Naruto and Liu sat atop a building and fell into laughter as the bucket full of paint dropped on Genji's head.

''Serves him right!''

As Naruto said those three words, Liu dropped onto her stomach. "Get down! Get down! Or he'll see us!"

Naruto fell onto his stomach, her hair tickling his cheek.

''No way he's going to see us,'' Naruto said with a grin. ''Look. He looks so confused.''

''Deserved'' She said with a smile of her own.

''Yeah, serves him right,'' Naruto said. ''Wish I had some more paint though.''

''How did you even get the paint in the first place.''

''Not saying.''

''Oh, please. Tell me. I won't tell anyone.''

''Only if you promise.''

''I promise.''

Naruto leapt to his feet.

''I stole it''

''Stole it'' She gasped. ''If you're caught you'll be in trouble.''

''I won't get caught.'' He said confidently. ''I'm way too fast and smart and way too Ninjary.''

''Ninjary?''

''Yeah, Ninjary.''

''Oh, I forgot. You have Ninjas here.''

''Huh, you don't have any ninjas where you're from?''

''No. We have soldiers.''

''Soliders? Ninjas are way better.''

''No, they aren't.''

''Yeah, they are.'' He said good-naturedly. ''Want me to get some more paint?''

Her smile fell. ''I don't know.''

''I won't get caught. I'm way too Ninjary for that.''

''It's not that.'' She looked away. ''If I stay out any longer my parents probably won't be happy.''

''Oh.'' His smile fell too. ''See you tomorrow… then?''

It took several seconds for her to say, ''My dad told me we're going home tomorrow.''

''Oh.''

She finally looked at him. ''I'll definitely be coming back here though. I'm sure my parents will let me.''

He tried to smile. ''Right. See ya later… I guess.''

She backed up to the ledge and waved. ''...Bye.''

Naruto took a few steps onward. ''Race you there?''

Her lips twisted into a grin. ''We both already know I'm faster than you. I beat you last time.''

''Only cause I let you,'' Naruto said. ''Plus I've beaten you before. Don't tell you're chicken?''

''I'm not chicken.'' She said coolly. ''Fine. We can race.'' She vaulted high into the air, dove across a crowd, almost as if she were flying and landed upon the building in front. ''But I get the head start!''

Naruto jumped down from the building. He was halfway to the floor, before taking two tight hands around the lampost. He swung a dozen times to gain speed before he launched himself into the clouds and swooped by Liu.

''Hahaha! You really thought a headstart would help you? I already told you I'm way too Ninjary!

He saw her scowl in the corner of his eye. She turned left, leaping over to the tallest building in the area. She climbed up the walls, not with her hands, but with her feet, as if there were magnets under her shoes. Standing at least fifty feet above him, she dropped from the air. Twirling in the air, and with one final flip, she landed two buildings away from him.

''No!'' She called. ''But I wanted to make it fair!''

That is how it went for some time. Every time he got in front, she did something like that, separating them far enough away that he could barely see her.

He jumped from building to building. Capoutled himself from tree branches. She was winning, Naruto knew. Their destination was close, and she was far out of reach. I can't lose now.

Naruto felt his feet slip as he launched himself off the building. He swung his right-hand forwards, but it missed the ledge… and he was falling. Looking down at the crowd a hundred feet below, he screamed. ''Wait, wait, wait! Hold on! I'm falling! I'm falling!''

''No, you aren't.''

Naruto reached out into the air, and his fingers dug into a windowsill.

''Yeah, I am! I'm not joking! I'm about to fall!''

A moment later her pale face popped over the building. ''Oh. Use chakra to climb then!''

''I don't know how to do that! I started school like three weeks ago!''

She gnawed on her lips and offered him her hand. He jumped up from the windowsill and took it.

''Just don't drop me.''

''I won't.''

She pulled another hand around his wrist and dragged him up. Naruto laid on his back and took a breath.

''Are you alright?''

''Gotcha!''

Naruto flashed her a toothy grin. He sprinted past her, jumped onto a chimney, and landed upright on a bench.

Naruto looked up behind him and saw Liu dropping from the skies, looking very, very annoyed. Quickly, he dropped off the bench and said. ''I win!''

''That's not fair.'' She said hotly. ''You cheated. You weren't actually going to fall.''

''Still beat you though.''

''We're still 4-2.'' She said, calmer than before. ''I still don't get how you can beat me. I've been trained as an Acrabat –Acrobat since I could walk.''

His golden eyes flashed brightly. ''I'm just that good.'' He turned to her house. ''What's it like living in there though? Your house is so big.''

''Is it?'' She asked. ''Our house back home is bigger.''

''What – no way? Do you live in a castle or something?''

A hand went over her mouth. ''I wish.''

''Li-'' A door to a four-storied house slammed open. ''What did I say about talking with him!''

Naruto turned and stared into the eyes of Akihiko. He was a short man. Plump, with a red face and puffy cheeks.

''Dad…''

''I told you to never speak with that boy again!''

''Hey,'' Naruto called. ''You know I'm here right.''

Akihiko ignored him. ''Come on inside, now!''

She slumped her shoulders and plodded over to her father. Turning to him one last time with a slow, sluggish wave. ''Bye.''

He waved back, just as sluggishly. ''See you.''

''I told you to get inside!''

She did, but Akihiko stayed outside.

''I know you're kind!'' Akihiko said. ''You're all trouble-making ruffians. Stay away from my daughter. I don't want you rubbing off on her!''

Naruto sighed and turned to leave. Akihiko didn't let him.

''I meant what I said!''

He ignored the man again.

''Are you listening to me?''

Akihiko walked up and behind him and squeezed his arm. ''Are you listening to me? Don't go near my daughters again! I don't want her as associating with a street rat like you. I've seen and heard the rumours about you. Although I suppose it doesn't matter after today.''

Naruto tried to free his arm. ''Let me go!''

Akihiko did, after some hesitation. He did not say another word before going indoors.

''Old, fat jerk.''

Naruto climbed up the building. His legs dangled on the ledge. He watched her house down below and could make out a few faint figures inside, with the scent of hot food flooding his senses. Of course, she has to go, Naruto thought. Nothing good ever happens to me.

Naruto watched the streets below. He watched as families laughed and ate together. He looked inside the window and saw Liu and her family seeming to enjoy each other's company. I wonder what that'd be like, he wondered.

''Momma.'' A toddler points up at him. ''What's that boy doing up there.''

The mother quickened her pace. ''Look away, honey. Don't look at him. And if you see him again, come to me.''

He picked a pebble up, but in the end, he didn't throw it. When I'm a Ninja you won't say that. Nobody will.

Eventually, after the sky turned pitch black and the clouds vanished, Naruto knew it was time for him to go home. He made his way back on the street, instead of jumping from building to building.

His house was cramped, with one story. There were three rooms. His bedroom, which stored his bed, with his clothes stored under it. The living room, with a plastic table, and a fridge in the corner, with old food and drinks thrown about. Then there was the bathroom, where you could see a toilet with half of the lid ripped off, and a tub that he could barely fit in.

Naruto went to the fridge first and saw there were only three things left. A bottle of milk, some noodles and a rack of mouldy cheese. He took the milk out, and by the first gulp he had already it spat out.

''What is that!'' He wiped his mouth and hurled the bottle halfway across the room. He took out his noodles, and within a bite, he also spat it out. He considered trying the cheese, but he chose against it in the end. He pulled his pouch out and looked inside. There was nothing left.

Today was the 28th, so he would have to wait three days until he would get his funds for the month. He had gone three days without food before. He would live… probably.

He left his house, went down the street to the largest house in the neighbourhood, and knocked. He received no answer, and he knocked again. ''Hey, are you in there!''

Genji answered. He was tall and lanky. At only 43, his skin was patsy and blotched, and he was already completely grey.

''What do you want? I told you to only come here on payday!''

''It's pretty much payday anyway,'' Naruto said. ''Can't I just have it a little bit early?''

''No, no you can not. Leave.''

Genji tried to slam the door shut. He stopped it from closing on him.

''Oh, come on. It's just three days.'' He said and almost begged. ''Please. I don't have any money left.''

''I said get out! You're lucky that'd I'd even give stipends to someone like you.''

''Someone like me!'' Naruto exploded. ''Who is someone like me!''

''A-'' Genji stopped halfway. ''Just get out! If you keep on pestering me, you won't get any pay, ever!''

''What! You can't do that! The Hokage won't let you! Just… please!''

''Then stop pestering me! Leave now!''

Geji slammed the door shut, and this time Naruto didn't stop him.

Naruto stared up into the sky and yelled. ''I hate you, Genji! I hope you die!''

A great fire rose in him. He could feel his hands burn as if a flame had been lit on them, but once he looked down, nothing was to be seen.

Naruto hid on the roof. He watched the stools in the market. He saw Kunais and swords, Rings and Necklaces, but what he was really looking at was the food stand.

There were fruits. Pineapples and apples. Racks of steaming bacon, and pieces of fresh chicken.

Naruto drew his hood up, and his fingers trailed across his leather bag. He thought, Be quick and nobody will see.

Taking out a string with a hook attached to it, he pulled it to his face and said to himself, This is going to be easy.

He sprung to his feet and cocked it back. The string went flying. The hook stabbed into a pack of apples, and he wrenched it back.

The pack splintered, and six apples fell in between his legs. He dropped to the floor and heard a man erupt.

''Who took my apples? I saw something! Come on out now!''

Naruto had to cover his mouth to stop himself from laughing. You'll never be able to catch me. Naruto put his apples into his leather bag. I need more than this.

The minutes faded by, and Naruto stayed hidden on the roof. The voices from down below faded at least the ones that wanted him to get caught. I'll just get one more thing. If I need to, I can just return tomorrow.

Naruto leapt upwards and went for a pack of ramen. The hook was about to catch it, but the string was slashed in half by a kunai.

''Is that him, Mr Tanaka.''

''Must be him. Get him! He was the one who was trying to steal inventory.''

Naruto ran. He ran and leapt onto the other roof. He ran and jumped into the crowd before he ran into an alleyway and climbed up the building. He ran and ran, the sound of Konoha being overpowered by the thumping of his heart.

He hid himself in a crowd once again and checked over his shoulder. Nobody was there. Taking another turn, and spilling into another crowd, he checked behind him. Nobody was there. He looked in front. The shinobi from before was standing in front of him.

''Stop trying to run.'' The shinobi said. ''You're not going to get away forever.

Naruto turned on his heel and took about four steps before a hand seized his wrists, it was like a pair of cold chains had trapped them.

''Let me go. I didn't do anything.''

With his free hand, the shinobi took his leather bag and opened it, apples fell out of it.

''Really now?''

''It's just some apples,'' Naruto said sourly. ''Just let me go.''

The Ninja gave him a Look. That look. ''You know I can't do that. Not just yet.''

If I'm caught what will happen then, Naruto's heart ached. Will I even be allowed to be a ninja?

He cocked his head back and struck the shinobi square in the nose. His hood fell aback, and the shinobi let go to massage their nose.

''You little-'' The shinobi looked at him, his eyes a pitch darker. ''Oh, of course, it's you.''

''Of course, it's me? What's that meant to mean!''

Taking one step back, the shinobi grabbed him, this time seizing both his arms.

''You know, I was going to let you get off with a warning.'' A drop of blood leaked from the Ninja's nose. ''Not now.''

''No, you weren't. Just let me go.''

''You're not going where. I know this isn't the first time you've done something like this. You just don't headbutt Ninja like some sort of wild dog. You're coming with me.''

''I'm not a wild dog!''

A bright, blue flame erupted from his fingers, and caught the Shinobi. Naruto watched as he burnt and screamed. As the crowd watched and screamed.

''Stop this!'' The shinobi yelled. Naruto was shoved hard. He fell, and the back of his head struck a brick… before everything turned pitch black.

Naruto dreamt of fire.

Blue flames – Skin burning off bone – civilisations being reduced to ashes.

Eventually, after an eternity, Naruto awoke inside of a room he did not recognize.

''You're awake,'' Hiruzen said. ''How are you feeling?''

It took a moment. ''Fine.''

Hiruen watched him behind hard, grey eyes.

''Do you remember what happened.''

Naruto bolted up in his bed. His eyes snapped to the window.

''I thought as much.''

''So what now?'' Naruto asked. ''What – what happened to him.''

Hiruzen smiled thinly. ''He will heal. His injuries were only moderate.''

Naruto let out a breath.

''But that doesn't excuse what you did,'' Hiruzen said with steel. ''Is there a reason why you stole from the market?''

''What was I meant to do? It's not like I had any food… or any money. It's not my fault.''

''You could have come to me. We could have had this sorted.''

His eyes fell down in between his legs.

''Then there is the situation with Mr Suzuki.''

''I didn't mean to do… you know what! I didn't. I didn't mean to burn him… I didn't even know I could!''

''I know,'' Hiruzen said calmly.

''So what now?'' He asked with a sniff. ''Going to kick me out of the Academy? Or maybe you're going to throw me into Jail?''

A wrinkled hand rose. ''Nothing of the sort. I understand that it was an accident.'' He paused. ''And we have other matters to deal with.''

''Matters – what matters?''

''Do you know what you did, Naruto?''

His golden eyes darkened. ''Of course, I do. I burnt him.''

''But do you know what you burn him with?''

Naruto had no answer.

''There is only one family on the continent that can conjure blue flames without the need of hand signs.''

''What?'' He squawked. ''What are you talking about?''

Hiruzen sat back in his chair. ''Have you heard of the Fire Nation's Royal Family?''

''Huh?''

''The Daimyo?'' Hiruzen asked. ''Or perhaps you have heard about the Fire Lord.''

Knots strung in his stomach. ''I think so.''

''Only members of the Royal family were able to replicate what you did.''

''Are you – are you saying I have a family?''

''It's difficult to say,'' Hruzen said. ''I would have not told you this, if I did not receive a letter today.''

''Letter – what letter?''

''That King Ozai will be visiting our village… to meet with you.''

''Cause... Of what I did? But it was just a fire. Everybody can make fire.''

''That is true. But only those of Royal blood can create fire without the need for hand signs. It's their bloodline.''

''I have a family?'' Naruto gasped. ''I actually have a…. Family?'' Then, he quickly added. ''When will he be here?''

''Tomorrow,'' Hiruzen said, not happily, but not unhappily either. ''Naruto, you do understand that there's still a chance that there is no blood relation.''

''But you said-''

''I said that there was a chance and that King Ozai will be visiting Konoha.''

Naruto had so many questions on the tip of his tongue, but not enough time to spill all of them. If he had a family far away, why was he here?

''But I have blue fire. They have blue fire. They have to – wait, how did they even know about what happened.''

Hiruzen looked troubled. ''I don't know.''

Author Notes

Something I want to note. All the Avatar characters that appear in this are going to be under the Naruto's world rules. Bending doesn't really exist. Yes, they will have very similar powers to canon, but it won't be bending, but Chakra. Because let's be honest, if it was the other way around they would be very, very obsolete.