Took me FOREVER to do this, but tying loose ends takes time and effort.

Oh, and given what tomorrow is, Happy V-Day! :3:3:3

Epilogue

The End is the Beginning

Five years have passed.

Half a decade it had been since the near-destruction of his village from within. There had been so much to do that it was done with good faith after ensuring that Sasuke would keep his word that he would NEVER set his army on the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

Kotoamatsukami really did its work on him that it never happened.

"And I thought you showed him no mercy for sure, though it's surprising that you warped him - what was that which caused him to have a change of heart after he almost kills one girl and then the other?" Kisame had asked when they were all on their way back to the hideout, and this was after leaving Sasuke and his friends to their journey back "home".

"Something that had to be used as a last resort should he threaten to destroy the village, which the Leaf can't afford after all of this."

Deidara had scoffed, and there they went again on the way home on the bird. "That was a lot of fun, but too bad I got to do it once." He'd held up one of his hands which had the opened teeth licking at themselves, but the Uchiha didn't flinch. "Although it was fun to watch your brother and the girls." He'd frowned then. "But un, what Kisame said. Whatever happened, why did it?"

"If you ask me, if I am right," Kisame had added, "he must have thought he could leave the village again...or he planned to come back and attack since Konoha is at its most vulnerable now that its Hokage is dead."

You are on the mark. It seemed now that everything was settled, he could finally confide in them, though if they so much as attempted what he feared, he knew what he would have to do.

And so Itachi told them everything. Zetsu knowing was no surprise at all, but the shark man who had been his partner for a long time? And the clay bomber who tolerated him only?

Kisame was as expected: "You had been spying on us all the time, before Great Leader Pain's death." There had been a trace of spite and betrayal in that voice as he truly did consider him a friend after everything they faced, and Itachi had to feel a twinge of regret. "I suppose I should say that I could turn on you and have us face in a challenge to the death, like I warned you that day on the docks -" So many years ago, it's been. "- if we hadn't all been working to save that village you are still dedicated to, which gave me all the clues ever since you issued your orders...Great Leader." The title was spewed with sarcasm, the leer present if not reaching his beady eyes that spoke volumes of deceit.

And of course, there was Deidara who huffed and folded his arms across his chest: "That don't surprise me one damned bit, and I'm envious of you, Uchiha. You remained loyal to now. I had a feeling there was something behind all of this!"

Itachi did not back down when he faced them both. "Yes, but as much as we hate deception, it's part of the world. Now that it is all coming to an end, we can finally drop the pretenses. I'm not going to stand here and apologize to you both for hiding my true self."

He half-expected a grand explosion of words - well, the loud outbursts from the bomber, but his partner low and icy cold to match him - but surprisingly, they seemed to acquiesce his words better than he anticipated. There was hope, yet, except Kisame looked more betrayed that he needed more time to get accustomed to this new knowledge. Loyal to the end, I see.

Before heading back to the base, that left Sasuke, and that meant having Zetsu out there as often as he could be spared...and some time later he would come back with incredible news that no one would see coming. His brother intended to support the cause which was to return all the Tailed Beasts back to their respective lands, and bring it to the table of the planned Kage Summit.

This was Itachi's great concern, because then that would have to be a careful discussion as to how he came across the beasts which were once within their hosts and why he decided to just give them back on conditions there would be no usage of them as weapons. But that wasn't all: the demons deserved freedom, after being imprisoned within humans, and that meant no more binding the hosts themselves to being used for warfare.

That decision was an absolute stunner, and would no doubt do so when he would sit before the Five Kage - including Kakashi Hatake, recently placed on the seat though not yet inaugurated - but that was something the Uchiha brothers could fix before public placement: we can suppress the Tailed Beasts, and we can get through to them that humanity isn't terrible.

Now he found himself becoming proud of Sasuke, though he wished him luck on his decision to voice when - or if - he would be asked why he would do this for all Five Great Nations after abandoning his home and taking up the mantle of one of the greatest S-class rogues in history.

"It was effort to regain the sealed away Tailed Beasts," he would eventually learn that Sasuke said on that day which came, a year after the short-lived civil war in Konoha ended, and present were not only Gaara and his advisors who were both siblings, and not only Kakashi as well as Naru Uzumaki - acting as his successor-in-training - and Shikamaru Nara, but there were the other Kage who had long since been adversaries with each other. All present just to listen to this "rogue" who never was to begin with.

Sasuke had continued: "We have all done so much, though our intentions we believed were just really were more of selfish desire, and our own inability to think outside the realm of possibility. Because of such, we let people like Danzo and Orochimaru use and exploit us to achieve their greed. As a consequence, we lost countless people - people that can never be brought back, but let us honor them in memory by doing what's right instead of what's easy. I'm one to talk because I did the easy way which also hurt those who cared about me." He'd lowered his eyes then and there.

"Which is why I've taken it upon myself to keep my seat in the Hidden Sound Village and have it declared an individual, official nation which won't live in the old ways under Orochimaru, nor would it use people as tools."

Sasuke not only had help with having his name cleared - effort of both Kakashi and Naru - but he also briefly explained that he would personally return the Tailed Beasts and keep out of everyone's hair with the newly established Otogakure, but Konoha and Suna would let it be conjoined as an ally; the latter part was to be kept between the trio and handled another time.

All in all, Itachi Uchiha could never have been taken off-guard in the sense he never thought he would live to see these days.

When his baby brother met up with him, he told him all of this. And the elder told him in return that he had never been so proud of him.

For the first time, alone, they embraced and thus reconciled.

~o~

Tomorrow is the day, Kurama!

It certainly is - the one we have all waited for, runt. I never thought it would really come.

A few years felt like forever, but she was determined to make all of it work. That was what she did best, along with everyone else. But while only a few would know - Sakura, Kakashi-sensei mostly - of her lonely heart and her relationship with Itachi, she was going to live through, because she was a ninja.

Besides the dead who were buried and honored, Shizune brought forth Granny Tsunade's urn which was placed before everyone as a memorial and her photograph discovered which was one of the few remaining as Danzo thought to eradicate all trace of his hated rival. To see that piece of art carrying her remains, surrounded by white flowers and the images of Konohamaru, Hinata, and others who recently were killed - she was sure that Danzo kept them all up for appearances' sake and tradition.

And speaking of which, she found the time, with Sakura and the others, to visit the graves of Konohamaru and Hinata. There was not one dry eye - especially not herself.

Rest in peace, you two. You were among the strongest people I've known. Hinata, for a final time, you put yourself down for me when I never asked you to, and Konohamaru, you had your life ahead of you until it was taken before you could catch up to me. I'm going to miss all those times we had...

Naru sure was glad that she didn't get to see Hiashi Hyuuga herself, because she would have lost her sanity. Oh, she intended to ask the man how he could live with himself after what he did to his daughter, even if he had no choice.

And as for her training: boy, was it a hell of an effort, and to be Hokage meant so much more than just jutsu and battles, though it wasn't anything she hadn't heard from others' mouths. That meant she and Shikamaru would be close with the new Nanadaime Hokage - Seventh Hokage, and that means after him, I'll be the Eighth!

It was a frightening but also an exciting opportunity to be in the presence of the other Kage besides Gaara who was there when Sasuke requested a summit - his reasons not yet revealed before then - and Kakashi-sensei was there in attendance.

This was a chance to have Sasuke removed from the Bingo Book once and for all.

To see the other three Kage - the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist, the Raikage of the Hidden Cloud, and the Tsuchikage of the Hidden Rock - was intimidating except for one. The lady at first seemed very kind and forgiving, though wary until further notice. Naru decided she might like her already, but as for the mean-looking old shorty, she wondered how the hell he was still alive and probably keeping the old ways up instead of a new generation.

And of course, she had no idea about the big guy who clearly could run on a short fuse if you say the wrong thing - or no matter what. Might as well be tough to reason with him. His brother is the Jinchuuriki of the Eight-Tails, Kurama told her, which took her aback. At the same time, she wasn't surprised at all.

Turned out the summit took place in the Land of Iron, which wasn't operated by ninja, but samurai and was dominated by snow and the coldest of temperatures. Talk about neutral ground.

What Sasuke told all of them - most of all, occasionally looking her way since it was obvious her opinion mattered most to him - was sensational even to the most cynical of elders which made her want to punch someone's face. What he said was that he wanted Otogakure as an independent village, if smaller than the five great ones, and swore he was never a threat to begin with. And it ended with a great surprise: he's personally distributing all the stolen Tailed Beasts back to their respective homes, but free and acting as guards of the Great Nations.

Of all the things, she never thought she would hear that, but it made her so happy that Kurama shared her joy, except as for the two remaining Jinchuuriki - herself and this Killer Bee of Kumogakure - that meant they had to keep their demons in until death. No one was removing them from their hosts without pain of death.

He was greeted with opposition, of course, mostly from the Raikage and Tsuchikage. Though the latter stated clearly he had no personal quarrel with him, having his reasons for standing ground because of his history with Sasuke's ancestor - Madara Uchiha. The other issue was that the Hidden Rock Village was notorious for using the Akatsuki for their means, which meant they were considered on the watch. Hard to believe this man was the same one old man Third negotiated peace with after the end of the last war.

She basically had nothing good to say about these three villages, but from what she heard of the bloody Mist, under this woman who was known as Mei Terumi, she was trying to make things better. Naru wouldn't be surprised that wicked Shinobi in her lands were still keeping to the old days, because they believed it a right. Clashes always present.

The same could be said for Kumogakure, not only because ninja once kidnapped her mother to try and study her chakra, but they also tried to do the same with Hinata. Plus, the Raikage called Sasuke a "brat who ran away from home to chase after the brother who butchered his life"; was he saying that because he knew what it was like to be a so-called better brother? This big guy ought to be taught a lesson, and she would gladly do that as well as give him a piece of her mind. But here wasn't a good time.

All these villages over the years...always stealing or trying to steal jutsu. It's got to stop, the sooner the better while we are standing here, Kurama.

Looks like it may start.

Apparently, the Raikage called out on what to do with the Akatsuki now that the Tailed Beasts were returning to them, though he was skeptical if he struck some kind of deal with the enemy just so he could get something out of this. Which meant his status in the Bingo Book was brought up. So Kakashi said his end.

"Sasuke was one of my students, so I know him better than anyone, but so do his old comrades who did everything they could to try and bring him back. As you all know, his brother slaughtered his clan, which left him consumed with vengeance -" Sasuke did a damned good job hiding the loathing behind this story, and so did Naru. "- so he left us to chase after Itachi Uchiha. But he ended up under the influence of Orochimaru until he betrayed him and defeated him -" He was rudely interrupted by the impatient Raikage who ended up being talked down by Lady Mizukage, who was icy cold and sickly sweet at the same time.

That was Sasuke's cue to interrupt and finish. "Well, long story short -" Sarcasm was there. "- I was not returning back to Konoha until my mission was complete, but I ended up finding another purpose since I finally realized that revenge solved nothing. So I have a new path: to run the Hidden Sound Village and reverse its ways from under that snake. I was never an S-class criminal to begin with; that was all Danzo's doing. And distributing the Tailed Beasts as proof of my trust is a new step, just like the First Hokage did a long time ago...but there will be no more use of them as weapons of wartime. That is my final word."

There you had it: Sasuke got through to all of them.

That also meant he would be linked with Leaf and Sand as allies, which could be seen as a way to make up for what happened at the Chuunin Exams a long time ago. Thank the gods there were no real threats to them...for now.

And here was his manner of obtaining the beasts: they were just secret methods of his own, and to ensure the Akatsuki never set foot near the surrounding nations again. And they knew what the repercussions meant, since it was only the three of them now, with no chance of increasing their power since they'd all but lost it. At least, that was speculation until further notice.

The return home was nothing short of relief, the three of them: Kakashi-sensei, herself and Shikamaru, but not before they went up to Sasuke who was guarded by his trio. Naru shared a brief smile with Karin, at how good it was to see her cousin again, before it was back to what Sasuke said. Kakashi told him that he couldn't have been more proud of him for the man he became, and that he was welcomed back to visit the Leaf anytime; Shikamaru even said he was shocked when he had his doubts. And it was like Sasuke to just nod and not say any words, before turning his attention to her.

"Naru, could you deliver a message to...Sakura for me? I want her to know I was a fool to not see what was in front of me, but if she doesn't want me, then I'll leave her - especially after what I did to you both."

Well...about time you admitted it, you jerk. But if it's what I think it is, you're too late.

She referred to the obvious fact that Sakura was now with Lee, and so she told him this herself. As she predicted, there was sadness and guilt in his eyes, but he bit his tongue and swallowed down whatever he was feeling. That meant he was going to have to live with this and prefer to spend his life alone, having more important things to do. She felt sorry for him.

She thought back to the time she and Sakura were in conversation about the moment Sasuke activated his Mangekyo Sharingan when he stabbed her, and the pinkette said this: "He activated the Mangekyo, but by the looks of it, it's very dangerous - based on what you told me about Itachi. If that's true, then he's gonna have to get eye transplants somehow!" Which meant she wished she could be there, since she was more than qualified, or her and Shizune together. Except they weren't...

God, Kurama, I hope so. I can't bear the thought of Itachi out there, still going blind or is blind already - or could someone he knows perform eye surgery, and if Sasuke gets it?!

Perhaps. Not like your lover is a fool or will come back to you sightless.

As always, the wise fox was right, because five years later, after hard work paying off, she was told some wonderful news which had her screaming and jumping for joy with Sakura when they were on their training grounds, privately and away from the eyes of the villagers and their friends.

Itachi was coming home.

Word was that he willingly showed up alone at the village gates, though absent of his Akatsuki cloak and slashed headband, but of course that didn't stop the swarm who wasted no time cuffing him and sealing his eyes with tags - which was two days ago - before leading him away for interrogation and judgment. Despite the damnable appearance, Naru knew what was going to happen, and she had every reason to be overjoyed and let her heart sing; she did not exaggerate with that use of the word.

He underwent Ibiki Morino's interrogation and Inoichi Yamanaka's mind techniques...and what they found would have shaken the Leaf Village off its feet for good if it wasn't so stable now. They discovered everything that indefinitely cleared Itachi's name, but at least the perpetrators were all dead, and the ordinary people would know that their Sandaime never wanted such an abominable act to take place.

The other clans were definitely talking amongst themselves, but thank the gods Kakashi got them together to explain that nothing like this would ever happen to them. And when he was finished being Hokage, he trusted Naru to see through with this.

Her Itachi, the one she loved, was officially declared a hero as he deserved to be.

All of which brought her to tonight, when she waited for him in her new apartment, the balcony door wide open, and she was in the soft white dress which Temari gave her, as well as the pearls that her man gave her in Suna at its North Wind Festival. Her heart was pounding so much that she paced back and forth in her own room, ignoring Kurama sniggering that she would collapse before he came here if she kept this up, but she couldn't help it!

My man is coming, and tomorrow is also a big day for me, too! My training is done, and I'm finally gonna be Hokage!

And I couldn't have been more proud of you, my little brat.

The balcony door got her attention now - or rather, the breeze that blew in as well as the sensation of HIS presence that she whirled around, the skirt brushing over her newly smoothed legs, and saw him there, just as she'd seen him that day of his arrival. And his voice made her run up to him, her darling hero.

"Hello, Naru...my fox."

~o~

The night before her inauguration, he chose to finally come and see her - and the sight of her was irresistible as she happened to be wearing THAT dress just for him. Chuckling, he made himself known outside her balcony.

He didn't go to her right away because of reasons when he finally disbanded the Akatsuki after the deed was done thanks to his brother, but another important matter had to take place before he finally came home. The matter which was his eyes as well as Sasuke's...

Rather than the use of the eyes which were those of their clansmen who were disrespected by both Danzo and Madara, he and his younger brother swapped eyes. The procedure was performed by Karin, who had some knowledge of surgery besides being a human feeding bag. Three weeks of recovery for them both.

Sasuke knew the risks of the Mangekyo Sharingan, how it came to be, and that there was only one way to prevent anymore risks. He also saw the eyes of their kin, and the rage was there, so the decision was made so that there would be no more conflict on their watches: these eyes were all destroyed by fire. By Amaterasu.

"Please, take care, big brother," were Sasuke's words just as he was leaving Oto, making way for Konoha on one of Deidara's birds. But then the warning: "But if I hear nothing went as planned, I'm coming right over there."

He got similar words from Kisame, Deidara and Zetsu when they parted ways. The trio promised they would get by with what they did best, and swore on HIS honor they would come nowhere near his home, and that they would be close to Sasuke if not aligned. Close to home, you could say. I won't be surprised if they start a mercenary trade or something.

Itachi had never felt so good when he shed the Akatsuki cloak, the slashed Leaf headband and his ring, then piled them to throw into the fire that he made himself. He watched as they vanished into black ash, licked at by the amber flames until there was nothing left but said ash.

This was symbolic: the ending of an old life, beginning of a new one. Or should he say that this meant the end of a lie and the start of honest living?

When he arrived at home's gates, he was prepared for the cuffing and sealing, being locked away for the day until he was brought into the interrogation room, subjected to the Yamanaka's mind techniques...and everything came to the open.

Five years had been the perfect timing for all of this. The wait was over, and Itachi Uchiha could stop worrying especially about the Uchiha name. The blame lay mostly on Danzo and the two counselors who were also dead because of him.

When he was released, he found himself speaking with Kakashi. It was surreal to see him in the Hokage's hat and cloak, given that he knew as much as the other man that the leader seat wasn't for him at all, no matter if the higher-ups and their fellow Jounin believed otherwise. "But soon, since we're back on our feet, Naru is gonna get her wish," Kakashi said with a gleam in his eyes, which also reminded him of something extremely important. The Uchiha knew exactly why.

I'm coming to see you tonight, my precious fox.

"Somehow I sort of saw you in my place, Itachi - before her, I mean. You're more qualified than me, and I would have been your right hand man instead."

"Not at all." Some of the looks that weren't of praise from certain people - mostly the civilians who still saw him as unwelcomed, but he didn't care in the slightest, emotionally - played a part in his response. "Maybe I would have accepted the Hokage seat had things been different, but not now. Everything is exactly as it should be."

He also came across Sakura Haruno - or should he say, he saw her from afar at the tea stand with Rock Lee? There were also some of their other friends about in the streets as if nothing terrible had happened, but that was because it hadn't been the case in the last five years.

But Itachi didn't have it in himself to approach anyone - until Sakura and her friends saw him and chose to go up to him. Strangely, he felt elated that they already welcomed him.

Now, here he was tonight, and the night before Naru Uzumaki's inauguration.

That meant tomorrow he would be there to see it happen. He would see her standing up there, taking the oath and all, smiling down at the people who still worshipped her even after she was labeled wanted by Danzo Shimura.

She was in that dress Temari gave her, and he watched her from the rooftop across the street. She paced back and forth as if frazzled, but he was positive she knew he was here and was impatient to see him. It amused him to know she chose to look like that just for him. So he leaped across and landed on her balcony outside her opened door, startling her, but when she recovered, she dashed his way and into his embrace which he gladly swept her up into.

They should be talking tonight, but because of tomorrow and a much brighter future ahead of them, it was unspoken when decided that it could wait until after the fun.

She won't ever know about the details of the cross-transplant when I tell her that my eyes are well again, and Sasuke won't bear the trouble.

That meant they found their way into her room, right over to her bed where he wasted no time divesting her of the soft, ghostly dress and revealing her glorious body to him. This body which matched that of her scandalous jutsu, but even that illusion was just a fleeting moment compared to many more nights to last. He was consumed with desire to claim her, taking it slow and gently before the wait became too much. He felt his mouth water at the sight of both her breasts...and the pearl necklace that had gathered around her throat as she laid down. You still wear it, but I knew you never would take it off. He lowered his mouth to one breast, running his tongue over that nipple before grazing it with his teeth, making her writhe and hiss that he was making her impatient, and it had been YEARS since they did this.

She'd waited for him, as she promised. For that, he could think of one thing, but that would wait until he was able.

"S-st-stop, for a moment," Naru gasped out, putting both hands on his shoulders. Itachi paused, looking up at her with a furrow of his brows. His loins were burning to join with her, and what did she want? "You'd better take those clothes off before you do anything else."

He grinned at her, standing up and doing what she asked, and as soon as he was naked as she was, they resumed their reunion that lasted a good long time of the night...her hands roaming over his muscled back and buttocks, his blood-pumping length sliding in and out smoothly within her feminine core leaking fire which just about amplified the pleasure they gave each other with every tactic purely out of love and not technicality or necessity; when it was all over, they fell asleep as they were, in that he was still sheathed right between her legs, which were still wrapped around his waist...

...and by the time her alarm rang the next morning for the day that finally came, he bolted out, renewed with vigor, to get ready with her. Not before there was a comical, embarrassing moment that was not witnessed by anyone else: he ended up taking her out of bed with him and landing on the floor, both stark naked. Thank the gods no one saw, or else he would have died!

When the humor was over, mostly on her part, it was onward to some morning affection without going as far as they did last night.

You finally made it, my love, and now I am going to stand beside you. And then the hardest parts will come.

~o~

"I, Kakashi Hatake the Seventh Hokage shall be presiding this ceremony - the inauguration of the Eighth Hokage. Let's now bring out the woman of the hour herself...Naru Uzumaki."

So, here she was now, and that day had been the best of her life - counting the man she loved being a part of it. She sat behind the desk which belonged to the one who was respected and acknowledged by all; a lifetime of hardship, hard work and friends at her sides paid off.

This cape was over her brand new get-up, consisting of the sleeveless orange vest over fishnet which reached her elbows, and of course she kept her standard trousers and sandals. Old Naru was still here, as far as she was concerned. Though that meant she had to put on a mostly serious face if she needed to continue making good impressions, especially for those old windbags who were still on the council.

Hokage's nightmare, which she now understood for poor dear Granny Fifth, rest her: paperwork.

Though, luckily, Shikamaru was there to help her when he could, laidback as the guy was.

Sakura became chief medic and ran the hospital; she and Lee were also engaged, which was a great blessing. Just like the pinkette, too, to begin planning a wedding which was intimate but would also have the trimmings. A location was yet to be in place.

Ino and Sai were also married, and expecting their first child.

Shino became Jounin instructor at the very same Academy where they had all been to. So had Tenten, Lee and Choji.

Neji was still captain of the ANBU Black Ops...which was also where Itachi Uchiha ended up again, though not among the ranks. More so, he was put in the desk job at headquarters, running the entire place, which Naru thought was better for him than going out there again. He didn't deserve all that insanity anymore.

Under the Hachidaime's reign - my reign - there was so much that no one ever had before which increased communication even at long-distance, as well as more entertainment given the times were peaceful. That meant home phones installed, video games, more electricity...upgraded technology that would improve living. And that also meant the plans to finally create a school for children who had no interest in becoming Shinobi.

Another year passed since his return and her inauguration, and everything in Konoha as well as with its Shinobi and the civilians was going well - and one day, the Eighth Hokage was greeted with a hell of a surprise when Shikamaru knocked on her door, coming in with a mahogany box in his hands, blushing from ear to ear and saying that a "certain someone" had this borrowed and sent over to her so she could just simply pick which one.

Inside was a - oh, runt, rings! What do you know, eh?! I know exactly what this means!

Never in her life did Naru care about jewelry, except the pearl necklace from Itachi that she still wore to this day, so to see all these amazing rings was something else! One had different shades of icy blue, one light and dark, like the finest match a couple could be - a real team that worked together. Both stones were enveloped together in an infinity ribbon of white fire and rested on pure silver.

She'd known of the ruby, which was popular and smoldering of fire; this one was sided with two sparkling yellow gems, all placed within gold. This could be something that warmed your heart's core.

Now she looked at this silver ring with an oval filled with twenty small diamonds, though for some reason, while other girls would cherish this as her friend, this didn't feel like it was close to Naru's heart. Diamond ring out.

And here was such a romantic piece, like a golden moon against stars; the pearl was peachy gold and surrounded with sparkling diamonds. It was very lovely, though it was a bit too flashy. As was this next one which had the emerald laying sideways and framed with seeds of white on rosy gold, reminding her of Sakura's eyes, yet it didn't feel like it was hers.

It was the last one which grasped her attention and called to her heart, because she had never seen anything like it...even putting it on and imagining the day when Itachi would place it on her made the difference. Naru then removed it, her finger tingling in the aftermath.

"It's this one, Shikamaru...and tell him I said hell yes."

His blush softened just as his awkward grin grew broader, and she could have sworn she saw all the past Hokage's faces in their respectable places on the wall doing the same - sans one she wished could be covered up, personally, or taken down altogether. Except one of them was still alive and would learn the happiest news of her life.

Old man Third...Granny Tsunade...Dad...I wish you were all here to see this.

~o~

The wedding of the Hachidaime Hokage and the head of ANBU headquarters turned out to be the event of not only the year, but the century as far as anyone was concerned.

In the past, no matter who was Hokage, the celebration was up to the standards of the festivals of the season. Now was no different, as it took place on the anniversary of the liberation of Konoha from its tyrannical Sixth Hokage - whose carved mountain face was the only one to receive disrespect and graffiti, and the mouth's prison where the village's heroine was placed by the same man was being renovated, the bars removed and the cavern being filled at the mouth; deeper below would be put to better use somehow. Likely a new training ground for the Black Ops, or a new meeting place.

So, back to the loving, sun-filled present which was more than earned: the Yamanaka flower shop and its partners in and out of Konoha went all out with the flowers which were for the season and the coming one. But besides their grandeur, their symbolisms mattered most.

White daisies for faith.

Blue hydrangeas for pride.

Sunflowers for radiance.

Red roses for love.

And there were more, taking place in a crown within the bride's halo of sunlight - the blue forget-me-nots for true love. And blue eyes gazed upon the face of her first and true love before her. Her love in a black garment called the haori; on the back was his family's crest which he would now wear without shame. And she was in a kimono in fantastic condition after all these years, for it had once been her mother Kushina Uzumaki's, having been stored away among the old possessions of Hiruzen Sarutobi and recovered after she was granted the key...so when she saw the lush white silk blossoming with greenery, orange and red flowers, she was in tears instantly.

Which was why she was willing to have her mother with her in a sense on the biggest day of her life, just like her father's portrait was everyday on the wall of the office that was now hers.

As for him, not only was he bearing the Uchiha on his back - and so would she, since she married into the family, when there were only a few of them left, counting more coming between her and Itachi - but his brother as well as his three teammates were there, not able to miss the wedding for anything else in the world.

And promised: Sakura Haruno was the maid of honor, and beside the groom was Kakashi. Everyone else was in attendance, including Ino and her husband Sai who took on her family name - and of course, a tearful Iruka who had never been more proud of her that she made all her dreams a reality.

The affair included Sunagakure being invited as well, and Gaara the Fifth Kazekage and his siblings sent the couple a wedding gift: a desert rose plant which took the bride and groom back to a certain day in which she asked him if he ever appreciated anything besides in technical terms. But now, he would enjoy everything the same way she would.

Via coded message, they got a congratulations and wishes of strength over time - from Kisame, Deidara and Zetsu.

And that meant all friends and loved ones who were not there but should be were no doubt looking over the occasion and smiling from the other side.

After going through necessary rites, taking the vows and everything, that left the ring which Tonton the pig carried in her mouth - safely in a black box from the moment of purchase. When Itachi pulled it out, the majestic jewel was seen for the world's eyes for the first time, sparking gasps of awe. A round, vivid orange jewel was set in the middle with a twinkling clear crystal; framing it were lush enameled green leaves - like a piece of fruit. Naru let a tear fall when he put it on. The pig oinked excitedly and rushed back to Shizune who was on the bride's side.

Years of abuse, of sacrifice and betrayals, and of the good times which was gaining friends and loved ones had all been worth it. Those who died weren't in vain and honored. When the bad times returned, the living would stand united for what they believed in - and protect those dearest to them. Especially Itachi and Naru Uchiha.

Being pronounced husband and wife had never felt so good. Now to enjoy the peace while it lasted.

No words can describe how TIRED I am after the long working of this epilogue, especially with the Gokage meeting. Politics are NOT my thing. Add in that my father has made life worse with recent words he said to me for no reason. You're all better off not knowing what he said exactly.

So, in terms of coming up with the Japanese name for the Eighth Hokage (which Naru is in this version), it was difficult, though hachi is the Japanese word for "eight". Hope it worked!

The mention within the change of living which involved a new school for kids who aren't going to be Shinobi because of the times was inspired by "Black Roses" by Avenger Hawk, which had Itachi as the Hokage in the alternate world, non-massacre.

Well, that does it folks: this epic story of adventure, drama and humor, tragedy, love and friendship comes to a conclusion. REVIEW. :'D And thank you all for the lovely support. All the trouble has been worth it, and I'd gladly do that all over with future projects!