A/N: Once again, my thanks go out to all of the people who have taken the time to leave their reviews. I would like to specifically thank LordCynic, for filling in as my Beta reader when my normal one was unavailable (that's what I get for finishing the story at 1 AM my time, right?). This chapter is the longer than my others in here, so enjoy.
Chapter 4
"B-but a demon? Sealed INSIDE of him?"
"More than a demon, Hinata. That is the Kyuubi, the monster that attacked our village eighteen years ago."
"Who… who else knows about it?"
"Everyone who was over the age of six at the time, plus Naruto and his team. The Third made a law forbidding this information to their children, and I can see why he did it. Wise as he was and as needed as it looked, though, the Third made the biggest mistake of his life with that, and just the way their parents acted around Naruto influenced your generation."
I…see. This must be why he was always getting into fights, why he's been so lonely all of his life. What must it be like, to have that power imprisoned within you, and be shunned for being the prison? Nothing I know can compare, but… I think it may be a little like what I felt, that moment when I heard my own father cared so little about me. But Naruto has been suffering it for a lifetime. He's made tough, or he would have snapped a long time ago.
"That… explains a lot. But why is he only snapping now?"
"If I knew that, we wouldn't have to be out here. All that I know is that all started a week ago, when he got back from rescuing Sasuke."
When he rescued Sasuke… why didn't I see it before! The cause is clear, but what can I do about it?
"Shizune-sama, I think I know why he's like this. You know what his goals in life have been for a while, right?"
"Enlighten me, it's why you're here."
"Two things. The first is to someday become Hokage."
"And the second?"
"To win the heart of Haruno Sakura, whom he's known since before we were all genin."
"Wait, Sakura is the girl who was with him on the rescue mission. By all reports, she's been in heaven, just getting to know Sasuke again."
"Th-that is true, and it may be the problem. She's in love with Sasuke, for good, putting her well outside of Naruto's reach, beyond all hope. He fought and fought, fulfilling his promises to everyone… and what he has gotten back is nothing but the ruin of half of what drove him forward."
There was a moment of silence.
"Thank you, Hinata. If we had known that earlier this could have been avoided. For now, though, we have to find him. Quickly, before he makes it to the next village. I don't want to see what will happen if he loses it there."
---
Naruto sneezed as he climbed out of the chill water of the river, nearly an hour after diving in headfirst. He sat down on the bank of the river, still dripping wet, contemplating the waters.
Why did I lose control like that? How many more people have I killed, not knowing that I've done it? Am I just the monster that everyone thinks I am?
The pain of his life, the numbness of the past week, the guilt and fear all filled him. As he sat there, staring at the deep, running waters, tears began to stream down his face, the first he'd cried since returning to Konoha.
"What am I? Am I human or monster?" He asked of the air. "I can't even trust myself anymore. What if I black out like that among my friends? They're strong, but more than one of them would die. Sakura, Sasuke, Hinata, Shikamaru, Neji, and the rest… maybe all of you are better off without me there."
He looked at the river once more, a new and dire intent forming itself in his mind.
"I can't even trust myself enough to ever become Hokage. There is nothing left for me here, anymore."
---
"Shizune! Naruto is right that way, 100 meters away… he's pulling out his kunai! Hurry!"
Shizune could only marvel over course of the past mile at the sense of purpose radiating from Hinata. But now, so close to their goal, they were about to see it all slip away in front of their eyes.
---
"Goodbye, Konoha. Most of you will be celebrating my death, and I hope you enjoy it." Still, he had to build the will to finally do the deed.
"NARUTO! STOP!"
He turned, kunai in hand, staring into the woods. Who could be there? Who would care enough to stop him from ending his own life?
A form burst from the edge of the woods, graceful, beautiful. He saw Hinata, rushing to stop him. He saw her, and looked for the first time straight into those pearl-white eyes, that had seemed so blank before.
"H-Hinata…?"
Those eyes… they know me! They feel and share all that has happened to me! Hinata actually cares about ME, not what I contain. I've been blind all of my life, and she has just been waiting for me to open my eyes and see her. What is this feeling, within me… my heart feels like it's straining out of me, like she's drawing me in.
I am not alone!
---
She could see, clearly, the moment of decision, that tensing of the muscles that would lead to the fatal strike. So she did all she could do.
"NARUTO! STOP!"
He turned, kunai in hand, staring into the woods. The questions were in his eyes, not knowing whether he should disregard the shouted plea.
She burst through the tree line, running toward the one she cared for. Her eyes rose as though driven, and looked straight into his for the first time. Those beautiful blue eyes, which had always before shown a cheerful mask, no longer did so, and she saw the truth of the young shinobi's core.
Those eyes… they see me for who I am! They see ME, not my family. They see what I've been feeling for all of these years. But the pain… the agony he has suffered in silence for so long is coming to an end. He was tortured in the dark, but no longer. I am here, now, and nothing will ever separate us again.
I am not alone!
---
Shizune watched as Hinata desperately sprinted forward at a speed that left light somewhat in her wake. She saw that moment when their eyes finally met, when they truly saw each other for the first time.
Naruto dropped the kunai he had been contemplating, now forgotten on the ground to his side. Forgotten for the young woman now in his arms. Both were crying tears of joy, their faces showing an incredulous combination of feelings. Peace. Warmth. Love. Trust. Both looked as though they never wanted to let go.
It would seem, Tsunade-sama, that you were right. He needed watching, but this mission is over. Completed successfully, and I believe this won't become a problem again.
A/N: Before you ask, this tale is not over. More will happen before the Epilogue, so stay tuned for my next update.