Strings Of Destiny

Paying Respect

Welcome back to the chapter number 94 of "Strings Of Destiny".

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

"Demonic Voice"

"Flashback"

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Naruto, Izumi and Nimato stood in front of an unmarked grave where Naoru's old boulder like home used to be. behind it was the body of Yotogi lying on a bed of wood while flames engulfed Yotogi's body

For Izumi as she stood there staring at the mound of earth where Naoru and Yotogi's graves where she was remembering all the times she had spent within the company of Naoru and Yotogi all the time she had felt at home with them and all the times she had cherished going to see them when things were dark for her.

Nimato stared down in sadness he had promised Yotogi that they would eat ramen all the time when they got to Konoha...he had lost his friend and he couldn't help but think it was his fault this happened.

Naruto stared down with an emotionless expression both Yotogi and Naoru had been in his life however he had been right to keep them at arm's length since he didn't have to deal with the pain of losing someone he cared about again and looking at Izumi's tear stained eyes he wondered if there was something wrong with him for thinking like that.

Suddenly however out of the flames small shining orbs floated above the fire and they slowly came together so it took a small oval shape, Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly as the oval object floated down towards the three of them. Nimato held his hands out and the small oval object dropped into his palm taking a closer inspection Nimato notice a small white liquid inside and Naruto with just one glance knew exactly what it was.

"Keep it with you, so you never forget Yotogi" Naruto stated and Nimato looked at him before nodding and pocketed the oval shape object.

"We should get going soon and report to the Tsuchikage that Ryuujin had been defeated" Naruto said and beginning to walk away however Nimato and Izumi did not move.

"Why did he have to die...if he hadn't tried to protect me then he'd still be alive" Nimato said wiping his eyes trying to stop the tears and Naruto walked back between Nimato and Izumi and sighed.

"It's not your fault...that applies for both of you, Izumi you did all you could you shouldn't blame yourself for anything same with you Otouto" Naruto said taking Izumi's hand into his own and she showed no resistance, using his other hand Naruto placed his hand on top of Nimato's head.

"...Freedom or peace that's the choice we are given Yotogi choose to save your life because he wanted to...out of his own freedom he decided it was his time...after all isn't that the whole point...freedom is what we decide and knowing that dying for what we want to believe in isn't such a bad thing right?" Naruto explained and ruffled his little brothers hair and a few seconds later he felt Nimato cry on him and he wrapped his arm around his brother.

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Walking towards the gates of Iwagakure Naruto looked to his side and he could see the exhaustion from both Nimato and Izumi the two of them had pushed themselves way beyond what they could handle both physically and mentally.

Nimato had transformed into a four tailed miniature version of the Kyuubi...Naruto could only imagine the strain that must have had on his body and mind not to mention his skin still hadn't fully healed and by the way he was walking Naruto could tell Nimato was pretty much out of energy.

Looking towards Izumi Naruto frowned as she struggled to keep her eyes open there was sweat running down her face and her breathing had become slightly labored she had exhausted her body both outside and inside by fighting like him she had been fighting all her life so he knew what type of suffering she was going through.