Ten Years Later

It was early afternoon on the road to Hidden Leaf. The sun was still high in the sky, birds chirped greetings to each other in passing and a young, blonde teenager stood on the crest of a hill and looked upon the gates to the village with sparkling eyes.

He had 3 defined marks on his cheeks that gave the impression of whiskers. His hair was bright yellow and spiked in every direction possible. His eyes were the brightest blue, and hid much behind their endless depths. Sitting faithfully by his side was a blood red fox. The elegant head of the fox came up to the boys waist, and nine bushy tails waved back and forth through the air.

"10 years.... It's been 10 years since I've been here." He thought to himself as he surveyed the landscape before him.

"Are you sure you want to go back there, kit?" a menacing voice growled from inside his head. "You know how they are going to treat you, even with the old woman's help." The boy heaved a sigh and looked down at the fox who was staring at him intently.

"I know," he thought back to the voice. "But kaa-san wanted me to do this. If she thinks this is best for me then I will not question her." Stated the boy in his mind as he walked down the hill and approached the gates.

"Very well, but know that if those miserable excuses of people do anything, I am here if you need me," growled the voice softly before fading away, back to the depths of his mind and the fox trotted after his master.

"Thank-you Kyuubi..." whispered the blonde out loud before turning his attention to the looming village.

The boy was dressed in simple travellers' clothes with only minimal hints of his ninja background. A plain black shirt covered with a dark orange jacket with many pockets, hid his numerous kunai knives. A vicious looking sword was strapped to his back, which ran nearly the entire length of the boy. His lower half was covered by baggy black pants with a shuriken holster strapped to his right thigh.

He smiled briefly remembering the bright orange jumpsuit he used to wear, "If it wasn't for kaa-san I would still be wearing it," he silently chuckled to himself. His ability to smile again had been recovered months after he was saved that dark day that lead him from this village.

"Halt!" a voice demanded, breaking the boy from his thoughts. He had arrived at the village entrance and the guard had stopped him before he walked through the gates.

"Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts," the boy quickly apologized.

"State your business," insisted the guard, nothing in his voice hid the suspicion and caution at the sight of the large fox next to him.

"Yeah, I'm here to see the Hokage," answered the boy smiling.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Nope"

'Does the Lord Hokage know you're coming?"

"No"

"Is there anyone in this village who can vouch for your identity?"

"Ummm... I don't think so, no" replied the boy pausing to think for a moment. The fox at his side chuckled silently.

"Then as required by law you must leave this village immediately or be arrested and interrogated as to your intentions within these walls," said the guard rather tiredly. Obviously he expected the blue-eyed blonde to turn around and leave, not to continue on into the village... This was what the lad was doing.

"Hey! Stop!" yelled the guard, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and dragging him back. "I said you had to leave! Not continue walking!"

"No, you said I had to leave or will be interrogated as to my intentions. Well I already told you my intentions, I'm here to see the Hokage. I want to talk to him." Said the boy calmly, but on the inside he was holding back from growling and throwing the man for grabbing him in such a way. His hands curled into fists.

"Sorry kid, but not just anybody can go and see the Hokage, let alone enter this village without some form of identification," the guard informed the boy.

"Oh well, why didn't you just say so? I have a letter here from kaa-san saying who I am," he replied chirpily.

"Hahahahaha!! Sorry kid, but just 'coz your mama says your special doesn't mean you can go and see the Hokage!" laughed the man.

"Do you even know who my kaa-san is?!" argued the boy, "Just read the freaking letter!" insisted the child.

"Ok, OK," chortled the guard still giggling from how much of a mummy's boy this kid was. He opened the parchment and read what was inside.

Dear Hidden Leaf gate guard,

I am well aware of your position in letting an un-identifiable person, such as the boy and fox you see in front of you, through the gates without any form of assurance he is not an assassin or a spy from a neighbouring village or country. However, as true as this may be, if you continue to refuse this boy entry into the Village Hidden in the Leaves then I will personally hunt you down and make sure you recognize your mistake. My son and his pet are to be treated with the utmost care and consideration when entering this village. If they are mistreated in anyway then the consequences will be making you wish for death.

Regards

Tsunade Senju,

Member of the Sannin

Grand-daughter to the first Hokage of Leaf, Senju Hashirama

The boy watched in satisfaction as the guard's face paled as he re-read the letter three times. "Trust kaa-san to make someone sweat from a letter," he smirked to himself. He could hear Kyuubi's laughter echo throughout his mind. Fang had a look on his face that could only be described as a grin.

"My deepest apologies Honourable Son!" exclaimed the guard, "I will promptly escort you to the Hokage's building forthwith!" The boy watched as he scrambled to regain favour with the son of one of the legendary Sannin.

Smiling the boy stepped into the village for the first time in ten years.

"Don't worry about it, and stop with that 'Honourable Son' crap, just call me Naruto."

Short chapter I know, sorry! But the others are gonna be longer! =] Stay tuned for more!