Soul Of Light

Chapter 1: Meeting Fate.

Standing at the edge of the clearing of the training grounds on the outskirts of the village, he breaths shakingly, trying hard to calm himself down. He hangs his head staring at the dirt beneath his feet. In one hand he absentmindedly plays with a razor blade, the other hand rest lightly on his chest as to remind his heart to settle. Perhaps the pain he felt was nothing more then a slight discomfort? His mind raced with the cruel words from the villagers.

Gentle eyes, as blue as the darkened sky and as deep as the ocean, became watery with tears. No this was not a slight discomfort, this, this was misery. His hand clenched his shirt tightly as tears began to fall, they hit the dirt quietly as they soaked into the ground.

He quietly sobbed, his legs gave out as he collapsed. Sitting on his knees he tried to calm his tired soul and miserable heart to no avail. He sat there defeated by today's misfortunate events.

Why? He thought Why is it like this? Am I really that much of a monster to them?

Taking the razor he clutches that hand tightly cutting his palm, thick red liquid seeped out from his fist dripping down his wrist and arm. He watches for a moment then smiles bitterly, the pain from the cut felt far better than the wounds inflicted onto his heart and mind by the village. As if mesmerized by the red liquid, opening his hand he takes the razor and began making short deep cuts to the side of his wrist and forearm.

Ten or so cuts later he stops and 'appreciates' the sight of the wounds and the blood. The only proof he had that he was alive, weakly he laughs "living is pointless. Pointless when everyone you care about hates you. Telling you that you'd do more good dead then bothering the village…." his faint voice cracked.

One last time, he cuts his arm. This time his digs the razor into one spot deeply, once satisfied with the depth he drags it slowly down his arm. A deep voice echoed in his head but he ignored it. He didn't want to hear anymore negative words, he wanted no more pain from them.

His vibrant blue eyes begin to dim, as if the will to live was slowly waning along with the life he carried. Deeper and further down, he drags the razor until he reaches the inner joint of his elbow.

Releasing the blood stained razor the boy falls to his side with a weak chuckle, his eyes felt heavy as sleep nagged his mind. Was it sleep? He can't really tell as his mind was foggy from the oddly satisfying pain from his arm. Closing his eyes, He smiled sadly. Maybe this was the best choice.

Will they be happy now? I know they won't miss me…. But I can't help but miss them.

With that the boy falls into the darkness of his mind. Its peaceful and calm now, he floats quietly on faint memories, ignoring all that's around him. A light gentle voice calls out to him, but he pushes the voice away, sinking deeper into the abyss. The cold frigid surroundings bring peace, but a nagging warm light tries to invade on his stillness. The voice echos, slowly becoming louder.

Soon it's too loud to ignore, sitting up he looks for the source of the voice, a dim warm light lingers in the distance. Sighing he stand and makes his way begrudgingly towards the light. As he comes closer, it gets warmer, it's a comforting feeling, one he's not used to. He reaches out for the light as he squints from the brightness of the light in front of him.

His eyes flutter open to an unfamiliar surrounding, he sits up and hisses slightly in pain, looking down at his arm he sees it's wrapped and no longer beeding. Looking up again he scans the area, he's lying in a large soft bed in a small room. The walls are a light shade of turquoise, with pretty light pink and white cherry blossoms. There's a small table near the bed, with medical supplies scattered across it.

The door to the room opens slowly as a woman enters, She's tall, with long silvery hair pulled into two buns on either side of her head, he skin was pale and had a slight glow like a full moon. Her shape was curvy and she was well built. The boy locked eyes with the woman, her eyes are gentle looking, they're a deep purple. She smiles at him with a kind loving warmth.

"Oh, you finally wake. I was afraid I was too late when I found you. I'm glad you have recovered." he voice was soft and kind. The boy sighs and looks away from here, his eyes filled with sadness. She approaches the small child, she gently places her hand on the boys head. He looks up at her in surprise, she only smiles more.

"What's wrong little one? Why prompted you to cause such harm to yourself?" She began to gently stroke his soft blond hair.

This act of kindness stuck the boy, tears form and begin falling. His shoulder shake as soft cries escape him. She sits down next to him and gently pulls him into a hug. She strokes his back to sooth him, after a while the tears stop. He tries to speak, but his voice is rough.

"I… I wanted to end the pain. My village thinks I'm a monster, every day it's the same cruel words and harsh treatment. I thought if I did what they suggested then everyone would be happier!"

The woman stops rubbing the boys back and looks down at him, his face is buried in her shoulder. Gently pushing him back she reaches for his chin and lifts his face so that she can look into his eyes.

"Ending your life won't stop the pain, it only transfers it to someone else." she speaks firmly, but lovingly.

The boy cringes as he retorts. "To whom? I have no family. I'm alone, and no one cares. They'd be better off without me." his voice is soft and bitter.

"Surely that not true. There has to be someone who loves you. Someone cares enough to raise you." She replies, gently cupping his face in her hands keeping eye contact with him.

He thinks for a moment before speaking. "The village leader…. He's always been there…. But he passed away not to long ago." once more tears form, but before they could slide down his cheek the woman wipes them away with her thumbs.

She smiles sadly "Stay here with me until you're ready to return to your village little one." The boy hesitated but nodded at her request, he sniffles as he straightened himself.

"M….My name is Uzumaki Naruto." he said shyly.

The woman blinks and cocks her head to the side. "An Uzumaki huh. I thought I'd never meet one again." she smiles "My name is Usagi. You can call me Unmei."

Naruto smiles up at her "Thank you Unmei."

Usagi stands with a smile and pats Naruto on the head. "Get some rest while I make some food. And no more cutting understand?" Naruto nods as he lays back down and closes his eyes.

As he fades into sleep the image of a large beady eyes fox appears. He snarls at Naruto, with criticism in his deep voice he reprimands the small blond.

"You little shit! You were trying to kill us! If it wasn't for Usagi, I swear Naruto! You need to use your fucking head brat!" He fumes, his nine large fluffy tails whip around angrily. Naruto couldn't help but laugh lightly at this behavior. The fox rolled his eyes and barks at him.

"Sure, just laugh it off, like you always do!"

Naruto sighs after a moment, looking up at his 'mind-mate' he says softly

"I'm sorry Kyuubi… I… I didn't mean to put your life in danger. I'll be more careful for now on."

Upon heating the sincerity in Naruto's voice Kyuubi grumbles and turn away. "Just get some sleep moron." and with those words Naruto slipped into his dreams.

Waking with a start Naruto looks around, he was still and Usagi's place, the sun was setting turning the sky into a soft red colour. Letting out a small sigh he noticed the door to the room was open, the smell of savory beef and tender chicken wafted into the room causing his stomach to growl. Getting out of the bed he followed his nose to the kitchen area where Usagi was cooking.

Her table was set for two, with food ready to be eaten. She turned around and smiled. "I see you've found your way to the kitchen Naruto. Have a seat and eat my dear." with her inviting words Naruto sat at the table across from her. She motions for him not to be shy and eat, taking the invite he began to eat.

During the meal they conversed about where Naruto was from, his role as a ninja and what he hope to make of his life. She watched amused as he spoke, they way his beautiful blue eyes lit up when talking about the Hidden leaf, and how he one day wants to be the Hokage and earn the respect of the villagers.

His smile grew as he talked about his team mates and his friends, about how the chunin exams went and how he made a new friend who was a lot like him. Apparently this friend's name was Gaara, from the hidden sand village.

"So this Gaara, he's a lot like you huh?" her voice echoed her amusement.

Naruto nodded, his cheeks puffed out full of food. He swallows the mouthful and replied "Yea! His village seems not to like him either for the same reasons my village… doesn't… like…" he went siglent. Usagi watched quietly before speaking.

"You mean he's a host for one of the Tailed beast too"

Naruto's head snaps up and he stares at her shocked. "How?! How did you know?" he asked fearfully.

Usagi smiles sadly and replies "I know what the first Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and his wife Uzumaki Minto did to the nine Tailed creatures. And I know about his presence within you. Don't worry, I'm not afraid Naruto. I won't chase you away."

Naruto choked back tears and smiled "Thank you Unmei."

Usagi giggles and nods. "Now eat up. You need your strength for your return home."

After they ate and the kitchen was cleaned, she made sure Naruto bathed and was ready for bed. Once he has fallen asleep she walked silently outside, taking a deep breath she extended her arms out and chants lightly under her breath.

An orb of light appears before her fluttering around like a butterfly, after a moment she dismisses the orb and in its place is a gem. Smiling she takes the gem into the house and heads for her forge where she spends the entire night making a necklace for her little fox friend, Naruto.