Crossroads (A Naruto Fanfiction)

It Goes A Long Way

The papers all read one thing: Gather before the Hokage Mountain.

It was a vague instruction that provoked a sense of excitement, desperation, and hope amongst the crowd that had gathered from the said message. No one spoke. Some didn't even dare to breathe before the carved faces of legends. When the Hokage's figure came to light on top of the Hokage's tower with his full garb, including the signature triangular hat illuminated by the burning sun, I could practically see the taught thread held only by its very last string in each person's mind. Especially the shinobi who were visible to me. "The war..." The Hokage starts. He lets the silence hang in the air just long enough. "Has ended."

And the last string snapped in half sharply with screaming cheers and cries which scared me for the first few moments. Father picked Itachi and I up and threw us onto his shoulders in the midst of all the chaos before jumping onto the rooftop. He held our heads so we could see the joyful crowd clearly.

"Take it in carefully." He says. "These moments are what we fight and live for."

I took in a deep breath. Finally, after so long, this was a lesson from Father for me too. I glanced over to Itachi, and the happiness of knowing that Itachi no longer had to worry about the war was excruciating.

We watched as the Hokage let the people have their moment before he calls for the crowd's attention once more. The smile and tears were prevalent throughout and the Hokage couldn't have felt more at peace than with this. "The third shinobi war is nothing to commemorate, but the shinobi who had fought for this moment, the end of the war, certainly deserve their respect. It is with their abilities and character shown through their tests of loyalty from the war that I have chosen my successor." Loud gasps could be heard. "With the end of the war sparks a new era with a new leader. I have grown old. It is time for me to move on."

The Hokage turned to the side and took a step back to clear the area where he had stood for a new figure. It definitely wasn't someone I was surprised to see, but looking at them now, standing so proud and tall, my breath was nearly taken away in awe. Minato faced his predecessor with a wet gaze. "Congratulations, Namikaze Minato. May you lead the village to further prosperity and peace." The Hokage - now just Sarutobi Hiruzen - praised as he hands over the hat.

The crowd's second bout of cheers were near deafening.
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Mother seemed at peace lying against the railing of the patio. She was the image of serenity with an arm over her bulging belly. I could tell Sasuke was going to be quite the big baby. Itachi was right by her feet to massage her swollen ankles. I tried to keep myself shadowed around the corner, having come downstairs to grab myself a cup of water after reviewing my alphabetic notes. Mother usually served me without preamble, but her pregnancy hadn't been too merciful on her these past five months. I knew I shouldn't feel awkward, but I was. Seventeen years of memories compared to a meager four was truly a small but mindfully large gap when you're hit with a familial scene like this so suddenly. I felt like an intruder. However, Mother's gaze was welcoming and Itachi's fond smile was thrown my way. I moved quickly to join them.

Mother looked down at her belly and smiled. "He's kicking." She grabbed my and Itachi's hand and pressed them to her belly. It felt weird to feel a baby kick from inside the womb.

Itachi frowned, before he hesitantly asked, "I read that infants are the most fragile. Don't we need to learn how to care for him?"

Mother chuckled. "Don't worry too much. Both of you will do excellent with helping me raise him."

Itachi smiled with enough teeth showing. "If Mother says so."

"I know so."

I was glad to know that Mother's words would be true. I would make sure Sasuke didn't lose this family in this new life of his.
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