Here is the end of the Recommencement story. This chapter is to in a way close some of the things that has gone on in this story. Hopefully it'll be fitting. Disclaimer, I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 31
Recuperate

"Great job all of you." Back in Konoha most of the group that had been assigned on the mission to Ame was in the Fifth Hokage's office to have a briefing on what happened. "You should all be proud by what you accomplished."

"Thank you, Hokage." spoke up Sakura. "Fortunately we got out of it no worse than we did." That unintentional reminder caused everyone to think back to what occurred during the recent mission.

Knowing what that meant caused Tsunade to also become a bit somber. "Indeed. Fortunately given time, the injuries that were sustained will be healed. Sadly, the same can't be said for Maito Gai. His condition is still uncertain at this time." Wanting to get away from the feeling that was coming over them, the Hokage tried to change the mood.

"Getting back to the main reason why I summoned you here. I have good news to share." Those in attendance kept quiet as they waited to hear what the news could be. "As a result for putting an end to the Akatsuki, the council has decided that when the time comes to promote shinobis, the ones ranked as chunin will be guaranteed to be promoted to jonin."

That was certainly good news as the ones in the group who were chunin let their joy about the news be known. "For those already are jonin, if you want to you're allowed to enter the ANBU Black Op program. Another option is an opening becomes available, you can be an instructor for a new group of genin."

It seemed like that was good enough for those who were in position to accept such prospects. "Along with that you'll get a reasonable sum of money for ridding such a threat. That is all but I ask for both Naruto and Hinata to remain to discuss something in private."

"What is this about, granny Tsunade?" asked Naruto once everyone but the three of them had left the room. "Did something bad happen?"

"Not really. I wanted to discuss something with you and having your girlfriend here would help avoid any unwanted suspicion." Getting that out of the way, the Hokage got to the matter at hand. "Care to explain what happen in the tower in Ame?"

What was asked was something that Naruto didn't expect. "Why are you asking?" Everything that happened was explained in the scroll that I sent you by one of the summoning toads." Having a good idea what the sannin really wanted clarification he decided to just get it over with. "Look. I was surprised by what Kyuubi did as everyone else. The only explanation I have is what I got from the shadow clone's memory that was there."

"There's been no communication between the two of you?" asked Tsunade.

"Not really." Naruto revealed. "All I've gotten has been growls here and there. I can't even remain being Fox for any longer than half an hour."

"Perhaps using the chakra like he did affected the nine-tailed fox more than he expected." theorized Hinata. She had kept out of the discussion for the most part but threw in her own observation. "Maybe using so much chakra resulted in Kyuubi becoming weak. It's probably going to be a while for him to recover."

"Whatever the case may be, the threat of the Akatsuki is gone and we can concentrate on more current matters." By the tone there was more to Tsunade's statement. "While your group was gone, the village elders tried to get the decision about what to do with Sasuke Uchiha resolved. Likely they wanted no one who had involvement in the Uchiha's capture to be included in the decision."

As expected, Naruto wasn't happy about the attempt. He was about to voice those feelings but was stopped before he could. "Fortunately, I managed to delay it to the point that their efforts were delayed. They won't be able to do that again." Naruto's gratitude was evident as he appreciated what Tsunade did.

"So don't worry about that. Enjoy the time off that you have. Do whatever it is that you like to do. Whether that'll be with other people or in private, it's up to you." Getting the hidden meaning behind what was said, both Naruto and Hinata started to blush. Saying nothing, they left the office, ignoring the small chuckle that came from the Hokage. "To be young again."

00000000

"Give it to me straight doc. How bad is it?" The entire hospital room was quiet as they waited to hear the diagnosis.

"Well, not surprising, you sustained several cracked or broken bones and severely strained your chakra network." listed Shizune. "Thankfully you were treated as soon as you were. Simply put, you're lucky to be alive, Maito Gai."

The man in question just shrugged off that last part as if it was no big deal. "That's all thanks to having the flames of youth. As soon as I'm released I'll make up for all of for all the training that I've missed." While Gai was playing off the whole thing, the others there weren't doing so.

"That's not all, is it?" asked Lee. He was no nonsense as the whole situation was something he found no pleasure in. The other guests in the room were fellow members of Team Gai, Neji and Tenten. Kin was also in attendance on the request of her boyfriend.

A grim look appeared on Shizune's face as she looked back at the medical chart. "I'm afraid so. Even though you'll recover from your injuries, if you were to use more than four of the eight chakra gates, your body won't be able to handle the strain. In other words, it'll kill you."

"I figured as much." acknowledged Gai, no longer acting nonchalantly. "I knew that there would be consequences for what I did. I'll just have to be careful in the future."

Sometime later the visitors were asked to leave. Splitting up, Neji and Tenten went one way while Lee and Kin went another. "That's a relief, huh?" voiced Kin. "All things considering he's going to be okay." Though she tried to cheer up her boyfriend, all it got were nods of the head and small grunts. "You can't continue to blame yourself for what happened. Your sensei did what he had to do."

"I've started to realize that." expressed Lee calmly. "Still doesn't help when you see someone you care for sitting in some hospital bed. It's a sight I rather not see again anytime soon."

"However, it could be considered necessary." Kin professed. "You should have such an image be a reminder of why you should do what you've been trying to do. To protect those who need it and those you care for."

Finally a smile started to show itself on Lee's face. "Thanks. You always know the right thing to say when I need it."

Slowly Kin had a smile of her own appear. "Well, that's to be expected. A woman is supposed to keep their future husband on track." They took a few more steps when Lee suddenly realized what she just said. It caught him so off guard that he just stood there in shock as Kin continued to walk with a sly smile.

00000000

"Why am I here?" At the main entrance into Konoha, Sakura Haruno was standing there, waiting for something. What that was she didn't know. All she knew was that earlier in the day she was told by the Hokage that something was arriving at the village and that she had to be there to pick it up. Not wanting to risk the wrath of her sensei, Sakura agreed to the request.

She had arrived at the main entrance but an hour later she was still waiting and that caused her irritation to rise. "This is stupid. What could be taking so long for whatever this thing is to get here?"

"Sakura?" The voice that called out her name sounded familiar but when a name was put alongside the voice she couldn't believe it.

Turning around it proved that the early suspicions that Sakura had been accurate as standing at the entrance way was someone that she knew. "I can't believe it. Haku, it's you." Rushing over she gave him a warm embrace that was given in return. Realizing what she had just done, Sakura created some distance between them. "This is a surprise. What brings you to Konoha?" While she was trying to be calm and composed, it didn't stop the blush from appearing on her face.

Smiling at the girl's actions, Haku started to explain. "I was asked to come here on the request of the Fifth Hokage. Apparently she has something she wants to discuss. I was also told that there would be an escort waiting for him to arrive."

It all started to come to Sakura as to why Tsunade had asked her to do this task. "What a manipulative woman. But I'm not sure if I should be upset for being set up like this or not." Deciding to forego being upset, she stood beside the former Kiri shinobi and looped her arm with his. "How about we delay your meeting so we can go somewhere and talk?" Liking the idea, Haku allowed her to take the lead on wherever they were going to go.

00000000

"Okay. Let's try this again." Sitting on a large rock, Naruto looked on and observed as Hinata stood at the edge of a small pond.

Placing her hands in a single hand sign the Hyuga concentrated her chakra. "Water Clone Jutsu." At the water's edge bubbling started. Some of the water began to rise and take the shape of a liquidized Hinata. It wouldn't last long though as the water lost shape before splashing back into the pond. "Why can't I get this to work? I did it once before."

"That was different." corrected Naruto. When Hinata glared over to him he couldn't help but shy away. While usually levelheaded, the young Hyuga woman had a temper that Naruto preferred to not mess with. "You did that while infused with Kyuubi's demonic chakra. Remember how that ended."

Luckily that helped to defuse his girlfriend's current anger. "This shouldn't be so difficult. I've learned other water type jutsus that are ranked higher than this one. Why is this one different?" I mean, you mastered the shadow clone version in a couple of hours."

"Again, that's different. I have more chakra then, still do actually, than most of our generation. Even then, I could only do a few at a time." Getting up, Naruto made his way over to Hinata. "Just relax. As you're building up your chakra, picture the clone in your mind then do it."

Following the advice of her boyfriend, Hinata attempted the jutsus again. "Water Clone Jutsu." Like before, the water in the pond reacted but unlike before, it didn't dissolve halfway through its construction and soon standing before the Hyuga was an exact duplicate of herself. After a minute of examining her work she dismissed the clone and let it return to being water.

Excited by her accomplishment, Hinata gave Naruto a hug that he gladly retuned. "Congratulations. I knew that you could do it."

"It was thanks to your helpful teaching." She then noticed the bothered expression on her boyfriend's face. "What's wrong?" While he didn't say anything, Hinata had a good idea what might be the cause. "Are you still thinking about what the Hokage told you?"

"That obvious, huh?" admitted Naruto, not bothering to hide it. "Still confuses me to why they would try so hard to absolve that bastard Sasuke of everything he's done. They have to know it'll cause uproar by doing that."

"Maybe the elders believe that having the last living Uchiha on their side would give them to have more power within the council." Hinata figured. She was told the truth about why the Uchiha Massacre occurred and everything involved. "Question to ask is why they would try to do if that was to actually happen." No answer came but they both knew it wouldn't be anything good.

00000000

"What is the meaning of this?" Late at night, Naruto went as Fox to pay the Konoha elders a visit. Homura Mitokada was going to be the first one but luckily for him when he got to the man's house the other elder, Koharu Utatane, was also there.

"Am I interrupting this little get together?" asked Fox as he sat on the windowsill that he entered from. While he acted at ease, he was on guard for any surprise attack.

"How are you alive?" demanded Koharu in both anger and slight concern. "It was said that you died fighting the Akatsuki."

"I have my ways." No way was he going to reveal what really happen on that day. Deciding to get down to business, Fox got to the matter at hand. "I know what you've been trying to do. You've tried to persuade the Hokage, both the Third and Fifth, to 'join your ranks'." He spoke with a calm voice and it caused both elders to be more on edge. "Since that hasn't worked out, getting the last Uchiha is the next best thing."

"What concern is it of yours what we do?" reprimanded Homura. "You're just some outsider, doing what you want. Sasuke was a shinobi of Konoha and will be again once he's convinced."

Fox found the whole idea foolish and had no problem expressing it. "Oh, I'm sure that he'll be more than willing to come back to the fold. Especially after learning the truth about why the Uchihas being massacred actually happen." That immediately put a halt to any rebuttal that either senior shinobi had planned.

"That's right. He knows and he isn't the only one." The underline meaning what Fox meant was quickly understood. "While I can partial understand why you had to do that but I realize that Sasuke wants revenge. That means he'll try to kill you two, Danzo and burn Konoha to the ground with everyone in it."

Fox was going to continue talking but stopped as he grimaced in pain. "Just remember the next time you attempt to 'liberate' the Uchiha what could happen and what repercussions there might be if someone were to learn about your guys' little secret." Making his intentions clear, Fox went out the window, disappearing into the night.

00000000

Days Later…

"Those two look so happy." Standing across of a large room, Shizune looked on as Lee and Kin had such happiness on their faces. "It's hard to believe that those two got married."

"Shouldn't be that much of a surprise." defended Anko as she sat beside the woman. "It was no secret how much they care for one another. Those two getting married seemed like the most logical thing to do." Suddenly a smirk appeared on the woman's face. "Can you imagine how their honeymoon will turn out?"

As Anko hoped, her remark caused Shizune to become flustered and blush. "Oh…I-I-I need to discuss…something with Tsunade. I'll see you." The young medical specialist hurried off as Anko laughed.

00000000

"Let's celebrate." exclaimed Ino. That was shared by all those around her but not to the same degree. It was a few hours into the party after the wedding and those in attendance were having a good time. However, some were using the opportunity to make use of the open bar. One of them being Ino, who had a few drinks already. "We're supposed to have a good time."

"I think you've had enough, Ino." voiced Choji. He reached over to grab his friend's drink but it was pulled out of reached.

"Take it easy, Choji." spoke up Kiba. "As the woman said, we're here to have a good time to celebrate the marriage of two people. To not do so would be insulting to them." While Kiba's form of reasoning sounded nice, it didn't hold much weight as his words were slightly slurred as he had also made use of the bar.

"How deplorable." muttered Neji as he observed what was going on from a neighboring table. "Have they no same?"

"Oh, don't be such a prude." Tenten halfheartedly scolded. "They're just having a little fun. You'd be to if you weren't being such a stick in the mud."

The comparison made by the weapon user caused the usually stoic Hyuga to break out a small smile. "Perhaps you're right. I should enjoy myself." Neji happen to glance back over to the tipsy pair. "However, my definition of a good time is different than there's." That caused Tenten to let out a laugh in agreement.

00000000

"That could be trouble." What Sakura was referring to was that from where she was sitting she was her friend Ino slumped beside Kiba and both of them were heavily inebriated. "I should go over there before things get out of hand."

"Relax Sakura. Doubt that it'll get that far." Naruto tried to reassure. "On the other hand, if it was Lee we were talking about, then there would be a problem." That got a laugh as the groom was known for his strong reaction to liquor. "Besides, don't you have enough on your plate as it is?"

Understanding what he meant, Sakura gave the blond a smack to the back that lacked any real force. Turning her attention elsewhere, she looked over to the person on the other side of her. "Pay no attention to him. He's not all that right in the head."

"That's all right. I understand." assured Haku. "Anyway, the thought of you focusing on me doesn't sound bad." While that was followed by him smiling, there was a faint blush on his face.

Again what was said got a reaction out of Sakura but different from the previous one. Instead of getting angry, she became a bit bashful and blushed. "When you put it that way, it doesn't sound so bad." That was followed by Sakura and Haku moving closer t one another.

Deciding to give them some alone time, Naruto went to look for his girlfriend. He soon found Hinata who was having a conversation with Shikamaru and Shino. Sneaking up from behind, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer in. "Found you. Did you miss me?"

"N-Naruto." Hinata managed to stammer out. "You surprised me." That didn't stop the Hyuga from showing her appreciation for her boyfriend's antics by letting out a small smile.

"Sorry. I couldn't help myself." Naruto followed that by giving her a kiss on the cheek. "So what were the three of you talking about? Sure that it must be riveting."

"We were just discussing how things will be now that the threat of the Akatsuki is gone." stated Shikamaru. "It should be quieter and less troublesome."

"Sure hope that's the case." agreed Naruto. There was another reason to that decree but decided to keep quiet about it. "Speaking of troublesome." He directed things to Kiba and Ino who perhaps gotten even more tipsy and all over each other.

"Indeed." acknowledged Shino. Hard to tell whether he was annoyed or embarrassed. "They should be stopped before it gets completely out of hand." Since one of the two people was his teammate, Shino decided to intervene. Joining him was Shikamaru who was in the same position as the bug user.

"This was a nice wedding, wasn't it?" asked Hinata. They were alone but were in the same embrace as earlier.

"Yeah it was." The whole ceremony was nothing special. It was a simple one with Tsunade officiating it. Lee or Kin had no problem with that since neither of them wanted anything extraordinary. "Maybe we should go ahead and have one of our own." That resulted in him getting a hard elbow to the gut. "I was kidding."

"You better be." Hinata halfheartedly warned. "Neither of us is ready for that yet." Her annoyance was dripped as she turned around so that she was face to face with her boyfriend. "Who knows what the future holds."

"That's fine with me." agreed Naruto with a smile. "We'll just take things as they come." Leaning in they shared a short but tender kiss. "No need to worry. Things are likely to be pretty uneventful."

00000000

In a dark, secluded prison cell, a single individual sat in the only chair. Sitting there they stared toward one of the walls. They weren't looking at anything actually as they were seemingly going over something in their head. Slowly a knowing smile appeared on the person's face. "It begins."

There it was. As I said this was to end this story. Never said it was the end of the series. Got one more story in the works before I put an end to this overall thing. Won't say what I have planned for it as I want to keep it a surprise.

As it goes right now, the first chapter to that story will be posted early next month. Until then though, I wouldn't mind seeing what you guys feel about how I've been taking this series and what I might be able to do to possibly improve it.