„the end"

"Onee-san, don't you think my omelette became better?", Giro says excitingly.

"Yes, I do! I'm so glad that I was able to taste it Giro.", Hanako says with a smile.

She couldn't help but to feel sad about the omelette. It wasn't just a memory of Giro and her family but also a memory of a certain blonde that would always request it as his breakfast in the morning.

I hope you're doing well without me, Naruto.

Suddenly, a bright green aura enveloped the girl's body, making her stand up in shock.

"What is this?", Hanako says.

"You're leaving? But you just got here.", Ayumi says in sorrow.

"No!", Hanako reaches out to hug her family.

"It's alright Hanako, we'll be here.", her mother tells her.

"You must continue on living your life to the fullest, Hanako.", Hiro says, "You are meant to do great things, so don't hesitate to accept the opportunities that life hands to you."

"Otto-san."

"We're very happy that we have finally talked to you in such a long time, Hanako.", her mother says one last time before Hanako's body completely disappears from the realm, leaving her family.

"We love you."

—

Hanako's eyes shots open and sees the sky above.

"Look! Shikamaru!", Sakura shouts as Shikamaru comes over and sighs in relief.

"You too, huh?"

"Thank goodness! You're back Hanako-chan!", Sakura sobs out.

"I'm back?", Hanako says, confused of what has happened.

But I left them, again.

Hanako cries with Sakura, releasing all the pain that she has felt in the past hours. The Shinozaki suddenly remembers Naruto, who she can't seem to find around her.

"Naruto, where's Naruto?!", she says with worry.

"He's the one that did this, he's the reason why those who have fallen are now well.", Sakura smiles, "He did it, Hanako-chan."

Hanako feels the weight resting on her shoulders have gone when she heard that from Sakura. She doesn't know what she'll feel or do when she finds out that Naruto has fallen as well.

—

Naruto attempts to walk back to the village after burying the body of Yahiko and Nagato beside Jiraiya's. He leans against the tree, feeling the exhaustion taking over his body. Suddenly, he falls forward, only to be caught by his sensei.

"Good job.", he hears him say.

"Kaka-sensei.", he mutters tiredly, not wanting to deal with going back and facing Sakura's sobbing over their friend's body.

"Just lean on me.", Kakashi says, making Naruto smile.

They walk slowly back to the village.

"Hmm?", Naruto looks up and sees all of the villagers cheering out for him.

"Welcome back!"

"We knew you could do it!"

They all cheered, shocking Naruto. Never in his life, he would feel such welcome by all of the people.

"They've all been waiting for your return."

Naruto still couldn't believe his eyes from what was happening. Kakashi looks at him proudly, feeling happy that his student was finally getting the recognition that he deserves.

Naruto, you did well.

"What's going on?", Naruto questions.

"I relayed every detail of the events that occurred."

The kids and villagers surrounded him, bombarding him with questions about the enemy and what was it like.

They're not disgusted or afraid of me.

Naruto couldn't help but to think about a certain someone who never once doubted his strength and intentions. Someone who didn't judge him when the person found out about the creature inside of him.

While looking around in a daze, Naruto's breath hitched at the sight of the bright blue hair in the crowd. He pushes all of the bodies that surrounded him, making his way to who he hope it was.

"Hanako?", he mutters as the person turned around and confirmed his thoughts, wearing the same shocked expression.

"Naruto.", she replies.

"You're alright, you're okay!", Naruto can feel the tears coming out of his eyes before hugging the girl and spinning her around.

"I'm so glad you did it, Naruto.", Hanako says with a smile.

"I didn't know what I was supposed to do, I didn't want to come back here knowing that you weren't going to be here to greet me, Hanako.", Naruto confesses, "I lo—"

They hear footsteps coming near them and stopped to see who it is only to for Naruto to be greeted by a punch.

"You idiot!", Sakura says in anger.

"Oi! Sakura-chan, he just got back.", Hanako warns her, she stops lecturing her as she sees the tears running down from Sakura's cheeks.

She must have been so worried about both of us.

Hanako looks at the blonde boy who wore the biggest smile. She feels her heart beating fast and her cheeks turning crimson red.

I shouldn't ruin such a moment.

She thinks of this before remember what her father says to her before she left them.

Finally, Hanako admits to herself that her feelings towards Naruto isn't just a simple crush. She finally accepts that it was much deeper than that, and she has every reason to feel that. He was there from the start and he never left her side the moment he was assigned to the mission. He was like a light shining through the darkness and emptiness in her, he was like

Komorebi, sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees. He's the sunlight that found its way to me.

Hanako musters all of her courage before spinning Naruto around, catching him off guard.

"What is it Hana—"

Hanako grabs his face and leans forward, letting their lips crash against each other.

Everyone stopped talking and looked at them. Hanako feels conscious so she pulls away, flustered as well as Naruto.

"E-eto.", Naruto scratches the side of his cheeks lightly.

Oh fuck this shit, I don't care if everyone can hear me.

"I love you.", Hanako says.

"I know I said I'll wait bu— A-ano, what?", Naruto stutters, not sure if he just heard what he think he heard.

"I love you!", Hanako smiles before wrapping her arms around the boy. Naruto sighs in happiness and relief to hear Hanako say it to him. He was so worried that his feelings would ruined what they were, especially that he realized that he didn't only like the girl— he loves her.

He loves her enough that he was so scared when she joined in the battlefield. He loves her so much that he felt like he was broken into tiny pieces when he saw her pierced body crash on the ground. There was no doubt that he loves her, not when she just risked her life for him and the village.

Naruto lifts Hanako's chin and places a soft kiss on her lips before saying,