Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine. He is my brother, though...
A/N: Whoa... Another fic for Naruto... SasuNaru and a bit of KakaIru... 'nuff said... Hope you guys enjoy this...
Filling the Void
Chapter 1: Drizzle
Alone. That's all he ever was. Bearing too large a burden for a child. Scorned and beaten for something that wasn't his fault. Blamed for all things bad and evil. What's a poor child to do? Defenseless. Naïve. Innocent. He couldn't even walk on the streets without something foul being thrown his way. The boy sighed. This night was as cold as any. Pearly tears cascaded down marked cheeks as he cried himself to sleep.
There was a festival, a rather large one at that. People were being busybodies, finalizing the decorations and setting up booths. The air was filled with so much energy and happiness that it was almost tangible. A little blond boy walked slowly, careful not to bump into anyone. Everyone was too excited to take notice of him, though. The boy was slightly relieved to discover this. For the first time in his life, he took a good look around. He never got the chance before. Tears always blurred his vision, and his head was always down, avoiding all those stares filled to the brim with killing intent. He pushed the depressing thoughts away. It's no use wasting this newfound freedom. The crowd, as if on cue, gathered at the center of the village where a stage was set up. Curious as any child his age, the five-year old squirmed his way to the front to see what all the fuss was about.
A man, albeit an old one, dressed in magnificent robes, raised his hands. Incessant chattering stopped and silence descended almost instantly. Bright blue eyes widened. Everyone acknowledged this man's existence. They all respected him. They all looked up to him. It was obvious from the looks on their faces that they would do anything for him. It was the Hokage, the highest-ranking shinobi in the whole of Konohagakure. Such a man existed. Right then and there, the boy decided on something that he, in his young mind, had fully grasped. Full of determination, he proclaimed to himself:
I will be strong.
I will become Hokage.
Such were the words of Uzumaki Naruto.
"OSOI!" Came the daily duet. It was definitely far from being melodious, though.
"Well, you see... I had to take care of this dolphin and-"
"USOTSUKI!" they cut him off.
"You do know that we are very far from the ocean, ne, Kakashi-sensei?" Haruno Sakura continued, sporting a vein pop.
"Erm... yes. Anyway," he coughed, "we don't have any missions today. You are dismissed."
With that, the gray-haired jounin left the way he came, leaving behind a puff of pinkish smoke.
"That good for nothing teacher! I swear, when I become Hokage, I'll-"
"Like that'll happen, Dobe," Uchiha Sasuke deadpanned.
Something flashed in the orange-clad ninja's eyes. Before the Uchiha could figure out what it was, though, it was quickly replaced by explosive anger. Sasuke frowned.
"Shut up, Sasuke-bastard! OW!" Naruto cradled his injured head.
Sakura held up the fist she hit Naruto with. "Say another insulting thing to Sasuke-kun and you're dead meat, Dead Last!" she threatened.
"But Sakura-chaaaaaaaan," the loud genin whined.
"But nothing!" she abruptly turned to the direction of her crush, and her wild, insane expression vanished. As sweetly as she could muster, she batted her lashes and shyly asked the Uchiha out for a date. She only got an indifferent 'Hn' as the object of her affections started to walk away. She sighed. It was always like this. The kunoichi then started the trek towards her own abode. She picked up her pace.
It looked like it was going to rain.
Naruto, as always, had been left in the background. He seethed with barely suppressed anger, shaking as he contained his rage. His breathing patterns became erratic, and the treacherous salty liquid threatened to break free.
NO!
He will not allow it!
He screamed.
He could not cry. He will not. He had promised himself back then to be strong. He will not be weak. His stubborn determination showed itself once more. And so the heavens did it for him. It mourned over its son's suffering, knowing and feeling the emptiness within its child. Thick drops started to fall, cleansing the earth, ridding it of the stench of malice, falsity and disgrace. They fell, one after another, in a rhythm that seemed oddly comforting to those in pain.
The genin worked off his frustrations, going through his usual training routine. More force was exerted than necessary, proof that something was troubling him. Exhausted at last, Naruto slumped underneath his favorite tree, smiling a genuine smile, as if to thank the now clear sky for taking his momentary burden. The wind blew as if to embrace the boy as he fell into sweet slumber.
Black eyes narrowed in suspicion as Sasuke followed the blond. What was that in his eyes all of a sudden? It was familiar, but he couldn't seem to place it. He growled. The Uchiha prodigy did not like it when he was confused about something.
His teammate finally stopped at a clearing. He swiftly covered up his presence and waited. The hyperactive ninja just stood there, the clenching of fists and the steady drip of the blood were the only proofs the boy was even alive.
There!
There it was again; that look. And suddenly, endlessly blue eyes seemed to waver. Sasuke couldn't take it anymore. He wanted to shout,
"Oi, Dobe! What's with that face! You look stupid, you know that?"
But decided against it as a scream reverberated through the forest. And it came from none other than the boy he was watching. Rain poured mercilessly, coming as though summoned by the blond's loud voice. A flurry of movement caught his attention, and he saw that his rival had started a furious dance of deadly moves. Rip, cut, slash, tear. Going on and on as if there's no tomorrow.
He could feel it, that desperate tone by which the subject's body moved. Coal eyes smoldered with the thought of having a quick spar. He was about to jump in and reveal himself when it finally dawned on him. The meaning of that blasted look came and knocked into him like a ton of bricks.
It's the same.
He and I are the same.
Sasuke knew. At that very moment the dark-haired boy understood. He got up from his crouched position, seeing that Naruto was asleep. He left as stealthily as he came, bearing in mind all he had seen that day.
In the sky above, the sun shone on a beautiful sparkling rainbow.
A/N: Good? Bad? Should I continue? You decide. Comments, suggestions and constructive criticisms are welcome... Please rnr...