D1: Here's the epilogue to tidy thing up.

Epilogue – Fireflies and Fireworks

After the war had ended, Konoha had taken a while to recover and rebuild but with help from neighbouring countries it was almost back to normal within six months. The civilian population had started to trickle back once the first few buildings had gone up. During the rebuilding work, Himeka had decided that Naruto and Hinata needed more space than his old apartment had to offer. Naruto and Hinata's new home had been build not too far from the Hyuuga compound. Naruto was still trying to get his head around the size of his new home. The defeat of Orochimaru send ripples passed through the other lands making enemies cower and allies cheer. But the final nail in Orochimaru's coffin was the land of sound returning to its former self, the land of rice fields.

With everything back to normal in the land of fire, Konoha was getting ready for a celebration.

Tonight would mark the first year after Konoha's rebuilding and the entire village was determined to make the event with something that would be remembered for a long time.

An amber hue was all that was left of the sun as dusk claimed its turn in the sky. The shadows were growing but the last heat of the sun sill lingered as the fireflies started glowing. Naruto looked down into the street as the first of the lanterns in the long chains were lit. Every lantern on the long strings had the leaf symbol stamped on one side and Suna's on the other. A few villagers were starting to move around the streets as Hinata called to Naruto from inside.

"Naruto, you better get changed now or we'll be late."

Naruto levered himself away from the railing and entered their shared bedroom. He unceremoniously dumped his clothes on his side of the double bed before changing into his black and orange kimono that had been chosen by Hinata. He finished tying the sash then turned to his bedside table. Opening the drawer he removed a small case no larger than his hand. He quickly hid the case in his kimono as he heard Hinata entering the room. Hinata was wearing a lilac Kimono with a cream flower pattern along the hem tied with purple sash. Her long hair was tied up with an ornate clasp that Naruto guessed was Himeka's.

"Beautiful," Naruto whispered as he kissed her cheek.

Hinata flushed and Naruto smiled.

"I still say you're cute when you're embarrassed," he grinned as he offered Hinata his arm.

Hinata took Naruto's arm and they proceeded downstairs. The sound of voices met their ears as Naruto and Hinata passed the guest rooms.

"Now go easy on the sake Gaara," Kankuro warned, "we don't want a drunk Kazekage."

"Take your own advice Kankuro," Temari scolded.

"You five ready?" Naruto asked as he leaned around the door.

Gaara was in his full Kazekage robes, much to his dislike, while Temari was dressed in a cream kimono and Kankuro a black one. Naruto glanced at Sasuke, noting his midnight blue Kimono which sported the Uchiha crest on the shoulders while Sakura's was a pale pink that matched her hair.

"Ready when you are," Gaara replied, picking up his wide hat.

Naruto led the group out of the door, pausing to lock the door after all were outside. Hinata resumed her position on Naruto's arm as the procession moved off. Naruto and Hinata led them, with Gaara, Kankuro and Temari behind him, then Sakura and Sasuke bringing up the rear as they walked towards the Hokage mansion.

The parade grew in number as more of the Konoha twelve appeared. First Shino, Choji and Kiba joined after Sasuke and Sakura, then Tenten, Neji and Lee joined. Neji was dressed in similar colours to Hinata but darker while Lee's was in his usual green and Tenten a dark cherry. Lee looked as if he was about to offer Sakura his arm but Neji stopped him, he put a hand on Lee's shoulder and shook his head once, knowing that her refusal, however polite, would cause him to sulk through the celebration. The silent matter was dropped. Shikamaru and Ino eventually finished up the group. The procession reached the Hokage mansion and the celebration grounds in front of it. Long tables were scattered around the area, each lit by many lanterns. The largest was a T-shaped table in the centre of the area. People were already bustling around as the Konoha twelve plus Temari and Kankuro took their seats at the longest table.

Gaara separated from the group and moved to the top of the table, sitting to the left of Tsunade at it head. Himeka was already at Tsunade's right along with Jiraya and other important village members. More villagers and Shinobi filtered into the grounds and the tables gradually filled. Naruto waved to Iruka, Kakashi and the other senseis as they took their seats at another table. The blonde didn't miss Anko appearing next to Kakashi as he sat, getting too close for Kakashi's comfort. Kakashi seemed unsure how to react to Anko so buried his nose in his ever-present copy of 'Icha Icha Paradise'. All the tables were eventually filled and the hubbub eventually died down as Tsunade stood to address the village.

"In a time of adversity, we fought to survive." Tsunade spoke solemnly, "In a time of darkness, the will of fire showed us the way. In a time of sorrow, we mourned those we lost. But after the destruction, after the devastation, we rose again from the ashes with our allies to help us." Tsunade's voice rose "Those who threaten us and those who ally themselves against us will know this; the will of fire will burn forever!"

An immense cheer rose from the village and echoed through the surrounding forest. The roar seemed to continue forever but it slowly died away, replaced with a low mutter of voices as Tsunade sat again. The mood of the evening perked up as food appeared and then disappeared just as quickly.

As the feast finished, the villagers started to drift away from the tables but didn't return to their homes. Naruto and Hinata joined hands and wandered away from the crowd. The other ninja also drifted away, spreading out around the celebration grounds. Ino discreetly dragged Shikamaru away from the others as they also dispersed. Naruto's face grew a small grin as the main lights of the village were extinguished, leaving only the paper lantern's and firefly's soft glow. He caught Himeka's eye as he and Hinata wandered away and she winked. Naruto managed to suppress a blush as he and Hinata left the main crowd. He led Hinata to a quiet grassy hill and sat, looking up at the full moon. Hinata also sat, leaning into his side as he put his arm around her shoulders. Naruto looked over to Hinata, admiring her in the silver light.

"You are really beautiful in the moonlight," he told her, making her blush.

Naruto gulped, nervous in an extreme way.

"Hinata," he started, "a while ago I made myself a promise. I promised that when this was over I'd ask you something."

Hinata was puzzled as Naruto shifted into a kneeling position in front of her. He reached around and pulled something from his kimono. Hinata's lavender eyes went wide as she saw the gold ring in Naruto's hand.

"Hinata, will you marry me?"

Hinata was speechless for about a minute. She regained her senses and smiled as she slipped the ring onto her finger, eyes becoming misty.

"Yes," Hinata whispered.

Naruto leaned in, about to kiss Hinata, when a sudden explosion made Hinata squeak and jump in surprise. Naruto looked up to see a shower of coloured stars in the night sky.

"Fireworks," Hinata breathed, relieved.

Another explosion sent blue sparks in every direction, followed by a scattering of gold. Hinata leaned against Naruto again as the sky was peppered with unnatural stars. Sasuke and Sakura appeared beside Naruto and Hinata, also looking up into the sky. Kakashi, with Anko attached to his arm, and Iruka also came into Naruto's field of view. The blonde cast a glance over the village laid out below the hill and saw most of the village looking into the sky. Naruto cast his friends a quick glance then looked back up. He squeezed Hinata's hand and she returned it as more fireworks exploded overhead.

END.

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D1: I have finally finished a Fanfiction! Yay me! Thanks to all my readers and reviewers who are too numerous to mention but thanks. Hope to see you again on my next project. See you then.

D1: Now there is only one thing left to sort out. What do I do now?