A/N: Todokanunegai means "unfulfilled wish".
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star.
-Somewhere Out There; An American Tale
Todokanunegai
"Make a wish Naruto," Iruka tells his student, his eyes trailing after a shooting star leaving traces of stardust across the pitch black skies.
The seven year old looks up at his sensei and he slurps up his noodles.
"Eh? Why?" His blue eyes are wide and innocent, and Iruka can't help but smile as he explains.
He begins by pointing up at the star that makes its way closer to the horizon each second.
"If you wish on a shooting star, your wish will come true." The blonde's mouth drops open as he watches the star reflected in his eyes.
"Really?" He yells, excited. Without waiting for an answer he closes his eyes, the star imprinted into his mind, and he makes his wish.
I wish the villagers would accept me.
--
It's late at night, and he's once again training relentlessly. His breath comes hard and short, sweat painting his tan skin.
He allows himself to fall backwards, exhausted. He closes his eyes against the night and tries to regain his breath. The grass feels refreshingly cool against his skin as he rests for a short moment.
His eyes twitch open as the world behind his eyelids is suddenly illuminated. Blue orbs land on the second shooting star of his life.
He knows to make a wish, and closes his eyes; he can still see the star behind his closed lids.
Five years has not changed his wish, and for the first time, he voices it out loud.
"I wish the villagers would accept me."
--
He stares at the stars, lost in thought. He's finally gained the grudging respect of most of the villagers, but that doesn't matter. Not anymore.
It doesn't matter now because Sasuke's gone, and suddenly his world has been plunged into a different light.
It doesn't matter that now he's greeted with tentative smiles as he walks down the crowded street. He can barely see these things.
Because now all that matters is raven hair and a wounded promise.
So when a shooting star penetrates his vision for the third time in his life, he doesn't hesitate in the wish he throws at it.
Three years has taught him to value quality over quantity. It takes more energy to break bonds than one person can exude.
"I wish I had the strength to bring Sasuke back."