Author's Note: Well this is the end guys! I know I say it every chapter in every story but thank you so much for every review, favorite, follow, and just deciding to give this story a chance. It means so much to me that you decided to read something I wrote, even if it wasn't the best sometimes. I started this chapter last summer when I wasn't sure what to write, only that I had to write and now, it's finished. I still can't believe it and there's really nothing left to say but thank you! Please review and let me know what you liked most about this story and what you would like to see from me in the future! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Emiko is my character.

Chapter Twelve

"It's been awhile, Minato-san." A woman at the counter greeted him as he walked into the Yamanaka Flower Store. He immediately knew that she was Inoichi wife and judging from the small bump, she and Inoichi were expecting their first child together.

Minato offered her a warm smile, "It has indeed. Please give Inoichi my best and congratulations." He added nodding to her stomach.

She glowed with happiness, "Thank you Minato-san. What can I get for you?"

"A dozen yellow chrysanthemums please." Minato asked and thanked her as he handed her the correct amount of money.

She wrapped the flowers for him before waving goodbye. Minato walked out the store, and for the first time since Emiko died, he stopped and enjoyed the feeling of the sun on his face. Kushina was right, Emiko wouldn't want to see him like this. No one did and though she was gone, that didnt mean he should stop living. No, she would never want that.

Minato nodded and greeted as civilians and shinobi called out to him as he walked through the village, stopping to enjoy the sights and sounds of his beloved village. He stopped at the spot near the lake that he and Emiko often spent their day offs at. There was a lightness about the lake that day, as if it was welcoming Minato home and asking where he had been all this time.

As he walked closer, Minato saw a cluster of bright wildflowers growing near the edges of the water. They seemed to be calling to him, Minato picked a few flowers and added them to his bundle of yellow chrysanthemums.

With the flowers in hand, Minato headed off to his final destination.

The fire symbol in Konoha's cemetery stood tall and proud as Minato made his way towards Emiko's grave, his feet had memorized the way months ago.

When he arrived, he kneeled and gently placed the flowers on Emiko's grave, taking a moment to trace her name with his fingers.

"A lot has changed. I've changed and… I think you would be happy to know that. Maybe you've been worried about me too… Anyways, the war's still going on and I'm still fighting but now…" he trailed off, trying to find the right words. "Now, I'm not fighting just to for the sake of fighting, I'm fighting for the future, for everything we wanted. I promise I'm going to do everything I can, for our village and the children of the Hidden Leaf village."

The stone remained silent, but Minato felt down to his bones that Emiko had heard him. Minato slowly rose, a new energy in his body as he pressed his hands to his lips before touching the stone one last time. "Thank you Emiko-chan. I love you." Minato whispered as he walked away.

"Minato-sensei! You're late!" Obito yelled as he approached the Team 7 meeting spot.

Minato offered them an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry, I had something I had to do before coming here."

Obito huffed but soon forgot about his sensei's lateness. Kakashi muttered an insult which immediately caused Obito to yelled at the silver haired ninja. Rin offered him a bright smile before attempting to stop her teammates from killed each other.

Minato let out a small laugh about his student's antics before turning and looking at the three of them. Obito, Rin, and Kakashi. His Students. The future of the Hidden Leaf village.

Seeing his team together like this brought back to mind a conversation he had once had with Emiko.

"You sure have an interesting team, Minato." Emiko said as she watched his three students train.

Minato nodded, leaning back against a nearby tree, "I know. At first, I had my reservations but seeing them each grow into their own and as a team has given me hope for the future. They can make, I know they can." Minato said, his blue eyes filled with pride.

Emiko looked from Minato to his students, "You're really lucky, you know that?" She asked, wistfulness in her tone.

When he looked at her curiously so she continued, "Not everyone has a team as strong and dedicated as you do. On the surface it looks like they might never get along, but look at them," She gestured with her head where Obito had somehow fallen during training. While Kakashi must have mocked the Uchiha, he held out a hand which Obito took and pulled the dark haired shinobi back on his feet. Emiko saw Rin use a small amount of medical ninjutsu to heal the scab on Obito's knee and the three went back to training.

"They're lucky to have you as a teacher too. You guys are so lucky to have each other." Emiko added, looking at Minato with pure adoration in her eyes.

Unable to help himself, he pulled her close to him. Completely unconcerned that his students might see and kissed her.

"We truly are." Minato said, truth shaping every one of his words.

Author's Note: Wow… I still can't believe this story is finished. Thank you so much for coming along with me on this journey. Your support and feedback has meant the world to me. Thank you and I hope we meet again on the next story!