A/N: This is the beginning of a possibly long long story. Hopefully I can finish this! Reviews/suggestions/constructive criticism is more than welcome! But please be gentle with your words. Not used to getting feedback. :]

Summary: Naruto is accused of murdering a woman who lived in the outskirts of Konoha. After years of separation, the Rookie 9 and Team 3K get together to help their friend in need. But for Kaisou Miyuri, this isn't just a normal mystery. She learns to overcome her past regret, past mistakes, and past love, so she can finally move forward. Implied Kiba x OC [very slight. please squint to see]

Disclaimer: All Naruto characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto

Prologue:

An outsider. Left out from all the rest because of one distinctive trait. I wonder why humans have to be this way. They fail to embrace personality, difference, variety. Because they are afraid of destroying the natural "harmony" of their pre-existing village, they sacrifice one bud of happiness. That's all they really have to do. But is it really that simple?

If I look around, I can name a handful of people, my friends, who were ostracized from society. The only reason - because they're different.

A genius. Idolized by the rest because of one amazing trait. I wonder why humans have to be this way. They are quick to judge and quick to admire. Without realizing the darkness, the struggles, the tears. As though everything that appears on the surface is all they see. All they have to see.

If I look around, I can name a handful of people, my friends, who were set aside from the rest. The only reason - because they're gifted.

But what I see. What I don't understand is the difference between an outsider (the one who garners all the hatred) and a genius (the one who attracts all the admiration).

Capricious. That describes humans so well. They can hate all they want. Dismiss someone because of their unnatural talent, quality, flaw. But once he proves himself. Proves that he belongs with all the rest. Even surpass some. He is quickly ushered into the elite. He's treated like a genius. Idolized. Admired. Forever.

One example is Naruto.

Naruto was always treated like an outsider. No one feared him. Everyone feared the beast inside of him. That was the only explanation parents could give to their curious kids who asked about the lonely blonde ninja. Sitting all by himself. Looking so forlornly into the crowd. I watched those parents hush their kids, pushing them aside. Scowling at the problem. Hoping it would disappear. They just never realized the beast inside all of them.

But he changed from the most hated figure in Konoha to the Academy Kid's idol. To the symbol of perseverance. Determination. Persistence.

I admire him because he never gave up. I think he deserves all the recognition. He never let the blatant hate of the village stop him from achieving his goal. Maybe the village's antagonism helped shape Naruto's dream of becoming the Hokage. Slowly. Gradually. He gained their trust. Their respect. There were smiles to share. Laughter to exchange.

Because Naruto lived in every one of our hearts, whether we liked it or not. Everyone agreed to come together in the time of his crisis. We put aside our common differences for him, Konoha's number one hyperactive ninja: Uzumaki Naruto.

And I'll tell you his story, which inevitably clashes with theirs: another group of people, often treated as outsiders in our society. They are also proof that the line dividing an outsider from a genius can be fickle and obscure. Just like human nature.