Oh, hello! Dani here. I got an idea for a fanfiction (finally). Funny enough, I have had others, but I always tend to start over ideas too many times to ever complete one. It's pretty embarrassing, really.
But! Here is my...First? Second? Third? (I've deleted the others) Some-number Fanfiction. I've manage to create a stable plot, though it can still use work. Either way, here is my introduction. The next few chapters will be longer, I promise.
Naruto (Shippuden) belongs to Kishimoto.
Naruto's life was made up of hard choices regarding ideals, truth and his own thoughts of how and where he belonged. He chased for his best friend, going through years of pain, before finding the will to give him freedom; having him return on his own. He lived a life as an orphan, hated by all he knew, only to one day bring every nation together towards a hopeful future. He had not just overcome his inner demons... he befriended them.
Though his life was difficult, he was different from the rest: he beamed through all of it. He didn't stop to doubt what he believed in, he just pressed it against his chest and moved forward. He didn't walk through his life spreading sadness, showing people his scars, and simply accepting the darkness. He spread light, understanding, happiness and joy, to everyone he touched by being himself. Though there were tears of suffering, his faith in himself and the people he loved never ceased.
By the end of Fourth Great Ninja War, where the world's most powerful bonds of hatred were unbound, he realized he was not only one. In fact, it was that everyone was one. Every choice affected every person, every life, from the present, future and even the past. Thus to say, he understood exactly what he needed to be in love.
The war had only just ended when Naruto had decided that he wanted someone in his life. More than just the friends he had. More than even the goal he'd finally achieved (Hokage). He wants that person. The right person. But, up until now, this hadn't been an important issue. He'd never payed attention to anyone but Sakura; in infatuation, a sibling, and as his teammate. Despite the fact she always did and would love Sasuke in a different way than she loved Naruto.
But love... It was scary. It made him think too much! At first he had thought it was all just appearances, brawn... Soon, by watching Sasuke and Sakura, he realized how much different, yet familiar it was! They had: a strong friendship, an understanding for each other, forgiveness, and just pure caring. The only different between that (and anything else Naruto had experienced relating to love) was the fact they could have a little more physical contact.
So here he pondered, rocking back and forth on his old swing. He had let go of all the suffering of the past, so now all that was left here was the nostalgia. The enjoyable moments. The fantasies of living with his family. Experiences at the academy. But, for now, he could not appreciate these things. He let his mind wonder into the dark, trying to find the match he needed to keep his candle flame lit.
Deep within his subconscious, his spirit was training. At the very back of his beast's cage, sitting under a trickle of water that flowered into the cage, he tried to summon chakra from around him. The beast lay in front of him, resting it's head on it's clawed hand, watching him with bored, red slitted eyes.
"Are you going to be sitting long? You could at least release me for some training."
"I'm having trouble myself here, Kurama." Naruto said, opening his eyes to gaze at the ground. He couldn't complete sage mode.
"Keh," Kurama smirked devilishly at him, suppressing it's shock at the boy's sad cerulean eyes. "Your emotions are pitiful. What's wrong?"
Though Kurama was poking fun, they were very close. A simple glare from his Jinchuriki was enough. Kurama's eyes softened, a grimace painting it's face.
"Sorry, that was rude," it started, "I'm only trying to get some 'determined comeback' out of you. Your just a dead shell now. So much for being Hokage, wasn't it all you wanted?"
Naruto, staring at the ground, merely blinked.
The fox let out a long sigh that blew Naruto's water-drenched hair in all directions.
"I can't blame you I suppose," the bijou continued, "but I do know that it's not the Hokage issues bothering you."
After a moment of reflection, the Kyuubi's eyes lit up. "Gaki, you didn't forget did you?"
Naruto looked up in surprise. He never forgot anything.
"Hinata." The beast stated blandly towards the boy's reaction. "The Hyuuga heiress who was with you throughout the end of the war."
"No!" Naruto stood quickly. "I've been wanting to talk to her about this. But...!"
"She's one of your closer friends now, isn't she? You're with her almost as much as Sakura. What the hell is so difficult?"
"You wouldn't know," Naruto said with his child-like atmosphere. "What if-" Naruto began, the aura around him growing a tad darker. "What if being with her changes our relationship? What if it's not-"
"Look," Kurama stood, towering like a mountain above the jinchuriki. "The only thing that will change between you two is that you can finally talk directly," the bijou snorted. "I promise she'll have something good to say."
Naruto's frown seemed to curve into a small smirk at this.
"Yeah," Naruto said after an eternal pause. "I remember the way she protected me that one time; almost died for me... And that time she stood beside her against the Juubi. She was brave..."
The Hokage's signature smile spread across his face. "I think... She really likes me, doesn't she?"
Kurama smirked. At least he's getting it,it mused, But he hasn't realized the profound depth of her feelings.
"Fine," Naruto resolved, seeming to have light back in his eyes. "I'll ask her."
Before Naruto disappeared from Kurama's sight, he seemed to stagger. Kurama, infuriated by such display, slammed a gigantic hand beside Naruto, drenching him with water. Naruto's eyes, on the floor and wide-eyed, stared up at the giant.
"You are shinobi!" Kurama insisted. "Keep your focus, do not doubt yourself. If you start doubting yourself, I'll eat your worthless life, gaki! Don't think you can protect yourself against me with such weak control. You can barely control chakra enough to balance in this shallow water!"
With a heavy heart, but knowing the bakegitsune was right, Naruto stood up once again and shot a determined face towards the beast. "Just watch me!"