There was a time when the Hidden Leaf Village was a place of peace and everyone treated each other with kindness. Of course, after that night, everything changed. It was easy to understand why so many in the village were afraid though. Afraid of those who held a special burden within their bodies. Naruto knew all too well, what it was like to be looked at like you were a monster, but luckily he wasn't alone so he was able to bare the horrible weight of this curse. There was another though, another who lived in the village .. and wasn't as lucky. That person was Sasuke Uchiha. The burden he carried had no measure, but he carried it the best he could, despite how much pain and misfortune it brought him. Naruto was always amazed at school, despite all the abuse he saw the other take, he never once fought back. He wasn't sure how the other could do it. Even today, his blue eyes wandered to the dark haired child sitting at the desk by the window away from everyone else. Not by choice of course, but many of the children's parents had expressed how uncomfortable they were with the idea of Sasuke sitting next to any of their children, but Sasuke couldn't be denied the right to an education per Naruto's father the current Hokage, so this was the best that could be done. Everyday, kids came to the classroom and had fun and talked with their friends and got what they needed from the teacher in terms of help, but not Sasuke. He was often left to his own devices, his questions ignored and his presence only a nuisance to the rest of the class. Everyone except for Naruto.
Naruto often wished he had the courage to approach Sasuke like a proper man would do. He was just too afraid to be teased, being the vessel of the Nine Tailed Fox, he barely got by when it came to teasing and bullying. Sasuke wasn't so lucky. It pained Naruto to see someone who was just like him be treated how he was, but he was too much of a coward to involve himself with Sasuke. The one who carried the burden of being the vessel of the most hated existence in the world, King, the Tailed Sage Beast, and lord of the Spirit Realm. Seven years ago, King had torn open a hole in the sky and dropped down to the mortal plain in a rage of fire and destruction and unleashed his wrath on everything, it had been many days of death and destruction for any of those villages caught in his path. He was stopped at the Hidden Leaf thanks to Naruto's father and the help of the other tailed beasts. Using all of their chakra they sealed King away, but unfortunately the only soul pure enough to house King that night was the just born Sasuke. Thus, he became King's vessel and from that day on, the target of everyone's hatred. He bared the punishment for King's doings. Naruto rested his cheek against his palm as he stared at Sasuke's back like he often did each day. While the teacher went on about something or other, he was lost in admiring the other's beauty.
Naruto was sure it was odd for a boy to admire another boy's looks, but to be honest Naruto mistook Sasuke for a girl at first. He'd never seen someone so pretty. With some white skin and dark hair and eyes, he was perfect. Even when Naruto learned that he was a guy, it didn't change his thoughts like he assumed it would. He often let his eyes follow the nape of Sasuke's neck and then to the side of his face and couldn't help but focus on nothing but the other. He might have only been seven, but he knew that he was in love with Sasuke. He just wished he had the courage to speak with him, but he didn't He was a coward and wanted to hold onto his weak social graces. The thought made him avert his eyes in shame for a brief moment before he couldn't help but look back. Taking in Sasuke's side profile of his face before Sasuke glanced at him out the corner of his own eye and Naruto's own blue orbs widened before he quickly looked away. Blushing lightly out of embarrassment as he sat back and tried not to make it as obvious that he was flat out staring at the other. Sasuke watched the other before his eye lowered and he turned it back to the teacher. He'd always felt it. Everytime Naruto stared at him, everyday but everytime their gazes met, Naruto would look away. It puzzled Sasuke as to why the other was always staring at him. He was the Hokage's son, he would have no reason to get involved with him.
Naruto side glanced back at Sasuke when he noticed the other's gaze had returned to the teacher and he inwardly sighed in relief. He hoped he hadn't been caught just then. His face still a bit red. Once class wrapped up for the day, kids were pairing off and walking out the class together to head home. Sasuke stood from his desk, starting to pack his bag as he tilted his head some. Noone every approached him. Noone every acknowleged him unless it was to insult or hit him. He'd grown use to the feeling of being alone since his clan had been slaughtered and his brother left him. He had noone. Apart of him was fine with that though. As he went to slide his strap over his head, he paused to stare down at the different words carved into the wood of his desk surface. ' Murderer ' ' Monster ' ' Die ' ' Stupid Beast ' ' HATE YOU' and many others. He allowed the strap to relax on his shoulder as he lowered his head, his bangs casting a shadow over his face as he stood. The classroom empty, even the teacher gone. Everyone except Naruto. He still sat at his desk pretending to slowly put his things in his bag, but he was honestly just watching Sasuke. He paused in putting a book in his bag when he saw the other just standing there and no doubt staring down at the harsh words the other children had carved into his desk. He lowered his eyes as he bit his bottom lip. ' Just get up and talk to him! ' He cursed at himself. He closed his eyes as he struggled with what to do before he heard footsteps.
He looked up quickly to see Sasuke walking out of the classroom and he sat there a moment before he scrambled to throw the rest of his things in his backpack as he ran out into the hallway and saw Sasuke's retreating form. He clutched his hands into tight fists as he gritted his teeth some. He was frustrated with himself. He truly was. The person he loved was always hurting ... and he did nothing. How could .. he consider himself to love Sasuke? That thought clicked something in his head and he decided today he would do it. He would talk to the other. Oddly enough though, he found himself only following Sasuke home. He held onto the straps of his backpack for security as he had a bit of an upset scowl on his face as he stared at Sasuke's back through his bangs. He just couldn't seem to find the right moment to call out to the other. He sighed as he looked down. Naruto was sure that he seemed like some kind of idiot. He then looked around, noticing that Sasuke was taking the path between the fields, there were hardly any people on it and at this time of day, it was kind of peaceful. Even if it was the longer way to the other's house, Naruto assumed Sasuke didn't mind since he could avoid the bullies and such. His gaze softened at the sight of the back of Sasuke's form. Even his body was slender and kind of like a girl's, but somehow it suited Sasuke. Of course he was so lost in his thoughts, he almost didn't see that Sasuke had stopped.
Naruto blinked some, stopping as well like an idiot. As if it wouldn't be obvious that he was following the other. From watching Sasuke though, Naruto got the strange feeling that the other didn't know he was there or didn't care at least. The dark haired male had a vacant look in his eyes as he stared at the rather large fishing pond that was off to the side of the path. Naruto's eyes lifted as a breeze passed over them and it so very gently shifted Sasuke's hair about his face, but Naruto's heart suddenly thumped in his chest. The look on Sasuke's face ... was very beautiful ... but dreadfully painful as well. He swallowed some before he looked at the pond himself. He wondered what Sasuke was thinking. When they were younger, he use to walk by with his father sometimes and see Sasuke sitting on the end of the dock by himself. Just staring down at the water, his father would sometimes go and take Sasuke back home after sending Naruto off to meet his mother. His father was probably one of the few adults that cared about Sasuke. He was thankful for that. Perhaps because his father understood what he had to do inorder to save the village. He had to forsake another human's life ... to save the lives of many. His father was a kind and gentle man and was full of regret, but his father could only do so much. Naruto's eyes narrowed a bit. ' ... that's why Sasuke needs you .. ' The voice in his head spoke and he clutched his hands into tight fists once more. " Right .. " Naruto murmered before he took a deep breath to help him with the courage to speak as his lips parted.
" S - S - Sasuke!" He shouted suddenly as his entire face turned red like a cherry at his stuttering as he closed his eyes, too afraid to look. He knew he would have to eventually and his heart started to race as he peeked an eye open and looked up some and it widened a bit to see Sasuke staring at him. The other's body turned slightly towards Naruto as he stared at the other. Naruto's heart was racing so hard it hurt. It was pounding with nervousness and excitement as he took a step forward and paused. " S - Sasuke .. h - hi .. " Was about all he could get out. A bit of expression came to Sasuke's face, which surprised Naruto as the other turned to face him fully and then looked down some. It was almost as if Sasuke was unsure what to say, but that didn't make Naruto want to stop now that he'd finally said something and he slowly walked towards the other, looking on the verge of tears even if he wasn't trying to look that way. He paused infront of Sasuke who backed up some. Naruto lowered his eyes, realizing that Sasuke probably thought Naruto wanted to hurt him. He decided that ... to someone like Sasuke, who was always exposed to others, he had no right to be anything but his normal loser self and hope that Sasuke ... wouldn't reject him. He leaned forward, trying to peek at the other's face. " ... didn't you hear me? I said Hi ~" He said as he gave the other a cheeky grin.
Sasuke's eyes lifted as he looked at Naruto's face with wide eyes. He then looked down. " ... hi .." He replied quietly, but hearing Sasuke speak for the first time really took Naruto's breath away. He couldn't explain the feeling, being only seven of course, but he wanted to hear his voice more. " ... ah ... well, I'm Naruto! Nice to meet you!" He said as Sasuke lifted his head to look at the other. " .. .. mm .. likewise." He said as he grabbed the strap of his own bag across his chest as he looked nervous from what Naruto could see and he had to admit it was quite cute. " ... sorry if I seem like some sorta creep .. but ... you uh ... well you seemed really upset when you left ... so ... so I wanted to make sure you were okay." He said as he raised his hand and rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish smile. Sasuke lifted his head fully to look at Naruto, he then glanced off to the side. " ... not really, you ... didn't have to go out of your way like this." He said as Naruto blinked and then he frowned some. " ... well I know .. but .. no one ever talks to you ... at least ... nicely so I thought ... maybe you wanted - " " ... you don't have to pity me. I'm fine." Sasuke suddenly interrupted as he turned around which startled Naruto as he looked at the other in confusion. " W - Wait! S - Sasuke it isn't like that ! " He said as he looked desperate, what had he said, did Sasuke get mad.
Sasuked paused in his steps as he turned his head back to glare at the other some. " ... I don't need your pity. " He said as Naruto frowned a bit taken back. " I - It's not pity! I - I really like you and I've wanted to talk to you for the longest tim - " Naruto's eyes widened as he realized what he'd said and he slapped his hands over his mouth. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock as Naruto's words hit him as well. He stared at the other before he lowered his eyes and took a step away from the other. He then suddenly turned and ran down the path. Leaving a shocked Naruto behind as he stared at Sasuke's shrinking form before he looked down some. It had just come out. He hadn't meant to say it outloud like that. Sasuke probably thought he was some creep now, he couldn't leave things like that. His eyes narrowed as he shook his head and ran after the other. How could he be so stupid? He was careless approaching Sasuke like that without knowing anything properly, but he was only a kid himself and didn't know much about this thing called Love. He noticed not too long after that they were headed in the direction of what was once the Uchiha Village. Sasuke's clan that had been slaughtered by his older brother Itachi before he disappeared, leaving Sasuke alone.
Naruto slowed to a light jog as he looked around the village. It was broken down and hardly looked as if anyone could live here. It hadn't been used for almost three years now since the incident. Was Sasuke living here? Naruto's heart dropped to his stomach. A creepy place like this? He looked around before he spotted one house that looked to be the least effected by the death around it. The light of a lantern giving it some kind of life. He hid behind a pole as he saw Sasuke walking around inside. He snuck as best as he could towards the house and looked for some kind of opening. He saw the window was opened, so he managed to crawl up on the crates under the window and peeked over the ledge inside. Trying his best not to be seen. He saw Sasuke slid his bag over his head. " ... I'm home." The usual greeting was soft and empty. There was noone here to return it. Naruto looked around the room. It was clearly where Sasuke stayed, the rest of the house was dark and silent. There were various books scattered around and a futon on the floor as well as a few items of clothing. Naruto swallowed. This was nothing like his own house and room. He always came home to his smiling and warm parents, they ate dinner together, spent time together, and when he went to his room he was able to watch tv or play with his toys, but Sasuke. Sasuke only had this.
No one to come home to. No warmth. No home cooked meals or games to play with his parents. It made Naruto's chest feel heavy as he watched Sasuke sit down on the futon, clearly looking upset and mostly due to him he was sure. He closed his eyes as he gently stepped down from the crate. Naruto oddly felt empty. He had no idea. Did anyone in this village? Not only did Sasuke have to be alone at home, but he had to go into that village everyday and be treated less than human by his own people. Tears swelled in his eyes, " ... it's .. it's not pity." Naruto sobbed out as his tears fell and he couldn't help but wipe at them with his hands. " I ... I really like Sasuke ... " He sobbed as he turned and ran off. Sasuke lifted his head as he glanced towards the window as he blinked slightly. He shifted to stand as he walked towards the window and glanced out. Not seeing anyone, he frowned before he glanced up and his eyes lifted as he saw that familiar blonde hair. " ... Naruto?" He questioned before he looked down. His mind flashing back to Naruto's odd words. " I - It's not pity! I - I really like you and I've wanted to talk to you for the longest tim - " He swallowed before he turned away and went back inside.