My feet splash in a puddle, the dirty water squirting onto my face. The clouds cry even harder as the thunder booms throughout the village. The crackle of lighting is spotted only moments after, and it runs a shiver down my spine. I'm not a fan of lighting storms, and the look of thunder makes me want to curl up in a ball and close my eyes. I force the thoughts out of my mind and focus on the objective at hand. I have to run somewhere safe, somewhere where they won't find me. I make a sharp turn and run into an alley. The rain pours down even harder and I try to grab onto the brick wall and pull myself over it, but the rain wins the battle and my hand slips.

I fall onto my bottom, the sudden impact making my whole body wince in pain. I hear rapid footsteps approach me and whip my head around. A group of teenage boys loom over my small frame. I cower in fear and scramble back until I'm pressed up against the wall. My eyes scan any possible escape route, but no good opportunities are spotted. They crack their knuckles and say some things I can't quite hear over the pounding rain. When the oldest one, and most likely the leader of the group, raises his fist in the air, I cower and allow the punch to fall onto my face. What's the point of blocking? They'll just go even harder on me. When his fist makes contact with my scrawny chin, I hear a crack ripple through the air and it's more painful and terrifying than any thunder I've ever heard.

My head is shoved against the wall, as they all take turns punching and kicking me. I try not to scream, not to holler for help, because help never comes. With each blow my body takes, I whimper and force my tears back. If I cry they will win, and I will never let them win. My wimpy body is tossed around like a rag doll. They pick me up by the collar and punch me in the stomach. They laugh, mock, and tease me. Calling me weak, a disgrace, a nuisance, a demon.

I've started to think that I'm like that, even though I know I'm not. Everyone I know always tells me that I'm not a monster, that I'm just like everyone else, but I can see it as clear as day, that they're lying. It's too obvious. If I wasn't a monster, than why do I always get teased, why do I have no friends, why do people run away from me, why am I hated?

And so when the boys spit at me, and call me a demon, I inwardly agree with them. They throw my worn out body onto the rain-covered pavement and walk away. Their heads raised proud, their fists pumping in the air, their voices booming as they congratulate themselves on a job well done. Good job, you finished off a monster.

I lay there watching them go. The rain drowns my vision and my body is numb, cold and bruised. The alley way is dark, too dark for comfort. The stormy clouds make the once bright and colorful day turn dull and bleak. Just like me, I'm dull, I'm a nobody. Before my lights are turned off and I pass out a small growl rummages through my mind. My eyes fly open.

"Kill them. Make them pay." It growls, commanding me to become the monster everyone tells me I'm not. But, I know better than to listen, and the sudden adrenaline helps me regain some of the energy I had lost. I pull myself up and onto my feet. Flinging my school bag over my shoulder I wobble out of the alleyway. My feet ache with every step I take, but I know I have to get home and wash up before my father finishes work.

It's been like this for a few years now. I joined the academy when I was seven. My first year was going decent. I had no friends, for the obvious reason of me being a monster, but I never got beat up. It wasn't until my second year that the older boys started picking on me. And each year those older boys got stronger; they learned jutsus, fighting techniques, and how to bear weapons. And since I'm not a genius I don't learn as fast as the rest of my class. So, I'm not good with technique, I'm terrible at weapons, my Justus suck, I'm pretty much a dead-last. It's pretty shocking for most people since my father owns the title of The Fourth Hokage. What could they possibly expect out of a nine year old? But, I guess I didn't get his skill, and I hate it that people think I'm supposed to be like him. I'm not my dad, I'm Naruto Uzumaki.

And the thing is, they compare me to him all the time. I don't have my own identity and when I started out at the academy everyone expected me to be the living, breathing replica of him. But, I'm not. And so I got made fun of and then eventually people decided to "test" me. Which was really just an excuse to beat me up. I get pulverized almost everyday afterschool. The only days that I don't are if Obito or Kakashi walk me home. Other days I'm tailed and usually I get away, but since the rain soiled my plans today, I got beat up. But, it's nothing new for me, I guess you could say I'm used to it. And since I heal rather quickly, my dad barely notices. Or maybe he just doesn't care.

I turn the knob to our door and walk in. The lights aren't even on, indicating that my dad hasn't returned home early. I take off my wet shoes and jacket. Putting that away in the closet I turn on the living room lights. I squeeze my wet hair into the kitchen sink, making sure I don't make a mess, and then head upstairs to the bathroom. I strip of my soggy clothes and toss them in the dryer.

After my refreshing shower I sit on my bed and look out the window. It's become like a routine for me. I don't come home like any other kid and do my homework, or play video games, or maybe even with toys. No, I come home and look out my window at the world below. I see people walking with umbrellas of all different colors, children jumping into the puddles with their lively rain boots, kids with their parents laughing and holding hands. I sigh and realize that I'm lonely. I've been lonely for the longest time, ever since the academy started actually. I was so excited to finally start training, to become a better ninja, but it was all ruined when I discovered that I have no talent what so ever. Even my teachers lost faith in me, and my dad is too busy with work and his own students to even help me. He always tells me he will train with me and then cancels last minute because something pops up, something more important than his own son.

The front door opens and I notice right away that it's my dad. It's weird, but I can sense chakra although I'm horrible at controlling it. My ears perk up, like a wild animal's, as I listen to him walk to the kitchen, take a seat, and sigh. I get off of my bed and head down the stairs. Might as well greet him, I haven't talked to him for a while since he's constantly busy and putting me off. I always tell myself, every morning that I'll show my dad how I really feel. I'll tell him that I feel neglected, that I feel lonely, but every time I muster up the courage to do so, I always fail.

I walk into the kitchen and sit down in a chair directly across from my father. He gives me a small smile.

"Hey, how was school today?" He asks resting his head on his propped up elbow.

"Good." I reply simply. Just like I thought. He doesn't recognize my bruised chin, he doesn't bother to comment on the cut above my right brow, and he doesn't even notice the scab on my puffy lip. I resume the conversation," How was work?" He shrugs. "Nothing important, just paperwork and some meetings. Speaking of meetings, I have one in half an hour…we'll have to have dinner later tonight. Sorry, kiddo." He gets up from his chair and ruffles my blonde locks. I wince at his touch and the slightest hint of worry glazes his sky blue eyes. But, it vanishes, as I don't resume to show any more signs of pain. The little flicker of hope that he finally realized I'm desperate for help is burned out and I slouch watching him walk away.

Maybe this has been going on for too long? I wonder, lying on my bed staring up at my ceiling. Maybe I should say something, but he is in a meeting. The lightning crackles, and as soon as it finishes the lights flicker. I hold my breath praying that the powers don't turn off, but my hopes are put out once more as the lights turn off and I'm sitting in my room covered in darkness. The one thing I'm afraid of more than anything is the dark.

I grab onto my covers and take deep calming breaths. Okay, I can't just freak out, I need to get my emergency mobile and call my dad…but that's all the way in the living room. My teeth chatter from fear as I sit wrapped up in my blankets like a mummy. I feel like at any given moment, someone will just walk out of my closet and kill me. But, knowing that cowering in fear in my own room won't bring the lights back, I struggle out of the hold of my covers and make way for the door. The floorboards creek as I walk down the hallway and the flash of lighting fills the dark enveloped hall. In that short time, when the whole entire room is completely lit, I see a figure on my stairs and my whole body is filled with goose bumps.

As fast as the light came it's gone. I stand fear stricken, unable to move. If that's a rogue ninja trying to capture me I'm as good as dead meat. I hold my breath trying to think of an escape plan, but in an instant the world goes black, even blacker than it was before.

Minato's POV

All these meetings really get boring sometimes. It's like hearing the same thing over and over and over again. I'm rarely home due to all of this Hokage business, more importantly I barely have time for Naruto. I bite my lip in worry thinking of him. Come to think of it, he's been looking pretty beat up these past couple of years ever since he joined the academy. I figured it's because of the training during class time and such, but today…he looked so scared and helpless when I patted his head. It's like he was asking me for help.

"Hokage-sama are you listening?" The former police chief, Fugaku Uchiha, interrupts me from my thoughts. Clearing my throat I answer, "My apologies, repeat the question."

"I asked you if-" He's cut off as the door suddenly flings open, and a former student of mine is standing before the council, panting and shouting.

"Sensei! It's Naruto, we found him unconscious in the hallway. He's not moving and was barely breathing when we found him." Obito yells frantically waving his arms in the air.

My body turns numb and I fear the worst. I stand up and race for the door. The thunder booms behind me.

"We'll finish this later." I say heading out the door. Although I probably look cool and composed on the exterior, I'm worried and scared. What happened to my son?

Naruto's POV.

The sound of constant beeping wakes me up. I feel dizzy and my memory is kind of foggy. Where am I? I observe my surroundings and notice that I'm in a hospital room. I curl my toes and move my feet around. I swing my arms from side to side, tilt my head, and even take a few quick breaths, but nothing hurts. So, why am I in here? I look over at my arm and notice a needle in it. Shrugging I yank it out of my arm, and throw it to the side. I get out of the bed and look out the window. The storm still hasn't passed, but it looks late. I should probably head home.

I turn around and am about to head for the door when suddenly a figure is standing in front of me. He's the spitting image of me, just older. This man lets out a sigh of relief and bends down, wrapping his large arms around my small body. He rests his head on my shoulder and squeezes me tightly.

"I'm so glad you're okay Naruto. Thank goodness you aren't hurt." He lets go and examines my face. His face falls at my confused expression.

"Sorry mister, but who are you?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: i know i already have a story i progress, but for some reason this idea popped into my mind and I had to write it down. I really love Minato and Naruto's relationship. Hopefully you like where I'm going with this story so far! Until next chapter, toodles~