"Speaking"

'Thinking'

"Demon speaking"

'Demon thinking'

Chapter 2: Marked

As Naruto fell to the ground Iruka, and the Sandaime Hokage were made aware of the damage done to Naruto's back. Five kunai with red ribbon attached to the hilt were buried in his flesh with lines cut into his skin making a pentagram. (Five pointed star) the kunai were dug in deep, and it became very clear that Naruto was bleeding out.

"Iruka pick up Naruto, and take him the hospital immediately. Make sure none of those kunai fall out on your way there, so that he does not start losing blood any faster." The aging man hastily ordered.

"Hai Hokage-sama!" Iruka quickly bent down to pick up his surrogate younger brother. With tears in his eyes and malice in his voice he turned to the Hokage. "Find out who did this, and make them pay!" Iruka spat out in contempt before sprinting the hospital not caring about the waves of killing intent flowing from him.

While Iruka began his mad dash to save Naruto, the Sandaime was going to avenge him. Pressing a small button under his desk two ANBU members appeared in a swirl of leaves before him.

"You rang Hokage-sama?" Asked the man wearing a canine mask.

"Cut the crap Kakashi!" the Hokage angrily replied. Sensing the seriousness of the situation Kakashi removed his mask along with his partner Yamato.

"Gomen Hokage-sama. What is it that you require of us?" Yamato chose to remain silent for the moment. The third prepared to speak after taking a breath to relax.

"No, I am sorry for snapping at you." He paused to collect his thoughts. 'What's got him so flustered' both Yamato and Kakashi found themselves thinking.

When the Hokage pulled his thoughts together he spoke. "Uzumaki Naruto has been attacked. Umino Iruka is taking him to the hospital as we speak, and your job is to find the bastards who did this, and bring them to me." The elder Hokage spoke with a calmness betrayed only by his eyes, which were filled with fury.

Kakashi himself was angered as well 'Damn it all! when these people will see the difference between a demon, and the cage?' Yamato spoke up capturing everyone's attention.

"Excuse me Hokage-sama, what was the extent of his injuries?" Yamato asked calmly. While Yamato didn't know the boy personally he still wish he was treated with human decency.

"I do not know the full extent, but he did look as if he had been beaten vigorously, and he had kunai sticking from his back in the form of a star. It also appeared that he had lines cut into his skin linking the kunai to draw a pentagram." Just speaking these words was like a kunai into the Sandaime's heart.

"Oh Kami!" Kakashi exclaimed. Yamato simple shook his head in disgust. "We will find who did this. Come on Kakashi-senpai" stated the wood style user as he put his mask on. "Hai." Was all Kakashi could say. After donning his mask both leaf nin disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

(Konoha ICU waiting room)

Umino Iruka is not a man to allow himself to be easily angered, but today he made an exception. To say he was angry was an understatement, and a more fitting emotion would be enraptured in fury. 'Who the hell would do this to him? For Kami sake he looked like he just paid a visit to Anko-chan, and Ibiki-san. So angry was Iruka he didn't notice his slip up with Anko's name, nor did he notice one of his students walk into the room. "Naruto please be okay." Iruka said out loud. A loud gasp and the sound of glass shattering got his attention. Turning around he saw one Hyuga Hinata who just dropped a tray with a tea pot and cups.

"Ano what happened to Naruto-kun?" Asked the shy Hyuga heiress managing to keep the stutter out of her voice. 'Please Naruto-kun be safe' was a thought on both individuals minds.

Letting a sigh escape his mouth Iruka began explaining what happened to the young girl excluding the kunai, and the pentagram.

Hyuga Hinata is not one to let herself be easily angered, but today was an exception. Hearing the story of what transpired with her long time crush brought her to tears, and angered her greatly. Knowing there was not much she could do she waited impatiently for news on Naruto's condition. Luckily she did not have to wait long as a nurse walked out of the doors followed by Naruto on a gurney. "How is he?!" Hinata Blurted out, earning her a perplexed stare from the nurses. 'What's the Hyuga heiress doing waiting for this guy? Why does she sound concerned for the demon?'

"Nurse are you okay?" Iruka asked bringing the nurse out of her musings. "Oh sorry, he will live. His right arm and leg were broken in multiple places, but for the most part nothing serious. He appears to have been beaten severely and will need to stay in the hospital for about two weeks. "M-may I g-go with y-you to h-his r-room? Hinata asked with her stutter returning full force.

"Sure Hyuga-sama I guess we can let you have visiting hours at this time." 'Being the Hyuga Heiress has its advantages' thought Hinata as she followed the nurse and Naruto to his room. One Nurse stayed behind to speak with Iruka. "Umino-san I stayed behind to let you know about the pentagram. Whoever carved that into him cauterized the wound with chakra, and there is no way of repairing it. Sadly he will have that scar on him for the rest of his life." Iruka simply slumped into his seat, and wept for his little brother.

Authors Note: I know two updates in one day, and it's not even Christmas. Yes Naruto is going to have that scar and it's going to affect who he is as a person for a while. From now on things will start happening differently from the canon. What does that mean you ask? Well that my friends is the right question. Ja-Ne and God Bless.

Thanks to MYK-ON for being my first ever reviewer. You are awesome.