Eleven years after the fall of the Fourth Hokage, the Village Hidden in the Leaves has regained it's military and economic power under the guidance of the Third. The attack of the Nine-Tails may have sent the village into turmoil, but Konoha rose from the ashes and is now stronger than before. The new host of the demon that once rampaged the village is now one of the elite, inducted at a young age into the organisation known as ANBU.
He walks through the streets, stiff shoulders and straight back, the venomous whispers following him, demon, monster, murderer—it doesn't matter. Even if they aren't there, the words live in his mind, hissing at him when no one is there to.
"Iruka-san." A nod to the scarred man passing, a smile given in return.
"Naruto-kun."
Fake, fake, fake—
Cool blue eyes meet warm brown ones. Without another word, the blonde turns and leaves.
The world is full of false smiles, and Naruto knows that better than most.
Sarutobi looked into the angry eyes of the child. He deserved the truth, but Kami, he was only four. What right did he have to burden a child with such a thing? What right did he have to hide such a thing?
What could the right choice possibly be?
"Hokage-sama." Clad in black and ever serious, they kneel and lower their heads.
"Rise."
There is no sound, no rustle of cloth, as Kohona's elite obeys the command of their leader.
"Kitsune."
"Hai."
"I'm assigned you a solo A-rank. Be back within the week."
"Hai.
The blond's grip is firm as he grasps the scroll. The mask hides the fact that his eyes has hardened into diamonds, his perfectly blank expression doing nothing to disguise the dulled eyes, no longer vibrant, dead before their time.
The cacophany of rain would have made for a calming sound, if he were not too frustrated too enjoy it. The surrounding area around him was practically decimated, where once stood trees were now stumps and splintered wood.
The child was on the ground, sprawled out and eyes directed at the storm. The rain did not bother him, and he was far too busy looking to see the lightning to care.
It was the masked man who found him, the same as always, the one known for the murder of a friend, the one who was called a monster almost as much as he was, the one who donned a mask of a hound.
He held out a hand. "Come along, now," he said, his voice muffled behind the mask.
Azure eyes shifted to the older man, eyes that swam with the look of unbridled pain, the type that was too heavy to disguise.
The one known as Friend Killer felt his heart bleed for the boy, but knew there was nothing he could do.
If one looked at the boy's face, one would have easily mistaken the rain for tears. But tears came from the eyes, and these were born from the sky.
The one known as Demon stood and followed silently, knowing by now that his tears were wasted but not quite ready to give up hope.
It was just a shame no one looked to see if the cries were coming from the inside.
"Good morning, Naruto-kun." Iruka smiles.
A nod. "Iruka-san."
The man finds his steps faltering as he stares at the young boy's retreating back. Something about the five-year-old made him stop, something in his stiff posture and stilted words, something in his hard eyes and heavy gaze.
But what is he thinking? For as long as he has known the boy, Naruto has always been like that, even if he had hidden it behind smiles and cheer, even if he has hidden it from himself and everyone else.
No one would tell him. The villagers and their insults that made themselves home in his head. The shinobi and their disdainful looks that he knew they were giving him, despite the masks they wore. The children and their laughter that they never seemed to want to share.
Not even the Hokage, their supposed illustrious leader, ever bothered to tell him.
Why?
They wouldn't tell him. They didn't want him to know.
He leaps from tree to tree, enjoying the way the wind blows his hair back. The mission seems to be a simple one, but he knows they are not always so.
He lands after hours of travelling. He's grateful his leader has given him such a long time to complete his task. He is capable of finishing it in a few days if he's rushed, but Sarutobi knows the eleven-year-old enjoys his time out of the village.
There is a small village on the way that he enjoys visiting. It is peaceful and happy, and sometimes he wonders what it is like to grow up in such a place. He thinks that he would be very different if he was, and isn't sure if it is good or bad.
Naruto enters the village, thinking to himself that he will enjoy a bowl of ramen before setting off.
"Ah, shinobi-san! Back again so soon?"
"Mm."
"As grumpy as usual, eh? A young man such as yourself should cheer up more! Go get a girl. Live your life!" The man is a boisterous as ever, the blonde notes.
"Ah! I'm sure you have no time to listen to this old man's rambling. Here's the usual, extra noodles on the house! Gotta save up that energy for later, eh?" He sets down the bowl.
"Arigato." While the old man's back was turned, Naruto gobbles up the food and pays the money.
The old man watches his customer leave. It is the twenty-third time he's come to the village for a meal, but the old man isn't entirely sure that that's what the boy really needs.
He was seven when he snapped.
"Why? Don't I deserve to know?"
"Naruto-kun..."
"No! Don't you dare! D'you know the feelin' of seeing all those children all worried 'bout what they're eating for dinner when I'm stuck worryin' 'bout whether they'll throw out the leftovers?
"D'you know the feelin' of seeing someone out on the streets one moment that actually sympathises with me, and then acting like all the rest an' living in a nice, cozy home the next, and all 'cause of some stupid charity that didn't even bother to look my way?
"D'you know the feeling of being called a demon wherever you go, an' not even knowing why, but having ta' deal with it just 'cause that's life and Kami knows life ain't fair.
"Well? Do you?!? Do you?!?"
The Hokage merely looked at the boy with sad eyes, wishing not for the first time he could do something, anything, but knowing there was nothing he could do.
He took the pipe from his lips and lowered his head.
"I'm sorry."
His week is spent and he must return, but before he leaves he meets the old man to have one last bowl of ramen as he always does. He is greeted with the usual smile and cheer, but there is something in the man's eyes that he cannot quite read.
Before he leaves, the old man calls out to him one last time, "Take care, son. You know you're always welcome here."
Naruto can't quite belive that, but nods for simplicity's sake. He can't be bothered with an argument when he really has to be going.
"Arigato."
He leaves, as he always does, alone.
Hiruzen sighed at the report. It was not the first time this has happened, and he suspected it wouldn't be the last.
The destruction of a portion of the forest... At the age of eight, Naruto was already showing promise. His skill was that of a genin, perhaps even a chunin, and Sarutobi knew he would have to do something fast, before Root snapped him up.
Hiruzen kneaded his head. He could already feel the upcoming headache.
Going back to Konoha is always the most difficult part of any mission. He feels the ever-present dread sink in deeper in his gut, and takes a deep breath.
It's not Konoha, he dislikes, oh no, he'd do anything for the village. It's just that confined within the walls of the village makes him feel empty, like there's something that's supposed to be there but it's gone.
He hates the empty feeling—hates the way it aches all the time, reminding him of something he knows he cannot have.
The feeling only gets worse when he walks on the streets, the hollow area in his chest spreading when he feels the weight of the eyes. No matter who it belongs to, the eyes will look the same. Maybe it's why he prefers to be alone; that way he won't be reminded that he is always alone.
He reports to the Hokage and heads to his apartment. He doesn't feel like doing anything except to take a nice, long nap.
Sadly, a knock comes on the door before he can do so. Standing outside is his comrade, Hound.
He tilts his head in question.
The white haired man rubs the back of his head sheepishly. "Ah, I forgot you just came back from a mission. I was going to invite you out for a spar and then some dinner afterwards, if you're willing."
He considers this for a moment. It is late afternoon, but he is exhausted, and is in no condition for a spar.
"I'll join for dinner, but I'm too tired for a spar." He replies.
The man nods. "All right, see you, then."
The door closes and he heads back to his room and frowns. This is the first time he's been invited out, and he doesn't know how to feel about it.
"Naruto. This is a very heavy burden. Are you sure you want to do it?"
Steely eyes looked back at him, steadfast.
"Yes."
The boy was nine, almost ten, the youngest to ever join the ANBU. Hiruzen was certain Naruto was aware of the burden it would carry, and knew that most would be impressed. Genin at eight, chunin at eight, jonin at nine, and now, ANBU at ten. The boy was a downright genius. Come a few years, he'd be eligible for the position of ANBU captain, and would be equipped with the skills to partake in solo missions and likely come back unscathed.
But right now, all Hiruzen could think of was the small little boy who used to come crying to him on particularly bad days, the small little boy who wore sadness and hurt in a cloak, but still had that bit of hope in him, the kind that could give others hope, too.
But somehow, when Hiruzen wasn't looking, the light had faded and dulled.
At the age of twenty-one, Uzumaki Naruto can't say he has much friends. But hhas some very good ones, and those few are enough for him.
Over the years, Naruto has changed. His eyes no longer hold the heavy weight of pain, rather, a sort of calm. He smiles more often, and the hollowness has gone. Naruto isn't sure if anyone has noticed these, but he no longer walks with the pain of the world on his shoulders.
It is nearly midnight when he recieves summons to the retired Third Hokage's residence.
"Come." Sarutobi Hiruzen gestures for him to follow the moment he appears next to him.
The head to the Hokage monument, coming to a stop atop his own father's head.
"I wasn't aware you approved of this." Naruto remarks quietly.
The older man gives a laugh and dismisses the idea with a wave of a hand. "Nonsense. I used to do this all the time." He smiles fondly at the statues.
Naruto waits, gazing at the streets of Konoha. With the prospect of an upcoming festival, the streets are more vibrant than ever, coloured lights and flower garlands draped over every surface. The stars twinkle, almost as if agreeing with him.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Hiruzen murmurs, giving Naruto a delighted grin. Naruto has to agree.
He sighs contentedly, until—
"My time is coming. An old soul such as mine cannot continue to stay in this world any longer."
Naruto tenses. "I—"
"Naruto." The Hokage turns to face him fully with dead seriousness. "Can you ever forgive me?"
Naruto startles. "What are you talking about?"
The man looks at him somberly. "No, Naruto. You know what I meant. Even though I cannot change the past, I am deeply sorry for all the pain you have suffered in your childhood. Even more so because I stood by and did nothing."
The Hokage bows, eyes swimming with regret.
"Jiji..."
He knows can't forget it. Not the pain, not the anger, not the hurt.
"I'm sorry, Naruto." Hiruzen whispers.
But Naruto knows one thing for certain: that there was no need for apologies, for forgiveness has already been earned.
Naruto shakes his head. "No, jiji... It's not your fault."
Hiruzen's expression crumbles. "I... I couldn't do anything." The words come out at a whisper.
Naruto's chest heaves. Yes, he has already forgiven the village. Yes, he is no longer angry. But yes, he does think that the Hokage had played no part in his sadness.
But when his next words come out, they are whispered and hoarse.
"You could have tried."
Hiruzen feels his self-control slipping as the tears leak from his eyes. Naruto's large blue eyes are wide and brimming with tears, but he doesn't let them fall. Hiruzen wants to look away in shame, but he won't allow himself.
"Yes. I should have." That is all Naruto wants to hear. Hiruzen turns to face the village streets once more, content to spend the rest of the night with this boy he calls his family.
Over the years, Naruto has changed. His eyes no longer hold the heavy weight of pain, rather, a sort of calm. He smiles more often, and the hollowness has gone. Hiruzen is certain that this change has made his companions happy.
Somewhere along the way, Naruto has grown into a man who smiles and laughs and lives. And Hiruzen is proud.