Summary: This begins after the 2nd part of the chunnin exams. Naruto reacts differently when denied training from Kakashi.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

The Will of Fire;

Strength through Protecting;

Strength through Avenging;

Chapter 1

Naruto is in front of Sasuke's hospital room facing Kakashi with a big grin on his face.

"Hey Kakashi-sensei, I made it to the finals. Isn't that cool?!"

He receives an eye smile from his instructor.

"And I'll be facing that Hyuuga, Neji, I think that's his name. Well anyway, when will you start training me to win the tournament and kick ass?"

Before he can go on, Kakashi interrupts, "I'm sorry, Naruto, but I won't be able to help you.

-Dead silence-

But I've managed to get someone to help train you for the finals.

-cue doubtful look-

Don't look at me like that. He's very strong. Perhaps even stronger than I am."

The boy becomes very excited and demands to start training right away. Kakashi smirks at how predictable his student is, as a person suddenly appears only to reveal Ebisu (the closet pervert).

Naruto's face falls. He exaggeratedly points at the newcomer. "What's this closet pervert doing here?"

Kakashi tilts his head, "Closet Pervert?"

Ebisu cover's his mouth, "It's just a joke between the two of us. It's nothing, really."

Kakashi queries, "I never knew that you two were on such friendly terms?"

Ebisu nods his head.

This is where Naruto has had enough and bites Ebisu's hand.

"What the hell are you thinking sticking me with him?" he says with contempt causing Ebisu to grow a tick mark.

Trying to pacify his blond charge, "Now Naruto …"

"There's no way in hell he's stronger than you!" causing Ebisu to become curious. "And why can't you teach me?!"

"I will be too busy!"

"With what?!"

"Sasuke's training!!" he quickly regrets it knowing he said the wrong thing to the wrong person.

He can't believe how Kakashi is handling things. Ebisu watches the two interact, knowing better than to interfere and risk being drawn into their argument. But he is shocked when the sensei says such a thing without any tact. He's a ninja for Kami's sake!! But he becomes curious witnessing the vulnerability of the student. It is all there in his stance, his posture – shock, anger, hurt, betrayal, hate, and a great deal of wariness. He sees it for a few seconds before it is replaced with complete nothingness. He can tell that Kakashi too is unnerved as he calls out and tries to rest his hand on the boy's shoulder. But before he can do so, the boy moves away and leans against the wall. He take's a deep breath closing his eyes. He whispers to himself, "He was right all along."

"What was that?" Kakashi asks.

He turns a stony gaze on his sensei and sneers shocking both jounins. "He was right. I am weak. You have all made me weak with your lies and desire to hold me back."

"That's not true!"

"Enough!!" the boy bellows. "I believed in that foolish notion of the old man's. The Will of Fire! Strength from those precious to you! All Lies!!"

They are both rooted to their spots. The boy has never spoken against the hokage before.

"I followed those things all my life and look where it got me, teachers that neglect or sabotage my learning, a team that could care less if I die, a run down apartment not even the homeless would be caught dead in, not allowed to enter any restaurant besides a small ramen stand, markets that sell me trash for outrages prices, and then we can't forget the monthly beatings, oh, and also the great annual event, 'let's see how close we get to kill the demon brat.' Oh yes!! What a wonderful life I have!"

The two avert their gazes in discomfort.

"And look at Sasuke. An avenger! One who believes in strength through anger and hatred. He has the love of the whole village. He's given anything he wants jutsus, weapons, knowledge, and etc. He's given all of these things and yet he has done nothing to deserve, earn, or work for any of it. He is nothing but a spoiled, self-centered little brat who takes for granted everything I yearn for."

He turns his gaze on his sensei. In a cold hard voice and stony, close to the point of insanity, eyes he says, " But no more. From this moment on, I will choose a different path. If he can grow strong from the desire to avenge his clan and kill the brother who wronged him, imagine how strong I will be from avenging my purity, my innocence from a whole village that is out for me." He breaks out in hollow laughter and takes off.

Before Kakashi can follow, he is held back.

"I have to go after him."

Ebisu shakes his head, "That will do no good. Let him calm down."

"But …"

"Face it, you failed him big time."

This upsets Kakashi. "But Obito … and the Hokage wanted …"

"One, you failed Obito. He hated favoritism as much as the arrogance of the Uchiha. By focusing solely on the Uchiha you disgraced not only Obito's but also the Fourth's memory. As for the Third, if he wanted you to focus solely on Sasuke, he would never assign you a team. He would just have made him your apprentice. You do know he cares deeply for Naruto and would never want him to go through such a thing."

"But Sasuke has problems. Itachi …"

Ebisu stops him there, "Stop right there! Did you not listen to the boy, just now? You choose to worry over a boy who was hurt by one man several years ago and neglect another who has and possibly will continue to be hurt by a whole village until the day he dies. Man, I wonder who has it worse oft?"

Kakashi hunches his shoulders in depression.

Ebisu sighs, "Forget about it. I'll see what I can do."

Kakashi eye smiles, "Thanks."

"I am the great Ebisu. I do not give up that easily!"

Ebisu spends the rest of the day looking for the boy but fails in locating him. When he finally does come across him, it is somewhere in the surrounding forest. The boy has long ago succumbed to exhaustion. His clothes are ripped and in some places shredded. The Jounin picks him up, takes him home, and sets him on his bed.

If any believe that this is just another story of Naruto getting fed up and wanting revenge. then let me tell you that this isn't one or shouldn't be. the chapter may be boring and seem as if the story is going to be like all the other stories out there. but i assure you that it won't be. the fun will begin in chapter 2. hopefully i'll get around to it soon. if i don't, then i'm just being lazy.