Brother always wanted to become the Hokage. I couldn't really understand why, since everyone hated us and such. But I guess he just wanted everyone to recognise him as Uzumaki Naruto, and not just some random detestable kid. He wanted to show everyone how great he actually is.

I, for one, couldn't really be bothered. All I wanted was more friends... How could it be so difficult? What have we ever done wrong that the adults wouldn't allow their kids to play with us? It was a relief I had my brother at my side. We ate together, played together, pulled pranks together... We were basically inseparable. We even looked alike, with scars resembling whiskers donning our cheeks, which we don't really understand how we got those.

Iruka-sensei was one of the few who cared for us. I like him, a lot. And I think brother does too.

Both of us sucked at the academy. Brother couldn't do a proper bunshin for nuts. Well.. actually I couldn't too, I absolutely hate hate hate hate hate that jutsu. So when the graduating test was looming, we were scared out of our wits. But we kept trying, we worked hard; Brother wanted to graduate so badly because if he doesn't, he wouldn't get to become the Hokage.

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We failed again. I couldn't ever understand what exactly was wrong? Why couldn't we do a simple bunshin?

Naruko was silent and staring at the ground in dismay. Nothing was said as I held her hand tightly, she knew I was trying to tell her it's alright, we'll just have to try again next year, but well, who in their right mind would be alright failing the graduation exam yet again? We wanted to pass... so badly... But I love my sister and I wanted her to feel okay again...

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We wanted to pass... and Mizuki-sensei gave us a chance to pass. Was it real, or am I in dreamland? Brother seemed to be over the moon.

All we had to do was to steal the forbidden scroll from the Hokage's office and learn a technique from it. Sounds easy enough, but the problem was stealing the scroll from the Third for goodness sake. But brother had something in mind.

Of course, how could I have forgotten about his... his... atrocious henge technique he calls a sexy jutsu? Nevertheless, the Third was left in his pool of blood from excessive nosebleeding, courtesy of... of that technique... well I wouldn't like to mention the name of that stupid technique twice.

We made it into the forest clearing and opened the mighty forbidden scroll. Learn just a technique from this? No problem! After all, I am THE Uzumaki Naruko and I... okay I take back my words. What the hell is this? Kage Bunshin? Bunshin again? Why can't this jutsu ever get out of our lives!

Whatever, brother was determined, I was determined too. We absolutely had to graduate.

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It was only a matter of time before we did it. Somehow, we managed to learn the jutsu. Naruko was ecstatic, and I saw her giving off the brightest smile I've ever seen in my life. But that was when Mizuki-sensei found us.

Something... something wasn't right...

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Now I know why everyone hated us. Everything came as a shock to me as I stood numb beside brother, I could feel him going stiff too.

We... we're demons...? Or half a demon, since the yin and yang chakra of the Kyuubi was split and sealed into each of us. I don't know, I can't even think anymore. The information was so overwhelming that my brain wasn't even working properly.

A sharp movement from the corner of my eye jolted me out of my trance-like state. Mizuki-sensei was rushing at me with lightning speed. My eyes widened in fear and I was scared, very scared.

Brother wasted no time in grabbing my arm, urging me to flee. We ran for our lives.

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I was very, very angry. Deep inside, I was boiling with rage. It was the first time I ever felt like killing someone. Creating a normal clone seemed to be my nemesis in the past, but right now I felt I was capable of producing thousands of shadow clones. And I did just that, all in my aim to take Mizuki-sensei down with me.

Eventually, Iruka-sensei found us, along with some other Anbu members who arrived to arrest Mizuki-sensei.

But my mind was hollow, everything seemed like a horrible nightmare. I don't want this to be real... This couldn't be real! Tears were threatening to spill, but for some reason, I couldn't even cry. I couldn't even utter a sound, everything was a blank to me as I stared into the pair of lifeless blue eyes that were once so beautiful and full of happiness.

Iruka-sensei gave me a tight embrace me as I told him with a trembling voice that my little sister Naruko was gone. Even as he was whispering comforting words in my ear and patting my back, I could tell that he, too, was heartbroken.

It was the moment I lost the only family I've ever had.

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Back in our apartment, I clutched at the only picture I have of both of us. I absolutely detested Mizuki-sensei. I've never felt so alone in my life, I couldn't bear the thought of spending the rest of my life alone.

Unbeknownst to Iruka-sensei, back in that cursed forest, the long golden locks that I used to have and treasured for so many years were cut short and hidden in my jacket, while I placed a henge on the body of my beloved brother. There was something I absolutely had to do.

Brother left before he could fulfil his dream of becoming the Hokage, before he could get everyone to acknowledge him, before he could become strong, before he could make a name for himself, before he could even accomplish anything.

You can call me crazy, but I am going to do that for him. As Uzumaki Naruto.