It was the same as it was every year.
The day was spent alone.
Without friends.
Without family.
Sometimes Iruka-Sensei bothered to stop by. He would take him for ramen, and buy him a gift.
This year Iruka was gone, out on a mission.
Naruto stared at the tiles on his kitchen floor, tracing his eyes along the cracks. Sadness flooded through him, and his usually bright blue eyes were dull and hazy.
Why did he put himself through each day, trying to ignore the cold glares sent his way? Why, did he continue to live in the village where he was treated like a monster?
Maybe he was.
Maybe it would be better to just disappear from everyone's life.
Naruto pulled out a kunai knife, watching the way the light danced off of its edge. He admired it for a second, before setting it on the side of his arm.
A drop of water burst against the floor. Another followed right after.
His tears began to flow off of his face, falling like his hopes and dreams.
To think that I wanted to become Hokage. Heh, I can barely get people to look at me.
A sharp pain exploded behind his eyes, and he dropped the kunai to the floor. A sudden sting was followed by warmth running down his arm. He was bleeding,
His tears and blood mixed on the floor, and he suddenly felt cold and needed to hurl.
Naruto sank to the floor, burying his face into his knees and wrapping his arms around his legs.
Someone pounded at the door. Probably someone here to beat him up or ruin his apartment. They always came on this day of the year. They would always shout for the monster to come out. to face its fate.
Usually he ignored them.
The pounding continued, and when there was no response, the door burst open and nearly flew off of its hinges.
In the doorway stood a pink-haired kunoichi, her fists at her sides and scanning the room intently for her teammate. Behind her stood a raven-haired boy, who called out.
"Dobe, are you here?" there was a slight hint of worry in his voice, which surprised Naruto.
Maybe they cared a little about him after all.
Sakura scanned the apartment, and a pit of worry formed in her stomach over what she saw. Well, Naruto's apartment was usually messy, but this was worse than normal.
Blankets and pillows were scattered everywhere, and unopened ramen cups were strewn about the floor. There had been paint splattered on the doorway before she had entered, saying awful things she would never have liked to be said about anyone, especially her friends and teammates.
"Naruto-kun, are you here?" Sakura called out, making her way further into her apartment.
She passed the kitchen, and was shocked at what she saw.
Her usually bright. cheerful, and sometimes annoying teammate was a mess.
He was curled up into a ball, his blond hair ratted and streaked with what looked like blood. His arm was bleeding, and his shirt was stained with tears. There was a kunai next to his foot on the floor.
"Naruto?" Sasuke almost gasped at the sight of his teammate, shocked and wondering what drove him to this point. Was it something about the nine-tails?
Sakura ran forwards to him, kicking the kunai away before gently stroking his matted hair.
"Naruto-kun…" she felt like crying herself. Did he cut himself?
Naruto lifted his head, which felt like it was burning up. His vision begun to clear up, which revealed his female teammate watching him with worry, on the verge of tears, and his other teammate crouched next to him with a similar and rare expression of shock and worry.
He tried to open his mouth to speak, but it felt dry and he could not make a sound. Sakura gently picked his tiny form up, cradling him to her and laying him on his bed. She laid a hand on his forehead, which felt cool compared to his burning head. She spoke some words to Sasuke, which Naruto could not understand, before he nodded and turned away. She leaned closer to him and spoke softly.
"Naruto-kun… I need you to lie still okay? You have a fever- and a pretty high one too. We may have to take you into the hospital." Naruto tried to shake his head at that. He didn't want to go to the hospital- he didn't want to be saved.
Sasuke returned to the bed, holding a cold and moist towel which he laid with care on his younger teammate's head. He looked so tiny, and delicate. It bothered him to see him in this state.
"I'm going to make him some soup, alright? You just stay here, Sasuke, and make sure he's okay." Sakura got up and headed for the kitchen, and Sasuke turned his attention once more to the blond.
Naruto tried to sit up, but Sasuke gently pushed him back down.
"You need to rest, Naruto. Stay put, okay?" he murmured. The dobe rested with his eyes closed, letting sleep overtake him for a little while.
Let me know what you think so far- this is my first story! :)
Might see more characters in the future, maybe Gaara and other sand and leaf nin
Thanks for reading!
