Chapter Text
The 4th Great Shinobi War’s end is finally reaching its first annual anniversary. The triumphant heroes of the war were gearing up for a grand celebration to be hosted in Konoha, with dignitaries and shinobi from all over the elemental nations attending. It was decided that it would be Konoha to host for the celebrations as it was Konoha’s forces that had contributed the most to end the war. By the time that Kaguya emerged from Madara, it was the elite of Konoha with the singular help of the Kazekage that were leading the charge.
There was, of course, the fact that Uzumaki Naruto, heroine of Konohagakure no Sato and of the war lived and breathed her home of Konoha which became another incentive for the celebrations to be held in Konhagakure.
Her celebrity status had its upsides and downsides. She was now respected, acknowledged, loved, and idolized by her home village and the rest of the world. And there was the pitfall of being such a touted figure. Many greedy men wanted this exotic beauty, this deadly flower, this coveted jewel to be their wife, their trophy wife. Of course, there were some men that simply idolized her to the point that they thought that they were in love with her. Various nobilities, merchants, and shinobi clans clamored for the Uzumaki heiress’ hand in marriage.
Which was another point of contention. She was the heiress of a known defunct clan much like her best friend Uchiha Sasuke. They were both eligible for the CRA or the Clan Restoration Act. If Naruto was a male, she could have married whoever and how many she wanted. Therein lies the problem, she was a female; and once she marries, she’s not only obligated to be a breeding sow for her own clan to be replenished, she would need to provide heirs to her lord husband. Which is a complication, as firstly, Naruto would never degrade herself to be, basically, a bitch to be mounted and to produce offspring from. And secondly, she had no plans of marrying outside of love; and that compounds the issue as she is currently not with anyone at the moment.
Oh, the villagers are convinced that she and Sasuke have a secret romance going on… But Sasuke has firmly stated his intentions of holding off marriage and the rebuilding of his clan until he deems himself worthy enough to find a wife. Which, frankly, adds fuel to the fire because he’s not saying “no” to the fact that he and Naruto are a secret couple. While Naruto being the idiot she is just laughs and denies everything out of amusement that the people were so naively convinced.
This then lands them into the problem of Naruto’s single status, no matter if the civilians are convinced that Sasuke and Naruto are star-crossed soulmates and lovers. They really shouldn’t have allowed the story of their repeating reincarnations be known to the world at large. Naruto’s status as an unmarried, young, gorgeous, and popular heroine is very desirable and circles back to the initial issue of men wanting her hand in marriage.
The Rokudaime Hokage, her jounin-sensei and fellow war hero, had so far politely declined all the previous proposals and courtship requests. But now, they had finally received the one proposal they couldn’t immediately refuse. The son of the Fire Daimyo, Hirohito, had passed his majority and is now looking for a wife. The young man had the fortune to be guarded by the heroine of Konoha in his latest trip to the Land of Rice Paddies. On their way, they had been besieged by bandits who did not know Naruto by face but by reputation only. Thinking they could make a quick ryo on the travelling noble, the bandits attacked their caravan. Hirohito hated sitting inside stuffy carriages while travelling, so he rode upon his trusty horse, trained not to spook easily.
That day, the horse’s training failed its master as the brown steed reared up in fright as the first bandit landed in front of the princeling. Naruto, who knew that the bandits had been circling them for some time, was quick on her feet and plucked the prince from his seat without much effort. While holding the prince in a rather undignified princess carry, Naruto dispatched the rest of the bandits, numbering to more than 50, with only her feet. The rest of the squad with Naruto just picked off the stragglers that Naruto didn’t knock unconscious in the first place.
By the time the scuffle was over, Hirohito felt his heart beating a mile a minute, not because of the adrenaline caused by the bandits attacking… but rather Hirohito thinks it was because of love. Hirohito had supposedly fallen in love with the heroine of the world and as soon as he went home asked his father, the Fire Daimyo, to send a proposal for Naruto’s hand in marriage.
This now presents a conundrum to the Rokudaime Hokage of the Leaf, he could not deny the proposal for no good reason. The political and economic backlash that would result in Kakashi nonchalantly denying the proposal like the others would be astronomical. While the Leaf was not hurting financially in the wake of the last Great Shinobi War; they were still recovering and advancing to a more modernized village. Computers and hand held devices transmitting over larger distances were now readily available to the common man. Whereas before it was limited to the military and government. Building and allowing all these advancements were costing the village a pretty penny; and majority of it was provided by the Fire Daimyo for the sake of the civilians.
Hatake Kakashi, cannot in essence, deny the Fire Daimyo at all. And compounding this issue was the vote put up by the village’s council; as they’ve taken notice the sheer amount of marriage proposals and courting requests to the blond Jinchuuriki of Konoha. While Naruto was now the beloved hero of the citizens of Konoha, the civilian council was another matter altogether. Old Relics of a past better ignored, the civilian council of Konoha actually outnumber the shinobi council by only 5 seats. The civilian council had been in power since the Sandaime’s second reign and continued to be a nuisance to both Tsunade and now, Kakashi’s annoyance. The civilians saw an opportunity to strengthen the ties of the nobility of Fire Country to the village and they were taking it, whether or not others were opposed.
They also did not want to hand over the Hokage position to the headstrong Kunoichi. Already, they lost a lot of power while under the leadership of Tsunade who did not take kindly to the bullshit of civilians thinking they can nose in on shinobi matters. The civilians desperately wanted stronger ties with the Daimyo and will, supposedly, withhold the Hokage seat if Naruto would not comply.
Not that it mattered much, because if Naruto really did end up marrying the prince, she would need to move out of Konoha, quit her shinobi standing, and be relegated to being a lady of the court, permanently. This was not ideal. Kakashi and the rest of the shinobi council would not allow for it. Naruto was the Hokage the village wanted and needed. There was no one more suitable than the Number One Unpredictable Kunoichi of Konoha to take the hat.
A sudden knock to the door of his office pulled Kakashi out of his brooding. “Kakashi-sensei, it’s me.”
“Naruto.” Speak of the devil and they shall appear. “Come on right in.”
Naruto, uncharacteristically silent came in, she looked tired and was holding a scroll in her hand, that suspiciously looked like the letter Kakashi had been contemplating about for the past few minutes.
Kakashi heaved out a frustrated sigh, “So they sent you the letter personally, then.” Naruto sat down heavily in front of him, looking miserable. “Look, we’ll…” Before Kakashi could finish, Naruto cut him off. “Don’t. I’m not stupid, Kaka-sensei. I’ll… I’ll do it. There’s no other choice. But, please… Can we wait until after the festival? I… I need to… uhm… think. About things…” With that Naruto left, teary eyed and in a hurry. Naruto wasn’t looking at where she was running and when she inevitably bumped into someone, she just mumbled a sorry without looking up and continued on her way. Shikamaru and Shikaku stared after the fleeing blonde and both decided not to chase after the obviously distressed jinchuuriki.
Determinedly, the father and son duo marched straight towards the Hokage’s office. What they found was an equally miserable Hokage, staring at the letter he was now clutching between his hands. “Kakashi?” Shikaku called out, worried.
Kakashi looked up and saw his Jounin Commander and his head strategist. Both had the look of worry on their usually nonchalant face. Kakashi had to drag his hand over his face, no doubt it was obvious how world weary he already was. “Good timing. Come in, both of you. I would have wanted to have Naruto here for this discussion but….” Kakashi trailed off as he stared at the now closed door behind the two Nara men.
“Troublesome. She bumped into us on the way out. What happened?” Shikamaru worried over his friend. He hadn’t seen the blonde so distraught since Jiraiya’s death. “Hokage-sama, I’m guessing she knows already, then?” Shikaku, who was normally as laid back as his son, now sounded as tired as the Hokage was. Shikamaru had no idea what his father and the Hokage were worrying about but he knew it involved the knucklehead ninja of Team 7.
“Shikamaru, I’m sure you’re aware of the countless marriage offers and courting requests for Naruto we’ve received since the war ended.” As he spoke, Kakashi offered the letter he has been holding on to for this particular meeting. The two older men waited as Shikamaru took the letter and read it over. The sudden loss of color and sudden change in demeanor of the young genius were all the confirmation the two elder shinobi needed to see that the young man understood what was at stake.
“It seems that this time, the civilian council subverted me and sent the proposal towards Naruto personally as well. What bumped into you was our usually happy but now miserable adorable blonde ninja that just told me that she will accept Hirohito-sama’s marriage proposal. Except that she’s asking for us to wait until the end of the festival.” Kakashi steepled his fingers in front of his already half-covered face and stared at two of the most brilliant minds in Konoha. “Well gentlemen, I don’t suppose we could do something about this, couldn’t we?”
Both Nara men were speechless as they both absorbed the information that Naruto already gave up and accepted the marriage proposal. “We can’t let this happen, Kakashi-sensei.” Shikamaru reverted back to calling the hokage sensei as he was won’t to do since genin. “You’re the Hokage and her jounin sensei. She’s barely almost 17, she’s still a ward of the state according to civilian law. She’s not an adult until she’s 18. * You can still say no to the Fire Daimyo. She can’t…” A hand on Shikamaru’s shoulder stopped him from speaking more. Shikaku’s visage was grave.
“Son, it had already been put into vote a few days ago. As you said, she is a ward of the state in civilian terms. The council voted to allow the marriage proposal… or else they’ll withhold the Hokage seat from her.” Seeing Shikamaru’s face crumple before hardening into something that resembled resolve was a relief on the old man. While they all wanted Naruto to be able to reach her dream; they did not need a panicking friend in their planning.
“Who were the troublesome idiots that allowed it?” Shikamaru wasn’t really holding back his anger, but he was calm and rational. Usually, this is a deadly combination on any Nara men. “The civilian council outnumber the shinobi council by only a few seats. Think, Shikamaru. All of the civilian council had voted on going forward with the arrangement. All the shinobi council members wanted to deny it.” Shikaku might as well have painted a target on the civilian council member’s backs; he was sure his son and his friends would find a way to make the council member’s lives hell.
After a moment of silence, an aggrieved sigh sounded out from the youngest genius in the room. “We’ll have to plan this out. The festival ends in a week and a half from now. Have you already sent your reply, Kakashi-sensei?” Shikamaru’s face was already contorted in absolute focus. He was already setting up scenarios and planning ahead with the information they have.
“Not yet. Naruto barely left before you both came in. I’ll send out our response that our answer will be provided until after the festival. Afterall, the last day of the festival, the end of the war is Naruto’s birthday. I’m sure they’d understand we just want to her have fun first. Please, both of you, I need your best plan to move forward with this. We can’t lose Naruto to mediocrity as a lady of the court.” With that, Kakashi was pulling out a fresh scroll and his writing utensils. Even with the advancement of technology, any correspondence with the Daimyo had to be hand written still.
Taking Kakashi’s words as a dismissal the father-son duo left the Hokage’s office through the door, both focused on planning and strategizing the current dilemma.
They didn’t notice Madam Shijimi, wife of the Fire Daimyo passing them by.
There was only a week left until October 10th, her birthday, and the anniversary of the end of the 4th Great Shinobi War. The festival was finally at full swing. Vendors and merchants from all over the elemental nations set up stalls in Konoha’s already bustling market. It was obvious that Konoha was still rebuilding from Pein’s Invasion but they also all noted that Konoha was joining in with the times as they had colorful flashing billboards and civilians walking around with mobile phones.
A stage was built in front of Konoha’s Administration building. There, every day, performances and games will be showcased throughout the whole day until the last day. What was previously the Kyuubi Festival now had become the Hero’s Festival. It was to be a day of celebration and not a day of mourning. Not anymore.
The opening ceremony was full of pomp and circumstance. The Gokage had all come to Konoha to celebrate with their new comrades-in-arms. Of course, they hadn’t left their villages unprotected; some of their elites had to stay behind and guard their respective villages. But the most important people were there, especially the team of war heroes, Team 7. Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto stood beside their jounin-sensei greeting the first anniversary of their win against the goddess, Kaguya. Sakura wore a large grin on her face as she stood proudly in front of her Shishou, Tsunade. Sasuke just stood there like a block of ice, as always. At least he wasn’t wearing his usual annoyed face.
And Naruto? Naruto looked a little lost and dazed but still wore a smile on her face.
It looked wrong. It looked very wrong on the usually exuberant blonde. There was something wrong and her friends didn’t know what it was. Though the pitying glances of some of the shinobi clan leaders, the Hokage and some of the shinobi council members were obvious. Whatever it was, the council knew it but the rest of the shinobi population might not. The rest of the Konoha 12 stood in front of the stage in formation; a place of honor for those who bravely fought with god-like forces directly in the war. With them standing so close to the stage, it was inevitable that they noticed their usual sunshine blonde, not being her usual self.
“Oi, Shikamaru, do you know what’s going on with Naru-chan?” Ino asked, loud enough for the rest of their friends to hear but not anyone else. The frustrated and aggravated sigh that came out of Shikamaru’s voice alarmed everyone. “I… Yeah. I know what’s happening… We can’t do anything about it. She’ll have to deal with it herself.” Shikamaru’s tone told everyone that he was definitely not happy with what was going on with the blonde jinchuuriki. “Oi, Shikamaru. What the hell? Don’t you want to help?” It was unfortunate, that the Suna contingent including Temari and Kankurou stood in front of the stage as the rest of them and within hearing range of their conversation.
“Shikamaru-san, Naruto-san taught us that the best way to tackle our problems is to share it with everybody. Please be kind enough and share with us what’s happening so that we can help Naruto-san.” Neji’s calm voice spoke up, also agitated in tone. The Hyuuga prodigy had noticed Naruto’s lessened presence in the village a few days leading up to the start of the festival. He’d also seen how aggravated his uncle had been at the same time. Something was happening and it involved Naruto somehow.
Once more, Shikamaru gave out a frustrated sigh with clenched fists and shaking shoulders. “I… I can’t.” It looked as though Shikamaru was forcing himself not to speak. This casted a foreboding feeling on their group of friends. Before they could prod further the MC called up Naruto’s name to come up front.
“Hey! Uh… So, the festival’s started and they kinda roped me in in showing up on stage every day. Which is annoying, I mean an honor, dattebayo!” It was obvious to Naruto’s friends that she was forcing her usual cheer. The Kage and other special guests all had taken their seats behind Naruto were bewildered. They’ve known the blonde for only the past year but they all knew that the Konoha jinchuuriki wasn’t acting like herself.
Amongst the guests that sat on the stage were the Hi no Kuni Daimyo and his family. Though they only brought three of their daughters and their sons; one of which was still Hirohito. The young prince was gazing lovestruck at Naruto, not knowing that she doesn’t act that way usually.
“And, since I’m supposed to show up here every day… I’m going to do this… thing… and no, I’m not doing a backflip for any of you.” For a second, Naruto’s personality shone through, a wild, happy grin while she does do a backflip contradictory to her statement. “There, backflip, so that none of you are going to be wisecracks about it.” The crowd laughed, amused at their blonde hero. Then, Naruto’s smile turned a bit shy, her cheeks blushed cutely. Everyone could see her face as the camera for the screens scattered around Konoha and broadcasting across the elemental focused on her blushing face. “Ah… Jiraiya-sensei always wanted me to do more girly things. And, what I’m about to do… is something I really do enjoy doing and that… I’ve never done this with a big audience. Not even my team knows I can do this… So… Enjoy.”
Naruto set the microphone on the stand put there by the stagehands, a chair with an empty champagne glass sat next to her. “So, this is dedicated to all of us who stuck it out the whole war. Who persevered in the face of monsters and monster-like men, as well as literal gods… Here’s to Us.”
Here’s to Us by New Directions
As the song started, Naruto’s expression was wistful as she sang the opening verse. And as the chorus started, she picked up the empty glass next to her and toasted it to the village. The angle of the camera showing her actually smiling at them through the glass, like in the lyrics. Her tender smile was given to everyone as she “wished everybody well.” Naruto swayed in time with the music, one hand holding on to the microphone stand, the other loosely holding the stem of the champagne glass.
Just as the second round of the chorus started, a horde of Naruto’s Kage Bunshin quickly ran around, handing out filled champagne glasses to all the shinobi present, including the Kage and her teammates behind her. As the music swelled, so did the emotions in Naruto’s face. She was sincerely congratulating the shinobi world for a job well done. The song reached a crescendo and Naruto’s voice rose with it without breaking, her hand once more toasting the shinobi present. This time, those handed glasses, and even those that weren’t all raised their hands in a toast to Naruto as well.
Some, who recognized the song, harmonized with Naruto at the ending part before the song ended in a more intimate “Here’s to Us” for everyone.
A beat.
Then the crowd burst into applause and cheers. They never knew that the Pranking Queen of Konoha also had this side to her. No one had ever heard her sing before; and with her usual brogue and rough voice, they thought she’d sound more like a man when singing. But, no.
Her voice was powerful, definitely a balladeer, and very pleasant to the ears. Even the highest octave her voice had gone on the song was pleasant to hear.
Naruto’s blush reached her neck, she literally looked like a blonde-haired tomato; something that reminded the older Konoha citizens of another Uzumaki tomato that hated her red hair. Her nervous tick, which she scratches with a finger the ends of her whisker marks showed how genuinely abashed she was with the enthusiastic reaction of the village to her performance.
The MC finally stepped up and started commentating. “Wow! That was amazing, Uzumaki-san! Isn’t that right, Hokage-sama? Are you as surprised as the rest of us that our beloved heroine is this talented?” Kakashi walked up to stand behind Naruto, a congratulatory hand to her shoulder, just avoiding ruffling Naruto’s hair. “Mah, I’m quite surprised too. I didn’t know my adorable Naru-chan had such a wonderful singing voice. I’m glad that I allowed her to perform now, and not just show up on stage every day.” Kakashi’s eye smile was as cryptic as ever. Before the MC or Kakashi could say anything further, Naruto’s face became visibly very red, she slipped out of their space and ran away, jumping up to the nearest building and out of everyone’s sight.
“Ah, seems our newest diva is still a bit shy. Oh, well. Let’s give another round of applause to the amazing Uzumaki-san!”
The whole of the Konoha 12 sans Naruto plus the sand siblings and Killer Bee’s team searched for Kurama’s jinchuuriki but she was nowhere to be found. By nightfall, Naruto’s friends gave up looking for her and just waited for the next day. Naruto had declared that she would be showing up every day on stage, so they’ll find her there tomorrow. It would be hard to miss when she goes up stage, the screens showing the performances on the stage were everywhere in Konoha after all.
2nd day of the festival
Everyone who are close friends with Naruto worried about her. There was something off about her on the first day of the Festival and it seemed that only Shikamaru knew why. Not even the two available members of Team 7 knew what was going on with Naruto. Everyone incidentally met up in the afternoon near one of the big screens set up for the festival. There was a game going on the stage right now and Naruto hadn’t shown up on stage all day and it was almost evening already.
“Oi, Nara. Spill it. What is happening with the dobe?” Sasuke confronted Shikamaru when they all met up, they had all gone out to not only to enjoy the day but to also find their blonde idiot friend. Their friends looked on worriedly as Sasuke stood uncomfortably close to the Nara heir. Ino and Chouji were standing their ground, flanking their team mate, protective from the volatile Uchiha. “I saw you talking with the others yesterday. You know something so speak the fuck up.” Sasuke usually didn’t resort to cursing but he was too worried about his dobe to be subtle.
“There’s some really… important things happening right now. I… I can’t tell any of you. You can try asking the other clan heads, my dad or even the Hokage. They know what’s going on with Naruto. But… it’s not really my story to tell.” Shikamaru was hesitating with them. It was unusual. In fact, Shikamaru could be a downright bastard to his friends; they would be offended if they weren’t so used to the Nara’s abrasive personality. Clearly, whatever it was causing Naruto to act so weird was frustrating the Nara genius too.
Sakura reached out and tugged on Sasuke’s sleeve, her expression has worried, if not more so, than the rest of their friends. It was unlike not only Naruto but even Shikamaru as well to not trust their friends enough to tell them their problem. “Sasuke-kun, we’re both worried… We’re all worried, I’m sure Naruto doesn’t want us causing any trouble if she’s keeping this from us.” Their little meeting abruptly ended when the MC announced that it was time for Naruto’s daily appearance.
When Naruto finally showed up on stage, she wasn’t wearing her usual orange monstrosity. Instead, she wore a light orange long-sleeved button-up shirt, because of course it had to be orange, and beige capri pants. Naruto’s friends were stunned, they’d never seen Naruto wear anything but her orange monstrosity or standard shinobi gear before. Now, she looked stylish and fit for the stage, even.
As soon as Naruto’s friends got out of stupor from the surprise of their friend, they all started running and jumping over roofs to get to the Administration building. Hoping to catch her this time after her performance. As there were loud speakers scattered throughout the village to broadcast the performances on stage, they could hear Naruto start speaking.
“So, I heard that a lot of people enjoyed what I did yesterday. Surprised y’all didn’t I?” Naruto sounded a bit more normal that day. But they weren’t near enough to actually see Naruto’s expressions as her friends travelled the village. After a typical delighted giggle from Naruto, apparently reacting to something in the crowd, they heard some scuffling before Naruto spoke out again.
“This time, I’m dedicating this song to Sabaku no Gaara and Killer Bee-occhan, my fellow surviving Jinchuuriki. Sure, Gaara doesn’t have Shukaku anymore but, hey, he’s alive and he was a jinchuuriki. Just like me as I am still right now! Also, Konoha, I know we are still hurting because of Pein’s attack but I’d like to dedicate this song to Pein, Konan, and Nagato; they’ve suffered too, ya know? And finally, I’d like to dedicate this to Konoha’s most burdened and unsung hero, Uchiha Itachi. Every action he took, no matter how many he’d hurt specially my best friend, Sasuke, he’d done it for the sake of the Konoha he loved and the love he had for his little brother. ‘Cause People like us? We gotta stick together.”
Just as Naruto finished her opening message, Naruto’s friends arrived, and the music started on cue.
People like Us by Kelly Clarkson
The techno beat slowly swelled into life, Naruto spoke into the mic saying, “We come into this world unknown but know we are not alone. They try and knock us down but change is coming it’s our time now.” Then Naruto started singing. The song sounded upbeat but the lyrics were a bit dark. Then the music quietens and Naruto’s voice and conviction shone through. Her hands were flying in animated expression of her interpretation of the song. Then the song bursts into liveliness and Naruto took off the mic off the stand and started prancing and twirling about the stage.
When the song quieted again, once more the lyrics turned dark and Naruto’s raw emotion at the line, “after all your tears have turned to rage.” Then she threw her head back at the end of the stanza before returning to a more rousing and determined chorus. Once more, Naruto danced around the stage; throwing her head around and generally enjoying the song. Before getting a bit serious on, “They can’t do nothing to you, they can’t do nothing to me. This is the life that we choose, this is the life that we bleed.” She then pumped her fists in time with the lyrics.
Then as if losing energy, she crooned into the mic she had on hand for two lines about how everybody loses it and wanting to throw it all away some times. The music rises in intensity once more and Naruto started twisting and turning and dancing across the stage as she sang. The ending chorus starts and until the song abruptly stops and Naruto did one last twist, her long hair swinging around her and she faced the crowd and camera with a huge smile on her face.
Once more, thunderous cheers and applause echoed throughout the village. This time Naruto didn’t immediately run off but hammed it up and did some showman’s bows. But Naruto doesn’t speak any further and let the MC speak before she waved goodbye and jumped away. This time, she slowed down enough for her friends and other strangers to follow her. She was still acting strangely so her friends didn’t try to stop her or call out to her.
They arrived to one of the commercial districts being built; Naruto stopped on top of an open rooftop with a grand piano set up. Naruto sat down on the piano bench and played a few simple tunes. “That… I’m glad everyone enjoyed the song… but what I really wanted to sing… I guess it was too sad, I didn’t want everyone to hear a sad song…”
The strangers that followed the famous Konoha 12 was actually part of the camera crew working for the festival. “Naruto-san, we would like to hear the actual song that you wanted to sing for those people you dedicated today’s performance to. We understand that it would be a sad song, but I’m sure everyone would still love it.” As soon as the camera crew spoke, Neji, Sasuke, Shino, and Shikamaru turned to glare at the camera crew who promptly ignored the famous shinobi.
“Hey, if she doesn’t want to sing it, she doesn’t have to!” Ino almost shouted to the strangers with them, only holding back because of Naruto and the ambiance the rooftop created as the brighter blonde continued to softly play in the background. Naruto’s soft laughter brought everyone’s attention back to her. “I’ve changed my mind… I kinda want everyone to hear this song now…”
Naruto placed both her hands properly on the piano and started a rather sweet soulful tune…