Chapter 1: A Foxes Love & A Ramen Surprise!

Naruto spent the next seven years working hard so that he could make good on his promise. On that day in the park when he filled his heart with hate something deep within him had been awaked. The demon Nine-Tailed Fox that had been sealed inside of his body the day he was born awoke still wanting blood. Naruto and the Fox struck a deal. Naruto would help the demon get its vengeance and in turn the Fox would give him all of her power.

As the years passed Naruto became stronger. Willingly accepting the Foxes chakra he was better able to mix it with his own natural power. Bit by bit their powers merged expanding his overall charka pool and making his natural power far more potent. Now at age 12 Narutos chakra reserve was greater then some Jounin but it wouldn't be until he was an adult before his power and the Foxes completely merged. That was ok to Naruto. He learned to be patient and could wait until the time was right. Besides he had to wait for the Third to die.

Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, was like a grandfather to Naruto. He always had time for the boy and was never too busy if he needed anything. Naruto appreciated this. But because of who he was the Third could not devote the time that Naruto needed growing up. He could not be there for the dark times in the boys' life. Naruto was still going to destroy the village and bury all those who tormented him. But out of respect for the man who tried being there Naruto was going to wait until he passed. It would break his heart to see the very thing he spent a lifetime protecting turned to ash.

For her own part the Nine-Tales was changing as well. Never before did she know what it was like to be human. Living inside Naruto she experienced what he did. Every emotion was shared, his thoughts open to her, and soon desires she could have never imagined became a part of her. A few years after she awoke inside of him her own rage had lessened. No longer did she see him as a tool for her revenge but as the boy he was. A boy who had no family, no friends, and no one to truly watch over him. Rage had been replaced by compassion and soon she thought of Naruto as her own son.

The two had developed a special bond. One where Naruto would turn to the Fox from time to time in need of advice or just someone to talk to during long lonely nights. While he did think of her in a motherly sense this didn't stop them from arguing and waging verbal wars in his head. She also took a great deal of joy in poking fun at him and teasing him without mercy. Today was no exception.

"I can't believe the nerve of some people," Naruto thought while walking down the road. It was early morning in Konoha and he was out trying to clear his head of the events that took place the pervious night. Even after getting home late he never got to sleep. He just stared at the ceiling while he lay in bed. When the morning sun came up he got dressed in his normal attire of black pants and a black and gold jacket with a red t-shirt underneath.

"Let it go Naruto," came back the Fox in a soothing voice. "It's over now. Besides you have more important things to do today."

"Yeah I know, I know. But right now all I want to do is rip someone's throat out."

The Fox silently sighed to herself. As Naruto grew up his temper became more volatile. It mostly was due in part to the villagers getting more aggressive towards him. She also knew his anger and outburst were her fault. Her rage and animalistic instincts greatly affected his mood. But she did know of one thing that always made him happy. "Naruto, guess what time it is."

It was then that Naruto finally took notice of where he was. Looking up at the building in front of him was all it took to change his mood from rage to joy. "Ramen," was all he said out loud. If he had been a cartoon character his eyes would have been the shape of hearts and he would have floated into the Ichiraku Ramen Bar as if in love.

Naruto walked in and took his normal seat at the bar. The smells filled his nose as he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Hey, old man! How about some miso-pork this morning."

Teuchi, the owner of the ramen bar, turned his head looking over his shoulder flashing Naruto a big smile. "For my best customer, you bet. One order coming right up!" In no time the place smelled of fresh ramen being made.

As Naruto waited for breakfast Ayame, Teuchi daughter, came up from the back. She pored Naruto something to drink. She too flashed him a large smile. "Naruto, it is nice to see you again, but what brings you here so early? You normally don't eat breakfast here."

"Oi," Naruto came back at her, his mood starting to become foul again. "I didn't get a chance to eat dinner last night."

"Why not?"

"I was coming home last night. It was late. I wanted to get some training in after school yesterday and lost track of time. As I walked past the general store I heard some odd noises. I noticed that the lock on the front door was broken. When I was about to go in and see what was up some guy runs out nearly bowls me over. I chased him down and pinned him to the ground. It was easy."

"Ah good boy Naruto," Teuchi interrupted him. "You caught a thief. All that extra training after school is paying off." He walked over and set a steaming bowl in front of the young shinobi.

Naruto dug into the ramen savoring the flavor. "Yeah, well . . . you would think . . . that wouldn't you," he tried to say through a mouthful of ramen.

"Naruto that's rude," came the Foxes voice

Taking a big drink of water Naruto swallowed the mouthful and continued his story. "Well by this time lights were coming on and people are coming to see what all the noise was about. Just as I'm about tell them that I caught this guy breaking into the store he yells out that I was the one who robed the place and attacked him when he caught me. And of course everyone immediately believes him and they all try to have me arrested."

He stopped to take another large bite of ramen. What he left out of the story was that the people there started to call him names. Freak and monster they had said over and over as they closed in around him. Despite how mad he had been this morning it was ten times worse last night and he was more then ready to kill the first person that touched him.

Looking up at Teuchi and Ayame and they were wide eyed at it his story. With another drink of water he finished his tale. "It looked like they were about to string me up when I ripped the pants off the real thief and dumped out all the cash he had stashed in his pockets. He was so embarrassed that he confessed and was hauled off just so no one could stare at him in his underwear. But what really burns me is that after all that no one said sorry or even a thank you."

"Naruto you're a hero," Ayame said beaming a wide smile at him. "It doesn't matter what other may think you did the right thing. I'm so proud of you." She then leaned over and gave him a kiss on the forehead. His face immediately became quite red.

"Oh how cute," the Foxes voice came at him in a cheery motherly tone. "My boys first kiss."

"Shut it," Naruto yelled back.

"Hahahahaha!"

"That settles it," Teuchi voice boomed cutting off the Foxes laugh. "Breakfast is on the house this morning. If you want anything more just ask."

"No I can't let you do that," Naruto tried to say. He didn't get very far.

"Nonsense! Like Ayame said you're a hero and heroes should be rewarded. Even more so when they try to be modest and turn it down. And tonight we will have a party. I will make you the very best ramen you have ever had. It is a very special day after all."

"That's right," Ayame chimed in cheerfully. "Isn't today when you graduate from the academy? I know that I heard some other people talking about it."

Naruto was taken aback. He didn't remember talking about it. To him it was no big deal, just another day that brought him closer to his goal. Another step closer till the day the village would burn. "Yeah your right it is. I didn't think you two knew about it. I mean I don't want you two to go out of your way."

"I will hear none of that," Teuchi cut in. "It's a big day for my best customer and we are going to celebrate. So come by tonight bring all your friends and an empty stomach."

Naruto stood up from the empty bowl. He needed to get going soon. He looked down at the empty bowl, always a sad sight to him, then up at the two smiling people in from of him. "Ok, I'll be here and ready to eat. I don't know if any of my friends will come." He didn't have any. "They may be out with their families." No one would want to be with him even if that was not the case. He waved goodbye and left the bar feeling much better then when he had entered.

"Ramen always makes the world seem like a better place," the Fox said smiling through the bars of her cage.

"For once I agree with you Fox," Naruto thought smiling wide for the first time in months. "I can't believe they are going to go through all that trouble just for me."

"I can. You are his best customer. You eat there five times a week at least. They are good people by nature. It's a rare thing in this world."

Naruto knew she was right. Ever since he was a little kid he had been welcomed there. It came as real shock to someone who has never been allowed into any restaurant. Someone who had always been chased away and called names. But at Ichiraku Ramen he is greeted with a smile and treated like any person would want to be treated. You get hooked on that kind of feeling when your world is full of nothing but pain and loneliness.

Naruto also knew that their business could be better if it was not for him. He was the demon child, hated by all. No one wants to go where he is. No one wants to set foot in a place where he is welcomed. That is why he swore that he would reward them one day. When it was time to lay this village to ash he would make sure they were both far away from here. He would even help them build a new restaurant in a new city. The Nine-Tales taught him that loyalty and kindness should be rewarded, always.

"One day I will pay back all their kindness," Narutos said out loud not caring if anyone could hear him.

"And one day you will my son," the soothing voice of the Fox came at him. "But right now you need to focus on the present. You have a test to pass."

"Right!" With that said Naruto tore down the road at high speed. He was eager to get to the academy and finally become a ninja. The day was starting to get better.