Naruto, the 9 year old blonde ninja-in training, was up early this bright Saturday morning. He grinned as he hopped out of his cold shower, seeing as there was no hot water anyway. He only tossed his bright orange pants on before leaving his bathroom. He planned to head out to the training grounds today to visit Daichi-kun. The shrill sound of his tea pot signaled that his water was boiling, so he set out to prepare his instant ramen.

Daichi was a small stray cat, with golden fur and eyes. He first meet the small creature when he was 8, and Daichi was only a kitten. Well, technically he still was a kitten, cause he was so small still, but Naruto knew he'd grow to be strong. He had wanted so badly to take him in as a pet, but his apartment wouldn't allow it, not that that really allowed him anything but oh well. He'd be Hokage some day! Then Daichi would stay in the hokage's tower with him and get his own cool hat! Believe it! Naruto grinned to himself at the thought of his dream. Then for sure the Village would accept him! He'd get all the respect he'd ever wante- Naruto let his train of thought disperse when the timer went off. During his 3-minutes of waiting and thinking he'd gotten fully dressed. One instant cup of ramen and the rest of his almost-but-not-quit spoiled milk and the small boy ran out of his apartment, taking a comfortable stroll when he reached the streets. It was still relatively early for Naruto, at 6:48 am, but not early enough. A lot of the venders where out and about finishing up with the small details of prepping for the morning business, some people where even selling. He strolled along hands behind his head with a wide grin. They could glare all they wanted, they'd be looking at him with awe as soon as he became a ninja!

"Meow."

Naruto looked down, a tiny bit startled. He'd made it to the training ground with out even realizing it, and now he found himself looking deep into the eyes of a very smart, very small golden eyed cat. A small smile replaced his previous grin, and now he was actually smiling. Not giving that grin he slapped on for everyone else, but that smile he reserved for those close to his heart. So far only two people where ever graced with it. The Hokage, when he took him out eat that one time, Dango he remembers. Naruto wasn't very found of it so the Hokage promised to take him out for something different next time. The old man Hokage was the only person in the whole village who smiled fondly at him, and didn't treat him like scum. So he was gonna be just like Jiji and be Hokage himself one day! The other was Daichi, but in all honestly Daichi got to see the smile far more often. Naruto dropped down to his knee's and a hand went out to rub the kittens head, scratching him behind the ears well he was at it.

Purring gratefully Daichi rubbed his golden head into Naruto's hand. " Morning to you too Daichi-kun!" he whispered. Daichi-kun didn't really like it when he yelled, so he talked softly to the cat. " Where too today?" the blonde boy asked his friend with bright excited blue eyes. After he removed his hand.

Daichi narrowed his eyes at Naruto when he removed his hand, his tail flicking impatiently. His golden eyes looked upon the boy with a critical gaze. Blinking Naruto was stumped. " What is it Dauchi-ku-OH!" Naruto exclaimed in remembrance. Sheepishly he rubbed the back of his head. " Sorry bout that, I didn't forget tho!" he proclaimed in a whisper. A loud whisper, but still a whisper. Finishing into his back pocket for a moment, he removed a small wrapped up bundle, inside was a small fish, most likely a minnow. Naruto grinned with pride as he presented it to the cat, who immediately purred and snatched it up in it's teeth, consuming it.

" You better enjoy that Daichi-kun, I had to snatch it off a old man fishing yesterday. I put it in the fridge so it wouldn't go bad. Man he was upset at he, so he did what they all usually do. Swear and throw things at me. I got snagged by one nasty lure, but hey, I at least got a lure right? It wasn't any problem for a kick-ass ninja like me tho!" Naruto proclaimed loudly, forgetting himself for a moment.

Daichi flickered his tail again, and his ear twitched as he licked his chops. Getting up the small kitten nudged the small boys leg before turning around and bounding away. Naruto stood up, and followed behind like an eager child, which, technically he was.

This is what they usually found themselves doing whenever Naruto visited, they wandered for a while in the forest looking at things before the small cat found a sunny place and they relaxed there for a while. When Naruto inevitably got hungry eh left for the day, promising to return the next day with something fish like for his friend. Normally tho, they got in lot of sun-bathing time.

Which is where one could find Naruto a couple hours later. Daichi had chosen a rocky place by one of the small ponds of water. The worn posts and tree's a few yards away signaled this was a used training area for ninja. Naruto was always careful tho, and made sure to leave if a ninja come around. Today tho, he made a mistake, one that would cost him dearly.

Relaxing with his golden friend on his chest on top of the sun-bathed rock, Naruto made the mistake of falling asleep. He fell asleep near a used training field, on the wrong day at the wrong time. He never heard them coming from where he was sprawled out. Not to mention Daichi, who was used to ninja's being around, so the when the ninja came, he didn't bother waking Naruto up to move to a new spot.

What did eventually wake Naruto up, was the rough kick that was delivered to his side with a sickening crunch sound. Startled and in pain Naruto rolled over onto the ground, small sharp rocks pocking and daring to piece into his skin. Daichi had hoped off with a yowl of protest and a hiss, scrambling a few yard away, hackles raised in a defensive way, a snarling hiss coming from his up curled lips.

"What do you think your doing out here demon! To high a mighty to show your hideous face to the village anymore? You got to taint our training grounds instead!" came a harsh sneer as a second kick was delivered to the small boy. Naruto said nothing, he was used to it. It had gotten so much worse after he joined the academy. The normally loud obnoxious, defiant blonde said nothing in protest only tried to hide his face in his shirt as he curled into the fetal position.

"WELL? ANSWER ME DEMON-SCUM!" the man roared angrily as he savagely kicked the child in his back, his heel connecting with Naruto's spine. He had to hold his mouth tight to keep the blood from coming out of his mouth when his body shook with pain and he denied his reflexes of coughing. They always got happier and more mean when they saw his blood.

"HIISS!" came an angry sound. Naruto's eyes shot open as he saw a golden blur rushing the ninja. Despite himself he cried out in sorrow. " DAICHI! NO!" he said with fear for his friend. That was his second mistake.

The ninja who was beating on Naruto turned in question when the cat ran at him, ready to just kick the small thing away. However hearing the demon cry out in warning for the creature the man remembered that this cat had been previously sleeping on the child's chest. A glint appeared in his eyes. Quickly, he kicked the cat away, who tumbled on the hard ground. It seemed to struggle to get up, it's small body completely unready and unprotected for the kick.

" Daichi!" Naruto cried out, tears stinging his eyes. He started to get up, intending on going to his friend.

" No you don't! I may not be able to kill you but that doesn't mean I can't take everything from you!" the man laughed as he sent a chakra kick to the small boy, and the cracking of ribs filled the ear in a surprisingly large echo. Naruto found himself blacking out when his head connected savagely with a rock.

Naruto didn't think he was unconscious for long, because when he woke up the ninja was strolling away, looking proud. Fearful, he stayed down, watching the ninja leave. Only when Naruto was sure he was alone did he struggle up, eyes darting around to find his friend. His chest was heavy with pain, but Naruto always handled the pain well, he'd been dealing with it for so long after all. However, the pain that hit him when he saw his cat friend was like none he had ever felt before, causing his stomach to sink and his eyes to freely spill tears. "Daichi..." he whispered. "DAICHI!" he bellowed in a teary cry of sorrow as he scrambled over, tipping over his own feet a few times, his chest exploding with pain. He ignored it.

Daichi was laying on the ground in a pool of his own blood. Beautiful golden fur tainted with red blood. There was large gash on the cats side, it was shallow but long and nasty looking. Dirt was already inside the wound, and judging from all the dirt clumped up on patched of sticky fur, he'd been kicked around on the ground a few times for good measure. Besides that one cut, there where dozens of smaller deeper cuts, that ninja must have taken his time and had fun with it. Salty tears fell onto the still breathing cats body, bending into the thick sticky blood that was still coming out. Dulled pained golden eyes turned to look at Naruto. Daichi seemed to open his mouth to meow at him, but only raspy breath came out. Naruto snapped out of his daze. He needed to get help! Tearing off his orange jacket, Naruto carefully picked up Daichi and rapped it loosely around him, before cradling the cat to his chest. He could feel his friend tremble in pain, which only cause Naruto to cry more. Holding tightly, but trying desperatelynot to hurt his friend anymore, Naruto ran towards the village.

" Help! Anyone please help!" Naruto cried, his eyes leaking tear after tear. He was standing in the middle of the street, holding a blooded jacket with a struggling to keep living cat in his arms. People openly sneered or laughed at his dismay.

" It's your own fault demon! Maybe this will teach you!" one quite vocal man shouted, as a rotting piece of fruit was thrown at his head. It connected. Laughed openly took place as other started to throw too. Naruto. Bend over Daichi protectively. " Please stop! Just help him and I promise never to prank again!" he sobbed.

" Why don't you just go die instead!"

" Demon!"

"Monster!"

"Devil-spawn!"

Seeing he was getting no help, Naruto ran towards his apartment, it was closer, and Daichi would be dead before he ever go to Jiji's tower. He ignored the spit that come from every angle landing on the ground in front of him by the hateful villagers.

" Don't worry Daichi-kun!" Naruto sobbed quietly as he ran. " I promise I'll save you, cause I'm going to be a ninja and I'll protect you! It's what Hokage's do!" he told his friend. Silent strained breathing was his only reply.

He kicked his door open when he arrived, the locks didn't work anyway, and kicked it shut again. There was a brief yelling from down stairs but he ignored it. The boy ran to his bathroom. As soon as he got there he realized he new nothing of first-aid. He never payed attention during that lesson, because he thought he was strong enough to prevent the injuries in the first place. He'd have to improvise. He set Daichi down briefly before dragging in his small coffee table, and placed Daichi down on that, after he had tossed a towel over it of course. After removing his jacket ad tossing it into the bathtub he felt a new rush of tears. His friend had obviously lost a lot of blood, lucky however the constant pressure he must have kept on it well he ran about helped stop the bleeding, the matted fur doing the rest as no more blood seemed to leave the golden cats body. Looking around rapidly Naruto went to work as fast as he could. He tried to think fast, he just had to save Daichi!

" Water! Warm water!" Naruto babbled to himself in panic. It's take time to boil the necessary water. He'd have to warm it up as much as possible at least. Rushing to his dirty kitchen Naruto snatched up his kettle. He hurriedly fulled it with maybe a cup or two worth of water, and poured some salt in. It boiled a little bit faster that way. Slamming it on the stove and pushing the burner to high Naruto moved on. The water could be used to clean his friend up.

" Bandages!" he mumbled to himself. He never really used them, his wounds always seemed to heal fast. Which is why the now dull pain in his chest was no bother to him, it probably hurt worse then he thought, but the fear for Daichi and the adrenaline took care of that factor for now. Remembering back however, Jiji had given him a small first aid kit when he was 6, just in case.

Now Naruto's apartment was somewhat small, consisting of a kitchen area, bed room, small living area, and a bathroom. Each room wasn't very big, but it's size fit him well. However the entire place was dirty. So Naruto stumbled around in the grim and thrown around trash and drove with purpose towards his bed room's tiny closet. Inside was the kit he so desperately needed right now.

His closet was just as cluttered as the rest of the place, dirty piles of his jumpsuit were thrown about, along with anything else he just tossed int here to get out of the way. Tears had been steadily running down his cheeks, soaking the front of his white blood stained shirt. Diving in, he pulled small piles of clothes and trash one after another, till he reached the bottom. There was a medium sized chest resting there. Throwing it open he found the few precious things he had. The first aid kit from Jiji, along with all the money Jiji sent as an allowance. He almost never used it, taking only enough to buy ramen. His clothes where already all baggy so he didn't even think about trying to get stores to sell him anything. He never had enough money anyway. Everything was so expensive. He always got 10,000 yen from Jiji for his monthly food bills, clothes bills ect. Cause Jiji payed for his apartment. He'd been getting that amount for almost 4 years. There was also some books, obviously for little kids, but they didn't interest him to actually read them now. He didn't know how to read until last year, which was rather sad as he'd been in the academy since he was 6. Grabbing the kit, he slammed the truck closed and scrambled back to the kitchen. Grabbing a bowl he rushed back to the bathroom, returning a moment later for the now lukewarm water. He couldn't wait for it to boil.

Returning to the bathroom Naruto set to work. Daichi's breathing was shallow and weak, but he was breathing. Taking a dry wash cloth from the cabinet above the sink he lightly dabbed one corner in the water. Gently, he washed the blood away from the wound area. He could feel the tensing of Daichi's body under neath him. He tried to be gentle. Once he got the dirt and blood cleaned away enough he opened the kit looking for the bandages.

The kit he opened surprised him, as it looked to be far more useful then he had previously thought. He found 3 small packages that looked like they could be for band aids, but said 'Disinfectant Wipes' on the wrapping. Ripping one open he wiped the biggest wound with it. Daichi hissed weakly and seemed to wince, as if it was burning. Naruto only assumed it was working. He used another for the other two wounds. Turning back to the kit he rummaged around and as he pulled out the bandages he noticed a small bag of some type of pills. He noticed the word 'Blood' at a glance and made a note of it.

Ripping open the bag of bandages Naruto removed the cloth rolls and pulled the end on one, and started. He'd remembered little bits and pieces of Iruka's lecture as he had drifted in and out of sleep that day, and the only part of the bandaging he had heard was 'wrap tightly-' and that was it. So that's what he did. Carefully, Naruto wrapped the bandages around the wounds. He had tried wrapping only the wounded area's but soon found they wouldn't stay, much less stay tight. So he wrapped them all the way around Daichi's body, tears blurring his vision a little bit every time his friend winced with the movement. Having done what he thought to be good enough of a job, he tore the rest of the roll off, and taking the loose end he pushed it under the tight wraps already on. It made a weak holder for the loose end but it had to do for now. Daichi's breathing was still shallow. Naruto sniffed dejectedly, thinking for sure he'd loose his best friend. Looking back at the pills however he felt a faint since of hope.

The small package contained 2 small round pills. It was labeled "BLOOD REPLENISHING PILL. BITE FOR BEST EFFECTS" Naruto brightened just a little bit. Snatching the bag he tore it open. In his hast he dropped both pills, only managing to find and pick up one. Wasting no time he went to Daichi and opened his mouth. Daichi had no strength to resist. The casing of the pill seemed hard, but a little digging with his nail and he felt a small crack open in the pill. He pushed it as far back in as he could with his finger. Daichi gagged and tried to spit it out but Naruto held his mouth shut. Daichi soon swallowed.

Removing his hand Naruto backed himself against the sink as he sat with his knee's pulled up. He was fully crying again. Shoving his head in his knee's to hide his face, Naruto cried weakly, body shaking as he sat on the floor in his dirty bathroom. He could only wait. He didn't want to leave Daichi to get Jiji, and he didn't even know if Jiji would help.

As he sat there on the floor, where he would end up sitting for hours in despair he thought deeply. He was suppose to be a ninja, and all those stories Jiji told him about ninja's involved saving people. He never said people would die! Or get hurt like this. They where going over the great ninja wars in the academy this month, but so far he just brushed it off. War. People DIED in wars! Shinobi fought the wars, so shinobi had to kill didn't they? However didn't they kill to protect the village and their families? The Hokage was suppose to protect everyone in the village, but Naruto couldn't even protect his best friend. If he couldn't do that, how could he protect the village as the Hokage? Naruto didn't know. He was dead-last in school, worst at everything. How could he be a ninja as he was now? How much better would he be in the 3 years he had left?

Naruto sniffled and lifted his head up, resting his chin on his knee's. He looked at Daichi, who seemed to be in a pained sleep. He narrowed his eyes thinking. He couldn't protect Daichi now seeing as he was so weak and useless. However he knew he wanted to get stronger to protect Daichi. Now the question was, did he want to get stronger to protect the village? Like the Hokage? Suddenly he stood up and used his arm to wipe his face off. Looking down at Daichi, Naruto spoke the words that would change his life forever.

" Daichi, I couldn't protect you today. I don't even know if I can protect you tomorrow, or if you'll still be with me to see tomorrow. I promise you tho, I'll get strong. If you pull through this, I promise I'll be strong enough to always protect you. I promise from now on, I will protect my family, because your all I have. Please Daichi, pull through. Cause if you die I'll be all alone. Ether way, I've decided right now I don't want to be Hokage. Everyone here hates me, they wouldn't help you no matter how much I begged. I don't want their respect! From now on I'm going to respect myself. I don't need them or their damn respect! I'll be strong to protect my family, myself, my friends, everyone who I love! I'll be the best damn shinobi ever. The. Best. Damn. Shinobi. Ever. I promise you Daichi, I'll do whatever it takes to protect my loved ones. So please, pull through this. Cause I need you. I love you Daichi, don't ever forget that. It's my fault your like this, so I'm going to do everything I can to amend that. So you live! Cause I want you to see me keep this damn promise. See if from beside me, not from up in heaven." Naruto said. He was trembling, his hands clenched tight, knuckles white. He wasn't shouting, but his voice was forceful and seemed to echo in the room. The air was heavy with his promise.

" I'll protect my family at all costs. That's my new nindo. I'll be damned if I ever break it!" He whispered. The air only seemed heavier. Daichi remained sleeping, his breathing seemed to b steadier now. Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't lose his friend after all. Naruto turned to leave the bathroom. He looked at the clock, it was only 5:30pm. Looking around, Naruto decided he had to move. It was time to see Jiji. First however, he had to change and eat.