Chapter 1: To Start The Act

"Good Morning, Iruka-sensei," a young blond of almost eleven greeted softly as he practically danced around the kitchen. He was a short boy that stood at a wimpy 4"3, with clear sky blue eyes that stood out against his tanned complexion. He had slightly high cheekbones, a cherub-like nose, and rosy plush lips that were currently smiling. By looks alone, this child could easily be mistaken as a girl, especially with the blond hair that came just to his shoulders, and his thin, fragile limbs. His lithe figure seemed to have almost no muscle or fat on it. The epitome of stealth.

Iruka smiled back at the boy. His eyes watching lovingly as the child flipped the pancakes he was making while simultaneously setting the table. Naruto never ceased to amaze him. Glancing down at his own attire he was glad he had decided to get dressed in his Chunnin uniform before coming into the kitchen, one could never be too sure when a student would decide to come over and make breakfast. "What are you doing here so early, Naruto?"

"Hmm? It's not that early, Sensei! There's only three hours before the Academy starts!" Naruto exclaimed, flipping his pancakes onto the two plates that sat on the oak dinning table in the middle of the room. Reaching one hand to turn off the stove, he used his other to throw the utensils he had used into the pewter sink. Then he proceeded to dig out two pairs of the appropriate silverware from the draw to his left and handed a pair to the older man.

Sighing Iruka took the fork and knife gratefully. "The Academy starts at seven, Naruto. Meaning that its four in the morning." He took a bite of his pancakes. Damn, how Naruto could make such simple dishes seem heavenly was just plain sinful.. While he was thankful for breakfast, he was also well aware of his students sleeping habits, or therefore lack of. Whenever the blond boy had something on his mind, no matter how trivial it may be, he was unable sleep, often for days at a time. It was something that the two of them had been working on stopping for a few months now and he thought that they had fixed it, but apparently not.

A slightly sad look crossed Naruto's face and his eyes dulled slightly. "I-Ano…I made you breakfast." At the almost pleading look he shot the older man, Iruka rushed to reassure him, mentally scolding himself for forgetting how delicate he could be.

"Yes you did, Naruto and it came out great. Did you add blueberries?" At the young boys hesitant nod he continued. "You always make the best food and you know it." The boy's face brightened. "If you ever needed extra money I'm sure one of the restaurants in town would hire you in a flash. Th-"

"-Do you really believe that, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked urgently, standing up quickly enough that his chair clattered to the ground, his expression saying it all. He was desperate for and answer. "So you think they'd hire a monster? Who would hire me knowing what I am, a demon." His voice faded until it was no more than a whisper. He looked brokenly at the man, his only real friend, who was sitting next to him. "…Do you really believe that?"

Iruka was at a loss for words. The broken expression on his honorary son's face was too much. Was this a result of what the village had done? Had all there hateful glares and words done so much damage to his psyche that he truly believed their words? He knew that Naruto was hiding how much he was suffering from him, but for how long had he been thinking on this. Looking at the now apparent dark rings under the boys eyes he made a decision. He would stand by this child no matter where it took him. He would protect him.

"Naruto…" The boy looked up at him unshed tears now evident in his sky blue eyes. "You aren't a monster and you are certainly not a demon." He was shot a disbelieving look. "People, aren't always right about how they treat others, especially you, but I know for sure that you are human. And I can prove it to you."

"Eh?" Tears slowly started to flow down the blonds face. He whispered softly, longingly. "How can you do that, sensei?"

"It hurts you doesn't you, Naruto, to hear their words; demon, monster… I know feel pain, Naruto, but you have never done anything about it. Have you killed? Have you murdered?" His voice was rough almost aggressive and he felt terrible about it, but it was necessecary.

"I- No, I never," his voice cracked. "Sensei, I never..I didn't, I swear Sensei-"

"There you have it your hu-"

"But I've wanted to." What? That surprised Iruka more than anything else. "I've wanted to. I get these urges and images, but I've never, never killed anyone. I could though." He looked at Iruka, tears now freely falling down his face. "I'm a ninja right? I'm a killer now, 'cause that's what ninja do." He spat bitterly. "They kill, and kill and kill…" He repeated this mantra as he fell to the floor his arms wrapped around himself.

This time he didn't hesitate to scoop his favorite student into his arms cradling his lithe form into his chest. The blond nuzzled his head into the crook of his neck and Iruka could feel the tears as the dampened his shirt and neck. He waited a moment just relishing the feeling of his son being completely open with him before whispering to him. "But you didn't, and that is what makes you human. You kill, but you didn't. A demon wouldn't hesitate. You are human."Hearing the child take a deep breath he smiled. Things would be okay, they were going to get through this.

From buried within Irukas neck, Naruto smirked. Part One: Completed.

End Notes: Yay! First chapter of my first fic, done!!! This is more of a prologue. Expect further chapters to be longer, but how was it?

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