A/N: I was so excited about posting the first chapter to this story that I'd completely forgotten to put any disclaimers on... Hahaha. But of course, it's quite obvious that I'm not Kishimoto-sensei, or I wouldn't have made such a weird occurrence that is the extra story-line he came up to follow up on the main series (not that I liked the ending or how the main series turned out to begin with). Nor would I have made Sasuke out to be such an idiot... and Itachi so hopeless (cries for Itachi baka baka Itachi, so gullible) But since I'm not, hopefully, this story might be different. I mean no offense Kishimoto-sensei, I just never agreed with how ended the series which had SO much potential... Okay, enough babbling! Anyway, this is the second chapter! Please R&R, and give your support!

Chapter 2: U zu ma ki Naruto, Uzu maki Naruto

If someone ever bothered to asked Uzumaki Naruto why he was always alone, he wouldn't be able to answer. He'd always been alone for as long as he could remember- whether it was when he was at the orphanage until he was kicked out last year, with no one and nothing but the glares from other children and the disgusted looks of the caretakers, or now as he sat sulking on a swing in the park near his apartment, the early evening light encasing him in its autumnal warmth. It was always the same: the same routine of returning to an empty, dingy apartment, the same routine of just trying to play on his own until the bullies came. He'd almost win against them in the resulting fight this time too. But after successfully punching only one boy in the eye and knocking another kid onto the ground, the rest decided to swoop in together simultaneously and knock Naruto onto his back. Now sitting there swinging halfheartedly hours after the assault, he sported a black right eye, a swollen left cheek as well as numerous abrasions and cuts on his body.

He hadn't done anything to any of the boys- to anyone as a matter of fact. He'd never done anything bad to them. Yet, he was the recipient of those nasty looks from people of all ages. Those cold looks which held hatred and a vow of retribution; retribution for what, he didn't know. Often times, he would be kicked out of stores he was trying to buy things from or the library, hauled out like a pig about to be slaughtered. And no one would go out of his or her way to defend him, to protest the treatment he was receiving. Be indignant for him, a mere, vulnerable child.

So all he could do was shrink back, endure, and rant about the maltreatment when he was alone in his apartment.

Yeah, alone, he thought dejectedly. If I'd my parents, they wouldn't treat me this way. Mom 'n dad would defend me, protect me and kick the asses of anyone who'd try to gang up on me. I kinda have jiji... but what's he gonna to do 'bout anything when he's always so busy being Hokage? And Iruka-sensei... he seems nice enough but what if it's just 'cause he hasn't heard of what others say 'bout me? What if he hates me then?

His small lips trembled at the thought in despair, trying to hold back his tears. It was during these moments when he was alone that he couldn't help but want to cry like the child he was.

I want my mom and dad! His soul wailed in anguish from deep within.

His body trembled at the immense amount of emotions he was feeling and once again, he cried tears of loneliness, alone in the dimly lit park with only the swings and sand box to keep him company, and the wind to embrace him in its gentle warm arms.


Pink was the first thing he registered in his head when he heard the commotion in the academy yard. He was once again by himself swinging halfheartedly on the large tire they tied to a tree as a make-shift swing. It was the first day of the new academic year and for once, no one spat on his worn out backpack, no one put gum in his hair, and no one tried to steal the meager amount of money he had in his old froggy purse. It had initially put him on edge, thinking something even worse than that was going to happen. But nothing happened, and for that, he'd sighed in relief. But it still didn't lessen the hurt he felt at the fact that everyone continued to ignore him like he didn't exist. So like any other miserable day, he sat isolated from the rest of the other kids during their lunch break. That was when he heard a sudden commotion from the other side of the academy yard. At first, he'd felt bitter thinking the ruckus was children having fun playing, perhaps being extra loud just to add salt to his wound for being a nobody. But when he realized that the noise consisted of girly jeering and taunting laughter, he finally looked up, curious as to who had become the girls' newest target.

That was when pink hair and green eyes flashed into view- the eyes so captivatingly green that it outshone the pretty green marbles he enviously saw kids played with. They were greener than the crisp, healthy leaves of the prettiest flowers being sold in the flower shops too. But what struck him the most was that those green eyes were also brimming with tears of pain and bewilderment.

She's being bullied 'n no one's helpin' her! Naruto thought, his observation quickly bringing about an anger in him that would later boggle him in its intensity. She's just like me! Why isn't anyone helpin' her?!

The small cry of pain she emitted when a branch scraped roughly against her arm quickly put him into action. Sliding off the swing in one quick motion, he ran as fast as his little, clumsy legs allowed him to and sought out the only person he thought would listen, Iruka-sensei. All too soon, the girls ran like cowards before Iruka-sensei could catch them for punishment. Naruto watched from a distance anxiously as the sensei inspected the injuries the pink-haired girl sported and before he knew it, she was brought inside for treatment. Naruto fidgeted a little, worried that she was hurt badly, but soon the lunch bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break. The children were all herded back into the building for their afternoon lessons and that was the last he saw of the girl for a while.

I didn't even get to know her name... Naruto thought forlornly. What if- what if we can be friends? She'd know how I feel, the lonely feeling. We'd stick together 'n fight anyone who'd bother us! His shoulders sagged in defeat. But then, she must be in the 'ginner's class since she's not in mine.

With that thought, Naruto began his slow walk back to his apartment.


It was some months later when Naruto bumped into the pinkette. And quite literally at that. Naruto fell flat on his back side, the black, plastic bag holding his carton of milk tumbling to the ground with a soft thud, while she fell on her hands and knees with a quiet squeak of surprise. Naruto swore he heard a soft gasp from behind him but he quickly forgot about it when he realized he had bumped into the girl he'd helped on that first day. Nervous and excited all at once, he quickly got up and rushed to her and fidgeted by her side.

"I'm sorry, 'ttebayo! You okay? I didn't mean to run into you like that! I swear!"

The pinkette cringed slightly in alarm and Naruto quickly shut up, realizing belatedly that perhaps he was being just a little bit too loud, what with his close proximity.

"I- I'm okay." The girl stuttered. Naruto looked worriedly at her. Did he scare her that badly? She looked too nervous for his liking. "I'm s-sorry for b-bumping into you..."

The blond opened his mouth to say something but, in a spontaneous moment of maturity, decided against saying anything about the way she cringed at every movement he made. It was probably the bullying, wasn't it? Quietly, he extended his hand to her and helped her stand up, after a small moment of hesitation from the girl.

"Erm, sorry bout bumpin' inta you again." Naruto fidgeted a little, pausing uncertainly at first, but then continued, "I'm Uzumaki Naruto, dattebayou. What's your name?"

"I- I'm Haruno Sakura" Sakura breathed out nervously and dipped her head to hide behind her messy fringes. "I-I'm sorry too... You're not injured are you?"

"Uh... What's the word een-jyured mean, 'ttebayou?"

Sakura's frowned slightly at this and peered up at him contemplatively before rephrasing the question with surprisingly no stuttering. "I meant you weren't hurt, were you?"

Naruto shook his head and grinned, arms folded casually behind his head. She cares! "Nope! I'm good!"

Then he noticed Sakura's bruised cheek and promptly flew into wild gestures of rage. "Wah! Why's your cheek blue?! Someone bully ya again?! Who hit ya? You okay?! Tell me who it is and let me at 'im, dattebayou!"

Sakura immediately looked alarmed and opened her mouth to say something. But before she could get a word in, someone shouted her name. Next thing the both of them knew, she was yanked behind a blond girl's back protectively.

"Hey short stuff, what do you think you're doing to a poor innocent girl like her?! You bullying her too?!" The blond girl roared at Naruto, her left hand clenched into a mean looking fist and swinging wildly in front of her.

The boy watched as Sakura's eyes widened and looked at the blond girl who had the same eye color as him, seemingly to say something. But whatever she wanted to say, he wasn't sure because he was busy sputtering indignantly at the accusation as the girl in front of him pointed a threatening finger at the bridge of his nose, making Naruto go cross-eyed.

"Don't think I don't know who you are, you freaky monster!" He cringed feeling as if someone had slapped him really hard across the face. "Don't you dare go near my friend here! You try anything funny and you'll be answering to me!"

The blond turned to Sakura and pulled her along by the wrist to walk away from him. He made no move to stop them or correct them, just watched them go as something wrenched his heart out of his chest, burning hot yet cold. It was a feeling that hurt too much for him to describe. Once again, he stood alone, apart from everyone, and he'd lost his chance at being friends with the one person who just might have understood his pain. With despair weighing on his sagging shoulders, he watched Sakura stumble awkwardly while turning to look behind her. Her vivid green eyes met his blue ones; it seemed as if she wanted to convey a telepathic message to him. Her eyes looked pleadingly at him and for a moment, everything seemed to slow down around him. She was sorry, he realized, sorry that she couldn't explain the actual circumstance to the arrogant girl who was dragging her away. Sorry that the other girl misinterpreted the situation. But they were too far away now for him to say anything reassuring to her. Instead, he only smiled sadly at her, hoping to show that he understood- that it was okay. Whether or not she got that message, he'd be unable to find out for a long while as the two girls turned a corner and disappeared from sight.

And that was how the both of them met Yamanaka Ino.

A/N: er... so I know that the first two chapters were rather short? But I wanted to have some kind of foundation established for each of the main characters first, so bear with me. And I'll have to admit, for someone who had lots of ideas popping into my head, I have this huge problem of wanting too stick to certain things which are canon!Naruto. I wish I didn't have such complex struggles with writing any of my stories, especially fanfics or else the chapters would have come easily to me... I guess. But enough excuses! I will try to update soon enough. And I haven't forgotten HunterxHunter! I'm working on it! So I'll see you soon!

- And just so you know there are reasons why the chapter titles are the way they are. Haha