Author's note: I do not own Naruto. This will probably be one of the more serious stories that I write, just a head's up.

Faith

Ch. 1

'Why.' It was a simple question that I have asked myself time and time again.

For most people, a birthday is a happy time, or so I've seen and heard. As for me well that is a different story entirely.

My name is Naruto Uzumaki. My birthday just happens to fall upon one of the most notorious and regretful days in the history of our village, the day the Kyuubi no Kitsune attacked Konoha. Thousands died that day including the Yondaime Hokage, the most powerful ninja in the village as well as its leader, who was able to some how defeat the beast at the cost of his life. I guess the fact me, a mere newborn who was unlucky enough to be born that day, managed to survive while the strongest that the village had to offer died helped to cause all of the villagers to view me as some sort of demon.

All that is except for Sarutobi-oji-san (who is the Hokage once again) and the Ichiraku's who run the ramen stand that seems to be the only restaurant that lets me eat. I may also pretend that I believe that Sakura cares for me too, but I'm only fooling myself with that mask.

There has to be more to life than this. More than being beaten day in and day out for something I don't know about. More than being denied food and clothing and comfort simply because I am the 'demon child'.

'Why'.

Normal POV

The young boy of 10 decided to stay away from the rest of the village and walk through the forest. Even though he is young, he learned quickly that the forest was one of the only safe spots for him where the villagers would not chase him. The forest seemed to have a very calming affect on him and helped him to think clearly. As he was going through the woods this day, he stumbled upon a large strange metal container.

'What is this thing? Let's see, there is something written here:

Beware…the contents of this time capsule will change your life forever.

Well, it can't possibly make things worse for me, so I might as well see what is inside anyways. What is a time capsule I wonder?'

Naruto slowly opened the container to find a few objects. The first was a thick book that had the words Holy Bible printed on the front with a strange symbol underneath. The second item looked similar to the diaries that the girls at the academy wrote in. Next was another thick book that was labeled Hymnal. Finally was a necklace that had an object dangling from it that matched the picture on the first book.

'I wonder if I should tell Sarutobi-oji-san about this. The only problem though would be if his secretary or one of those old guys who are always hanging around see this then they will most likely take it away from me. I don't know why but something is telling me to hold on to this tighter than anything else I've had.'

As Naruto sat wondering about the objects, he grew curious as to that feeling that was driving him to hide something from the old man. That same force that was telling him to hold on to the items was also telling him to read these books before sharing them with anyone.

'Might as well start with the journal thing first since these other books look pretty complex.'

In the front of the journal there was a note attached that looked as if it had been ripped out of another book or something.

"To whoever finds these books, welcome to the start of a wonderful journey that will change everything that you know or thought you knew.

"All I ask is that before you dismiss this as a joke, you take the time to study these books. Not just read, but study.

"First, the big, intimidating book is called The Bible. It is a book that chronicles and explains how our world came to be, what will happen to this world, and how to live so that you live life to the fullest.

"The book that you are holding is my own journal that I wrote in discussing my feelings, struggles, thoughts, and lessons that I learned coinciding with the Bible.

"The last book in the group is called a Hymnal. It is a collection of songs based upon the stories and lessons from the Bible. The final object is my necklace of the Cross. Once you have read the Bible completely, you will understand its significance. I ask that you not wear it until that point.

"Enjoy, learn, and change. If you are anything like I was, I know that you will.

Your Brother,

Joseph."

'Huh, sounds interesting enough. Don't know if it will change a whole lot but I might as well humor the guy at least. Besides, that nagging feeling is still there practically yelling at me to do as this Joseph guy says.'

Naruto set himself upon the head of the Yondaime monument as he usually did when he needed to think. Once he got comfortable, he opened up the Bible to the first page.

'Genesis 1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…'

Entranced was the perfect description of Naruto as he read of how God created the world and all of its inhabitants; of how God's most cherished creation, man, disobeyed and was punished yet amidst all of that God still loved and cared for them.

'If He still cared for and helped when they did the one thing that He said not to do, could He possibly help me if He is real?'

Naruto also read of how people attempted to build a monument to their greatness, ignoring all that God had done for them, but to prevent that God prevented them by creating multiple languages one night which confused people to the point that no one could understand the other.

'Could that be why each country has its own language?'

The stories continued on with a man and wife who were well into their 90's yet were told that they would be promised a child who would become a great nation. What amazement when that promise was fulfilled!

'How is that possible? I've never seen anyone over 40 with a little kid!'

One story in particular caught the hyper active child's attention; the story of Joseph, a man who was given a gift to be able to interpret dreams, some of which greatly upset his brothers. Naruto was enraged when Joseph's brothers in a fit of jealousy threw Joseph into a pit only to sell him to Egyptian slave traders. As the story continued of Joseph being given trust by his master yet, be betrayed by his master's wife which landed him in jail for years; Naruto grew more and more confused at how during all of this Joseph still was not angry at God but praised Him and asked for His guidance. The young boy quickly lost his anger at the unjustness only to have it replaced by astonishment when the King of Egypt sent for Joseph to interpret two dreams that God had sent the King.

'Joseph answered the King "I am not able to explain the meaning of dreams, but God will do this for the King" Genesis Chapter 41 number 16'

The dreams as Naruto learned, were about times of abundance and times of famine. When the dreams of the king were coming true, Naruto was astonished when Joseph, the kid sold into slavery was given charge of all the land!

When Joseph's brothers came to buy food during the famine, Joseph tested them through their youngest brother, Naruto was slightly surprised at Joseph's reaction, yet at the same time he understood (amazing comprehension for a 10 year old).

'I wonder though, Joseph's God was able to deliver all of these people through one man. But when I see others around here praying, they are worshiping multiple spirits. Is it possible that this one God is stronger than all of the spirits that people seem to believe in? Maybe that guy's journal can help me out here.'

'Well journal it's been a while. I'm sorry that I haven't written in months, I've just had a lot going on. If you are wondering why I'm writing Japanese, dad said it would help me in school and everyday life around here.

Since the last entry, we have moved to Japan for a long term mission trip. The first few days were pretty rough but we have kinda settled into a groove here. Got into an interesting discussion with a local kid here who is helping me with my Japanese. Apparently, most people around here believe in one of two systems: Buddhism or something called Shinto. In Shinto they seem to believe in multiple spirits or what they call kami that are not only human spirits but also nature spirits.

I then told him that I am a Christian and we have only one God. Arata, the local kid, asked why I would believe in only one God when it would seem that more spirits would be more powerful and helpful. I told him that if he wished to know I could walk him through our bible one book at a time.

Surprisingly enough, he agreed without hesitation. I figured I would have a while before he let me know.

Go figure.

Oh well, maybe I can figure some of this out myself. If I am going to 'teach' Arata then I better figure something out. I think dad one time said something about God showing his might over the many Egyptian gods in Exodus."

With that Naruto started to read the story of Moses in Exodus. When Naruto learned that Moses murdered the slave driver after he beat two of the slaves, Naruto wondered at how this was guy would be used by a God that seemed to love and not want to hurt people.

'Is this the guy that Joseph was talking about in his journal? Why would a murderer be someone that God would use to free a group of people like me? Why are they hated?'

When Moses ran and encountered the burning bush, Naruto could almost here a voice whispering the words that God had said to the wayward Shepard.

"I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS. I Am has sent me to you […] This will be my name forever; it has always been my name, and it will be used throughout all generations. […] You can be sure that I am watching over you and have seen what is happening to you […] I promise to rescue you from the oppression. Exodus Ch. 3 Number 14-17"

With God working the miracles over each of the Egyptian God's who were the lords over the contested areas, Naruto's belief that this was more than just an accident or something that happened by chance faded and felt himself starting to believe.

'There is a note here. It says that 'after reading something important and you want to ask about it, talk to God. Either out loud or quietly to yourself or even silently in your head. Doesn't matter, He will hear it.' Well God, I think I can see that you do have more power than others. I just wonder though, could you let me know if you are listening. I know you probably just want me to trust but, if it's like he said then you know I have problems with trusting people. Is there a way I can know that you are listening?'

The young boy was finishing saying this when not five seconds later, a cool, gentle breeze that refreshed and revitalized him lazily blew in and a single rain drop fell onto his nose despite no clouds all day.

"Yeah, I am starting to believe."