Tears of Hope

Note: This story takes place after the first attack on Konoha and Naruto's fight with Gaara and just shortly after Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage. This is not another one of those love stories you see often in fanfics, but rather a story of friendship and hope for Naruto when he has lost his will and his life is in turmoil.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor am I affiliated in any way with Naruto. I just like the show and mangas so I wrote this fanfic.

This fanfic belongs to me. If you want to use it in any way shape or form, you'll need my permission first.

I have been reading through quite a few Naruto fanfics trying to find a story that treated Naruto with respect and dignity. Their are a few good ones, but their are far too many that trample over the image of Naruto. I've always enjoyed stories about hope and upliftment, but I've found those that I have read to be less than satisfactory. Many of them laboriously detail the trials of Naruto and show his pain and hardships, focusing far too much on the bad and not enough on the good. Then when things start to finally lift up the story abruptly ends, leaving me wondering what happened from then onwards.

So I decided it was time for me to write my own story. It may not be good, but I hope that people like it and, even if it isn't good, I hope that it will give someone else inspiration.

This story starts off with something bad happening to Naruto, but it doesn't only focus on that event, but rather on how his friends help him rise out of the darkness and show everyone who Naruto really is, including himself. Hope you enjoy.

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Chapter one - Friends and Memories

It was just another day in the village of Konoha as team seven waited for their ever late sensei. Naruto and sasuke were once again bickering with each other and Sakura was trying desperately to calm them down. After a few failed attempts she finally gave up with an exhausted sigh. "These to will never learn will they" she thought to herself, walking over to the edge of the bridge that they had gotten all to familiar with. The wind shuffled through her hair and fell gently on her face. She just stood quietly and stared at her reflection in the water, the bickering of her teammates now becoming faint as memories started to flood her mind. Memories of the attack on Konoha bye Orochimaru and how Naruto and Sasuke fought to protect her.

"Sakura chan?" Sakura immediately snapped out of her trance only to see Naruto's hand waving in front of her eyes. "You zoned out there for a second" smirked Sasuke. "Are you OK? You looked like you were daydreaming" asked Naruto clearly worried about his team mate. "Don't worry, it wasn't about you" quipped Sasuke with a small grin on his face. "What's that supposed to mean loser Sasuke!" "Who are you calling a loser idiot!" Oh they're at it again" Sakura sighed, and then looked up at her teammates, Sasuke having Naruto in a headlock all the while shouting loser. She could only smile as she thought quietly to herself of how fond she had grown of the two of them, even though Naruto sometimes irritated her beyond belief she realised how important he was to her and how she would be their for him like he was for her.

Poof! Kakashi finally arrived in a cloud of smoke and almost in an instant Naruto and Sasuke released each other and began verbally assaulting their late sensei. "You kept us waiting for two hours, what took you so long" Kakashi just flung another excuse about how he was helping someone only to be berated even more by the now fuming team seven rookies. " 'sigh' when will you guys give me a break? Anyway don't you want to hear about the mission we have today?" Naruto's eyes widened with glee at the thought of what they might be doing. Would they get a daring B rank mission or perhaps they would finally get an A rank mission for once, Naruto thought to himself with obvious grin on his face.

"Today we are helping to rebuild the Ninja academy!" Kakashi chirped, knowing all to well the response he was going to get. "What!" cried Naruto. "We're ninjas of Konoha, not a construction crew!" Naruto was clearly upset by what he thought was a waste of his skills. With another sigh Kakashi started to explain. "Konoha is still trying to recover from Orochimaru's attack, and is currently in a weakened state. If we don't work hard to rebuild as quickly as possible we could be under threat of another attack." "But..." Naruto started before Kakashi quickly cut him off. "But we have a duty to protect our village above all else and right now the best way to do that is buy helping to rebuild it together." Naruto sank in defeat. It was hard to argue with kakashi when he put it that way. "Fine lets get going" Naruto groaned, putting a smile on his sensei's face.

The team made their way over to the ninja academy, where they got to work under Iruka's supervision. Naruto and Sasuke were clearly in a competitive mood as their rivalry sparked off a competition as to who could get the most done. Iruka smiled as he looked on at his former student who now seemed to be so happy, with friends that he cared for. "He's allot better now, isn't he?" Iruka turned around to see Kakashi walking up to him. "Yes... I suppose he is." Iruka still couldn't help but worry tough, as he knew all to well how the villager saw Naruto. He only wished that he could show everyone else what he saw in the blue eyed boy he had come to think of as his own son.

The sun began to set as team seven said their good-byes for the evening. Naruto's and Sasuke's rivalry had pushed the two beyond the call of duty. Iruka could only marvel at how much they had done in one day, now doubt because of their competitive natures and unwillingness to lose to one-another. "Aren't you coming Sakura-chan" called naruto as he started to walk home. "You two go on ahead, a just need to talk to kakashi sensei for a moment" Naruto bowed his head in disappointment and then started home Sasuke walking at his side. "Looks like I won again loser" Sasuke quipped. "What do you mean I lost, I'd never lose to you idiot!" Before Naruto could get far Sasuke interrupted him. "Well this is where turn off, don't get lost on your way home loser" Sasuke said to a now pouting Naruto. "Don't worry, I won't... oh and Sasuke.." Naruto spoke now in a softer tone. "It... it was fun today." Sasuke turned and continued to walk his way home only putting his hand up to wave goodbye. "I guess it was" murmured Sasuke under his breath with an ever so slight grin on his face.

Naruto watched as his friend walked out of view. "Friend... he is my friend now isn't he?" Naruto was just about to continue home when a cold voice called from the corner. "Why would that Uchiha kid be friends with a monster like you!" Naruto turned to see a tall dark haired man walk out from the alleyway. His eyes burned with a dark hatred that, with a single glance, burned into Naruto's heart with his convicting stare. Behind him were more villagers all holding sticks and branches, some even had pots and bottles. "What's going on? What do you want with me" asked a fear stricken Naruto.

"You stupid monster fox, my family is dead because of you. Don't act so innocent." screamed the man as he walked up to the young boy, batting a wooden plank into his hand. "Now you'll pay for your crimes." Two men came up from either side and grabbed Naruto's arms before he could get away. "no... please... it wasn't me.. I didn't.." Tears started to stream down Naruto's face as the crowd closed in with dark tormenting eyes.

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Well, hope the first chapter was good. I intend to upload new chapters on a regular basis, so if you liked it, check back daily to see more.

Feedback will be appreciated!