Alone
Chapter 6

“What do you mean? Surely it can’t be that bad. After all, he’s only a child…” Kakashi told the others after seeing the serious look on the Hokage’s face.

“He’s right, Naruto may be the class clown… but he couldn’t have done anything that bad, right?” Iruka replied to Kakashi’s remark.

“In most cases, that would be correct…” The Hokage began.

“Then what happened to him to make you act like this?” Tsunade inquired.

“Well, as Kakashi pointed out… he is frequently alone. And the two of you said that he is picked on and no one comes to pick him up…”

“Yeah, so what does this have to do with him being in the hospital?” Tsunade asked.

“Everything…”

“…” the three were silent.

“What do you know of what happened to the Forth Hokage?” The third asked.

“What does this have to do with Naruto?” Iruka asked.

“Just answer.” The Hokage told him.

“He died. He died protecting someone, I’m not sure who, but I do know that everyone is still sad about it…” Kakashi answered.

“Right, to be exact, he died protecting an infant.” The third replied.

“A baby?” Tsunade said sounding sad, “… he really did value every little life…”

“Yes, he did…” a smile came to the Hokage’s face, “Do you know who that baby was?”

“Not really, but I heard he is still alive, right?” Iruka told the others.

“The baby the Forth Hokage died in order to save was in fact the same boy who you and Kakashi saved, Iruka.” The Hokage now sounded sad again, “He died to save Naruto…”

“…” Tsunade stared at the floor, “… so that’s why everyone hates him…”

“What do you mean?” Kakashi looked at her. Both he and Iruka were still in slight shock as to what the Third Hokage said.

“Think about it,” Tsunade was now looking at all three men in front of her, “The Forth was a great man, he was always looking out for others and kept everyone safe, he protected the village. I’m not saying I believe this but this is what I’ve heard the other villagers say…”

“What, what did they say?” Kakashi was really interested.

“… ‘Why, why should the Forth Hokage, a great man, have to die, and THAT little brat survive? We would all be better off if he just let the kid die, we all know it’.” Tsunade recited.

“…” Iruka was shocked.

“… why would… they say something like that…? It… it wasn’t Naruto’s fault… that he died… it was the person who attacked him, his fault…” Kakashi was trembling.

“Calm down Kakashi, getting angry won’t help the situation…” the Hokage ordered.

“I know, but it all seems so wrong, why would they be so cruel, he didn’t do anything-” Kakashi was cut off by the door to the Hokage’s office slamming open.

Miki had run in, she was out of breath. She appeared to be VERY worried.

“Miki, what’s wrong? Is Naruto okay?” Iruka was the first to ask.

“… I don’t… know…” was all Miki could manage between breaths.

“What do you mean you don’t know? You’re his DOCTOR!” Iruka was about to leap at her when Kakashi walked up to her.

“Miki, catch your breath and tell us what you mean.” Kakashi told her as he held her shoulders.

“…” After Miki caught her breath, “… I mean that he’s gone-”

“What…” Iruka was shocked.

“No, no, no. That’s not what I mean. What I mean, is that after I checked his vital signs, I decided that I should just stay in his room with him. So I left to get a book and some ‘paper work’ to keep me occupied while I waited for either his condition to change or you to come back. I only took me one or two minutes to get them, but when I got back, he wasn’t in bed, his clothes were gone and the window was open.”

“Not good.”

“You’re quite right Tsunade. If someone finds him, something worse might happen to him.” The Hokage stood up and walked over to Miki, “Miki, I want to wait in the hospital and send for us if he comes in. Tsunade, Kakashi, Iruka. I want you all to search the village for any sign of him. I’ll get anyone I can find to search for him as well, after I finish that, I’ll join the search as well.”

“Right!” Kakashi, Iruka Miki and Tsunade all said in unison.

“Now go!” the Hokage ordered.

With that they all left to do their part and find the missing child.