Orange, Spirals and Everything Nice

Twelve: We Endure

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters or the setting of the story. They all exclusively belong to Mr. Masashi Kishimoto in all its rights.

It had been a dreadful week for the whole world as every creature on the planet struggles to wake up from the horrors of the great war. The heroes and survivors have now reached home after what seemed like a lifetime mission that caused them to count the awful remainder of their still breathing friends.

Naruto and Sasuke laid side by side at the Konoha village hospital for a few days now as they recovered steadily from their injuries. The news of Tsunade's development of prosthetic arms made from her grandfather's cells gave the heroes hope of going back to normal since losing each of their arms during their last battle.

But that didn't actually matter at the moment.

Naruto had never felt more content in his chaotic life as he laid pathetically on that hospital bed. His so-called best friend and brother is finally home here beside him after years of frantically chasing after him. Heck, even his own brother, Itachi, played a big role in finding some sense into his deluded aspirations.
Yet, in the end, Sasuke was Naruto's greatest accomplishment throughout this whole ordeal.

Just the day before, Naruto met the rest of the Kages who took temporary shelter in Konoha as they recovered from their own injuries. Gaara managed to smile a little at the blonde hero when they shared a handshake of gratitude and friendship before they went back to their respective villages.

By the end of the week, everyone was gathered to honor the mass of lost heroes at the village cemetery. The survivors were all dressed in black as they mourned and prayed for the life and souls of their brave comrades. It was an eternal nightmare that will live on for the rest of time.
The pain they carried as they live on was unbearable as they stood before their fallen in silent tears. The weight on their young shoulders sagged with grief, but it felt even heavier with every passing second.

The silence of the cemetery was deafening.
But everyone knew that each of them were continuously replaying the monstrosity of the war in their own minds, during those horrific moments as they helplessly watched their comrades fall lifeless on the ground.

It wasn't the first time Naruto had lost a loved one.
He had always known that pain since birth because of his parents' sacrifice. He experienced losing his friends and acquaintances he met during his missions throughout the years, so he has a good grasp of the meaning of life. He suffered with them as they left their unfulfilled dreams and regrets, as their souls were taken away from them.
The bonds they shared too shortly with Naruto became invisible scars he's meant to carry on in his life because they believed in him.

Just like his pervy sage, Nagato, Itachi, the fallen shinobis of the great war, and now... Neji.

It was a miracle that the blonde hadn't lost his mind with all the responsibilities bestowed upon his young shoulders throughout the years he had lived yet. His late friends' and teachers' memories and smiles had kept him from the endless remorse he was fated to survive with. That's why, even if his innocent adolescent heart had been shattered, beaten and broken over and over, the hero can still be able to move forward and find his own smile back.

The same smile that had changed so many lives.

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No member of the Hyuuga clan dared to speak to the eldest daughter of the main family since their warriors had returned from the great war. Even the relentless leader and her own father chose to let Hinata mourn on her own for their beloved and noble Neji.