A/N: I got this idea from watching Hide and Seek the other day. Of course, it isn't the movie, 'cuz I changed some things in it. Or a lot… No pairings so far…
Disclaimer: If I owned it, I wouldn't have been spending my time writing these stories.
A small blond boy stared down at the grassy floor, clutching a single orange flower by the long green stem in his clenched fists. Droplets of water gathered at the edge of his eyes, but refused to give way to gravity. The boy seemed unwilling to let them fall.
Sapphire eyes turned to look at the various people surrounding him, none of whom he had met. His eyes soon rested on the chestnut coffin that laid before him in a grim silence. Sobs that were clear in his ears not long ago seemed to decrease in volume, until it seemed as if all sound had ceased. His feet began to make their way forward, step by step, each with apparent hesitance.
As soon as the coffin was directly in front of him, he stopped. His tan hand reached out, and carefully placed his flower atop the small bundle of flowers. He turned around, and walked to his father. When he was at his father's side, his mouth opened to speak, but closed back.
Minato looked to him, with sad blue eyes, and bent down.
"What is Naru-chan thinking?" he asked in a soft voice.
The small boy looked up. "Naru-chan was thinking that Mommy wanted Naru-chan to be brave. Naru-chan wants to be brave for Mommy." His soft voice quivered, threatened to break into sobs any second.
Minato gave a sad smile, before picking up the small boy. "Naruto, Mommy would say it would be okay to cry."
The small boy nodded solemnly, before placed his head on his father's shoulder. Minato felt his shirt weigh down with salty tears. "Let's go home, Naruto," he said softly, before walking back to their car.
Naruto looked over his father's shoulder, and took one last look at the wooden coffin as it was being lowered down to the hole that had been previously dug. Buh-bye, Mommy.
One Year Later…
The quick footsteps echoed throughout the halls of the Namikaze residence.
Naruto ran through the halls, trying to run silently, before turning into his bedroom. He quickly dove under the covers. He giggled softly once he settled himself some more.
All was still for awhile.
Then, a distinct crash came from the living room.
Naruto's eyes widened in alarm, as he threw off the covers, and jumped off his bed. He walked cautiously out his bedroom, into the hall, towards the living room. Once in the living room, his sapphire eyes scanned quickly for the source of the noise. His eyes caught the site of a broken picture frame, shattered all over the floor. "Kyuubi…" he murmured to himself. He walked up to the mess, and cautiously picked up the photo. It was of him and his parents. When his mother was alive.
"Naruto! What was that?!" A loud voice said, laced with upcoming anger.
Naruto winced, knowing he'll be up for blame.
Minato walked into the room, and looked from the shattered piece of glass, to Naruto, then back at the mess again.
"Naruto…" he said. "What did I say?"
Naruto looked into his dad's eyes, and defiantly stood his ground. "It wasn't me, daddy."
Minato resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Daddy said not to lie, Naruto."
"I'm not lying! It was Kyuubi! Kyuubi did it!"
"Naruto, Kyuubi couldn't have done it!"
"He could to! And he did! SEE!" To emphasize his point, Naruto pointed towards the mess.
"Naruto, Kyuubi isn't real." Minato tried to keep his anger in check.
"Don't say that! Kyuubi is real!" Naruto stomped his feet on the wood floor childishly.
"Kyuubi isn't real. Kyuubi didn't do it." Minato's patience started to run thin.
"You're making Kyuubi angry. Very angry. You better stop saying that!"
Finally, anger started to boil over.
"Naruto! Go straight to your room! Get rid of this notion that Kyuubi is real!"
Naruto puffed out his cheeks, and glared at some space of air besides himself.
"Don't you ignore me! Go to your room!" Minato yelled.
"It's not fair! I didn't do it! Kyuu-", started Naruto. However, his ranting was quickly cut off by his father.
"For the last time, KYUUBI isn't real!"
Naruto widened his eyes, letting fear seep into his eyes. Then, he tried to regain some composure, not allowing any other emotion show.
The blond boy turned and walked back into his room.
"It wasn't even me…" he murmured softly to himself.
Minato smacked his own forehead out of frustration. This nonsense about Naruto's recent imaginary friend got way out of hand. Seriously, Kyuubi breaking the frame? Completely absurd!
Minato let out an inaudible sigh, as he walked to the mess. He bent down, and picked some of the fallen glass, before dropping it in a nearby trashcan. His eyes rested on a small family portrait.
"Kunisha…" he said softly, as he gazed at a young woman with fiery red hair. "What would you have done?"
Naruto POV
I can't believe Daddy is so mean! Kyuubi is all mad 'cuz Daddy doesn't think he's real. Kyuubi is real scary when he's mad…
How could Daddy say that? Kyuubi is as real as me and him.
Kyuubi's eyes are glowing red now… It's starting to get me scared.
"Kyuubi?" I softly call out. He looked back at me, before giving a smile that gave shivers down my spine.
"What is it, Naru-chan?" he said.
"Are you mad?" I cautiously asked, hoping his anger won't be directed at me.
"Of course not. I'm mad at your dad. How dare he question me! How dare he question my existence, my power!" He yelled. I winced slightly.
"You're scaring me," I said. It was true. His eyes glowed red, with malice that I've never seen before.
He inhaled deeply, before looking back at me. "Sorry, Naru-chan. I didn't mean to." His cat-like eyes returned back to his normal eerie yellow color.
I smiled softly. "It's okay." I walked across my bedroom, to Kyuubi, and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Like you said, you didn't mean to." Before Kyuubi could push me off, I let go, and gave him a big smile.
I yawned loudly, stretching my arms above my head.
"Kyuu, I'm tired…" I said sleepily.
Kyuubi rolled his eyes, then said "Go to sleep then."
I nodded. I laid atop my bed, with my blanket covering me. As my mind began to shut down for a nap, I could've sworn I heard laughter…