Title: The ghost of you

Rating: Tragedy, angst

Pairing / Characters: Uzumaki Naruto

Word Count: 248 words

Warnings: Nothing really

Summary: Naruto imagines his father's ghost

A/N: This, and the story 'Gift' are both tributes to an artist named Bekki, who drew the most touching picture of Naruto and the Fourth that I've ever seen.

Link: my life I've been alone, just fighting to survive

I've never known a father's love, some say I'm deprived.

I know the things they say behind my back

That I'm a monster, that it's human emotions that I lack

They never know of the tears I shed when I'm sad

Or just how they hurt me when they tell me I'm bad

My village hates me for the thing I've become

Leaving me to wonder what I'm supposed to have done.

But… when I close my eyes against the shadows of the night

I pretend I can feel you, holding me tight

I pretend that you love me, even though I don't know your name

I pretend that you want me, that you aren't ashamed

I tell myself that you hurt when I cry

I don't want to believe that it might be a lie

Because I need to pretend even though I'm just dumb

That you're proud of my life, because I'm your son

So whenever I hurt, I pretend your ghost is near

And the world fades away, and so does my fear

You see, deep inside I know that you're there

Even if I can't see you, I know that you care.

So put your arms around me and hold me tight

Never let me fall into darkness, keep me in your light

Hold me, and love me, and whisper that it's true

That whenever I'm alone, I can feel the ghost of you…