Summary: When Naruto is nearly killed on his third birthday Sarutobi decides that it is time he leaves his village to learn basic skills in order to be able to defend himself.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Will of Fire

By Pyxl Myxr

Prologue: Difference Between Possessor and Possessed

'What did I do to deserve this?' This was the thought of a young boy as he ran through the streets of the village. The boy, no older than three, was currently running away from some villagers and even some shinobi that were chasing him. His clothes were dirty and torn, covered with blood stains. Turing a corner he suddenly found himself in a short alley ending in a dead end. Turning around he saw the villagers and shinobi blocking the entrance and slowly advancing on him. Each of the villagers was carrying some type of object, from a club, to a broken beer bottle, while the shinobi held more dangerous weapons such as kunai; one even was gripping a Katana. If the villagers and shinobi hadn't been possessed by their rage they might have noticed the fear in the young boy's eyes. With a yell the villagers and shinobi raced forward. When they reached the boy they started beating him with everything they had. 'Why are they attacking me?' On the ground bleeding from multiple cuts and crying the boy finally spoke to his attackers? "Why are you attacking me? I've never done anything to you."

The villagers just laughed and attacked the boy with more vigor. "Shut up Demon! You killed my wife and son"

'Shit' Currently the Hokage was sprinting towards where the boy was being attacked. Behind him were several shinobi, these though, were Anbu and did not hate the boy and were loyal to the Hokage. Landing between Naruto and his attackers the Hokage released a gigantic amount of killing intent. Unfazed the Anbu landed behind the attackers stopping their retreat.

One of the villagers less affected by the killing intent had the nerve to yell out "Why are you protecting the Demon Child? He needs to die or he—"

Suddenly villager's voice was cut off, a hand extending through his chest. Removing his hand with a sickening squelch Kakashi stood straight releasing some of his own killing intent as if daring anyone else to speak against the child, now unconscious from the extent of his injuries.

The Hokage speaking, barely able to contain the rage in his voice and stop himself from killing all of the attackers addressed a short Anbu with the mask of a weasel, supposedly the captain of the present squad. "Itachi, take them to Prison Block E. I will send Ibiki there later." Once everyone was gone the Hokage turned and picked up the unconscious boy, speeding off towards the hospital. 'Why do so few realize that this boy is no different from them?' Arriving at the hospital he rushed in.

A nurse, seeing his frenzied state, quickly ran over to where he was. "Is there something you need Hokage-sama?"

"This boy needs medical treatment, fast!"

Looking at the kid in his arms the determination in her face quickly changed to disgust and revulsion. "I refuse to help the Demon. He deserves to die for what he did."

Suddenly the killing intent that the Hokage had released earlier and had only just completely disappeared returned full force. "THIS BOY IS NOT A DEMON! HE'S A HERO AND WILL RECEIVE PROPER TREATMENT."

Hearing the commotion and feeling the sudden pressure a man ran into the room. Upon seeing the state of the boy in the Hokage's arms he rushed off yelling back, "Follow me! He needs treatment right away."

Running after the man, the Hokage felt some of his anger disappear, though he continued to worry. 'At least there are some people besides the shinobi who knew the Fourth Hokage that don't feel hate towards the boy."

Entering a plain room the man instructed the Hokage to put the boy down. Scanning him with a quick medical jutsu he sighed in relief and turned to the worried Hokage. "He'll be fine. Though he has many wounds they are quickly healing, and he requires no assistance. I'm sorry about our nurse; she will be fired and will not receive her next paycheck."

Nodding the Hokage sighed, his worry completely disappearing. "Thank you. What is your name? I will make sure you receive a proper reward."

Smiling the man shook his head. "I wish for no reward, this boy had been treated badly for too long, this was the least I could do to try and repay him for the burden he has. As for my name, it is Atsumu. Both my mother and my father were medical nins but their true dream was to have a child. Every time they tried, though, they failed. Finally, after praying to Kami-sama for a year my mother became pregnant and I was born. When I was 17, the Kyuubi attacked and I, being an inexperienced medical nin, was here at the hospital healing the people who could no longer fight. My parents being very good medical nins though, were out in the battlefield trying to heal the fallen. They were killed. After their death, for a while I became cold, and hated the boy with a passion, believing that he was the demon. Finally after a year I realized what I was doing. My parents were kind people, fair to everyone and never judged someone based on what others said about them. After this realization I watched the boy for some time and I'll have to say that he seems no more a demon than a butterfly. Despite the way he has been treated he is kind to everything and everyone. The only time I have ever seen him angry or harm someone was when a couple of genin were picking on a young girl about his age."

Smiling the Hokage looked back over at Naruto. "I am very thankful that you see him that way."

After a long pause Atsumu, who was looking at Naruto with what seemed like admiration, finally broke the silence. "Well, Hokage-sama, I must go, there are others that need healing. If the boy ever needs medical treatment bring him directly to me, I will gladly heal him."

Nodding the Hokage sat down in a chair next to the bed occupied by the young boy. It was amazing, even after all that he had been through the boy seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

Please R&R. Reviews make me more willing to write and will decrease the distance between updates.