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Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm not sure when i'll be updating next as I still need to do my schoolwork etc. but i will try to update as soon as possible. :D

Chapter 3.

'Run.' That was all he could think and all he could do.

"Faster" he pleaded to himself. But his small legs just could not move fast enough. Although he had an advantage in speed over the rest of the kids his age, it was not enough to outrun all his tormentors.

He dodged around the other villagers, not bothering to yell out or beg for help; he had learned early in life that it would not come, only bring more hunters. Swooping, ducking, but never shoving, he maneuvered through the maze of people. No one helped him, some would try to get in his way or trip him. Their faces would all look at him differently. There were those who seemed to be ignoring the running child, annoyed when he got past them, excited by the chase, victorious at his punishment, or snide at his presence.

A well-aimed foot suddenly sent him flying. His small hands reached towards the ground, in hopes of catching himself and continue on running. Before he could the ground however, a hand grabbed the back of his collar and hurled him into a nearby ally. His body hit the wall, and a loud snap told him his arm was broken. He bit his lip to keep from crying, the punishment only got worse if he shed tears. Laughter rang out and he heard victorious yells as men gathered around him.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" no matter how much he admitted shame for the crime he did not know he had committed, the laughter only got louder.

"Kit?"

Naruto jolted awake. He automatically froze, confused at his surroundings. The feel and smell of soft dirt told him he was no longer on his hard hotel bed, the soft chirping outside hinted towards him being in the woods, but the warmth around him was confusing. He vaguely wondered if the hunters had taken him outside Konoha walls… that would be a first. His eyes squeezed tighter, afraid to see what was coming.

"It is alright Kit. You are safe here with me, safe from your humans."

Naruto slowly opened his eyes, feeling something nuzzle his cheek. A large red fox staring at him, worry displayed in his eyes. Yesterday's events flooded back to him, but he did not feel any more assured.

Kyuubi sat up on his hind legs and stared at the smaller fox sadly.

Naruto dropped his gaze to the cave floor, trying to get his breathing under control. It was a lot more trouble than usual. Without the fox in his mind, screaming to go kill those who had haunted his dreams, it felt too real. Like there really was truth to their actions. For the first time in his life, he felt almost hopeless; this new kind of alone was like every blow he had ever received.

"Are you hungry Kit?" Kyuubi asked quietly. Naruto kept his head down, afraid to answer. But it seemed his stomach had other plans and protested loudly.

"Well then come. Better to hunt this early, not as many foxes running around. Just stay in your demon form." With that Kyuubi turned and walked toward the mouth of the cave.

Naruto stood slowly, testing his nerves, then trotted after the nine-tails. As soon as he got close Kyuubi shifted to a run. They jumped off the ledge and ran through the clearing.

Not many were out now, a couple of foxes here and there. Mist hovered in the clearing, damping Naruto's fur. From what he could see, the sky was a faint yellow orange, preparing for the day. The color struck him as strange, but he quickly brushed it off. The demons would probably think the same of his blue sky.

Once they entered the trees, Naruto relaxed a little. He let last night's memory slip away, just like the trees they flew past. His feet moved automatically, with no concentration required, almost gracefully. The idea of being so comfortable running like this disturbed him again. It just should not be this easy.

"Get ready Kit." Kyuubi whispered. Naruto had almost forgotten what they were doing.

Suddenly a rabbit jumped out of the bush they had been rushing for. Kyuubi lunged for the rabbit, not allowing it to move even three feet. He caught it by the neck, his paw slamming onto its side. He broke its neck before it could let out a cry.

Naruto stopped; amazed at the speed Kyuubi had completed his hunt. The large fox looked up at him, blood dripping from his teeth slightly.

"Now it is your turn Kit. Listen for the preys movements, smell where it is hiding."

He stared dumbly, did he really think he could do that?!

If possible the nine tails seemed to roll his eyes, "Just try little one, you are a ninja are you not?"

Naruto tried to humor the other fox; he closed his eyes and stood motionless. His senses spread out to their limit, and everything became sharp and clear. It was a feeling he knew well, though he tried not to, he sometimes used this sharpness in his world. It had been a big scene when he reported to Kakashi and his team that the enemy was on their way. He had been leaning up against a tree, concentrating on his watch time. He was used to listening like this in the village to escape from his hunters, so it had not struck him as abnormal. The other ninjas were quite loud and reeked of alcohol, so he could hear their approach easily. His teammates did not believe him however, to them it looked like he was asleep and they claimed he had only dreamt it. They could not hear or see them approaching. It turned out the nin were still at least a mile or more away, depending on how fast they were moving. From then on he had tried to resist using his heightened senses, to remain as normal as possible, but now he was able to truly be himself.

Somewhere, he could hear the sound of running paws lightly hitting the ground. He guessed it was more fox demons trying to catch breakfast. The smell of Kyuubi's kill was strong with blood, but he could also smell the scent the rabbit carried before the blood had covered it. He searched for a match, something that was similar to the scent of the rabbit.

Then there it was! Naruto opened his eyes; Kyuubi already had his rabbit in his mouth, ready to move. They took off in the direction of the smell, Naruto's hunger triggering some hidden instinct. Kyuubi jogged behind, keeping a distance as to not muddle up the small scent with the blood of his.

"Slow down." Kyuubi advised.

Naruto could smell how close his rabbit was, and he slowed to a crawl. The bush they stopped behind gave of where his prey stood.

He crouched low, stiffened his shoulders, and readied for the jump. Before he could act, a black fox jumped out and grabbed the animal. The rabbit opened its mouth to scream, but its predator's teeth sunk into its neck, silencing the noise. The fox quickly tore its head back, ripping out the animal's throat and killing it instantly. It had killed the small creature just as easily and gracefully as Kyuubi had.

This fox was slightly bigger than Naruto, its head would probably linger above his own. It was completely black from head to tail-, its fur was sleek and well kept, it was very beautiful. This fox also bore two tails.

As if sensing Naruto's scanning eyes, it turned and stared straight at him. Violet eyes met blue for a moment, then the fox grabbed its meal and ran.

Kyuubi let out a bark of a laugh and it took Naruto a few seconds to register that it was his meal that had been stolen.

He was late.

Sakura had stayed all night with Naruto and he was going to relieve her early morning, so she could get some breakfast.

But he had gone to visit Obito and his old Sensei first, hoping for guidance. She would understand, she knew how easily he got lost when he went there.

The stone had many names on it, from past wars and important missions. Most however, had come from the night the nine-tailed fox demon had attacked, too many to count. Yet he could always pick two out from all the rest. It had become automatic, with how many times he had come to visit.

He had questioned how Obito would have reacted on a mission he had put his students through. Naruto reminded him so much of Obito, it was almost painful. His old friend more than likely would have done the exact same thing as his student.

Looking at his Sensei's name caused horrible guilt to consume Kakashi's whole body. He had sworn to protect Minato's son to the death. Yet he had let him end up in a coma. If it had not been for the demon fox, he would have failed completely.

Naruto and his father were total opposites, yet almost exactly the same. Poor Kushina had not gotten one of her traits to shine on Naruto. The boy looked just like his father, was great at coming up with brilliant plans in tight situations, and had that bold stubborn attitude as well. He was destined to be just as great as his Sensei was. If Naruto had grown up with his parents, he probably would have already been recognized as the next Hokage.

What worried Kakashi however, was the fox like attributes Naruto seemed to possess. He had that sexy no jutsu, which in legend demon foxes would disguise themselves as women to lure men. The kid was a well-known prankster and his slyness showed in it. The villagers had also grown to know Naruto's smile as a "fox grin". These thoughts had once tricked him into believing Naruto truly was the fox demon during the time of his ANBU days, when he had been entrusted to guard the child. He now questioned what was wrong with his sanity then or if he was truly blind for a short period of time.

Alas, it was such thoughts that had kept him all morning. It was almost time for Sasuke's shift, so he could always take her for lunch as an apology.

As he reached for the room they were keeping Naruto, he stopped. There was a soft sobbing coming from behind the door. He opened it slowly, making no noise, and peered inside. Sakura had her arms folded on the bed Naruto slept on; head buried in them, her shoulders shook as she cried quietly.

"I'm sorry Naruto. I never got to tell you, but I really am." She grabbed the none responsive boy's hand and hiccupped, "I don't care what my parents say, you're my friend…"

Naruto kept dreaming peacefully, oblivious to the girl beside him. Sakura seemed to become angry with this, her sobs stopped and she stood up, knocking the stool over.

"Why do you have to be such an idiot!? Why can't you just follow the rules Naruto!? I hate you! I hate you!" Kakashi was about to step in to stop her, fearing she might actually harm Naruto. But suddenly she crumbled to the floor, her knees buckling. She burst into fresh tears, her sobs becoming hysterically loud.

"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry. Please open your eyes Naruto."

Kakashi walked in slowly, trying not to startle the crying girl. He crept up behind her and laid a hand on her shaking shoulder.

She slowly turned her head towards him, like it was a heavy burden to do so. It looked as if she had not gotten any sleep and had been crying for hours. He knelt down on one knee and she turned half her body towards him, laying her head on his chest and balled her hands in his jacket. A few more tears ran down her cheeks, like they were unable to stop now.

"He won't wake up Kakashi."

He patted her hair, holding her close and whispered, "Come on Sakura-chan, Sasuke will be here soon. I'll take you somewhere to feel better."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and he picked her up bridal style. He glanced at the slumbering blonde on the bed and felt the guilt wash over him once again.

"Be safe Naruto."

Hope you like it.

R&R 3