I do not own 'Naruto'

Awakening

Naruto was upset, very upset.

He had just failed the Konaha graduation exam for the third time. He was now longer eligible to take the academy again. That meant he couldn't reach his dream and become Hokage. That meant he couldn't make people acknowledge him.

Then the whispers began.

"Look it's that boy."

"I heard he failed."

"Good riddance."

He didn't know why people hated him so much and he didn't care. Right now, he just wanted to drown his sorrows away in ramen.

"Hey Naruto." A familiar voice called.

"Hello Mizuki-Sensei." Naruto greeted with his false smile.

He had never liked Mizuki, he had always felt that the teacher had something against him.

Mizuki began talking and apologizing for Iruka failing him, saying it was just his job. After a while Naruto zoned out. It wasn't until the next words left Mizuki's mouth did he listen.

"Naruto, how would you like to take a make-up test?"

Naruto was happy, very happy.

He had been given a chance to become a ninja and fulfill his dream.

All he had to do was steal a scroll without being caught, which he managed easily.

Naruto had always been a master of stealth. He had to be, otherwise the villagers would have killed him years ago. Not that they've given up on their attempts.

Now he was in the middle of a forest. He had a bit of time before his Sensei was supposed to arrive.

"Let's see..." Naruto looked through the scroll for a suitable Jutsu. Shadow clones huh?

Naruto has spent the last hour training as hard as he could. He wanted not only to learn the Jutsu, but to mastered it. But for now he needed a break from his training.

Let's see what else I can learn. He thought pleased with his progress.

"NARUTO!" A enraged voice called.

"Hey Iruka-Sensei." Naruto happily greeted "I found you."

"I FOUND YOU!" He screamed at the top of his lungs.

It didn't bother Naruto in the slightest, he was too happy with his achievements.

"You're early, I only had time to learn one Jutsu." Naruto continued.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you're in?" Iruka seethed.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked "I just did what Mizuki-Sensei said for the make-up test."

"Make up tes-Mizuki?!" Iruka exclaimed before becoming serious "We have to leave."

"But what about my exam?" Naruto whined.

Before Iruka could admonish Naruto, a bush rustled next to them. Before either knew what was happening a pair of kunai flew out. Being the first to react, Iruka pushed Naruto out of the way. With no time to escape, Iruka took a direct hit from both of the kunai.

"Iruka-Sensei!" Naruto cried in terror for his teacher.

"Hello." Mizuki greeted. "Going somewhere?" He eyed the scroll in Naruto's arms with greed "Hand it over."

"No Naruto!" Iruka shouted "Take the scroll and run!"

"What's going on?" Naruto asked both scared and confused. Is this part of the test?

"It's a trick!" Iruka shouted. "Mizuki just wants the scroll for himself!"

"Hey Naruto." Mizuki spoke in a smooth voice "Do you want to know why everyone hates you?"

Iruka seemed to pale at the statement. "You can't Mizuki, it's forbidden!"

"Why?" Naruto asked in desperation "Why does everyone hate me?"

"Thirteen years ago the Kyuubi attacked the village, do you know what happened to it?" Mizuki asked.

"The Fourth killed it." Naruto stated in confusion, it was common knowledge.

"Wrong." Mizuki stated "It was sealed into a baby, you!" He emphasized "You are the Nine-tailed fox demon!"

"I'm...the demon?" Naruto questioned.

So that's why they all hate me. He thought sadly. Because of the fox. It all made sense now, why they all hated him.

Mizuki saw that his words had gotten through to the boy. Deciding to end everything, he drew his large shuriken and took aim. With a mighty thrust he sent it hurling toward a distressed Naruto.

This is it. Naruto thought in acceptance as he closed his eyes.

What Naruto was expecting was the pain of being torn to shreds. What he felt were a pair of arms wrap around him in a protective manner.

Opening his eyes, he was greeted with the sight of smiling Iruka.

"W-why Sensei?" Naruto asked. "I'm just a demon."

"You're not a demon." Iruka gasped out "You're a Naruto Uzumaki, ninja of Konaha."

Not knowing who or what to believe, Naruto did the only thing he could think of. He ran away, as hard and as fast as he could.

"Damn demon." Mizuki muttered before turning to Iruka "I'll be back to finish you off."

Naruto had hidden himself after he had escaped. He had became good at hiding, he had to or they would get him.

He was so good that the Chunin didn't notice him as they had their confrontation.

"Why are you protecting him Iruka?" Mizuki asked with genuine curiosity "He's the demon that killed your family, he'll just use the scroll to gain power for himself."

Naruto listened intently for Iruka's next words.

"You're right, a demon would do that." Iruka stated calmly.

Naruto's heart was breaking at those words. Even Iruka-Sensei is against me. He thought sadly.

"But not Naruto, he's no demon." He said sparking a bit of hope in the blond. "He's the future Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves!"

Naruto was happy, he had someone who actually cared for him.

"Fine." Mizuki stated with a sneer "You can die with the demon!"

Naruto's joy was replaced by a level of hate he never knew existed. As soon as he found someone who cared, someone else wanted to take him away. Not on my watch. He thought defiantly.

Jumping out of his hiding spot, he struck. The shocked ex-teacher had no way of defending against the surprise attack. With one powerful blow he knocked the Chunin to the ground.

"If you ever lay a hand on my Sensei." Naruto spoke in a cold tone "I'll Kill you!"

The Chunin were shocked at the killer intent coming off of Naruto. It was something a simple academy student shouldn't be able to do.

"I knew you where a demon!" Mizuki shouted as he drew his last large shuriken "Now die!"

As the weapon came to him, Naruto saw it's exact path. He could actually see and follow it's direction.

He's going to throw the giant shuriken so that even if I dodge it'll hit Iruka. Naruto thought precisely. Wait, how'd I know that? Why do my eyes tingle?

Standing his ground was the only option he had available. He'd have to take the blow if he wanted to protect Iruka from Mizuki. It's not like the thing can kill me. Naruto thought. There had been numerous and successful attempts on his life.

He'd always just get up and now he knew why.

As the projectile came into range he was knocked out of the way. He heard a cry of pain before realization sunk in. Iruka had knocked him out of the way and taken the blow.

"Iruka-Sensei!" Naruto cried for his fallen teacher.

Naruto was confused, he would have survived the shuriken without any lasting damages. So why, why did he take it? Naruto couldn't figure it out.

The answer was Iruka had a different mind set then Naruto. He was an adult, a Chunin, a teacher, he was the one that was supposed to be doing the protecting. As was his duty and his privilege for Naruto, both his student and brother.

"W-why Sensei?" Naruto asked in horror.

He couldn't believe his eyes. Iruka was kneeling over, covered in blood from two over sized shuriken wounds. Both that he received while protecting Naruto in battle. Even then, he smiled at Naruto.

"Heh, we aren't to different Naruto." He spoke through the pain "I used to goof off and make a fool of myself for attention." Naruto couldn't believe that. "Now look at me, I'm paying for it, I only ended up sabotaging my own education and skills."

"S-sensei." Naruto didn't understand what he was hearing.

"Don't make the mistakes I made!" Iruka practically begged "Don't treat this as if it's all a joke!" He wailed "Become a proper Shinobi."

"I won't Sensei." Naruto stated with more conviction than his dream to be Hokage. "I'll be a real Ninja."

Mizuki had grown tired of his former friends ranting. He had a job to finish.

"Let's end this demon." He called.

Naruto turned to meet Mizuki's gaze and the Chunin wished he hadn't. Something in the blond seemed to change and not for the better.

That didn't confuse the Chunin, what did was the lack of...everything. There wasn't even a hint of fear or even malice in the academy student. There was just a sense of emptiness around him.

And a pair of red eyes.

"You're hurt, envious of Iruka." Naruto stated "And afraid of me-No, you're afraid of what I hold." He continued to stare "You feel neglected by the village and want more power."

What's the demon up to? Mizuki scowled. Everything Naruto had said was true.

Shadow Clone Jutsu

Mizuki's suspicion was quickly turned into fear. Over a hundred clones had been formed and where surrounding all possible escape routes.

A 'Naruto' spoke in so monotone voice as they drew a shuriken each "Death aims only once, but never misses."

"What?"

The only thing he got as an answer was a sworn of weapons raining down on him. With no way to escape he ended up taking each and every last one into his body.

There was pain.

Then there was nothing.

Naruto had just finished off the traitor and returned to his real Sensei's side.

He had no regrets at what he had just did. It was in self-defense, It was either him or me! Besides, the guy was a traitor to his village. Worse than trash.

"I did it Iruka-Sensei!" Naruto cheered "I beat him."

When his teacher didn't respond he grew concerned. Naruto began to shake and call his name.

Iruka still didn't respond.

But he had a smile on his face.

"Sensei...?"

Review

THIS NARUTO WILL BE LETHAL AND SKILLED-THIS IS AN EMOTIONAL FIC!