Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, if I did I would be an incredibly rich guy

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, period.

Chapter 1

Lycanthropy is a rare disease that bestows the ability to those afflicted by it the power to transform into a wolf or a wolf-like hybrid. In theory this disease is usually transmitted by an animal of certain properties. However, its true origin remains unknown to this day.

If this theory is proved to be true then the animal must posses a certain gene that usually overwrites certain portions of the victims DNA. This in turn would give the victim certain qualities or abilities as benefit. Though cases are far too rare to optimally observe, there have been several equally noted changes with the patients.

Most common of these traits are the enhanced bodily senses. Observed patients have tended to have heightened awareness levels. Enhanced hearing, improved eyesight, acute smelling, each bodily sense had almost doubled, maybe even tripled in function. There were also signs of improved strength, speed and sometimes intelligence, but the two former were the most common of the three.

Psychological terms however, were not the most promising to observe. Most patients who suffered from this illness would normally turn into a bestial frenzy during their transformations, having no control at all. Those that did have control were mostly the young, too young. These young ones however, did develop a connection to the earth somewhat, being able to understand things we did not.

Interestingly enough, during one evening every month, those affected by this blight would always transform. During our monitoring we observed that these nights were during a full moon. We do not have enough data to establish any theories or hypotheses to discern why this happens.

During these full moons, we have seen a certain behavioral pattern with these…'Lycans'. We have discovered that the first full moon is usually the most crucial of the nights. We are not sure of the symbolism but it was during these nights when they would enter a state of surreal and animalistic rage, or a tranquil spirit of peace and serenity.

We have also seen some cases with which these victims have bitten other people. We are not sure, but each case had seemed different. Those bitten but had died; rose from the dead and turned into monstrous beings. These undead monsters had no purpose but to kill and feast on their spoils turning any human killed into one of them. Suffice it to say, we had to put them down, or risk an outbreak of epic proportions. Other cases, whose victims still lived after the assault also turned into savage beasts after their first full moons. We lack sufficient data on the latter case; we have yet to see any case that had ended on a good note.

This disease is still unknown to us in retrospect. Any case that concerns this disease should be carefully monitored by your own discretion.

The Sandaime Hokage gave out a small sigh as he carefully wrapped up the withered scroll he had been reading. Said item was older than he was, probably pre-dating the founding of Konohagakure. The wizened ninja also noted that the scroll was unmarked inside of the library all the Hokages have used, tucked away in a little corner gathering dust until recently. The day had been stressful on the old shinobi, it was by pure chance he had stumbled upon the relic.

Leaning back on his chair, the third Hokage gazed out of his office window, watching as the night clouds parted to reveal a full moon. Its soft light covering the village he had sworn to protect in a peaceful embrace. In all of his sixty-nine years of life, he had never felt this tired. The constant duties he had to oversee, the meetings he had to attend, the past burdens he had to carry; they were all adding up, sucking the energy from his body. He was finally feeling the effects of his old age.

Extending a hand, the Third pulled out a drawer from his desk. It contained a medium sized crystal, sitting contentedly on small purple pillow. Removing the objects from the drawer onto his desk, the Hokage peered into it. Very slowly an image started to form; at first, the colors were all blurred but as the seconds drove by, the image cleared.

Inside the crystal ball was a young boy no older than five sitting on a worn stool in a small, shabby ramen stand. The boy had golden blonde hair which seemed to form small spikes on his head. His current wardrobe consisted of a plain white shirt with small red flame design on the back; a pair of used dark orange knee-length shorts and a pair of dirty white sandals.

The old man didn't need to see to know that the blonde haired child was eating, with gusto, some ramen. Shaking his head at the boy he stood up from his chair returned the crystal orb and its partner back within drawer before leaving his office. Leaving behind on his desk the scroll he had found.

Ah, Ramen, food given by the gods themselves; or so says Uzumaki Naruto. Almost everyday from dusk till dawn he eats ramen at his favorite ramen stand; the humble Ichiraku Ramen. Why was it that out of all restaurants and other food serving stands would this five year old boy choose this particular one? Was it because of the ramen? Was it because of the prices? In truth, the real reason for the young Uzumaki's daily visits to the establishments was for the people who worked there.

Since as far back as he could remember, the villagers scorned him. Giving him looks of consuming hate; from the old man selling vegetables in the market to the kids playing in the park. Those children who he made friends with at first were pulled aside by their respective parents. He could see them telling them about the demon, that they shouldn't be near him.

These people held no love for him; that he really was a demon. After all, if he was orphaned because his parents abandoned him; who would love him if his parents would not. That thinking didn't last long. The Sandaime simply smiled at him. "Naruto, no matter what other people say, your parents loved you. You are their child and their legacy."

It was believable at first; how Naruto believed to be so. He filled his years with bravado and mischief. In the end, a child could only take so much. There were times when he would just lay on his bed and weep for his parents.

Life wasn't all that bad though. There were a few people who cared for the orphaned child. There was the Sandaime, who continuously tried to look after the boy as much as he could; the father and daughter duo of Ichiraku Teuchi and Ayame of the Ichiraku ramen stand and one Umino Iruka of the Konohagakure Ninja Academy. Presently, these were the most important people in the boy's life.

"Arigato Teuchi-oyaji! Ayame-chan! That was delicious as always." The blonde boy said as he pushed back his finished bowl of ramen. Taking the bowl from the counter, a petite sixteen year old girl with long auburn haired tied into simple ponytail smiled. "You're welcome Naruto-kun." Placing the bowl and other used wares at the sink, she started to wash the dishes. "Though, I sometimes think you exaggerate." She said warmly her vice filtering through the dividing curtain from the back of the stand. "No way, Ichiraku is the best in the whole village!" The comeback was not surprising, Teuchi laughed out heartily. "Ah don't bother the young boy Ayame. He's our number one customer after all."

Jumping down from the stool he sat on. Naruto fished out some money from his pocket and placed on the counter. "I'll see you later!" With that said, the blonde boy waved good-bye as he headed back home. Teuchi smiled as he waved back. Even his daughter poked her head out from the back shouting after their customer. "Be careful." Their response from the lad was nod of the head before disappearing into the shadows of the night.

The moon was full. The heavenly body's rays beaming onto the ground giving energy into the land below. Hot and heavy breathing filled the silence that the shadows held; a guttural source, something inhuman. There were light footfalls; each step ever fleeting as the other.

Naruto turned his head to the left; his eyes squinting, a shape could be seen in the shadows. His breath quickened, and he ran, he ran as if his life depended on it; leaving behind in the depth of the shadows a pair of eyes; a pair of golden-yellow eyes that glistened in unknown intent at the boy.

The child continued to run through the darkened streets of his home. The lights from the houses long extinguished. Everywhere he looked he saw the shape from earlier; and that pair of dreadful eyes that it belonged to. There seemed to be no escape.

Using whatever means he could he used to try and escaping what was following; over short walls, under old fences, through the park, and finally into one of the deep forests in the village.

Branches of leaves blocked most of the moonlight from illuminating area. The darkness surrounded him. Naruto didn't seem to care though; he just kept running; running, to escape the sound of crashing leaves that grew louder with each moment.

In an instant, it had appeared; the ever persistent shadow which had given chase moments ago. Its luminous eyes focused solely at its prey. A nightly breeze brushed past the healthy foliage up above. It allowed enough moonlight to show whatever it was that had been chasing the after Naruto.

It was a wolf. It was large, standing at a height of six feet on all fours. The fur itself seemed to draw in any light that touched it. An aura seemed to surround the beast. For a moment, time seemed to stop. The surrounding winds, the rustling of the leavings, the continuous shifting of the light, all stopped.

Then, without warning, time returned to normal. The beast lunged directly for the boy its maw wide open showing rows of impressive and beautiful incisors. The speed that it used could have been compared to that of a high level ninja. By sheer luck, or maybe skill, Naruto dodged the attack by quickly rolling forward.

The evasion was short-lived. Naruto's forward roll was not properly executed, resulting with the boy landing on the ground face first. Before he could get up for hasty escape, the wolf turned around and pinned Naruto down.

The boy was evidently frightened; beads of sweat were trickling down his forehead. In the next instant, a howl of pain escaped his lips. The wolf had clamped down on Naruto's right shoulder. Blood flowed abundantly through the lacerations, pooling underneath. It seeped into the child's clothes, changing the colors. He thrashed, he screamed, the pain showed clearly on his face. It was excruciating.

"No more…onegai… anyone…help…" His cries went unheard. The wolf only exerted more pressure. The boy's eyelids wee closing. His eyes, faded. One last breath escaped from the boy's lips before his body stood still.

"Where….am I?"

The question was simple. Bright, azure eyes observed his surroundings; everywhere, a vast expanses of lush fields. High above, a full moon was nestled contentedly with the stars. The scene was peaceful. However…

"Gaki, you now belong to me!!"

A pair of red, animalistic eyes glowed within the shadows of the horizon. They claimed malicious intent. Tendrils of crimson energy snaked their way toward their prize. They were halfway across when something slammed against whatever the red eyes belonged two. The red energy which crawled toward the blonde stopped before receding back into the shadow. Silence followed and reigned shortly.

The darkness moved, and whatever it hidden could now be seen. On his right, a gigantic black wolf stood. Its height could rival that of the Hokage Mountain. Recognition marred the boy's features for moment. It was the same wolf that had attacked him moments ago. Naruto instinctively reached for the bite mark on his right shoulder. He never noticed that the wound was gone. Any form of harm erased from his body.

Opposite the wolf, stood a terrifying presence; it radiated something in the air which made surrounding air heavy and cold. It was a fox with a coat of crimson fur. Naruto observed it before moving his eyes to the nine tails that were swaying chaotically behind it. Nine….tails….

A look of absolute horror crossed the boy's features. The story of the nine tailed fox that had ravaged his home had been told all over town at one point. "No way … It can't…" Without finishing that notion, Naruto took a step back.

As if that step was a mutual signal, both creatures lunged at each other. Crimson energy leaked around the fox leaving a bloody like trial behind it. The wolf, fangs bared also leaked out black energy from its body. The two great beasts met in a head on collision. Everything went white; the sounds of a battle, the clash of titans had begun.

Opening his eyes weakly, Naruto found himself inside of a small hut without windows. The door was closed but sounds of the chirping birds outside signified the daylight and lush surrounding. "So you're finally awake eh?"

The voice was gruff, male. The smell that entered the small abode was overpowering. Naruto recognized the smell though. It was liquor, but not like the ones he had seen people drink at the village. The smell was heavy and carried an exotic scent.

Footsteps were heard and Naruto finally saw the man he had just heard stand near the cot he (Naruto) laid on. The man looked around his early to middle thirties. He had a rugged appearance. A sign of an experience traveler perhaps; a sword strapped to the man's left hip also showed that he was probably a seasoned warrior. The man had short, cropped, light brown hair with matching eyes. A white bandana was tied around his forehead, a small tail flowing a little below the neck. A plain white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a worn pair of denim pants and a pair of sandals completed his look.

"I kid you not, you look like shit." The man gave a small smile. "The name's Gen. Introductions can wait though. You need rest." Without needing any further instructions, Naruto fell back into slumber.

Naruto was back again in the field. The full moon was still hanging in place, it had never moved this entire time. The signs of battle were evident. Viscous liquid, black and crimson were splayed all over the field. In the distant shadows, the battle was still ongoing; the sound of crunching bone and howls of pain ever present.

Then silence reigned. Harsh breathing was all that was left. Naruto took a step forward, then another, and another. He was making his way towards the great beasts. Both creatures seemed exhausted.

"This isn't over!"

The fox roared out; slowly standing up with teeth bared. The wolf stood up as well to meet the challenge. Red and black energy formed around the fox and wolf respectively before charging at each other once again.

Too fixated on their battle; the two didn't notice their opposing energy wrapping around Naruto. "No!! Stop!! It hurts!!" The boy's form was warping. He was changing, the pain from what the energy the beasts were giving off were too much for the boy.

Gen looked over the fish he had been cooking for dinner. He looked behind him, eyeing the makeshift door of his hastily constructed hut. He had found the blonde child two nights ago. Wounded, alone, he couldn't leave the boy to fend of for himself. A village was near according to his map. The idea of going there was out of the question. The child needed immediate medical attention and he couldn't leave him to bring help or deliver him to a hospital.

Turning away to look up at the night sky, Gen wondered what happened to him. "Oh yeah, don't know the kid's name yet." He mumbled to himself as plucked a fish from the fire. The night was beautiful. The moon was notably absent from the cloudless night sky, but he paid it no heed; the crackling of the fire next him making the surroundings ever so peaceful.

Gen felt a pulse in the air. Dropping his now finished food; he turned around to face the hut and slowly drew the sword at his side. The sword looked very ordinary. The hilt was about six inches and the blade was at a respectable thirty-six inches. The item however, seemed to have a small glow about.

Another pulse, and the darkened night started to turn blood red. Looking up, the swordsman saw a full moon. It was blood red in color. Another moment passed before the hut exploded into splinters. The dust cloud settled and there Gen saw something he hadn't seen ever in his life traveling.

To Be continued…