A/N- New chapter

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Naruto woke up from another night of restless sleep. Since he had arrived in this world, he had not found peace. Every time he tried to sleep, he would be plagued by nightmares of the war and other terrible memories, which made getting any rest impossible. Meditating or practising Senjutsu helped a bit, but it wasn't a good substitute for proper sleep.

"Ah, man, I'm still here." Naruto woke up, rubbing his eyes groggily. He was hoping that this was all some horrible dream, and that he would wake up and go train with team 7.

No such luck.

"Well, let's just pass the day by somehow." Naruto muttered, getting out of bed to make breakfast. This country still didn't have ramen, but they did have eggs and toast, which is mostly what Naruto ate these days.

"What am I gonna do, Kurama?" Naruto slumped in his dining room chair, closing his eyes in frustration. "I don't know what to think!" he slammed a fist into the table, but there was no force behind the blow. Why bother? It was not like breaking a table was going to change anything, and he'd just be stuck with table splinters to clean.

"Dammit, I cannot catch a break." He gripped his hair with his hands, hoping for some magical solution to appear out of thin air. It did not.

"I don't know, brat." Kurama's tone was sombre, "But I do know that your parents and teachers would not want you to wallow in misery like this." Kurama said, hoping to cheer him up.

It was the wrong thing to say.

"I don't care what they would say!" Naruto snarled, clenching his fists tightly, "They're all either dead or somewhere I can't reach! What's the use of following such advice?"

Kurama was silent. This was concerning. Naruto was a man who thrived on bonds, and for him to disregard them so casually…

"It's no use." Naruto was clenching his fists so hard that his fingernails dug into his palms, drawing blood. "I'm alone in this accursed world thanks to that bastard, while everyone is celebrating a war which I STOPPED!"

If someone saw Naruto now, they would faint from the sheer killing intent which he was giving off. He was furious, and all the emotions which he kept buried for the sake of his dream were resurfacing. Anger, jealousy and hatred. Naruto didn't see a point in swallowing his hatred for the village's benefit anymore. There was no village to speak of.

"I'm here." Kurama wasn't the most (or any amount) expressive person, but he still tried to help out Naruto.

Kurama's words caused Naruto to pause, and the murderous intent disappeared into thin air. Naruto understood what the fox was saying. He wasn't alone, and Kurama was there with him. Naruto appreciated the sentiment more than he could express in words.

"Yeah, you are. Thanks, Kurama." Naruto gave a slight smile, thankful that at least his oldest partner was here with him. If even Kurama wasn't here, Naruto was certain he'd have gone off the deep end.

"I'll make something to eat. I need the distraction anyway." Naruto shuffled over to the kitchen and opened the fridge.

As he was making an omelette, Naruto's eyes wandered to the empty pie tray on the countertop. The pie which his neighbour had made for him. She had been so happy and cheery when they met, and she was cute. The red hair was always a plus.

That pie was the most delicious dish he'd eaten so far in this world. He'd polished off the whole tray in one sitting.

Lily had come over with the pie yesterday, and said that she'd return for the tray in a few days. Naruto wondered when she'd be back.

"Why do I care? Not like I want to see her again." Naruto stirred his coffee with extra dedication. Did he want Lily to come by sooner? He didn't know. Naruto found that he didn't know a lot of things these days.

Knock-Knock

"Who's that now?" Naruto turned off the stove and went to open the door. He didn't really get any visitors, Lily was the first person other than the milkman who had come to his place.

Naruto opened the door, and-

"Hey!"

"Hey!" Lily chirped, a big smile on her face. She'd just come by yesterday, but she was bored and had no one else to talk to. So, she thought to visit her new neighbour.

Naruto paused for a brief moment at the door, not expecting her to show up so soon. "Hi." He nodded. Well, not that he minded anyway. It was a welcome distraction from being alone with his own thoughts.

Lily pouted. "Why the long face, mister?"

"She's really bubbly…"

"It's how my face normally is." Naruto tried to crack a small smile, though it was just an act. "Did you come for the tray?"

"Yep!" Lily nodded, looking past him into his house. "Can I come in?"

"That wouldn't be the best-" Naruto refused, but was interrupted.

"Let's go, lets go!" Lily beamed, and moved past him, grabbing his arm and leading him inside.

"Hey!" Naruto protested, but allowed her to lead him inside. He was careful to control his strength. If he had actually pulled his arm back, Lily's shoulder would have dislocated. He'd never hurt someone innocent like that, no matter how angry he was.

He still didn't want her inside his house, but he could usher her out after she took the pie tray.

"Do you want to kick her out, though?"

Kurama's words fell to the wind as the duo entered Naruto's house.

Lilly hummed happily, leading Naruto by the arm. And it was a good arm, too. Very muscly.

She would normally be cautious of going to a boy's house, but Naruto didn't seem like the bad sort. He was a bit gloomy, sure, but not malicious. She had a good eye for people. Besides, she had her wand on her, in case of emergency.

She had no way of knowing Naruto's abilities.

"Wow, this is a big place!" Lily said, eagerly looking around his house. It was pretty spacious for one person, but maybe his parents visited from time to time?

"It's good enough for me." Naruto followed behind, not knowing how to deal with the situation. "I'll give you the tray, so you can be on your way."

Lily glanced at him, noticing his unease. "Do you really want me gone that bad?" She asked, leaning towards him. She resisted giggling when he shuffled awkwardly and tried to step back.

"Umm…" Naruto was speechless. He did want her to leave, but he couldn't bring himself to coldly dismiss her like that. She had been nothing but nice to him, and he didn't want to hurt her. "It's not like that." He looked away, finding the table very interesting.

Lily smiled to herself. He really was a nice boy. She decided to change the subject to help him out. "So, do you live alone?"

"Yes, I live alone."

"What about your parents? Where do they live?" Lily sighed. She was trying to chat with him, but he was giving her nothing.

"Dead."

Silence.

Lily gasped in shock. "Oh…" She widened her eyes, not knowing what to say.

"Oh my! What a horrible thing to ask! Is that why he's so sad? Did his parents pass away recently?"

Lily felt horrible. She couldn't imagine what she'd do if one of her parents left her, but both? Naruto must be in so much pain! And she'd brought up those memories, stupid Lily!

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"It's fine, you couldn't have known." Naruto waved her off, totally unfazed. He had long since made peace with his orphan status.

"But still…" Lily chewed on her lip, looking down in shame. She was hoping to make a new friend, but she didn't know if it was possible now. Barely five minutes into talking and she'd made such a massive blunder. He'd forgiven her, but he was just nice like that. He must be hurting all the same.

Seeing the obvious guilt on Lily's face, Naruto sighed in irritation.

"She's really nice, I guess I can put her at ease." Naruto didn't like seeing her so down over something which wasn't her concern. It spoke volumes about her character.

"I really liked the pie you made me."

Lily looked up, only to find Naruto with a small smile on his face. "He has a nice smile. He should smile more often."

Glad for the change in topic, Lily shook her head and grinned. "Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. Would you like another pie?"

"You don't have to do that."

"Oh please, I insist! If not anything else, let me make up for being such a dunce earlier!"

Naruto rolled his eyes, as he knew a stubborn person when he saw them. "Okay, if you say so. But don't feel obligated to make it."

"Nonsense!" Lily then got an idea, a really good one if she said so herself. "You know what, why don't you come over to my place? You can meet my family, and I'll bake you the pie there."

This was what Naruto was dreading. She was a nice girl, but Naruto seldom had the patience to deal with people these days. He was always wallowing in his anger, and he didn't mind being that way. If he increased contact with the neighbourhood, he'd keep having to interact with these people.

So, Naruto tried to refuse her offer, but…

Staaaaarreeee~

He found Lily looking at him, with her wide green eyes shining with anticipation. She looked adorable, like a puppy. Still, he remained firm.

Staaaaarreeee~

Lily inched closer, not giving him any respite. She knew he was going to refuse, so she had to put him on the backfoot. Lily knew that Naruto was too nice to openly hurt her, so she took advantage of that fact. She felt a bit guilty, but it was for his own good.

He could use a friend, maybe even more than she wanted a friend.

"Haah, fine." Naruto ran a hand through his hair in irritation. "Troublesome girl."

Lily giggled, as she knew that the insult was half-hearted. They left his house and crossed the street to Lily's home.

"Hmm, seems like my parents are away." Lily hummed, looking around the living room. "Ah, my sister is home." Lily muttered in a quiet voice.

Naruto noted the slightly irritated and sad tone in her voice, but he didn't bother commenting on it. It was none of his business.

"Well!" Lily snapped out of whatever thoughts she was having, and turned to Naruto with a smile. "Let's start that pie, shall we?"

Naruto nodded. "Sure." He wasn't about to refuse another delicious pie. "Which pie are you making now?"

"Hey, would you look at that? You can ask questions!" Lily joked, and her grin widened on seeing his flat look. It was fun to tease him.

"Ha ha." Naruto was not amused. He just wanted to take his pie and leave, but this redhead seemed intent on getting a rise out of him.

"Oh, come off it, don't be so stiff!" Lily giggled, and took out a big bowl to mix the ingredients.

"What are you doing?" A cold voice cut through the room, destroying the comfortable silence they had been enjoying.

Naruto noticed Lily give a slight wince, and looked to the new voice, only to find another girl older than them. She looked average, nothing compared to Lily for sure. Lily seemed to know her, though. So he just opted to wait and watch.

"Oh, Petunia, you're home…" Lily said, not looking at her sister. Petunia was normally away in London with her boyfriend, Vernon. But she had been staying with the family for the summer. While Lily still liked her sister, the feeling was most certainly not mutual.

"Of course, I'd be home! Are you being daft?" Petunia snapped, making Naruto raise an eyebrow. She looked at him, only for her eyes to widen a bit as she took in his appearance.

"Oh my, and you are?" Petunia completely changed her tune while addressing the handsome man in front of her. While she had her Vernon, there wasn't any harm in looking, was there?

"Naruto." He replied curtly. He didn't bother asking this woman who she was, he simply didn't care. It also rankled him how she was behaving with Lily, who had been so nice to him, someone she didn't know.

"Quiet, are we?" Petunia didn't think much of it, and went to sit across from Naruto at the table. "How'd you meet my…sister?" She asked, giving a side eye to Lily.

Lily perked up. "Oh, he's the new neighbour, so I thou-"

"Did I ask you?" Petunia snapped, making Lily's eyes widen in shock. She smirked in sadistic glee. Good, let the freak hurt.

Lily looked at her sister with hurt in her eyes. Had their relationship soured so much? She could remember a time when they were thick as thieves, but Petunia just hated her guts nowadays. Lily hadn't asked to be a witch. If things between them could go back to normal, she'd trade her magic off in a heartbeat.

Blinking away unshed tears, Lily resumed making the dough in sadness.

"So, how'd you meet my sister?" Petunia repeated her question, batting her eyelashes at Naruto. Such a handsome boy had come to their place, and he'd just be bored with Lily around. Petunia decided that she would hang out with him instead.

"None of your business." Naruto dismissed her, noting that Lily had stopped stirring the apples.

"Wh-what?" Petunia blinked in shock. "How rude can you be?" she glared at him in anger.

Naruto was fed up with this bitch. He'd seen plenty of people who hated others just for the heck of it, and he was done with them. "You're one to talk, treating your sister like that."

Lily had fully turned to face them, her face a picture of shock. Naruto was a really nice boy, and she'd expected him to be polite to Petunia as he had been with her. But this? This was a new side to him!

"So, he's only nice to some people, huh? I can't say I hate that…"

Lily was beyond happy that someone had stood up to her. While she hated bullies, she could never bring herself to fight with her sister. That didn't mean she liked being insulted, but she couldn't stand up to Petunia. Now, this boy who she'd known for one day was defending her.

It felt so nice.

But Petunia wasn't done. "Why are you defending that freak?" She sneered, making Naruto raise his eyebrows. She could see Lily's face morphing into panic. Oh, she was going to enjoy this.

"What do you mean?" Naruto tilted his head in confusion.

"Petunia, don't-!"

"She's a witch, a freak who uses magic and other creepy things!" Petunia sniffed, and gave a victorious smile.

Lily had raised her hand to interrupt her sister, but sagged in defeat when she heard Petunia blurt out her greatest secret to Naruto. She knew her sister hated her, but to go to this extent just to hurt her?

Lily felt betrayed, as her eyes brimmed with tears. Oh, sod it, now she was going to cry in front of Naruto. Her sister would probably laugh at her misery instead of comforting her.

Naruto turned to her. "Is that true?"

Lily was at least thankful that he didn't blindly believe her sister, but it wouldn't make any difference. She steeled herself and nodded. "Yes, it is. I'm sorry you had to find out this way."

Lily waited for the insults, for the rejections, for the hate. But none came.

"Eh, okay."

"Bwuh?" Lily sputtered, looking at Naruto in confusion. He wasn't even fazed? This was magic, you know, magic! But still, a slight smile bloomed on her face. At least he didn't hate her like her sister did. She could still make friends with him.

Naruto didn't see what the big deal was. Lily could use magic, so what? Not like she was any threat to him. Plus, she was a nice girl, and her sister was just a bitch. Why would Naruto hate her just because of something like that?

"Human envy knows no bounds."

"Yeah, tell me about it."

Petunia couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Didn't you understand me? She's a witch? She could use magic to do all sorts of horrid things to you!" she breathed hard, hoping to get her point across. She also didn't want Lily to have such a cute friend.

"So, what? Lily's too nice to do something like that." He waved her off, not even bothering to look at her anymore.

"Naruto…" Lily whispered, hope growing in her heart at his faith in her. Maybe he would accept her? She'd get over it if he hated her. She'd known him for one day after all. But it still wouldn't be a pleasant experience.

"No, you oaf!" Petunia barrelled on, trying to make him see sense, "I'm saying- th"

"Hey, you ugly hag, can you shut your stupid face!?" Naruto snapped at her, making both girl's eyes widen in shock. "You're annoying, and that screeching of yours is giving me a migraine." Naruto dug a finger in his ear, hoping to get that shrill voice out.

"How dare you-"

"Sit." Naruto glared at her in disgust. He didn't want to deal with her anymore, so he sent a small burst of killing intent to shut her up. It wasn't enough to hurt her; he just wanted to scare her straight. Better to have her afraid than to bear more of her screeching.

However, it had an effect which Naruto couldn't have anticipated.

"O-okay…" Petunia whispered and quietly sat down on her chair, a heavy blush on her face. All her anger had completely disappeared. She was glancing at Naruto from time to time, and had started twiddling her fingers together. "I won't yell anymore." She trailed off, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

Naruto blinked. "Heh?"

"What just happened?"

Lily was speechless. Her sister, who was so hateful and angry till now, had totally changed her tune. She was blushing and shyly looking at Naruto! Lily had read that some people liked when others took charge, but never thought her sister would be like that? Maybe because no one had bothered to put her in her place before?

Whatever the case, when she saw Petunia looking at Naruto with such a gaze, Lily decided that she didn't like it. Not one bit.

"So…"

"So?"

Lily's words died down in her throat as she couldn't think of anything to say. After the bizarre encounter with Petunia at her house, she and Naruto had left to go walk in the park. Petunia tried to follow them, but Naruto told her to mind her own business.

Why had her sister giggled and agreed instead of snapping back?

But that wasn't the most pressing concern. Naruto had found out about her being a witch, and she didn't know what his thoughts were. He didn't seem to hate her, but that was it.

"About what Petunia said, what do you think?" Lily ventured, unable to look him in the eye. She'd hate for their friendship to end before it even began, but this conversation was inevitable now.

"The magic stuff?" Naruto asked nonchalantly, making her nod. "I don't really care about that."

Lily wouldn't have it. "You don't have to be nice! It's not an easy thing to digest. Please tell me what you really think."

Naruto could tell that she was distressed. Maybe because that bitch of a sister kept bullying her because she was jealous or something. Naruto knew how this scene went- the other neighbour kids were also in cahoots with Petunia, just like Konoha kids were in his past. Whatever anger or hatred he was feeling, he couldn't let Lily suffer the same.

Naruto sighed. "Look, Lily," He began, making her perk up, "You're a really nice girl. You were kind to me when you had no reason to. If you think I hate you because you use magic, you can rest assured I don't."

Lily slumped in relief, finally convinced. "Thank you. I was just scared of losing a new friend, but I'm glad you don't hate me." She smiled at him, her red hair flowing gently in the wind.

Naruto's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly controlled himself. He most certainly did not think that she looked cute right now. But still, he responded. "When did we become friends, troublesome girl…" He grumbled, smiling slightly.

Lily got the message and gave a beaming grin. While he still looked reserved, he did try to cheer her up. "Yep, yep! We're friends now, mister!" She giggled when he rolled his eyes.

"Fine, fine. Whatever you say."

Lily stuck out her tongue at him. "Pooh. I don't know what's got you so down, but I'll try my best to help you!" She put a hand on his shoulder, noticing his slight flinch. "It's what friends do."

"It's what friends do."

A friend. Naruto had a new friend in this new world. Through all the bitterness and anger that clouded his mind, Naruto wouldn't deny that it felt nice to have a friend.

He hadn't planned on making any new friends, but Lily had connected with him at a surprising pace. And he felt comfortable with her. She was nice, and when she offered her friendship, Naruto didn't have the heart to refuse.

"It's not gonna make a difference. I'm still stuck in this accursed world…" Naruto listlessly looked at the ceiling. His dark thoughts returned in full force. He didn't know what he was supposed to do. His dream, his purpose, was all out of his grasp. He had nothing to look forward to now. Sure, he'd made a friend, but what good would that do? Nothing mattered anymore.

Naruto was snapped out of his depressive spiral when he heard a few light taps on his kitchen window. Groaning in irritation, he moved to check the cause of the disturbance.

"Is that an owl?"

A/N- Done!

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