Can I Call You Mine

Chapter 23 Epilogue

The crunchy sound of leaves on the ground echoed in the thick quiet under his foot as he walked on the outer edge of the furthest part of the graveyard, breathing in the air that was filled with the scent of autumn as he walked further past the headstones. He noticed that some taller than others, some newer than others. He eventually approached and came to a stop beneath a large Sakura tree. It's large roots clung to the edge of the bank as if to keep itself from tumbling into the small stream that ran beside it. Naruto stood longer than he had planned out in his mind earlier that morning before bending down, sweeping away a small pile of leaves mixed with cherry blossoms with his hand until a round shaped stone came into view. There was nothing striking about it. Just a simple piece of gray slate, laid flushed against the ground. He nimbly ran the tips of his fingers over the smooth surface. Cold to the touch, and there were no indentations on it's surface. Nameless to onlookers.

To imagine dying alone was heartbreaking for the Uzumaki, regardless of the reality that the man he once loved had been a criminal, deserving to pay for his crimes, according to tradition he wasn't worthy of proper burial, so after he died, Naruto had nobody to send the body back to in America. The blonde knew he had an adopted brother who died years before and that was all the raven had mentioned as far as family. In light of their time together, Naruto was the only one Sai ever considered family.

Naruto sat down under the tree. The surrounding was an ambient of tranquility and Naruto felt that the man he once loved could finally find peace. He relaxed some in the quiet, allowing his eyes to rove about watching the ripples of the babbling brook that had pieces of tree bark and blossoms floating by once in a while.

His thoughts came back, crashing into him as he gasped biting down on his lip, trying to keep his emotions in check. A subtle breeze causing him to blink back the tears. "It's been a year today," he spoke in a whisper. He pulled out a photo, identical to the one that he had wrapped in a piece of velvet cloth and tucked inside the raven's suit jacket so that it laid over his no longer beating heart.

It was a picture of the twins on the day they were discharged from the hospital. Iruka had taken the photo of him sitting in the wheelchair holding the sleeping twins in each arm. They were dressed in matching white outfits with knitted hats and booties. Naruto had his hair styled nicely wearing a light blue maternity top and white slacks. His smile was soft and loving as he gazed down at the joy he was holding in his arms. Naruto had a copy made to bury along with Sai. The simple act was closure for him, wanting the man he once held dear to his heart to know that he wasn't alone, but had a family that would always be with him.

"Mirai's an exact replica of you." He smiled thinking about their daughter. She had inherited her father's personality almost to a tee. The softer, gentle side that Naruto was so fond of. "Can you believe that she loves applesauce. Your favorite." Giving a small laugh, peering at the stone as if it would respond back with an inquiry. "Isao pretty much looks like me, but he's got your nose and hates bananas, just like you." He whispered the last words sadly putting the photo back in his coat pocket.

Giving way to a heavy sigh, he laid the small bundle of blue hyacinth wrapped loosely in baby's breath that he brought along on top of the stone. He knew that the raven wasn't much for flowers, but had admitted once that he only favored the blue blooms because they reminded him of Naruto's eyes.

Naruto wiped away the tear falling down his cheek. "Thank you." In spite of the drama over the past year and his broken heart, he had given birth to two beautiful children, which if it wasn't for the kingpin he would've never experienced the joy of creating and meeting them. "We're gonna be okay."

He looked up to the sky with a sniffle, the rays of the evening sun peaking through the top of the tree. It was still somewhat full of pink soft cotton looking blossoms. He closed his eyes and brethed in their heavenly fragrance. Yes, this was the perfect place to leave the pass and carry on with the future. To leave the man who would hold a piece of his heart in peace.