A small boy walked out of his apartment, and locked his door. He knew it was time to eat, but all he had was expired milk, so he decided to go to his favorite stand, Ichiraku Ramen, for lunch. He needed something to eat until his monthly groceries were delivered to him. As Naruto walked down the streets with his head down, he could hear many jeers and insults being thrown at him. Along with several projectiles.

"Get out of here Demon Brat!"

"Someone should teach you some manners! Showing your face here is just shameful!"

"A boy like that would never have any manners Dear."

Naruto didn't even flinch at these comments. He had heard it all before. Then he felt something smashed into his face. He looked down and saw a broken eggshell and some yolk, and realized that he was being attacked. He bolted, and a crowd formed behind him. Although this wasn't new either, this was the part he hated. The villagers chucked anything they could find at him. Rocks, sticks, and even the occasional dead rat were sent flying past Naruto, who just ran faster. And then he froze. A man with spiky white hair, and a cloth mask covering his mouth and his headband covering his left eye, was standing in front of him with his visible eye set in a glare.

"I won't let you hurt anyone else Demon! You killed too many people, and it ends here!" He roared angrily. Naruto didn't have any idea what he was talking about. The man moved his hands so fast that Naruto could only see blurs. The man's hand came down, and it began to glow and sparkle with bright electricity. Naruto cowered, and shrunk into a corner. He knew what people like this man were called, for he had heard the word many times before. Ninja. Naruto had never met one before, but this was not the way he had thought he would. As the man charged him, Naruto clenched his eyes, waiting for the inevitable blow that would end his life. It never came. He heard the crackle of electricity, but it was still a few feet away from him.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu complete."

Naruto opened his eyes and saw the white haired man frozen in place. Naruto saw that looked around and saw a man looking at the electric user, and saw him frown.

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing Kakashi?!"

"I was going to kill the demon! He doesn't deserve to live! And the boy doesn't deserve to have him inside him!"

"Well at least it's not against the boy." The other man said, shaking his head.

"Why did you stop me Shikaku?" The white haired man named Kakashi asked.

"Hokage's orders." The man named Shikaku said. He turned to the angry crowd of villagers, and said in an angry, commanding voice, "Go! Unless you want me to report you to the Hokage for treason!"

The crowd scattered.

"Shikaku, that Demon killed my sensei! I, of all people, have a right to kill it!"

"You will not kill an innocent boy, just for revenge against a demon!" Shikaku said angrily.

"Fine." Kakashi said in an angry whisper.

"Young boy, I'm sorry for that." He said to Naruto, before vanishing into thin air. Naruto still had no idea what anyone was saying. As his savior approached him, Naruto fainted.

……

"Where am I?"

"We're in your mind Kit."

Naruto jumped in shock and looked up to see a giant red fox behind a cage.

"W-who the… What the… Who the hell are you?!" Naruto asked in shock.

"I'll tell you later. First, I need to discuss a few things with you."

Naruto gulped.

"First off, I could crush you in an instant, if it didn't mean that I would die too.

Second, I have no intention of hurting you, because

That would, once again, affect me. And

I have nothing against you.

And finally, if I were you, I'd lay off on the cussing when you wake up."

"Why?" Naruto asked confused.

"Because you're in the Hokage's office."

"What? What'd I do?" Naruto said in a panic.

"Beats me Kit."

"Who are you? Where am I?" Naruto repeated his initial questions.

"In order, I am The Nine-Tailed Fox, the strongest of all Demons, and the reason why most of the villagers hate you. You may call me Kyuubi. (1) And we're in the cage that that accursed man you called the Yondaime Hokage sealed me in. I live inside you Kit."

"Ummm, okay?" Naruto said, not really sure what to say. At least this explained what had happened earlier, and why all the villagers hated him.

"But that's all I can tell you for now, so I must send you back to the real world… And… I'm sorry."

Naruto looked shocked at what the fox said.

"Why are you sorry?" Naruto asked. He didn't expect the most powerful demon in the world and possibly other worlds to apologize.

"I'm sorry for what I've caused for you. I can assure you that your father would be disappointed in me."

And before Naruto could respond, he was sitting up in the Hokage's office, with a room full of men, and one woman, looking at him.

"What the heck?!" Was all that Naruto could say.

"I'm glad to see that you're awake Naruto." Said an old man in a chair. He took a pipe out of his mouth, and looked at Naruto. Naruto knew this man as the Hokage, and the man who was like a kind old Grandfather to him. And that's actually what he called him, only more familiarly.

"What's going on Gramps?" Naruto asked. Some of the people in the room sweat dropped at Naruto's name for the Hokage.

"Show him some respect you little brat!"

"That's enough Ebisu. I will not have you disrespecting Naruto. He does show me respect, by calling me what he sees me by. I have always insisted that people don't call me Hokage." The old man said calmly. The man who had dark glasses on immediately put on a remorseful face.

"Yes sir, I'm sorry Naruto." He said with a bow to both of them.

"So Naruto, would you care to explain what happened?" The Hokage asked kindly.

Naruto recounted his little excursion, and the events that followed. The Hokage's frown grew larger as Naruto retold the tale.

"I see." He said as Naruto finished. He stood up and paced, deep in thought, for minutes. He finally stopped.

"Alright. Naruto, I want you to stay here tonight. No leaving. I'll set up a bed, and get you something to eat. Until I can contact a certain someone, that's how it's going to be from now on. You'll live with me." He said urgently. Everyone in the room just stared.

"Are you serious. Alright!" Naruto exclaimed. He ran up and hugged the old man.

"You can't be serious Hokage-sama! The Demon Bra- Naruto, staying with you?!" Ebisu cut himself off at the glare the Hokage gave him.

"Yes. Naruto will live with me temporarily. It's best for him. Now I want all of you to leave so that I can talk to Naruto alone." He said simply. They left, and they all cast curious glances at Naruto. Naruto's attention was drawn by the glance from the woman. She had skin as pale as her eyes, and purple hair. She wore white clothes, and Naruto could easily see the veins around her eyes. Naruto felt uncomfortable at this stare, because he felt as if she was searching him. She gave him a small smile, and left the room.