This life of mine,

Naruto dies - not old in his bed like he would have hoped, having finally ushered the era of peace - but in another battle; shame, guilt, and relief mixing in all at once as the outside world fades out.He's achieved all that he wanted: made it to his life long dream of becoming Hokage, earned the villager's respect, and founded a family.But maybe, he can admit this to himself, he's become more hollow as he kept achieving. It's so good to loose for once, though he has regrets about what will happen to the village (it's fine, his friends are strong and Konoha will keep standing).As he exhales his last, he thinks, if only I had a next life. I would live for myself only this time.Duty is a heavy responsibility that comes at the expense of oneself. If only he'd known that back then. He misses the bright, cheerful child he used to be.~Naruto opens his eyes and sees his mother's impaled body standing over him, as she gasps out her last words. He opens his mouth and screams and all that comes out is the weak infantile cry of a newborn.