Bwhaha HaHa! Anther depressing story from Katie Bird 27! Well I tried at least, I don't know if I succeed!

Oh, and special thanks to Female Shikamaru incarnate (did I get your name right I can't see it right now I'm going off memory)! Your review (although it was on my other story) was thoughtful and I appreciate you taking the time to write so much instead of just going 'love it! Update soon!' It made me feel real special! So thank you!

…Now to our feature presentation…

Never To Be

The council were seated around a oval oak table, some sipping tea from glasses, others looking uninterestingly out the only window.

Finally the head council member spoke.

"We can't let you have him Iruka."

With those simple words Naruto's desperate hopes were crushed.

"But…"

"Iruka, it simply can't be done; he has no paper work."

"That's not true. I've seen his paper work!"

Naruto bonelessly slid down the council's office door.

"I'm sorry but his birth certificate is not here, neither is the rest of his papers, and we can't let you do this with out the paperwork."

In the back of his mind Naruto always knew it was useless; they would never let him be happy.

"Besides, you don't have the time to raise a," there was a pause "child."

"I have plenty of time!"

There was a pause.

"I think it would be better if you didn't see him anymore."

"What?"

"I think it would be better if you kept away from him."

"You, you can't do this!"

"We are the council; we are well within our rights to do this."

"But…"

"I'm sorry, that's our final decision, and I think it would be best if you left now."

Iruka looked desperately around the room, searching for support he knew he wouldn't get. He gave one last pained expression and left.

Naruto snapped back to reality as the door opened. He stood up and came face-to-face with Iruka.

"Naruto?" Gasped Iruka.

Silence.

"Did you…Did you hear?"

Naruto didn't say anything. He just ran.

"Naruto!" He heard Iruka call, but he paid no heed, he kept running.

As Naruto burst out of the building and dashed down the street, images started plaguing his mind.

"Iruka-sensi? You needed me for something?"

Naruto could still remember it clearly; Iruka-sensi had asked him to stay after class one day.

"Yeah, I wanted to ask you something." Iruka said looking a little unsure of himself.

"What is it?" Asked Naruto taking note of his teacher's unease.

He had felt so happy.

Well I…I wanted to ask you if …you wanted…" He trailed off, scratching his face lightly.

"If I wanted what?" Asked Naruto, raising an eyebrow.

So very happy.

"If you would allow me to…" Okay, this was more awkward then Iruka thought it would be. "If you…would be okay… with me… adopting you." He quickly turned his face away, God he couldn't even ask a simple question right!

Tears pricked at his eyes as the memory continued.

There was an eternity of silence as the question was processed.

Naruto opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out. He tried again, still nothing, so he did the only thing he could; Nod his head really hard.

Would he ever be truly happy?

Iruka blinked. "Really?" His hopes lifting.

Again his answer came in the form of violent nods.

A smile spread across Iruka's face "Okay."

Did he even deserve to be happy?

Was he supposed to lose the one person he trusted most?

Was it supposed to be this way?

Was he supposed to feel this empty inside?

Was it supposed to hurt this much?

Naruto collapsed to his knees in an ally, away from sight, holding his head, his eyes shut tight as tears fell freely.

He hated them.

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I don't think this one is very good. Now go REVIEW!

"…"

Please?