Eyes of Sorrow- Prologue
The snow fell slowly as an 8 year old Naruto Uzumaki gazed out his broken window. He shivered under his small blanket as the shattered window provided little protection against the elements.
Naruto always hated this time of year. In truth, the whole year was terrible for him, but the last three months were always the worst. First, there was October 10th, his birthday. He would always hide in his small apartment and wait for the villagers to break in and take him for the annual 'fox hunt'. The winner would receive 1,000 ryo and the pleasure of lighting the pyre with Naruto on top. Most of the time ANBU would save him before the flames got too bad but the smoke was terrible for his lungs and he still had a scar on his left wrist. He had always healed fast for no particular reason, but the scar had stayed. It served as a reminder to Naruto that he would never be loved.
The next month would be host to Thanksgiving. Every November 26 the villagers and shinobi would be reminded of the loved ones that were lost during the Kyuubi attack. They would look for him in order to 'end the demon's life' as payback for all of the things they weren't thankful for.
The worst of them all was the month of December. While there were no beatings, mobs, or 'Fox hunts', that day in particular hurt more that the rest of the year combined. It was the one day where all of his sadness and nightmares were thrown in his face. He would see people all over the place running to stores to get gifts for family and friends. He would see children yell and run around the streets with their parents and toys after Christmas. Naruto was jealous of all the kids who took it for granted, as he would give anything to have a family. On New Year's Eve he would be barricaded into his home as the village thought it was a sign of bad luck to talk about the 'demon' let alone see him. Sometimes he would be forgotten for days. Naruto just stayed in his room and cried.
Pushing his harmful memories to the back of his mind, Naruto got out of bed and got dressed. It was about 9:30 and Ichiraku's was about to close. He didn't want them to lose business by serving 'the demon' so he went right before they closed at 10. He looked around his room for the hideous jumpsuit and left the apartment. Naruto didn't bother with the lock as his few valuables were hidden under a loose floorboard in his closet. As he walked the less frequented streets of Konoha he looked at his clothes and tightened his fists. He loved the color orange, but this was way too much. The jumpsuit just screamed 'Hey! Here I am! Come beat me senseless' and he thought it was stupid for him to where something like that if he was going to be a super awesome ninja. Naruto knew that the first step to becoming Hokage was being the best ninja in the village, and he couldn't do that if he kept wearing 'kill me' orange. But it was the only thing that the villagers would sell him, as to make it easier for the fox hunt. Maybe he should just end it. Red might look better on him that orange and the village wouldn't care.
Naruto shook his head and stepped into the ramen stand. He didn't like the morbid path that his thoughts had taken. Putting on his metaphorical mask, Naruto sat on the stool farthest to the left and ordered his food.
"Hey Ayame-nee-chan, Teuchi-ojiisan. Can I have 3 of the usual?"
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After filling up on 15 bowls of ramen Naruto began his trek home. He decided to take the long way through the forest so he wouldn't have to see the happy families in their homes. About halfway home he heard sobbing and, being the good guy that he is, decided to go check it out. Naruto ran towards the frozen lake where the crying originated. What he saw shortly after shocked him beyond belief. There was Sasuke Uchiha, the Sasuke Uchiha, crying at the lake side. Naruto decided he would go and cheer him up, but before he got there Naruto stepped on a small twig, snapping it and alerting Sasuke to his presence. Sasuke became rigid and Naruto saw him wiping his eyes. He turned around and spoke in an angry, almost scared tone.
"What do you want?"
"I heard you crying and I wanted to cheer you up." Naruto said with a goofy grin on his face.
"Drop it" Sasuke said quietly.
"Huh?"
"I said drop it. You have a mask on and I want you to take it off. I've seen you around the village. You act like an idiot in that hideous jumpsuit because you want attention." He spoke up this time, speaking in a snooty fashion.
"Only if you drop yours"
"W-what do you mean" Sasuke stammered. He glared at Naruto in a feeble attempt to intimidate him.
"You have a mask too. You walk around the village acting like a spoiled brat, acting like you deserve everything and everything. You don't want people to like you so they won't get to close. So they won't hurt you when they leave. Plus, only people with masks can identify others." Naruto explained, staring at Sasuke's eyes with the fiery determination.
"Fine" Sasuke said with a small grin on his face. "You probably know my name already but I'll introduce myself anyways. I'm Sasuke Uchiha." He said with a hand outstretched.
"Naruto Uzumaki. Y-you want to be my friend?" The abused boy said with a shy smile, grabbing Sasuke's hand and shaking it.
"I would like that"
The two talked for a bit before they decided it was time to go home. Naruto found that his life wasn't completely miserable and looked forward to their next meeting.
Hey guys and gals. I plan to update whenever i finish a chapter so there will probably be about a week in between each post. Unlike my other fic this one wont have a beta so it will be a lot quicker. Dont forget to leave a review and check out the pol on my account. See ya!
