That Look - Chapter 62 - "END"
Author's note:
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, and everything in it does not exist, nor has ever happened.
This chapter takes place directly after Naruto finishes speaking to Anko in Chapter 61 "A long delayed conversation"
As the creator for this story "That Look" by LOTLOF was abandoned more than a decade ago, I have decided to finish what had been started. I was unable to find the ability to continue where the original author had once left off, however I have chosen to retcon the events that took place halfway beyond around the halfway point of chapter 61, and provide a more satisfactory ending within my own head canon. Bear with me that I am no expert writer, and this is by no means a long work. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy, and I hope you forgive my shortcomings in ending this work of fiction.
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Naruto turned his back on Anko, Kakashi, and the others in the bar, unable to bear the raw wave of grief, guilt, and anger breaking over him. It felt as if an old wound, once dulled by time, had been torn open, spilling out emotions he thought he'd finally buried.
"Wait—Naruto." Anko's voice reached out, soft yet urgent, but he was already gone, slipping into the night.
She didn't need her snakes to find him. Years of knowing him had honed that instinct, even with the distance between them now.
A few minutes later, she found him the place they'd first met all those years ago. This early, the space was deserted, shadows cast long and thin under the dim light of dawn. Memories stirred within Anko as stood eying the blonde ninja on the swingset.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Naruto was the first to break the silence, his voice low and weary. "I'm sorry Sensei… for everything," he said, as though the words had been churning within him an eternity. "After all that's happened… I still love you. I still want you Anko."
His confession settled like dust between them, stilling even the morning air.
It was Naruto again broke the silence, "With all the women I've ever… had" he hesitated, eyes cast downward. "I never could bring myself to kiss any one. Sex to me…was just an impulse" "But I could never stand to share that moment with anyone except someone I truly loved. After you.. after I found out… I couldn't…"
His words painfully broke off as he clenched his hands tighter.
"I never forgave you, but even through all the women I tried to drown you out with, I couldn't forget you."
He turned his face away, as a shadow of shame clouded it.
A feeling of guilt overcame the strangely dressed kunoichi, as she remembered her own master's betrayal. Saying nothing, she slowly approached the blonde nin on the swingset and stopped before him, their shoes nearly touching.
"Naruto…" she called softly as she gently cupped his chin, guiding him back to her gaze. For a moment, he stared longingly at the only person he had ever loved, but suddenly pulled away, regaining his composure, as resolve returned to his expression. "I can't do this anymore… and neither can I forget" he said, a quiet ache in his voice. "I want you… but I need to know"
Naruto let go of the swing set chains, and stood himself to face the purple-haired Jonin at eye level. Anko wondered when the boy she knew had grown up so tall.
"Anko… did you mean those words? That promise all those years ago? Did you really hold back for me? And… would you still honor the promise you once made to that foolish kid?"
Her gaze softened, brown eyes steady against his blue. "I didn't mean it then…" she began, her words a gentle truth. She saw a flicker of sadness tighten his expression.
"…but I do now, Naruto. I meant it when I said I left that life. There's been no one else since you last left Konoha."
For a moment, her breath caught dammit, and she looked down before raising her gaze to his again. "And yes, Naruto, I love you. I have always loved you. There's no other man I'd ever want to share my life with."
Relief and warmth washed over them both, easing the unspoken tension as he let out a quiet smile, his voice soft. "I feel the same"
Eight Years Later*
A one-armed missing nin returned to his home, a small, dimly lit shack nestled among the ruins of Suna. He approached Samehada, who was propped in a corner, and chuckled softly.
"Hello, Samehada," he said, laying a hand on the hilt. "You didn't think I'd forget, did you?" He let his chakra flow into the weapon until it hummed with satisfaction.
Itachi sat himself to treat himself to a morning cup of tea, but was interrupted by a scratching from the basement. Setting down a tea kettle, he made his way to the dank room below.
Descending the stairs, he held a syringe of nutrient supplement in his remaining hand. The flickering light revealed a mangled figure on the floor—an eyeless Uchiha with no arms or legs, squirming and groaning.
"Kill me…" the figure rasped.
Itachi pressed the syringe to his neck, and let the plunger empty. "No, until what is stolen is returned," he said calmly (alluding to his dead brother).
"Wait!" Orochimaru's voice broke, desperate, just as Itachi turned and snuffed the lamp, leaving his prisoner to suffer alone.
The sun rose over the Land of Fire, casting warm light across the rooftops of Konoha as the village stirred to life.
"Daddy, Mommy, wake up!"
Naruto blinked his eyes open, greeted by the sight of his daughter bouncing on the edge of the bed, her eyes bright with excitement. Beside him, Anko rubbed her eyes, groggy but smiling, as Naruto stretched and stifled a soft yawn.
Soon, the three of them were in the kitchen. Anko fixed her family a breakfast of ramen and dango. Naruto slurped up a mouthful, grinning at his wife. "Second-best ramen in all of Konoha," he teased, eyes glinting with mischief.
Anko raised an eyebrow, and flicking him on the forehead. "Ow!" Naruto rubbed his head.
Kushina burst into laughter, and Naruto, with a sly look, grasped Anko's hand to pull her close. "Not so fast," he murmured, and before she could respond, he planted a slow, tender kiss on her lips.
"Ewww!" Kushina squealed, covering her face with her hands "get a room you guys".
Anko smirked, turning her gaze on their daughter. "Oh, really? And what about that friend of yours, Yamacha?" she asked, tone teasing. "You wouldn't mind if he gave you the same treatment?"
"Moooom!" Kushina's cheeks turned scarlet, and she ducked under the table in embarrassment, her groans only making Naruto and Anko laugh harder.
Their laughter was interrupted by the sounds of Kushina's friends calling from outside "come on Kushina, we're going to be late! Class starts in 5". With a small gasp, Kushina scrambled to gather her belongings, realizing she was nearly late for her first day at the Academy. She rushed about donning her uniform and kit, so fast as to leave no doubt that she was the granddaughter of Konoha's legendary Yellow Flash.
"Don't forget your kunai, sweetheart!" Anko called, tossing them toward her in midair.
Kushina caught them deftly, glancing back with a beaming smile. "Thanks, Okaasan!"
She darted out the door, her friends' laughter joining hers as they set off together.
"Come on, let's hurry!" she urged, her voice full of excitement.
Beside her, a boy with the spitting image of Shikamaru muttered, "How troublesome…"
Anko watched her daughter disappear down the path to the academy, her gaze lingering. "They grow up so fast, don't they?" she murmured, a hint of wistfulness in her voice.
Naruto nodded, his eyes softening as he pulled on his Hokage cloak, the white and purple fabric settling over his shoulders. "I guess it's time I head out too. The village needs me."
Anko cast him a playful smile, her eyes gleaming. "And where exactly do you think you're going, Hokage-sama?" she teased, summoning a small snake that slithered up to wrap around him, drawing him close.
He turned back to her, meeting her gaze with an intensity that softened only for her. She felt herself blush as he held her there, his hand lifting to tilt her chin up, their faces inches apart. In his eyes, she saw that look—the look of deep respect and trust she had come to cherish, that filled her with a quiet warmth. He closed the distance between them, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that told her, more than words could, how deeply he loved her.
When their lips finally partsd, Anko rested a hand on her stomach, her expression softening as she glanced down.
"What shall we call him?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto blinked in surprise. "What?"
"The baby," she replied, smiling. "If it's a boy?"
Naruto's expression shifted, thoughtful, as his arms remained around her. After a moment, he murmured, "I was thinking… Sasuke."
Anko nodded, her smile growing tender as she let out a peaceful sigh, remembering her days in the academy. "Sasuke… I'd like that."
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Author's note: feedback is welcome