I do not own Naruto, but all original characters are mine

Prologue

…It hurt. It hurts. It hurts oh so much. He feels so cold. Even with the blood pumping through his veins. Even with the flickering amethyst flames. No matter what he does, he still feels oh so cold. He still feels the hollow pain rip through his chest as seconds of his life continue to pass. It hurts. It's cold. He feel's…empty. Oh so empty.

Empty blue eyes staring off into space, he eyed his crystal kingdom with an apathetic gaze. The flickering flames seemed so dull in color. The full moon above seemed oh so dark. Its pearly white surface shifting into a black abyss the moment he stares. Staring motionlessly on his obsidian throne, he hummed a broken tune. A distorted smile making its way to his lips, he looked over the horizon with a broken purpose.

The crystal trees had lost their illumination luminescence. The fields of grass had all but cracked revealing their fragile state. The clear red rivers had darkened to an endless sea of black. The flora wilted. Eye's drifting towards the sky; he looked at the grandfather clocks that ticked away through the cracks in the air. Seven Clocks he had started with, and only one had continued to tick away. The remaining six whose hands had stopped stayed silent as if telling him something.

It was a starless night with a cold pitch black moon. This once beautiful land had now lost its supernatural glow. It was so cold. It was hurting oh so much. Hollow tear's streaming down his cheeks, he continued to ponder. When did things go wrong? Why did they go wrong?
Was it because he was selfish? Was it because he was weak? Or was it because it's because it was his fate? Humming in thought, his broken grin dropped to a thin line. Ear's twitching, his attention drifted to his surroundings. The cracks surrounding his castle growing ever so slightly, but to him, it was to be expected. This world was connected to his will.

His will have long since been destroyed. He had nothing. He had no one. He was just a single being cursed to live a hollow life forever remembering the thing he's done. The mistakes he's made. The people's he's killed. Maybe this was karma? Maybe this was just fate taking back what he's taken. Thinking on that, he snorted.

How long has it been? How many days have passed? How many months? How many years? Even with everything I've done. Even with everything I've accomplished. All the power I have received with my blood, sweat and tears. Why is it that everything I do is always for naught?

Why am I still so weak? Why do those I wish to protect always leave? Why is it that no matter how fast I run, I'm always seconds too late? Just when I thought I have arrived just in time. Just when I thought that I've built enough safeguards. Why do they always break? Why do I always have to see them like this?

Why do I have to continue to see their blood being spilt? Is this my destiny? Is this my fate? Is this the consequence of my existence? Am I destined to just watch while they fight? To stay confined while they get hurt! If this is so, then the fates can be damned. They can drown along with my destiny and disappear into the void.

I will not be their puppet. I will not let them control my strings. I will not allow myself to be controlled by their decisions. I am an anomaly. I am something that exists. Yet I am something that doesn't. I am but a figment of the world itself given form. Yet I am just a monster created by the darkness of the living. Be they humans, animals. But are they residing in the seven hell's or the heavens above. I am the monster that everyone fears.

Nothing is certain in this world of darkness. There is no hope. There is no light. There is only the will to survive. There is only the will to tight. To continue their existence in the plane of the living, we all fight. There is no reconciliation. There are no heroes.

The hearts filled with darkness. The hearts filled with hatred. They are far too many. But yet even with the world covered in black. There is a single speck hidden within its depths. There is a single star that continues to brighten as time goes on. No matter how many times it may flicker out, its radiance only grows stronger.

In my world of loneliness, that flicker can be considered my hope. That speck of light can be considered my only conciliation. I'm so cold. I was so very, very cold, but just as I was about to break. Just as I was about to go deeper where there is no return. She saved me. Just by existing she brought me warmth. Just by smiling, for the first time I felt I wasn't an abomination.

She looked at me no with disgust, but with love. Just by being my side she gave me a purpose. She was so frail. She was so filled with emotion that it nearly blinded me. I wanted to protect her. For the first time since my creation, I wanted to protect instead of destroy.

I will protect her. I will keep her from the darkness. Even if I have to banish the very shadows themselves into the void! Even if I have to stain myself in blood so deep that I can see nothing but red! Even if I have destroy or save the world! So be it! I am a monster. If I see a chance, I will take it. I will not hesitate to cut down my foes. I will continue on fighting. I will fight, and fight and fight until I see the end. Until I see the rays of the heavens shine down on this corrupted world.

If the fates deem my existence as a punishment! If they deem that I will save nothing that I come to love! Then they will face my blades. Everything that gets in my way will be sent to the void. Anything that blocks my path will be crushed. I am nobody's puppet. My destiny and fate is mine to rule. I am an abomination. And I will get what I want!

Letting out a bitter chuckle, he wearily sank into his chair. Almost closing his eyes, he leaned his head into the ridge of his right arm. His fingers slowly running through his calm snow white hair, he wrapped his left arm around himself. That was indeed what he had promised all those years ago. It was meant as a vow. A vow that meant that if it indeed was his fate to be alone, that he would go against it and obliterate any and all obstacles from existence.

…what a fool he had been. What a weakling he was back then. The vow was broken oh so many times. So many people lost because of his weakness. So many lives destroyed because of his inaction. SO many loved ones lost because he just too, fucking, relaxed. He was to slow in reacting, and that was one of his many mistakes. But his biggest mistake…

His biggest mistake was that he should have just killed off all his enemies damn the consequences. He should have done what he wanted. Not what was better for others! But was best for him! He should have kept the children close to him. He should have defied his King. He should have actively tried to destroy the enemy. So many things…there are so many things he should have done…but didn't…and for that, he paid the price.

His loved ones were gone…never to seen again. His friends and the very kingdom he built from the ground had gone against him. Picking up his head, he hummed a broken tune. But did he blame them…no, no he did not. The thing's he's done ever since then…while odd too many…were only pieces to a greater purpose. His friends had realized his purpose…and they were appalled.

Rising from his seat, he began to walk forward. His boots ringing against the black crystal floor for each and every step he took. They tried to convince him to stop. The wanted him to reconsider, saying that this was not what they would have wanted. Coming to a halt, he stared out the window and stared into the horizon. An overbearing tree that stretched on into the broken sky was what he saw.

Right in front of it was a bone white structure built on its sturdy edges; six spiraling towers surrounding a large crater in its center, stone paths interconnecting the towers roofs. All connecting to a single point; a large circular platform made of tinted glass reaching out at a fifty meter radius, a seventh spiraling tower underneath holding it up in the air. The tower leading down to a large black and white castle that melded together at some points to an ever shading grey.

That was what it looked like before. Now…the crater had been filled with crystal clear water with the castle underneath the seventh tower submerged in the lake. Looking on, he disappeared in a swirl of shadows.

Reappearing on the circular platform, he took a small look at it before turning to look ahead. Eyeing the magnificent tree, he watched as a variety of red, blue, and purple cherry blossoms swayed down from above. The tree stood at a height of several hundred meters in the air with its very trunk being several dozen thick. But what caught his attention were the fragile amethyst crystals that clung to its healthy brown bark.

This was the main purpose of its all. This tree will show them the testament of his power. His friends are no doubt working together with his enemies to stop his madness. And like he said before…he doesn't blame them. Because that would be the exact same thing he would have done if he was in their situation. His plan was absolutely ludicrous, but it is needed. With four of the seven in his grasps, it will only be a matter of time before the last come to him.

Walking forward towards the edge of the platform, he stared at the large gathering of solidified crystals in front of him. "Would you approve of what I'm doing?" He asked breaking the silence. Reaching out with his hands, he traced his fingers along the crystals clear surface. "Would you hate me for what I am about to do?" Staring at her as if expecting an answer, he bowed his head in thought. A bitter smile making its way to his lips, "Of course not…"

"…you never really hated anyone really. Always the type to forgive and move on…at east right after you give them a smack down." Giving a brief chuckle at that, it stopped as soon as it came. Staring at her with determination in his eyes, he nodded. "But whether you approve or not…this needs to be done." Eyeing the snow white haired woman encased in crystal, he gave her a broken smile. "…you wanted all four races to get along…but that's impossible. But don't worry…I will force them to, and we'll all be a family again." Ear's twitching, his eyes hardened. "All of us will be together again…I'll make sure of it!"

(?)

Shaking his head lightly, he looked around holding in his breath. The full moon above being hidden by the dark clouds in the sky; something he was really grateful for. Sighing in relief after a couple of seconds, he pressed his back against the tree sliding down along its bark. Setting down his hands on the grass, he pulled his legs in close as his heart thumped against his chest.

They haven't found him yet, that was good. Shaking his head back and forth, he felt something warm and sticky slide down his forehead. Wiping him arm against it, he stared at the blood wiped onto his arm. Rubbing his arms together to try and fight off the cold, he turned around and stared at the tree behind him. His cerulean blue eyes spotting a crack along its bark, he digged his small fingers into it and tugged. Pulling off the bark; it revealed an opening just small enough for him to squeeze through.

Smiling lightly, he squeezed his small form through pulling the bark behind him to hide its entrance. Even though he couldn't really see anything, he knew that it was spacious. The small hole underneath the tree was big enough for him to crawl around and deep enough for him to hide in. The entrance's blind spots just in case someone found it.

Scratching his cheek lightly, he closed his eyes. Hoping to get in some sleep from the people after him; he hugged his knees close and buried his head into them. Stiffening slightly as the sound of shouting began to reach his ears. He forced himself to stop shaking as their footsteps came ever so closer. Tears streaming down his cheeks in fear as the seconds passed by.

Hearing the footsteps halting near his tree, he held in his breath as the sound of hateful muttering echoed throughout the clearing. He didn't know how many of them there were, but he didn't want to know either. All he wanted was for them to just go away and to never come back.

After a couple of agonizing minutes passed, he heard the footsteps and muttering's slowly moving away. The sounds slowly disappearing completely after a couple of seconds, he decided to wait for five more minutes until they were gone. The first time he came out of his hiding place when he thought they had left, they were simply waiting for him to come out in silence.

Needless to say he was once again shocked at how brutal they could be to a child. He was only two for god's sake and they practically tortured him. Shaking his head once more, he knew that he was going to have to stay here for the entire night. The chances of his getting hurt again were too great, and he was terrified of what they might do to him this time.

That led to the same question that pops into his head every single time at this day of the year. Why? Why do they hate him so much? Why do they hurt him? Why doesn't anyone help him? Why do they blame him for murdering hundreds of people? He doesn't remember doing that? Right now he's only five.

Why don't his parents help him? Why don't they save him? Can't his father stop them from hurting him? Or does he even notice him getting hurt at all. Does his mother notice the blood stained clothing that layered in a pile on the corner of his room. Do they even notice the fact that he's not even in the house with them celebrating his sister's birthday? Or how about the fact that it's also his birthday as well? For that matter…do they even love him?

Drying his tears, he sniffed. Tightly closing his eyes, he began to slowly relax as a strange sound bean to play in his ears. The gentle melody soothing his fears and sadness like it does whenever he goes to sleep. He doesn't know why only he can hear it, but he didn't really care. To him, it meant that it was for him and only for him.

Whenever he would cry himself to sleep, the music would always play in his ears; the abyssal tone never telling him if it was a boy or a girl singing. Pouting slightly as he began to doze off, he wished he could meet the owner of the voice. It sounded so caring and loving to him. It filled him with the warmth that his family never provided. So he really wished he could meet the person and ask him/her a question.

To ask her why; why does she sing for something like him? Murderer, monster, abomination, demon; that's what the people of the village always call him, so he wanted to know why she seemed to show him love where everyone else shows him nothing but hate. And just like always, his shivering began to stop as if a warm blanket embraced his form, protecting him from the cold.

Opening his eyes slightly, he wiped the tears away from his eyes and smiled. Closing them once more, he stifled a yawn as he senses dimmed. He was so tired. Dozing off, he fell asleep with a comfortable smile on his lips. The darkness surrounding his form in a protective blanket as a small silhouette appeared on his shoulders. Fading out of existence not a moment later when the gash on his forehead slowly closed up.

Mismatched red and blue eyes tapping a set of bars in front of him, unflinchingly grabbing onto the piece of paper attached to the cages lock. Eyes narrowing at the ghostly spark zapping his fingers. Just hold on for a bit longer. Soon you won't have to feel alone anymore, so wait. Behind him blood red eyes continued to sing.

(Morning)

Yawning, he tiredly opened his eyes. Tears pricking at the tips as he stretched out his arms and legs, he craned his neck around lazily. Blue eyes blinking as he noticed that he wasn't in his room. Crawling forward, he tried to recall last night's events and nodded blankly in remembrance.

It was his birthday last night, and surprisingly enough. His father and mother actually remembered to bring him along outside, not that he would thank them for that any time soon. It was Natsumi who reminded them after all. And in the end, the disappeared from his sight leaving him to the mercy to the villagers. On the very day that they celebrated yet mourned. The same one where they truly try to kill him with all they have damned the consequences.

Shaking his head, he noticed that there were small rays of light seeping through the cracks of the tree. Was it morning already? Standing there for a couple seconds, he pressed his ear against the bark. Calming his breathing, he listened in to whatever footsteps might be near. His senses reaching out to feel anyone near, the outline of the entire forest forming within the depths of his mind; all in all it looked like a two dimensional map.

It showed even the smallest blade of grass within his range flowing along with the wind. He doesn't know why he has it, but it told him when anyone with negative intent was near so he was not complaining. It saved him from a beating who knows how many times. He liked it.

Letting a small smile break through his tired lips, he saw the green outlines of birds and deer's stalking throughout the forest. Foxes, squirrels, and even that funny cat that scratches the kids that tried to capture it. He liked the cat; it always showed him the best places to hide. Keeping his eyes closed, a small pulse of energy radiated from his being. Echoing throughout the clearing as color began to brighten his mind.

Showing him the sparkling green leaves and brown doe like eyes of the deer's. The chirping of birds reaching into his ears and the purring of a cat making him voluntarily giggle. He liked the forest much better than the village. It was peaceful and colorful. It never tried to hurt him, and the animals always tried to protect him for some reason.

Whenever he was getting chased by the villagers, he would always make a run for the trees. Be it this one of the forest with the very big trees that was always the first place he thinks of to hide. After a couple of minutes of silence, he pressed his hands against the loose piece of bark. No one was anywhere near the forest, so it was safe for him to come out.

Squinting, he looked around as the rays of sunlight poked against his eyes. Opening them after a while, he rubbed the tears out of his eyes and crawled out of the hole under the tree. Smiling in relief, the sun's rays shined down on his showing his form. Standing at a height of '2'10'', his small malnourished body shook a he took a step forward. His baggy grey shirt slightly torn and worn stopping just above his knees. He clutched tightly to the hems of his shirt showing his brown shorts.

His naturally tanned skin slightly faded a bit due to his preference with staying indoors with the lights off. Makes it easier to hide from the mobs; besides, who would be dumb enough to stalk down his father's home and demand his son to be handed over to be killed. He may have been neglecting him, but that doesn't mean he hates him…hopefully.

Shaking his head at the thought, he scratched the dried flakes of blood off his wild golden blond hair. The tips being a blood red color. Curiously looking around with a smile on his face, he giggled as the blades of grass tickled his bare feet. His blue eyes brightening with life as he walked around the forest with what might have been joy, his eyes flashing red momentarily before returning to their normal color.

Looking up, he notices the strange orange color in the sky. Turning around, he saw the sun rising up from the sky line. Lighting up the sky in different shades of light; the orange being his favorite. Representing the joys and bright filled happiness that he thought would consume the world outside the village walls. After all, the only thing he could feel was the bitterness and hatred within the walls. So he hoped that it was different outside.

Walking around the forest, he caught the eye of several curious animals that he paid no heed to. Even though he wanted to pet them, he figured out later on that the best way to catch their attention was to ignore them. To make them act on their curiosity.

After a couple minutes of silence though, he noticed that he was covered in dirt and twigs. Stray dried flakes of blood on his clothes and arms. Shaking his head lightly, he turned to his left towards the trickling sound of water. Before he was about to take another step though, he felt a weight press down on his shoulders pushing him down to the ground. Turning around he giggled as a brown fluffy tail wagged around his nose.

Getting back up, he picked up a plump brown striped cat and scratched under its chin. Smiling happily as Tora purred in his arms. Turning around, he hugged the cat carefully against his chest and walked on. Heading towards the sound of trickling water getting ever so louder with each step he took.

After a couple of minutes, he walked out into a clearing. His expression brightening at the crystal clear lake sparkling in front of him; he couldn't help but stiffen slightly at the presence of another. Turning around, he took a slow step back as his blue eyes met deep grey. Her raven black hair tied up in a ponytail that stopped just below her shoulders. Her bangs stopping just above her eyes as she continued to stare curiously at him; standing at a height of '5'04'' she practically towered over him.

She was wearing a plain dark blue sleeveless shirt and a knee length white skirt. Her legs dangling of the edges of the lake splashing into the water; she noticed he sharp eyes and heart shaped face with a bit of baby fat still there. Not that he knew what that was of course, but she looked a couple years older than him. Probably around twelve at least, but that wasn't why he was afraid.

Even though she's not an adult, he was scared. She didn't appear on his radar. Everyone appeared on his radar, yet she didn't. He's right in front of her yet he still can't pick her up on his senses. What's going on? Taking a slow step back, he was shocked to see her smile at him. A tint of red brightened his cheeks at that; no one ever smiled at him. And when they do, it always promises pain and hurt later on. But there's nothing but warmth in her smile. And whats more she was smiling at him.

Tilting his head to the side curiously, he hoped that maybe she could be his first friend. His thoughts brightening at the thought, he took a small shy step forward as he greeted her with his own albeit shy grin. Needless to say he did not expect her disappear into thin air. Nor did he expect for him to somehow end up on her lap with her back against a tree. Her small delicate hand pressing her fingers through his hair.

"You really are an adorable creature you are." She giggled lightly. "Tell me, are those whisker marks real?" She asked curiously tracing the six marks on his cheeks. Three on each one that made him look a bit like a fox along with the shape of his eyes. Nodding slightly in confusion, his cheeks flushed red as she pulled him into a hug, resting her chin in his hair.

"Tell me, what's your name?" She asked lightly.

Stiffening slightly that didn't go unnoticed by the girl, he hesitated. "…Naruto." He replied meekly.

Staring down at him coolly, she smiled. "Well my name is Cecilia." She said ruffling his hair slightly. "Now then, whats a three year old likes you walking alone in the woods in the morning?"

"I'm six." He muttered lightly. Calming himself down, his blush receded as he crawled out from her lap. Turning around, he stared at her in curiosity. Barely noticing the snow white bordering blonde streak running down her cheeks; he stared at her in silence.

"Is there something you'd want to ask fishcake?" Cecilia asked with a quirked brow.

"My names Naruto, not fishcake," he pouted. "Why are you being nice to me?" Naruto asked curiously.

"I highly doubt that being rude come's first when meeting a five year old boy that looks three." She retorted, frowning inwardly at her words. '…Something that's not really supposed to happen naturally.' Her eyes flickered towards the dried spots of blood littering his form before returning to meet the boy's gaze.

"But no one's nice to me." He said making her lips quirk down momentarily.

"Where are your parents?" She asked. "Wouldn't they be worried about you staying out alone?"

"Not really, Father is at work maybe. And mother is too busy taking care of Natsumi." Naruto shrugged.

"Oh, so you have a baby sister?"

"No, she's my younger twin."

Why was she asking so many questions? Is this what people usually do when they meet? Why was he sensing sadness coming from her? Why was she sad; he didn't know? Can he cheer her up? Tilting his head slightly, he moved forward a patted her head. Tracing his fingers along her hair as the feelings of sadness began to disappear. It made him feel warm when she was doing it to him, so maybe it would work for her.

"What are you doing?" She asked pulling his hand away from her hair.

"You were feeling sad." He answered simply. "I don't like it when a friend is sad, so I did what you did to me."

"Friend," She raised her brow in amusement. Seeing him shy back from her slightly, she sighed as she pulled him into a hug. "The moment I told you my name was the moment I became your friend fishcake." She giggled. Feeling him stiffen in her arms, she sighed as the toddler hugged her back albeit hesitantly. Tears dripped from his cheeks and onto her shoulders as he cried.

Patting him on the back, her lips quirked down to a frown as she inwardly sighed. Ironic isn't it, to think that the first person to see her would remind her so much of him. From the looks of his life so far, she can guess that Naruto's was similar to his except for a single difference. Naruto kept that innocence where he lost it, something that would change if this continued as it did. "Now then, as my first decree as your friend you will take a bath." She smiled lightly as he looked up towards her in slight confusion. Seeing her honey-sweet smile, he couldn't help but feel a shiver crawl down his spine. "It's bath time fishcake; prepare to take a dip." And Tora the cat simply watched the proceedings with a growing interest as she licked her paw.

(A couple hours later)

Girls are scary! That was the first thought that popped into his head when Naruto waked into his room, though the bright grin on his face said that he was happy with it. She may be slightly touched in the head, but she was his first friend in a while. Though she was prone to petting him for some reason that was lost to the boy; maybe it's something girls do.

Thinking about it for a couple seconds, he shrugged telling himself that girls were weird. Closing the door behind him, he stared silently into the grey room in silence. The cobwebs on the upper corner of the room gathering and layers of dust gathering on what little furniture he had. Which basically consisted of a desk, bookshelves, and his bed; all in all it wasn't much.

The last time he's been in the room in actuality was somewhere around a month ago actually. As for why, the mob that attacked dropped him in the middle of a forest. A forest with very, very big trees at that; the animals were friendly though. Pity he couldn't take one home as a pet, but even though his parents are neglectful. He was pretty sure that they would notice a twenty foot tall white saber tooth tiger in their backyard. It would also serve to protect him from whatever mobs that tries to hurt him.

King Kitty was much better company than the villagers. Shaking his head slightly, his grin dropped to a thin pressed line as he walked towards his bed. Holding his breath, he grabbed onto the sheets and pulled. Closing his eyes in the process as a cloud of dust exploded into the air. Throwing his sheets around in the air, he closed his eyes shut as the dust began to blow away. After a couple of minutes, he breathed out opening his eyes.

The dust gathered in the air settling down on the ground. Coughing a bit from the dust remaining in the air, he looked out towards his window. The sun was still up in the sky, but he didn't really feel all that energetic right now. Hearing his stomach growl, he looked at his room and decided to clean it later. Since last night was his birthday, he wondered if there was any cake left.

Walking out of the room, he dusted himself off and walked down the hallway and into the kitchen. Silence meeting him from the empty room. Opening the fridge, he frowned slightly at the lack of food I it. Sighing he looked up and saw a piece of cake positioned at the very top. His frown deepening, he turned around and pulled on a nearby chair. Climbing onto it, he stretched his arms forward and found that he still couldn't reach it.

Pouting, he was about to give up when he felt a hand on his shoulders. Turning around, he saw nothing but a wisp of blue mist. Tilting his head curiously, he poked it only to shiver slightly. It was cold, but not really a bad thing. Frowning slightly as it dissipated, a fresh fruity aroma filled his nose. Turning around, he saw the dark chocolate cake with blue and orange frosting sitting on the table.

Freezing for a moment, he slowly turned his head around to the fridge. The cake was no longer there, but on the table instead. What's more, it looked like it was freshly baked to. Staring off into space for a couple of seconds, he shrugged. Fresh cake was good cake.

So with a vulpine like grin, he climbed down the chair and closed the fridge. Dragging the chair with him to the table, he climbed back on and stopped. His eyes focused on the lit candle's that weren't there before. Smile dropping for a moment, he felt a cool hand once again on his shoulders but didn't turn around. 'Make a wish!'

Lashing his head around, he saw the same blue mist from before but no person. 'Who…' After a couple seconds of silence, he turned back to the cake with a bit of confusion filling his mind. Not even bothering to react the words written the cake in purple frosting. 'Happy Sixth Birthday Naruto; sighed A.- frowning at the words, he wondered who would bother wishing him of all people happy birthday.

Hearing a sad chuckle in the recesses of his mind, he played it off as a trick of the mind and sat down. Blowing out the candles, he made a wish and started digging in. The silence emanating in the house growing as the seconds go by. The light in the room seemingly dimming until nothing could be seen but him and his cake. A small frown marred his face as he continued to eat.

(?)

"…You know, I think you just made thing's worse!" an abysmal voice deadpanned.

Sharp red eyes opening lazily, she didn't bother turning around to meet the voice. Narrowing her eyes at the seal in front of him, she glared slightly as they sparked against her fingers. "You may be right about that…" she muttered. "But he needs to know that someone cares." Whether it'd be them or that girl that he just met? Speaking of girl, her eyes narrowed slightly into slits. She reminds her of someone, but she can't put her finger on whom.

"He really reminds you of him, doesn't he?" It pondered.

"…you should know." She mumbled. "After all, you have most of his memories in you." Hearing it breathe out a sigh, she stared at the seal with much more detail. "Then you should also know what solitude can do to a person. I never really knew due to be surrounded by their love, but I was always the closest to understanding him none-the less." Giving him a bitter smile, she traced her fingers along the seals markings. "But in the end, I never really knew that even with me there…I never really knew how lonely he felt…or how much pain he's gone through."

"…He wouldn't have blamed you." It spoke quietly.

"Your right…he wouldn't." She whispered wearily. "But that doesn't mean I won't."

Staring at the girl impassively, the great being closed its blood red eyes and his reply. The memory of a small boy surrounded by darkness; appeared in the depths of its mind. There was nothing there but the darkness. At first there were specks of light that slowly began to appear, but as fast as they came. The blinked out of existence as the boy grew older. The hole in the boy's broken heart growing and growing in size within the dark abyss. Naruto's being overlapping with the boy's every couple of seconds as tears ran down their cheeks.

"In a way you may be right…" It started with an impassive voice. "But unless something happens, this will just be a repeat of the past." Half-lidded dimming eyes gazed into the darkness, as if searching for something. "…and this time…" it stopped sending the unanswered message towards her.

Without turning around, her eyes flashed purple as she gripped tightly onto the edge of the paper seal. Hers fingers sparking with ethereal golden mist as a flash of black and white filled the area.

(Back with Naruto)

Staring outside his window, he let out a small grin as the moon shined down from the sky. The sound of mumbles and happy whispers stemmed from outside of his room. His parents had long since come home…well Natsumi and Mother did anyway. Father came home just an hour before, but it's to be expected with his line of work.

Anyway, he couldn't really wait until tomorrow came. Cecilia said that she would be there waiting for him. Giggling lightly at the thought of his new friend, he just smiled. Turning around, he stared at his now dust free room with a frown. Even though it was clean…it still felt empty. Everything in this room feels so empty. Hearing happy murmurs increase from outside of his room, he hesitantly took a step forward.

Walking uncertainly towards his door, he opened it slightly ajar. Turning on the lights in the hallways, he walked closer to the murmuring sounds. Coming closer to the kitchen, he took a peek in the room and saw three familiar people talking around the dinner table.

A small red-headed girl with tanned light skin and blue eyes was talking to an older version of herself with light purple eyes. A blond spiky haired male with long bangs eating with a smile on his face. Walking out into the open, he simply watched as they continued eating. After a couple minutes, he spoke. "Um…mama…papa…" He muttered nervously.

Seeing that they didn't hear him, he decided to walk closer…only to take a step back. What would he say? What would they say? Shaking his head lightly, he began to slowly walk away. He was sad that they never noticed. That they didn't feel their forgotten son enter to room…or leave it minutes later.

Dragging his feet back to his room, bangs overshadowing his eyes, he opened the door slowly as he walked into his grey room. Closing it behind him, he climbed onto his bed and hid himself under his covers. The empty feeling that came from his room returned with a force. This time, he couldn't help but feel empty inside as well.

Burying deep into his covers, he closed his eyes tightly. Ignoring the slight rumble of his stomach, he tried to go to sleep. There are so many things he wants to know? There were so many things, but little to no answers being given. Taking a deep shaky breath, heard a familiar tune ringing in his ears. Calming down slightly, he began to fall asleep. The thoughts of meeting his new friend tomorrow brightened his thoughts for a moment.