Hey guys! I'm back and ready to rock! Sorry... just got back from Rock on the Range in Columbus Ohio... and it was probably the best thing I've even had the fortune to attend. It was just all kinds of badassery... the highlight for the week was 5FDP (5 finger death punch) and A7F (avenge 7 fold).

Anyway, as I'm sure most of you know already, I havent really updated anything in quite some time. I dont really have a reason for this other than a combination of schoolwork (I blame Thermodynamics) and a lack of inspiration. I swear, I AM working on new stuff, in fact, I just have to put the finishing touches on a few things, and ill be ready to upload a chapter in at least 2 stories, so be on the lookout for those in the next few days.

I would also like to take this chance to thank everyone for their patience with me and my slow ass, and for their reviews. You all honestly have no idea how good it felt to get people who sincerely liked what i had to write, and took the time to tell me. For that I thank you.

Moving on, here is another chapter from yours truly, about our dear friend Naruto and his obscure childhood. Warning: It gets a little dicey, but hey, i just spent 3 days listening to heavy rock, so you have to cut me some slack here...

disclaimer: I dont own Naruto you twats.

Chapter 4

December 31st

It's been a few months since I last wrote anything down. I found something out that I was never supposed to know, but now that I think about it, Hiruzen, because I refuse to respect a liar, probably would have wanted it that way. I've finally discovered the reason I am the bane of Konoha.

It's because I'm a Jinchuriki. More specifically, the Kyubi's Jinchuriki.

About a week ago I overheard a group of doctors in the hospital after one of my 'accidents', and that was all they could say about me. It was like I wasn't even a person, like I was a demon. It all makes sense now, the hatred, the glares, and the nightmares, all of it.

That night when I fell asleep I met him. He was about what one would expect, huge, angry, and terrifying. In fact, he did everything in his power to make me wet myself, but then I remembered that in my body, in MY mind, I'm the one in charge. We talked for a bit, well, more like he threatened me a few times and ordered me to let him out, but I didn't listen to him.

It's ironic really, the one person who fights every day to keep the beast at bay, and Konoha decides to try and kill him on a weekly basis. It's so tempting… Oh so tempting… I could just give in and let him go, and all the pain would go away. I could erase the entire village, but that wouldn't be fair.

I know there are those in the village who have never done a thing to me. I can't let my pain hurt anyone else. This is my burden to bear, and if the Yondaime trusted me enough to keep the beast contained, then who am I to prove him wrong? So ill carry this burden with a heavy heart, and pray that things change.

February 18th

Hinata looked at the date curiously, unsure whether to feel happy or sad that he chose to write something down a few days after Valentine's Day. Based on the past excerpts she could only guess what they were about.

I… I can't even describe how I feel with words right now, but I have to write something down. I have to get it out, and I have to remember. Hiruzen tells me that he's going to have some guy called Inoichi block my memories, something about mental trauma, so I need to remember, so I don't forget…

It started like any other day, I woke up to the sounds of someone throwing something threw one of my windows, but that is where it changed… I don't know what it was, and it was a little fuzzy because I was still waking up, but what I do remember was that everything caught on fire… It was so hot, and there was so much smoke I couldn't see anything. I managed to get out of my apartment, but they were waiting for me.

I don't really remember much of what they said, but it was something about how their family was the first to be devoured by the Kyubi. As soon as I heard that I stopped struggling… I stopped hoping… I accepted their pain and anger, because I knew there was no one that would save me.

The next few lines were blurry again, from water damage, from someone's tears. From Naruto's tears.

First they stripped me naked, and then the blows came. I don't know how long they hit me for, but I know it felt like forever. This was the most they ever hit me, and it was the most I've ever hurt before. I drifted in and out of this darkness, and when I finally came to they were stringing me up on this… on this large cross. The last thing I remember was someone lighting this large bundle of sticks at the bottom of the cross on fire, then everything went dark.

I… I have to remember this; I don't want to forget this. I don't want to forget the sacrifice, but Hiruzen won't let me, so I have to have that guy block my memories. I can hear them coming, so I have to put this away. Good luck me…

Hinata brought her hand to her mouth to force the bile back down. She had never been so disgusted and ashamed to be a part of humanity. She closed the book and threw it down, as if its very existence was an anchor that held all the pain in Naruto's heart.

She wanted to do so many things. She wanted to cry with Naruto and tell him that she was sorry he had to go through everything he did. She wanted to find those who did it and repay them the same pain they gave Naruto tenfold, but she knew Naruto wouldn't ever want her to seek vengeance. But more than anything, she wanted to be close to him, to hold him and let him finally have a shoulder to cry on. She was finally beginning to understand Naruto, and it was the hardest thing she's ever done in her life.

Hinata shook her head as sleep threatened to overtake her, and she looked over at the unconscious blonde in the hospital bed. She bit her lip as she summoned the courage to actually do what she so desperately wanted to do. After a few minutes of debate she stood up from her chair and pulled back the covers on Naruto's bed.

She slipped her Chunin vest off and lay in on the chair she was in. With a red face she then snuggled up to Naruto's side and laid her head on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. She picked up his arm and wrapped it around her side, enclosing her in everything that was Naruto Uzumaki.

'It's like he's holding me close…'

Forcing herself to block on the horrible things she had read that night, she finally fell asleep with a blush on her face and a smile on her lips.

END

Well, i know it was short... sorry about that, but i mainly just wanted to reassure everyone that i was still alive and working.

So, if you liked it, then i encourage you to read my other works and review/follow/favorite as you see fit!

Until next time, Peace