Foxfire

Chapter 18

Sorry if this took a while. I had many things popping up plus my other stories, and I hope this would be a good Christmas gift to you guys. Sorry if there are any spelling or grammar errors and if there are please tell me so I can fix them.

"Naruto"-talking

'Naruto'-thinking

'Naruto'-jutsu

I don't own Naruto or the Teen Titans, heck the story isn't even mine to start with.

(Start scene)

Naruto felt worst then he ever did. It's been two day since he faced Gaara and after that thing turned for the worst. After meeting with the titans they headed back to the stadium. There they found out that the leaf won the invasion but the cost was great. Many ninja died, one of which broke Naruto's heart the most. The Third Hokage, the man he saw as a grandfather, a man in his mind could never be defeated in battle, unless Naruto pulled off the 'Sexy jutsu'.

After getting dress for the funeral he laid out the clothes for his friends. They want to attend and pay their respects to those who died. Feeling that it was too disrespectful too just get black version of their outfits they asked Naruto to get something for them. So the other day Naruto got them black kimonos for them to wear. One was big enough for Cyborg; two were small enough for Robin and Beast boy. And three he felt would be good for his sister, Raven and Terra.

After the battle he went and talked to Terra. She was shocked and sad to hear the news. Despite their bereft meeting she could not help but respect the old man for his power, leadership and for being a warrior of the earth like she is. She agreed to come and pay her respects and to give his journal to his grandson, which she remembered that the old man wanted to give him someday.

After the Titan clones appeared they were shocked at seeing Terra with them. Naruto felt it would be better if they saw her first then just saying she was coming. BB was in front of Terra at once but before he could even say a word Starfire knocked him aside and was about to wrap Terra in one of her bone crunching hugs. Knowing the clone could not handle one of Starfire's hugs he intervened. "Hey sis shouldn't you save the hug for when to meet again in person."

Starfire seem to debate this for a bit before she answered, "You are correct. A true hug must be given in real life and a clone just is not the same."

Terra let out a breath she was holding and mouth a thank you to Naruto. Naruto nodded before looking at his friends. "So together again, wish the terms were better though."

Cyborg placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Sorry for your lost man, I know he meant a lot to ya."

Starfire wrapped her brother in a sad hug. "Yes, although the meeting was short I can not help but be thankful for the on who helped keep my brother safe."

After they got change they slowly made their way to the service. On the way they met Sakura. They all stayed quite, though no words were truly needed. They started again only to stop when they met Sasuke. Normally Beast Boy didn't like just walking or moving in silence, it really depresses him something. But now he felt it was needed. He may have only met the old man not even three times, but to him, he was reminded of an old war hero, fought battles he never could have but still have that fire in his kind heart. He knew the old man died defending what he loved and kept it safe. No matter what world he was from the man was a true hero in Beast Boy's mind. Just like all those like him.

The funeral started as the rain began to sprinkle softly. 'Just like the village before you, even the heavens seem to weep over the lost.' Raven thought looking at the picture of the old man smiling. 'They must really have truly loved you.'

Naruto didn't really listen to what the two elders, and what Naruto knew the old man's old teammates, talk about the fallen Hokage. Naruto just stared at the picture remembering the times he spent with him. The old man was a true grandfather to him even if it wasn't through blood.

They all started to come over to the picture on the table and place a flower in front of it. Naruto was not the only on remembering the third Hokage. The other genin could not help remember the small time they were with the third Hokage. Though their time with him was small, they all looked up to him. He was like another grandfather to the village.

As Starfire place her white flower she bowed her head to the picture and said in a soft voice. "I wish to give my thanks, Honorable Hokage. Even if you didn't have too you helped care for my brother. I just wish I could have spent time and felt what he felt about you. Maybe you could have been, as they say, a grandfather to me too. (May the fire in your heart burn forever more.)" She said this part in her own tongue as a sign of respect.

Cyborg peered down at the picture as he placed his flower. He liked the old man, even with the limited meeting. He reminds him of his old coach before his accident. Always seeing and expecting nothing less the 110 percent. Cy figure his coach and the old man would get along just fine if they every met. "110 percent old man, that all we can really give. And you gave more then twice that. Good luck man."

Terra just wiped a tear from her eye as she lays her flower down. He had helped her more they anyone else ever did, except for her friends. It was just one meeting and he never really asked for anything from her. "I'm sorry you never got to see what I can do because of the help you gave me. You didn't have too, you had no reason to, and you did it anyway. I promise I will help your grandson whenever I can. The book you gave me and what I could help teach him. You didn't have to help me, now I want to help him."

Robin places his flower thinking of the old man. He would have love to train and spar with him. For as old as he was the battle he must have fought, the skill he must have had Robin was sure was out of his league. He could not help but be reminded of his old mentor. "Yeah, you two would have gotten one real well."

Naruto said nothing as he placed his flower. He could not even bring forth any words. He just stares and cried. A large rain drop hit the picture and slide down under the eye as if the photo was crying with him. He finally found his voice and sang softly, but everyone could still hear him. "Na, na, na, na. Na, na, na, na. Hey, hey, hey, goodbye."

As Naruto went again, everyone softly join him, saying goodbye one last time. "Na, na, na, na. Na, na, na, na. Hey, hey, hey, Goodbye."

After it was done the titans were off to the side. They saw Iruka comforting Konohamaru who had tear leaking down his face. Terra got out the book the third Hokage gave her and slowly walked towards the pair. Terra knelt down to Konohamaru level and held out the book. "Your grandfather gave this to me to help out with my training. He didn't have to, not really. It's yours now, kid. He wanted you to have it." as he slowly took the book she added. "I'll help you when you get training, kid. It the least I can do."

Konohamaru just cry harder. "Why did he have to die? Why did he have to be gone?"

"Hey little man, he's not really gone." Cyborg said getting the kids attention. "They are only truly gone if you forget about them. If you still remember them, they will never be gone."

"It still hurts." Konohamaru said his head down.

"But the hurt is good, is it not?" at this Konohamaru's head shot up to star at Starfire in shock. She smiled sadly and also knelt down and gave him a small hug of comfort. "The hurt show how much we love those who are lost. The hurt is the sadness in our hearts for those we love. For those we truly miss. I know because my heart hurt terribly when I believe my twin brother was dead. The hurt will never truly go away as we will never stop loving them."

Everyone was touched my Starfire's words. Konohamaru could not hold it back anymore and cried on her shoulder as she rubbed his back as she softly said words he didn't understand but made him fell better.

Naruto smiled for the first time since he was told the man he truly respects had died. 'It's like you always say old man, the will of fire burns in us all.'

Hope you like this story so far. I know it not really one you would like to read for Christmas but the feeling for all the ones we love is. If you like this story, then check out some of my other ones. Please review. Merry Christmas to all.