Flashback - when Naruto is 5

"Monster."

"That's all you are."

"Freak."

"Unnatural."

"He'd kill us all if we gave him the chance."

"Stop! Just stop! Why do you all hate me? What have I done wrong? Just tell me, tell me what it is that I've done to harm you!"

"Shut up, freak."

" Yeah. As if we'd tell a monster like you."

All the people gathered around him. Pushing him. Away from the light of day and into one of the many dirty side alleys. He cried out. He reached his hand out, trying to reach out and grab the last fading light. He screamed for someone to save him. Mostly because he knew what came next.

The beatings.

However, no one came to save him. No one ever did. They always ignored him. Always. They looked away from the abusive crowd and walked haughtily on or joined them. Jeering them on. Asking them to hurt him, give 'the little monster' what he deserved.

Him. That little blonde kid. The monster. He looked different to all the kids. Skinny, always dirty and always covered in bruises and bandages, like he just couldn't stay away from a good scrap. Clear blue eyes that look innocent, until you get closer. Then you see eyes that have been betrayed by the world. Like they'll never learn to love or be loved. And those eyes and their owner probably won't. No one would dare get close to him. He was the one everyone called monster. But, the most prominent feature was the three whisker like scars drawn clear across his cheeks. These were what reminded everyone of what a freak he is. Why everyone hates him.

He didn't know why they hated him so much. They all just called him 'monster'. Everyone knew, though. The children grew up with the horrifying tales regaling the battle between the villagers and the nine tails beast. Drunks boasting of their bravery, their minds clouded with pride that wasn't really theirs for their stories. They all forget that the one who stopped the rampaging beast - the hokage, sealed it in his only son in sacrifice of his own life for his son. His last request being; "let them all treat him as a hero."

They all forget.

Always.