Chapter 2: Apart from 'them'

Naruto Uzumaki, Age 4

Cold sweats begin to break out. Tossing and turning in his bed. Visions of yellow eyes[Orochimaru's] and big white circles[Kabuto's] with scary smiles. Painful things were being poked at him. Tossing and turning. Cackles of laughter chasing him as he runs. Pudgy legs cramp up and thus he fell face first. Cackles of laughter. Naruto screams in his wake.
"Sssh sssh, Naruto its alright, its alright.", Tsunade held the quaking body, murmuring comforts.
"The Snakey man ba-chan [sobs]", Naruto said inbetween sobs. Clenching to Tsunade's nightgown tighter as vague memories continue to plague his naive dreams. "Sssh he's gone now Naru, no ones going to hurt you.", eyes holding immense hatred, Tsunade fervently wishes the madman responsible for this would rot in jail. Naruto cried himself to sleep as fitful dreams of madness would soon take hold of him.

This is the time when Naruto knew the horrors he cannot escape. Of a madman chasing him with snake tongue. A pair of orbs glinting with malice, laughing whilst he cries. When no matter how fast he runs the scary persons are still there. Ever in arms reach.

Naruto Uzumaki, Age 7

[Screams]
"Naruto? Its ok, its just a dream, its ok." Jiraiya sat in his bedside and the boy hugged his grandfather. Whose face was impassive and pale. "Its just a dream right?", Naruto looked into the eyes of his grandfather slowly change to that of horrible yellow. From where the old face he always knew morphed into slim alabaster. The loving hands that held him now were long and thin with blackened nails. The smile broadened and drool began to pool on his mouth. [Cackling laughter] "You are MINE!", the snake man lisped.
"No no no no! HELP! BA-CHAN! JIRAIYA! HE~LP!" [Scream], Naruto clawed away in his sleep. Kicking the bedsheets that now entangled his body.

Jiraiya and Tsunade could only hold him harder to prevent the boy from hurting himself further. Finally opening his eyes, it darted to Jiraiya first and as if hit by lightning, he jumped and bolted on the nearest corner of the room. Frantically looking around eyes round with terror shaking miserably. Fearing that he's still in a dream and that these persons were going to take him away.

"HEEEEL~P!", Naruto screamed hoarsely. His muscles began to cramp and tighten. "Tsunade! get the tranqs!", Jiraiya ordered immediately after sensing his grandson's state. "BACHAAAN, JIRAIYA~! HEEEELP!", each scream for sanctuary was met with echoing madness. "Here! Oh God help him please!", Tsunade gave the tranquilizers to Jiraiya and grabbed Naruto's flailing arms. Scratches and kicks were given but Tsunade held on for her grandson's sake. Jiraiya administered the drug and soon Naruto's outbursts began to fade. Finally slumping to deep slumber again, Jiraiya could hear Tsunade. "If ever I see that bastard. I'll make sure he regretted ever leaving jail.", never one to intentionally anger her, Jiraiya shivered at thought of painful torture awaiting the doctor.

This is the time Naruto knew what is fear. What you can't do under given circumstances. How helpless you are in the face of terror.

Naruto Uzumaki, Age 15

"Naruto, I'll be checking on you next week ok? Keep up the good work and don't forget the homeworks I've emailed you.", Iruka hugged the boy and said his goodbyes. Naruto watched his Homeschool teacher walk out the door and finally towards the waiting car outside their gates. "Hmm who is that guy.", Naruto continues to stare on as his teacher gets in the car. When he saw the two guys kiss he doesn't know what to feel. Embarrased? Envy? Jealousy? Yes. Envy, he wished someone cared for him like that man cared for Iruka. But he would have none of that. They had no neighboors, well - they do have but its a darn kilometer walk if they ever want to have a little chitchat. He knew that his life wouldn't be very exciting at the very least unless he gets into college soon. Which is gonna be in 3-4 years from now. If Ba-chan and Ero-chan ever allowed him to go out of the house.
"I wish I was normal..."
'You know you aren't, WE aren't'
"That's why I said I wish, no need to rub it on my face Kyuu"
'You know me, always love misery'

This is the time Naruto knew of emptiness. A pang of hollowness that can never be filled with just Jiraiya and Tsunade alone.

A/N:
SOoo~ wadya' think? :3 review review! its my lifeline LoL [seriously D:]
Next chap will be a preview flash back how Naruto and Kyuubi acknowledge each other's existence so its gonna be a short filler.

NarutoHinata20114251 - haha i can't when i try to mental block's threaten me hands D: BUT this will be a long one and hellava lot of chaps :D [cross fingers]