Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
"Normal speak"
'Thought'
"Demon Speak"
'Demon Speak' (Note, Naruto cannot hear this)
--
Will of Fire
By Pyxl Myxr
Chapter 1: The Demon I Possess
It was six in the morning but unlike most days in Konoha there was little activity. The ground all over the village was covered with discarded bottles and other pieces of trash that during the celebration were just dropped on the ground. The previous night had been the three year anniversary of the death of the Yondaime Hokage. Every year, on that night a festival was held to honor his death. That was not the only reason of the festival though. It was also to celebrate the defeat of the demon fox, Kyuubi. Yes, defeat of the demon fox, not death. While what is written in history books and taught in class was that the Yondaime Hokage gave his life to kill the Kyuubi, it is a lie. The truth is known by few, and even fewer accept it. It was 3 years ago, the happiest, and at the same time, the saddest day that Konoha had ever experienced.
Flashback: 3 years 1 day ago, October 10
The village of Konoha lay in ruins—the aftermath of the Kyuubi attack. Slowly people started emerging from the caves lain in Hokage Mountain. Everyone was celebrating the defeat of the demon fox; everyone but the one who had defeated. His heart was heavy, knowing what probably would happen in the next few years. Currently he was in a clearing just inside of the village walls. His bright blue eyes did not contain any of their usual happiness or care-free attitude as he gazed at a baby boy in his arms, sound asleep. The baby looked almost the same as him, the same blond hair, and the same bright blue eyes. The only differences were the six birthmarks on his face, three lining each cheek, and the seal barely visible on his stomach that was slowly fading.
The man looked up at the others in the clearing with him; there were three people, two older, and two younger than him. The oldest one seemed to be the most affected by the situation. His eyes betrayed his serious and calm face showing multiple emotions, including pride, sorrow, and… regret? Of course, regret that he couldn't have been the one to perform the jutsu; that he wasn't going to be the one who was to die.
The second oldest stood still, barely even blinking. Anyone who had known this man would have automatically noticed the change from his normal attitude and the young man certainly noticed it, being his student. He never seemed this serious, always with a smile, but here he was any trace of happiness absent from his features. The second youngest one was the son of the White Fang, one of the most famous shinobi that Konoha had had. He was, a man who had sacrificed mission success to save his comrades and ended up committing suicide after being shunned even by the ones he had saved. What made this young man stand out was that he had become a Jounin at a very young age. He also happened to be the blond haired mans only remaining student. The youngest was possibly, even more of a prodigy. Obtaining mastery of his clan's kekkai-genkai at only the age of 8 he had managed to become Anbu captain of his own squad at only 13, a common age for a young shinobi to just graduate from the academy.
There weren't only people in the clearing though; in addition to them there was a gigantic toad silently staring at the baby. This toad was unique, though, in addition to his size. He wore a giant sword, about the size of one of the trees that lined the clearing on his right hip. He also wore a shirt, kind of like a short trench coat. Surprisingly he was the first to speak, breaking the tense silence that had fallen over the clearing a few minutes earlier. "Minato, it seems that we will not be able to share sake after all." Pausing he continued, "Do you need anything else from me? I have many wounds to tend to and I wish to see my family."
Looking up the blue eyed blond haired man spoke with a nod, "Yes Gamabunta, thank you for your help."
Grinning Gamabunta nodded, "No thanks are necessary, I am honored to have fought along side with you."
As Gamabunta poofed out of existence Minato faced the oldest member of the group. "Sarutobi, please try to make it so the boy is seen as a hero. Sadly the villagers will probably see him as the demon fox itself and not its container. If this should happen, please allow him to be taken out of the village for a while to be trained." Nodding Sarutobi gulped, sadness had overwhelmed all other emotions. His face lost the calm and collected look it had held recently and was replaced with grief. Minato turned to face his student, examining his only visible eye for any emotion. There it was; the smallest hint of sadness, that none but the most experienced shinobi would catch. Smiling slightly he addressed the young man. "Kakashi, I know I've rarely said this but I'm very proud of you. You have the skill and determination of a very strong shinobi. This village is lucky to have you among its ranks. The young Hokage turned to the youngest of the group. "Itachi, I know that you have been brought up to become a shinobi from a young age, but that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't have any childhood. I want you to spend time with Naruto, as often as you can, play with him, and protect him. If the dreaded day should come where he is almost killed, I want you to take him out of the village for a while and teach him so he can protect himself. And when he is old enough, take him to Kyoko Hyuuga and her husband. Tell them to give it to him." Finally Minato looked to his sensei, bitter tears forming in his eyes.. "Jiraya, you were like a father to me, but if you corrupt my son in any way, I will carve my way out of the Shinigami's stomach and haunt for the rest of your life!"
Minato looked towards the sky, his tears threatening to fall from his face. "I do not have much time left." Looking down to the boy in his arms he felt his heart clench up in misery, the seal on the boy's stomach now almost wasn't even visible. "Naruto, you have inherited my will of fire and with it, in time, my power. I wish so much that I could be there to watch you grow up. I love you, son." Looking at his son one last time a lone tear fell onto the baby boy's exposed stomach before Minato vanished in a burst of light, Sarutobi reaching over to catch young Naruto. Nobody even noticed that the tear seemed to have been absorbed into the seal.
End Flashback
Sarutobi was broken out of his thoughts when a groan emitted from the boy just behind him. After surveying him for a moment he decided that Naruto wasn't waking up just yet, and returned his attention back out the window, surveying the cleanup of the village that had just started. If only he knew what was going on in the mind of the boy, less than three feet from him.
Naruto's Mindscape
'Ugh, what happened? Where am I?' Sitting up Naruto blinked several times before his eyes finally got used to the lack of light. As his eyes became accustomed to the dark details of his surroundings became more pronounced. There was a thin layer of water on the ground that seemed to becoming from pipes that lined the walls and ceilings. The water, however, didn't seem to make his clothes wet or any part of his body wet for that matter. He could hear a faint rumbling, like a distant earthquake, coming from farther along the corridor. Standing he started walking towards the sound, every part of his conscious screaming for him not to, but his body going anyway. Finally after traveling for what seemed like ages he entered a large room. Most of the room was in shadow, but from what he could make out, there seemed to be several bars rising up from the ground to the ceiling, a soft but powerful orange glow partially visible from behind them. Mesmerized by the light, he slowly stepped forward until he was just outside what he now realized was a cage.
"Welcome kid. I've been wanting to meet you."
Jumping slightly Naruto looked around the room trying to find the source of the voice. Shaking he called out, "Who are you? Where are you?" Looking back at the cage, Naruto was surprised to find a mass of some weird reddish-orange substance accumulating in the center of it. He was even more surprised when this substance started taking the shape of a gigantic nine-tailed fox. As the substance got closer to its final shape it started changing. Fur started appearing along with eyes, a nose, gigantic teeth and ears.
Baring its fangs the gigantic fox spoke, "I am the ninth and strongest of the biju, Kyuubi no Kitsune."
Now shaking uncontrollably Naruto barely managed to get his next question. "B-but the F-f-fourth Hokage killed y-you didn't h-he?"
"Bwahahaha! Kill me? No I cannot be killed. He merely sealed me inside of a body." Seeming to notice Naruto's shaking the fox frowned. "You have no reason to fear me. Even if I could I wouldn't. I wish to help you."
Slowly calming down Naruto gazed into the eyes of the fox, but didn't see the hate and malice he had expected but sincerity and honesty. "Why do you want to help me?"
"I have seen the way your own kind have treated you. Even within demons, the most horrible criminal is treated better than you have been…" After a long pause the fox spoke again, "Do you have a dream kid?"
Nodding, Naruto answered excitedly, "Yup! I wish to become the Hokage! Then everyone will respect and look up to me!"
"You don't wish to kill them?"
"No! If I did that I would be no better than them."
Giving a short laugh the Kyuubi grinned. "Heh, my respect has just gone up for you kid. Very well, if you are ever in need of my power, just call upon me with your mind. Now, its time for you to go back to the real world; the one you call 'ojiisan' is worried about you."
Exit Mindscape
Opening his eyes Naruto immediately shut them again wincing at the sudden pain. His whole body was sore from the previous night's events, but even that was pleasurable to what he felt now. 'My head feels like its going to explode' Barely being able to form a complete thought he just lay there, willing the pain to disappear. He was considerable surprised when as soon as he wished it would end the pain dramatically lessened. He was even more surprised when he was spoken to.
"Kid I can lessen the pain partially, but you will still have to cope with some."
'Kyuubi? Why is this happening to me?'
'For a Kekkei-Genkai (blood limit) to show this early… it's unheard of. I must examine it; meanwhile, he doesn't need to know.' "I'm not sure; I'm trying to figure it out. I'll contact you when I understand."
'Alright, thanks Kyuubi.' Opening his eyes again, he blinked several time, allowing them to get used the bright light. Surveying his surroundings he was surprised to find himself in the hospital. Previously they had never let him in, despite the severity of his wounds. He was even more surprised, though, to find that he wasn't alone in the room. Upon first seeing the other occupant he twitched slightly in fear, before relaxing. The other occupant happened to be one of the very few people he trusted; none other than the Third Hokage, currently staring idly out of the window. Opening his mouth, Naruto attempted to address the Third but found it difficult to speak. Finally after about a minute a single word was voiced. "Ojiisan."
