Nyguyen Uchiha Memorial

It was a cold day in Konoha. Snow had begun to fall in the winter and coated many of the trees. No birds chirped on the frosty morning and large flakes slowly drifted down. A blanket of white covered the ground and the walls as many shivered during their procession to the cemetery grounds. The old walls standing guard over generations of the old guard. Shinobi and citizen alike who had lost their lives over the years. Be it from old age or from war....from childish ideals to tormentors. Men, women and children alike buried here for only to become a memory to their loved ones. Tales of caution...of love...of bravery. Wifes ...mothers ...fathers ...sons ...daughters ...husbands and more all laid to rest here to hopefully remain in peace. The only transgressions were those who would defy death and raise those who were lost. Some found it to be sacrilege and others a blessing. However today it was allowing outsiders. The Uchiha cemetery was burying one of their greatest clan members in their history. A man who had touched lives across the continent and what seemed like worlds away. Even having retired he led a charge against an impossible challenge and brought forth the bravery needed to stop a world ending event. The indiana Kaiju.

A procession was led in through the falling snow. Only the soft sounds of humble tears being shed for a leader of the nation could be heard. Even the children who had not gotten to know him sniffled and cried. Heads bowed to any Uchiha they crossed for the sacrifice of Nyguyen Uchiha and all of his great works to be respected. Today was not the day to debate his greatness but rather to celebrate it. To mourn the loss of a leader as one. It was silently promised through the emotions present that anything negative to be said about the man would be met harshly. An Ebony gravestone had been mounted there reading as follows.

'Here lies a leader of men. A father and a husband. A warrior and a historian. The Nanadaime Hokage. Lord Nyguyen Uchiha'

For the first time since Tengoku took office he was wearing the Hokage hat. His ears tucked under it with his hair tied back as he arrived in an all black set of robes...with black ceremonial sandals and his three wolves in tow. Their heads bowed as they sensed their master mourning. Despite being huge dire wolves they seemed to shrink in respect. There was a casket ready to be lowered made from senju wood and carved and polished beautifully. The names of his known family etched along the sides...though the casket itself was sealed..his body laid within. Four Uchiha ready to lower it in to the grave at the end of the procession. Still Tengoku would bow his head to any Uchiha he crossed. Paying his respects before stepping up to the casket. Gently he would reach up to take the hat off before quietly placing it upon the casket. Holding it there a moment. Before letting out a shaken breath. Turning as his amber eyes would glisten with the moisture of tears he held back. Addressing those gathered.

"Today...today is a day I may never forget. For Today we bury a legend. A man who was both feared and respected by many. I may not have always agreed with him..but he was a mentor...a sturdy stone to lean against for the village and beyond. He saw the past and looked only to change the future for something different. Something brighter for the next generation...for me.... Why he chose me as his successor I may never fully know. However I will choose not to let him down. I will defend what he built because he taught me to. Though we have lost his physical form...he will live on in all our hearts. A symbol of a brighter and better future. Through his sacrifice we are saved from catastrophe. Nanadaime Hokage....may you rest in peace."

With that Tengoku would turn and fully bow to the casket. His wolves would lift their head and let out a low...mourn filled howl as if sadness radiated from the sound. Before Tengoku would turn and step to the side. His wolves moving and sitting in the snow next to him. Allowing others a moment to say something.

A white blanket of snow covered the whole of konoha,the snow flakes fell down like rain like a endless genjutsu dream. Today was a dark day in Uchiha history, today they laid to rest a legend on nyg uchiha. Tears would silently fall down zenaku face as he made his way towards the cemetery that had all the most heroic ninja in times past. Zenaku would make sure to bow to any one who walked up to him.

Zenaku was wearing a all black suit that he only wear when burying the fallen comrade. As he arrived zenaku walked over to tengoku as he bowed to him and his three dogs. Zenaku would stick along in case the hokage wished to speak.

" Hello Tengoku, it's been a while. It's unfortunate that it has to be under these circumstances. I hope you been well and kept up with your training now that your hokage."

Zenaku said that last part as a joke as he laughed. The last time that Tengoku and zenaku had seen each other they was busy on a mission. Back then zenaku was still a chunin, but now zenaku was stronger and was even a Jonin which meant his responsibility was also bigger and needed to continue training so that he could make sure that nothing like what there doing now has to be repeated.

When Yuichi awoke today, he thought the weather was most fitting of such a somber occasion. A layer of snow blanketed the ground, and the cold left an eerie silence over the whole village. On his way to the funeral grounds, the only sound that accompanied him was that of the brisk wind that whistled down the alleys and streets of a mostly silent market district. The entirety of Konoha mourned today, it seemed.

It was important for the Uchiha clan to posture, and to look powerful. Today, another side of the Uchiha had been shown. As Yuichi made his way into the funeral grounds, he noticed that Uchiha, Hyuuga, Senju, and every person present humbly bowed their head. He made himself part of the crowd and watched silently as the hokage, Tengoku, spoke. He told the crowds a bit about Nyguyen's past and what he meant to the village and the world. The hokage too. Yuichi waited until he was finished before he stood and waited to pay his respects. Making his way toward the line that had assembled to place flowers and pay respect in whatever way a person might choose to do so. On his way, he briefly greeted Tengoku, admiring his ears as he did so. He bowed before the hokage.

"Greeting, Lord Tengoku. I am Yuichi Uchiha, as I'm sure you know. If you ever require my services, do not hesitate to seek me out."

He didn't wait for a response, but instead made his way into the line that was gathered before the former hokage's casket.

[1]

Suguru, clad in an all-black version of his usual attire, the only color on him being the pink flowers on his shirt and the open green flak jacket, was on his knees, with his head slammed against the cold snow, crying.

In his mind, it was manly, dignified, controlled tears, from one hero to another.

The reality was that he was bawling sticky tears which oddly smelled like cola, that marred the white snow they fell on into a shade of umber.

Those heading the line avoided going any closer than a meter from Suguru, probably due to the fact that he smelled rather badly, going on the third week of being unwashed. The battle against Big Water was not over yet, despite their defeat at this hands.

In his mind, this was because they were showing reverence to a Hero of Konohagakure, the man who defeated Big Water at every turn in a battle of wits and strength, recently promoted to Chunin.

It was a shame the chest of said hero bore no medals, but Suguru was sure that sooner or later he would be getting a lot of them. Probably a paperwork error. Or the medals were being cast from a legendary material and so it was taking some time.

Yet no amount of medals or bijuu slain could ever be enough to bring him close to the shadow of the man being honored today.

Not a man, no.

A Legend.

A Titan.

A Hokage.

Lord Nyguyen Uchiha.

[1]

Kanara hated funerals. Ever since one of the 2 persons she truly hated changed her life so drasticly she couldnt bring herself to visit the graveyard. Too many bad memories were buried there, too many mementos on a time where things were better, to many destroyed dreams and hopes. The last time she visited was years ago, and it hurt her. However she knew, if she dared to get close enough, then the memories would hurt her more then the guilt she felt for not visiting the graves of the people she loved so much. This wouldnt change for a Hokage either, however she hoped that the former hokage who gave his life to protect his allies would understand. What she was able to do however, was to look at the ceremony from afar, on top of a nearby roof, her sharingan giving her the sight and perception needed for this feat.

Letting her eyes wander over the attending people, Kanra spotted a few which she knew. Zenaku uchiha, her mentor. Yuichi Uchiha, her second most valued friend. Tengoku Shinku, the current hokage and Suguru. She didnt know his surname, but it wasnt needed either. His actions spoke more then enough at her last encounter, so she would remember about him for a long time. However this wasnt a day to think about people like Suguru. Bringing her attention back at the memorial service, Kanara wished the best for Nygyen Uchiha, where ever he was now. She didnt belive in any greater power, But she belived in the power of people, and the former hokage certainly was a person that was powerful. Wherever he was now, be it Limbo or the endless void, he would find his way.

[1]

The day was as gloomy as Xia’s heart as she trudged through the freshly fallen blanket of snow that covered the streets of Konohagakure. Forgoing her usually exciting outfits, she wore all black; leggings and boots with a compression shirt and tank top underneath a thick black coat. Even her hair was black and were it not for the snow, her diminutive size would have made her quite easy to overlook. As it was she doubted, if she kept her eyes downcast, that anyone would even notice her presence. As Nyguyen Uchiha had been, well, an Uchiha. . . There weren’t many Hyuga in attendance. Not that they didn’t want to honour him, far from it. Nyguyen had been respected by many within the Clan, though even Xia knew that there were just as many who had darker thoughts towards the man. Most had opted to stay home, even her own parents, and probably for good reason. In a story book this might have been the time to bring the two proud Clans closer together, but in reality this was not the appropriate time or place. Too much emotion, too much anger. It would inevitably lead to squabbling, Xia reasoned.

So she kept her head down, and moved quietly along with the procession until they arrived at the cemetery where she stood silently off to the side and listened to her Sensei’s words. Her heart broke as Tengoku spoke of the former Hokage. A man she’d always wanted to meet and now would never get the chance to. Their shared love of history would have been a delight to indulge in, but it was not meant to be. Tears slid silently from her tell-tale pale Hyuga eyes, stinging slightly against her cheeks as they chilled in the winter air. She cried for the loss of such a man, and for those he had left behind. His act was heroic and had helped to save them all, but the hopeful part of her wished it could have been different somehow. She would whisper a quiet “Thank you, Nandaime Hokage.” as Tengoku finished, struggling to keep her composure under the weight of her grief.

Satomi was in a foul mood. Though you couldn't tell it on his face. He was there. And so was his wife. During those critical last moments he was there when he felt his chakra fade. There he had to thwart Kimiko from getting to his body during the attack. For whatever reason everything went wrong at the same time. He had many questions, he had hoped that Nyg did not use Izanagi for a reason. Perhaps it would not have mattered in his situation. He was there with Juniper who was distraught and he was there to comfort her. He had nothing to say though, he was a man of action. And so ho acted with devastating vengeance. Laying waste to the artificial bijuu's army. They found out that the Society was behind the unleashing.

Their defeat was swift, and in a way this had helped avenge the ones responsible for his brother in laws death. They would setup a celebration afterwards for he was not fond of funerals anymore. There had been to many already for the Uchiha, including his own. He sat back and kept to himself, there was no need to call attention to himself. He had his time with Nyg before everyone else though. But they had been her long enough. He would let Juniper stay while he headed out to set up the party at their home.

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[Exit]

Innocence and the rest of her family led the procession. They were given the solemn honor of standing to the very front as the casket would be lowered. This was both a blessing and a curse. It was a blessing in that they'd be the first to say goodbye but a curse in that the whole world would be able to see them cry. Nyguyen's love for his immediate family was well known amongst the Uchiha Clan. Even though Mercedes and Innocence had given him hell at home, they knew that they were his world. Now he was gone forever. Innocence had sworn upon her own life that she would not cry. She wasn't a baby. She was a shinobi and shinobi didn't bawl like children. But when she say her father lying peacefully in the casket, she broke down. The young Uchiha's eyes were shut and tears were silently streaming down her cheeks. She wiped them away as if pretending that they were snowflakes that had melted on her skin.

Mercedes was no less distraught although she was doing better about hiding it. She had purposefully worn her hair long. The dreadlocks obscured her eyes and she wasn't making eye contact with anyone there. She felt an uncontrollable rage overtake her soul. The teenage Jounin was so angry that she was literally shaking. She had wanted so badly to plead with him not to take on the Indaina Kujira. He wasn't strong enough and he knew it. But for some reason, he had gone off to fight the thing anyways and he had done an epic job of it. It was a worthy death for an Uchiha of his stature, but it had taken her away from him. Mercedes balled her fist and silently wished some punk Hyuuga said something out of turn. She wanted to cut someone.

Porsche's mourning was the most audible and if it wasn't for her closest friends next to her, she might have collapsed from the grief. Tengoku's words were kind but they would not bring him back. She remembered when they first met. Nyguyen was scrawny for an Uchiha. He had spent more time in the library than he did on the training grounds. But he was nice, honorable and genuine. So many in their Clan believed that emotional distancing and violence made them men of character. Nyguyen was the only man that she had met who eschewed those notions. He placed a premium on family, knowledge and self-discipline. He wasn't perfect but he was her Scarlet King. Many ninja had come to pay their respects to her late husband and offer their condolences. More than she might have anticipated. Perhaps there were some in Konoha who saw him as she did. A kind and loving shinobi who was just trying to hold his people together.

Looking over the gathered people one last time, Kanara decided to go. Too many supressed emotions were coming up at that very moment and the longer she stayed, the more she could feel the pressure on her mind increasing. While for other people the graveyard was a place they simply put their dead to their last rest, for Kanara it was a haunted place. She could feel thier presence all the time. The ghosts of a time where she was happy. A time where she felt that she was safe. A time where she could sleep peacefully.

As tears started to form in her eyes, Kanara jumped off the rooftop. What was going to happen soon would be taken as a sign of weakness she feared. While she didnt want to hide the pain she felt any longer, she wouldnt let anyone take advantage of her by exploiting one of the few happy memories she had. Taking off home, hiding underneath the large hood her jacket offered, bot protecting her from the wind and strangers looks she went through deserted allys as tears were flowing down her cheeks. Coming to the graveyard was a mistake. Or at least coming back to it so soon.

[EXIT, may rejoin at a later state]

The burial would draw to a close soon and with it came the final goodbyes. When the casket was lowered, that would be the end. Innocence was openly crying now. It was silent, but still visible. She wanted to say something. Anything. She opened her mouth to speak but the words did not come out. Instead, she uttered a wail which grew louder as she realized that she really was never going to see her father again. There was a solemn quietness to the service, but Mercedes knew that she had to speak up and say something. The Jounin's frown broke as she realized that it couldn't really be called Nyg's funeral if someone didn't give an obnoxiously long and unwanted speech. She was her father's daughter but that was one element to his character that she could not and would not inherit. Still, she'd do her best to say a few words. If not for her sake then for Innocence and Porsche whose hearts were pregnant with grief. Mercedes held up a hand indicating that she wanted to say a few words. She walked up to where Tengoku was standing and cleared her throat to get the congregation's attention.

"Hey...uh." she stopped. It occurred to Mercedes that she had never before given a speech like this. She had led some squads in the trenches but she was never the time to give rousing speeches before going over the top. She left that kind of cinematic showsmanship to the squad commanders or chaplains. She was a more "Lets get it done and go home" kind of speaker. She knew that wouldn't cut it here and so for a moment she felt a twinge of fear. Mercedes banished it and instead resolved to keep going. Just speak from your heart and put one word in front of the other... It was lame advice, but it had come her father so that was to be expected. "I have something to say...about my Dad....the Nandaime Hokage of Konohagakure"

Mercedes thought for a moment before continuing:

"My father always said...the heights that great men reached and kept.......were not attained by sudden flight.......but they while their companions slept, kept toiling upwards through the night. It wasn't until after the War that I truly understood what he meant by that phrase. You see, I always thought it meant that true power doesn't come from your Sharingan. It doesn't come from being born into the right Clan or having the right sensei. It comes from how many hours you put in on the training grounds. It comes from how long you practice with your weapon of choice. My father wasn't a naturally talented shinobi but he became Kage and regardless of what anyone says about his tenure, he led this country through some of the most difficult crises it has ever faced. But its not just about training or skill. Its about knowledge. The toiling that it takes to make it to the top isn't just about what you can do with your sword or your hands, its what you can do with your mind. When I came home from the Trenches, I realized that what we're fighting to protect...our civilization....it wasn't made with violence. It was made with wisdom, architecture, art and love. Each of these things take time and attention to to cultivate. Its only when a shinobi dedicates himself to one of these pursuits that he or she can truly surpass their peers. My father spent just as much time at the library as he did the training grounds. He did it because he knew that we don't die for our own glory, we die to protect something worthwhile."

Mercedes looked sorrowfully at the casket where her father was peacefully resting. She blinked and a tear finally escaped her eye as she prepared to say her final goodbye.

"He always made time for his family. For us. He let us know that he loved us each second of every day and he did it no matter the circumstances. If we didn't want to hear it, too bad...he'd let us know it. But even if he wasn't my father....even if he wasn't the best Dad a girl could ask for....even if he wasn't a fantastic husband.....I'd say today we bury one of the finest Kages in history. A man willing to sacrifice himself so that we may go home to our loved ones. Goodbye Nanadaime Hokage."

Mercedes  walked closer to the casket and closed her eyes as more tears streamed. She lay a hand on it and whispered words so softly that only those closest to her would hear it.

"Rest easy Dad"

With that, she joined the rest of her family and would allow the the funeral service to conclude.

He watched as Mercedes gave a touching speech. His family held a deep love for Nyg, this was certain. So many people gathered to mourn his loss. Yuichi could understand that suffering. After his mother died, he never intended to go to the funeral. A cruel as it seemed, he couldn't confront the complex relationship he had with his mother. He watched the way Nyg's wife interacted with her children. It was foreign to him. His mother was never one to show affection.

Yuichi was sad for the loss of a man he had never known simply from watching the reactions of his close family. This was a man who had died protecting the village. Yuichi had always been taught that a good shinobi would give his life for the village if it was asked of him. Yuichi wouldn't have the courage.

After waiting for several minutes, Yuichi left the memorial without saying anything else. This made him tired, and he needed a rest.

[Exit]

Tengoku would listen to the words of everyone who spoke and note those who kept their distance. Who kept silent but attended. As well as those who did not. Still it was a moment of memorial and celebration of life. One could not express enough their emotions through these words alone but they helped. One could pray to their gods and never receive an answer to why loss was necessary. Some simply thought it was a part of life. Tengoku saw only balance. One cannot experience joy without remorse and understand the value of it. Like light without darkness. It was a sad occasion but worth the life lessons learned from the life of the man. His story told and expressed through those he left behind. Woe be it the one who can not grieve for it is they who can not love fully. Tengoku would allow all to fall silent before nodding to the men set to lower the casket. Words were finished and now only tears remained. The coffin would be lowered slowly and reverently into the dirt. People would turn to go not wishing to hear the sounds of dirt clunking against the wood laid within this grave.

Tengoku would nod his condolences with a short but respectful bow to the immediate family. Turning to leave this place of the dead to the bustle of the city. He had prefered to woods over all of it. Nature was a place of calm for him. However he had a great deal of work to do quelling any panic from the loss of the man. Scared people of influence demanding answers and protection above the norm....as well as answers to the origin of the beast. That and...the headache was returning. Like a weight on his shoulders growing. Something was wrong within and he was yet to discover what exactly. Somehow that radiation had gotten back to Tengoku all the way here in Konoha. Poisoned his blood and with no hint to the affliction...not yet anyway...but the eyes were changing little by little....with it would come power but also a connection to all this he had not wanted. Or perhaps even stood alone with. There was no cure at this point anyway...he hadn't even realized his loss of connection to the raiton element...no longer able to use it at will...The weight of the world around him distracting him and a Hokage put into the ground. Much needed to be done. Much indeed.

Exit thread
80 exp

Zenaku watched as the hokage nodded, he could understand not wanting to speak in times like these, he watched as nygs casket so he decided that he needed to say something sense he was close to nyg at least as close as Uchiha got. He would walk over after his daughter finished speaking as he laid the flowers in the whole and turned around.

" Nyg uchiha was a great man, a man of many faces. He was a hokage, a smart Shinobi, a teacher,a hero, a parent, some ones child and a historian. Nyg always told me that with great power always came great responsibility, and that dose not always mean fighting but living life and doing what you know is right even if you are told it's wrong. Nyg gave his life to protect those that was close to him, he showed the greatest strength in both body soul and mind. I just wish I can be as great as he was one day but I doubt that."

Zenaku would turn around giving one last bow to his mentor before he walked away. He never liked funeral but he came cause of who was here. Zenaku needed to get back to his training in order to grow stronger so he can protect this village if need be.

( Exiting thread)

Nyguyen's family stayed as the casket was lowered into the ground. They held hands and watched in silence as the Nanadaime Hokage was put in the ground to nourish the roots of the Hidden Leaf Village. It was an honorable burial, but it still pained them. The crowds slowly dwindled until they were the only ones left. Innocence held hands with her sister and mother in total silence as everyone departed from the scene. When the ground was finally filled up and Nyguyen laid to rest, she walked forward and placed a single green rose in front of the tombstone, Mercedes placed a blue one and Porsche a red one. They said a final prayer and left the funeral. There'd be a private memorial held at the house for Nyguyen's closest friends and families where they'd celebrate his life and give thanks for his sacrifice.

[Exit]