Being Human

Chapter 1

Agony fills Naruto's chest as he attempts to breathe, in spite of the heavy weight that seemed to be pressing down on the left side of his body, making it hard for him to even move. Naruto didn't remember how he had even come to be buried underneath all of the debris, he didn't even really remember what mission he was currently. He just knew that he couldn't feel the left of his body, it was like it gone completely gone to sleep on him, and that was a feeling that he did not like.

As he fought to stay conscious Naruto wondered if he would end up dying alone, though he knew he probably shouldn't have been too surprised at that because he had already spent more than half of his life being rejected by all those around him. Of course the Third Hokage was there for him when he wasn't too busy which wasn't too often because the village needed its leader. Of course more recently there was Iruka Umino, his former teacher at the ninja academy. He had been spending a lot of time with Naruto, whenever Naruto wasn't so busy with missions. Naruto could easily admit that Iruka was quickly becoming a part of Naruto's small family. To Naruto Iruka was really the first one that actually cared about Naruto, he could see through Naruto's act when he was really feeling down and depressed about his situation. Iruka always seemed to know what to say to make him feel better.

As Naruto lay there struggling to breath, agony filling his chest with each inhale and exhale, he wondered if he would ever get to see Iruka again, it hurt thinking about the man that he was glad to call family. Tears welled in his eyes if anyone could be with Naruto in his final moments he would have wanted it to be Iruka, there was just something calming about the gentle man, something that helped ease Naruto's anxiety. Feeling the stone wall above him shift, Naruto couldn't stop the harsh cry of pain that escaped, feeling a liquid building up in the back of his throat, Naruto coughed harshly feeling the liquid coat his lips, telling Naruto just how serious his situation was, Naruto just hoped that if the end was coming that it would take him quickly, he didn't know how much longer he would be able withstand the pain.

"Iruka, help me." Naruto pleaded knowing it would be impossible for the other to hear him, he still couldn't help but long for the others gentle presence. Naruto coughed again, spilling more of his life sustaining liquid. He hoped that someone was at least looking for him. Naruto wanted nothing more than to be back with his teammates and friends, speaking of friends were the kids they were sent here to rescue okay? The longer Naruto lay there the more he seemed to remember their mission. A village in the Land of Stars children had all disappeared leaving no trace that the children had ever existed except for in their parent's memories. Team 7 had been called in to help search for the missing children, and once they had been debriefed, Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto had split up to see what they could find. Once the children had been found, Sakura and Sasuke had stayed with the children in the building while Naruto had went in search of Kakashi. At least that's what Naruto had been doing until the part of the building that he'd been in had collapsed, leaving Naruto trapped underneath the stone walls. Naruto hoped that Sasuke and Sakura were able to keep the children safe because Naruto had made a promise that he would return the children safe and sound once they had been found. This mission was supposed to have been simple, but things had gotten complicated as soon as it had started. Naruto supposed that he shouldn't have been surprised at that, because it seemed that things always got complicated where Naruto was concerned.

Feeling the concrete shift again, Naruto moaned unable to stop the tears from falling. He didn't think that it was possible for a person to hurt so much. Closing his eyes, Naruto tried to focus his thoughts on something other than the pain, he tried to focus on the joy that he felt whenever he was able to sit and chat with Iruka for a little after a mission. Naruto was certain that Iruka was expecting him to return home in a few short days, he had promised Naruto ramen for completing his mission safely. However unless something changed quickly Naruto feared that he wouldn't be returning home from this mission.

"I'm sorry, Sensei." Naruto whispered. "I don't think I'm going to be coming home." Naruto swallowed hard disliking the copper like taste in his mouth.

"I'm sorry for always giving you such a hard time with all of my pranks, I should have treated you with the respect that you deserved. And to Sasuke and Sakura, I'm sorry for always being such an annoyance and not being a better teammate. I can only hope that you like my replacement better." Naruto closed his eyes, no longer having the strength to fight for his consciousness. Which was a shame because a few minutes later Kakashi's Ninja hound caught the scent of Naruto's blood and a few short minutes after that his teammates were digging him out, kneeling beside the crushed body as Kakashi struggled to lift the last of the stone off of him. They didn't like the look of Naruto's body, blood coating Naruto's lips, and his face was pale and streaked with dirt. Still half of his body was covered with the stone wall, Kakashi and a few other villagers were trying to remove the stone.

"Hang on Naruto, we're not going to let you die." Kakashi muttered as the stone finally shifted enough for them to pull Naruto's body out from underneath it. He shocked to see that Naruto's arm was swollen and nearly blue and Kakashi figured that was from lack of oxygen, Kakashi couldn't help but wonder if Naruto's leg was in the same condition. Kakashi closed his eyes, and tried to force the image of his teammate going through the same situation. This scene would have a much different outcome if Kakashi had anything to say about it. He wasn't going to allow his Sensei's son to die like this. As Kakashi knelt down next to Naruto, placing his fingers on his neck, silently praying for a pulse that he wasn't sure would be there. When he felt the weak thrum beneath his finger, he stood, gently lifting Naruto into the air, trying to be mindful of his wounds, Naruto's ears were dripping with blood, making Kakashi wonder about Naruto's other injuries. He knew that Nine tails could easily fix the internal injuries but he wasn't so sure about the arm and leg.

"Where's your hospital?" Kakashi demanded knowing that Naruto was running out of time.

"Right this way." the villager said, looking concerned as he took off running in the direction of the hospital. Kakashi took off after him, Sasuke and Sakura following behind him, Sakura had tears in her eyes and Sasuke looked more concerned than Kakashi had seen him be in a long was hope that maybe Sasuke could be distracted from his thoughts of revenge, especially if Naruto's condition was as serious as Kakashi thought it was.

A few minutes later, Sasuke and Sakura were ushered into a waiting room, while Kakashi handed Naruto over to a nurse, conversing with her quietly before she disappeared with the blonde haired boy and Kakashi joined Sasuke and Sakura in the waiting room.

"History is repeating itself." Kakashi muttered as he sat down in a hard plastic chair. He just hoped that this situation wouldn't end the same as the one that happened years earlier.

Thanks for reading and reviewing! This story is going to be strange but I think it's going to be a good one. Liz