The Boy In The Mirror: A Naruto FanFiction

Who Am I?

"Who am I?" he muttered aloud, scratching his head. "How do I even answer that?"

The genin had been stuck in the waiting room for over two hours, summoned for an "urgent" meeting that felt anything but that. To pass the time, Sakura had convinced Naruto, Sasuke, and a few others to take part in her homemade written compatibility quiz. After much nagging, Naruto had agreed, though he'd dozed off more than once, and Sasuke hadn't gotten past the second question, obviously not interested in the slightest

"Just write some good stuff about yourself," Shikamaru said lazily, not even looking up from his paper. He was already halfway done with his test, his nonchalance aggravating Naruto even more. Good things? Naruto's mind blanked. What good things did he have? He wasn't like Sakura, who was smart and skilled with chakra control. He definitely wasn't like Sasuke, the genius who was naturally talented at everything. Naruto was the loudmouth, the prankster, the screw-up.

He sighed, lowering his gaze to the cracked cement floor. Even now, after all his training, he felt like dead weight to his team. He worked just as hard as Sasuke, sometimes even harder, but the results never showed. Sasuke got praise, admiration, and respect without even trying, while Naruto was lucky if he didn't get glared at walking down the street. The bitter comparison ate at him, twisting his insides with frustration.

Naruto was a pro though. He had mastered concealing his self-doubt with stupid confidence long ago. Although it seems a little much, it was his unique way of surviving. This harsh world doesn't conform to the wishes of others, especially his. If he publicly doubted himself or showed any sign of weakness, the world would swallow him whole.

He knows that his team would be better off without him. Would he ever admit it? No way.

"I'm done!" Ino announced, breaking his thoughts. She beamed, holding up her paper. "I got a 34, which means i'm a bunny that's compatible with a snake!" She giggled, casting a glance at Sasuke. "What did you get, Sasuke?"

Sasuke looked up at the blonde girl. Annoyance written all over his face. He really couldn't care less for anyone in this room.

"Don't know. Haven't finished yet." Sasuke stated coldly. Snapping out of his daze Naruto chuckled softly, rushing through the rest of the questions. "I'll finish before you," he declared, his competitive side surfacing. Any chance to beat Sasuke was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. He might not win in a fight yet, but a simple quiz, he's got this.

"I'm going to finish before you." Naruto exclaimed with a smug expression.

Naruto had always liked the idea of beating Sasuke. It was satisfying. Sasuke was always such a praised child, even now he was given automatic respect just for his last name, while Naruto had spent years attempting to scrape up any respect the village still had for him, trying desperately to prove he wasn't just a waste of space. Just for the result of his efforts to be cold shoulders and harsh glares.

It wasn't fair. Sasuke was recognized by the village. Naruto wasn't, and would never be.

Slowly overtime Naruto decided to stop feeding the growing hatred he had for Sasuke, as it wouldn't take him anywhere. He tried hard to view him in a more positive light. It proved to be a challenge with no doubt, but eventually he started seeing the many different, softer sides the boy had. However, Naruto was still resentful towards the Uchiha.

Sasuke snorted, holding up his paper. "Too late. I'm on the last question."

Naruto shot up, glaring at him. "No way! You were on the second question like five seconds ago!" His voice carried across the room, earning annoyed stares from the surrounding shinobi.