He walked down the sidewalk, a straight posture held. He looked only forward, his eyes focusing on what lie ahead, trying to forget what was behind him. The words of Shikamaru Nara continued to ring in his ears, the absurdity yet undeniable reality of them struggling against his hope. All the buildings, all the homes passing by held meaning and memories for the lone shinobi.

Those memories will live no longer. I have much more important matters to attend to. I will not look back… I can never look back.

A bench caught his eye as he strode along, and he glanced away from it immediately. It was as if the recollections of his past wouldn't leave him this eve, but remain for eternity, haunting him until the grave.

And to think… Only a couple days ago my best friend walked this same path… Leaving everything and everyone he loved… Or I thought he loved… Behind…… Except for…..

The thought that followed stung his heart so intensely it felt as if he was burning from the inside. He felt a sudden wave of nausea and collapsed, vomiting onto the walkway. Tiny droplets, born from the eyes of the boy, began to pour upon the foul liquid, darkening it with each one that fell. He rocked back and forth, sobbing, wanting everything to end that possibly could in his life. His arms wrapped tight around his stomach, and he whispered something barely audible, so quietly, so weakly, that even someone who was directly beside him wouldn't have understood it.

"S…Sakura…"

The image of the young girl crossed his mind: the pretty pink hair that fell just above her shoulders, the beautiful green eyes that he loved to see every day, the sweet sound of her voice that allowed a smile to cross his face… The only one he loved had left him behind as well, choosing to follow her selfish crush instead of her common sense.

The shinobi vomited again, the disgusting scent of it beginning to spread around him.

W-who cares?... Almost all that mattered to me before is gone…

At that moment, an unthinkable idea crossed his mind, something he would have never thought of nor considered prior to the actions of his two teammates; although, it was something that crossed his mind before, which was the original purpose of his presence in this place: he wanted to die. He no longer cared about anything, he wanted to perish, and he wanted his skin to fall apart and his bones to crumple to dust. He wanted his blood to flood into the stone beneath him and leave no stain upon it. He desired to be forgotten and nonexistent.

Of course he wouldn't attempt to bring those vile images into reality, for he knew he had more of a purpose in his life. The goal seemed mediocre now, but it was something to support him, something to keep him going; it was something he could lean upon for support, such as the shoulders of the friends who have left him alone in this village. However, he knew his dream could never abandon him. A dream is eternal, although maybe untrue in reality, it lives on in your mind as long as you allow it. His goal was an insane one, but he was willing to try as he had before countless times.

I.. I will become Hokage… I won't do what I intended to do tonight… I have to live… I have to…

Naruto Uzumaki stood, reversing his direction, and walked back in the direction of his home. A new Naruto was born tonight, one that many may wish had never walked the earth.

I must be suspicious… I must remain wary of all others… I must make no friends… I must be alone…. And I must forget the traitors… Especially the one I used to love… The one who broke my heart the moment she stepped outside this village… I will not look back… I can never... look back……