Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me. Silence does
Naruto talks to people who aren't there.
Late at night, early in the morning, anytime he is by himself, the words start pouring out, pitch and tone surging like an emotional electrical socket. When he is alone, he can't help it. Naruto, the boy who clutches his emotions close, shields his heart with a smiling face, and only speaks in a loud, strong voice, cannot do those things when he is alone. But, instead of crying, instead of mourning in silence, his voice bursts out, slowly at first, but getting faster and faster until he is forced to stop or risk suffocation.
Naruto tells things to the silence.
He doesn't really believe that anyone is listening, no proud ancestor, no benevolent god who will make the world right, someday, someday. When he was young, he spoke to his parents, knowing nothing about them other than that they were dead. At least, he hopes that they are dead. The idea had crossed his mind, more than once, that perhaps they had been as disgusted by his existence as the rest of the village. When he thought of that, he stopped speaking to them. Silly, no? To be giving the silent treatment to someone he'd never met.
But still, he speaks.
Not knowing if anyone will ever listen, growing cold at the thought that no one will ever care, Naruto speaks to the world at large. Maybe he hopes that someone, somewhere in the shadows, is watching him, hearing him. Maybe he has someone specific in mind, as he spills all of his secrets to the stoic, dependable trees surrounding the boy. Maybe he is right, and someone is watching. Maybe someone is listening. Maybe, just maybe, there is someone there.