The life of a shinobi is a hard one. As a ninja, many sacrifices are made daily with danger lurking around every corner. It is within the hidden villages that this life is practiced and treasured as an honor to serve their nation- and serve they shall.

"Naruto Uzumaki! Get back here right now!" Hollered a rosé locked kunoichi, her fist waving in the air wildly. Her emerald eyes glinted in rage as she began to give chase.

As for Naruto Uzumaki, well... He spirited for his life.

Sunshine spilled from the roots of his scalp glimmering in the afternoon light as he clamored away in terror. So much for winning over Sakura-chan's heart.

Looking over his shoulder he realized that somewhere along the road he had lost the ill-tempered woman. Skidding to a halt he sighed in relief, turning the corner to catch his breath. He wasn't expecting the green-eyed girl to be waiting for him.

Ivory met the lightly tanned skin of the genin's cheek as a resounding smack rang throughout Konoha. The fifteen-year-old was flung across the road; the pinkette's alter ego cheering in victory. Shakily the blonde held up his hand and held it to his bruised cheek. Ow...

"Sakura! What was that for?!" The mischievous nin whined, squirming on the dirt road. Of course, he knew what he did... He just didn't know why it seemed to be such a bad thing?

"You idiot! Who do you think you are commenting on my femininity? You perv!" Cried out the kunoichi furiously.

"You asked if I thought you look more womanly..." He mumbled, sapphire orbs flickering up to his former genin teammate.

A lot had changed about her since the last time he saw her. The fifteen-year-old was taller, was more confident, and seemed to have more curves to her hips. He couldn't help but appreciate how the years treated her. The entire village seemed different too. There were more citizens about, as well as the village was rebuilt during the time he was away. He couldn't deny that he had changed somewhat too. He was bigger, stronger and slightly wider than once before. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad but he was positive it would benefit him later on. At least, that's what Ero-Sannin said.

Huffing he pushes himself up and off the ground, his chapped lips spreading into a wide grin. Sakura crossed her arms over her chest stubbornly; the kunoichi's anger slowly melting away. With a heavy sigh, the cherry-haired girl shook her head in disbelief at the idioticity of her childish teammate.

He's such a dumbass.

Smiling back at him she pats his broad shoulders in forgiveness.

"I'm glad you're back Naruto"

Waving goodbye she ran off towards the Hokage's tower, disappearing out of site.

With a soft laugh, he carried along his merry way to his apartment.

It's good to be home.

Or so he thought.

On the way to his apartment, a few villagers stopped in their tracks to glare at him. Whispers of "I thought we got rid of it" and "the demon's back" made his throat tighten from anxiety.

Don't let them see you weak. Weakness is bad. Be strong.

It was known to all of the villages that Naruto has always considered an outcast. Whether because he was orphaned or the nasty rumors surrounding him about the Kyuubi he was always considered lower society than the rest of the hidden leaf's citizens. What they didn't know was the constant torment he was put through because of it.

Ever since his early childhood, he was neglected and abused by his village. They would call him names, belittle him, beat him, and so much worse. He was okay with this. Naruto had grown accustomed to the situations and wouldn't let them bend his will. He was a shinobi!

I forgot the villagers still hate me… he thought miserably. His training with Jiraiya had taken three years to complete. During the time he was with his master he had forgotten the constant lashing of his home and instead was given praise for all his efforts. He knew it wouldn't last for long.

Upon his return, the flaxen-haired ninja was given the cold shoulder as opposed to a warm welcome. He couldn't blame them- after all, ignorance is bliss -and passed each civilian with a bright smile.

When he reached his apartment he immediately realized just how worn down the building looked. Enormous cracks littered the eggshell surface walls which in turn leaked with the previous night's rain shower. The roof was collapsed in and the complex was abandoned despite the lights flickering in the windows. Nobody had lived there in at least a year.

Home sweet home…

Opening the wooden door to his apartment he realized the entire plank of mold had come off its hinges and there was no way to close it once more. Cerulean peered inside to see the entire place was trashed which meant someone had broken in while he was gone. Taking a step into what was left of his flat he noticed some of his things were stolen or broken while slurs riddled the inside walls. He didn't bother to read what they said; he already knew. Bitterly the boy left with only his pack to survive off of.

The streets where pitch black as the moon rose above them. He had nowhere to go at this point. His stomach growled loudly while he trekked along the back alley's he knew exceptionally well. The young nin headed towards the safer part of town before collapsing on the dirt floor exhausted from his journey back to the village earlier that day. Shoving a sweaty fist into his backpack he grabbed a lighter and quickly lit a small fire to sit by. Watching the flames flicker in the moonlight his body slumped and he fell into a deep sleep.