Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, and neither am I making any profit out of this.
A/N: This is un-beta'd. I welcome any constructive criticism, especially on the flow of the story as I feel this is an aspect I need hammered out for my future stories. (And yes, I do seem to be fond of long sentences O.o) Thanks!
Sacrifice
When Naruto was little and wandering around the village that had all those cold eyes staring and glaring and ripping him into tiny little pieces he'd cry. But never on the outside where those eyes could see and pretend to look through him. No, for them he'd smile and laugh and also pretend, playing a game that only he knew the rules to because then it was his and could become his own truth, a place that didn't exist anywhere but behind those too big too ignorant too blue eyes, a place where he could really smile and not have to rely on the rain to cry and rage and live for him.
When Naruto was a bit older and wandering around the village that had all those children who were so different to the hateful adults and should have been his friends but weren't he'd cry. But never on the outside because by now he was a bit wiser and knew that no-one could bring themselves to care. Instead he smiled so hard that the scars on his cheeks twisted into the likeness of tear-lines, and so blindingly that no-one would ever look to think they could be real.
When Naruto was only newly a genin and wandering around the village that had all those deep, dirty secrets they tried to bury but always had life because of all the hate and impotent rage that simmered underneath so many surfaces he'd cry. But never on the outside because he couldn't remember how. So he pushed his inside truth out onto the outside world and let that laugh and live for him.
The Sandaime Hokage always wanted people to realise Naruto's sacrifice in becoming Kyuubi's jailor, because that's what he was; a sacrifice, but one that still walked around. However sacrifices aren't supposed to continue on after being given up, so instead of being mourned and honoured by those saved, they only go on to serve as a bitter reminder every single day of what was lost.
And as Naruto wandered around his village he understood. So he let the rain wash his tears away, let his scars become simple whiskers and let his life become his to live again, where he would show people he could be the hope of the future instead of the pain of the past.
By Saevus.