I used to write a lot. My old username was Reain and Through the Eyes of was the original title of this fic. After not logging for a long time I forgot the password to my old account so I made this one instead. If you remember me, good. If you don't, good.

Enjoy.

Gore. Character Death. Offensive language. It's rated M, you get the picture.

The sound of running water filled his ears. He cupped his palms and reached in. It was cold, fingertips growing numb on contact. The feeling helped distract his thoughts.

Water cleansed. It purified. Could it purge him too then? If he drowned himself in it, would he be reborn? No. Of course not. It's water, nothing more.

'If only.'

With that in mind, Naruto Uzumaki sighed.

'Today's the day.'

Dark blue eyes moved to the calendar hanging on the wall across the open door.

June 15th. On this day two years ago, a super ninja crash-landed in a parallel world. Half-dead. Still dying. Fast forward and here he was, nothing ventured and nothing gained.

Naruto stared at that date for a moment longer than he should have, in a daze, unconcerned with the still running water that was now overflowing the sink. The sound of ringing brought him back. The alarm had gone off seconds ago, snapping him out of his accidental stupor. He blinked, watching the water run over his floorboards and underneath his bare feet, and then stifled a groan.

"Damn it. Time for school."

Naruto muttered a curse, threw a nearby towel over the mess and didn't once look back.

The suns rays bathed the clouds in pink and orange hues. Filling the skies. It was a picture-perfect sunrise settling over all Japan.

Naruto admired the sight as he walked the path to school, eyes distant and lips curled down.

'You're too bright.'

He turned away from the ball of light hanging in the sky and sighed. On that day two years ago he'd awoken to the sounds of the ocean, very much alive. He should have died back then, but...

"Live on."

At his sides, pale fingers rolled themselves into a tight fist.

It had been raining all week then.

"Oh! Is that you, Naruto-san?"

'Right on time.'

The smell of roses swept past. Not like the fillers used in markets, but a rich, unmistakable odor. Real roses, groomed by caring hands. This woman needed no introductions.

"Busujima-san."

Naruto craned his neck to greet her with a short nod. If only to spare himself a headache.

"Good morning to you."

The queen of Fujimi smiled as she advanced, arms at the small of her back. Violet hair swaying behind her in the faint breeze. Saeko was brilliant in a way that felt inhumane. Even now he could see their eyes watching her while she passed. Those weary, wanting souls. To them she was flawless.

To him, she was a stalker.

"Were you waiting for me again?"

Saeko tilted her neck and acted clueless, that angelic smile still in place. "What do you mean, Naruto-san? I'm always here this early? I have many duties to attend too, after all. Yet...you continue to astound me. You're late to class almost every day, but you're one of the first to arrive." She held his gaze. "As always, you're an interesting guy. Naruto Uzumaki."

"What are you going to do, arrest me?"

"No." Saeko hummed. "I am feeling rather peckish. I was very busy earlier this morning you see, and I didn't have a chance to eat breakfast or pack for lunch. Perhaps I'll stop by my all-time favorite restaurant tonight? It has been a while."

She beamed up at him.

This woman was a devil. A perfect pretender, just like him.

"Be my guest. I don't work tonight."

Saeko's smile widened and she giggled. At what, he had no idea. "Oh? What is it that someone like you does on a night off? Do you prance around with a secret lover? Do you dance the night away? Oh dear, I hope you're not cheating on me, Naruto-san."

For whatever reason, some deity out there had it out for him. He was cursed. It was as simple as that.

Naruto's lip twitched. "You know, you said that last part kind of loud."

Out of the corner of his eye, the blond watched one eavesdropper pass out. He almost smiled.

"Did I? My apologies. It was a harmless little joke."

Naruto's facade didn't budge an inch. He knew she was playing games again. Her favorite pastime. Saeko loved to play harmless jokes—like following him to work and blackmailing him into a one-sided conversation.

Of all the people he'd met in this new world, Saeko is the oddity.

"Would you care to walk with me?"

She urged him while leaning forward, breaking through his personal bubble. Their lips a few strokes away from touching. A strand of her hair fell and brushed against him, and in that second Naruto was reminded that this same girl planned to kill him not so long ago.

Anyone else might have cheered at the invitation. He knew better than that.

Unfortunately...

"I can't say no, can I?"

Saeko's smile widened. "You know me too well, Naruto-san."

He sighed and extended a hand, knowing exactly what to expect. To which Saeko placed her bag in before dipping her head in appreciation.

"Come on, I've got places to not be."

Saeko giggled again, and the unlikely pair began their day as they often did. In the company of the other.

Fujimi Academy. A grand place by anyone's standards. Massive in its size and stature, rivaling that of even the greatest Universities in Japan. Best of the best, they call it. His very own cage. The decor couldn't hide the truth, not from him.

Fujimi is a prison.

The students passed. Their uniforms making them a blur as they moved on. Talking with their friends, glued to their phones. A new day had begun for them. Full of wonder and excitement with different possibilities. Naruto wished he could be a part of that, but it was impossible for someone like him. Every now and again he'd catch the stares sent his way. Pick up on the whispers spread around him.

"There he is."

"Don't look at him, idiot! What if he decides to rob us?!"

It was astounding.

"I heard he's the leader of some ruthless gang."

"What?! No way! I suppose it makes sense though..."

They lived confined by their own ignorance. Sealed off from the real world. Sheltered and unaware of its harsh truths. These children were expected to be future leaders and whatnot, yet they were just that—children.

'Although. I suppose it's my fault too. I haven't done a thing to stop them.' Let them talk, let them tell. Let them live shallow lives. One day they'd come to realize. 'Everyone ends up this way, sooner or later.'

A beefy student shouldered past him within the thickening crowd, breaking his line of thought and drawing him back to reality. Naruto's entire body froze up at the contact. Through the cracks of his shaggy blond locks, he met the eyes of that same student disappearing into the crowd. An all too pleased smirk plastered on that ugly face.

Bastard did it on purpose.

The rest of the students parted when they approached, not as confident as the bully. They didn't shove him or smirk and glare. They only made a wide enough gap while they passed. Most didn't even bother to look him in the eye. In this place, it was either the odd glares or they outright neglected his presence.

All in all, it was nothing new.

The lunch ladies were nice. For whatever reason, they were a part of the one percent in this school that tolerated him. When he'd arrived, the oldest of the three saved him a breakfast wrap. Thanks to her and her sisters this day would be a bit more manageable. He'd have to pay them back somehow.

"Uzumaki, you're late."

Naruto frowned, lips curving down.

'I could help them out somehow. How though?'

Kindness like that had to be repaid. Unlike Hayate, the lunch ladies knew not to cross any lines. They were good people—unbefitting of the crude rabble. Lost in thought, Naruto was distantly aware of his teacher's growing ire.

He just didn't care.

"Uzumaki!" The man, tall and lanky with a beady set of eyes, snapped his the book in his hand shut and adjusted his glasses. "Are you listening to me?! You're disturbing my class, again. Do I have to report you to Hayashi—?"

"—No, you don't." Naruto interrupted him. "Sorry. It won't happen again."

It'll probably happen again.

Without another word, he made his way to the back of the room. As usual, his desk was empty. So was the desk next to, in front, and behind it.

'Thank God.'

He took his seat and pretended to listen on as the teacher resumed the lecture. Class proceeded as it would from there. Once he was sure no one was paying him any mind, Naruto turned his gaze to the open window to his left and opted to people watch instead.

Today would pass, he told himself.

Unbearably slow.

The class period finally closed with the teacher, whose name he couldn't bother to remember, leaving the senior class with a simple task.

To prepare for their future.

Now he was here. Resting on his favorite bench surveying the courtyard, wasting his lunch hour actually thinking it over.

It was true that graduation was around the corner, but so what?

Too bad he did need to graduate at the very least. Or else risk certain parties digging their nose into his business again.

'I could be a superhero. That's too much trouble though.'

He probably wouldn't make it far with in condition anyway. Most likely, he would work at that tiny little shack until the day came where there was nothing left.

'What a way to die.'

At the very least he had lunch. His only haven and a welcomed break.

Or, it should have been.

"Naruto! Hey! Over here!"

Fujimi is enormous. Full of people and things to do.

So why then? Why him?

The first thing he noticed as she approached was the red bow streaming in the wind behind her. Wrapping around the long raven braids that framed her pale skin, bouncing with every step. Misuzu Ichijou was a light that rivaled the sun, blazing all the brighter if only because she was here on this Earth alongside him instead of up in the heavens.

"S-Suzu! Please slow down!"

Nikki Toshimi was the counterpart.

If Misuzu was the sun then Nikki was the moon. Transparent when it was up and unseen when it wasn't.

Like all the rest, Nikki condemned him. Never speaking more than a few words in his general direction unless she needed to. He suspected the only reason she bothered to stick around all this time was because of Misuzu. They were inseparable, after all—the best of friends. At least Nikki was loyal, that much he could give her.

Naruto didn't respond when they approached. He didn't ignore them either, opting to flag them over with a small wave. This too was another part of his ritual, and like Fujimi Academy, it was probably the hardest part of the day.

"Yo!" Misuzu chirped with a smile. "Sulking as usual, aye?" She took a seat next to him on the bench and patted the empty spot to her left for Nikki to take. "I wonder if I'll ever catch you doing anything productive?"

The bento in her hands was now on her lap, and when she opened it, the alluring scents invaded his senses like an army marching on a castle.

"Fat chance."

Nikki took her place as the two exchanged words and bowed her head, blue eyes finding anything but the pale blond to look at. Thankfully, Misuzu was right there.

"A-Ah, h-hello, Uzumaki-san..." She greeted him out of necessity, inwardly scolding herself for the careless stutter.

Naruto's dark blues met her lighter pair, and he stared at her, and stared, and stared. Until her pale cheeks flushed bright red and she realized exactly how long she could hold her breath.

"Naruto..." Misuzu trailed, brow twitching.

"I know."

Teasing Nikki was fun. One of the few perks of this begrudging, one-sided friendship they shared.

Misuzu made a face at his remark, something in between annoyed and very frustrated. "You're such a jerk, you know that? I mean here we are, two cute and available girls bothering to talk to you of all people, and you can't even act interested? You disappoint me, Naruto Uzumaki." She shook her head while crossing her arms, a few strands of her long hair swaying out of place.

Nothing important, but he noticed it all the same. He saw everything when it came to her.

Nikki eeped at the comment.

Naruto shrugged his shoulders, not at the least bit troubled by her words. "What can I say? Disappointment is my specialty." He eyed the single, unopened noodle cup in her open bento, making his thoughts obvious to her. "So...you gonna eat that?"

Misuzu gawked at him, then sighed. "Here," she said, taking the cup out and giving it to him, her lips set into a thin line. "Knock yourself out."

In an instant, the noodle cup was gone, already in his hands. This was the only time Naruto ever got excited about anything, Misuzu mused. A boy and his noodles, what a strange yet entrancing sight.

Misuzu liked knowing she did that for him. That it was only her who could. It was a simple, odd little feeling. Something that, try as she might, she could never put into proper words.

Seeing him happy. It made her happy.

'You're so weird.' She mused to herself, a small smile unknowingly taking root. 'But...I like that about you.'

A whole year had led up to this point. At first, Naruto didn't spare her the time of day, but she was persistent if nothing else. Even a gentle tide could chip away at a mountain, all it took was a little bit of patience. With time she did that. He welcomed her into his life, as far as he was able to—which was not that far. Still, it was better than nothing!

"It's rude to stare when people eat."

Misuzu blinked once and realized that, indeed, she'd lost herself in thought. Luckily, the sound of the bell saved her. With that, lunch came to an end. She blinked again, mimicking an owl as he whisked past her like the wind. A single hand raised up in a half-hearted goodbye as he escaped into the crowd.

"Thanks for lunch, see you tomorrow." He managed a playful if tired grin. Those blue eyes creased up, taking the shape of a crescent moon.

Naruto was like a jester. Hiding behind masks and dancing to whatever tune played, but she knew better. Behind the dim shadows of that cheeky act, something painfully obvious lurked.

What was it? Guilt? Loneliness?

'I wonder?' She mused, watching him go. 'What it is that you're so afraid of, Naruto?'

"Suzu, we should go."

People were starting to stare, muttering whispers among one another again. Nikki hated it, she knew.

"Ah, right."

The barren landscape is unrecognizable even to eyes that had seen it moments ago. The dusty flats and grassy ranges were gone. Obscured by the numerous bodies posed in awkward angles, so tranquil they couldn't be asleep. Piled one over the other like heaps of trash. Streams of scarlet running and meeting in between them, their eyes wide open, gawking at the heavens above.

Screams drowning within the sea of battle going on as far as the eye could see. The clangor of kunai. The scent of smoke and rot. People killing each other.

Fathers.

Mothers.

Daughters. Sons. Brothers. Sisters.

A child. Younger than him, wearing the headband of the Sand—the enemy. He was there for one single moment, a fire in his eyes as he charged forward with his blade raised high. The next he was in pieces.

"Uzumaki!"

His legs moved over a sea of bodies. Crushing their fleshy, lifeless frames beneath the weight of his feet. Fresh blood smeared his skin and clothes with every step taken.

He could not stop, the enemy certainly would not.

A wet squelch. A single choked gurgle. He dug the blade deep into the man's back. Underneath his left shoulder blade, cutting through to his most vital organ. Making sure he finished the job.

It was a strange feeling, cutting into another person. Like chopping vegetables and prepping meat.

That's all they were in the end, wasn't it?

Meat.

"Uzumaki!"

Naruto jerked in his seat, expression grim. No one laughed at his sudden jump, no one could, not with that kind of look on his face.

"...What?"

"Y-You're sleeping in my class!"

"That right? Must have been pretty boring then."

The teacher, another one he couldn't bother to remember, looked flustered.

"Y-You..." Naruto's uncaring facade sliced through him, catching fire within those spiteful onyx eyes. "Outside! Now! I've already warned you plenty of times!"

Naruto glared at the man. No one dared speak up as they clashed, watching the exchange in the sidelines with a morbid excitement. What would he do? How would Naruto Uzumaki, the number one delinquent react?

'This place is rotten.'

The blond stood up and nodded, "Fine. I'll be outside."

He reached for his things, stuffed a single hand in his pocket, and then silently left the room. The click of the door closing serving as a universal sign that once again, the class could breathe.

"...As if." Naruto mumbled to himself while wandering the hallways of the school, no particular direction in mind. He could not leave yet, the gates were still shut until dismissal and sneaking out wasn't an option, but he could do other things.

'I've got to work tonight. That old bastard will have me do everything like always. A nice nap before then would be nice.'

It was a brief walk up the stairs to the rooftop. An old, metal door awaited him on the last leg of steps. It was held under key most of the time but a basic lock wasn't anything he couldn't pick. A few wiggles of the bobby-pin kept on his person and he was on the other side within the minute.

The sun blinded him for only a second before his eyes adjusted, and he'd found his favorite spot in no time. The far side of the chain fence that enclosed around the practice building roof had a tarp attached to it, thanks to the Astronomy club. Preventing the rain from bothering them or the equipment they used during their weekend expeditions. It also blocked the annoying glare of the sun and kept him cool whenever he slipped away to take naps.

Naruto laid down, using his bag as a makeshift pillow. He settled with watching the clouds gliding high up above.

'Maybe this time I won't have a nightmare.'

His eyelids fluttered and after a few minutes passed, the blond fell into a dreamless sleep.

Naruto awoke with a start to the sound of the closing bell. It rang in his ears, the rudest, loudest awakening imaginable. After the third ring, it finally ended—and with it his subsequent agony. When he managed to sit up, the blond felt a sharp throbbing resonate throughout his lower back. A single hand came down to rub the sore point.

"Sleeping on the floor. Never a good idea."

At least it was time to go home.

Excited chatter steadily replaced the ringing. He craned his neck toward the gates of the school. Dark eyes impassively watching the black and white specks flooding the ground below, moving about in large clusters and ranks, like ants. He took a few steps forward, dusting himself off until he reached the fence. Lips set in a thin line at what awaited.

Naruto found himself spellbound by the sight.

'No matter how many times I see it...' A city full of colossal steel skyscrapers that cut the heavens. Bathed in a myriad of colors—an incandescent city of light. 'It's almost as pretty as back home.'

He reached out, fingers spread apart, the tips grazing those giants and that orange tinted sky.

From his perspective they too looked small.

Naruto savored the view for as long as he could. When the bodies below cleared, he hefted his pack over his shoulder and made his descent. Whistling a light tune on the way down. The echoes of the hallway would have made most feel uneasy, but Naruto found solace in the silence.

'I think I'll beg the old man for a platter tonight.'

He plodded on, instinctively following one of the many cobblestone paths scattered around the school while lost in thought. His days had become dull in comparison to what they consisted of before.

"Naruto!"

From fighting demigods to avoiding teenage girls.

Things really did change for him.

Naruto should have ignored her and vanished into the crowd. Today was painful, he wanted it to end. He wanted to sleep and move on with the rest of it until the moment came when his clock finally ran out.

"Don't even think about ignoring me!"

His lip twitched and he let out a long sigh.

'So close.'

Misuzu is difficult to ignore.

From the corner of his eye, he caught Nikki standing far off by the fountain. Why was she there? He didn't really care. Misuzu was close enough to touch now, beaming up nervously at him, her cheeks flushed.

'I wonder why?'

"A-Ah...I didn't think you'd stop." She said between short breaths.

"You told me not to ignore you."

Misuzu pouted, crossing her arms over her chest in an act he was all too familiar with. "So you admit that you planned on ignoring me in the first place?"

Naruto deadpanned, unamused. "Misuzu, I'm going to be late for work at this rate."

"Oh! I totally forgot that was today! C-Crap, I have the worst timing!" She seemed a bit more timid than usual."W-Well I suppose I should g-get to the point then..." She coughed into her hand once, bypassing his gaze all the while. "I've been hearing from a few of the teachers that...well, your grades are slipping. So...I-I want to tutor you..."

Naruto blinked, and despite himself, a smile broke his normal blank facade.

Misuzu caught it and felt her heart crack. It wasn't a happy one, nor was it filled with sadness. Either would have been fine really, she would have preferred anything other than what she'd witnessed. His smile is broken.

Empty, hollow and full of grief.

'How is it that I'm the only one who can see this?'

Misuzu bit her lip.

Naruto thought he'd seemingly taken too long to reply. "Yeah..." He nodded his head once. "If anyone can save my grades, it's you."

She radiated a peculiar warmth even he wasn't immune to it in the end. Was this how Sasuke felt? He fought down a chuckle.

Life is strange indeed.

Misuzu's eyes bulged and she seemed too shocked to speak, so he decided it was best to end things there for the day.

"I can't stick around anymore, I've got to get going." He waved. "Teach me tomorrow, hm, Misuzu-sensei?"

An impish smile, fake like all the others, took the place of that heart-wrenching thing. Misuzu wanted to say something, but he was already wandering away, back to her as he strolled out of the gates and into the bustling city. Whenever he was out there he felt almost out of reach. Here was the only place Naruto Uzumaki seemed to exist.

A whole year leading up to this point and it wasn't enough for her, not anymore.

"Oi! Naruto! Pick up the pace, boy! Get your act together!"

"You're fifty-something, an alcoholic, and divorced."

The few customers who had the stomach to eat in this wretched place snickered at his dull remark. Although his boss, Hayate, didn't find it very amusing.

"You think that's funny? Think you're clever, boy? Bah! Go make yourself useful and wash some dishes! You're scaring my customers."

In between the old man's words, wisps of smoke left his open mouth. It was here Naruto realized that somehow, he'd yet to stop smoking while speaking.

Impressive as always.

"You're right, I'll apologize to them right now, both of them."

Hayate looked bitter. "After you're done with the dishes, take out the trash too. Then, I want you to sweep the entire restaurant. After that, you're going to wash the dishes, again."

Naruto clicked his teeth. "Rotten old man."

Hayate took another drag of his pipe, the act reminding him of the late Third, and exhaled a cloud of white that nearly veiled his smug smirk—not enough for Naruto to miss it. "Chop chop, boy. It's gonna be a slow night."

Naruto did as he was instructed, retreating to the back of the modest restaurant and placing his pile of plates into emptied the dishwasher. He flicked a switch and the outdated appliance did its job, making a loud racket. It was it hard for anyone to think, which was why he bothered to stick close. It wasn't until Hayate stepped into the kitchen that Naruto stopped the thing.

"We're closing up soon. The customers are all gone and that girl of yours didn't stop by. I think we're done. Take your apron off and come on out." He grinned. "I've got a little surprise for you!"

Naruto ignored the mention of his not-so-subtle stalker and frowned, already dreading whatever it could be as he followed behind. When he came out to the front, his frown turned into a deep scowl.

"What the hell is this?"

A bowl of curry and pink DVD case titled, Me and my step-sisters youth in an unmarked lot sat on the bar table, proudly placed on display with a grinning Hayate looming over it.

At least he wouldn't have to beg.

"Happy anniversary, Naruto! You've come a long way from the lousy brat I picked up two years ago! You're still pretty lousy, but not as much!" Hayate paused, then he shrugged his shoulders. "Come on over here and celebrate, I've got a bottle of—Hey! Wait! Where do you think you're going?!"

"Home." Naruto answered, his hand already pushing against the exit door.

Hayate was on his knees in a flash. "At least take the curry with you! It's homemade! I put a lot of love into—Damn it, hold on! Stop it, you shitty brat!"

Naruto spared him a glimpse and scowled at his pathetic state.

"You're a disgrace."

"We both are! Who cares! Take the damn curry or I'll make you work the sign."

At that, the blond paused. "...Fine."

Hayate grinned, his victory assured. With a gleam in his honey colored eyes, the old man watched him stalk back in and take the bowl of curry.

"The video too. You need it." He glared, challenging that icy stare.

"Scumbag."

"Oh, and this is only part one of your gift. Something to take the edge off." Hayate took a drag of his pipe then smiled. "Two years is a long time. You owe me a lot, Naruto. It's time to pay up. Tomorrow night you're having dinner with my family, understand? Don't disappear on me."

Naruto shook his head.

'Of all the things. Two years, huh?'

Few had a right to utter the words this man had just spoken, because only a handful of people in this world had ever offered him a helping hand.

"Whatever. Later, old man."

Hayate watched him go, the smile on his face losing all traces of mirth.

"Goodnight, Naruto."