"Are you okay, Miu? You didn't sleep that much last night." Sasuke noticed. "I'll be fine." I said as we walked towards the next part of the exam. I didn't get any sleep last night because I had a nightmare. It wasn't about Gaara. It was about Sasuke.

He's really scary. Well, he proved that when he forced me to talk to him. I sighed. When we got to the exams, Naruto waved at me. I gave him a small smile. "You don't look so well, Miu-chan? Are okay?" Naruto asked me. "Yeah, I'm fine." I said softly.

I looked at my ankle when I felt something brush past it. At first, I thought it was a cat. Well, I guess was half right because Isuke was looking at me with that damn cocky smile on his face. "Good morning, Princess," Isuke greeted.

I stared at him. "You look upset. Is there something wrong?" He asked me. I shook my head. "No, it's not you. I'm just tired." I said. "Can I assist you in any way?" He questioned. I shook my head again. "No, that's okay." I said.

I looked over at a grass ninja as he sat on a rock, motioning towards me. Although, I wasn't sure if he was talking about me in specific. I pointed at myself for confirmation. He smirked and gave me a small nod. I frowned slightly and read his mind.

What? "Is something wrong, Princess?" Isuke asked as he climbed up onto my shoulder. "I can't read his mind." I said. "Who, Princess?" He asked. I pointed at the grass ninja as he kept motioning his hand, telling me to walk over to him.

"Maybe there's nothing to read." Isuke said. "No, that's impossible. I've been able to read everyone's mind without a problem ever since I was small. This problem has never happened before." I said. I don't get it. Why can't I read his mind?

Does he know I'm a mind reader? I decided to walk over to him to see what he wanted. "Be cautious, Princess." Isuke said as I approached the grass ninja. I gulped once I stopped in front of him. "What a beautiful young child you are," The grass ninja said.

I blinked. "Uh..." I stared at him. I couldn't see his eyes because his straw hat was covering them. I flinched slightly when he touched my head. The grass ninja moved some hair off my face, revealing my scar. I looked at him as he smirked at my scar.

"You should be careful out there. Scars won't be the only thing you'll be covered in inside these forests." The man warned. I gulped and slowly backed away from him. "I uh... I have to go." I said before bowing my head to him. I went back to my team.

I covered my scar with my hair as I walked back over to them. "Where did you go, Miu-chan?" Naruto asked. "I uh... just um, stepped out for a second." I said softly. "Princess, I've just located the traps inside the forest." Isuke said.

"Thank you." I said. "I will now look for any hiding places. Who knows? They might be useful in the future while you're participating in these exams." He said as he closed his eyes happily, the smile not leaving his face. I nodded of approval and he went through the gates.

After I got the scroll we needed, we approached our gates. Once Anko gave us the cue to go, we ran into the forest. After a while of running, we found a spot to rest. "Miu, give me the scroll. Because knowing you, you could end up dropping it and putting our team in jeopardy." Sakura scolded.

"But I can handle it. I won't lose it. I promise." I said. "Yeah, right. You're too clumsy, stupid. That's why Sasuke hates you." She said. I looked at the ground, not responding. She could be right. Maybe Sasuke was doing all this teasing just to be mean, just to make fun of me.

What else is new, right? I took the scroll out of my pocket and slowly handed it to Sakura until Sasuke grabbed my wrist. I gasped and looked at him. "Miu is capable of holding the scroll, Sakura. So quit putting her down and telling her she's useless." Sasuke defended.

I blinked. "But Sasuke-kun, you know how stupid she is. Why do you even care about her? She's weak, stupid, ugly, and a waste of time. Everyone knows it." Sakura said. I yanked my wrist out of Sasuke's hold and ran off.

I couldn't take it anymore. I'm tired of Sakura insulting me. I climbed up a tall tree then rested myself on a big branch. "Princess?" 

Isuke jumped down from a branch above me then gently landed on my shoulder. "What's the matter, Princess?" He asked me. I shook my head. "Was it Sakura again?" He demanded. I nodded my head. "Sakura... said some hurtful things. But I should be used to it, right? So... why aren't I?" I said, pulling my knees to my chest.

"You have nothing to worry about, Princess. Everything will be alright. But right now, you're objective is to-"

"Stop calling me Princess. I'm not a princess. You're wrong, Isuke. You're wrong about everything. Nothing will change. Everything will be the same." I said  before hiding my face in my knees. After hiding for about... I don't know, 30 minutes or so, I stood up. 

"Where are you going?" Isuke asked. "To a place where I can be alone for awhile. I don't feel like going back to the team right now." I said. I forgot I was on a tree, so when I took a step forward, I fell off the tree. "Princess!" Isuke said as I fell.

I didn't think this through so well. I didn't think at all! Am I really going to die like this? I screamed loudly, hoping for someone to hear me. As I was about to hit the ground, someone caught me. I blinked my eyes a couple times.

"You should be more careful, dear. Wouldn't want to get hurt now, would we?" 

I looked at the person who caught me. It was the same grass ninja who saw my scar. "Who are you?" I asked. "It's a shame. It hurts my feelings you don't recognize me, my dear." He said as he still had hold of me, bridal style.

"What..?" I asked. He smirked before removing his face. A mask. I gasped when I saw his real face. "Orochimaru-san?" I said in disbelief. "Hello, my dear," Orochimaru said with a smile. I hugged his neck as I closed my eyes tightly.

"Orochimaru-san..." I repeated as I held onto him. "My Miu. What do you think you were doing? Were you trying to kill yourself?" He asked me. I shook my head as I let go of him. "I was on the tree and I stayed there for awhile. But I forgot I was on a branch and I fell." I explained.

"My poor Miu. I'm glad you're alright," Orochiamru said as he gently caressed my cheek. I closed my eyes. "Miu," Orochimaru said, grabbing my attention. I opened my eyes to look at him. "Are ready to go? Are you ready to go to the place I promised you?" He asked.

I gasped in excitement. "Really?! Do you mean it?! All your work is done?" I asked. He smiled and nodded his head. "It's time to go, Miu." Orochimaru said as he held out his hand. I took his hand with a soft smile.

"Miu-chan!" I turned around. "Naruto?" I said as he ran over to me. "What are you doing here?" I asked him. "I got worried, so I went looking for you." He explained. He stopped running when he saw Orochimaru. "Miu-chan, get away from him." Naruto said.

"What? Why?" I asked. "He's after the scroll! He even attacked us!" Naruto said. "You're lying. Orochimaru-san wouldn't do that." I said. "Miu-chan, he's an enemy! He tried to kill us, and he'll kill you too!" He said.

"Shut up!" I pressed my hands over my ears. "Just shut up! I've heard enough of this! I've had enough of everyone! The lies! The pain! The bullying! I can't take it anymore!" I screamed. I began to sob as I had my hands pressed over my face.

"See how much pain you've caused this child? Miu is better off with me than staying hear in the Leaf," Orochimaru said. "Miu-chan.." Naruto said sadly. "Tell me, boy. What have you done to help Miu when she was being bullied? Did you even try to help her? Were you ever there for her? Allow me to answer that question for you. On the day when Miu was being abused, what were you doing? Goofing around, being a class clown." Orochimaru said.

"No," I said as I wiped my eyes. "It doesn't matter anymore. Because all of my pain is going to end," I said. I looked at Naruto. "Naruto, when you get back to the village, tell Lord Hokage that I won't be able to visit him anymore." I said.

I took a step back, near Orochimaru. He rested a hand on my shoulder before teleporting us away. So long, Lord Hokage. Farewell, Naruto. Goodbye... everyone.

Naruto's POV

Miu-chan, I had no idea you were being bullied. I didn't mean to drive you away. I'm sorry. Please, come back, Miu-chan. I don't want to be alone again.

(Flashback)

"I'm not that kid! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm going to be Hokage someday!" I yelled as I ran away from the villages. I ran to the training grounds to get away from all of them. Since I was running with my eyes closed, I didn't know where I was looking.

I bumped into someone, causing both of us to fall back. "Ow.." Said the person I bumped into. I rubbed my head then looked at whoever I ran into. It was a girl with short pink hair dressed in a pink clothing. Whoa, she's even prettier than Sakura.

"I'm sorry about that. I didn't see you there." I apologized. "It's my fault. I should've looked where I was going," She said, standing to her feet. She walked over to me and held out her hand. "Are you okay?" I asked her.

I looked into her eyes, seeing they were pink, just like her hair. It made her even more beautiful; like she was an angel. "Ano..." I shook my head and looked at her. "Can you stand?" She asked me, her hand still outreached towards me.

"Oh, yeah. I can. Thanks." I said, grabbing her hand. She pulled me to my feet. "Why were you running?" She asked me. I shook my head. "It's nothing. Forget about it." I said. "I see." She replied as she looked off to the side.

I noticed there was a bruise on her cheek. "What happened to your cheek?" I asked. She blinked then gently placed her hand on the bruise. "It was an accident, I think." She said softly. "An accident?" I asked. She shook her head, not wanting to talk about it anymore.

"Anyway, I'm-"

"Naruto Uzumaki." She answered. "Huh? How did you know my name?" I asked her. "We're in the same class. I think it's funny what you do. It's actually cute." She said with a small smile as a blush crept on her face.

I blushed and scratched the back of my head sheepishly. "Anyway, what's your name?" I asked. "I-I'm Miu S-S-Shimizu." She introduced. "Miu Shimizu? I've never seen you in class." I said. "That's because I sit in the back. Nobody likes me anyway. They think I'm a freak." Miu said sadly.

"Why would they think that?" I asked. "If I told you, you would think I'm a freak too," Miu said as she turned her head, looking at the ground. "They say someone who is born abnormal doesn't deserve to live. Just because you're different..." She trailed off as she walked over to a nearby tree.

She held out the back of her hand while a bird rested itself on it. "Doesn't mean you shouldn't be given a chance. But I would asking for too much now, wouldn't I." Miu said as she gently petted the bird's head. "Are you saying you're different?" I asked.

She nodded her head. "That's why I can't tell you about myself. Because you would run away from me. Just like they did," She said. They? Who's "they"? The bird flew away as she quickly wiped her face before turning around to face me. 

"Well, it was nice talking to you, Naruto Uzumaki. I hope we get to be friends in the future." Miu said as she began to walk away. "Wait!" I said as I quickly grabbed her hand. Miu flinched then turned to face of me. "What's wrong?" She asked in a soft voice.

"Uh.." I blushed, realizing I was bit loud and sudden when I stopped her. "I can be your friend." I said to her. "Friend?" She repeated. "Yeah. You said you didn't have any friends, right? So let me be your friend." I said, smiling.

"You're lying." Miu said softly as she closed her eyes. "I'm not lying! Look at my eyes!" I said. Miu opened her eyes and looked at me, seeing the serious look on my face. Miu continued to look at me, thinking whether to trust me or not.

I held my serious face as she looked at me. To be honest, when I looked at her face, it looked like she was going to cry. I smiled at her and she hugged me. I blushed at her response. "You'll really be my friend?" She asked as her arms were wrapped around my neck.

"Yeah, you can count on me! Believe it!" I said. I wrapped my arms around her waist, hugging her back. "I promise, Miu-chan. I'll always be your friend." I said to her. Miu looked at me with a soft smile. "I trust you, Naruto." She said softly. I smiled at her. I finally have a friend.

(End of Flashback)

"You promised me that we'd always be there for each other. Was that all a lie, Miu-chan? Are we not friends anymore?" I said as I stared at the ground, a shadow casting over my eyes. Miu-chan... please don't leave me. Don't leave me alone. I need you. Please... come back. 

Miu's POV

I walked with Orochimaru as he led me out of the forest. "Orochimaru-san, how much further? I'm sorry if I'm being impatient." I said. He chuckled. "It's quite alright, my dear. We're almost there." Orochimaru said. We walked a bit further until I saw the exit.

"Tricking a young girl into following you. How low can you get, Orochimaru?"

Who said that? "Miu, get out of the way!" 

"What?" I said. A kunai with a paper bomb attached to it was thrown between Orochimaru and I. "Get out of the way now!"

I did as... whoever it was said, and jumped out of the way just as the paper bomb went off. My body was rolled away from the attack. "What was that? Who attacked?" I asked myself as I lifted my head. "I'm surprised you would get her on your side. You must be that desperate to have her."

Orochimaru-san? No, it didn't sound anything like him. "Well, isn't this a surprise. I'd never thought I'd have to encounter of you." Orochimaru said. "Just what are you planning to do with her once you have her?" A man in a black cloak with red clouds on it was standing a few feet away from Orochimaru.

"Why would you like to know? You Akatsuki kill for enjoyment." Orochimaru said.

"Man, don't you have it turned around. You're the one who does sick experiments on people."

"It's a hobby."

"You never answered my question. What are you planning to do with Miu once you have her? Not like you could get her anyway. Your luck has ran out."

"On the contrary, it's the other way around," Orochimaru smirked.

What's going on? How does Orochimaru know this person? I wobbly stood to my feet. "Orochimaru-s-!" I was cut off when I felt a sharp pain in my neck. "I had a clone hidden in the trees from behind Miu after you threw that paper bomb. It appears your luck has ran out, Akatsuki." Orochimaru said.

My eyes widened as the pain increased. "Miu!" The cloaked man said. I felt fangs detach from my neck before I fell to my knees, clutching my neck in pain. "You lowlife." The cloaked man growled. "Good luck trying to get that off her. But I doubt you can. Miu will come to me. After all, she's been through enough pain." I didn't hear Orochimaru anymore after that.

I fell face first into the ground as I clutched the spot on my neck since that's where the source of the pain was coming from. "Miu. Miu, can you hear me?" The cloaked man said as he picked up my body. I managed to nod my head, answering his question.

"What... did he... d-do to me.." I said as I clutched my neck harder. "Please.. make it stop. It hurts..." I said. "Miu.." The man said apologetically. "I was afraid that this would happen. That's why I went looking for you. Miu, just hang in there."

I closed my eyes. Am I going to die? I just wanted to get away from it all. But as usual, my dreams seem to backfire. I think it's easier if I just... disappear. It's not like I'll be missed.