Just a scene of an ANBU-raised Naruto looking through a window wall, trying to perceive the outside world.
Background: Naruto was raised in complete isolation and has never seen anyone besides his ANBU guards.
The wall had been there since he could remember.
It was cool and almost invisible, but Naruto always felt its presence.
He could feel it in the smoothness under his fingers. He could see it in the tiny handprints his palms left when he leaned against it, and he could hear it in the soft chime the zipper of his jacket produced when it brushed against it.
Through the wall, Naruto could see the small figures moving freely up and down the street below him.
Citizens his minders had called them.
They lived inside this village.
Inside Konoha.
They did not have an invisible wall in front of him like he had.
They could move freely.
Citizens.
What a strange word.
What a strange concept.
His gaze wandered farther down the street towards the green dot at the very end of it.
"This is a playground," a monotone voice spoke up behind him.
Naruto could see the crimson-striped, white mask reflecting from his invisible wall. "A playground? What is that?"
"A place where children play," the monotone voice answered.
"Children?" Naruto mouthed the word. It felt strange on his lips.
"The age span between birth and being a working member of society," the mask replied, stepping closer towards him.
Naruto hummed thoughtfully. "So, am I a child, too?"
The answer was immediate. "No." A gloved hand settled on his shoulder. "You are different. You are special."
Naruto placed his palms against his wall and peered towards the playground. "They are jumping up and down. Why?"
"They are playing a game."
"A game?" Naruto was fascinated, "Is that like training? Like the things you always do with me?"
The man was quiet for a second. "There are similarities."
Naruto leaned further against the glass. "So, they are training their evasion abilities? But…they don't look like they are training. They look…not in pain. Their expressions are clear."
"You are mistaken." The grip on his shoulder tightened. "This child over there is crying."
Naruto followed his gaze.
A young boy was kneeling on the ground, holding his scratched knee.
A female immediately ran over and clutched him tightly against her chest.
Naruto was utterly captivated by the action. "What is she doing?"
"Punishing him, as she should," the mask replied, "There is no reason to cry over something so insignificant."
"But…" Naruto pressed his forehead against the glass, "it looks…comfortable."
He had barely finished speaking when the hand on his shoulder suddenly yanked him back, and he was pulled tightly against the mask's body with crushing force.
The man's grip was so tight, Naruto could barely breathe.
"Does this seem comfortable to you?"
Naruto shook his head. "It hurts."
He was released abruptly and immediately sunk to the floor, gasping greedily for air.
"Yes, it does," the mask agreed, retreating just far enough to allow Naruto to turn around and place his hands against the cool glass.
He looked back to the playground, still breathing heavily.
The woman was holding tightly onto the child.
Naruto felt sorry for him.
