In My Hand

Uzumaki Naruto wasn't what anyone quite expected- for those who had any expectations.

"Hokage-sama" the blond haired blue eyed boy said pleasantly, a beatific smile on his young face, the air of maturity that enveloped him seemed almost unnatural, but completely right.

"Naruto" Sarutobi Hiruzen greeted fondly "what are you doing?"

"Thinking" at the Hokage's pressing he elaborated "I'm thinking about many things, sir. Sometimes, I think about the villagers and why they hate me" the Hokage flinched "Sometimes I think about chakra, I can feel how much more I have than most people and I think why? Is it inherited, did my family have the same thing?" Hokage grimaced "And then, sometimes, I think about butterflies" and a butterfly, the colour of sunset and sunrise landed on his outstretched finger much to Sarutobi's surprise "how gentle they are, how with the flapping of its wing freed a fly from a spider or led prey to its predator. They're such deceiving creatures, like ninja you know? Like people."

Sarutobi adored this kind of child, the kind who saw more than what others saw and Uzumaki Naruto could be no other child than this, if not by nature than by nurture.

"Is that what you're doing then Naruto?" he asked knowingly "I admit I was surprised when I received the updates from the Academy, they write you as a troublemaker, loud and lazy."

"Of course" Naruto nodded graciously "a ninja should never reveal his hand"

"Well done" Sarutobi praised, patting the boy on his head.

When the old man left, Naruto opened his clenched hand to reveal the butterfly; its wings wrinkled and torn and its limbs twitching. Cooing at the struggling, almost dead, butterfly he grinned maliciously at the Hokage's casually turned back- it would be so easy.

But a ninja should never reveal his hand.