DISCLAIMER I do not own Naruto or any associated properties, nor do I own the song Fully Alive by the band Flyleaf. I do not make money from this story.
I used to find myself so damn justified in my rage and angst. In my mind, you could never know the loss I experienced, the pain felt every moment in that house, empty as my heart once had been. I couldn't understand how a person who'd never known the love of a mother could feel as alone as I had in my youth.
I was so self absorbed.
The village hated you for reasons beyond your control, and you had no one to turn to for comfort, no one to explain to you why they hated you, why they didn't want you there. I… It never registered in my mind that seeing all the other kids with their families may impact your world, how easily it would have been for you to become heavily depressed, to shut yourself away in your little apartment for the rest of your life. Instead you strive for every little ray of light you can find, fighting to achieve your goal, struggling to make this village love you the way they should have before.
When my brother left after murdering my parents, the town turned to me and told me I was strong. As I grew older, they called me Avenger. I had their love, and hated it. People offered me their friendship, their love, and I turned them to sulk in my increasingly dark mood.
You live for every once of love. Why? Because you know what it means to be without it.
I'm so spoiled. I'm ashamed of myself, really.
I allowed myself to become bitter and angry, gave into all my darkest of desires then left on a ill-fated quest for power. You, however, you are driven by so much more, Naruto. You are so vibrant; you glow so brightly that at times, I can't look at you. Cobalt blue is now the color of determination. You have managed to make orange the color of power, and yellow is a smile.
End
"All my complaints shrink to nothing
I'm ashamed of all my somethings
She's glad for one day of comfort
Only because she has suffered"
--"Fully Alive" by Flyleaf