Ribbon
By Peregrinate

Rated: T

Genre: General/Tragedy

Warning: Mild (if not, then heavy) swearing, some beating (I want to say abuse, but I'm not too sure on that), and mild use of Japaneses words.

Parings: None. (Romance? Thinking about it.)

Set Time: When Naruto is four years old.

Spoils: None. (I hope.)

Summary: After being assaulted on the night of his birthday, Naruto finds himself in a small, dark, and smelly cell. Struggling, he will do all it takes to stay alive. Even if the inner fox wants him dead.

Side Note: First Naruto story made. Flames are welcome, but only if you have a valid reason. Other then that, no flaming. And please, do not abuse the privileges of being an anonymous reviewer. There will not be anymore notes unless it is deemed necessary.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Nor do I want to. This is the only time I will say this so everyone won't have to put up with the disclaimer in every chapter. Now please enjoy the story. If there is anything wrong with the grammar, please inform me. I'd like to know what I can do to improve.

x.x.x.x
Prologue:
Ever after
x.x.x.x

Once upon a time, there lived a boy. A boy whose hated by his village, and feared by many for bring something he is not. One day, he declared that he would rise to be their leader. A leader who will protect them using his many useful skills. The Hokage. It is a title he dreamed of getting. It is a dream the he will accomplish.

He would work himself endlessly. Never giving up the dream. Not even when everyone told him it can't be done. Everyone kept saying no, he will never get his dream. Daily he had to put up with their discouragements. Put down to the edge of the table. Pushing him far enough for anyone to break. But he's not just anyone. He is someone special.

Just when he was about to give up, hands held his and heard someone say, 'yes you can.' He felt his spirit come back to life as he worked hard to accomplish the goal at hand. Working himself to death, repeatedly saying 'I think I can.'

One day the villagers got in trouble with the demons. They started to attack, but the boy came to their rescue. Defeating their enemies one by one. The villagers praise him, accepting him for who he is and encouraged him to live his dream. Soon that 'I think I can' became 'I know I can.'

Years went by and the boy became a man. The Hokage is retiring and need someone to take his/her place. The man took this opportunity and proved his worth to them. He passed with flying colors and became the next Hokage. And now he looks down at the village, cherishing what he has done and the village itself along with its villagers. Now that 'I know I can' became 'I told you I can.' Life is good and he is happy.

"And he lived happily ever after," the boy's meekly voiced echoed in his cell as he scratched the back of his legs.

Somewhere in Konoha Village sits a boy. A boy, little older then four years, sunny blond hair, peach skin, and deep sapphire blue eyes. Sitting behind closed cell doors with a seal on them. All alone in the cold darkness of his imprisonment. His body numb from the freezing temperatures and the torture the has been inflicted on him for quite some time.

He ended the story of the boy who became a man. The one who was hated, but loved in the end. The one he came up with some time ago. He forgot when. Being in here, one could not tell how many days had come or gone. He knows very little about months and years. But that is it. He cannot tell time by looking at the clock or the date without a calender there to remind him. He doesn't know how long he was in here.

"Once upon a time," he began again.

He continues to tell himself this story again. No words change (except he puts them in his own words since his vocabulary isn't that high), not even the timing he says it in change. It's always the same. Repeating almost like a broken record.

Sometimes he would stop and look at the ceiling and day dream. Dream about him being outside again, inhaling the sweet smell of fresh grass while laying on a hill. Dew wetting his clothing slightly, but he doesn't dwell on it since his mind is on the passing clouds. Laughing as he sees foxes, pandas, and raccoons forming in the sky.

Afterwards, he would see some butterflies flying around the hill. He would always chase them, but he would always chase the green underside first, then the monarch. After he catches them, he lets them go. Having them dance around him before flying to their own freedom.

Freedom.

He remembered the last day he had that. It was a special day to him.

x.x.x.x.xFlashbackx.x.x.x.x

The sun shined high in the sky, its gentle rays vibrating among the fire country. Autumn leafs fall from the tree to dance gracefully in the sky. Children running down the streets, playing a harmless game of tag, women gossiping with each other, men training, and families playing in the park. That's where he stood. In the park, hiding under the shadow of the trees. Watching the kids play with each other, laughing and smiling. But today would be different. This time he would step out of the shadows and laugh with the other kids.

So now he takes his steps, inching near a group of kids that plays in the tan bark. Slowly, counting each steps he took towards them. Unfortunately he can only count up to three so he abandon the count. So now he faces the kids. One of them noticed him and walked up to him.

"Hewwo," she said cheerfully.

He smiled and was about to respond, but a shriek interrupted him. He turns to see a woman run towards them, screaming, "get away from my child you monster!" He looked around to see where the monster is, but he didn't find any. His attention went back to the woman, whose right in front of him. Her hand made contact with his cheek before she took the hand of the little girl next to him and dragged her far away from him, scowling at her daughter and told her to never talk or think about playing with that boy. Other parents saw that and did the same. Only they didn't slap him. Soon the park became empty and he is all alone again.

Tears build up in his eyes. He forgot how many times this has happened. This isn't the first time it happened, and it probably won't be the last. He sits on the bench and cries to himself. The sting on his cheek still throbs. This has to be the worst birthday he can ever remember.

"Hey, you otay?" a small voice asked.

He looked up to see a chubby standing in front of him. He wiped his eyes, calmed himself down, and slowly nodded. The chubby boy smiled and took his seat next to him and open a bag of chips. "Dat lady is a mean lady," he munched. "Gotta take all da fun wit her."

He stayed quiet. Didn't know what to say. But his eyes did stare at the bag of chips as his stomach started to rumble. The chubby boy noticed this and offered him some. He gladly took the offer and took some chips and chowed on them, savoring the flavor.

"Oh yea! I'm Chouji," the chubby boy introduced himself. "Akimichi Chouji."

"Umm... I'm Uzumaki Naruto." He introduced himself.

"Oh! Naruto?" He asked and received a nod. "My momma said tings about you. Like you're a bad boy, and make other kids cry."

"Nu-uh!" Naruto cried. "I don't do 'dat. E'bry ones mommys and daddys make me cry. And kids dow it toos. I dun know why." He paused and looked at Choujis eyes. "Why do e'brey on hurt me?"

"I dun't know," Chouji said. "Oh well. My mama and papa ain't here. Wanna play?"

Naruto beamed and graciously took the offer. So now, with the chips abandon, they played around the park. They laughed and played many games. Soon another kid arrived alone. He looked around only to find the two kids playing in the empty park. Making his way, he asked if he can play.

"Otay," Chouji gleed. "More ish good."

"Aburame Shino," the new boy introduced himself.

"Akimichi Chouji."

"Uzumaki Naruto."

"Naruto?" Shino pondered. "Arn't you the dib-buctive kid?" They stayed silent until Chouji broke the silence. "What's di... di... that big word you use?" The same question went through Narutos mind when he heard that word. "I dunno," Shino said. "My mother uses it when she sees Naruto. I tink it mean bad kid or sumb'ting."

"I dun do anyting bad!" Naruto declared after waving his arms around a bit and pouts.

"Otay, otay. I sowwy," Shino apologies.

They all resumed the fun. Soon more kids came. Some came with a partner, others came with their parents (who left a short while with their kid after seeing that Uzumaki kid). Some of them asked to play with the trio, while others played on their own or with someone else. Even though the beginning of this day was ruined by that slap, new friends alway made it better.

They had to leave soon, but Chouji, Shino, Neji(a new found friend), and Naruto stayed behind. Before dawn came, Naruto told the others that he is going to the Hokage Monument and asked if any of them wanted to come. Neji took the offer, but Shino and Chouji decline. So Neji and Naruto left. On the way, the two got to know each other better. Neji did most of the talking since Naruto had very little to tell.

Once they reached their destination dawn came, making the faces more serene to look at. There was at least two bouquet of flowers near the Yondaimes face. Naruto and Neji couldn't help but be amazed by the faces. It was then Neji remembered something.

"Ya know, this day is da day that da Fouth Hokage died," Neji said as he stared at Yondaime.

"Huh?"

"This day is da day that da Fouth Hokage died," he repeated.

"Oooooh... what's is 'died?'"

"Ummmm..." Neji paused, searching for the words his father told him when he first saw a dead coyote near the village gates. "Uhhh... It's when someone goes away forever... I tink."

"Ooooh... why to'days?"

"I dun know. He did someting and went away."

"Hmmm..." Naruto frowned. He looked at Yondaime's proud face. "Dat's too bad. Todays' ish me b-... ber... birthday."

"Welly? Have da happiest of happy happy birthday."

Naruto looked at Neji to see him smiling. He couldn't help but hug the older boy and thank him for those words. Neji blushed and pat his back. Naruto told him that he happen to be the first person to give him those words, and that he will cherish this day.

It started to get late. Neji said his good byes and left towards home. Naruto stayed behind and continued to look up at the four Hokage faces. He then departs and heads home. As he walked home, he started to reflect on today. To him, the worst birthday became the best. It is all he could ever ask for. He didn't think he would forget their name anytime soon. Finally things went his way. He is happy for once. For once, he has the chance to smile a true smile and gain some friends.

How cruel fate and destiny can be.

On his way home, Naruto took a wrong turn and finds himself facing what seems to be eight angry men. All of them leering at him with hatred, declaring that he has lived long enough. Sometimes he would run into these kind of mobs, but a silver haired ANBU would come to his rescue and give him a smile in the end, taking him home and leave. Sometimes other ANBU would help him out too, but they never took him home. Only the silver haired did. That is one of the things he liked in this village. That there are at least some people who cares. Just like the Third.

But this time no one came to help the blond boy. They started to beat him senselessly, punching, kicking, and scratching. The pain became unbearable. He remembers hearing himself scream, but the last thing before the darkness took him is seeing a pair of red demonic eyes and heard someone -or something- laughing with a hint of malice.

x.x.x.x.xEnd of Flashbackx.x.x.x.x

But now that freedom is stripped from him. No longer can he see the sky, lay on the grass, or chase the butterflies. He can not see his new friends anymore. He can't do anything. This place took it from him. Everything. Left to wallow up in the darkness for who knows how long.

"And he lived happily ever after."

A crystal tear left his blue eyes as they trailed down his dirty cheek. Shallow sobs escaped his chapped pink lips. 'My happily ever after,' he thought with grief. 'Where is it?'

"Once... upon a time..." he managed to sob out.

A low rumble echoed withing the walls. He stops his story telling and pats his stomach. They feed him some time ago. Yesterday to be accurate. So now he has to wait a good four to five days until they feed him again. That is what they would do. Starve him.

Who is 'they?' The only two people who would see him. But not as a friendly visit. One of them would go to him to feed him. The other...

'Because you are a bad boy, and bad boys needs to be punished,' his voice echoed in his head.

When ever the woman who feeds him come, he would ask what he did to deserve this. Why the other man hits him so many times on the back. And how long he has to endure it. The only respond he would get is, "You don't need to know demon." Not an answer he wanted, so the next time she came, he would ask again. Still the answer remained the same.

His stomach grumbles again, and pats it once more. He thinks that starving him is a part of his punishment. That each person has their own punishment to give him. What he didn't know is that the lashes he got from the other man were his only punishment in his confinement and the food is out of 'forgetfulness.'

"Once upon a time," he started again.

He didn't get far in his story when he heard a loud clang and the doors down the hallway opened. He didn't know what for. They feed him yesterday, and whipped him not too long ago (he kept track by his eating patterns. Even though he can count up to three, he can still use his little fingers). He didn't know why, but determining the numorus clicks he hears, he can assume that this person is not alone.

He shield his eyes by the light the lantern gave. It's a little bright for him, and uncomfortable too. When they got closer, he recognize one of them and backs himself further against the wall, fear written in those blue eyes, hugging his knees close to his chest, and silently whispering ''no... no... no..." Each nerve vibrating violently, his heart races, and beads of cold sweat slid down the side of his face. Why did he have to come?

The man came closer and stopped at the doors. More tears leaked from the boys eyes as his jaws tighten. The doors open and he squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for that hand to grab his head and drag him down that hall. He braced himself, waiting for what ever pain that would come.

Patter patter...

Nothing came. No pain, no hand, nothing. Slowly he opened on eye to see what is really going on when he sees a sandwich at his feet. A dull clung echoed on the walls when the doors closed and the seal placed on the crack. He looked up at the man, who glared at him with complete hatred. His hand inched towards the sandwich, hoping to who ever is up there that this is not a dream. He touched it. It felt so real. It must be real.

"This is what Tsushi did daily," the man gruffed. "She would come down here and feed this brat of a demon." He then turns to the boy next to him and patted on his shoulder. "I appreciate the help Itachi. I know your missions are difficult on you. And I'm sorry that I'm having you take time off your free time with this. But when Tsushi is better, you can go back to what you were doing."

"Hnnn" a monotone voice confirmed.

Naruto looked at the young man next to the elder one. Little light shined on him, but he can see some description. His skin has that ivory color, he appears to be 5'3, dark hair that blends in the darkness, and eyes darker then onyx. Naruto couldn't help but stare at those eyes. He had to be the fifth person to look at him without hatred or fear in those eyes.

"Hurry up and eat!" The man demanded.

Narutos attention went back to the sandwich. He picked it up and practically inhaled the thing, ignoring the dirt that came with it. Both of them halfway through the hallway by the time he finished. They are gone, and his eyes adjusted to the darkness once more. Smiling, he pats his stomach with satisfaction. At least his hunger pains left.

"Once upon a time..."