Naruto Uzumaki
The bright light of the sun broke away the shadows of the night.
Her golden rays shone down on the village of Konoha in every crack, alleyway and tree branch. That the light with its warm comforting glow.
The sun's light of down seeped through the window of every villager and shinobi. Signaling the arrival of a beautiful fresh new day.
Villagers sluggishly slinked out of their homes to prep their and restaurants for a soon to be busy day ahead.
Meanwhile, some of the villages' resident shinobi hopped to and frow across the various rooftops. Their routes, taking them to the Hokage tower to report or to receive new missions. While others were going home to retire after a long tedious mission or going into the guarding shifts.
Children awoke early to sped down the streets towards their schools. Trying effortlessly to beat the school bell and not be late for classes. Unless they wish to incur the wrath of their teachers.
As the day grew warmer and brighter the village became louder and thriving with life.
Soon, the once empty streets were crowded with people. Both shinobi and civilians made their way through the village laughing and conversing amongst each other. Shopkeepers welcomed anyone who came to their store with smiles and open arms.
Restaurants were being filled with very hungry customers, especially those of the Akimichi clan. Because even though they are a clan that is famous for their one of a kind 'expansion jutsu', they also have huge appetites. Which normally would be a curse or a burden on any restaurants' supply of food, but the best thing about the Akimichi clan was that they paid well. So, everyone always ate to their hearts content.
Wafting through the streets alongside the sizzling scent of food. Was the aroma of the sweet, scented flowers of the Yamanaka clan's flower shop, which lured any passerby that was close enough to the shop. Under the glow of the sun, the flowers radiated brighter and more elegantly. With their beautiful blooms and enticing colors, several could not help but marvel at the enchanting plants. Just like the flowers the village was teaming with life.
All around the village hidden in the leaves was joyous beyond measure.
Now one would ask, what would be the cause of such a joyous day? What such event would cause the whole village of Konoha to be in such high spirits?
The answer is the village hidden in the leaves annual Kyuubi festival. A festival which celebrated the fall of the legendary nine-tailed fox's defeat at the hands of the famous fourth Hokage. Minato Namikage aka the yellow flash of the Konoha.
All around Konoha was being decorated with balloons, party streamers, decorative lanterns, and elaborate paintings of the fourth Hokage battling the Kyuubi and gaining a triumph victory. While others had pictures of Koi fish, landscaping, and a map of the land of fire. But most had the Kyuubi on their canvas, however they were all grotesque.
Nearby in the center of the village both shinobi and civilians were setting up for the evening's upcoming celebrations. From stalls to gaming booths and to the fireworks display for the festival's grand finale.
In the schools, as a tradition would retell the historic event of the heroic and tragic tale of the late fourth Hokage's epic battle with the ferocious nine tailed fox, to their students. Telling them how the great Minato Namikaze had sacrificed his life to protect their beloved village. Every time the story was told the reactions were always the same. Children would cheer and praise their golden-haired hero for his deeds. And would excitedly chatter amongst themselves about the upcoming festivities that would happen later in the evening.
Yes, it was on this day that the village was in the highest of spirits, but also the lowest of spirits too. For also on this day several of the villages' citizens both shinobi and civilians alike had perished along with their Hokage on that dark day. Even though cheers of laughter and joy would ring like ripples of water throughout the village. Mournful cries of agony and despair would ring out also.
However, the whole celebration would remain the same. The villagers and the shinobi would still undergo their partying with games, food, dancing and drinking. While praising the fourth and all passed on for them working together to defeat the monstrous Kyuubi.
But alas if they only knew that their celebrations were not but a lie. To only the adults knew the truth. A truth that has been long since kept from the younger generation under law.
The truth, that no one dares to whisper, is that the fourth never killed the great nine tailed fox. But instead, he had sealed it away.
Into something that was indeed. . . Precious.
~ * ~
In an old run-down apartment, in an equally run-down neighborhood. Young Naruto Uzumaki was just waking up to greet the new day.
The golden-haired child scrunched his face up cutely, before turning away to escape the sun's bright rays. Trying to welcome the warm embrace of sleep back into his tiny body.
Unfortunately, for Naruto the shining egg yolk in the sky had other plans for him today.
As the sun kept beaming through his window, Naruto groaned in discomfort. Finally, deciding to forfeit his extra bit of nonexistent rest. The child of merely six years of age, slowly sat up in his bed and opened his blue eyes tiredly to the fresh new day.
Blinking once. . .
Then twice. . .
And now thrice.
Naruto frowned displeasingly at the sky. "You could've let me sleep a little bit longer, you know," he had grumbled out the Uzumaki verbal tick. The blonde begrudgingly got out of the comforts of his bed. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he sluggishly made his way towards his dresser. Grabbing his clothes, which consisted of pale khaki shorts and a black T-shirt with a red swirl on the front. With his clothes in hand, the boy made his way towards the bathroom to ready himself for the day that was to come.
After his daily routine was finished, Naruto exited his bathroom and threw his pajamas in the laundry. Once that was done, Naruto headed into the kitchen to retrieve his most favorite (well only favorite) meal in the entire land of fire.
Ramen.
Placing his hand on the pantry doorknob. Naruto opened the door to find his favorite food waiting for him on the shelves. Several packs of instant Ramen lined the food closet in different categories. From mild to spicy, or chicken flavor to shrimp flavor. Either way, if there ever was an apocalypse, Naruto was sure he was set in the food category.
Carefully scanning the shelves, Naruto took his time in deciding what Ramen he wanted to eat upon this day. Finally, after what seemed like forever, (which in case was only two minutes), Naruto grabbed the Lime and Chili pepper ramen. Which was one of the spiciest ones in his stack of ramen cups.
After choosing his lunch, the golden-haired boy filled his ramen cup with water and placed it in his microwave at the required temperature.
Then he waited.
Naruto grinned as he imagined the delightful aroma and taste of his first and only food love. Ever since he discovered Ramen two years prior, he has since than dubbed it famously (in his opinion) 'The food of the Gods.' For Ramen was the one and only thing the boy could ever eat, and he liked it that way. At least that is what he always told the Ichiraku's. But deep down under the surface, Naruto would sometimes wonder how other finely cooked delicacies tasted when he was roaming about the village. When he strolled down the streets, his mouth would instantly water at the smell of Yakiniku meat being grilled, freshly made Yakitori or even the delightful looking Takoyaki balls. Naruto wanted to try it all.
But as soon as Naruto started thinking about the other dish choices he could experience. His bright sunlit smile faded.
Even though Naruto loved ramen with every fiber of his little being. There was a deeper and darker reason why he could only eat the soup like concoction.
The village of Konoha, for all its restaurants and stores, which of course contain wonderous amounts of food. The places where they welcomed/hosted all walks of life and were different from one another in all compared. There was one unspoken rule amongst all of them that made them all the same.
Never welcome in the whiskered-faced boy.
This rule was something Naruto never understood. A few times before in the past the old man, would come by and give him a monthly allowance and he has done this ever since he moved into the apartment at the age of five. He remembers the first time he got the money he decided to go out and buy himself some dinner for a change. A meal that was warm and so flavorful that everything danced on the tip of the tongue in an endless samba. However, his dreams were quickly doused when shop owner after shop owner turned him away harshly. The restaurants were the same, some of them even went out of their way to literally kick or throw the poor boy out onto the street. Screaming and cursing at him to 'Get lost' or 'To never come back,' leaving the boy in tears afterwards.
Sadly, for Naruto, it wasn't just the restaurants that did this but everyone in the village treated him this way. Stores would always overprice him or give him rotten food to eat, which in the end of course he would throw out immediately. Leaving him to go the rest of the day starving and eventually, sometimes, having to dig through the garbage for at least something edible. Clothing stores were the same, the boy either was overpriced or given something that was either out of style or torn somewhere. Even the hospital wasn't safe, for every time he came with new bruises and scars. Some of the nurses, doctors, and even some patients would turn him away saying, 'That they don't want the hospital to be contaminated.' But in the end, he still was treated for there were some good doctors and nurses that showed him kindness.
Every time Naruto would walk along the streets in Konoha, he could always see the looks of disgust, fear, anger, and pure unadulterated hatred painted on the faces of the residents of Konoha.
To this day he still did not understand.
At first, he thought it was because of his pranks. The sun kissed boy did have the cunning and mischievous qualities of a fox. So, he would understand why everyone in the village wouldn't want him in their establishments. For they would fear the young child would mess up their businesses by playing a huge practical joke onto unsuspecting customers.
But if that were case then, "Why do they always call me such horrible names and make those faces?" Naruto questioned aloud.
The unwelcome burning of tears started to form in the child's eyes.
The names that the villagers and shinobi alike called him both to his face and behind his back.
"Demon!"
"Monster!"
"Devil Fox!"
"Murder!"
He would hear them all say. The list goes on like a broken record, but instead of being able to stop it. It continues in an endless loop never once slowing down or stopping at own accord.
Ding!
Chimed the microwave snapping Naruto out of his subconscious. Shaking away the gloom that he was feeling earlier. Naruto opened the microwave to retrieve his ultimate treasure.
His shining beacon.
His stomach growling and mouthwatering.
Freshly cooked. . .
Instant ramen cup.
Just like his instant ramen cup Naruto started to instantly beam as well at the sight of his food. Sitting down at the table, the boy grabbed his chopsticks and broke them apart saying a quick prayer before diving in.
"Thank you for the food!"
He said to no one in particular, and then started to devour his ramen whole in several giant slurps. Now, the funny thing about Naruto is that the boy's stomach is a bottomless pit. There is no such thing as full for this boy. So, once he was done with his first ramen cup, he soon prepared another and another and another. Until there was a small pile of eight instant ramen cups stacked onto the small table.
Appetite satisfied Naruto closed his eyes and sighed in pure bliss.
"Nothing beats a good bowl of Ramen!" He exclaimed patting his stomach in a 'I am sure stuffed gesture!' Opening his eyes again, the blonde's wide Cheshire grin turned into an immediate frown once his eyes landed across the table.
Where a single lone chair sat empty.
On the day Naruto turned five, the orphanage caretaker decided that it was time for Naruto to leave and never come back to the orphanage ever again.
Once the third Hokage,Hiruzen Sarutobi, or 'Jiji' as Naruto likes to call him, found out aboutNaruto's mistreatment at the hands of the caretaker. Sarutobi whisked the youngboy away and purchased a functional but cheap apartment for the boy completewith new furniture. It wasn't pretty but at least Naruto had a place to stay. However, despite him having this new living residence it was extremely lonely.
The only time Naruto has ever had company in this small, lonely apartment. Was whenever Sarutobi came by or one of the trusted ANBU ninjas that proceeded to drop things off to him from the third Hokage. But he mostly would receive visits from old man whenever he was able. Unless he went to go see him at his office in the Hokage tower.
Although the visits were nice, Naruto longed for something else. Something more permanent than a once every week or every other week visits from the old man Hokage.
Eyes still glued on the empty chair; the six-year-old boy scanned through his memories. His mind showing him moments, cherished moments that were not even his own. But desperately wanting them as his own to cherish equally.
In these memories, these touching moments. Naruto watched as children his age played and laughed with their parents. He watched as mothers comforted their children when they cried or how fathers always played catch with their sons. Or for the children whose parents are shinobi, Naruto saw as their parents would help train them or regal them and even other children of stories of the most epic or sometimes most boring missions. Of course, they would keep the story PG rated, and to get the children to have a good laugh. They would add jokes to their tale and make hand gestures to either maybe show certain jutsu techniques or to exaggerate the story.
From all around the village Naruto witnessed the one thing that the other kids had but he didn't, the one thing that he had longed for ever since he saw it with his own eyes.
A family.
A warm and loving family or at least maybe a kind mother or father to take care of him and love him as he is. He wanted someone who wouldn't look at him with those hateful glares or eyes that made him feel as if he committed a mass murder.
He wanted someone he could laugh with and express his dreams of being Hokage with and having words of encouragement towards his goals. He would like to have someone to lean on when he feels at his lowest, whether it be when he is sick (which is rarely), or when his eyes cannot stop the instant tsunami of tears. He would like to have that one person to even console him whenever he is so angry beyond belief that he screams and curse to the heavens.
But more importantly what he truly wanted was someone to not only have someone to defend him and stand up for him against the normal citizens and shinobi of Konoha. But to have someone being there to welcome him home in a warm and loving embrace and kisses to his forehead and whiskered cheeks.
Was that too much to ask for? Apparently so.
Nothing ever seemed fair for Naruto everything that the boy dreamed or desired with his whole heart. Was constantly being turned away or dismissed as a shriveled fantasy.
A great example of this is when he would shout effectively through the streets. Across rooftops. And to the entire world, how someday with hard work and grit. He will become the next Hokage, and he will be the greatest Hokage there ever was. Even greater than the legendary 'Yellow Flash' of the leaf. After his declaration it always brought the same reaction in his wake. It didn't matter how many times laughed, shouted, and ran throughout the village his declaration was heard. His eyes would be lowered into a down ridden expression at the whispers and glares that were flown his way.
The residents of the hidden leaf village all say the same thing repeatedly.
"How in the world will that monstrous thing! Ever be Hokage?"
Or
"That boy will burn this village to the ground if he ever gets stronger or becomes Hokage." "It will be a cold day in hell if that were to ever happen."
Or
"Just imagine that boy being the Hokage. He will kill each one of us. Especially, with the you-know-what inside him." "Ssssshhhh! Are you trying to get us in trouble by speaking of it. You know we are not allowed to."
Naruto did not even know what 'You-Know-What', even was. But what did know was that he was the connection to 'You-Know-What' and because of it the village has made him their very own official pariah.
The more Naruto thought about it, the more the day breezed past him. The once high sun started to lower past the trees. Causing their branches to create an ominous looming presence. From when the time of the day read 3:45 pm on his wall clock, now read 5:26 pm.
The young boy during this time stayed in a mindless trance, doing things around the apartment in only a haze. Cleaning, eating, even leaving his home to walk around the village. Of course, he always took the backstreets whenever he didn't want to be in the presence of the villagers. Which was most of the time. As he was walking, the six-year-old came upon the opening to one of the main streets. Deciding to be curious, Naruto silently peered onto the street but at the same time keeping himself out of sight. Eyes sky blue eyes watched as the villagers came and went. Chatting and laughing amongst one another. As well as setting up decorations for the upcoming festival, Naruto knew all too well.
"Wait a moment", he said to himself snapping out of his haze. Even though the main street was not but a few blocks away, the blonde-haired boy could still see the surrounding streets much more clearly. Decorative lanterns lined not only the streets but hung attractively in the various shops and stores as well as different other decorations like streamers and wall hangings. Which also caught Naruto's attention, for they were decorated with a picture of mostly either the famous fourth Hokage or the dreaded Kyuubi. At the sight of this the young boy started to feel extremely nervous.
'How could I have forgotten about today?' He thought to himself. As he observed more, he noticed the villagers seemed to be in merrier spirits than usual and that did nothing to help his ever-growing anxiety.
'How could I have forgotten about today?!' He exclaimed in head one more time before quickly bolting towards home. Everything rushed by the boy in another hazy blur as he sped all the way home. Naruto couldn't even remember how he had gotten back. He couldn't even remember unlocking and locking back his door. But what he did remember was the instant terror he felt once he checked his calendar.
There on the paper was a date circled in red marker, which remained Naruto too much of the color of blood. And it read in the same blood-colored words.
October 10: My Birthday.
Naruto felt his blood run cold, his veins felt as if they were turning into ice. His breathing felt labored from not just running but for the fear that gripped his chest. Naruto's knees gave out from under him, as if a wave of rushing water knocked him over.
How could he have forgotten about today?
The day that the boy feared the most, the Kyuubi festival.
Naruto had always hated his birthday, ever since he started to understand the resentment the villagers had towards him. He never truly enjoyed this day as much as he wanted. However, what really made him understand how the villagers really saw him, was on his fourth birthday. When the villagers and some shinobi chased him through the streets with pitch forks and torches. He remembers how they cornered him, a four-year-old boy in an abandoned alleyway. Weapons that were gathered at the ready. He remembered the pain, all of it, the pain of the objects that pierced his flesh. The pain of the fists that connected with his face and the pain of the kicks that were flown his way. He remembered the feeling of his own blood dripping down his face and around his body. He remembered the words they spout out at him while he lay there on the ground, praying to any god out there to end his suffering. Fortunately, for the boy the Third Hokage as well as several ANBU came to his rescue.
He remembered the look of shock and sorrow when the 'Professor' gazed upon the boy. And he remembered the anger that the old man released upon his citizens after Naruto was brought safely to the hospital and monitored by one of the ANBU.
But what had really terrified Naruto that night was the expressions on everyone's faces when they were doing the deed. They were smiling and laughing, happy that they were torturing a boy that was no older than their own children that he had seen them with. As they were shouting all sorts of profanities at him like. . .
"We will finish what the fourth started!"
Or
"Burn him alive!"
And the most popular one
"Kill the demon!"
Naruto sat cross-legged on the floor eyes still flowing with tears, after that day things started to get worse from Naruto from then on. Everyone besides a select few started treating him a little more harshly than before. But only a little since without his knowledge the Hokage started having his most trusted ANBU officers become his personal secret bodyguards. And on his birthday the Hokage also decided to have Naruto confined to his apartment until the festival was over.
"Why did I have to be born on this horrid day?" The boy questioned to no one, "It won't even matter if I stay in this apartment. They're just going to come after me anyway."
Which was indeed true since one-year prior, when some of the citizens found out that Naruto wouldn't be one the streets. They marched to his apartment; however, they didn't get far since on that night the Hokage was visiting Naruto and that meant the ANBU were on extra high alert.
But this time, Naruto wasn't sure if he would be so luck this time.
"I wish I could just disappear." The blonde whined, sniffling and trying to chase away the tears.
As he was lost in his self-despair, Naruto suddenly remember something. Deep in the forest that surrounded Konoha, there was a secret cave that Naruto discovered earlier in the year. When he had found it, he had made sure that no animals or people would've crossed the area. It was completely hidden from sight, the only way anyone could possibly lifting the curtain of vines over the entrance.
Naruto felt his tears disappear and a bright smile replaced his sorrowful cries. "That's it I well go to my hideout! I know I will be safe there!"
Naruto jumped back up on his feet and looked at his clenched fists, with a look of determination in his eyes.
"I know Jiji told me to stay home but I don't think I am safe here," Naruto then walked out onto his apartment balcony and looked out at the setting sun.
"Tonight, while everyone is distracted, I will sneak out of the village. Today, on my birthday I will be safe Jiji, I promise." Naruto said turning his head to look upon the Hokage mountain with eyes shining.
Walking back inside his apartment, Naruto quickly packed everything he would need to take with him to his hideout.
~ * ~
Meanwhile, without anyone's knowledge a mysterious portal opened up in the in the great forest of Konoha.
A figure was dropped onto the forest floor, a woman, clad in green and wounds that one would receive during battle. The foreign woman opened her eyes slightly, squinting at the sun's rays that were shining through the ever-green trees. Weak, she closed her eyes welcoming slumber once more. Not even knowing what this strange land had in store for her.
Or the child she would come to meet.