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Chapter 3

The Hokage walked into their apartment, chuckling lightheartedly at the pink-hair girl's sudden nervousness. I guess I have that affect on everyone, he thought with amusement. He turned toward Sakura with a grandfatherly smile. "Actually, Haruno-san, it is you I am here to see."

Sakura visibly paled. "M-Me?" she stuttered, frightened. What did I do? She frantically thought back. She panicked when she couldn't come up with anything. I must have done something bad without knowing!

Sarutobi chuckled again. "Relax, Haruno-san, you are not in any trouble."

Sakura let out a sigh of profound relief. Thank kami! But now she was curious. "Then why do you want to talk to me, Hokage-sama?" she asked respectfully.

"Who's here, Honey?" Sakura's mother, an exact replica of her daughter, stepped out from her bedroom. Her green eyes widen in surprise when she saw Sarutobi. "Hokage-sama?!" She bowed hurriedly. "What brings you here?"

Sarutobi grew serious upon seeing her. "I heard that you have recently taken in Naruto. Is it true, Aoihana?" he asked solemnly, getting straight to the point.

Aoihana nodded quickly. She knew why he had asked. Everyone in the village knew that the Hokage dotes on Naruto. "Y-Yes, Hokage-sama," she answered in a quiet voice. And everyone knew he was beyond serious when it came to Naruto's safety.

Sarutobi nodded, accepting her answer. "I see. . .," he muttered, troubled for some unknown reason. "Can I see him?"

"Of course!" Aoihana replied and gestured toward a pale pink door. "He's sleeping in here."

Silently, Sarutobi entered like a ninja, without a sound. Naruto. . . He saw the young boy fitfully turning around. His face was consorted with pain and fear.

Sarutobi's hands tightened unknowingly into taut fist, so taut that his wrinkled skin was stretched smoothly across his knuckles. Who did this to you? he thought with extreme rage as he lifted up Naruto's blonde hair. "How could I not know?" he whispered miserably.

On his forehead, scabbed over, was the kanji for hate. It looked like a crude knife cut it into his skin.

Sarutobi let his hair down and walked out with shoulders sagging. How could I have gone so wrong? What torment has this child gone through without me knowing? He closed the door and looked at Sakura and her mother. "Please take care of him. That's all I ask," he said sadly and left.

"Yes, of course, Hokage-sama!" Aoihana said, but was too late; the Hokage had already left. With the leader of their village gone, all the tension in her drained away. She collapsed on their only couch.

Sakura sat down next to her mother. "Mama, why did the Hokage want to see that boy?"

Aoihana smiled at her daughter. Always curious. You have the makings of a great ninja, Sakura. "That boy has a name, and it's Naruto, sweetie," she corrected gently. "And the Hokage thinks of him like a grandson."

"So he was worried about Naruto?" she guessed.

Aoihana nodded. "Yes, he is." She got up and picked up her daughter. "Come on, it's time for bed."

"Okay," Sakura agreed tiredly.

Personally, Aoihana thought Naruto didn't deserve a single thing that happened to him. The Kyubi did kill her husband, but that boy wasn't the demon. She knew for certain that he wasn't.

Poor boy, she thought as she set Sakura on the bed. What must it feel like to grow up without any parents? She caressed Sakura's head before getting into bed too. I can't imagine. . .

XXX

In the next room, Naruto tossed and turned restlessly. Anyone who would see would obviously conclude that he was having a nightmare. And it was true, he was having a nightmare.

One would think that a boy who has lived his entire life in terror wouldn't have nightmares. What could be scarier than surviving everyday with everyone out to get you? To know that day might be your last. All because of something you had no say in.

Alas, the only thing scarier than living it, is dreaming it. Where sleep might be a refuge, to him it was only a constant reminder of what awaits him when he wakes.

XXX

Naruto let out a muffled scream as he bolted up right. Cold, clammy sweat cast a sheen across his skin. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and threw his legs over the edge of the bed. Why can't I forget the real world for a while? he asked no one in particular.

This time, he had dreamt that he was being corned in a small alley surrounded by many villagers with torches and weapons. Then, they all proceeded to skin him alive.

He didn't even expect a answer, but got one anyway. "Because that is our reality, Gaki," the fox said icily. A blurry, red silhouette of a fox appeared before him. "Remember that; they all want our blood."

Naruto nodded. Yeah. . . I know. . . He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to get rid of that feeling; the feeling of having his skin peeled from bone and muscle. But I want to forget it. . . Even if for a while.

The fox grinned maliciously, but Naruto couldn't see it. "Then you know what you must do. The only way to forget is to destroy the object that reminds you. . ."

Naruto ran his hand through his hair, overtly showing his soon to be scar. He ran his fingers over the character. He remembered well how it got there. He also remembered the pain of having the Kyubi's chakra carve it into his forehead.

"Hate. . .," he muttered bitterly. He stood up and went to the window and threw it open. He glared at the lights of the village with disdain. "You get what you receive."

The fox watched with satisfaction as Naruto leaped out the window. It wasn't worried he might break a leg, its chakra strengthen Naruto beyond a child his age. It's going along perfectly! All I need to do is provide direction, and he will gladly follow blindly.

Unknown to either of them, a head poking out from behind the door gasped.

XXX

Naruto leaped over a ten foot fence easily. He could feel the Kyubi's chakra running through him, making him feel invincible. A wicked grin broke out across his face as he headed toward the park. Interesting. . . My bloodlust is increasing.

The grin widen when he saw a couple strolling through the lush, green park.

"Hello!" he greeted gregariously as he landed in front of them.

They both cringe away from him, but stood their ground when they saw who it was. The man sneered and the woman glared at him.

Typical, Naruto thought with amusement. He knew what they would do, but they would be in for a surprise.

"Get out of here, demon!" the man spat hatefully. "Before I make you!"

Naruto laughed harshly. "You're welcome to try," he mocked arrogantly.

"The demon wants a beating, you shouldn't let its wish go unanswered, dear," his date urged.

The man grinned and cracked his knuckles as he stepped forward. "Man, am I going to enjoy this. You messed with the wrong guy, brat."

Naruto's grin grew wider still. It's going to be the last thing you'll enjoy. "Go ahead. I'll give you a free one." He lifted up his chin.

"Smartass bastard!" the man shouted as he threw a punch. He hit Naruto squarely in the face with an audible 'smack'. "How was that-Ah!" he cried out in pain and pulled back. His knuckles were badly burned.

"Aw, is that the best you got?" Naruto asked with a disappointed pout. Red chakra covered the area he punched. "Why so surprised?" he said when he saw their looks of horror as the chakra began to spread. "I am the Kyubi. Why should me releasing my chakra be any shock?" He took a step toward them.

"S-Stay away!" they shouted fearfully.

Naruto laughed bitterly. "You know, that's the exact same line I scream every time." He raised a clawed hand, encased with burning red chakra. "And it's that exact same line that goes unnoticed. . . Even now."

XXX

Sarutobi sat in his chair, smoking. Again, Naruto was on his mind. "I'm getting too old for this," he grumbled.

"So I take it you've been to see him," Kakashi's voice said from behind him.

"Yes. . . And it is just as I fear."

Kakashi sighed heavily. "You can't control everyone, Hokage-sama."

Sarutobi put down his pipe, losing the need to smoke. "It would be easier if it was like that."

"Yes, but then you would be just like your old student," Kakahsi pointed out.

"Orochimaru. . . He had the makings of a great leader. If only his gluttony for power didn't corrupt him," Sarutobi said ruefully.

"But that is why he was a great shinobi." Kakashi removed his mask. "It was that thirst for power that made him powerful and respected. But it was that same thirst that twisted his path."

"It seems we shinobi only have two paths: to be great and honorable, or be great and terrible," Sarutobi said sadly. He picked up his pipe and puffed on it.

"Yes," Kakashi agreed. "Regretfully, the terrible path seems to be the one most choose if pushed enough."

Sarutobi nodded. "Yes. . . And that is why I am assigning you to watch over Naruto, as your sensei did for you." He stared out the window pensively. I hope this decision will save whatever remainder of Naruto's honor. No child should live as he does. "Report everything that-"

They both tensed as the Kyubi's chakra spiked.

"Kakashi!" Sarutobi called urgently.

"On it!" Kakashi said and disappeared.

XXX

Naruto shook his head, sorely disappointed. "Man, they didn't even put up a challenge," he whined. The couple's blood was cleaned off him, knowing it would complicate things if he was caught with it. "I hope the next person I meet is more fun."

He continued wondering through the park until he heard crying. From the sound of it, he surmised that it was probably a girl's.

I wonder what's wrong? He followed the sound until he reached a clearing with a single grave. Beside the grave, was a young girl with midnight blue hair and puffy, red, pupil less eyes.

He walked up from behind her. Victim number three! He raised his hand, already transforming into razor-sharp claws, ideal for tearing through flesh.

She continued to sob over the grave, unaware of the danger behind her. "M-Mom! W-Why did y-you leave m-me!" she sobbed.

Naruto paused when he heard that. This must be her mother's grave, he noted emotionlessly.

"What are you waiting for?! Kill her!" the fox barked angrily. "She's one of the villagers that hate and despise you!"

Naruto ignored he fox and stood there, gazing at her. "It's dangerous to be out here alone you know," he said lowly.

"EEK!" the girl shriek and stumbled away from him. She crouched behind the gravestone, peeking out at him. "W-Who are y-you?" she stuttered, obviously frightened.

He smiled at her, causing color to rise in her cheeks. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto!" he said, friendly. "What's your name?" For some reason, he felt a impulsive to be kind to her. There's something about her. . . Maybe it's because she reminds me of myself. . .

"I-I'm Hyuga H-Hinata," she replied demurely.

"Well, Hyuga-san, you really shouldn't be out this late. There are some dangerous people in this world and who wouldn't care if they hurt you," Naruto said seriously.

Inside, he heard the fox laugh at the irony of the statement. He keep ignoring the fox.

He offered her his hand, still smiling. "Come on, I'll walk you home."

Hinata stared at his hand, then at his smiling face. She could feel the heat in her face increase. Why is he being so nice to me? Tentatively, she accepted his hand and allowed him to pull her up. "O-Okay."

Before they could take one step, someone screamed, "Naruto!"

"Huh?" They both turned around and saw a pink-hair girl bounding toward them.

Naruto narrowed his eyes for a fraction of a second before smiling. "Hey, Haru-"

BAM!"Baka!" Sakura shouted as she delivered a punch to his face, knocking him over. "What were you thinking, leaving when you're still hurt?!" she demanded. She grabbed a fistful of his tattered shirt and shook him. "Is this how you repay my mama for taking care of you!"

After several moments, Naruto regained his senses and pried off her hands. "Don't do that," he said cheerfully. Despite the grin and cheerful disposition, it still sounded like an angry reply. "I just walked to take a walk, to loosen up my sore muscles. Okay?"

Sakura could tell he was lying, but didn't say anything about it. "You could have left a note," she grumbled. So he didn't do anything yet, she thought with relief.

Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry."

"W-Who is she?" Hinata spoke up for the first time since the meeting.

"Oh, this is Haruno Sakura, an acquaintance," he introduced her. "And this is Hyuga Hinata."

"Hi," Sakura said.

"I was just walking Hyuga-san home, want to come?"

"Sure." Sakura settled into step with them. The reason she was here was to watch Naruto. See had heard and seen him wake up. The way he acted now was the complete opposite of when he was alone. Naruto. . .

XXX

Kakashi watched as the trio walked away. He was confused, something his disliked. Where is the Kyubi's chakra? The demon's chakra had disappeared almost completely. This requires close observation.

XXX

The next morning, they found the mangled remains of the couple. The corpses had giant slash wounds. They would be the first of many.

Just so you know, this isn't a naru/saku fic. Please check out my other stories! And review! Thank you!!!