Chapter Text
Naruko was never happy.
How could she be, when the whole village wanted her dead for reasons she didn’t know about?
Since she could remember, people around her called her anything but a child of kami-sama. Shopkeepers would increase the prices when she tried to buy things, teachers would scold her for every little thing she did, and children would say all kinds of cruel remarks to her.
But not everyone was like this toward her.
She had Jiji, an old man who cared for her and provided her with necessities like food, clothes, and even money. He would always take her out for ramen at Ichiraku Ramen. The warmth of the broth brought a sense of comfort; Teuchi and Ayame genuinely smiled at her presence, and Jiji always listened to her ramble on and on, just being there for her.
These little things made her feel normal.
Like she wasn't being alienated by the whole village.
Like they hadn't hurled things at her or cheered when they hit her.
But those small moments were always outweighed by the many glares she received.
Glares that were devoid of kindness.
Glares that were painted with disgust.
Glares that felt like thousands of swords piercing every part of her body.
Glares that were so unbearable she couldn't meet their gaze for too long.
They didn’t treat her as a girl.
They didn’t even treat her as a human.
They treated her as a disgusting monster who deserved to die. A demon. A witch.
And because of the complete dehumanization, because of this treatment, Naruko was not the kindest of them all.
She would play cruel pranks on people who jeered at her, make fun of others, and make hurtful remarks that left them crying. She would harm those who crossed her.
When people looked at her, they only saw a demon, and when they saw her being mean, they took it as evidence that she was one.
One who didn't possess traits that made someone human.
But demons don't have likes and dislikes.
They don't crave acceptance.
And they certainly don't have dreams.
Naruko loved ramen, hated liars, liked being active, and wore her favorite oversized orange jacket.
And her dream? If anyone cared to ask.
To have her face on the mountains, to sit in the highest chair, wearing the hat of the Hokage.
Those people will fear her, and Konohagakure will respect her.
And she's going to make it a reality,
Dattebayo!