The lost boy
Chapter one
The day had started out like any other day, the sun shining brightly in the sky. Laughter could be heard from those around him, seemingly ignorant to the pain that Naruto felt.
As he lay on his bed, Naruto wondered how people could be so happy when it felt like his world was falling apart. He had found out yesterday that both his parents had been killed on a mission. If it was one thing he hadn't expected to find out when he had answered the door, it hadn't been that he was now an orphan.
Tears filled Naruto's eyes the longer he lay there and thought about what he had lost. Who would be there to wake him up so that he could meet his teammates on time? Who would be there to help him with his shuriken practice? Who would be there to cheer him up after he'd had a bad day? More importantly who would be there to love and hold him when he came in after a difficult mission? His teammates had their own families to go home to, who would Naruto have? Sobs tore from Naruto's throat as he turned and pressed his face into his pillow. Who would be there to support him today when he lay his parents to rest?
"Why'd you have to leave?" Naruto sobbed "didn't you know how much I need you?" it didn't take long for Naruto's pillow to become soaked from his tears. "I never even got to say goodbye." Naruto cried his heartbreaking into a thousand pieces. It seemed unfair to Naruto that his parents had been taken from him right after he graduated from the ninja academy. Who would he tell about his first mission? Or complain about his team placement? Naruto had often goofed off in class just to annoy his classmates, now many of them wanted anything to do with him. Which was a shame because Naruto needed someone to talk to him and offer him the comfort he needed.
Naruto felt like screaming out his pain, but he didn't think that would make him feel any better, nothing that he thought could ease the agony he was feeling. Loneliness was eating at him even as he lay on his bed. He knew his team would have training soon, but Naruto couldn't find the will to prepare for it. How could he? After his world had just been shattered. Nothing would ever be the same, Naruto would have to live with the loneliness and pain that he was feeling.
"Why couldn't you take me with you?" Naruto cried his tears falling once again. Would this agony ever leave him? "What am I supposed to do now?" his parents had always supported his dreams of becoming a ninja. His father had started out by helping him with his chakra control and had even taught him about shadow clones. His mother had always made sure that he'd had a hot breakfast and warm hug before sending him off to class. Now who would teach him and have a hug for him? Swallowing hard, Naruto turned and looked out the window. The world carried on unknowing of the pain and suffering going on around them. Naruto wished more than anything that he could be among those people. His world would never be the same again and from that moment on Naruto would be a different kind of ninja.
The day before
Naruto had rushed home after his team training, excited that his parents, Minato and Kushina Uzumaki would be home from their mission today. Naruto couldn't wait to see them, they had been gone for two weeks though it felt like it had been longer than that.
Naruto raced through the streets, ignoring the annoyed cries of those he passed by. Didn't they know his parents would finally be home to greet him? Naruto couldn't contain his joy, he loved his parents more than anything and he always missed them when they went away.
As he reached his house, he noticed that the lights were still out. Strange Naruto thought as he opened the door and entered the building. No one was home yet which made him wonder if their mission had run late. Naruto couldn't help but feel a little worried, he hoped that nothing had happened. Still even as he entered his bedroom and flopped down on his bed he couldn't help but feel like something wasn't right.
An hour later his feeling of wrongness was confirmed as he heard a knock on the door. Frowning, Naruto felt his bad feeling grow worse, swallowing hard Naruto slowly made his way towards the door. Not knowing that things were going to change so much in just the space of a few minutes.
"Naruto Uzumaki?" The dark haired Nin asked as soon as Naruto opened the door. Naruto nodded and swallowing again, knowing that nothing good could come from the Nin at his door.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news." The Nin informed him and Naruto could tell that he felt uncomfortable with having to give him this news. "Your parents, Minato and Kushina were both killed this afternoon."
"But" Naruto started frowning "Their mission wasn't supposed to be dangerous." Naruto found it hard to believe that his parents could have been killed. Then again it explained the unwelcome feeling his home currently gave him.
"I'm sorry." The Nin repeated "The Hokage is making funeral arrangements." Naruto looked at the Nin, tears threatening to break free.
"I didn't even get to say goodbye." Naruto murmured as he slowly dropped to his knees. How could his parents be gone? They had only been there a few short weeks ago. It couldn't be true? His parents mission had delayed them but they would be home soon? Naruto wanted more than anything to believe that, but he had the feeling the Nin had been telling the truth.
A few hours later Naruto found himself wondering the streets with his hands in his pockets. Each peal of laughter hurt his already bleeding heart, Naruto wanted nothing more than to be laughing with his own family again.
Before Naruto knew what he was doing he found himself at the bridge he met his teammates at. Staring into the water he didn't see or hear Sasuke and Sakura approaching.
"Earth to dobe." Sasuke said shoving Naruto roughly.
"What do you want?" Sasuke asked numbly almost robotically.
"Let's spar before training." Sasuke suggested.
"No thank you." Naruto said as he turned and walked away leaving a stunned Sasuke and Sakura behind.
"Is he sick?" he heard Sakura asked. Naruto couldn't stop the tears from falling. How could he tell his teammates that he was now an orphan who had no friends. He regretted annoying his classmates so much. Who could he talk to that would understand his pain?
Naruto found himself wondering past his house. He didn't know if he would ever be able to back there without thinking about what all he had lost. It seemed unfair to him after that he had to lose his parents a few weeks after graduation. He supposed his team could be his family but he annoyed them so much he doubted they would ever really want to be around him for long.
Sighing, Naruto walked past Kakashi as his team leader was leaving the Hokage tower. He was so lost in thought e didn't see the concerned look in Kakashi's eyes. Naruto continued wondered aimlessly wanting to be anywhere but the last place he had seen his parents. The thing was Naruto wasn't sure where he could go. He was sure he could go to Iruka Sensei but Naruto didn't really want to bother the man. Naruto had annoyed Iruka enough in class that Naruto was supposed that Iruka had passed him. Then again Iruka had probably just wanted to be free from Naruto like everyone else.
Unsure of where else to go, Naruto headed to the forest where he found a tree and sat down, pulling his knees up to his chest, Naruto leaned over and lay his head on his knees. Tears falling harder than they had all day. How was he supposed to get through their funeral? How was he supposed to get through the next few years?
Naruto closed his eyes in an attempt to stop the tears from falling , no matter how hard he tried the tears kept coming. No matter how much he wished it nothing he done could bring his family back.
Naruto slowly drifted off to sleep not knowing that his team had been told about his situation and were currently out searching for him. They found the red eyed boy sleeping at the base of a tree. Naruto had no idea how much his team members hurt for him and felt helpless as to how to help him in the coming days.
TBC? LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! THANKS FOR READING AND REVIEWING. LIZ
