Chapter 1
A Fox in the Clouds
Naruto hid behind a tree cringing in fear. Behind him Iruka, his academy teacher, battled his faux academy teacher, Mizuki. In his arms he held the Scroll of Sealing. He began to silently weep as heard his teacher and mentor was struck by several projectiles. He heard Iruka fall down and Mizuki began to laugh.
"You hear me Naruto!? Iruka never loved you! The truth is, you're the Demon Fox that killed his parents! He pretended to befriend you so he could kill you. YOU'RE THE DEMON FOX! YOU HEAR ME!? THE DEMON FOX!" Mizuki yelled. Before Iruka could protest one of Mizuki's giant shuriken pierced him through the throat. All that emerged was a throaty gurgle and foaming blood. Mizuki suddenly stopped moving. His face showed an expression of fear and surprise. He fell motionless off the tree branch on which he was standing. Naruto looked up and blinked in surprise. A figure cloaked in dark colors landed a few feet in front of him. Naruto did nothing too afraid to move. The figure slowly turned to face him.
"Who are you young child? And why are you out here all alone? Shouldn't you be home with your family?" The ninja made an attempt at kindness but the child just started to cry. The ninja felt saddened. "There there, what's wrong?" The ninja asked concern evident on his face.
"I don't have a family! And now I can't even become a Genin! My teachers turned against me. They hated me all along. They tricked me into stealing the Scroll of Seals from the Hokage's office, just to have an excuse to kill me, and I'm actually the evil Kyuubi that attacked Konoha 8 years ago!" After this rant Naruto broke down into tears. The ninja bent down to him.
"There there child it's okay. Come with me, I'll take you to place to where you'll be welcome. You won't be shunned, and you can even become a ninja!"
"REALLY!" The boy jumped up shouting in glee. The ninja smiled. He bent down and allowed the child to climb on his back. As he did he thought he saw the child's eyes flash red for an instant. The ninja just shook his head and jumped into the trees. The Raikage wouldn't be too pleased he hadn't acquired either the Sharingan or the Byakugan, but this child could prove to be more promising than either. The ninja from the Village Hidden in the Clouds had no idea how right this statement was.