Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Summary: When asked, he had always answered that his dream was to be Hokage, but it was in actuality a lie. All Uzumaki Naruto ever wanted was to die… (One Shot)

Angel of Death

What are your dreams Naruto?

To die.

No Naruto, death is not a dream, it is an inevitability.

"Well then, Naruto? Will you become a Hunter?"

"I will!" 'And maybe I can die…'

Why can't I die, Sandaime-sama? I want to die!

We all have our time, Naruto. Wait and live, and when it is time, you may die.

"Uchiha Itachi…"

"Zeiguwa-kun…"

"Why did you commit this monstrosity?"

"To test my capacity."

"Then you must die." 'And maybe you will kill me as we fight…'

"So be it…"

You've been very reckless lately.

I told you, I want to die.

And yet you live. You will die when it is your time.

He calm, even as Zabuza spun Sasuke's Fuuma Shuriken in his hand in preparation to strike. A faint smile crossed his lips.

Kakashi blocked the shuriken, stopping Zabuza from throwing it even as he fell into the water. He felt sadness rising in his chest. 'I guess I won't die today…'

I heard that your dreams are changing.

I only want to die.

There are many who will miss you. Like Iruka and Kakashi.

Why should they mourn? I will die, and they will die. Why bother?

Where did I go wrong in raising you?

By letting me live.

Orochimaru lifted him into the air with his tongue. He watched the sannin with the Kyuubi's eyes. 'Will he grant my wish? Will he kill me?'

He watched as the sannin prepared the Five-Point Seal.

'I guess not…'

Orochimaru was in the Forest.

I know.

He didn't kill me.

And I am glad he didn't. I want you to live Naruto.

I can't live.

You are much too young to die.

I am much too young to kill as I have.

He purposely lowered his guard and Kabuto's chakra scalpel sliced into his chest. He fell backwards, smiling faintly as he felt his heartbeat slow…

Live, for me?

I will die nevertheless.

That time will come when it comes. Until then, I want you to live.

And then I die.

And then you die.

I will live for you, Sandaime-sama.

That's all I ask.

The bushes rustled and Kakashi appeared, his summon dog at his heels. His Rasengan dissipated into nothingness as he grabbed Sasuke's wrist and jammed the Chidori into his chest. Dark onyx eyes widened in shock as his lips curled into a satisfied smile as the darkness crept into the edges of his vision.

"Naruto?!" Sasuke cried. "Why?!"

"Because from the very beginning, my dream was to die…"

The village stood together at the Monument of Heroes. A single name was carved deeply into the black stone in letters larger than the standard.

'Kazama Uzumaki Naruto'

Konoha mourned the son of the Yondaime whose only dream had been death…

"From the very Beginning, my dream was to die. What was the use of being the son of the Yondaime and the one who guards the village by his very existence if no one wants me to live? Why even live if there is nothing to live for? Why live for Konoha when I hate the village so much?"

"Have you no one here that you want to protect?"

"Just one. But he is dead."

"There will be more."

"There will be no more."

"The Future has not been decided yet."

"The future of a Jinchuuriki is set in stone. I have only one that I would live for, and once that one is gone, there will be no more."

"We determine our own fate."

"Humans may determine their own fate, but a Jinchuuriki is bound to theirs. It is knowledge that only a Jinchuuriki has."

"That's not true!"

"I am a Jinchuuriki, Kakashi-sensei. My only person to protect and live for was the Sandaime, and he is dead. There is no more reason for me to live."

"Naruto!"

"I know my fate, and it is death…"

"Naruto!!! Wake up! Open your eyes! Naruto!!!"