The Future: Naruto Fanfiction

Chapter 28

REBIRTH OF THE LEAF – VOICES IN HIS HEAD

The Hidden Leaf Village

A group of just over one hundred approaches the outskirts of the new hidden leaf village. This is the group who have recently been found by the hidden leaf's Ino-Shika-Cho formation. Around one hundred survivors from the Hidden Sand village, led by the only shinobi in their midst, Shikadai's cousin and the 6th Kazekage, Shinki of the Kazekage clan.

The group has had a tough time during the extended period of conflict. In the desolate regions of the Land of Wind, there is very little water to drink and next to no sources to obtain food from. It is only because of the hard work and dedication of the 6th Kazekage that they have been able to survive throughout this time. For these people, who have had to endure so much more than any of their predecessors, it was perhaps the greatest relief they had ever felt when they reunited with the shinobi of the Hidden Leaf.

As the citizens of the Hidden Sand approach the edge of the Hidden Leaf, they find a crowd waiting for them, a result of Inojin alerting the village ahead of their arrival. Following the 4th great shinobi war, freedom of movement between the various villages increased, many people left the Cloud to live in the Rock for example. Many of the Leaf villagers gathered had relatives in the Sand, they are all eager to see if their family is amongst the small group of survivors. One such person rushes to the front of the crowd. Temari.

Temari runs ahead of the crowd and throws her arms around Shinki, her nephew. "Shinki" she whispers as a tear rolls down her cheek.

It has been years since Temari last had any contact with the village of her birth, the village where she was raised. Rasa's only daughter left the village despite being a member of the Kazekage clan, instead deciding to raise Shikadai in the hidden leaf, alongside Shikamaru. Temari, more than any migrant, had many connections in her home village after leaving. For years she had been a pillar of the village that many people had relied on, someone who had helped many people and supported Gaara during the transitional period in which he became the Kazekage. To see survivors, even just one hundred of them, is a joyous surprise, especially for her.

Reciprocating the hug, Shinki tries his best not to be overcome with emotion. "It's good to see you too, Aunt Temari".

As the nephew-aunt duo step away from one another, Temari asks a question out of hope alone. "Your father and your uncle".

Shinki's smile leaves his face and is replaced by a more sombre expression, as he shakes his head it confirms Temari's fears. "We fought a furious battle against the invaders, but we couldn't win" he begins, "Dad told me to take the few surviving villagers and to run".

Gaara and Konkuro had died during the invaders' attack.

It is what Temari had expected, there were even the occasional rumours that Gaara had fought against a Colonel and almost won but it is still painful to hear about her brothers' death. There is always the small consolation for her, that they died as shinobi worthy of the Hidden Sand Village, that they died so that the villagers may live. No matter how few it is, no matter how insignificant the results may have seemed at the time, some villagers have survived. Just like Konohamaru in his role as Hokage, Gaara will be remembered for his act of self-sacrifice as Kazekage, as will Konkuro.

During his last moments, unbeknownst to any of his fellow shinobi, Gaara had prayed. He had prayed for an end to the threat the invaders posed. When he prayed, in his mind he had a scenario he had hoped would play out. He had hoped that the world's strongest duo, Naruto and Sasuke would fight together once again, for he believed that only together would the two of them be able to win against this enemy.