I want to thank Uzukazi for all the time he spent reading through and fixing my silly mistakes.

Chapter 25

Two days later, everyone was getting ready to go home. Gaara had left the second day in the toad world, he had to get back to the sand village, and he was, after all, the Kazekage. Minato had taken Kankuro, Hana, and their daughter to the sand village earlier that day and Jiraiya had taken the others back to their villages. Now it was only the leaf village ninja with their children standing in a circle. In the middle Minato, Naruto, Sasuke, and Jiraiya knelt around his scroll. They placed their hands on it and sent chakra into the scroll for about the millionth time that month, and they were suddenly home. Naruto and Sasuke stood up and needed to lean on Sakura and Karin for a moment; they still weren't completely back to normally, but a few more days and they would be. Choji and Shino held a stretcher with Tsunade's body on it as everyone walked into the village. Everyone came out to see what was going on, and they found the group walking in with Tsunade's body. Word had reached the village of the battle and the outcome, Jiraiya had sent a letter to Shizune who was acting Hokage while Tsunade was away. He had told her what happened to everyone, including Tsunade, so the villagers weren't so shocked and Shizune had everything prepared before they got there. After walking through the village they reached the Hokage tower where they met Shizune, Iruka, Guy, Ayame, Konohamaru and Hanabi. Hanabi hugged Hinata and Neji welcoming them back to the village. Shizune hugged the ones closest to Tsunade, knowing they needed to know they had others with them, before she spoke.

"I have everything ready. Shino, Choji. Take her to the infirmary. They're waiting for her." She said, and the two men walked off as she forced back tears. "This is the second time she has died in battle, the second time we are burying her, but it's still not any easier." She said and glanced at Naruto, who she saw was fighting back tears as well.

"The funeral will be tomorrow." Iruka said. "Now we must again have another Hokage." he sighed. "You should all go rest before tomorrow." Everyone nodded and left, but instead of going home most of them went with each other. Minato, Kushina, Kakashi, Anko, Shikamaru, Temari, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Karin, and Jiraiya went to Naruto's apartment with the kids while Neji, Ino, Hinata, Kiba, Konohamaru, Hanabi, Lee, Tenten, Guy, and Ayame went to the Hyuga house with the kids. They sat up late talking about the old days with Tsunade.

The next day everyone got ready and went to stand at the funeral as Tsunade was buried once again. Naruto stood in the front row with his one arm around Sakura as she wiped her tears away and in the other he held a sad Ryoko who kept her head on his shoulder. Sasuke stood with Karin and Itachi between them. Sasuke knew Itachi was upset and he kept his hand on his sons head as he leaned against him. Minato had his arm around Kushina as she cried, Jiraiya stood with only a sad face as the ceremony progressed. Kakashi stood beside Anko, who was holding Sakumo; he was looking around and watched everyone cry. Iruka was hugging Shizune with one arm and held their two year old daughter in the other. In the next rows the others stood all the same. Husbands holding wives and children, all upset and crying as Tsunade was once again lowered into the ground. Once the ceremony was over, lunch was held in the village where everyone sat and talked to each other and tried to cheer each other up. Ryoko wouldn't let Naruto go and clung to him for dear life, the same way Itachi did to Sasuke and Iruka's daughter, Hotaro, did to him. The others weren't as close to Tsunade and they were upset but not so much as to cling to their parents like babies.

"Still won't let go?" Kushina asked as she sat next to Naruto who shook his head. Sakura was rubbing her daughters back and talking to her, trying to get her to relax but she refused. She had her arms wrapped around Naruto's neck and she wasn't going to let go.

"Itachi and Hotaro are the same way." He told her. "They really miss her." He said softly as Sakura continued to talk to Ryoko, who was crying now. Jiraiya walked over behind Naruto and looked at the girl with a small smile.

"Hey, why don't you come with me? I want to show you something." He said and she shook her head and buried her head in Naruto's neck.

"Thanks for trying, but she won't even come to me." Sakura said and looked at the girl as she shook again with sobs. "She'll cry herself to sleep." She said sadly as Jiraiya sat next to Minato. Kakashi and Anko sat next to him with Sakumo between them, then Karin, Sasuke holding Itachi and then Sakura. Everyone had taken seats with their closest friends and was talking with each other. Kushina's village had come with them back to the leaf village and was at the next table over. Kushina went to sit and talk with them for a while, while everyone continued their efforts to get Itachi and Ryoko to calm down. They both refused to relax and fought sleep as they cried. After a little while, everyone started to move around to other tables and talk. Ino went to talk to Sakura as Lee and Tenten went to talk to Neji with Hiroshi.

"How's it going over here?" She asked taking Kushina's seat. She saw the little girl clinging to Naruto and the little boy doing the same to Sasuke. "It really hit them hard huh?" Sakura nodded.

"She won't let go or go to anyone." Sakura told her.

"Hotaro is the same with Iruka. She'll only go to him or Shizune." Ino told them.

"Itachi and Ryoko won't even go to us." Karin said. "This is all they've been doing since this morning. You should have seen us trying to hold them while Naruto and Sasuke got ready." Everyone came and went; they all talked about what happened and what will happen. The rest of the night was filled with talk, tears, sadness and very little laughter.

A few days later Naruto was on his way to the training ground with Kakashi, Sasuke, and Minato when Ino ran up to them calling for them to stop. They looked and saw her running with a huge smile on her face as she stopped and tried to catch her breath.

"You know how they were talking about who should be the next Hokage?" She asked; everyone nodded. "The elders just sent a message out saying who they picked." She said excited.

"And who was it?" Sasuke asked looking at Ino who smiled and pointed at Naruto.

"Naruto. They said you are the best one in the village. They knew your father didn't want to be the Hokage again and they threw around a few names and every single one of them picked you. My dad told me as soon as the elder's council let out." She said as Naruto looked stunned. "I can't believe it, Naruto, you're the sixth Hokage." She said and gave him a hug.

"Congratulations."

"Yeah, thanks." he said with a smile.

"Looks like your dream came true." Kakashi said with a smile as Naruto laughed and rubbed the back of his head.

"Ino, does anyone else know?" He asked wondering how many people he would have attacking him today.

"Choji and Shikamaru will probably be the only ones. Other than that I don't know." She said. Naruto nodded. "Why?" She asked curious.

"Cause I don't want to be run over by everyone." He said making everyone laugh and Sasuke smile. Ino left them to finish their walk to the training field so they could get practice in before going and confronting the Hokage thing.

A few hours later the men walked back to Naruto's apartment and frond Sakura, Karin, Anko, and Kushina talking at the three children played. Naruto sighed knowing he would have to tell them sometime. The three men behind him smiled as they walked in and passed Naruto, who was walking slowly.

"Any news from the council yet?" Karin asked Sasuke who looked at Naruto who shrugged. Sasuke looked back and gave a nod.

"They picked who they want. Ino stopped us and told us what her father said." Sasuke said as he took a seat.

"And? Did she say who they picked or that they just picked someone?" Anko asked.

"They picked someone, and Ino told us who." Kakashi said. "It seems we know someone that is going to be the leader." The women looked at each other thinking trying to figure out who it was.

"Don't try too hard, Sakura. You'll get a headache." Naruto laughed and got punched in the arm. "Hey, you can't hit your Hokage." He said laughing as all four women stopped and looked at him as he laughed, trying to figure out if it was a joke or not.

"Are you really?" Sakura asked, and watched Naruto nod. The four women smiled and jumped up running over and hugging him. "That's wonderful!" She said.

"This is part of the reason." Naruto said to the laughing men.

"So when is everyone supposed to find out?" Kushina asked as everyone sat back down and the three children walked over wondering what was going on.

"I don't know. They ended council a few hours ago, so word should be spreading soon. Especially with Ino knowing." He told them as he put Ryoko in his lap. A painted bird flew in the open window and flapped its wings in front of him. Ryoko giggled as she tried to hold it and it backed up slightly. "Wanta hold it?" He asked and she nodded. He reached up and had it land on his arm. He held her arm straight and had it hop over. "Now don't move fast." She nodded and smiled as she slowly reached up and pet it. It felt like a real bird but looked like a bird outline. Naruto took the message it held and read it.

"What's it say?" asked Sakura.

"I have to go to the Hokage's office tomorrow." He said. "Sai said that the elders want to talk to me, he said I'm not supposed to know why I'm going there." He smiled and rolled the message back up. "We have to let him go now." He said taking the bird and giving it a little toss and it flew back out the window.

"But I want one." Ryoko whined. Looking at the window.

"Ryoko, don't whine." Sakura said. "Maybe if you asked uncle Sai really nice, he might give you one." The girls face lit up, and she smiled brightly.

The rest of the day they sat talking about Naruto being Hokage; several friends who had found out stopped by and congratulated him. Soon Jiraiya found out and sat down to talk with everyone.

Several days later Naruto was voted in by everyone in the village. He was the second one to be voted in by every single person in the village, the first being the first Hokage. Naruto sat at a table with Ryoko in his lap, Sakura beside him and surrounded by his closest friends and family. He couldn't believe it, the dream he had had since he was a young child had actually come true. He was the sixth Hokage.

It has been six years and it was the first day of school. Everyone was gathered in front of the academy to say good bye for the day. Naruto, stood holding a three year old boy with red hair and green eyes, Sakura stood next to him with a six month old baby girl with blond hair and green eyes. Minato held a five year old boy with blond hair and bright blue eyes while Kushina held his twin with blond hair and dark blue eyes. Jiraiya stood with them to wish the kids luck on their first day.

Sasuke held a five year old girl with red hair and brown eyes while Karin held a five year old boy with black hair and gray eyes.

Kakashi and Anko stood by holding their twins, a girl with black hair and brown eyes and a boy with black hair, black eyes.

Kiba was seen with Hinata. He was holding their three year old twin girls, both had brown hair and white eyes, Hinata was holding their five month old baby boy with black hair and light gray eyes while their five year old daughter with black hair and brown eyes stood in front of them.

Shikamaru was holding his three year old son, with brown hair and green eyes, Temari held their three month old baby boy with blond hair and dark teal eyes, their twins stood in front of them. The five year old girl had black hair and brown eyes, the boy had black hair and black eyes.

Lee and Tenten were seen holding their two children. Lee held a five year old girl with brown hair and brown eyes. Tenten held their three year old girl with black hair and brown eyes.

Neji held a five year old boy with black hair and white eyes while Ino stood holding his twin with brown eyes and teal eyes.

Guy stood holding a five year old girl with brown hair and dark brown eyes, and Ayame stood next to him holding a three year old boy with black hair and black eyes.

Konohamaru stood a five year old girl with brown hair and gray eyes; Hanabi was holding their three year old son with black hair and black eyes.

Iruka stood with Shizune. He held their five year old son with brown hair and black eyes. He had retired two years ago and was going to live a life of a ninja. Choji and Shino were taking over. They would be alternating weeks. This made some people concerned about their children but those who knew the two knew the children would learn and have an amusing time doing so.

"Alright, now remember what we told you." Sakura said to Ryoko who was standing, anxious to go into school like most of the other children. Only Itachi, Sakumo, Chie, Chika, Sayuri and Hotaro could stand still out of all the children. Ryoko, Isao, Hiroshi, Akia, and Mina were looking around waiting for their parents to let them leave to talk to friends and to be able to go into class for the first time.

"Sakura let her go. You'll have plenty of time tonight to tell her why she has to go back to school." He laughed as she looked up at him. "It's not like we'll never see her again. Leave her be and when she leaves for her first mission, I'll let you do what you want." He smiled as she straightened up.

"Thanks daddy!" Ryoko said giving him a hug. "Bye!" She called running off making the others who were ready to go turn and just run yelling bye over their shoulders.

"Can we go now, mommy?" Asked a five year old boy with blond hair and dark blue eyes as Kushina put him on the ground.

"Yeah, daddy. Can we go play?" asked his twin with blond hair and bright blue eyes.

"You two just want to go and get into more trouble." Sakura said looking at her two sons, Naruto only chuckled at her answer to them. "Satoshi don't try to drag Sho into anything. You understand?" She asked. "And it goes the same for you." She said looking at the boy with blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

"We won't." They both said before running off with the other five year olds after getting a lecture from their parents. Next were the three year olds. Everyone went to the park to watch the three year olds run and play together. As the adults sat and talked, an ANBU showed up to the side.

"Lord Hokage." He said bowing down. "There are some problems throughout the village." Naruto got a look from Sakura. "It seems the children are at it again." Naruto sighed and nodded. "We are currently gathering them all up. What would you like us to do with them?" Naruto looked at the others who were thinking of the punishments to give the five year old who had become fast friends and partners in crime.

"Bring them here." He said. "We'll deal with them." The ANBU nodded and disappeared.

"And it started again." Iruka said. "They're going to have to really watch when they start school, I highly doubt Shino or Choji will accept them messing around."

"No one would run from Choji, more than likely the kids will come home stuffed with food." Ino said "Shino on the other hand. He'll just send his bugs out and they will march you back and hold you in your seat." Everyone laughed picturing the scene.

"So, what are we going to do about the boys?" Sakura asked looking at Naruto as she tilted her head where it lay on his chest. "You're the lord Hokage; you come up with the punishment. I'm tired of dealing with them. And I swear, if you get Tsunade to grow up like you have the last four, I'm going to hit you so hard, you won't get up for weeks. It's bad enough I have you, now I have four children just like you." She said making Naruto and the others laugh.