A/N: This chapter is also revised same as chapter 1, there aren't too many changes.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.

Beta: Reenan Lefey

Chapter 2

"Does he know?" Sakura asked.

"About his Parents? No, you were taught about all the Hokage and their accomplishments so you know how many enemies the Yondaime had, it was kept from him for a reason and myself and a few others are the only ones who know who his parents are. Sasuke you'd do well to remember this but his is also the last of a once great clan that was wiped out. You two have more in common than either of you know. In fact I think in light of all this it's time for all of you to know some truths." He stopped when they appeared in the next scene.

Naruto 3 Days Old:

When the next scene appeared it showed a sleeping baby Naruto. Mikoto holding a baby Sasuke and Itachi standing next to her were looking into the room full of babies.

"Sasuke, Itachi. Meet Naruto. I hope you two become the best of friends just like me and Kushina." She said to the sleeping baby in her arms.

"Time to go Itachi."

Sasuke looked up to Kakashi questioningly. "Kushina and your mom were very good friends like she said. Kushina was so excited to find out that Naruto would be born shortly after you were and they were going to raise you together in the hopes you'd be best friends."

Naruto Age 3:

"Why does everyone hate me Jiji?" Asked Naruto. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up from his paperwork to gaze at the blonde child sadly. Naruto was sitting in a chair in front of the Sandaime's desk looking at the floor and kicking his feet back and forth.

"I don't hate you Naruto. They just don't understand, one day you'll show them that you are not what they think you are. I know what will make you feel better. How about I take you out for some ramen when I'm done?"

"Okay Jiji."

The new scene showed a very small, very empty room. A small shivering bundle wrapped in a threadbare blanket with only a tuft of blonde hair peeking out from the top. It was faint but with as quiet as the three shinobi were, they could hear the soft sobs.

"Why do they hate me? What did I do wrong? I don't wanna be alone. I just wanna be loved."

It was a soft litany repeated over and over. Sakura, once again with tear stained cheeks looked up at her teacher, shaking her head back and forth.

"Sensei I don't want to see anymore. Please." She pleaded with the older man who just looked sad.

"I'm sorry Sakura but I don't know how to undo this Jutsu. And as much as I don't want to see anymore either, even though I've seen what he's been through, I think you both should see that you've judged him unfairly. There is a reason why people act the way they act. Sakura, you were influenced by you parents and peers to act the way you do. Sasuke, what your brother did made you into the person you are today. Naruto has been through a hell neither of you will ever know personally but you will see it firsthand." They turned back to the scene.

It now looked to be mid-day and Naruto was walking down the dusty road with his head down and his eyes shielded by his bangs. Every person he walked past glared and scowled. He pretended like he didn't see them. Pretended that he didn't hear the names they called him.

"Monster."

"Demon."

"Murderer."

He kept walking through it all not acknowledging any of it until something he saw made him stop in his tracks. A boy about his age was giggling, walking in between two adults presumably his parents. The women caught him looking at her family and shot him a venomous look before ushering her family quickly away from the child. He dropped his gaze back to his feet and began running and didn't stop until he reached the top of the Hokage Monument and sat on the head of the Fourth.

"He's been going up there for this long and he doesn't even realize it's his father he takes comfort from," Sasuke commented. Kakashi looked over to the young Uchiha. It was the most emotion he'd ever seen on his face and despite the circumstances he was optimistic that maybe now he'd be able to get through to these two and maybe help Naruto out in the process.

They watched various scenes as he was berated and called names everyday by adults and children alike. With each scene Sakura felt worse and worse for how she'd treated her teammate. She silently promised to apologize to him and do better at being his friend.

Sasuke on the other hand refused to show any pity. He knew his teammate well enough to know that pity would not be welcome. He was confused as to why he felt the need to hug him and give him some sort of comfort.

They watched the next scene intently when it showed Naruto running as fast as his little legs could carry him. They could hear the harsh ragged breaths as he kept running looking over his shoulder every so often at something none of them could see. It wasn't until he tripped and fell that they saw what or rather who was chasing him. Three civilian men appeared in the image surrounding the fallen blonde.

"October 10th, the day he turned four." Kakashi said solemnly.

"How…?" Sasuke questioned. Kakashi just nodded to the image where and ANBU in a dog mask had shown up and scared off the men. Naruto stayed laying on the ground curled in a fetal position, his arms covering his head.

"You'll notice no shinobi ever hurt him even if they did look away from what was happening. The ANBU are the ones that tried to watch out for him. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to talk to him by order of the counsel and we couldn't interfere with anything unless a crime was being committed."

"We?"

"I was part of ANBU and I'm the one who found him that night." He replied remembering how tiny the blonde felt when he picked him up. He was shaking in fear and covered in bruises and scrapes. He took him to the Hokage's office that night and cleaned him up before bringing him back to the orphanage.

"Thank you Inu." The young boy said.

"You're welcome Naruto. You better go inside and get some rest."

Naruto Age 5:

The image went blank once more and none of them said anything this time, all of them lost in their own thoughts and the next time it came back it showed Naruto laying on the top of the Fourth's head watching the stars until another ANBU appeared.

"Urufu, What are you doing here?" The blonde asked with a confused look on his face.

The ANBU walked closer to the boy who had stood up and faced him. When he got close enough Sasuke could see the mask finally and couldn't contain a gasp of surprise.

"Naruto, I have some bad news. I have to go now and I won't be back."

"Like a mission?"

"Not quite. I won't be able to come back. I just wanted to say good bye, I didn't want you wondering why I left you alone. It's not by choice that I leave. I do need you to do me a favor though and keep it a secret." The boy nodded.

"You have to give me your word. I'll know you won't tell anyone if you give me your word because a ninja never goes back on his word right?"

"Alright Urufu I give my word I'll do whatever you ask and I'll keep it a secret."

"You will probably be at the academy with a little boy name Sasuke Uchiha. Can you watch out for him for me? I won't be able to do it myself, can I trust this mission to you."

"I can do that Urufu."

"Good I'm counting on you Naruto. I have to go now. Good bye."

Before the ANBU could leave Naruto ran over to him and wrapped his arms around the taller boy's waist and buried his face in his stomach. He looked up to find the other looking out over the village. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by something wet on his cheek. He thought it might have started raining but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Another drop fell before he realized what it was.

"Urufu, are you sad because you have to go and will miss everyone?" He asked innocently.

"Yes Naruto. I'm going to miss the village, Sasuke and you."

"Don't worry I'll take care of Sasuke for you and I'll miss you too. Thank you for helping me."

"You're welcome Naruto. I really have to go now and don't forget your promise." He saw the boy nod and he Shunshined away.

"What the hell is going on Kakashi? Does Naruto know who that was?" Sasuke exploded once they were surrounded by darkness. He couldn't believe what he had seen. His brother had protected the blonde and yes he should have realized something like that might happen after what Kakashi said before but Itachi was talking about leaving and not coming back. He never would have expected to see his brother talking to Naruto the night of the massacre. His brother had been crying but he hadn't shed a tear in front of Sasuke. Now he was even more confused than before. Was it an act? Why would his brother try to trick Naruto of all people into spying on him? He forgot his wanting to comfort his teammate and now he just wanted to question him to find out what he knew.

"I don't know what that was honestly, and I don't think he knows. He still doesn't know I was one of the ANBU who helped protect him." Kakashi said shaking his head, bewildered.

Naruto Age 6:

The Sandaime was walking with Naruto in the next scene.

"Tomorrow you'll be starting at the Academy and with how things are going at the orphanage I figured it was time for you to have your own place. The orphan funds will take care of your rent and utilities until you become a Genin and take on missions. By then you should be able to earn enough money to pay for everything on your own." He explained.

He handed the smaller boy a set of keys and led him up some stair to an apartment door. The blonde unlocked the door and stepped inside the Third following behind him. None of them had ever stepped foot in Naruto's apartment so this was the first time they were seeing it. It wasn't much, it was small and a bit run down but furnished. There was on large room that combined a kitchen and living/bedroom and a small hall with a door at the end which was presumably the bathroom. In the living area was a single bed situated under a large picture window that looked out on the Hokage Monument. The kitchen was smaller than the living area and had a table with two chairs. The Third handed him an envelope.

"There's some money in there for food I left you a few things to get you by until you can go shopping tomorrow after class. The linens on the bed are new and your clothes have been brought over from the orphanage, I put them away myself. I wish I could stay longer Naruto but I have too much work to do. Have a good night and let me know how your class goes."

"Thank you Jiji. Good night."

They watched as he closed the door after the Hokage left and removed his shoes before stepping further into the apartment. He stopped and hesitated for a moment then shook his head and went over to the bed and sat down. He leaned against the window and looked up at the heads of the Hokage. Silent tears made their way down his whisker scarred cheeks and he sat like that for what seemed like hours but had in fact only been a few minutes. He raised his hands and wiped the tears away.

"No more. I will not cry anymore." He vowed to the empty room.

He stood once again this time going to the chest of drawers and pulling out his pajamas and disappeared into the bathroom. The scene went dark again.

There were many more scenes of the same verbal and physical abuse but this time they were intertwined with him constantly getting thrown out of stores, sold bad food and over charged for everything. It explained why he ate so much ramen.

Naruto Age 12:

They watched as he went through his first day of class and meeting the rookie 9. He would occasionally laze about with Shikamaru, eat with Chouji and play various pranks with Kiba. Sasuke watched his and the blonde's rivalry in a new light now with additional information. Before he knew what he did now, he always thought the younger boy hated him, but looking at it now Naruto was baiting him into opening up even if it was to his own detriment. And Sasuke could admit, if only to himself, that he took a lot of his anger out on the blonde just for the way he acted. He never bothered to see that there was no real malice or anger coming from the other boy. It never reached his tone or eyes no matter what words were spoken.

They watched as he failed the Genin test again and sat outside the Academy and Mizuki walking over to him.

"Iruka-Sensei's tough, but he's not against you."

"Then why? Why only me?"

"He wants you to be strong with all his heart, but that will never happen if he goes easy on you. He's like you, ya know? No parents…no family."

"But…this time I really wanted to graduate."

"Then I guess I have to tell you."

"Huh?"

"It's a secret, but I'm gonna let you in on it."

The scene changes again but without a pause this time.

"Let's see. The first one is…multi shadow clone jutsu. Aaaaah! Not this again! It's my worst jutsu!"

"Uh?"

Iruka shows up in the image.

"It's all over. He he he he he."

"Te he he he he. "

"Huh?"

"Caught me already? Not bad. Your quick sensei. I only had time to learn one technique."

"Listen Iruka-sensei! I'm gonna show you this amazing jutsu and you're gonna let me graduate then everything will be okay! That's the way it works right? Anyone who learns a jutsu from this scroll passes."

"Huh?! Where'd you get that idea?!"

"Mizuki-sensei told me about it. Believe it! He told me where to find the scroll and this place…"

Multiple kunai come flying out of nowhere and they watch as Iruka shoves Naruto out of the way.

"I see you found our little hide away."

"So that's the way it is huh? I should have known!"

"Naruto! Give me the scroll now!" Mizuki yelled from a nearby tree.

"Wait a minute! What's going on here!?"

"Naruto! Iruka is just trying to scare you 'cause he doesn't want you to have the scroll."

"Huh!?"

"Stop lying Mizuki! Don't let him trick you Naruto!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha! Oh I'll tell you who's really lying."

"No Mizuki!"

"They've been lying to you your whole life Naruto. Since the decree twelve years ago."

"What decree?"

"Everyone knows except you. Iruka's trying to hide it from you even now. He'd do anything to shut me up!"

"What is this decree? Why does everyone else know about it?"

"Don't tell him it's forbidden!"

"The decree is no one can tell you the nine-tail fox is inside you!"

"Naruto! Don't let Mizuki get the scroll! It contains forbidden jutsu that can put this village in grave danger! Mizuki used you to get the scroll for himself for his own power!"

"The fox spirit that killed Iruka's parents and destroyed our village has taken over your body! You are the nine-tails fox!"

"STOOOP IT!"

"They've all been sneaking around hiding things from you your whole life. Didn't you think it was strange how they treated you? Like dirt! Like they hated you for just being alive!"

"No! No no no no!"

They watched as Mizuki threw a giant shuriken at Naruto and Iruka moved into it way protecting Naruto and getting hit himself.

"Why?"

"My…My parents…After they died there was nobody to…Compliment or acknowledge me…I always acted like an idiot…Just to get people's attention. Since I wasn't good at things like learning or doing homework. It was better than being nothing so I just kept acting like an idiot. It was so painful."

"Naruto you must have also been in a lot of pain. I'm sorry Naruto if only I had done a better job you would never had to feel like that."

Naruto just stared up at his teacher in shock and then got up and ran. Then Mizuki started talking again.

"Naruto isn't the type to have a change of heart. I think he's planning to use that scroll to get revenge. You saw those eyes earlier. The eyes of a real demon."

"Naruto isn't like that."

"Well that doesn't really matter. I'll kill Naruto and take the scroll then I'll come back for you."

Naruto was hiding behind a tree not too far from the two teachers.

"You'd even transform into the thing that killed your parents just to protect him."

"You idiot I won't let you have that scroll. Naruto and I are the same!"

"If you use the skills in that scroll you can do whatever you want. There's no way that demon fox wouldn't try to use the power of that scroll. Unlike what you're assuming."

"Yeah. The demon fox would do that. But Naruto is different. He is… I've acknowledged him as one of my excellent students. He may not be the hardest worker and he is clumsy and no one accepts him. He already knows what it's like to feel pain inside the heart. He isn't the Kyuubi. He is a member of the Hidden Leaf Village. He is Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto listened to the two shinobi from his hiding place. His eyes were tear filled but he didn't allow one to fall.

"Well whatever Iruka I said I'd take care of you later but I've change my mind."

Mizuki prepared to attack Iruka but before he could Naruto stopped him.

"You shouldn't have done that." Mizuki told the boy as he was getting up.

"Don't touch Iruka Sensei, I'll kill you!"

"You idiot why did you come out. Run away!"

"I'll kill someone like you in one shot."

"Try it trash and I'll return the pain one thousand times over."

"Then do it demon fox."

They watched him do the hand signs.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."

All three stared in shock at the sheer number of clones. They were surrounded from all sides as well as above.

"Wha..? What's going on?"

"Weren't you gonna kill me with one shot?"

"Well then I'll start okay."

They watched as the thousand Naruto' beat Mizuki unconscious.

"I went a little too far." The boy said embarrassed.

"Naruto come here. There's something I want to give you."

They watched Iruka take off his hitai-ate and place it on Naruto's forehead after removing his goggles.

"Now Sensei?"

"Okay now you can open your eyes."

"Congratulations on graduating Naruto."

"So that's how he graduated." Sasuke murmured to himself.

When it came to the 'incident', the day teams were called, he flushed slightly and was glad no one was watching. It really wasn't as bad as he made it out to be and he watched Naruto's reaction after that and saw Naruto eyeing him with a strange look Sasuke couldn't place, even after they had taken their seats again. He did wonder what the boy thought of it. If he hated it like it looked or if he thought something else.

The scene skipped to team introductions where Sakura commented that she actually looked like more of an idiot than Naruto. It went to the bell test next, where they all laughed at Kakashi's Thousand Years of Pain.

Then it was suddenly done. The scene faded to black and they were back in the bright sunlight on the bridge with their blonde teammate unconscious in front of them.

Sakura's eyes were red rimmed and puff from crying. She let out a relieved sigh when it seemed to be over but ran to her fallen teammate when she realized he was still lying there unconscious. Sasuke still looked as unmoved as he usually did except for a faint redness under his eyes. He followed Sakura kneeling next to his teammate's body. Kakashi went right to Naruto to check him out and determined that he was okay.

"Sasuke I have to go see the Hokage very quickly. Your house is the closest do you mind taking them there and waiting for me?"

The young raven nodded and got Naruto up onto his back to carry him to the Uchiha Compound, Sakura following behind him.

"If he wakes up before I get there do not say anything about what we saw or ask him any questions. Understand? We all will sit down and discuss this later." They both nodded and he Shunshined right to the Hokage's office to report on what happened.

In the Hokage's office Hiruzen listened to Kakashi finish reporting what had happened on the bridge this morning. He didn't like where this was going and sighed out a mouth full of smoke.

"I made it clear to Sasuke and Sakura that they could never speak of the things they saw to anyone but me, you, and Naruto but I'm afraid that we have no choice to tell him about his parents." The Third pulled his pipe away from his mouth and made to protest against it.

"With all due respect Hokage I went along with your decree and the counsel's but I cannot in good conscience keep this from him anymore and to be perfectly honest I don't want to keep it from him. With his two teammates and a hand full of other people including us knowing who his parents are now and we keep this from him now, when he finds out later in life he will feel betrayed by all of us. I don't even want to know what would happen if he felt betrayed by us as well as having to put up with the hatred of the villagers." He sighed wearily and wiped his hand over his exposed eye.

"I was trying to be polite and respectful but I'm telling you now, you can do what you like to me but I am going to tell him. I think he's old enough to know what the consequences could be if the information got out. But I trust him. I think there's more to him than he's ever let anyone see and this may help bring them all together specially Sasuke."

The Hokage examined the Jounin standing in front of him. He noted the tense posture, hands fisted and pure determination in his eye. He thought over what the younger man had said and couldn't fault him for wanting to do this. Kakashi had been adamantly against keeping everything from Naruto in the first place and he knew Kakashi wanted to be closer to the last connection to his Sensei.

"Alright Kakashi. You will make sure he knows what could happen if any of this reached the wrong ears. I won't punish you for this since I'm giving you permission. And tell him I'm sorry that I had to keep it from him and I hope he'll come see me when he's ready."

"Okay Hokage. I better go see if he's awake." He said and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

At the Uchiha residence. Sakura opened the door for Sasuke and followed him in. They toed off their shoes at the door and Sasuke walked into the living room still carrying the boy. He made it over to the sofa where he and his female teammate laid the blonde on the sofa. They moved the table out from in front of the sofa and Sakura sat on the floor sitting with her back leaning against it at the boy's feet. Sasuke stood next to the boy who looked like he was sleeping peacefully before moving toward the kitchen.

"Would you like some tea Sakura?" he asked and she looked up at him startled.

"Yes, please." She replied quietly.

He came back some time after that carrying a tray with four cups and a pot of tea. He sat next to her close enough that if he turned his head a little to the right he could see Naruto's face. They poured their tea and sat there sipping it quietly.

"Will he be okay?"

"I don't know, but if he's not we will make sure he will get better."

"Right. You know I hate myself a little bit for what I've done. I'm afraid he won't be able to forgive me even if I apologize."

"All we can do is try and be there."

"You're not usually this talkative what's wrong?"

"I've started to realize some things. To be honest I would like you a lot more if you weren't all over me all the time. Don't get me wrong I will probably never like you the way you want me to but things could be better. We are teammates we should be acting like it."

Sakura turned away from him and thought about what he said while drinking her tea. Kakashi chose that moment to pop in. "Still not awake?" the both shook their head negatively and he sat across from them on the floor and poured himself a cup of tea also. He sat there watching his two students. Sakura was staring down at the empty cup in her hands and Sasuke was watching Naruto out of the corner of his eye. Kakashi waited patiently for the questions to start.

"Does he really not have anyone?" Sasuke finally asked Kakashi who looked at him in surprise. That was not a question he was expecting.

"In terms of family, not that I know of. The Uzumaki clan was wiped out when his mother was still young and he is the last of the Namikaze clan since his father was an orphan. As for friends, well he has you two, me, he's very close to the Third, and then there's teams 8 and 10."

"Sensei, do you think he will forgive us?" Kakashi smiled at her.

"That's not something you have to worry about Sakura. Why do you think he takes all the abuse from the village and never retaliates or seems to hate them? He takes it because he knows it's misplaced emotions they are feeling and they don't understand so he lets them take their anger out on him and forgives them every time because they have all felt loss because of what is sealed inside him."

"He doesn't deserve that."

"No he doesn't and I'm glad to see you guys rethinking your actions. It's gotten a tiny bit better but only because he makes himself out to be an idiot, loud, obnoxious. He just wants people to see him for him not the demon and when he acts like he does people see him the troublemaker not him the container." As he finished speaking Naruto started to stir. "Remember not a word yet. Let me talk to him first."

The two moved off to the side to make some space for Kakashi to kneel next to the sofa. Naruto opened his eyes and blinked rapidly. Turning his head, Kakashi was the first person he saw. "What happened Kakashi-Sensei? Where are we?"

"First how do you feel and what's the last thing you remember?"

He sat up before answering. "I feel fine and the last thing I remember is doing that Jutsu that obviously didn't work or I did something wrong."

"No it worked the way it was supposed to. I'm not sure what you were hoping to accomplish but you pulled us into your memories Naruto."

He jumped up off the sofa and backed away from his team. "They know?" He asked Kakashi who nodded. "No no no, they aren't supposed to know. I can't… They won't…" He whispered to himself brokenly both his hands tugging at his hair while he started hyperventilating. Recognizing the signs of a panic attack, Sasuke was the one who went to Naruto who had backed himself into a corner.

"Naruto look at me." He said softly. When the boy didn't look at him he grabbed both his wrists and tugged them away from his hair. He place both his hands against his chest and spoke in a soft tone. "Okay you don't have to look at me just listen. Feel me breathing? You have to breathe with me or you're going to make yourself pass out."

With his next inhale Naruto took a deep breath matching Sasuke. During it all he never let the other boy's wrists go and rubbed soothing circles at his pulse points with his thumbs. He didn't take his dark eyes off his friend even after he saw him calming down.

"Sasuke, how did you know what to do for a panic attack?" Kakashi asked him curiously.

"I used to get them a lot after…It took me a while to figure out how to break myself out of them before I passed out." He answered while still keeping his breaths slow and steady. "Are you better now?" Naruto nodded and tugged at his hands to have Sasuke let him go.

Naruto lifted his head but kept his eyes trained on Kakashi who looked back at him the same as he always had. "Thank you," he told the other softly.

"Naruto, why won't you look at me or Sakura?"

"I don't want to see you guys look at me with their eyes. I don't understand why you're being so nice to me. You hate me."

"I'm sorry." This made Naruto look at him in surprise. He had never heard the Uchiha apologize to anyone. Ever. "I never hated you."

"But, you said…"

"I know. I lied."

"Why?"

"I'll tell you later okay?" he whispered loud enough for the blonde to hear but no one else. He looked behind Sasuke to see Sakura walking over to them. Sasuke moved to the side to make room for her. Once she was within arm's reach she threw herself at Naruto hugging him around the neck and sobbing.

Completely thrown off he just stood there his arms at his sides. He threw a 'help me' look at Sasuke who smirked at him and raised an eyebrow as if to say 'isn't this what you wanted'. He mouthed a no at the raven haired boy. Sasuke looked at him with surprise and amusement. It seemed that he was learning a lot more about his teammate than he ever thought he would.

He finally took pity on him. "Sakura you should give him some space. He doesn't even know why you're crying." She backed off and wiped at her wet cheeks.

"I'm sorry Naruto."

"I don't get it why are you guys apologizing to me. I should be saying sorry for dragging you into this mess." They all looked at him incredulously.

"We're saying sorry for the way we've been treating you." Sakura replied.

"There was never any reason to apologize. I acted like an annoying moron was. I don't blame you for treating me like that." His two teammates shook their heads at him but didn't know what to say.

"That's very understanding of you Naruto, but I'm afraid I must apologize also. There are things I have had to keep from you. Not by choice but still… You might want to have a seat this talk might take a while." The three sat on the floor leaning against the sofa, the blonde sandwiched between the pinkette and raven. Kakashi sat across from them and took a deep breath before beginning.

"Well I guess it starts with who your parents are. Your mother's name was Kushina Uzumaki and your father was Minato Namikaze."