He waits. It might not seem like it, but he is always waiting. His patience is cloaked in his own cover. The mask he made himself. That of the baka-the fool, the gaki-the brat. He knows what they think of him. He always has, even if he didn't understand the why.
Oh, he played with kids at the academy on occasion, but he was as much a loner on his own as he was the outcast. It was easier on your own. No-one looked up to you, and no-one talked you down or shoved a fist in your face. You could do whatever you want and no-one would ever know that you released part of your soul into the world.
He loved books, actually, but in his mind the kanji blurred together. Even with hiragana and katakana he had trouble. He never brought it to Iruka's attention, and the other teachers never bothered to care enough to notice. He knew he was dyslexic, and ADHD; but the hospital would probably have just ignored his request or misdiagnosed him. Besides, it would be used as an excuse to kick him out of the academy. He HAD to be a ninja, no-one else would have anything to do with him. And the village wouldn't support him forever, after all.
He wished he could see them again. The ones that cared. But it would be too late. He couldn't say goodbye now even if he wanted to. Oh well. They would move on. He always did.
But he has been patient. She finally came. Her black hair was held back by her hi-ate; her eyes, that shade of faded crystal, had miniscule tears forming in them. She had come for him, like she had all those years ago. Instead of being alone, she was with him. Her familiar embrace that had met him on several occasions over the years was as war as ever. But the kiss was something new.
"It's time to go home." Naruto returned her embrace.
"Can I stay with you?" Death smiles.