healing balm that Rinka Sensei provided them before they entered, Kenji thought that it was too much for them to handle so he made the decision for them to end their run in the chunin exams.
As they healed in the hospital, Kenji would beat himself up over it. He knew that he let his team down, he could see that Ryuzan wanted to go forward with the exam, but Kenji didn't think he could.
"Hey Kenny, relax dude. It's alright that we threw in the towel. To be honest I don't think we could have survived the rest of the second test." Hideki would say to his friend to try and cheer him up.
"While I appreciate your kind words Hideki, I still feel like a failure for not thinking. I got a bit too cocky and I ruined it for the three of us."
Before Hideki could try to motivate Kenji, Ryuzan got up and punched Kenji across the face. Kenji held his cheek and looked at him with an expression that said "He hates me."
"Shut the hell up dumbass. You think that this was the only chance we had. There will be others. We just need to get stronger and not drown ourselves in this ocean of self doubt. You did what you had to do for the safety of our team. So cheer up and let's get stronger Kenji." Ryuzan said, holding his fist out.
Kenji would bump his fist and that would be the motivator for them the next time.
They would flash forward to a year later when the next chunin exams would occur. While at the time Team Zero would enter yet again, there would be a change to team formations this year. Tsunade would gather all the qualified ninja teams and would tell them about the changes going forward this year.
Tsunade made the announcement that for teams to work in different capacities that established teams will be mixed up. She then took out a hat with different letters. With everyone allowed one grab.
Hideki would be on Team A with Tenten and Shino
Kenji would be on Team B with Ino and Sakura
Ryuzan would be on Team C with Hinata and Kiba
"I remember that, it was awesome being on a team with Kenji and Sakura." Ino said, curious as to why this was important to him.
"Because this is where I got to know Hinata"
"When did that happen?"
They find themselves in the forest of death, it was at the exact location where Team Zero bowed out where Team C would rest after getting a great distance. Kiba and Akamaru soon would scout ahead and would keep communication with his two teammates. As they sat there Ryuzan would see Hinata let out a yawn.
"Tired?"
"Yeah, I mean we have been going through this forest for a while now."
"If you want Hinata, you can take a nap. I'll keep guard while you rest."
"It's fine, I can manage."
Both of them would sit there and focus on their next move. Hinata would continue to look at him, out of curiosity. He looked over and would finally address her.
"What's up, you keep looking in my direction. Do you have a question?"
"It's just the misconception a lot of our fellow ninja had about you. Not to be rude or anything but from what I heard from most of our class is that you were always angry based on your expression."
He was taken aback by this statement. But he didn't blow up at her like she thought he would.
"Well to be honest, the way I acted for the most part didn't help my case." Ryuzan responds, but would also say the same about Hinata. "All the while the way you kept to yourself and would peer at Naruto could be intercepted as sort of creepy."
"YOU THINK SO?" She said, in a frantic manner.
"Calm down, it's fine Hinata. I was always curious as to why you would do stuff like that."
She tells him about how she always respected Naruto and in a way wanted to be like him. How over confident he was. That was something she's always wanted to be.
"You know Hinata, you should carve your own path. I know that one day you will. You tell me that your father doesn't respect you like your sister. But someday you will be. I believe in you that you will achieve it."
"You really do?"
"Of course I do, let's make a pact going forward. Let's both show this ninja world just how damn good we both can be." Ryuzan said, holding a fist out. She smiled and bumped it.
"Thanks for the confidence boost Ryuzan."
"I didn't realize it was that moment that led to you and Hinata getting together." Ino would chime in.
"Yeah, it would lead to better things in the future."
We would advance to the third round of the tournament where it would be a team based battle instead of single battles until the fourth round. Teams A,B,and C would advance to the fourth round. And that's when it would be a battle I was waiting for. For the first time me and Kenji would fight.
The fight was intense, both of us wielding the true ferocity of our blades that sometimes the speed was insane. But unfortunately it would all lead to a draw, as both of us would collapse from the lack of chakra. Hinata and Sakura would check up on both of them and help them to the back to the first aid area.
Sakura would heal both of them but they would have to stay in the area for an hour or two for a further check up. Both ninja sat there and thought about the battle they just had. Kenji looked over at his teammate.
"How are you feeling doc?" Kenji asked his teammate.
"Good, how about you?" Ryuzan answered him back.
"Have to say that you have gotten so much stronger since the last time we fought."
Both of them laid in their beds and reflected on their growth since the last time they were in the chunin exams.
"Hey, you and I are pretty much working our asses off to be strong swordsmen in this crazy world right?"
"Yeah, and your point is?"
"I was thinking, once we get to that point where we are confident in our skills… let's settle it once and for all."
He heard his teammate's challenge and had to smirk.
"So a final battle huh? All right dude, I'm in."
"Alright Kenji, you have yourself a deal. One day we will finally see who is the best in the world." Both of them shook hands.
Ino and Ryuzan exited the room and soon came to what they saw was the final door that was accessible. This one hopefully would lead to the answer to what he was looking for.
"Alright, lead the way," Ino said, as both of them entered the room.
They soon arrived nearly 2 years after the fourth great ninja war. This was also shortly after the threat of Toneri Otsutsuki in both the ninja world and Hinata's life. Naruto and Ino got married shortly after that, as soon as their friends got married.
The first of the group was Kenji and Sakura. While both Hideki and Ryuzan were the best men at the wedding. Ryuzan was kind of jealous of his friends getting married. Hideki and Tenten would soon get married as well, and he hadn't found that special person at that point. After the wedding, he was walking around the village until he bumped into Hinata. She was currently gathering up groceries for the compound, however, she seemed to be in the dumps as of late.
"Hey Hinata, what's up these days?" Ryuzan would ask her.
"Nothing much, just doing some shopping." She said he would notice her mood. He would try to cheer her up.
"If you want to talk, I have some free time. In fact, I can treat you to anything you want." He offered, and she gave him a warm smile.
"Sure, just let me bring these groceries to the Hyuga compound."
Both of them would spend time walking around the village that night. Her expression shows someone who had heartbreak in her past. He knew that she had feelings for Naruto throughout Ninja Academy, he wasn't blind to that. But when Naruto married Ino, she was sort of depressed about it.
"So, how are you feeling these days?"
"Can I be honest Ryuzan-san? I feel pretty bad at this moment."
"Does it pertain to Naruto?"
Hinata rubbed her arm and looked down at the ground. She knew he could see right through her.
"You noticed, haven't you?" She said, reluctant to say. Hinata was one person whom Ryuzan never saw as someone who was selfish, especially about her feelings.
"I'm good at observation. Are you still sad about Naruto marrying Ino?"
"In a way I am. It's something I guess a lot of people are. We can be very selfish about the person we love, wanting to be with them, and hoping that we settle down with them and raise a family… But at the same time, I'm happy for both him and Ino for finding each other and falling in love. Every day I never look back at the love I had for him. I look forward to the day when I can find someone as wonderful as Naruto, and hope I can find someone to love like he did with Ino."
"I hope so too Hinata, because I hope to as well."
Hinata looked over at Ryuzan and with some confidence, she would take her words to heart.
"Hey Ryuzan, would you care to go on a date with me?"
He smiled at her and accepted her request.
"Sure Hinata, how about tomorrow night at 5? Does that sound good?"
"Yes, I will see you then." She said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Ryuzan looked at his past self walking away and jumping and kicking his heels. Ino chuckled a bit.
"I know I was a bit of a geek there." He giggled, as Ino shook her head.
"Don't worry Ryuzan, I won't judge you."
They then exit the room. While it was nice to go through memory lane with one of his friends, He was nowhere near what he was looking for. Ino couldn't explain it, but there would be nothing she could do to help him with his dilemma.
"I'm sorry, but I just can't find the problem."
"It has to be here, but where could it be?" He said, angry over not being able to find out what the problem was.
As the both of them continued down the hall of doors, they would come to one more door that caught their attention. It began to glow and shimmer.
"Bet that's what we're looking for." Ino said, with an excited smile.
"I don't know Ino, do you think we should?" Ryuzan said with caution, as Ino grabbed his hand as they ventured into the door.
They soon awaken to find that they are back when Ryuzan was a little kid once again. He was curious as to why but something started to awaken in his mind. They would follow his younger self and would overhear a young girl calling for help. He would run to the river bank to see a young girl who was fishing. She had shoulder-length red hair, brown eyes, and cute freckles on her cheeks. She is wearing overalls with a yellow shirt and is barefooted
"Hey excuse me, but can you hand me that net?"
"I don't think you can fish in the river, I don't think the Hokage would allow that?" Ryuzan said, but the girl didn't pay any mind to his warning.
"Please hand me the net."
As soon as he handed her the net, she would accidentally pull him into the water. He would cough up water as she looked at him with a smile. She started to laugh really hard.
"What's so funny, you got my clothes wet."
"I'm sorry, you just look so mad. I'm sorry I did that. But I should be even more mad at you for scarring my fish." She said, kicking water at him.
"Hey, stop that at once or else."
"Or else what may I ask?" She said, with a cocky smirk.
Ryuzan would start splashing her back. They would leave the river and both would find a place to dry off. She was still laughing, as he was somewhat sulking. She took notice of this.
"Why are you still Mr. grumpy pants?"
"You got my favorite shirt wet, that's why."
"Aww come on, are you still angry about that? I thought we were cool."
"No, we are not still cool, in fact, we're red hot."
She dug through a bag she brought and gave him a towel and a bottle of apple juice. She hoped it would be a peace offering.
"Thank you… I guess." He said, as he drank a bit of the juice and wiped himself off.
"It's no problem, So what's your name?"
"Why do you want to know?" He asked her.
"I was hoping to make another friend. And I was hoping you would be friend #20."
"You keep a mental list of friends?"
"Don't judge me, My mom always told me that friends are some of the most important things you can have in life. It's the bonds we share with these people. And I hope to make hundreds, no thousands, no batillons of friends." She said, with an electrifying smile.
"I don't think that's a real number value?"
"It is to me, if it doesn't exist I will make it exist."
He couldn't help but be entertained by her. He would get up and extend his hand to her.
"Well, make me #21. My name is Ryuzan Zakaba. What's your name?"
"My name is Hinako Tachibana, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Both Ryuzan and Ino would be treated to the short time that his younger self and Hinako would spend together. They would hang out together, they would sit by the riverbank and he would tell her his dreams and how she wanted to open a sweet shop. She didn't want to be a ninja like everyone else they knew.
"If that's not the case with you Hina-chan, then why not?"
"I don't ever want to end up killing anyone. I would rather help people if I could. I was always told by my mom and dad that I could be anything I wanted. And my older sister became a doctor in sand country and I want to fill the world with happiness via a sweet bun."
"That's a good dream, I hope you are able to see it happen." He said, as she placed her arm around his neck.
"And I hope you see your dream come true as well."
Unfortunately for both of them, there was something that would happen to her. A year or two after they met, she contracted a terminal illness. He would visit her every day at the hospital. The ninja world's best medical ninja tried everything they could, but couldn't save her.
On the last day he would see her, he bought some flowers from the Yamanaka flower shop. Inoichi told him that Ino was there already visiting her. Over the past few months, Ino would join in and hang with you and grow really close to Hinako. So you three were like the three amigos for a while before Hinako got sick. In fact, Ino would visit her as much as Ryuzan.
On his last visit, he would see Ino leaving her hospital room, he would approach Ino as she saw the sadness in her eyes.
"How is she Ino?" He asked the blonde.
"Not so good, the illness has spread to her lungs. Doctors are giving her a week at most. It's so hard to believe how alive she was a few months ago. I wish there was something we could do for her." She said, sobbing as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"The best we can do for her right now is be there for her."
"Thanks, Ryuzan, I think I'll stop by tomorrow to see her."
She would walk away, as he entered her room. He slowly opened the door and entered quietly so that if she was sleeping he would interrupt her. She was wide awake when he entered. She looked a lot worse than before. But he wanted to be strong for her.
"Hey, I'm really happy you're here." She said, with a light cough.
"Hey Hina-chan, how are you feeling?"
"A bit better I guess, I mean it could be worse. I could have gotten stabbed." She chuckled, with a light wheeze.
They would talk for a bit, he would lighten her up but she stared at her feet.
"Hey Ryuzan, I was curious about something."
"What's that Hina-chan?"
"What do you think the afterlife is like? I mean it's a bad thought to ask you, but what do you think it could be like?"
He would hold her hand, she would grasp it with the remaining strength she had with her.
"Can't tell you, Hina, I know that one day we will all experience it. But for someone as nice and kind as you are, You will get to see the most splendid place ever created. You will see your family and friends in that afterlife."
"That would be nice." She said before her eyes started to shed tears. "Ryuzan, I don't want to go. I don't want to die." She cried out, tears running down her eyes. Like a reflex, he held her as she cried, he would rub her back. "I want to stay here with you and Mama and Papa, I want to continue to make a ton of friends. I don't want to die without falling in love. I WANT TO LIVE!"
There was nothing he could say to her to free her from her death sentence. But he could only comfort her. Before he would leave for home, he promised he would see her tomorrow. He wanted to tell her something.
She would kiss him on the cheek before he would depart. He vowed tomorrow he would tell her something but it would be for not, it was the next morning when he arrived at the hospital to see her parents tell him that Hinako passed away in the early hours. He was heartbroken beyond belief. He ran to the riverfront and would cry like no one would ever cry. She for that short bit was the light of his life, she was his first friend.
Ino looked on, shedding tears of her own. But Ryuzan looked on and finally figured out what the dilemma was, maybe it was about what he wanted to tell her that morning. Suddenly though, there was a blinding light that would envelope both Ryuzan and Ino.
In Iron Country, Kenji and Hideki both marvel at the sword. While Kenji did more of the work, Hideki would put in his two cents. But the sword looked amazing. It was a standard Katana but had a pink tint to the coloring of the blade. White silk wrapping on the handle. On the blade was the Hayabusa symbol with the kanji with the kanji of "bond" engraved on the blade.
"Looking good dude, I have to say it's as flawless as what Tenten would make in her shop."
"Took me a bit, but I finally got it right."
"Perfect… now here's my bill." The man said,
"Hindsight, next time I'll see if Tenten can help me," Kenji said, with a drop of sweat running down his forehead.
"That's a good idea, Kenny." Hideki says.
Both Ino and Ryuzan soon see the light soon dissipate and standing in front of them is an older-looking Hinako. She is standing there in her overalls and yellow shirt.
"Long time no see Ryuzan. It has been a while hasn't it? You've become one hell of a man."
He couldn't believe what he was seeing, it was her. It was Hinako, alive and well in the flesh… or so he thought. He was speechless, as she slowly walked up to him. He didn't know what to do. It was like he was paralyzed until she would hug him. She hugged him so tight and he took in her scent, it was her. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Hina-chan, my god I can't believe it. How is this even possible?"
"That's a good question, you should be gone. Like Ryuzan said,How is this possible?" Ino asked Hinako and she would give them some sort of explanation.
"To be honest Ino, I just don't know how this is possible. Maybe, the prayer I made before I passed on to give me more time with Ryuzan came true." She said, with Ino still flabbergasted to see her in the flesh… sort of speak. "Hey Ino, can I talk to Ryuzan in private for a moment, then I would love to talk with you." Ino nodded and walked away to let the two of them talk.
Both of them sat down and they would talk.
"So I understand you had something on your mind? And it's been causing some mental chaos for you?"
"How did you know Hina-chan?"
"I guess that would be my fault." She said, with a mischievous smirk.
"Did you say, your fault?"
"I can say I messed up your mind a bit so I could get this chance to talk to you."
"She's still a jerk," He said, with her winking at him.
"So you've been stuck here for so many years, it must have been so lonely."
"Not at all to be honest Ryuzan, in fact, it's the opposite." She said to him.
"How so if I may ask?"
"Because I got to see you grow up, the adventures you had with Kenji and Hideki, the battles and the missions you went on, I got to see all the friends you made, and you get married to Hinata and have a beautiful and handsome son. I got to see it all, and for that, I have no regrets." She looked back at him.
"I do though, it's a regret that's been with me since the morning of your passing. It was something I was meaning to tell you but I just couldn't think of what that was."
"I know what it is, but you will have to tell me with your own words. Once you do though, I will move on to the next world."
He didn't want to say it, but he knew that for him to be at ease and for her to rest in peace, he had to say it. He knew that it wasn't anything too earthshaking, it was something rather small. She walked up to him, held his hands, and looked into his eyes.
"I know you would rather have nothing more for me to stay here, but you know in your heart I have to leave."
Ryuzan would finally say the thing he had been wanting to say to her.
"Thank you, Thank you so much for not just being my friend, but for being my best friend. Thank you so much for the two years we were friends. You made every day special for me Hina-chan and for that, I can never repay you." He said, with some tears falling.
She kissed him on the cheek and placed her forehead against his.
"With that, I can finally move on. But I want to say something to Ino." She said, as she motioned to Ino and she would run over to both of them.
"Thank you Ino for helping him out, and for helping me say goodbye."
"Do you have to go? I would love for you to meet my son." Ino said, holding her hands.
"I know one day I will meet you two again. You and Naruto have a happy life together. I know both of you will." Hinako sobbed as she began to glow. "And Ryuzan... know this and only this, may it be in this world or the next, I will always watch over you. And I know we shall meet again... I love you."
And with that, Hinako would vanish from Ryuzan's life again.
Ino and Ryuzan would cry in each other's arms. As their friend would vanish once again.
Hinata sat next to her husband, holding Ryuzan's hand and kissing it. As Naruto placed a blanket on the sleeping Ino. They were waiting patiently as they would awaken from the therapy. They would see tears coming from Ino and Ryuzan.
"What do you think is going on with them?" Naruto asked Hinata.
"I don't know Naruto-Kun, I just hope Ino finds the problem." Hinata said to the hokage.
"Ino-Chan will find out, She is one damn good medic ninja in terms of mending any problems involving the mind. I believe in her." He said, kissing her on the cheek.
There would finally be movement from both of them. Hinata would wrap her arms around Ryuzan and would begin to kiss him like crazy. While Naruto and Ino would exchange a kiss on the lips.
"Are you alright?" Hinata asked her husband.
"I'm alright now babe, I feel so good, it's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders." He said, trying to get up with Hinata helping him up.
"So what was the problem?" Naruto asked Ino.
"It had to do with an old friend of ours, It was Hinako's spirit, she was inside Ryuzan's mind."
"In a way, it reminds me of my mother and father. How their spirits were inside of me as well. So how was she?"
"Same old Hinako, she said that she would always be with me," Ryuzan said, holding his heart.
"I'm glad you got to say goodbye to her." Hinata said, holding his hand.
"Ino, once again, thank you for all of your work."
"All in a days work. You two head home now." She says, shooing them away.
"Let's go home, Neji must be worried about you," Hinata said, as both she and Ryuzan held each other's hands as they exited.
As Ryuzan and Hinata entered the door, Neji and Hanabi greeted them. Neji would hug his father, as he returned it.
"Welcome back father, I'm so glad to see you are doing alright," Neji said, happy to see him back to normal.
"Me too Neji, now I'm feeling like a new man and I will finally be able to do the one thing I've been wanting to do. But I was too exhausted to pursue it."
"And what may that be?" Hanabi asked him.
"That's what I'm asking Naruto tomorrow," Ryuzan responded, as Hinata told everyone that dinner would be ready in an hour.
The next day, Naruto was filling out some paperwork when Ino came in and would rub his shoulders.
"Thanks, that feels so good." He said, with Ino kissing him on the cheek.
"Anything for my man, I was thinking Naru-kun, would you like to get some lunch?"
"Sure Ino-chan, whatever you want." He said before he would get a message from his front receptionist.
"Sorry to interrupt Lord Hokage, but Ryuzan Zakuba would like to have a talk with you."
"Alright send him in," Naruto said, buzzing him in.
He looked a lot better than the previous couple of months. Ino was happy to see him in a better mood.
"You look a lot better, you must have slept like a baby last night." Ino would say to him.
"Oh yeah, like you wouldn't believe. Hey Naruto, I was wondering if there were any openings left for me to become a Jounin Sensei?"
"Why yes there is, but there are a few numbers left in the box. There are only 2 numbers left. If you draw that number you will lead that squad." Naruto said, pulling out a box. Ryuzan would dig through the box and pull a numbered ball.
"What number did I pull Lord Hokage?" He asked, with Naruto looking at the number and giving him that trademark Naruto grin.
"Good news Ryuzan, you are the Jounin sensei of Team Seven."