Chapter 1: DEATH.

At Naruto's rundown apartment. The short 6 years old jumped onto Inu's arms. As he and a purple haired woman with a Neko mask came into the room. "It's my birthday Inu-nii-san, Neko-nee-chan." The small blonde chirped.

"I know Naru-chan." The silver haired young man with an Inu Anbu mask said.

"I'm not a child any more. I'm a man." Naruto whined.

"Oh really?" Inu chuckled. He watched as 3 other members of his team came in. One had black hair and a skunk mask. The next one was a big bear of a man with shaggy dark brown hair and a bear mask. The last one was a dusty bluish purple hair and a snake mask.

"Yep. 'Cause I'm this many." Holding up 6 fingers.

"Oh, okay big guy. Let's see what Weasel-sempai thinks about that."

"Yeah. Let's go see Weasel-san." He bunny hopped in a circle. Inu and Neko laughed. Skunk stayed silent. Snake and Bear were playing around of Mercy or Say Uncle and guess who was wining. Get a cookie if you thought Snake. Naruto ran up to Bear who was twisting Snakes arm. "Bear-nii can I ride on your back?" His big blue eyes and the pout was in place.

"I-I eh. Sure kid." He said breaking his concentration causing him to let snake go.

"Ha! I win again?" Snake cried throwing her hands up. "Take that Baby bear. Now you have to do what I say for a week."

"Shit!" Bear cried out. Then covered his mouth and his eyes slowly look down to see a curious 6 year old. Kyuubi was laughing so hard that the water around his cage was producing tidal waves. Bear looked around at everyone, as they backed away from him. He just picked up the kid. "Please don't tell Weasel-sama."

"Why?" Naruto snuggled into his back. He was tired from a bad night of sleep.

"He'll kill me." Bear said.

"Why?" He said sleepily.

"He warned me to watch my language around you." When he got no response he looked at the kid on his back and saw the kid sleeping. They left, while Skunk stayed behind to 'house sit'. What they didn't know was. That he personally responsible most of the damage that they often come back to find. He walked to the refrigerator and replaced the kid's Milk with spoiled milk.

With the group. They had just got to Hokage Tower. The kid stirred slightly and blankly looked around. As the woman secretary was trying to deny them access to see the Hokage, again. Naruto took a deep breath and let out a scream that could shack the tower. "JIJI-SAN" The Hokage and Weasel rushed out of the office, as his eyes started to tear up.

"What is wrong Naruto-kun" They both said at the same time. Both were concerned about the young child.

"She is being mean to us. She. She said that you didn't want me in your life anymore. She said you changed your mind and that you want me dead. Is that true?" His eyes were watering and he looked on the verge of crying. In a way that you could never tell that he was lying. Well not really. See she had said it the day before. When he tried to visit by himself.

"I-I would never." She denied.

"Oh yes, you would." Weasel said in a stern voice as he picked up Naruto and arranged him (Naru) on his (Weasel) hip. Her jaw dropped. "Hokage-Sama, I'll take Naruto-san to get some breakfast, while you debrief the others." The Hokage nodded while puffing on his pipe. With that they left to a little breakfast shop that was a known hotspot for Anbu. Then they headed toward the park.

After the day of hard playing, Itachi watched Naruto prank, hide and run. It was his own version of 'keep away.' Time flew by for the two. At one point they made it back to the apartment and the small child collapsed onto his broken and worn out bed. "Now Naruto-chan," earning a pout from the small child, "you'll have to stay here until we come and get you. Can you do that?"

"Hai." He said sleepily. Weasel nodded as he ruffled Naruto's hair and left as Naruto feel into a restful sleep. It was unknown to them. That when Skunk asked for the night off to spend it with his girlfriend it was to do a dastardly thing to the poor birthday boy.

Weasel arrived to see Inu and the others were very excited that it was Naruto's first of many future birthday parties. Snake had snake streamers everywhere, bear had bear tracks to the birthday boy's seat, and Inu had his dog summons running invites.

While they were doing that, Skunk was using his ninja skills to sneak into the sleeping blonde's bedroom, where he was curled up. Running threw a few hand sighs to a jutsu that caused two of his finger tips to glow blue. He tapped Naruto's forehead locking him in his dreams, while murmuring "Sleep lock-no-Jutsu." With that done. He picked the sleeping boy up like a sack of potatoes and left as quietly as he had came. What he didn't know was that he had been caught in the act by a Security tag in the corner of the room. It sent a signal to the nearest Anbu out of the room.

In a clearing 30 minutes ninja style (they travel further faster.) a way from the village. He dropped the boy on the ground on top a pile of wood, but he didn't wake up. The mob of 15 civilians gathered round the 4 ninjas. [2 chunnin's, 1 jounin, 1 Anbu.] The two chunnin's tied Naruto between two logs that had been setup parallel to one another. His hands stretched to the sided so his wrist were against the wood, while tying his feet together and to a deep rooted tree stub. Skunk made a hand sign and breathed out "kai." Naruto jerked awake, pulling at the ropes. Not even realizing where he was, before crying out in pain as the jounin stabbed a kunai threw his wrist and imbedded into the log behind them.

A sob broke from his throat as Kyuubi roared, beginning to pour out killer intent. (KI from now on.) Naruto being the only one who felt it cried harder and began to shake uncontrollably. He began to thrash trying to get away and only hurting himself. This caused Kyuubi forced himself to cut it out, so not to freak the kit out more.

{As the attackers got more creative were are going to see what dear old Inu-san and team are up to cause I personally don't like righting torture scenes for a child.}

The party preparations were going according to plan, because several Anbu and other ninjas had decided to help out. The Hokage didn't care about the Civilian Council anymore. Naruto was like a grandson to him and each child should have a birthday party. Not to mention that each attack on the child made him more ashamed of the village and down right pissed him off. He promised if so much as a hair was out of place the next time he sees him. Then they will face the wrath of not only a grandfather, but 'the god of shinobi' as well. Itachi smiled softly as he saw most of the clan heads, their children and Anbu here. His little Naruto just kept gaining more respect. He wasn't even trying, he was just being himself. He was caring, kind, and a little too forgiving. He looked at the man who brought the fox shaped cake and chuckled as he remembered the day Naruto set that man straight and free.

Time release: Flashback-no-jutsu

Itachi was carrying a 4 year old Naruto on his back, as the fox like boy was looking around in wonder and awe. He had begged, pleaded, and even used the unstoppable puppy eyed-no-jutsu to get his way. Talking Itachi into to taking him to the T.I building. He didn't, so much as flinch when he heard the screams and begging for mercy. Seeing as he was barely conscious during one or two of the mob 'punishments.' (*killings. Oh F.Y.I *=coughing k?)

Itachi took him into a room where they saw a scarred man with a black over coat that went to mid shin, with a gray shirt underneath, and black shinobi pants and a black ski hat that had the leaf head guard. He looked up and saw Naruto. He smiled a small smile as not to scare the child. "Hello there Naruto-san." This caused Naruto to hide his face behind Itachi's shoulder a little. "There is no need to fear me, little one. Unless you did something really bad, like spy or being a traitor." he chuckled a little at his own joke. Until Naruto yelled.

"I'M NOT A TRAITOR!" It was clearly a sore subject to the boy, as a woman had called him a 'traitor to his village, for killing their Yondaime.' the night before, she had beheaded afterward but still the words had cut deep.

"I was joking. Besides what that lady said to you last night was not true. As you are still human."

"As human as an Uchiha." Itachi raised his eye brow looking at Naruto. "What I'm 4 not stupid, I meet Kyuubi and he was way nicer than some of the villagers. When I black out, he-he comforts me and heals my wounds. Even when the hospital tries to make them worse. Not to mention he taught me how to read, write and to even talk. He said he was my family gar-guardean-guardian." he took a breath "not mention he was controlled by a snake man and an Uchiha making him wish he never created I quote, 'that damned eye.'"

"Naruto" Itachi scolded. Naruto sighed and muttered an apology. Ibiki chuckled and turned to look at the one-way mirror looking into the interrogation were a civilian sat. He was one of the few out of the mob that was 'lucky' enough too survived, 'cause all he did was beat a poor child up. Naruto was looking to. In his eyes was nothing but forgiveness.

"They got families to go home to, so let them go." His little voice caught their attention.

"Why?" Ibiki was curious.

"The one part about being human is making mistakes." Naruto replied. "Even demons have a chance to make amends. Thought some don't, but still you could just give them what you call D-ranks?" Looking at Itachi who nodded that he got it right. "To the civilians cause they are really just glorified household chores and refuses a few of their request."

"And the ninjas?" Ibiki asked.

"Um. Go straight to you? Seeing as your over worked and under staff as it is." Naruto snapped his fingers "Kyuubi-kun could work here. He loves to torture and prank. Not to mention that you could considerate it as a trade of sorts. Not to mention how many chance does one person get to work with a demon lord?"

"You are going to let Kyuubi take over? No way" Itachi said in a fatherly way. He growled lowly at Naruto. Only Kyuubi heard it and chuckled.

"No. The seal actually allows me to send him out and control how much of his power that he gets. Like an allowance." He looked at Ibiki for his answer.

"Deal." Naruto smiled as his eyes fluttered close as red chakra poured out of him. It moved as if it had a life of its' own and started to take human form. The figure had and blood red hair, glowing crimson eyes, his frame was built for speed and slightly feminine in his battle green and purple Kimono. He was 6'.9" with a katana at his side.

"It sure is good to be able to stretch these old bones for a few hours. Thanks kit." He chuckled as he fuzzed up Naruto's hair and winked at Itachi, who growled lowly back. Ibiki kept his part and Naruto's ideas were actually the idea punishment.

Time release: Flashback-no-jutsu-Kai

Itachi sighed. Then he was still mad about the Kyuubi deal, attack and the out come of the three events. He got over it. Kyuubi was right he was thinking him for the un-cursed level of the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. The attack wasn't his fault and neither was the out come. Just as they were about to decide who would retrieve the birthday boy. An Anbu with a Crow mask busted in and started screaming. "Naruto was kidnapped. S-Skunk took him."

"He is the only one who could have got around my traps." Snake hissed, in a blur of movement they all took off.

{Back with Naruto}

He was covered in his own blood and pain throbbed threw him from the deep gashes in his arms, stomach, chest, legs and face. In some places went so deep it showed the bone. His ribs were bruised, cracked and broken in several places. His hair which was once a sunny blond was now caked in drying crimson blood from were they split his skull a bit. His eyes were almost fully healed from them being gouged out. His right foot, 7 out of 10 fingers and toes were almost completely crushed. There were whelps and burns littering his small body.

The people were still cheering the 4 ninjas on. Skunk, in his lust for glory, drew his katana and lunged forward. Stabbing Naruto in his chest right above his heart. In a sudden burst of crimson chakra everyone stopped and was starting to get scared. The bird and animals chirped and cried, almost like they were begging them to stop. The trees whipped and bent in a strong wind. The branches groaned and popped.

He screamed in pain as Kyuubi was trying, desperately, to heal his all his wound and force the blade back out. When Skunk took a deep breath and roundhouse kicked the blade right threw the kid's heart. It all suddenly stopped dead as the boy's body slumped forward. Nothing made a sound as everyone waited with baited breath. The grass that was covered with the boy's blood started to wilt and wither. The leaves turned to ash as a perfect circle of dead grass formed. With the boy's body right in the dead center. The people panicked and scattered.

In Naruto's Mindscape.

"Kit! Hold on kit, please." Kyuubi almost begged. Naruto whimpered in pain.

"I can't Kyuubi-kun. The-They kicked a s-sword threw my heart." He was shackled down in the ankle deep water that normally surrounded Kyuubi's cage. A cold chill began to fill the air, as he started to loose his body heat. Kyuubi ripped his way out of the flimsy cage that had held him for 6 years. Chains shout up and latched onto Kyuubi's body, as he fought his way toward Naruto. When he got there, he wrapped his tails around the boy's soul and was shackled down to the floor to await the Shinigami. As he looked once more into his host's mind noticed 7 seals beside his and a darkness that started to swallow everything it touched. "I'm Cold Kyuubi." Naruto whispered.

"I know." Kyuubi said. He never had a soft spot but this kid was the only one to make one in his heart. Just then they heard light splashing footsteps. Both looked up and saw the dark figure of the Shinigami.

"Hey there little one. Kyuubi-san. Hate to the say this, but I've come for you?" Shinigami said.

"I under stand Shinigami-sama" Naruto said. The Shinigami placed his right hand on Naruto's head, every memory, even the repressed ones, played in order in front of the ancient beings' eyes. Naruto eyes fluttered closed as he lost feeling to his body. He gently pulled the soul from the body, making sure not to damage it. Kyuubi got up and followed slowly. (The soul loses consciousness after it is first removed from the body and normally don't wake up until they reach their destination. Just so ya know.)

"My, my. Kyuubi, you do have a loyal bone in your body after all." The Shinigami asked as he held the Soul of Naruto bridle style.

"Yeah well. You'll end drag me either way, and I do still have my pride and dignity but I like this kid. So what is going on anyway? Normally you would either eat the soul or you put it in you satchel?" Kyuubi said.

"Yeah normally your right but this kid has proved to the perfect one to pass my powers to. If he agrees. He has been through to much to just simple thrown him with the rest of those souls. It would be a complete waist. He is a diamond in the rough. One I intent to make shine." An hour later Kyuubi was just sitting there watching as Kami-sama and Shinigami-sama had a lovers spat over the little kit, whom was a sleep behind him.

"You are going to do WHAT? No he belongs in heaven with his mother." Kami couldn't believe what she was hearing form the love of her existence.

"I'm sorry but he is needed and you know it. Why have are you being so selfish?" Shinigami said growling.

"I'm not selfish! You, you over grown reaper…" sigh ".. But you are right, but I wanted him to thank me not you." Kami whined with a pout on her lips. "Fine he can be your part-time apprentice as I'm sure Kyuu-kun," Kami purred his name, "has a plan to make him, his own apprentice. Am I right?" Kyuubi still in shock could only nod. "Good. Be sure to tell him to be Hokage for me." She giggled at both boys' shocked expression. Which turn to both jaws on the floor as she walked by them, putting extra sway in her hip movements. She gently kissed Naruto's head. "Good Luck Kid." She walked away giggling the whole time. Kyuubi was very uncomfortable now, and his fidgeting just made it worse. Watching this had the death god in stitches.

Naruto woke up an hour later, in a forest filled with dead trees. On a black and red bed. The sky was a blood red and the sun was pure white, while the ground was black. "Where am I? Am I in hell?"

"Not exactly Kit. You are in a void in between life, death, heaven and hell. It's called limbo. . I think" Kyuubi said as he got up from where he had curled up into a ball beside him, and stretched. He was the size of a large dog. "The Shinigami lives in this area. Oh he brought you body back to life but sunk it into one of the large, ancient, talking trees that helps keep balance in the forest around Konoha. They're known as a guardian tree. So there is no need to worry about that. I believe he also told Sarutobi; Hiruzen what happened."

"Why am I not in hell yet?" Naruto asked confused.

"Why in hell would you be in hell?" Kyuubi was confused and a bit disturbed about that line coming from a 6 year old.

"Because I don't belong in heaven I'm…" Naruto said but was interrupted.

"You did nothing Wrong!" Kyuubi yelled as realization sunk in. "Those villagers are idiots, you're not a monster. They are. Hell even we demons never treat our young like they did."

"What the Fox said is true. Your soul is one of the purest souls I've seen in a while. The other would be the fourth Hokage and to prove that is the truth. I'm giving you something that you have earned. A 2nd chance. Mind you this is the first time this has happened." Naruto gasped. "You're really brave and smart for a 6 year old." He snapped his fingers and Naruto's blood covered, almost in ribbons clothes, caught fire instantly. The fire wasn't normal, but bluish black in color. As the strange flames licked at Naruto's body, it was healing his wounds, devouring any and all blood on his tan skin, obliterating the odd seals that were not suppose to be there, and the clothes were turned to ashes in an instant. The flames made him feel warm and comfortable. The flames then formed an orange tight shirt, black cargo pants with a thick metal chain with a skull on its buckle. A kunai pouch on his left leg, steel toed boots instead of ninja sandals and a black cloak with the same bluish black flames licking the bottom. His wrist had a pair of black gauntlets that had 3 spikes that stuck out from his knuckles. "I've got a deal for you. You and Kyuubi will still merge, which will turn you to a kitsune hanyou, and everything as before. Except he will still be around, but he'll just be kept in your weapon."