A/N: Hi guys! Thank you so much for all the reviews/favs/follows! The last chapter got such a response, I'm so happy! Hooray! So I decided to kill Minato off- he's a nice dude and all, but, for the sake of the story, he'll die. But we'll have Naruto! Also, Kushina is very much dead. Her status was hid from the majority of the village for security's sake. This chapter is about the time spent at the hospital, before the orphanage. It's emotional. A bit. I'm bad with emotions, I have guilt-tripping moments and that's kinda it. The character is like me. He tries to distract himself and find an answer to the questions, make things better. I also decided to answer to reviews in PMs – it's a lot faster this way.

Here we go! Hope you like it c:

'…smth…' – thinking

See the end of the chapter for translations. *

Disclaimer: don't own Naruto.

Warnings: Language, description of death, a bit angst (I'm really bad at angsty stuff, sorry).

Childhood Arc: Hurt

Time heals all wounds. And if it doesn't, you name them something other than wounds and agree to let them stay. - Emma Forrest

Pain. So much pain.

Jeez, what the he hell is going on? Oh god, that's one killer headache I've got. Why do my eyes hurt so much? And what's with the fucking smell? Is this antiseptic?

God, did I get into hospital? But why would I? I'm an introverted Computer Science student, finishing my BSc. I never party; neither do my very few friends. I live with my parents and older brother. Due to me being an unsocial person, I spent most of my time home, either reading or sleeping.

So why on earth would I get into a hospital? The last thing I can remember is preparing for a date and-

Fuck. I'm a fucking moron. I try moving my hands that are so tiny. I can remember pale skin, black hair and mismatched eyes of a toddler. My whole body is tiny, not suitable for an adult. No shit, after all, being reborn and all the crap. At least there weren't enough people to actually be hurt by my death back home… nah, I was a jerk. They'd get over it. I hope.

One mystery is solved. But back to the topic – what the hell am I doing at the hospital? I remember the day starting with Oba-chan and me opening the shop. It was as usual. I went upstairs to train, as I always did. The day went on as always. It was… the eight of October? The ninth? So close to the Kyūbi Attack...

My head! Argh, it hurts so much! Gosh, I can't even think normally. And my leg's in a cast – why would it be this way?

Ok, back to the topic. So the day continued as usual, nearing dusk. People were coming home, shinobi were traveling through rooftops, kids were playing… I could feel their life, their spiritual energy shining brightly in this dark world. It was fine, just before the roar broke-

The roar. The sinister chakra filling the air all around my village, the immense form of a fox demon, the dead – the blood filling every inch of the ground, the tangled limbs all over me, the innards covering the floor, the screaming, the severe destruction, the hideous feeling inside my gut…

Ba-chan's lifeless form, her mangled body pierced, her viscera falling onto the ground, her eyes so dull, blood everywhere. Her hands outstretched because she threw me. She saved me.

I was supposed to protect her, but I couldn't. I was too weak, too slow, too stupid. I completely forgot about the butterfly effect, and it laughed at my stupidity. I wanted to save her, but I didn't. And there is no way to bring her back.

Idiot. I feel my eyes water. My throat is dried than Suna. My room is filler with people, moaning in pain, but I tuned them all out. My body won't move, can't move. It's not because of the physical pain, no, that one is bearable. On the other hand, my mind is just so... blank.

'She's dead and it's my fault. My beautiful, precious Oba-chan is dead. She'll never smile again, never laugh. She was always so full of life, always there for me. She was the parent I needed, the light in the darkness of this world. She took care of me when my parents died, always smiling for me. This gorgeous person that always saw the best in others. Her skull crushed, her chakra gone, blood everywhere. She died to protect me, died for me. She did so much for me… and I did nothing'

Tears were already streaming down my cheeks, wetting the pillow. My body was shaking, which caused for my broken leg to hurt even more. A sob broke out of my mouth.

'Ba-chan…' "I'm s-sorry."

I broke down. I was a sobbing mess, crying, and screaming and kicking. The IV was ripped out of my arm, causing me to bring it closer. Medics came rushing down, trying to calm me, but it wouldn't work. I had only one thought in my head, repeating it over and over again like a mantra.

'I'm sorry for failing you, Ba-chan. For failing you all.'

Three days have passed since I woke up. Most of the time I was on drugs. When not, I'd lose my shit and dissolve into a crying mess again.

I haven't been paying much attention to what people said. I'd hear an occasional "Sandaime's back" and "Demonic spawn".

My leg's mostly healed. Perks of Iryō Ninjutsu, I guess. My medicine helps me sleep. A few people tried talking to me, but I saw no reason to answer. It doesn't matter. Nothing matters anymore-

No, thinking like that won't do me any good. She died, they all died. But letting them die in vain is the worst thing to do. I was born into this world, given a chance. My soul chose this world. I survived till this moment and I will change things, fucking up the plot or not. I saw too many die due to some batshit crazy stuff on some stone written by some type of symbiotic demigod and I'll not let any more pass away because of it.

Life is a precious thing that we treat too insignificant, and I'd rather die than let it stay this way. But to make this dream come true, there are still many more to die. I'd need to deceive every single person in this village, but that's okay. After all, a shinobi's purpose is to endure.

With that in mind, I drifted of to sleep again, thinking 'Thank you, Oba-chan.'

Next day came fast. I woke before dawn. Everyone else was still asleep. The room got spacious – I guess some people left… or worse.

There was some water on the floor, near my futon. I guess too many were wounded to spare actual beds. I reached for it and flinched when pain echoes through my sore muscles. What the…

I looked down and saw my whole body bandaged. My leg was out of the cast, but it still hurt like a bitch. The IV was in my left arm. What little skin was visible was covered in bruises and cuts. I was wearing my slightly tattered and overly filthy pants and shirt. The room stunk of antiseptic even more now than before. The floor was dirty and bloody, at least 30 wounded of all ages were here. The walls seemed like they used to be white, but they were tainted red and grey with dirt and blood.

I tried reaching for the water, flinching once again. But this time I managed to take hold of the glass. Catching my breath a bit, I brought it to my lips and took a few sips of water – liquid of the paradise – and started to do the one thing possible at the moment. Plan.

First things first: I need to remember the fucking attack. I remember freezing from the bijū's chakra, then grabbing my bag-

Where in the seven hells is the fucking bag?

I turned my head around, searching for it. I know that they won't be able to decode it… or they will, but it'll take them like a few more years. But before planning on leaving the village, I saw my bag to the right, decorating the floor with its existence.

Forgetting about the pain, I rush to the bag (and whine 'cause of the stupid decision) and throw its contents on the floor. My eyes follow the three notebooks as they hit the floor. My knees give in out of relief, making me stumble. Picking the notebooks back up with my shaky hands, I place them back into the bag and put it near my futon. Who knew that walking a few steps on a broken leg could be that exhausting…

Aaaand I blacked out.

Waking up for the second time, I find the room stuffed with people. Some of them are crying next to the people in futons, but others are iryō-nins. Exactly what I need.

"Excuse me, Sensei? Could you help me, please?" I ask the doctor to my left, standing with her back to me. My throat is dry once again. Argh!

"Hi! Finally, you are responsive! We were so afraid! My name's Natsumi, it's a pleasure! What's your name, little one?" Asks the doctor. She wears this strange robe/dress/whatever iryō-nins in Konoha wear. She smiles at me, but it's just too far-fetched. The bags under her eyes speak off sheer exhaustion and that the amounts of casualties don't allow the iryō-nins even the briefest moments to rest.

I look at her, trying to make my mouth twitch up (and failing) and say: "My name's Amachi I-Isamu, Sensei. I'm t-two years. I have no parents. My Oba-chan d-died," I gulp, looking at my hands, "she died a few days ago during the attack. I-I wanted to a-ask if the f-funeral happened already. And h-how many died. And what h-happened." Gosh, am I stuttering? And shivering? So pathetic of me. I might have lost a lot, but that doesn't give me permission to just break down. I'll need to train in hiding my emotions… without Danzō. Yeah, not gonna come near him. Uh-uh.

Her smile slipped, her gaze grew even wearier. She looked at me, brown eyes meeting my mismatched ones. A frown appeared on her face, making her look a lot older. "An orphan. I see. I'm sorry, Isamu-kun. About the funeral… it happened yesterday. Many were lost, including the Yondaime himself. The demon destroyed everything in its way, not shoving any mercy. But Yondaime-sama managed to defeat it. But, "she leaned closer, as if to tell a secret, "beware a blond-headed demon. Don't let its looks deceive you." She took a step back, relaxing her posture. 'That bitch… no, it's not her fault. Not many can see a difference between a vessel and a tenant. Poor Naruto's orphaned once more. But this time he won't be alone, I swear,' I think, getting a bit determined. Yes, showing Naruto a bit more love would only be for the best. Before I could continue my trail of thought, she asked me: "Isamu-kun, do you have any other relatives in Konoha? We could get in contact with them easily." She reassures me while checking on my vitals and leg.

"No, they died a long time ago." I answer, feeling a pang in my chest. My hands reach for my hair, only for me to stop out of pain. My first mom and dad are in the past, my second died before I could get to know them.

"I see. It means that you'll be put into the orphanage. Do you know if your family has shinobi background?" She asks.

"Yes. Tou-san used to be a Tokubetsu Jōnin. I don't know about kaa-san."

"Ok. In this case, I guess that you'll be put into the academy sooner or later. For now you'll be moved to the orphanage. There're many kids your age there so you won't stay alone. You'll be provided with everything there. Today at noon a caretaker will come to take you there. Sorry once again and good luck!" With a wave, she left me buried in my thoughts.

Konoha Orphanage. The place that Danzō favors the most. Bad, very bad. But I can't stay in the shadows. Guess I'll need to stay away from him and train at the same time. But how would I do that? Plus, I hate interacting with "kids my age". That will bring attention to me. But can I simply say no to him? Or…

Or I can go to the Sandaime and report Danzō. Two birds with one shot. And I can't just sit down doing nothing. There is a shitstorm coming the village's way. But making myself a target won't do me any good. And I need to find a field to specialize in.

Hmm… it won't be taijutsu. No way. I hate moving and sports. I will train in it, of course, but only to some extent.

It won't be ninjutsu. I like it, but it's too taxing. I'd run out of fuel in minutes. Plus I'd be young when the shit starts, meaning that my chakra reserves won't finish growing by the time. So no do.

I will try iryō-ninjutsu. It's interesting, practical and isn't too taxing. And come on, healing wounds without medicine! It so cool!

I also will try kenjutsu. It's practical, can be combined with ninjutsu and is rather interesting. And, you know, the more the better.

Fūinjutsu doesn't even need to be considered - I will train in it. It's so much like math and computer science! I love it. And this is the art that can do practically anything. So yay!

As for genjutsu, it's something I'd love to specialize at. It plays with a person's mind, fools senses and helps you manipulate them. It can be perfect for almost every field. And, for all the good I can do in the frontlines, I'd rather stay in the back and help from the shadows. It's easier to gain control over situations this way, and it's more secure. Maybe I'll even combine fūinjutsu and genjutsu. Oh, the possibilities! This would be beautiful! I might even find a way to fool the infamous sharingan! And-

Yeah, firstly I must stay alive long enough. Well, at least now I have an outline of the plan.

At noon straight an old woman with greying hair in a bun and hazel eyes came to pick me up. She had a kind smile on. She was rather short, her back arched a bit from the stress. She wore black and white robes. Her skin was tanned and wrinkled. She walked to me, eyeing me calculatingly, but kindly.

"You're Isamu-kun, right?" I nod once, answering silently. "My name's Rei Shinju. I'm the orphanage's current head caretaker. I've heard about your loss, I'm very sorry. We'll try to make you seem at home with us. There are kids of every age from infancy till early teens living with us. I'm sure you'll find many friends." She stoops talking to offer me a hand. I take it without a second thought. She seems like a rather decent person I'd like to keep on my good side. She helps me up slowly, then she lifts me up and throws my bag over her shoulder. She spares me a glance before asking: "Do you have any questions before we arrive?"

Looking into her eyes, I decide to ask the first few that are bugging me. "Have the bodies of the dead been identified? What was done to them? Where are they buried? Can I visit my Oba-chan's grave? What is the overall outcome of the attack? What happened to the monster? How many people will live with me? Will I get an allowance? If yes, then how often and how much? What about my family's estate? Will it be passed over to me? What about-" My ranting was cut short will a hand slapping my mouth. Oops, guess I just pissed her of.

"Aren't you a smart one? To answer in order: Most have been; they were cremated; no, they weren't; yes, you can leave the orphanage from nine am till noon; 4000 injured, 1380 dead as of today; it was defeated by Yondaime-sama; there will be eleven more boys sharing the room; yes, you will; it's monthly, consists of 300 ryō plus 4 percent every year till you start earning your own money. If you enroll into the academy, your allowance will cover all the necessary equipment for the studies; your family's estate will be sold, but you will be given a smaller apartment in time. Okay, let's get you to the orphanage before we spend the night in here." She said, holding me closer and leaving through the doors to the hospital.

And we were set on a new journey.

*Oba-chan – aunt

Kaa-san – mother

Tou-san – father

Kyūbi – Nine Tails

Bijū – tailed beast

Iryō-nin – medical ninja

Sensei – doctor

-kun – honorific, indicates a boy

A/N: And done! Yas, finally finished it. It was slightly too emotional for a person as laid back as I am. I wanted to show that he was blaming himself, but he learned the lesson. He died, which is why he lets go. He knows that they'll meet their own lazy minor god and go to… whatever place they go to. Also, the people were still taking about the Nine Tails 'cuz Sandaime has yet to make the rule about forbidding them from doing so. The nest chapter is about the orphanage and canon characters are filling the game! Finally xD

Hope you liked it and please review C: