Wistful Thinking
WC: 361
Naruto spends most of his life wishing for something that he knows will probably never come true.
For the first twelve years, he wishes that people would see him as who he is. But even later in life, people still tend to first see the orange that marks his supposed 'idiocy.'
When he achieves his dream, he still wonders if they see him, the Hokage, or him, the Orange Wearing Idiot.
For his six months on a regular genin team, he wishes that they would just look at him. Sakura only glances at him to shout; Sasuke merely sends deriding sneers; and Kakashi-sensei's eye moves right past him.
When Sasuke shoves a Chidori into his chest, he wishes they could go back to those six months again.
For most of his adolescence, and even onward into adulthood, he wishes that Sasuke will come back. He wishes that Sasuke will finally stop self-destructing, lay down his sword, and simply walk back into the village.
When he shoves a Rasengan into the other's chest, he knows it's never happening.
For the next couple of years, he wishes Sakura would stop crying at night. He sits outside her window, completely silent, listening to her.
When she gets killed on an A-Rank, he stops wishing she'll stop crying, and starts wishing he had never sent her out there.
For his first year as a teacher, he holds his breath, and wishes that his team will turn out okay. The first thing he sees is a dark haired kid, with pale skin, and a brooding expression on his face. Immediately, he shoves a kunai up to the boy's throat.
When the other two start shouting at him, even as the dark haired one looks at him with wide eyes, he scarcely dares to stop wishing, and start believing.
When he is proved right, he wonders why he ever thought he was going to be proved wrong.
Maybe wistful thinking isn't all that bad, after all.