AN: I still don't own Naruto…and I never will, but I do own this fanfic in all of it's entirety! Bwahahahahahahahahahaha!

Chapter 15

Paradise is but a Dream

A lone swallow flew above the burnt city, crying out a lonely tune into the still air. It flew passed pillars of dying smoke and walls of broken sandstone, searching diligently for food on the ground below. Its search had already been difficult, due to the drastic change in its usual feeding ground. Tiredly, the little bird perched upon a tall spike protruding from the top of a sand pillar, gleaming harshly in the sun's rays.

Below it, a large group of people were gathering within a battle worn courtyard. The swallow continued to watch the people move silently, like the insects the bird frequently hunted. Yet, in its simple mind it knew that they could not be eaten, so the bird took flight yet again, swooping over the unfamiliar crowd and following the sun.

Its search would be difficult to finish before the sun set, but the little bird with the simple mind knew only hope. And thus, when the time came, it did not go home hungry.

…..

Shikamaru let out a low breath before stepping out into the sun drenched courtyard from the dark and secluded palace corridor. He squinted against the light to see a multitude of people emerge from corridors and archways on every side of the main courtyard, looking just as lost and disoriented as he felt.

The Valide Sultan Tsunade stepped out into the middle and addressed the crowd, holding up her hands as if to get attention – though every eye had been trained on her since she stepped into the light.

She lowered hands and beckoned all of the people to come into the yard. "My people, I have been informed that the battle has ceased. It seems that our great Empire and our great Capitol City are safe once again. Through Allah's grace we have vanquished those who have wished us only ill."

A low muttering washed over the crowd like a wave, punctuated every so often by sounds of relieved laughter.

Tsunade smiled, but held up her hands once again, immediately bringing silence. "However, until your safety can be fully ascertained, I will advise that you all stay within the palace walls, preferably within this courtyard."

Many in the crowd let out a groan, including Shikamaru who had moved to lean against a pillar tiredly. He noticed in slight surprise that the Sultana, Ino, had followed his actions completely, and was now right beside him, watching her Great Mother warily. Her sister, Sakura, had plopped down onto the cobblestones soon after, followed by Rock Lee who had been practically attached to her by the hip since he had first declared his undying attraction to her. Kiba and Choji finally walked out into the courtyard, rubbing their eyes tiredly.

Shikamaru let out a small, fatigued smile. Today had been really tiring for everyone and they all had been itching to get out of that safe room for what seemed like hours. But now, they still had to stay within a courtyard.

Shikamaru slumped more against the pillar and slid down until he was sitting lazily upon the ground. He sure hoped his captivity here wouldn't last too long.

Following his example, the rest of the group, comprised of mostly teenagers, sat upon the ground and a peaceful silence came over them for a while. Each person stuck in his or her own thoughts.

Eventually, it was Lee who broke the silence. "So, Shikamaru, where's Naruto-kun?"

All eyes switched to Shikamaru at the question. They were curious to know the answer as well.

Shikamaru sighed and rubbed his temples out of habit. "How should I know?"

Rock Lee smiled placatingly. "Sorry, I just thought since you were a teammate…"

"He's not really a teammate." Choji added, digging through a new sack of pork bites. "We only live in the same pueblo."

Kiba grunted in agreement from his other side, petting Akamaru. "If anyone would know, Sasuke would…" Kiba paused suddenly, looking from face to face of the teens around him. "Come to think of it, where is Sasuke?"

Sakura and Ino bristled as all eyes turned to them.

"What?" They both asked in unison.

Shikamaru's eyebrows rose, prompting Ino to reply a bit huffily. "There's no way we would know where that kul is, if that's what your insinuating."

"Oh come on!" Kiba smirked, looking back and forth between the two Sultanas. "Don't tell us you've stopped stalking him!"

Ino frowned but Sakura just looked away, a bit of sadness marring her features. "It's not like that anymore."

Kiba was about to ask what Sakura meant by that statement when the largest wall adjacent to the group collapsed into a hill of sand.

Kiba coughed as the some of the loose sand entered his lungs. "You know…" Cough, cough. "That happens way too often around here."

"And yet…" Shikamaru smirked. "It's a surprise every time."

Sakura gasped when the loose sand in the air finally settled, letting them all see the Sultan stepping over the mound, followed closely by a black haired kul Sakura immediately recognized as Sasuke. But that wasn't all. Sakura's eyes widened along with everyone else's as Sasuke turned slightly, revealing a small blond boy perched limply on his back.

"Naruto…!" Rock Lee gasped, worried for his friend. "Is he alright?"

"I don't know." Shikamaru answered. "But who is the Sultan carrying?"

"It looks like a woman." Kiba observed, eyeing the long glistening, red hair and the bare legs draped heavily over the Sultan's arms.

"I've never seen her before." Choji muttered, squinting. "Do you think she's royalty?"

"No." Ino replied, sounding just as curious. "I know my entire family and I've never seen her before. Not even once."

They all continued to watch in puzzlement as the Sultan stopped in front of Tsunade and whispered in her ear. She stepped back a bit, eyes widened, before she looked down at the woman in his arms and then nodded. Then, the Sultan beckoned to Sasuke by tilting his head in the direction of a tall building with four large steeples, and both made their way out of the courtyard, each carrying their respective burdens.

The teens all looked at each other in confusion, when the arrivals were finally out of sight.

"What the hell…?" Kiba voiced the question on everyone's mind.

Shikamaru could only frown before Tsunade's voice echoed throughout the courtyard.

"There has been a new development, one which we must all observe and reflect upon." Tsunade looked around at the crowd, a touch of sadness and awe in her voice. "I have just been informed of the identity of our Empire's savior. Sadly, this brave soul gave up life for the good of the people. A proper funeral will be taking place in the Grand Mosque. I ask you all to attend and grieve for this great loss."

Finished, Tsunade turned on her heal and walked out of the courtyard, presumably towards the Mosque.

"I don't understand." Rock Lee said worriedly. "Is the funeral for Naruto?"

Shikamaru thought back to Naruto's limp body on Sasuke's back. He did look dead in that position, but… "No." Shikamaru replied curtly, standing up to follow the Valide Sultan to the Mosque. He refused to believe that Naruto could die that easily…that such a young boy could even be dead. "I don't think so. The funeral's probably for that unknown woman."

Rock Lee let out a sigh of relief, following Shikamaru.

Soon all of the teens were making their way to the mosque, along with the rest of the crowd at large; each teen hoping silently to themselves that Shikamaru was right.

No one hoped so more, however, than Shikamaru himself.

…..

Naruto's eyes slid open as the feeling of warmth faded from around him and he slid against the cold floor. He was incredibly disoriented, peering at his surroundings in the cavernous and geometrically designed room with the incredibly high domed ceiling, before his gaze fell upon a black robed Imam (1) placing a woman's body upon a raised platform while a servant held a large, white sheet.

Naruto shook his head in confusion at the entire scene, attempting to remember just how he had gotten where he was. He couldn't see much of the body, but he could tell it was a woman by the slender ankles and petite hands which splayed limply from the platform. He watched in numb fascination as yet another servant brought out a bowl of water and placed it reverently by the body, before stepping away slowly.

Suddenly, Naruto's hand was gripped by another and he switched his gaze to the interlocked hands before following the foreign arm with his gaze and ending at the other's face. Naruto smiled with the ignorance of a child at the warm, yet saddened, onyx orbs that greeted him within a pale and beautiful visage.

"Sasuke…" Naruto mumbled, smiling all the more as the name escaped his lips.

Sasuke just smiled back at him warmly, yet his eyes still held that strange sad expression. "You're awake."

Naruto looked at him with a puzzled expression, before smiling and asking softly, "Yeah…where are we? How did we get here?"

Sasuke's eyes widened a bit, before he snaked his arm around Naruto's shoulders and pulled the blond gently against his chest. Naruto leaned back, still watching the men with the body just feet away, as Sasuke's warm breath gently rolled against the back of his neck.

"Don't you…remember, Naruto?" Sasuke asked lowly, his voice vibrating through his chest and traveling to Naruto's back.

Naruto frowned and looked back at the raven haired boy, placing a hand on his cheek. "Remember what?" Naruto smiled innocently, subconsciously brushing away the tiny sense of foreboding that was tickling at the back of his mind.

Sasuke suddenly looked pained and he placed a slightly trembling hand atop Naruto's on his cheek. "I know it's hard, but…try to remember, Naruto."

Naruto felt a sudden sense of panic jump up his spine at the words – something instinctual told him that remembering whatever he had forgotten would be bad. "No…Sasuke…"

"Yes." Sasuke replied softly, tightening his grip on Naruto's hand, still placed upon his cheek. "Please…Naruto. Remember."

Naruto's eyes widened and he tried to pull away, but Sasuke wouldn't let him, only tightening his arm around Naruto's waist. Naruto shuddered involuntarily as an unwanted image suddenly invaded his mind. Sasuke was on the ground, soaking in a pool of his own blood, which was steadily oozing from a wound in his stomach.

He gasped.

Naruto clutched his free hand on the side of his head, tears collecting slowly in his eyes. The images never relented.

Cold, blood-red eyes were staring back at him uncaringly – a dark knee cap connected with his jaw full force, sending his blurred vision upon the hazy and smoke ridden sky – Sasuke collapsed and held his head, then vomited all over the ground with deep heaves – searing fingers plunged into his stomach, digging inside of him until his very core was ripped apart – A woman with fire red hair and bright yellow eyes rocked him gently, telling him he would be alright – Sasuke's dull skin receded into a healthy tone – His pain left his battered body, finally being able to breathe again –

His mama was dying in his arms.

He looked over his shoulder at the woman's body that was now being washed diligently and expertly by the Imam's servants with the scented water. He noticed details about her for the first time, like the abnormally sharp cut of her nails and the slightly vulpine upturn of her nose and mouth. But most importantly, he saw her long, wavy red hair falling around the platform like fiery rivulets.

There was no mistake. It was the fox. The woman who had watched over him whether he knew it or not all of his life. She protected him without hesitation and he knew now that she loved him as though he was her own kit.

Naruto choked back a sob, clutching a small hand to his mouth. "Mama…no…"

Naruto felt all of his previous numbness wash away until only pain resided within his small body. Suddenly, he could feel everything, as though he had been thrown into a harsh pool of ice. Naruto crumpled, his face wet and his mouth trembling.

Sasuke's arms wrapped around him, enveloping him in a soft warmth, bringing forth another memory. The memory of someone holding him as he grieved for his mother, holding him tight until a thick blackness took over.

"Sasuke…" Naruto whispered hoarsely, not really knowing what to say or how to deal with the pain. "You're alive."

Sasuke smiled with a bittersweet expression, pulling Naruto closer until his tellingly wet cheek rubbed against Naruto's. "Yes, Naruto-kun. Everything will be alright now. I promise."

Naruto wrapped his arms around Sasuke tightly and nestled his face into the crook of the raven haired kul's neck. "My mom saved us both…she…I told her not to…she didn't have to save me…I only wanted you to live…but she…"

Sasuke's embrace tightened at the blonde's subsequent sob. "I could never live without you, Naruto. I am grateful for your mother – the Fox. She saved me in more ways than one."

Naruto pulled back and gazed into Sasuke's eyes, cerulean blue still welling with unshed tears. "I'm grateful too…but….it still hurts so much…!"

Sasuke could only gaze at the blonde boy sadly and attempt to brush away his tears with his thumbs. Sasuke idly noticed that Naruto's cheeks were no longer marred by his familiar whisker like scars, leaving his skin an even and spotless tan. Naruto gazed back at him in anguish, but Sasuke could also detect another more powerful emotion almost hidden beneath it. He almost gasped at its intensity as Naruto bit back another sob, still holding Sasuke's eyes with his own.

"I love you so much Sasuke."

It had only been whispered, but Sasuke felt as if the words had been shouted as they continued to echo within his head.

Suddenly Naruto was back against his chest, breathing onto his collarbone. "I thought you were dead…it hurt so much…I wanted to die, so that you could live…but you were saved…she saved you…

"I love you…I love you…"

Naruto stopped mumbling at the overwhelming feeling that flowed through him. Even though he felt a great sadness at the thought, he knew that the Fox had given him the greatest gift she could give. After all of her trials and tribulations fighting the stigma of a powerful, blood thirsty djinn – she had finally shown the true power of her heart.

Sasuke gently placed a hand upon Naruto's golden hair and then kissed his forehead tenderly, trying to slow his racing heart. "I love you too…I've loved you for such a long time."

The two boys sat in each other's arms for long moments, both grieving for their loss and celebrating their new chance at life, until the mosque began to fill up with people from all entrances.

Naruto slowly extricated himself from Sasuke's comfortable embrace and peered around the room, as more and more people walked in and sat upon the endless floor. Most faces were unrecognizable, but some were familiar. Naruto actually felt himself smile weakly as Rock Lee waved at him from the other side of the room, walking beside Shikamaru, Kiba, Choji, the two distant kuls – Shino and Neji – and even the two Sultanas – Sakura and Ino. Somehow, Naruto was able to hear Rock Lee exclaim to the rest: "Naruto's not dead after all!" This left Naruto with a very perplexed look, thinking he must have misheard the statement.

The room continued to fill, until Naruto was sure no one else could possibly fit, but more kept coming.

"What're they here for?" Naruto asked quietly, addressing Sasuke with wide eyes.

Sasuke sent a glance towards the platform and then gazed back at Naruto. "They are here to observe and carry out the funeral rites."

Naruto bit his lip at the painful reminder. "They're here for the Fox?"

"Of course." Sasuke pulled Naruto back down against his chest. "She saved us all – she died for the entire Empire."

Naruto grew quiet at this, sunk in pure disbelief that the Fox could ever gain such a crowd to attend her funeral out of respect. He knew she would be incredibly happy if she were here to see this. The thought was equally bitter and sweet.

Naruto was pulled from his thoughts with the arrival of his father, Iruka, and General Kakashi, both sitting down beside Naruto and Sasuke solemnly.

Iruka placed his hand gently on Naruto's head, as the blonde stared back, unable to convey his emotions in words at the sight of his father. Iruka spoke for him.

"I heard what happened from the Sultan." He stated soothingly. "I'm so very sorry Naruto."

Naruto bit his lip and looked away, fighting his urge to sob all over again. He was becoming incredibly tired of crying. "It's…okay, chichi-ue."

Both Iruka and Kakashi stared at him solemnly, before Kakashi finally broke the tense silence by placing his hand on Naruto's head and ruffling his hair endearingly. "You're a strong kul, Naruto-kun."

Naruto attempted to smile back in reassurance, but failed; finding it harder and harder to push back the almost sickening sensation rising in his gut. This whole event was making the Fox's death all too real. He didn't think he could stand to be there for a moment longer.

He was just about to jump up and escape when the Sultan's booming voice rang against the sandstone walls.

The Sultan began to recite the customary Salat Al-Janazah(2) to begin the burial process. When he was done, the entire mosque was silent, many of the occupants bowing in Islamic fashion to pray.

"Let Allah guide this blessed soul into his merciful paradise, where the sun no longer burns and the sand no longer stings. Let this pure soul be taken into Allah's warm embrace, where love is boundless and comfort is plentiful. Let this woman, who was once a djinn, look upon the heaven of mortals and be welcomed through its golden gates only to know pure contentment for all eternity; for she has become the salvation of this Empire through the greatest act of selflessness."

The Sultan paused and looked around the room at the entire audience, before continuing in a slightly more subdued tone.

"Our good empire has been spared at the cost of an outcast, leaving me to believe that Allah's plan is truly awesome in its complexities and valuable lessons. We all live and die within Allah's warm embrace, taking of the garden of paradise under His good auspices."

The Sultan stepped away from his place in the front of the mosque and waved his hand at the Imam, who then moved from in front of the fox's body, letting all of the occupants in the room see her in her entirety.

Some people gasped at the sight of her now completely naked flesh, but not because she was naked. It was because although life had already left her, her skin still held an unnatural glow.

Naruto's heart ached at the sight, watching as the Imam unfolded a long white cloth which he then wrapped around her entire body with practiced ease.

Sasuke squeezed Naruto's hand with his in an attempt to ease the blonde's tenseness. Naruto forced a small smile and squeezed back, reassuring Sasuke that he was alright.

Once her entire body was covered, the two servants from before, picked up the platform at either side and carried it through the audience and out the front door. Everyone stood in a wave and slowly followed the servants with their load until they all surrounded the fox's body in a grand courtyard.

Naruto moved to the front of the crowd, along with Sasuke, Iruka, and Kakashi, but when he got there, a sense of dizziness overwhelmed him. Naruto fell to the ground, but got caught at the arm by Sasuke just before his head hit stone. Just as suddenly, the dizziness was gone, and Naruto stood back up with Sasuke's help.

"Are you alright?" Sasuke asked, looking a bit worried.

"I'm fine…thanks." Naruto replied breathlessly. "I don't know…"

But Naruto's words left him, for he could swear the cloth covering the fox's body was moving. "Mama?"

Before anyone could stop him, Naruto ran out into the middle of the yard, almost falling onto the Fox's body in his haste. He managed to place his hand upon the cloth instead, keeping himself steady. The moment his hand touched, the cloth glowed a bright purple and completely disintegrated.

Naruto only had enough time to fall back on his behind as the fox's mortal body glowed blindingly in front of him, slowly lifting into the air. The rest of the crowd gasped and then the light exploded, making everyone shield their eyes against its brightness. When Naruto opened his eyes again, a large fiery fox djinn was floating limply in the woman's place.

It continued to spin slowly in midair until it fell gently back upon the ground, completely covering the platform and more.

The entire crowd was struck silent, some with mouths hanging wide open. Even the Imam seemed not to know what to do with himself. None of them had ever seen such a creature – something that looked so dangerous, but beautiful at the same time.

Shakily, Naruto pushed himself up and ran to the Fox's real body, burying himself in the fox's thick fur the moment he reached it.

"Mama." Naruto mumbled into the fur, thinking that the fox could have miraculously come back to life. "Wake up."

But the fox did not stir, instead its fur began to glow a deeper, purer, purple hue. Naruto's squinted eyes opened in shock when the glowing chakra embraced him and flowed into his very veins. He could feel the powerful energy wash within him in a spiraling torrent.

He gasped and pulled himself off of the Fox's body. Soon after, the new chakra within him settled down into his core – where the Fox had once been.

Naruto closed his eyes, hoping against hope that the Fox would be there again, trapped within his own soul. But he could find no Fox, only an indescribable amount of power – her power.

Naruto stared at the Fox's limp body as it began to fade into nothingness, beginning with the tips of its tails. He continued to watch in slight horror and sadness as the nothingness spread until the fox's body had completely vanished, leaving not a trace of its existence upon the earth.

Naruto fell to his knees and stared numbly as the Imam and his servants rushed out to feel the area around the platform, as though thinking that the fox had only become invisible. He felt Sasuke run a soothing hand along his upper back as he crouched behind him; followed by the presence of the Sultan, who stood beside him.

"Even in the end, she could only think of your wellbeing, Naruto-kun. Neither her soul nor her body was fit for this humble earth." The Sultan stated, looking down at Naruto now. "Allah must truly think highly of her to let her take her body into heaven, but the rest, she left to you.

"She must have loved you very much."

Naruto just looked back up at him blankly, in complete wonderment of the new power he felt, mixing with his own chakra.

The Sultan just smiled, pulling the blonde up off the ground. "She will be content now. Don't waste your time feeling sorry for her. All you can do now is honor her sacrifice by living. It's what she wanted for you."

Naruto managed to nod blankly, letting the Sultan lead him back into the Palace.

"In honor of her sacrifice and given the nature of our familial ties," The Sultan began, pulling Naruto down corridor after corridor, while being followed closely by an unnaturally befuddled Sasuke. "You are now officially free from kuldom."

Naruto smiled slowly, finally letting his grandfather's words sink in. Suddenly, he felt happier than he had in a long time. Somehow, he knew that the Sultan was right about the Fox. She was in a better place – and she would want Naruto to continue to live a full life in happiness.

Then his thoughts turned to the other issue at hand. "I'm free!"

The Sultan smiled heartily. "Yep, it wouldn't look too good if my own grandson was kept as my slave. Besides, you've earned it by yourself."

Naruto smiled but then almost immediately frowned. "But what about Sasuke…and my friends?"

The Sultan pretended to look disturbed by the very question. "Oh? What about them?"

Naruto stopped so suddenly that Sasuke almost bumped into him from behind, leaving the Sultan to stop and turn to look back at Naruto's exaggerated frown with a grin.

"I don't want to be free if they aren't." Naruto mumbled stubbornly, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

The Sultan knew it would come to this, so he only smiled lightly and turned around. "If you insist."

"W…Wait…" Naruto stuttered, running after the Sultan again. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean," Replied the Sultan, never wavering in his long strides through the Palace. "That all of your kapikulli friends are now free."

The Sultan was forced to stop mid-stride as what felt like a ball of muscle wrapped around his legs.

Naruto had jumped onto him in glee. "Really, really? Do you hear that, Sasuke? We're free!"

Sasuke gaped at the two and then smiled openly. The thought of freedom was almost too good to be true.

But Sasuke found himself overcome by many questions that needed answers.

"Grandson?"

…

Epilogue

The crowds were thick as Naruto pushed through them, looking for something he knew was just up ahead. He had had this dream before – in fact, he had been having it off and on for years – but every time, he woke up before he reached his goal. It was more than a little frustrating.

The crowds began to thin, allowing Naruto to see his surroundings more clearly. He was in a village, that much he knew, and something at the back of his mind told him that this place was the village of the Leaf, but it looked nothing like the home village he knew. The buildings were a strange style, not fit for the desert at all, and all of the signs were written in an unfamiliar script, none of it Arabic or Roman.

Even the people were a little different. Their form of dress was their strangest feature. None of the women wore balaclavas and some even wore pants. During the first few instances of this dream that was the only thing Naruto could seem to think about.

Naruto continued to walk down the street that he had walked down in his mind many times before. Children in strange clothes ran passed him, some waving, and one wearing a tacky cloak tied around his neck and yelling, "heya boss!".

Naruto stared at the strange looking pillars that adorned the side of the road every few paces, connected together by some sort of thick black rope. He had no idea what they were for, but they certainly weren't there to be pretty. Personally, he felt that they were the ugliest things in this village, marring the view of the sky from the street – but no one else seemed to mind.

He walked and walked, letting his feet carry him, until he reached a tall mismatched building that he somehow knew he needed to climb. He began to feel excited that the prospect, realizing that this was the farthest he had ever gotten in one of these dreams.

Naruto leapt from rooftop to rooftop effortlessly until he was at the very top of the tall building. What he saw almost made him fall back off.

A huge, rock cliff was straight ahead of him, and carved within the cliff face were four, distinct, men's faces. Naruto's gaze caught on the last one, something about the face felt eerily familiar, like he was supposed to know that man behind the caricature quite well…in another life.

"You've finally made it."

Naruto turned around quickly to see a tall, blonde man standing behind him, gazing down at him with crystal blue eyes.

"I'm glad." The man smiled a bit mischievously at Naruto's open-mouthed expression. "There's someone else who has been waiting to see you again for a long time."

Naruto's knees began to wobble from under him at the person he saw walk towards him from behind the blonde man. It was a woman with fiery red hair, adorned in a silk, turquoise robe.

"Mama…" Naruto whispered disbelievingly.

"Hello, little one." She replied, smiling slightly. "I'm so happy to see you."

Naruto immediately jumped into her arms and she embraced him back tightly, laughing at his excitement. "Fox…Mama! I've missed you so much."

Eventually, the Fox set him back down and indicated the man beside her. "Naruto, I would like you to meet your father, Uzumaki Dai."

The man, who looked no older than 25 solar years, smiled down at him a bit awkwardly. "Hey, son."

This time, Naruto did fall over, landing on his backside but not feeling anything – reminding him that this was a dream. The thought dampened his mood considerably.

"You're not real, are you?" He asked, looking down. "This is just a dream, isn't it?"

The Fox glanced from Naruto to Naruto's father, before replying. "Well…it's a bit complicated. You see, we are here and we are real, but this world is made by you."

His father smirked at Naruto's further stupefied expression. "What she's trying to say is that we are both meeting you from the afterlife, using your dreams as a medium. It's taken a long time, but it seems as though all the waiting has paid off. You've finally been dreaming long enough for us to get through."

"Eh!" Naruto exclaimed, looking at the two as though they were crazy. "I've been having these dreams for four years!"

His father just shrugged, putting his arm casually around the Fox's shoulders. "We've got time. Lot's of time."

"Yeah, well I don't." Naruto grumbled half-heartedly.

"Anyway," The Fox cut in, noticing that the sun was beginning to set on Naruto's dream time. "I wanted to meet you again, little one, but I also wanted to let you know that I'm always watching over you – both your father and I. Although, he's been doing it for a lot longer than I have."

Naruto could've sworn his father blushed at the last statement. "Yeah, it was beginning to get a little boring." He grinned good-naturedly at his son. "I'm just glad you got forced into slavery. That was a lot more entertaining to watch!"

"Hey!" Naruto exclaimed, but his anger dissipated a bit when the Fox punched his father 'lightly' on the arm.

"Don't tease him, Dai."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Kyuubi-chan." His father smirked lightly, pulling her closer.

Naruto smiled at the scene. They truly did love each other – his father and his mother.

"Will I ever see you again?" Naruto asked, suddenly noticing that his dream world was fading.

Both his father and mother smiled down at him.

"You will when you pass on, but don't rush." His father answered.

Naruto nodded, finding it harder and harder to focus on their faces.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot." His father's voice sounded through the increasing blackness. "Try not to be so loud when in the act, many inhabitants of the palace haven't been able to get proper sleep."

Naruto actually felt his dream-self's cheeks burn, before he woke up.

….

The bed covers were pushed aside gently, silently, as the young man within them stepped out of the bed.

Moonlight filtered in through the transparent silk curtains, bathing the entire room in blue light.

The young man used that light to look upon his lover, who was sleeping peacefully, splayed heavily on his stomach with one errant hand placed upon the pillow where the other young man once was. The young man continued to gaze like this for what seemed like hours, but was really only seconds, before he made his way out the open window and onto the balcony.

His arms hung over the railing in his usual way, as he looked out over the firelight of the city. The mosque still gleamed brightest of all, made out of white limestone and adorned with torches on every turret.

He remembered so many things about that mosque. It was where he had said goodbye to his mother – with deep sorrow. But it was also where he had witnessed a grand wedding. An event celebrating life.

The young man smiled wryly, pushing an errant golden lock out of his face. That had actually been quite fun. He couldn't believe the look on Shikamaru's face when the ceremony was over. It was as though the earth itself had been unceremoniously pulled out from under him. Ino had looked considerably more down to earth and he had never seen the blond sultana look so genuinely happy. Rock Lee, on the other hand, was as boisterous as ever, while his face was completely red through his entire betrothal. Naruto was actually quite shocked to see Sakura's cheeks tinted a bit pink as well, adorning a sincere upturn of her lips as the Imam blessed their union.

More recently, that mosque was where he had been named Caliph of the great city of the Sand. It had been a great honor and he didn't think he really deserved it, but the Sultan would hear none of it. Even Tsunade had hugged him when he voiced his doubts, telling him that he deserved more than a title for the things he did. He had simply blushed at that, hugging her back sincerely.

Overall, that mosque served to remind him of all that was important about life. He would never forget its lessons.

The wind blew across his face sending his hair flying once again into his face, he moved to push it away, but a hand shot out from behind and captured the locks for him.

"Did I wake you?" The blonde asked, never turning around to see who it was. He knew.

"No." The other lied, moving to stand beside him and look out at the view. "You couldn't sleep?"

"I just had a dream." The blonde smiled, returning the other's gaze for the first time. "It's nothing."

The other peered at him from the corner of his eye. "The same dream?"

The blonde released a breath. "Yeah. But now, I think it's over."

"Hn." Was the other's only reply.

They both stood there on that balcony in companionable silence, before the raven haired man spoke.

"Are you going to come back to bed, Naruto?"

The blonde nodded, blue eyes shining in the moonlight. "In a bit."

The other stepped forward and placed a chaste kiss on the blonde's cheek, muttering lightly in his ear right afterward. "I'll be waiting."

The blonde smiled, tilting his head so that his lips connected with the other's. He nibbled slightly on the other man's lower lip before finally breaking away, staring serenely into black orbs. "I'll be there, Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded and smiled, and Naruto watched him until he was back in the room, hidden by the flowing curtains.

Naruto took one last look at the moonlit landscape below, before following his best friend and lover back into his chamber.

closing the window behind him, the blonde gazed into the room. Sasuke was lying on the bed invitingly, smiling at him softly like he had many times before.

Naruto smiled, remembering his father's words. This time, he would make sure to muffle his cries.

…..

AN: (1) An Imam is a priest of Islam. Kind of like a Catholic priest except…er…Muslim.

(2) the Salat Al-Janazah is a prayer sung during an Islamic funeral.

Finally, it is over…this is the end, my friends. I hope it wasn't incredibly disappointing. At least it was happy. This story has seriously taken a lot out of me, as it is the first on-going fanfic I have ever completed. Yay! Now I can go on to write other fics!

I just wanted to thank all of my reviewers for all of their kind words and support. I also wanted to thank all of the people who just read the fic, but didn't review…if there are any of you. I'd always like to think that that is the case. It's nice to believe that a lot of people have read my fic, especially if they've stuck with the fic this far. That's always nice. I just hope it never got too boring! Hehe…

Thank you: sylver rain, ElizabethMarieRose, Jennyah, kitsune, Toki Mirage, Yasha-sama, ghostninja85, Yasai-chan, Miko, Ryouseiteki, silverlook, Psychotic Azn, Muchacha, kashisenshey, TheTrueSilver, infamous-otaku03, The Red TrenchCoat, d-scribe, Anael Razualle, Kisu, jinky-kurapica, Gisela, Hikari of Darkness, Ookima, lost complex, Eikou, Shirl, Michi, Iceheart19, Akki, Ayako, Watermelon Gal, miekje, ITSAME, yo, Kuroi Hikari, rar, B.U.G.I.M.S., Mister Pineapple, Bishiehuggler, Athea, yaoi-fanatic, WaterBookLover, cfox, hikaritenshi4, asds, and kuroi kitsune13.

Thank you all! A hug to each and every one of you!

Oh yeah…if you guys wanna see more of my artwork for this fic, just go to my homepage…I did another 'poster' and a rendition of Kyuubi in her female form.

Well, until next time then…