Every human being on this Earth is born with a tragedy, and it isn't original sin. He's born with the tragedy that he has to grow up. A lot of people don't have the courage to do it. Helen Hayes

"I deserve to die." He murmured, a sad smile gracing his lips. "After all…demons…are not meant to live…"

"Tomorrow you will take him…and you will do what you can. I trust you." Ibiki nodded.

NOW

Tomorrow I'm going to be taken away… Staring out the window and into the starry sky, blank eyes gazed emotionlessly. Why? A bandaged fist clenched, the first sign of emotion he has shown since entering the hospital. Why did they save me? Dull eyes narrowed as he glanced down at his wrists. It had taken a lot of time and practice…but he managed to lock the Kyuubi's chakra away for the time being…And I will keep it locked away for longer yet…

He carelessly looked around the white room, his nose quivered as he smelled the antiseptic and sterilization in the room. I don't deserve to live. Why don't they understand that? If I were to die, things would be better…and… He got a violent flash of Sasuke shoving the Chidori into his chest. …Team 7 would be better off…without a weakling like me. Once again he gazed at his bandaged wrists. It was unbelievable that hidden underneath were about fourteen stitches in each arm. After unclenching his hands he gently placed one upon the plastered wrists, his face emotionless, but his mind a whirling mass of dark hatred.

"I hate you." He whispered, to his unknown savior. I'm so sick of being happy…of trying not to worry people. I do everything I can to make others happy. I always do what they ask of me, no matter how stupid it is. He dug his nails into the white bandages. So why? He clenched tighter. Why…why can't they allow me to be selfish? Why can't they allow me to just this once…do something right? The soft cracking of the bandage echoed in the silent room, but blonde didn't care.

I will not allow myself to live. There is nothing left…I'm just so tired…tired of everything. This isn't fair… He gently ripped the bandage, and only one focus remained on his mind. I will die before the dawn. As his bare arm was exposed to the cool air he examined the black thread, standing out starkly against his pale skin. Gingerly, he fingered the jagged lines, before stopping at the edge of the thick thread. Grasping the thread he pulled, not wincing as a sharp pain shot through his arm, and a crimson liquid began beading, and forming a thin trail down his arm. Why doesn't it hurt? He pondered as he pulled the thread a little more. Why do I feel nothing? Shouldn't I even feel sadness? Joy even? I'm doing the right thing…this is how it's supposed to be! But why… He pulled it a little more and more red liquid came forth. Why do I feel nothing? He pulled harder. Why do I feel so empty inside? Why do I always have to be alone?

He was oblivious to the world around him, focused completely on his bleeding arm. Suddenly a warm hand grasped his own, stopping the frantic tugging, firmly pulling it away. He didn't even look up to see who it was. He didn't even pause as the person's other hand gently pressed a cloth against his wrist. Why…is this so familiar to me? He had no time to think any further before a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Oh Naruto…" His eyes widened slightly in shock at the voice he knew, but that was all the reaction the man got. He just ignored him, hoping that he would take the hint and leave…but no luck there. Shizune rushed in and when she saw the red cloth being held against Naruto's wrist, and his other hand being restrained, immediately went to work.

"Naruto, what were you thinking?" She t'sked. Immediately she checked the severity of the damage he had done before checking the iv. "You didn't do too much damage this time…but you have to stop doing this." Fidgeting slightly around Naruto, the man released his hands as she inspected his arms. Looking into his faded blue eyes, her own eyes glittered with unshed tears. "I'm sorry that you feel this is necessary Naruto, but it isn't. People care about you, and I will not allow you to continue with this behavior." Suddenly his arms felt as if they were bound as her hands went into an unfamiliar seal. He looked up at her sharply.

"What did you do?" He asked, his voice a husky rasp.

"Nothing permanent, I've just rendered your arms useless for the time being. This has to be done, I won't let you kill yourself." He didn't say anything, instead staring outside again. Sighing, Shizune re-bandaged his arm and walked outside, but not before looking back.

"If anything is needed, or happens…just give a shout." She stated flatly, nurse to caretaker tone. A professional's voice, Naruto noted silently. Then she was gone, just leaving Naruto alone with the man. A stifling silence filled the room and Naruto could feel the other's gaze on him.

"Why are you here?" He pondered out loud. "It's not like you ever cared what I did before…not like you ever noticed anyways." He turned his gaze away from the window for a second. "Eh...Kakashi-sensei?" He felt a grim satisfaction of seeing a slight wince befall the older males form before he looked away again.

"Tomorrow you're going to be taken into isolation…for therapy." Kakashi said mildly. Naruto didn't respond. "Naruto I'm sorry…" He murmured. Naruto didn't look at him.

"What for? I'm the one who did what I did. I did it because I wanted to…because it needs to be done." Kakashi winced at the flat tone in the once energetic boy's voice.

"I'm sorry because…I should've realized sooner what has been really going on." Naruto whirled on him, his eyes flashing furiously before dying into a blank gaze.

"You…never cared before. Why do you even bother trying to pretend now?" He asked flatly. Kakashi didn't get a chance to respond. "With Team 7, it has always been Sasuke this…or Sasuke that. I know…That I am the weakest person on the squad, I know I'm a screw up…and I know it's my fault that Konoha's prodigy has been taken away. It is my fault that all this has happened."

"No, it isn't!" Kakashi snapped. "I am the one responsible for everyone on this squad. I protect all of you…I should've been there for all of you. It was my fault for not seeing that…for not realizing and stopping what I was doing. Naruto, you are a strong shinobi, who I know will have the strength to become Hokage. But what will become of your dream if you die?"

"How can I be Hokage…if I can't even save one person in this village?" Naruto replied.

"But what about your friends? What about those who care about you?" Kakashi shot back.

"They would get over it. Death happens…what's a few tears, knowing that the villagers will be safer with me gone?" He paused. "Besides…it's not like anyone will cry if I'm gone, in fact they'll be relieved. They'll be relieved that the dobe, the monster…is dead." Kakashi stood up swiftly, knocking the chair he previously sat in, over.

"Don't you dare speak like that!" Kakashi all but shouted. "Don't you dare think that no one will cry over you!"

"But it is true. Sakura will only be sad…because I failed to bring Sasuke back. The village doesn't care because their demon problem will be eradicated, and nobody will have to worry about little ole Naruto getting in the way. Everyone is happy."

"That is not true." Kakashi whispered, Naruto gazed at him with slight confusion.

"Nani?"

"You heard me." Kakashi stated, glaring at Naruto, whose gaze didn't waver from the older Jounin. "Did you not hear Iruka? Did you not see his tears as he saw you there? Bleeding to death before his eyes? Did you not hear his pleas to you to stay here with us?" Naruto froze. How could he know that? No one would know that unless… He remembered the harsh pressure on his wrists, and someone telling him to stay awake. Realization dawned in Naruto's face as he gazed at Kakashi, his blank face molding into that of a smoldering hatred.

"It was you." He snarled. Kakashi looked taken aback.

"Nani? What're you-"

"You were the one who ruined everything!" Naruto shouted at him, trying to lunge at him, only to fumble. Kakashi stared wide-eyed at the raging child. Never before had he felt such killer intent from one so young. Could it be the Kyuubi's? He wondered vaguely as the boy glared at him spitefully. No, this is all…of Naruto's own hatred. Is this how you feel?

"I hate you! I hate all of you! Why do you lie to me?! It doesn't matter! This is what I have to do! Why can't you see that?!" He shrieked at him only to pause as Kakashi gently grabbed him and pulled him into an embrace.

"W-what are you doing?" Naruto demanded, his face slowly becoming a blank slate. Mentally he was fuming because he couldn't move his arms. Why is he embracing me? Why is he doing this? Why, why, WHY?

"Naruto, you are so young…yet you carry such a heavy burden. I should've been there for you more. I should've listened…and I failed you." He murmured. "You are a fantastic person, a strong shinobi…who will become an even greater Hokage."

Naruto once again gazed out the window, choosing not to reply, only to see the pinkening sky as gold peaked over the horizon.

"It's dawn." He murmured tonelessly. Kakashi pulled back from the teen and stood facing him.

"Naruto…" Just then the tall formed of Ibiki was standing in the doorway.

"Uzumaki Naruto, I am here to take you for treatment." He stated simply as Naruto ignored him. Sadly Kakashi watched as the once vibrant, blonde-haired boy was standing next to Ibiki, dressed in black pants, his sandals and a black short sleeved t-shirt. Where is his hiate? Kakashi wondered distantly before realization hit him with a sickening jolt. It can be used as a weapon…Before Naruto passed Kakashi looked at him.

"What do you want me to tell the others? They will ask about you…they will wonder where you've gone." Kakashi stated calmly. Naruto just stared at him as Ibiki held a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Tell them…whatever you feel you must." He said as Ibiki gently steered Naruto out of the sterile room, and into his new isolation.

"Oh…Naruto…" Kakashi murmured. What am I to do now? Sakura…needs to know…needs to know what happened. He thought as he exited the hospital. As he walked towards the memorial stone, he brought out his orange book out of habit. He looked at it, his eye not moving over the words. I didn't expect to see that. I didn't want to see him in the action of hurting himself. He thought. No one deserves so much pain. He deserves so much more than what he has gotten. He gazed at the tablet over his book. Sensei…Obito, what should I do? He resumed staring blankly at his book for a few minutes. He let the warm sunrise hit him, and the birds chirped. Ironic…that something as bad as this happened on such a beautiful day. Then he just stood there, not moving, not talking…not even thinking.

"No…" He finally decided. "When they ask…they shall receive the answers they deserve." Then with a snap of his book, he disappeared in a whirl of leaves.

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So are you guys enjoying it? I'm sorry if this chapter seems a little short, but I've been busy studying for my ACT's, rolls eyes oh joy… But anyways, if any of you should have some ideas that you desire for me to use, or have something in mind that you desire…just click the little button

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