This Time

Hello everyone. This is the final chapter of this story and I just want to thank everyone who's been reviewing. We had a good run with this story, didn't we? I've tried to make this as long as possible. Once again this goes out to my favorite guest, lolgurl.

"Where exactly is Kaguya? And why exactly is she targeting our organization?" Karui asked as the team of five, plus Kyuubi, walked through the forests of Kumo.

"Legend has it that Kaguya Otsutsuki was a woman made for war; the greatest soldier of all time. She's an immortal being and she needs war." Kakashi explained to the woman.

Obito bumped the one eyed man's shoulder. "Let's not forget how she is the only being in the universe that can make the five kages ally with one another. If she needs war, and we stop them, who are we to her?"

"Her enemy." Karui mumbled.

"Got that right, kid. Now all we need to do is find her and take her out."

"How will we find her?" Karui asked.

Naruto pulled out a map. "I know where she resides. When I was younger my father told me stories about her and he knew where she resided. Itachi has a copy of this map as well."

"What if she's expecting us?" Sasuke asked.

"There is no 'what if,' dove. She knew my father. She knows I'm coming for her. It's like she wants a war with war itself."

Everyone became quiet and this gave Sasuke time to think. It had only been a month since he joined Enforced War Cease. And in that long, dramatic month, several things happened.

He killed a man.

The organization's headquarters were ambushed.

His best friend had almost lost his life.

He was going to kill a high rank immortal soldier.

He fell in love.

Love? Could he call it that? Naruto made him feel happy. The man made him blush as if it were just discovered; made Sasuke want to do things that he had never even thought about.

His mother always protected him as her little Sasuke; he was too innocent for the world. But Naruto made him crazy. When Sasuke was with Naruto, the Uchiha could be courageous and vulnerable at once.

He was still a dove; needing to be held and loved with all his might to keep peace in the world. But then again, the world may have been too innocent for this dove.

His thoughts were interrupted as someone's shoulder bumped into his own. It made him wonder did assassins just go around bumping shoulders; it happened on twenty occasions that he'd been with them.

Karui was smirking at him. "You seem to be thinking and blushing hard." She whispered. "Are you thinking about your lover."

"L-lover" The Uchiha spluttered. Karui just pointed her forward. Their commander, while still in motion, had busied himself with making his pet fox dodge his sword. Sasuke thought it was a weird way to train. But Kyuubi and Naruto had always been weird.

Sasuke walked into his best friends house behind Itachi. Kushina smiled at them as she vacuumed. "Hey, boys!"

"Hi, Mrs. Uzumaki Namikaze!" Itachi shouted back and Kushina wondered just how much her older son rubbed off on the Uchiha.

"Naruto and Gaara are out back with Kyuubi."

"Thanks! Come on, Sasuke!"

As the Uchiha brothers walked in the direction of the back door, they heard Kushina yell 'have fun' and the sound of the vacuum grew quieter and quieter, until there was no sound but scolding in the backyard.

Itachi opened up the patio door and deadpanned. Gaara, the more normal of the family, sat on a tree branch. Naruto was scolding his fox and trying to place a sign before it.

Kyuubi was pouting and knocking down the sign every time it stood on it's own. "What did I just say, Kyuubi? You do it all the time, and I get in trouble for it. Now you have to deal with this confession of shame."

Naruto lifted the sign and the words were on full display. 'I climb the neighbors tree and I take their fruit and hide it. I also climb over the fence and poop in their yard, but I want Naruto to carry me everywhere.'

Itachi laughed as Kyuubi hit the sign with his head, making it fall over. This gained Gaara's attention and he motioned them to the tree for all of them to enjoy the show.

"Hey!" Naruto yelled. He and Kyuubi glared at one another for a moment until the fox laid down and pouted, his eyes filling with tears.

"Okay" Naruto stated, exasperated. "You win, only because your my best friend."

"Ouch" Itachi whispered, though he was smiling.

Naruto collapsed onto the ground. Kyuubi climbed onto the nine year old's back, making the latter grunt.

"Kyuubi, you are so mean. I'm going to make you nicer, I swear."

The mutated fox let out a sound that could have easily been translated into 'I'd like to see you try.'

Naruto only laughed. "Just you wait, fox demon."

Sasuke turned back to Karui. "He's not my lover." He whispered.

The girl just rolled her eyes with a smile. Sasuke assumed that was the end of their conversation and went back to staring at Naruto and figuring out his feelings.

When he looked at Naruto, his stomach got warm and it felt funny; it couldn't be love.

"You know I love you, dove." Sasuke jumped at the deep voice. Karui had gotten close to his ear to tease him and he jumped. The two stared at one another for a moment before giggles began to escape their mouths.

Naruto, Kakashi, and Obito looked toward them. "What's funny?" Naruto asked.

Karui shook her head. "Nothing for your innocent ears, commander."

The blond observed them some more and snorted softly. "You better not be threatening my dove."

"I wouldn't dream on it, sir. Sasuke is a hard person to threaten."

Everyone could feel the smirk in the blond's voice. "Karui, you faker. You're one of my more tougher girls. I didn't think you'd be afraid of Sasuke."

"Huh" The dark girl smiled mischievously at Sasuke. "He wishes."

Sasuke smiled an bumped shoulders with her. "I've always wondered...is it a thing for us to bump shoulders?"

Obito jumped before them. "It has always been a thing for assassins in our group to bump shoulders. Kakashi and I do it all the time."

Karui raised an eyebrow. "He said bump shoulders. Not bump penises to asses."

Sasuke put a hand over his mouth to stop the laughing. Had they, the assassins, always been like this; murders of the night, yet not acting like such. Living dangerously free and so threatening close to normal?

Obito laughed. "That's what I meant, innocent girl. I put mine to Kakashi's ass"

"You sick thing." Kakashi mumbled from behind an orange book. "You have to be discreet about it."

Karui's hazel eyes scrutinized the book. "You're one to talk." She mumbled.

Sasuke couldn't hold it anymore. The loud laughs took flight and echoed through the forests. No one but his brother, Gaara, and Naruto could get him to laugh so boisterously. Members of the Enforced War Cease were very amusing. Eventually, everyone, save for Naruto, began to laugh with him.

"Unknown civilian dead ahead. Everyone stay on sight." Naruto commanded. His subordinates directed their attention to the front, emotionless faces, and Karui put a hand on her sword.

Without turning, Naruto whispered. "Karui, do not engage unless on my signal."

The girl sighed and nodded, although he couldn't see; he knew. "He doesn't look like danger anyway." She mumbled.

The civilian ahead was an elderly dark man, thus he must have been one of the earlier residents of Kumo. "Looks like he's meditating, more of a peaceful man than a warrior. Good eye, K."

Naruto walked closer and the man's head snapped up. "Naruto Uzumaki. But, you are a Namikaze."

Karui and Obito reached for their weapons as Naruto put his hand up in a halt motion. Blue eyes scanned the old man before them. "You know my name." the blond finally spoke.

The Kumo man smiled and shook his head. "I don't know you on a personal level, but I know your name. You are a young man who stops wars, no?"

"Not just me. I have an organization with my friends."

"You also kill people who make wars."

Naruto raised a brow, not sure where the conversation with this wiseman was going, but continuing anyway. "Yes. We do."

"And these wars kill people." The dark man hummed. "When will your time be? I wonder."

Naruto crossed his arms. "What do you mean?"

"You kill people who kill people so will you kill yourself."

By the time his words sunk in, everyone knew where this conversation had gone. Naruto growled, but the man just sighed and continued.

"I shouldn't judge. I have been in many wars in my time, both physically and mentally. Tell me, my boy, do you stop wars within oneself?"

"It's hard, but I have converted some troubled people into happiness." Naruto smiled.

The older man nodded in approval. "And you are a good soul. What brings you here?"

"My friends and I are on a journey….a mission. You see my organization was attacked by someone under a very powerful person. They hurt my brother and I can't let that happen ever."

"I see. Well you, Uzumaki Naruto, will have very a very good future. It is right ahead. What you searched for and began for in the very beginning will be there in the very end."

Naruto smiled. "So you're a prophet. Though if I'm a man who kills to stop the killing, I'm not sure if you're correct."

Sasuke frowned. He didn't like this Naruto that degraded himself because of his actions. He didn't like that this old man turned Naruto into a 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions' kind of man. It made him feel angry, but what could he do about that?

Before he could tell Naruto off, the old man spoke. "That depends on you believing it or not. You should continue your journey."

Naruto smiled and nodded. "Come on guys." As they walked ahead, the nameless man called Naruto's name.

"As you continue your journey, remember that time heals the wounds of people's heart. Some things change." Naruto nodded and thanked the man.

"Well" Kakashi began when they were a distance away from the man "He was an optimistic soul."

Naruto halted and took off his travel pack. "A wise one as well, senpai. We rest here, guys. You guys think of the watch shifts." The blond sat down and pulled out a brush.

Instantly, Kyuubi can and sat between his legs, ready for his daily brushing. After a moment, Obito decided that Naruto and Sasuke would have first watch, Karui second, and he and Kakashi last.

As the sun went down, and everyone else went to sleep, Naruto and Sasuke sat alone with their thoughts to keep them company.

The raven put his knees up. "I don't think you're a bad person, Naruto. I think your organization is great and you've done so much for the world in the past seven years."

Naruto looked at his companion and smiled. "Me too. I like to think that I'm doing the right things. But you, dove. You were always so innocent. Aunt Mikoto even saw it, that's why she wanted to keep you safe."

"Well….I'm not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself."

Unexpectedly, Naruto leaned over and kissed his forehead. "You'll still be a dove to me."

Sasuke blushed and leaned into the kiss, eyes closed in satisfaction. "You promise?"

"It's a promise of a lifetime." Naruto mumbled.

NSNS

Naruto awoke to his face being licked. Kyuubi stood over him. "Hi, Kurama. Did you have a good sleep?"

The fox licked his face again and he sat up. "Alright, alright. I'm up. Where is everyone?"

The fox nodded his head east. "They're already dressed and ready?" Naruto asked rubbing his fox's head, genuinely surprised. "We sure do have a good team of assassins, don't we?"

"Yeah, we always knew we would." He mumbled. "We should get up and ready, eh?"

Naruto stood and slipped on his shirt, he grabbed his pack and sword. His fox led him to the team and instantly he was frowing.

They stood in a circle and Obito stared at the map with a distressed look. "What's wrong?" The blond questioned.

Sasuke walked to him with his sword. "Either something's wrong with the map….or this is where Kaguya should have been."

Naruto frowned and retrieved his own weapon. "That can't be-"

"It seems you've grown, Naruto Uzumaki." They turned to the voice and Kyuubi let out a howl sound, as if he weren't afraid.

"Kaguya." Naruto whispered. The woman was frail, older than anyone they'd ever seen. She had to be immortal, she was unlike any human they saw. Regular humans didn't have horns.

And to top off the image, the woman stood smiling, with no weapons at all. "I'm glad you found me. I've waited 23 years for this meeting."

"You know me obviously, old hag." Naruto got into a defense stance. "But, I've never met you a day in my life until now."

The woman laughed. "I'm not here to fight you; I'm just a frail old woman. I knew you'd come because Jiraiya said you would, before he died of course."

In shock, Naruto dropped his sword. "What?"

"You're Minato's boy, yes? I met him and you the day you were born. In fact, he saved my life and I saved yours."

Minato stared at his wife in the hospital bed as she cried next to a bundle. The young man had no idea what to chose.

The war just raging outside of the city or the fact that his newborn child wasn't breathing.

Kushina looked up, her eyes as bloodshot as her long hair. "Minato please, you have to save my baby. You have to. I'll die of a broken heart."

Minato looked at his son. At his non rising stomach; at his dead blue eyes. Did Kushina not understand that this child had no life? Was there even a way to bring a newborn child back?

He would try for her happiness. Grabbing the bundle, he tried not to let his own tears fall. He kissed his wife's forehead. "Don't worry. I will find the everlasting herbs. Just outside the city."

He walked out of the hospital. "Don't you worry, Naruto-kun. I know you're alive in there somewhere."

Minato ran. Ran away from the village and through the woods in hopes of saving his only child. "I got you."

The forest was dark and the only place the current war had not affected. His eyes scanned everyone, searching for the orange everlasting herbs that was said to work miracles.

There! Just on the edge of a pond. Minato would have sighed in relief if not for the woman's cry beside him. He steadily walked over to the bush emitting the cries.

Peering into the bush, Minato quietly gasped. Kaguya, the woman of war, lay wounded in the shoulder. Beside her was a fox with t

In her prime, the woman looked extraordinary. She stopped whimpering and looked up at him. "You can't kill me. Even when I'm wounded." She stated cockily.

Minato smiled softly. "I wasn't trying to...hold on." He spoke softly. Walking to the river with Naruto in his arms.

The man crouched and ripped the orange flowers from their root, instantly soaking them in water. The everlasting flowers were said to heal almost anything and bring things to life. Hopefully, Naruto would begin to breathe.

The man kissed his son's forehead and walked to Kaguya. "I'm not a big fan of war and no matter if you're a comrade or enemy, you shouldn't lose your life over petty arguments."

He rubbed the petals of the everlasting flower in his hand and observed the wound on her shoulder and placed his palms on it. She sighed in relief and laid down herself.

"Do you know who I am? I can kill you right here."

Minato laughed and went to work on his son; unwrapping him and rubbing the 'ointment' over his bare body. "I just came here to bring my son to life. I'm in no hurry to fight; in fact I don't want to."

The woman wrapped her own shoulder and stood with her sword. She watched Naruto's form for a moment before turning. "Verywell. I wish you the best….Minato Namikaze." Before he asked, she answered "I know everything."

When the war item and her fox had disappeared into the forest, Minato carried on bringing his son to life. "Wake up now, Naruto."

The child still didn't move and Minato frowned. He looked into the eyes that matched his own, but they were still lifeless and his own filled with tears. "Come on, baby boy. Just wake up for me. Mommy really wants to see you. She wants to see you so much and so do I. I want to hear you cry."

Still nothing. Minato let out a sob and leaned down to kiss Naruto's head. "I'm so sorry. It doesn't work."

A hand touched his shoulder and he looked over it to find Kaguya. "The everlasting flower doesn't work on children. I've lived long enough to know. But, Immortality does work."

Before Minato could request a further explanation, the woman grabbed Naruto and kissed his forehead. They waited for a moment.

As small cries left Naruto's mouth, Kaguya began to look more tired; older even. "Shh" She soothed the newborn. Naruto looked at her and stopped crying. She smiled and touched his cheek.

"My babies were killed. My twins." She told Minato. "They were just five and war took them. I sword that I would give the world hell in every war. Now, I'm not sure where to go." She placed Naruto in his father's arms.

"A life for a life. My debt has been paid."

Minato frowned. "What do you mean?"

"If you know me, I'm sure you know the legends about my immortality. Or now your child's immortality. Naruto, is it?" Minato nodded. He looks like one.

He'll stop aging when he's fully grown. Your son will live for a long time and I will die soon. It's inevitable But, I know I will meet him again one day. I can feel it." She pushed the small fox toward father and son.

"This fox will live as long as he does. Kyuubi was my son's pet. If Naruto keeps him as a companion, he will never be alone."

I will see you again too, Minato Namikaze. Farewell."

Naruto stood in a state of shock at the old woman. His life was hers and her life was his. His father saved her and in return, the woman had given him her immortality.

"I was tired" The woman spoke. "Not only of living for hundreds of years, but fighting. I met up with your father plenty of times after the day you were born. I enjoyed his company and the stories of your growing."

"I can't be." Naruto mumbled.

Kaguya sighed. "It's true, but you will not live forever. Long, but not forever."

"So I'm not immortal?"

"Maybe to your friends, but everyone dies eventually. But, enough of this. I live underground now. Your father was a very good boy. He changed me. He left a gift to you. That's how I knew you'd return."

The old woman turned around and began walking. Karui turned to her commander. "Is this what the prophet spoke of? Having time to heal and everything changes?"

Naruto nodded. He wasn't sure if he liked this. Dying years after his friends and family. He wasn't ready for such a task. And Kyuubi. No wonder he had the fox for as long as he could remember.

"Naruto?" He looked toward the whisper to find Sasuke standing close, a look of concern in his eyes.

"I'm fine. We should follow her." Naruto began walking after Kaguya. There were still plenty of questions that needed to be answered.

NSNS

Kaguya's underground home looked like any other. The woman, while speaking with Naruto led them to Minato's 'present.'

"My organization was attacked." Naruto stated. "My brother was almost killed. The one leading the attack stated that he was loyal to you. Explain that."

"People always want to look up to me. After all, I am the woman of war. If you were to attack someone else in hopes of starting a war, would you not be loyal to the one who enhanced them? Would you not idolize me?"

Naruto nodded. "So Kyuubi and I are only connected because of you?"

"No, my boy. It's because of you. You chose to make a bond with him and he accepted that. Don't think this changes anything; you're still stuck with him."

Naruto laughed. "So you knew my father for five years?" He questioned as she stopped in front of a door.

"Yes. I must show you this."

Before Naruto could brace himself, he was drug into the room. It was a bare area beside the body wrapped in bandages.

"Is that body mummified?" Karui asked, not sure if the person beneath was sleeping or dead.

Kaguya nodded. "Yes. Before Naruto's father died, he asked to be wrapped and given to his son. I couldn't go out so soon, plenty of wars would have started. So I waited for Naruto to come to me."

It wasn't until Sasuke hugged him from behind that Naruto knew he was crying. After 18 years of everything and this is where he was. He remembered Jiraiya telling his mother that they couldn't recover the bodies. He just didn't know that someone else did.

As he walked over to his wrapped father, Naruto crouched down. "So that's what the old man meant."

What you searched for and began for in the very beginning will be there in the very end.

He made the organization for his father to avenge him and hear he was at the final step. It was so much to take in.

So much that Naruto fainted upon his father's corpse.

NSNS

The blond awoke on silky sheets to Sasuke sitting beside him, giggling slightly. "What's funny?"

Sasuke looked. "Just thinking about how you fainted ten minutes ago. Your hand was touching your crotch."

Naruto smiled."Really, dove? I could have had a heart attack and that's what you think about? You're so crazy."

Sasuke let his giggles die down and after a moment, the two sat in comfortable silence. "It's been some time since we talked, Sasuke. Really talked, I mean. We've been so busy. Now that we're alone, would you like to catch up on lost time?"

Sasuke frowned, but still sat upon Naruto on the bed, straddling him. "Everytime we try going far, something crazy happens. I mean what if Kaguya turns evil or even someone finds-"

He was yanked down onto Naruto's lips. "Let's not think about that, dove." Naruto laid the Uchiha under him.

At first, their rhythm was clumsy and Naruto realized Sasuke's true innocence. He was too innocent for older men like Naruto. It didn't feel good at first. It felt like he was being ripped apart, but when he let it all go and relaxed, it felt ten times better. He felt dangerous and loved. But the best part about it was the moments after as the raven lay in the tan chest crying his heart out.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked, concern leaked in his baritone voice.

Sasuke sat up and wiped his eyes, but he kept sobbing. "I think….I tried to say I didn't….I think I love you. Please don't hate me."

Naruto wanted so badly to laugh at the 18 year olds stupidity. What was wrong with loving someone?

"Aww." He pulled Sasuke close, letting the pale man rest on his chest. "Don't cry, dove."

When the sobbing stopped and Sasuke had nearly cried himself to sleep, Naruto spoke in a whisper. "I love you too. So much."

But Sasuke was already asleep. He didn't fret. Thinking about his life now, the blond assumed he had so much more time to tell him.

And there I'm done. It WAS NOT THE BEST ENDING FOR A STORY. I am late on this story and I'm still sad about my other one. I didn't even add Yaoi or an epilogue.

Just to clear up some confusion, Naruto IS NOT IMMORTAL. He will just live for so long, people will believe he is. Yes, Sasuke and the others will die before him. And that is because Minato allowed Kaguya to heal him.

She's a legendary woman. He knew the consequences. Not directly, but he knew there would be some side effects. If you have any questions please write them in your review. I will do my best to answer.

Once again, I'm sorry for being late and frustrated. I hope you guys enjoyed the ending even the slightest bit. I'll do better on the story, I am updating tomorrow. Bye.