A Container's Confession

It was a pleasant summer's day and everything was just about right in the world. Keyword: about. Fate was going to screw Konoha over this one fine day. How I won't say... for now. I'm evil, aren't I?

"Come on, Sakura," pleaded Naruto. "Just one date, PLEASE?!?"

"No, Naruto, my heart is for Sasuke and Sasuke alone. Why can't you understand that?"

"That jerk doesn't even care about you in the slightest bit."

"You take that back. Just because he isn't here along with Kakashi doesn't mean you bad mouth him!" She screamed so loud she just about deafened Naruto.

"Let me ask you something." Sakura was surprised at this. Usually Naruto would just scream and whine until she knocked him out.

"Alright Naruto, what is it?" As soon as she uttered those words, she had a complete and total feeling of regret wash over her.

"Why do you push me aside from Sasuke? I mean, it can't for his stupid brooding silence or the fact he treats you like crap. Yet, here I am, treating you like a princess, and you treat me like the plague and put the lord of the emo, brother-hating, brooding jackasses…" Naruto was ranting on and on while Sakura was thinking, 'My God, do I really do that to him? I just figured Sasuke would eventually warm up to me. But now I see how big a fool I've been.'

By that time, the rest of Team Seven showed up, namely Sasuke and Kakashi. Of course, Naruto was still in 'Rant Mood,' so they did not escape his wrath. First, he turned his attention to Kakashi. "…And you, you single-eyed, perverted, lazy-ass old man of a teacher. When was the last thing you taught me anything? No, scratch that. When was the last time you taught me anything useful?"

Unlike Sakura, who was wrapped up in her own thought about her teammates, he had something to say in his defense. "What are you talking about? I taught you the tree-climbing exercise."

At this point, Sasuke decided to join in the conversation. "Um, wasn't that about five months ago next week."

"Thank you Sasuke, for proving my point. I'm sorry for every argument I've ever put you through. I know what's like to be alone, people ignoring you, spitting on you, pushing you out of stores and restaurants, beating you up every day, especially your birthday, and being left for dead, assignation attempts on your life, coming home and find that's empty and you don't have a shoulder to cry on. (SIGH)." By that time, they were all shocked, and in their heads, they all thought the same exact thing. 'How can anybody live through that and still be sane.'

After many moments of awkward silence, Sakura regained the ability of her mouth. "Naruto, Sasuke never went through all of that. But that would explain all of those scars and bruises on your body."

"How do you know I have scars and bruises on my… wait a minute! You're a pervert!?!"

"Um, any way…"

"Hey, Naruto," Sasuke shouted at Naruto. "Why would the shinobi do that?"

"Oh, it's not just the shinobi who do that to me. It's also the 'respectable' villagers too."

"You didn't answer my question, but how should I put this eloquently? OH MY GAWD!!"

"It's because…"

"Come on, Naruto and tell us. What did you do?" Sakura asked impatiently.

"Well, I was, but you so rudely cut me off."

"Sorry," Sakura and Sasuke chorused.

"A) I didn't do anything and, B) I am the container for Nine-Tailed Fox. All of Konoha thinks I'll become the damn fox myself or that'll it'll take over my body."

"WHAT!!" shrieked Sasuke and Sakura. At this point, everybody was thinking something. Sakura was thinking, 'Oh Naruto, I'm so sorry. I just shoved your love for me back in your face while you lived through that crappy period some call 'childhood.'' Sasuke was thinking, 'Wow, and I thought I had a bad life. But you, Naruto, you just took all that crap and turned it into a smile.'

Kakashi was thinking along the same lings. (In my story, Kakashi was orphaned at the age of 8.)

After a minute or two, Naruto, who suddenly thought that his sandals were just suddenly the greatest thing in the world, but was looking sullen and depressed, said, "Look, it's getting late. I've got get back to my shitty, one-roomed apartment, and definitely a new mattress because when I woke up this morning, it was burning. And maybe some new clothes, because they were gone when I woke up."

While Naruto was turning to leave, Sasuke said the worst four words he could have he said, "I don't believe you." Naruto turned around again, with his eyes full of anger, hate, and sorrow, but mostly sorrow. Without a word, he unzipped his jacket, took it off, along with the black one underneath it.

Sakura immediately got little bit of nose bleed she saw his bare upper body. 'Holy shit. Since when did he abs that can put a washboards to shame. And those arms. I bet he could lift all of the Rookie Nine at once along with an extra 100 pounds.'

But the major surprise occurred when Naruto started to focus his charka. A sun-shaped with strange markings appeared around his belly buttons.

Sasuke and Sakura were shocked for the fourth (or third? I lost count) time in half-an-hour. Sakura's eyes started to water like a gardening hose and Sasuke was doing his impression of a fish. Kakashi did the totally unexpected. He crying openly.

"You were telling the truth," Sasuke whispered. The tears were now all flowing freely now.

"I just said. Now if you excuse me, I've got to see Hinata."

Sasuke was confused at this last statement. "Why?"

"Because I want to ask her out on a date. I'm not a complete and total moron. I know she has a crush on me. And that she stalks me. And peeps on me when I bath in the river. Anyway, like the kind of guy I am, I just want to make everyone happy. And that includes Hinata. Besides, since she likes me, I think I'll be happy. Anyway, see you later."

And he just left them standing there, reflecting on all the bad things they've done to him.