Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Naruto characters. I do however own the other characters unless stated in the story. Plus I own the plot of the story.

Naruto ever since he was little could see the hidden animal people. He knew that unlike the other people of the village the animal people didn't hate him. They helped him and took care of him if he needed it. They even protected him from the other people in the village. He never told anyone he could see the hidden people because they obviously couldn't. He talked to the hidden people all the time especially when he was home cause they were always there and they never talked badly to him unless he did something wrong.

When Naruto was two years old he was thrown from the orphanage. He was given an apartment by the Hokage though. So now he took care of himself with his animal faced friends. When Naruto was four he saw one of his animal friends out in the open and saw how the people reacted to them. They were treated the same as he was. The other people avoided them and smelled of fear. So when Naruto passed by a stall the day before his birthday and saw a mask in that resembled a snarling fox. He smiled to himself and stayed hidden as the stall owner told another woman with a child the price for one of his masks. So while the man was distracted Naruto put the amount on the counter with a note that explained what it was for and then took the mask before the man had a chance to see him.

When he left the area he went to the nearest animal person and showed them his new mask. He smiled at his ingenious idea. He could look like his family so that they didn't feel like he was going to be mean to them like the other people. He'd already learned how to hide like they did so now he could match them too even if it was only pretend. His friend thought it funny and ruffled his hair and said it was really cool.

It had been three years since then and Naruto was due to go to the academy this year. He was already too and when he left the apartment he ignored everyone. He actually traveled the whole way there through the shadows so no one saw him pass them. When he got to the academy and went into his class room everyone stared at him because he likes always wore the Kitsune mask he'd bought when he was four. He merely went and sat in the back of the class. He stayed there quietly sitting in his chair waiting for his teacher to arrive.

When a man with shoulder-length white hair and green eyes came into the room and said, "Alright class settle down. Get in your seats please."

Once everyone was seated properly he said, "I am Mizuki. I am the assistant teacher. Your teacher Iruka had a meeting with the Hokage and is running a little late so we're going to wait for him. He should be here shortly."

Meanwhile in on the other side of the village in the Hokage tower sat two men. One was Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other was Umino Iruka. Now Hiruzen was a man of 68 years and had white hair was 5'4" and 112 Lbs. He was called the 'professor' and was the Sandaime Hokage. And Iruka was a Chuunin of 25 years with Brown hair and black eyes of 5'10" and 146 Lbs. They were currently discussing one of Iruka's students.

"Now Iruka in addition to getting Sasuke you are also going to be getting Uzumaki Naruto. Now I know how you feel about him but I would like you to see past that and treat him fairly if nothing else." Said Hiruzen

"Yes sir." Said Iruka really hating this year already, "Is there anything else sir? I am late to start class."

"Only one. It seems three years ago Naruto managed to get his hands on a mask. Now normally I would encourage the boy with acting like the child he is but in this I am sorry to say I cannot." Said Hiruzen

"What's so bad about a mask sir?" said Iruka not understanding what the problem was.

"Nothing except he has taken to wearing it all the time. He hasn't taken it off in three years Iruka. I have tried everything I can think of to get it off but he won't have it. And to top it off it is a fox mask. A Porcelain fox mask at that even resembles the retired fox mask the ANBU possess. It seems someone got a hold of it and copied it perfectly or managed to secretly order another one. Then give it to Naruto at some point I don't know why exactly it was done but it was." Said Hiruzen before taking a puff from his pipe and letting the smoke out, "I would like you to try to get him to take it off. He can't wear it all the time anyway once he graduates. Especially since it is an ANBU issue mask to begin with."

"Yes sir I will see what I can do." Said Iruka

When he walked in he noticed two things. One was that everyone was sitting quietly and two Mizuki seemed to be staring at something. He looked where his friend was and saw Naruto and saw the mask that Hiruzen had mentioned just a few moments before. When he came into the room completely he said, "Sorry I'm late class. So let's get started."

He took role call and said, "Uzumaki Naruto?"

Naruto looked at him and raised his hand and said, "Here Sensei."

"Naruto I'll allow it for now but after the lunch break your going to have to take the mask off alright." Said Iruka as he put the clipboard down.

Naruto bit his lip and said, "Hai sensei."