[Prologue: When I'm Gone]
Please go away, please go away,
Please go away…
A little boy held his breath as one of the ninja came close, then the foot went away.
Softly, he breathed a sigh of relief.
The boy crawled further into the hole created by the tree's roots and proceeded to wrap his self up in an old, torn blanket on the make-shift bed of leaves.
Off to the side were a couple trinkets he had saved up: a pile of kunai, two piles of shuriken, some ramen noodles, a brown fruit, and a small, wooden horse.
He reached over and held the toy tightly in his hands.
During the day, he daren't show it to anyone or they would take it away.
He wasn't allowed to have fun.
A long time ago, it was given to him by his father.
That is, when the Hokage actually acted like one.
Before, he was at least visited once a month and sometimes was given toys on his birthday.
Now, no one remembered his birthday – not even his family.
No one but those mean ninja.
He shivered slightly from the cold, but felt a warm sensation flow through his body.
Sleep, child.
Thank you, Aniki.
The boy fell asleep instantly.
. . .
Early that morning, he rushed back to Konoha.
No one noticed his disappearance.
He sighed softly, and remembered when they used to curse at him and throw objects.
Ever since the Hokage – he refused to call him a father, more importantly, his father – threatened them, they stopped.
At least, back then, they acknowledged that he existed.
No matter how much he pestered, demanded, or insulted, no one even spared him a glance.
The boy could hardly remember what it was like to have real human contact.
On the streets, people walked through or over him, like a pebble on the dirt floor.
In restaurants, they continued on without him.
And the only ninja who tried to hurt him were the ones with 'Ne' printed on the masks.
And even then, it was only on his birthday.
The children were no better.
They – even the lowest of scum, civilian children – would look at him like a young child would to a bug: disgusted.
Then, they would simply pass by without a second glance.
That stupid man should have stayed out of this.
The one time he decides to act as a father, he ruins my life further!
The boy looked down at his feet.
He got more attention from the animals that all of Konoha.
If I leave, would he notice?
Would anyone notice?
The boy climbed up a tree and looked into the Hokage tower.
Channeling some of the red chakra to his eyes, he could see every detail of it.
That man sat at his desk, filing paperwork.
That girl lay stretched out on the floor comfortably.
Around her were several scrolls, and in front of her was a Popsicle with two sticks.
She split the two apart and offered one to that man, who took it.
The boy wiped his tears on the back of his hand before rubbing his arms.
Why wasn't that him?
You shouldn't have to put up with this.
Come child, it's about time you left.
The boy took off on a dead run, increasing his speed with chakra.
No, we're not gonna waste another moment in this town
We won't come back the world is calling out.
Leave the past in the past;
Gonna find the future
If misery loves company,
Well, so long
You'll miss me when I'm gone.
"When I'm Gone", Simple Plan