For those of you returning and are confused, I did change the title from "Naruto Divergence" to "Second Chances".
Also, don't forget to follow me on Twitter so you know when I'm going to post next! (at: xartixticx)
Naruto sat in his chair within the Hokage office, choosing to watch the civilians below rather than the large stacks of papers behind him. His mind continued to betray him with thoughts about how he got here.
Years he spent uselessly chasing after those who never truly cared for him. And now, even though the villagers may look at him like a god, it doesn't erase the memories of the pain they inflicted on him over the years. And as hard as it is to admit this to himself, he can't keep the one person who truly loves him on the forefront of his mind. It makes him feel like a hypocrite, because she deserves affection as much as he does.
Naruto looked down at his hand, it was difficult to ignore the phantom pain that lingered with the prosthetic.
He thinks back to the day everything started, when he noticed the boy sitting alone by the pier. He understands now, that no matter what he did, it probably wouldn't have made a difference. Naruto held a parchment in his hands, the very one Sarutobi made sure was hidden in great lengths; just like the other, countless, amount of secrets he had gathered within his extensive life.
Naruto couldn't help but feel bitter, but at the same time, this paper gave him a sense of hope and dread -that he hasn't felt in a long time. He could try to change things, prevent Sasuke from leaving, acknowledge and tell Hinata the truth. Give Sakura the reality check she should've had years ago. But, he would also lose so much; his kids, his status, maybe even his friends. And he's afraid he'll lose more than he realizes he already has…
He wasn't happy though. And it was with that thought that he made the selfish decision to release his chakra into the paper.
Naruto flinched as the parchment set itself on fire causing him to drop it in shock. He couldn't react as his brain and his stomach seemed to lurch from within his body. Naruto closed his eyes and held his head in a futile attempt to ease the pain. By the time he opened his eyes he almost threw up from the disorientation. The feeling of nausea grew when he recognized the person, and the walls, which now stood before him.
He was back in the orphanage, his old foster mother towering over him with a long broom gripped firmly in her hand.
"You'd better have this entire house cleaned before the guests arrive, else I'll make you regret it, demon!"
Naruto didn't make a sound as he caught the broom that threatened to smack him in the face. He took a breath to steady his shaking limbs, which were shorter, weaker. He made it, he was back in the past, but seeing that look on the woman's face instantly caused a flood of dread and regret to spread throughout his entire body...
