A/N: Hello, my lovelies! I realize that you have been waiting for an update to this story for far too long. I'm so sorry! I decided to re-write this story in my new writing style because, looking back, I was truly unsatisfied with how it turned out. After I finish re-writing the current chapters, I swear I will have a new one for you, I promise!
Naruto: It's about time you updated this, even if it is just a re-write! I thought you had forgotten about me *pouts*
Anna: Of course not, Naru! I could never forget about you! I just lost inspiration is all *hugs*
Sasuke: Just hurry up with the damn story, woman.
Naruto and Anna: *Glare at him, still hugging* Shut up, duck-butt!
Sasuke: *rolls eyes* Anna mae 2243 doesn't own Naruto. It belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
Prologue:
The young boy opened bright blue eyes, squinting as the harsh sunlight blinded him. He soon adjusted to the light, glancing around to get his bearings. He was deep on the forest outside of Konoha, in a clearing he knew all too well. This was the place that the villagers had designated as his torture chamber. The whiskered boy moved slowly, trying to assess the damage done to his body. Something rough cut into his arm as he moved. With a groan, he let his head fall back onto the tree that he had been tied to. With a sigh he began his struggle, trying to extract himself from the ropes that wound around his small body. He winced as the subtle movements sent sharp waves of pain rushing through his system; the villagers had really done a number on him this time.
"Kyuubi?" He whispered, mentally pleading with the demon to heal him, to remove at least the edge from the pain. With a grunt the beast let a small portion of his chakra wash over Naruto, relieving enough of the pain to allow Naruto to resume his struggle against the ropes. When he was finally free, the young genin stood stretching slightly to assess the damage his small form had taken. A subtle shift in his torso revealed at least two broken ribs and various cuts and bruises. A deep gash on his right shoulder still bled from the rough beating he had received a mere hour before—he could tell by the shifting of the sun—though the flow had slowed to a trickle.
Slowly Naruto pushed himself to his knees, waiting for the following dizziness to pass before he got to his feet and started walking. The other genin were gathering at the training grounds to spar.
'Not that they would miss me.' He thought bitterly, swaying slightly as he walked. Kyuubi was taking much longer than he normally did to heal the wounds. He would normally be back in shape by this time. With that thought, the young genin stumbled out of the woods and into the training grounds.
A/N: Well, there's the first re-write, everyone! So much better than the original, don't you think? Anyway, please leave me a review! I hope you enjoyed!