Minato Namikaze smiled happily as he looked at his 3 children with pride. They were only 6 years old and there were progressing further and further each day.

The first child, Menma Namikaze his youngest son stood at 3'5 with spiky red hair and pale amethyst eyes. He was a good kid, besides his usual over confident attitude, after you broke that structure he was a happy 6 year old.

The second child, Natsumi Namikaze, she was the youngest of the two daughters, she was 3'4 had long blonde hair and bright purple eyes that radiated with happiness and mischief. She was usual outgoing, always with her parents, either helping or going shopping.

The oldest daughter, Mito Namikaze was 3'5 and possessed long straight red hair with a soft shade of blue eyes. She was the brains of the three, usually thinking a few steps ahead of most people. If it wasn't for her red hair and blue eyes, it would be easy to assume that she was a Nara, lacking the lazy demeanor.

"Tou-san Tou-san we did it!" Natsumi yelled from atop a tree she was standing on, her feet laced with chakra as her siblings were besides her wearing matching grins.

Minato's smile increased tenfold, it was an amazing feet to see 3 SIX year olds complete a genin level chakra control exercise. He motioned for his kids to come down, one by one they came from the tree and faced off to the father.

"I'm very proud of you guys! You guys keep impressing me everyday" He said with a grin as Natsumi screamed with happiness, Mito and Menma high fived each other both wearing matching smiles.

"Woah what's all the commotion about?"

Kushina Namikaze, former Uzumaki came out from their house and stepping into the backyard where her family laid. She saw her excited children crowded around her husband. She felt a smile come to her face

"What's all the commotion about?"

Minato cleared his throat, he held his head up as he waved his arms over his children "Well it seems here we got genin in training. Already completing a genin level chakra control exercise so early" he said proudly as Natsumi flee her hands up in the air dramatically

"Yeah you missed it Ka-san! We finally got to the top of the tree!" She yelled and Menma and Mito nodded in agreement "Yeah we did! No one can measure to us now!" Menma said proudly, fire burning in his eyes, Mito nodded happy with the praise she received. Kushina gave a loud happy laugh and went to hug her children. They laughed happily together, if anyone saw this moment there would label it as 'The Perfect family' the family everyone loves, and acknowledges.

Except one that is.

Naruto Namikaze, the oldest child of the Yondaime Hokage. He sat in his room looking out his lone window. He watched his 'family' through interact happily, he felt his heart break slightly.

Naruto himself stood at 3'6, he has spiky blonde hair and deep vibrant cerulean blue eyes. For a six year old, he was ridiculously smart for his age. When he wasn't with his family (which is basically all the time), he spends his time reading or studying so he can be ready when he enters the academy in the following year. He gave out a sigh as he stepped away from his window, not wanting to see his happy his family was without him. As long as he can remember, his parents had always forgotten about him. During dinner, Christmas time, family gatherings, and even going to the store. He was always left behind in the dust, forgotten.

At the start it was bad, he vaguely remembers playing with his siblings as his mother cooked ramen for the whole family. But the memory was over just as fast as it started, he wished he had fonder memories to look back on. It wasn't until his 5th birthday that things started to take a turn for the worst. He woke up happy that day, knowing his parents were finally going to start his training. Once he got downstairs he saw his family already finished breakfast and started the siblings training.

He frowned as he remembered that day, he waited and waited for his turn to train and it never came. It finally reached the point where he felt his anger rise up and he ended up getting frustrated. He yelled at his parents why he siblings were training and he had to wait on the sidelines.

What he got he wasn't expecting.

He felt his parents cold eyes turn to him. His 5 year old body froze, as he received the scolding of his partners for raising his voice at them. He was sent to his room for the day, he heard the snickers from his brother and sisters and he quickly went to his room, not wanting to show them the tears that started to form.

He hated that memory, it always hurt him to remember it. His parents apologized the next day, Naruto accepted it with a heavy heart. It didn't make him feel any better. The worst part was, he didn't receive a happy birthday wish that whole day, that hurt him more than anything. He tilted his head in his bed to look out his lonely window. He grabbed his lone chair in the room, he faced the chair to the window and he took a seat. He raised his hands on the window seal, and rested his head on his open palms. He looked out into the night sky, the only light being the moon shining its rays into his open window. The night sky seemed so lonely, it was a star-less night. He picked his head up and stood up to make his way to his bed. Nothing good ever comes out staring into the night sky anyway, he laid himself down, ready for the blissful unconsciousness to overtake him.

( Scene break )

Naruto yawned loudly as he felt his eyes start to flutter open, he stretched his arms outward as he twisted his back getting a satisfying crack. He swung his arm over the bed as it hung off. He open his eyes fully after a few minutes and looked at the clock besides his bed. "It's only 8" he thought as he looked to the side only to see his only calender. He felt a frown take over on his face

"October tenth.."

He thought bitterly as he finally picked himself out of bed dressing himself on his black t shirt and shorts. Once he reached his door he could hear the sound of laughter reaching his ears. He felt the frown return. He opened his door and started to descend the staircase, once he reached the bottom he saw his 'family' happily eating breakfast as they laughed together. Naruto felt his heart quicken and a spark of anger and jealousy rang through him. He stayed there, still for a few moments, his frown deepened once he noticed no one even acknowledged his presence when he entered the room. He walked towards the front door trying his best to ignore the sounds of laughter reaching his ears. He turned the doorknob and took a outside into the morning sun.

"Happy birthday"

Mito's head snapped to the front door. It sounded lik a faint whisper, it sounded so familiar. And she could have sworn she heard the door just close…

"Hellooooo earth to Mito!"

Mito blinked a few times, she focused her vision to see her younger sister by mere minutes waving her hand frantically in front of her face "Mito-ne what happened? You kind of spaced out there?"

Mito gave a small smile and shook her head

"Nothing Natsumi" she said making Natsumi pout slightly but she easily shrugged it off and went back to engulfing her food. Mito felt a nudge on her shoulder and turned her head to see Menma looking at her with a curious yet suspicious gaze "You sure you're okay nee-san?" Mito smiled again and gave a curt nod "Of course I was just thinking."

Minato and Kushina smiled at the concern there kids showed for each other, they were growing up to be amazing shinobi and better young adults. "Okay kids after breakfast your mother is going to train you guys in the backyard. I'm going to the Hokage tower to fix a few things and I'll be back soon for the birthday party!"

The kids cheered loudly and visibility inhaled the rest of the food already sprinting to the backyard.

Meanwhile Naruto walked the crowded streets of Konoha ignoring most civilians that walked past him, no one seemed to acknowledge his presence at all. As if he was a ghost just walking through them. He slightly wondered if people even knew he existed at all, if his family didn't notice him then why would total strangers? He continued to walk the streets until he made it to his favorite spot in the village. Training ground 61. It was hidden within the Konoha forest, with the dense amount of trees covering it making it look nonexistent. The training ground wasn't necessarily big. It was only half the size of any normal training ground, only this one held a small waterfall in the cliffside. It flowed down making a small crystal clear lake. Flowers started to bloom around the area making it seem beautiful in scenery. He gave a sad smile as he laid himself up against a big okay tree, leaning his head back. His ears twitched slightly as he bolted up moving away from the tree. His ears twitched again as he saw a sudden rustle in the bushes and he felt his eyebrow raise in curiosity. He walked over to the sudden rustle and once he got there he saw a little girl. He felt his eyes go wide as he looked down at the small cold girl. She was shivering uncontrollably and her clothes were dripping with what seemed like water. She looked heavily malnourished, and her skin was paler then usual. He bent down to her level and he spoke barely above a whisper

"Hey are you okay?"

He saw the girl flinch from the voice and she gave a small yelp as she tried to run push away. Naruto outwardly frowned at the reaction and tossed his arms in defense "It's okay I won't hurt you. Promise."

The little girl looked at him with sad blue eyes and he felt his heart break for the second time that day. The look she gave him remained him so much of himself. Pain,loneliness and betrayal. He felt so much sympathy from this little girl, despite only meeting her few a minute.

He shifted his body a little closer to the downed girl. He took of his black shirt as he now only had his white tank top on. He gave the shirt to the little girl and offered her a small smile "Here put this on. It looks like you were trying to go for a swim."

The girl hesitated for a few minutes, before she shakily reached up and grabbed the shirt. Naruto gave another smile, the shirt was really big for her and it went all the way down to her knees. He offered his hand to her this time "Come on. We're going to get something to eat."

The girl didn't move, but looked at Naruto suspiciously. Naruto gave a real smile to the girl, she visibly relaxed at the smile and hesitantly put her hand in his. Naruto held it gently as they walked out of the clearing and back into the streets of Konoha. Her cold hands started to warm up within Naruto's, she now walked at a regular pace as the people walked around them ignoring them completely. Naruto finally made his way to the dango shop. They entered without a problem and asked for a table. Luckily the shop was practically empty, they got there table quickly and Naruto ordered 1 share of dango. Once there good arrived Naruto grabbed a stick of dango and offered it to the little girl.

The girl looked at it suspiciously, after a few minutes she finally took a bite of one of the balls and her eyes lit up with glee. Within seconds she scarfed down the rest of the food leaving none left for our blonde hero. Naruto smiled sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head. He looked at the content smile the little girl had as a dango stick still resided in her mouth. "I'm assuming you like dango?" he said full or mirth as the field just nodded dumbly.

"Hey I never got your name. My name is Naruto Namikaze." he said happily as he patted her jet black hair earning a blush from the pale girl.

"K-kotomi."

Naruto gave a huge smile as he continued to pat her head "Kotomi? That's a beautiful name!"he said making the flow dubbed Kotomi look like a fresh tomato.

"Kotomi, where are your parents?"

The girl looked down and her voice barely came out as a whisper

"I don't have any."

Naruto gave her a sad smile and rubbed her head affectionately, she leaned into his touch somewhat. He apologized for asking, Naruto paid the bill and retaking Kotomi's hand in his, they walked out of the shop and into the darkening sky. Naruto made a sharp turn as they finally got to what he was looking for. Kotomi raised her eyebrow at the large building and looked up at the blonde.

"This is an orphanage, this is where people who are...alone go to get families again."

She gave him a confused expression, Naruto had to suppress a chuckle at how cute it looked

"But why do I have to come here?"

Naruto tried his best to suppress a frown "Because this is where you can get a family again."

"But I want to stay with you.."

Naruto felt his heartbeat quicken, his eyes softened and he bent down to hug Kotomi. "Don't worry, I'll come visit you whenever I can. You'll see me everyday okay?"

Kotomi hugged back as she burrowed her head into his shoulder, Naruto broke apart the hug and caressed her hair affectionately

"I'll come see you tomorrow okay?"

Kotomi nodded as she sniffed trying to stop her tears from falling. Naruto gave a reassuring push and a small smile

"I'll see you soon Naruto-niisan."

Naruto felt his heartbeat quicken and in a good way this time. He felt a megawatt smile find its way to his face, I'll see you soon Kotomi!" he yelled back earning a smile from the girl as she walked into the orphanage leaving him outside. He pushed off the floor until he finally stood up on his feet. He tinged around slowly and started to make his way back to his home. He walked at a leisurely pace, the worry he had in the morning were all now washed away.

Kotomi...Naruto didn't know what it was about her, maybe her soft blue eyes or the fact that she looked to be lost and alone. But, he could sense her need for acknowledgement, her need for a family. He saw himself on Kotomi. And when she called him brother, it sent a wave of happiness over him. Finally knowing what it was like to be acknowledged, to be loved. He only spent one day with Kotomi, and he could sense that they were close. And will only get closer with time.

His smile never faded from his face as he reached his big home. He felt so giddy that he didn't hear the birthday party that was occurring in his house at the moment. He stepped into his house and his smile fell slowly. He could see his parents talking to other shinobi as Mito, Menma, and Natsumi were running around with their friends laughing happily. His arms fell limp at his sides, with his foot he gently closed the door. When no one looked his way he felt a grimace take over him. His heart rang with anger and sadness.

He quickly tried his best to mute the sounds of happiness reaching his ears as he took a few soft hesitant steps up to his room. Once he reached about the middle of the staircase he heard his father start to speak.

"Hello everyone! I want to thank you all for coming to our children's 7th birthday!" A round of applause and 'woos' broke out. Naruto looked down, his hair now shadowing his eyes. "So I would want to offer you guys some of the world famous Ichiraku ramen, but sadly my children some how ate all of it." he said with a sheepish smile as laughter erupted in the house.

"But I am very happy to announce that my youngest son Menma." he said motioning for his son who looked confused at being singled out. Naruto felt a sense of dread wash over him. "And I am very proud to announce that I am now naming my done Menma Namikaze the brand new Namikaze Clan head!"

Naruto felt his eyes widen as his heart best stopped momentarily.

"W-what.."

The sound of cheers and applause reached his ears, he could here his 'father' along with voices he couldn't recognize congratulate his brother. Naruto clenched his fists as hard than he felt his nails dig into his palm, making small droplets of bloods fall from his hand. Naruto lowered his head as he ran to his room making sure to slam his door on anger. Without even making it to the bed he fell to his knees. The dam holding back his tears broke making them flow like waterfalls. He felt his eyes start to burn as he felt the pain of betrayal and heartbreak. He threw his hands over his eyes as he sobbed quietly

"It's not fair..why me..kami why.."

He sobbed out as he tried to ignore all the pain he felt. His whole body hurt, his eyes burned as he tried to block out the sounds of laughter from beneath him. He moved his tear stained hands away from his eyes as the burning sensation went away. Unbeknownst to Naruto, his eyes were beginning to undergo a slight change

'Cracks' were beginning to appear within the iris', slowly but surely giving them the appearance of shattered glass. The sclera was also starting to become a more silvery color as well.

He felt as if he was paralyzed as the tears wouldn't stop flowing from his eyes. His vision was starting to become much more blurry from his crying.

"H-how can they…"

Unconsciously, his his hands began to tighten into fists.

"Kaa-san...Tou-san...WHY?!"

Suddenly, he grabbed both sides of his head as a searing headache overtook him. The pain was searing, it felt like a thunderstorm was happening in his head. His eyes felt like tsunamis as his tears felt hot and painful. He felt his body suddenly relax, he fell to the ground, hitting the wooden floor with a soft thud, his arms scattering across the floor.