So i know that last one was super short but... i just felt like it..
On the third day Naruto realized that even if he wasn't to disintegrate into the ground that it wouldn't be possible and his stomach protested.
He was lost and confused which is why he came to the pond. He was surprised no one had appeared and tried to drag him back but at the same time he doubted anyone would. The only one who knew that he went to this place had been...Rin. And it was his mother who had originally showed him the spot. And his father who found him here when they had played hide and seek….
The only people who really remembered this place… were dead now.
He sighed. He wanted to keep being angry and keep crying but he was tired of it all. He understood why his father had done it but it was painful regardless. Naruto began to walk away. Should he go home?
The place was so empty and cold now he could hardly bare it. In fact he would gladly be tortured again if it meant he didn't have to stay in that place…
He jumped over a couple of training fences trying to kill some more time. What should he do? What could he do…. His mom had said to never forget who he was but… why did that seem so confusing now?
He saw three post in the distance, and monument.
He remembered that day when Kakashi had said they passed and he felt himself get closer… closer to what?
Become stronger for what?
To protect people?
Who has he been protecting?
Everyone important to him have been….
He blinked as he noticed someone in the distance,
"Hinata?"
She seemed to jump and move behind one of the post,
"Na...Naruto?! What are you doing here?... everyone's...been looking…"
Naruto always thought the shy girl was funny but watching her run at the sight of him peeved him a bit,
"Actually i don't know why i'm here, but this is the place i became a genin so maybe…"
"Maybe?"
Naruto pouted,
"Nothing, who cares!?"
He say her face visibly drop and chided himself a bit.
"Oh...i'm sorry…"
Naruto sighed, he still didn't know why he was there but now he was here he had to say something,
"Uh...you've gotten stronger huh?"
Naruto didn't know why he was trying to talk to the girl he barely ever spoke to her before, but she seemed to smile,
"Yes! But surely...you.. I mean..you must be…"
"I"M NOT!"
Both of them blinked in wonder. Naruto had no idea why he had yelled like that,
"I mean...i'm still not…"
It got quiet and Naruto couldn't seem to understand what was wrong with him,
"Uh… i've watched you… for a while now.. I mean… and…"
Naruto cringed was she admitting she was a stalker?!
"Watching you… I feel like i've changed… I.. started liking myself.."
Naruto felt a pang. Did he like himself? Was this who he wanted to be…?
"Is that true…?"
Hinata looked taken aback as Naruto continued to look down,
"I may come off that way...I seem strong but… it's cause i'm scared… i'm so damn frustrated.. I want to want to protect others but i'm always failing...and-"
"That's not true…"
Hinata said and Naruto looked up to the timid girl still hiding behind the pole,
"Even when you always fail… Because you fail… you have the strength to get back up.. Because i believe that's what true strength is…."
"When...a person has someone important they want to protect….they truly become strong…"
"You will be strong"
Hinata gave him a gentle smile that painfully reminded him of Rin and his mother and even when his father had been kinder,
"I...I think you are an incredibly strong person, Naruto."
And Naruto couldn't help but smile unable to hold back the tears,
"Thanks…"
He said rubbing his eyes,
"Thank you...Hinata"
Because it seemed so long since someone had given him anything so wonderful like kind words that believed in him.
His mom had left doing her best to fill him up with her love before going and she had. Rin had left him with important memories to guide him. And though his Father hadn't left him with kind words or a cup full of love he left him with a legacy that Naruto still hadn't lived up to.
Naruto still had a lot more to do and learn. And now his heart was decided, he knew exactly what he wanted….