AN: This is my first fanfiction/drabble. For those who are willing to bear with the rough patches, I really hope that you will find something worth reading. Comments are most welcome!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Please support the official release.
Life is not merciful. Life does not give chances. It takes them away, one after another. Certainly, everyone might feel that way at one time or another, but some can't help but feel this more strongly.
Look at me! Look over here! Look, I'm right here!
It felt as though he's been screaming this all his life. He was loud and energetic, desperate to make himself known. Every day the children at the playground approached him with the same caution, warmed up a bit, then when it's time to leave, they placed their hands in their parents', turned their backs and walked away. There were lots of harsh whispers back and forth between lowered heads, and by the time the children disappeared from sight, they were forgiven and excited again to finally go home, and he was left behind as always.
Soon after that, the pranks started. Bright splashes on the Hokages' faces. Glaringly obvious from miles away. All the while, he yelled out silently, 'Look at me! Look at me!...'
As Naruto grew older, the children became less accepting like the way they used to be, when they still wanted more friends to play with. They came to avoid him without needing to be reminded. They could choose their friends, and he was one everyone weeded out. Because, he was 'loud, he was annoying, and he was an orphan with one outfit that smelled like miso pork ramen'. They all laughed as Sakura huffed and stomped her feet. The same Sakura who was so adorably shy and unsure of herself grew flushed with anger, and despite the bright glow in her eyes, she didn't look as pretty that day when she stared down into his dejected face. Thinking back on it, that was probably the first time he recognized something resembling cruelty. He'd always wondered why he was treated differently, and this childish insult was the first of many answers received, though not all were as simple, and not all were true.