I remember after that a blonde framed face with deep, blue eyes. At first I thought him an animal, because of the whisker-like markings on his face. I was happy, because I recognized part of him. Not him as a person, but the look on his face, the look of pure loathing. It was such a familiar look, and it made me feel more comfortable. I told him my name. For some reason, I knew my fate was in his hands.

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Naruto walked quietly, steadily, ignoring his surroundings with a cool indifference. What was the point? Sasuke was gone, and even Shikamaru, the genius, could not bring him back.

Over the past few months, Naruto's imagination had gone awry, distorting the size of his friendship with Sasuke. They had been best friends, lifelong buddies and friendly rivals, but it was true that their parting had been violent and quite unfriendly. Yet Naruto's imagination expanded their friendship, made it seem as though losing Sasuke was like losing his own life.

Naruto had not left the boundaries of Konoha with a set mission, but his feet knew their way regardless. There was a small pond surrounded by shrubbery and an immense willow tree that he went often when he was feeling down. Unlike his Konoha comrades, Naruto chose to do his weeping in private, far from prying eyes. In public he was the same as always; happy, energetic, motivational, but it was a struggle to maintain his constant hyperness, to always be the dumb but lovable one.

He stopped, startled. Shikamaru was bent over the shimmering pond, holding a small girl in his arms, maybe a girl of about four years old. His face was set in steel, his eyes dull. He lowered the barely conscious girl to the water. Naruto yelped with a start, realizing what Shikamaru had in mind. He ran to the girl, knocking the unresponsive Shikamaru away.

Cradling her in his arms, he stared, bewildered, at her dark eyes and black hair. Her pale skin. Her frail frame. The tilt of her chin, stubborn even in her weakness. A sob caught in his throat.

"An Uchiha." he croaked, looking over at Shikamaru, who knelt on the ground, his face contorted in disgust, pity, and oddly, fear.

"You… you're judging her by her background, aren't you?" Naruto hissed, suddenly furious.

Shikamaru laughed. "Can you blame me, Uzumaki? She's the child of a murderer, a blood betrayer, niece to a traitor."

Naruto snarled, his eyes glinting with anger. "She is as much a murderer as I am a demon."

His statement was met with silence, finally broken by Naruto's almost plaintive plea. "I'll take care of her, Shikamaru, I will."

Shikamaru stared at his hands rather than at Naruto, contemplating the drowning he had almost followed through with. "She steps a toe out of line, she's banished," he warned needlessly.

Naruto nodded, "Unders-"

The girl moved feebly, interrupting her savior. "R-ryshuki… Uchiha Ryshuki…" she murmered, then closed her eyes.

Author's note: This update was brought to you by something541's very motivational review. Reviews make me write. I'll try to update more regularly. xD

Those of you who remember my last story may recognize the name Ryshuki. I love that name, and I didn't want it to dissapear.