Rebirth of Legends

Chapter 16: The Snake Returns

Naruto sighed as he entered the Hidden Leaf Village. Six days ago, he left it on the mission to Sakuba Town with Hinata beside him. His life had felt like it couldn't get better. But now, everything had changed. He and Hinata knew of a looming threat, one that affected not just their village, but the world. And only the two of them could stop it. It was a burden of immense proportions, but Naruto was used to carrying burdens like that. But he wasn't sure about Hinata. Ever since they had headed back for home, she had seemed quieter and withdrawn back into herself. Naruto, concerned for her, turned to Kurama.

"Do you think she will be okay?"

"I don't know. The burdened placed on the two of you is unlike any that anyone has ever faced. You know what it is like to carry a heavy burden, but she has never dealt with a responsibility like this before. Perhaps you should talk to her."

Naruto nodded and he gently pulled her into an alley, where they could talk and not be disturbed. She looked up at him as he gently touched her cheek.

"Hinata? You okay?"

She looked away from him, shaking her head. "No. I'm not. It's just...the entire fate of the world rest on us. How can we try and go back to what was normal when all of life itself depends on us to protect it? It's just...too much to comprehend."

Naruto pulled her close as she began to shake. "Hinata...it's true that what has been placed on us is immense. And trying to live our lives the way we did before will be tough. But if we fall apart...if we let ourselves be overwhelmed by what ifs and hows, then we won't be able to face that burden. Hinata, questioning everything won't help us. The best we can do is accept what is happening, stand together and move on. When the time comes, we will face this together. And no matter what, we will succeed."

Hinata looked up at him. "Naruto, I know you can accept this and face it. But am I strong enough? I don't know."

Naruto took her face in both hands. "I know you are. You have faced against enemies many times stronger than you and fought them with everything you have. You stood and listened to your own family and teammates call you weak and you have never let it stop you from trying your best. You are strong. I have always seen it in you, even if you have not."

She looked deep into those sapphire eyes, those eyes that she has always loved and admired. And she saw the truth. The belief in her, the love he had for her. Then she saw what he saw. A beautiful young woman with a determination that matched his and a quiet strength all her own. She suddenly smiled as tears ran from her eyes. She hugged him, unable to think of any words to tell him of the thanks in her heart. But he knew, for he saw her heart in her eyes. He smiled back at her and gently held her, swaying back and forth slightly. In that moment, they knew that no matter what, they could face the world together. Hinata pulled back slightly. "So, I guess this is what it felt like for you, knowing that you carried the Nine-Tails."

Naruto nodded. "The feeling wasn't as immense, but it's still basically the same."

Hinata nodded and pressed her head against his chest. Naruto gently ran a hand through her hair, then stroked her back. Eventually, he looked up at the Hokage Tower and the five stone faces behind it. 'So this is what you all felt. This burden of knowing so many lives are depending on you to protect them. That is what is truly means to be Hokage. Being able to carry this burden and still be human.'

He looked back down at Hinata. "We need to report in. The Hokage needs to know what happened."

Hinata nodded and the two of them headed towards the tower.

"Naruto. Hinata. Welcome back. I take it the mission was a success?"

"In a manner of speaking," Naruto said. He and Hinata stood before Tsunade, whose face had grown serious.