Memories of Konoha
By Bashfulglowfly
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha walked (well Naruto jumped…) down the stairs onto the beach that was away from the main harbor of Uzushio. There was no one there, which the two boys had counted on since it was well past lunchtime so there wouldn't be anyone enjoying a meal (or trying to, considering the opportunistic seagulls) on the sand.
The two genin walked quietly to where the sand was damp from the ocean and began walking.
"Spill it." Ordered Sasuke.
Naruto snorted a small laugh and looked at his best friend. "What do you remember of Konoha?"
Sasuke was silent for a moment.
Both boys had lived in Konoha, the oldest of the Hidden Villages, but by now, Sasuke knew that they while they lived in the same village, they lived entirely different lives.
"I remember it as a nice place, calm, family everywhere, fun. But I also remember, before we left, Mother and Father arguing. Itachi was becoming different. Secretive. I remember other adults meeting with Father. Some even meeting with Mother. Looking back, the adults were afraid, I think. Shisui's told me a little bit about that time, and I've overheard other things. I think we were lucky to leave Konoha when we did."
Naruto who had been listening quietly nodded.
They walked a little further.
Naruto spoke. "The Konoha I remember was scary. People would always yell and throw things at me. Curse at me. People even…" Naruto took a deep breath. "I was almost raped a couple of times."
"Naruto!" Sasuke was horrified for his friend.
"No one actually did." Naruto hastily reassured his friend. "Was saved by this ANBU with grey hair the first time. And Nagato-nii, Konan-nee and Yahiko-nii saved me the second time and then brought me here."
"Good. I hope they hurt the ones that tried to hurt you."
"I remember lots of blood the second time. I don't remember much about the first time. It's sorta blurry."
"Do you want to go back to Konoha?"
"Not really but I want to become a chuunin."
The Chuunin Exams were being held in Konoha and it had been announced that Uzushio would be attending with the assistance of another Hidden Village. Not Konoha who had been their traditional ally.
"Don't worry," said Sasuke. "They wouldn't dare touch you. You're the nephew of the Uzukage, you are a jinchuriki and you're my teammate. If something happened to you, we'd raze that filthy village to the ground."
Naruto beamed and the stress left his face. "Burn it then turn it into a mud puddle?"
"Burn it then turn it into a lake probably."
"A lake is always useful." Naruto spun around, tripped Sasuke to the sand and began running. "Last one to Ichiraku Ramen has to pay!"
"YOU LITTLE SHIT!"
Fox-like laughter rang out as Naruto dodged a gigantic fireball.