Chapter 1 – Wish
(3rd Person POV)
It was a cool night in Konohagakure; the transition of the seasons finally beginning to manifest in the weather. Summer was slowly turning into Autumn and with Autumn came chilly winds.
A young boy with nothing but a white t-shirt, orange shorts and black sandals walked down a street. His name was Uzumaki Naruto.
As he walked down the street, he looked at each cart, store and stall in awe. The lights, the decorations, the food... As amazing as they all were, they weren't what had his attention. In actuality, it was the people.
He felt an inexplicable warmth when he saw people laughing and chatting together. Adults would jokingly fight with one another and talk loudly, allowing him to hear bits and snippets of their conversations: it was a warmth he enjoyed.
And a warmth he would never feel, he thought to himself. He continued on the path he had been walking, dragging his feet with each step. And slowly but surely, the people began to notice him. They moved to the side, giving him room as their faces took on expressions of pure disgust. Others jeered and pointed, elbowing friends and family members, saying, "Look! It's that kid!"
Naruto tried to block this out. After all, it was nothing new. They always acted like this when he was around, treating him like he was some kind of monster even though he had never done anything wrong.
Something red caught his eye and he turned to look: hanging on the wall of a market stall was a red and white fox mask. It spoke to him for some reason, so he reached out for it.
"You want this?" The stall owner's voice was kind when he saw a kid's hand. But as soon as Naruto's face came into view, all traces of kindness disappeared.
"It's you!" He startled Naruto with a shout, "What do you want?!"
Following Naruto's gaze, he picked and ripped the mask off the wall, throwing it at Naruto, "You've got it, now leave!"
Bending over to pick up the mask, Naruto saw that a crowd had once again formed. He clutched the mask tightly in his right hand, his fingers digging into it. "I'LL SHOW YOU ALL!" He yelled, "I'M GOING TO BECOME HOKAGE AND THEN YOU'LL SEE!"
As soon as he finished screaming, he turned on his heel and ran up the hill, trying and failing to ignore the dozens of eyes that were on him.
"Become Hokage?" One spectator said after Naruto was long gone.
"Leave him." Another scoffed, "It's just his nonsensical rambling."
"That monster our Hokage? Kami forbid it."
Up on the hill, Naruto walked over to his tree swing. It was originally made for any and all children, but once a mother had spotted him sitting in it, she pressed her lips together and told her daughter it was time to leave. From that day forward, it was abandoned. A deserted throne for the deserted prince.
Sitting down, he let out a sigh and lifted the mask up to inspect it. There were nails marks on its right cheek, where he had tightly clutched it.
"It's worthless now!" He threw it as far as he could, his eyes tearing up, "Just like me."
Using his right fist, he wiped his eyes and sniffed, "No! That's what they want me to think. But I'm going to become Hokage. Then they'll treat me like I'm somebody."
Usually, when he said that to himself, it cleared his mind of any sad thoughts and calmed down. At this moment though, he developed the urge to pray. It came out of the blue, like a sudden sugar craving.
Since no one had ever bothered to teach him anything, Naruto didn't really know how to pray. He knew Kami was an all-powerful being, but he didn't know the facts, so he started his prayer like it was a regular conversation.
"Uh, hey there Kami-sama," He cleared his throat, "You've probably got more important prayers to answer other than mine. Kids starving, people dying, disease and stuff."
He paused to take a deep breath and then said, "I shouldn't be complaining right? I have clothes on my back and I never go to bed hungry. But, if I were to go hungry for the rest of my life, I wouldn't even care. I just want somebody to love me."
The tears were flowing unhindered but Naruto didn't care. He kept his hands folded, pressed tightly in his lap in and sniffed, "Please Kami, please..."
She was bored. Nothing ever happened up in Heaven. Sure, there were some cool dead people and it was fun to watch them interact. But how many times can you see the same thing without getting sick of it? Same old arm wrestling matches. Same old jokes. She had heard the same stories over and over.
It's much more fun when you're alive, she thought to herself. Then she heard it; the sound of a crying child.
All of them seemed to hear it, except for the deceased. They were created to do that, with their senses tweaked to the maximum. The Watchers. They gathered around a clear pond, which they referred to as the Looking Well. It allowed them to see anywhere on Earth.
She crouched in front of it, staring at the image before her. It was a young blonde boy in Japan. He was sitting on a swing, held by rope connected to a sturdy tree branch.
"What's he saying?" She asked.
"He's lonely." One of the others whispered an answer, rolling his eyes.
"Pffft, big deal." Another one brushed him aside, "There are kids dying right now. He'll survive."
"I don't know..." She stood up, "I think I'm gonna go help him."
"You can't leave without permission!" They called after her, "You'll get in trouble!"
"I'm just going to cheer him up." She justified her actions, jumping down into the Looking Well.
She kept herself hidden until she was directly in front of him.
"Why do they all look at me like that?" He covered his face with his hands, tears and mucus running down his face. "Why does everyone hate me?"
"You did nothing wrong," She assured him, removing his hands from his face, "Trust me."
"T-Then why do they h-hate me?" He sucked in sharp breaths in an effort to calm down.
"They hate what they do not understand." She handed him a handkerchief, "Dry your tears child."
He took the handkerchief thankfully and wiped his eyes before blowing his nose. He was too surprised at her kindness to notice that she had given him the handkerchief out of nowhere.
"Better?" She asked him tenderly.
"Yes." He nodded slowly, biting his lip to refrain from saying something. She hadn't told him to scram but he didn't want to risk losing her by saying something dumb.
"What is it?" She tilted her head to the side, although she already knew what he was thinking.
His voice was barely above a whisper as he made his painful request, "Can you stay with me?"
Her eyes softened and she took his hands in hers, "As much as I want to, I can't."
"That's okay," He replied, hope fading, "You might get a bad reputation too." She knew who he was, how the villagers hated him. Being seen with him would only make her susceptible to rumors.
"That is not what I'm talking about!" She pursed her lips, "Naruto, there are some things that can't be explained."
He said nothing, caught up in his own thoughts. She reached for his hand, "Let me walk you home."
Unintentionally, when he grabbed her hand he held it with such firmness, as if letting go would mean the end of his life.
Based on this, she knew no one had ever offered a hand to him. The thought of this bothered her deeply, but she said nothing, not wanting to risk anymore heartache for him. They walked down the hill in silence, Naruto dreading their arrival at his home with each step.
But, his home was not that far from the swing. Soon, they were in front of his door, and they stood there quietly, neither making a motion to speak.
She finally broke the silence, "You should go in."
"I shoould." He didn't try to move.
"Look," She stooped down to his height, forcing eye contact, "Naruto, I don't care what anyone tells you; don't you ever doubt that you are a star."
He nodded his head, silent.
"Good." She kissed his forehead, "Now get inside and sleep."
He pushed the door open and looked back at her, "Do you really have to go?"
"Sorry. That's just how things are."
"Well...goodbye." He closed the door slowly in an effort to preserve and store the image of the only person to show him genuine kindness.
Of course, her appearance and any memories of her would be erased, but still, he had a happy thought to sleep on.
As soon as the door clicked shut, she floated back up, climbed through the Looking Well and look around. The other Watchers had dispersed, probably uninterested in her findings.
"What do you think of him?"
The voice made her jump and she quickly turned around, "Yahiko! What are you doing by the Well?"
He was wearing a white kimono along with golden sandals and a gold sash tied around his waist kept the kimono in place. He had a lecherous grin on his face, his blue eyes shining as he walked over to her.
"I heard a commotion going on by the Looking Well and when I saw you weren't around, I figured you'd jumped through," He flicked her in the forehead with his middle finger, "Was it worth it?"
"I didn't go there to goof off," She rubbed her forehead, "If anything, I feel like killing those villagers."
"Don't let Hashirama-san hear that." Yahiko chuckled, "Or Kami-sama."
She shook her head, "The village he built isn't the same as the current one. That poor kid, all alone in a place of that size..."
Yahiko crossed his arms, "You could stay with him."
She snorted, "And get myself erased from existence? No thanks."
"Not the way I know it." Yahiko motioned for her to come closer and when she obeyed, he looked around.
None of the dead paid attention to them so he continued, "You'd lose all of knowledge of what goes on up here and be sent to Earth as a regular human."
"You're forgetting something; Kami-sama knows all, sees all and hears all. Besides, where did you learn this?" She questioned, putting her hands on her hips.
"I have my sources." Yahiko put a finger to his lips, smiling lightly, "Besides, Kami-sama likes to help children. They're innocent. But that's not important right now. Are you in or out?"
She pursed her lips and glanced back at the Looking Well, still focused on Naruto. Even while sleeping, he looked lonely. Just the thought of being able to make him smile and drown him in love and compassion made her decision clear.
"I'm in." She turned back to Yahiko, a look of determination burning in her eyes.
"Alright, but first you have to get a human name. Then I'll handle the rest." He pinched his chin, "How about...Naruko?"
She frowned, "My name is Thunder Storm?"
"It rhymes with Naruto, okay?" Yahiko threw his hands up, "If you've got a better one, then go for it."
"Fine. But only because it rhymes with Naruto."
Yahiko clapped his hands together, "Now your appearance. Change...that." He waved his hand at her.
"You're seriously trying to pick a fight with me?" She put her hands on hips, "You shouldn't even be talking about looks. With your-"
"Just joking around!" He cut her off, "Jeez!"
She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, okay."
"Back to the subject," He reminded her, "I'm thinking blonde hair and blue eyes. If your names are gonna rhyme, you might as well look alike."
"Fair enough. Anything else?" She didn't bother to hide the growing impatience in her voice.
"Clothes. Unless you want to show up stark naked." Yahiko raised an eyebrow.
"I'll just conjure something up for myself when I get there." She waved her hand.
He face palmed, "You're not listening to me. Once you're there, you won't rememberanythingabout here! You won't remember you have powers, you won't remember me, you're going to be a normal human with only one thought in your mind and that is to take care of Naruto."
"Oh," She realized how serious this deal was, "I guess I'll just wear some clothes now."
"Wise decision," He nodded, "Are you still up for it? You don't have to~"
"Screw that. I'm going to give that boy the love he deserves." A layer of thick fog surrounded her and once it cleared, she was wearing an orange shirt, black shorts and standard blue sandals.
"How do I look?" She turned to face Yahiko.
"You look...normal," Yahiko smiled, "Get down there and help that boy, Naruko."
She smiled, "I will! And you'd better not interfere."
He threw his hands up, "Listen, if you're in a tight pinch, I might throw in some guidance, but other than that, I won't do a thing."
"Promise?" Naruko held out her hand.
"Promise." Yahiko clasped it tightly, verifying their deal, "Alright, now get out there and make that boy feel loved."
(Unknown POV)
"Who's there." I called over my shoulder without looking back.
"Relax, it's me." Kidōmaru stepped out from the shadows, shuddering as he rubbed his shoulders, "Geez, how can you stay out here? It's freezing."
"I like it that way." I replied, closing my eyes, "Keeps me alert and awake."
"Yeah, whatever." Kidōmaru sighed, "You know once Orochimaru makes you our leader, you won't have the freedom to do this."
I smirked, "I wonder. The only reason I'm still here with you is because I want to be. Don't forget that."
"Whatever you say Ryuu, whatever you say." He waved my words away as he went back into the hideout.
I continued to stare into nothing, lost in my thoughts. It had been three months since I had arrived in this world and yet it felt like years.
When I had first landed, I had been reduced to such a weak form, I couldn't move for days. On top of that, this body needed earthly things to survive. Just as I thought I would die from starvation and thirst, that snake man stumbled upon me and offered to help me, in the event that I stay with him for a year. I quickly agreed at the time, wanting nothing more than to be fed, but now I was regretting my decision.
"I should've just died!" I said to myself as I tightened my fist.
A red light began to surround it and I stood up as I searched for a tree tall enough to throw at it. Once my eyes landed on one about ten meters away, I threw the light in its direction.
Sitting down once more, I sucked my teeth, "Tch. I didn't even bring it down. He's telling me I'm making progress, but that's not enough. Maybe I should just~"
A sinking feeling hit my stomach and I hunched over, clutching it to try and steady myself, to no avail. 'This feeling...I've felt it before!'
It was the same feeling I had experienced when falling from the heavens three months ago. I had thought it was the pain of being morphed to a lower life form, but clearly it couldn't be.
"Oi!" I called as I struggled to get into the hideout, "Where's that bastard Orochimaru? Tell him to come quick!"
"What, what?" Kidōmaru came out to meet me, at first nonchalant with his hands on his head, but as soon as we made eye contact, he straightened up, "What is it?"
"I think another angel has fallen."
"Kami almighty," Kidōmaru muttered, "Not another one."
I ignored him and continued before another wave hit me and I feel to my knees.
"Don't die on me." Kidōmaru kneeled, helping me to my feet by slinging one of my arms over his shoulder, "Otherwise I won't hear the end of it from Kimimaro."
"Trust me, I won't die." I assured him as I allowed him to support some of my weight, "This is just what I've been wishing for. A reason to get out of here!"
