Of Harrowed Hearts

Sometimes the hardest battle isn't enough to change a heart, sometimes all the war and blood in the world isn't enough to shift a single destiny.
Sometimes a simple touch is enough to break down the strongest of barriers, sometimes a single word is enough to make the world quake.
Sometimes the most reaching of changes comes in the form of a little boy sad enough, strong enough, and kind enough to make friends with a monster.
Sometimes one change makes waves.

Naruto has been hearing the rumbling growl in the back of his head for as long as he can remember. He's seven when he tries to talk to it for the first time. He's the dead last, the failure at everything, so he doesn't actually expect to succeed.
And when he's suddenly standing, knee deep in murky water and face to face with a demon, he has no idea what to expect.
As it turns out, the world could use something unexpected.

In which Naruto discovers the real meaning of the word monster, Sasuke discovers power and strength and learns the difference between them, and Sakura discovers that being herself is not as selfish as she thought.
Where Kakashi learns to fight again for what he loves, and Obito never stopped.

Full credit goes to Sable_Scribe from Archives of Our Own