Ayakashi sat outside the academy, waiting for the rest of the exams to end. She held the headband in her hands, running her thumb over the leaf symbol etched into the metal plate. The door opened as the rest of the students who became Genin ran out, meeting their parents and showing them their headbands.

'I wonder where Naruto's at.' Ayakashi thought to herself, standing up and clutching the headband in her hand. 'Did he not make it?'

"Look at that. The only one who didn't make. Again."

"Why would we want someone like him to be a ninja?"

"Just imagine if someone like him became a ninja."

Ayakashi's ears perked up as she turned around, seeing the familiar blond head. She grinned, running towards him. "Naruto!"

She stopped, seeing him on the swing that sat across from the academy. She couldn't see a headband anywhere, causing her ears to flatten against her head as she walked up.

"Naruto?"

He looked up, unable to shield the sadness from his eyes. "Oh, Kashi. It's you."

She tilted her head, frowning. "Did you make it? Did you graduate?"

Naruto frowned, looking back down as some of his hair fell into his face. "No, I didn't."

Ayakashi stifled a gasp, covering her mouth as she hid her headband behind her back. "Oh, Naruto. I'm so sorry."

"It's them."

Ayakashi turned around, staring right at the group of adults near them. They all glared at the two children, their feelings evident. 'I understand why they would act this way towards me, but Naruto?'

"Kashi. Go on and tell the Old Man about your graduation. I'm sure he'd love to hear it." Naruto said, waving his hand.

"A-Are you sure?" she turned back around, staring at him.

"Yes, I'm sure."

Ayakashi frowned slightly before nodding, heading towards the Hokage's building. She looked back at him, her ears drooping slightly. 'I hope he'll be alright.'

Naruto watched her run off, the sadness filling his mind as she left. He looked up as a shadow overlooked him, staring at one of the Chunin ninja, Mizuki, that helped with the graduation exam. He motioned for him to follow, walking away as Naruto stared, chasing after him.

They sat up top of a building, staring out over the village as the sun set. "Listen, Naruto. I know Iruka sensei is tough, but he's not against you."

Naruto adjusted his goggles he wore, swinging his legs lightly. "Then why? Why only me?"

"He wants you to be strong. With all of his heart." Mizuki said, staring towards the sunset. "But that will never happen if he goes easy on you. He's like you, you know. No parents, no family."

"But…" Naruto sat up, resting his arms on his legs as he stared down at the people walking back to their houses. "This time I really wanted to graduate."

Mizuki chuckled softly, glancing over at the boy. "Then I guess I have to tell you…"

Naruto looked over his shoulder at him, staying silent.

"It's a secret, but I'm going to let you in on it." Mizuki smiled at him. "Inside the Hokage's building is a scroll. It can teach you a new jutsu. Get that and bring it to me and I can help you graduate."

Naruto grinned, his eyes going wide. "Really? Alright!"

He jumped up, heading down towards the roadways as he prepared for his adventure. He arrived at his apartment, opening the door and peeking inside. "Kashi, are you here?"

"I'm in here!"

He smiled, knowing that she would be proud of him one he graduated. "I'm going to be home late! Don't wait for me!"

"Where are you-"

He shut the door, not wanting to spoil the surprise. He waited for the sun to set, heading towards the Hokage's building. He snuck inside, grabbing the scroll and putting it on his back, heading towards the rendezvous point.

Ayakashi watched as he took off, frowning as she followed him, jumping onto the rooftops to keep from being seen. She followed him out of the village, keeping hidden while she continued to track him. 'Where is he going? And what is that on his back?'

"I hope Kashi's proud of me once I do this." Naruto laughed to himself, arriving at the designated point. He looked around, seeing that Mizuki hadn't arrived yet. He sat down, opening the scroll. "Well, there's no harm in learning something before he gets here. Let's see. The first one is Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Naruto's face fell as he read the title, groaning. "Not this again! It's my worst jutsu!"

'Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu?' Ayakashi thought to herself, sitting on the rooftop behind the chimney, listening to him practice it. His breathing got heavier as he went on, eventually stopping to catch his breath.

"It's all over." she heard Iruka's voice as he chuckled. She peeked around the corner, watching them. Naruto laughed along with him. rubbing the back of his head. Iruka straightened, raising an eyebrow at the boy.

"Got me already, not bad." he grinned, staring up at him. "You're quick, sensei. I only had time to learn one technique."

Iruka glanced up at the rooftop as Ayakashi crawled forward, trying not to make herself known. Their eyes met as she froze, her mouth slightly open.

"Listen, Iruka-sensei! I'm going to show you this amazing jutsu and you're going to let me graduate! Then everything will be okay!" Naruto said, unaware of the tagalong he had. "That's the way it works, right? Anyone who learns a jutsu from this scroll passes!"

Iruka's eyes landed on him as Ayakashi stood up, dropping to the ground silently. "Where'd you get that idea?"

Ayakashi stepped forward as Naruto looked back at her, his smile getting bigger before looking back at Iruka. "Mizuki-sensei told me about it! Believe it! He told me where to find this scroll, and this place…"

Iruka's eyes went wide at the mention of Mizuki. His attention suddenly shifted as he pushed Ayakashi and Naruto in opposite directions, spinning around as multiple kunai and shuriken hurtled straight for them. "Look out!"

One of the kunai impaled his leg as he slammed against the wall of the small building, cringing in pain. "I see you found our little hideaway."

Iruka looked up, staring at the newcomer with one eye. "So that's the way it is? I should have known!"

Mizuki crouched on the branch he was on, staring at Naruto. "Naruto! Give me the scroll, now!"

"Wait a minute, what's going on here?" Naruto said hesitantly, looking between Mizuki and Iruka.

Iruka pulled the kunai out of his leg, breathing heavily. "Naruto! Don't let Mizuki get the scroll! It contains forbidden jutsu that could put the whole village in danger! Mizuki used you so he could get the scroll for himself for his own power!"

Naruto stared up at Mizuki in shock before frowning, glaring at the white-haired man.

"Naruto, Iruka's just trying to scare you because he doesn't want you to have the scroll." Mizuki said, causing Naruto's glare to falter as he looked over at Iruka.

"Stop lying, Mizuki!" Iruka said, looking over at Naruto. "Don't let him trick you, Naruto!"

Mizuki chuckled, an evil look on his eyes. "Oh, I'll tell you who's really lying."

"No Mizuki!"

"They've been lying to you your whole life, Naruto. Since the decree twelve years ago." Mizuki said, staring at the blond-haired boy.

"What decree?" he replied quietly, a confused look on his face. Ayakashi sat against a tree, one of the kunais sticking out of her leg as she watched the scene before her unfold.

"Everyone knows except you. Iruka's trying to hide it from you, even now. He'd do anything to shut me up." Mizuki said with a grin.

"What is this decree?" Naruto asked more prominently. "Why does everyone else know about it?"

"Don't tell him, it's forbidden!" Iruka shouted, desperate to keep the secret.

"The decree is that no one can tell you that the Nine Tailed Fox is inside you." Mizuki said, his smile growing bigger as Naruto's eyes widened. "The fox spirit that killed Iruka's parents and destroyed our village has taken over your body. You are the Nine Tailed Fox!"

"Stop it!"

"They've all been sneaking around, hiding things from you your whole life. Didn't you think it was strange how they treated you? Like dirt! Like they hated you for just being alive!" Mizuki said.

"No!" Naruto said through clenched teeth as blue chakra surrounded him. "No, no, no, no!"

"Naruto!" Iruka groaned, a worried expression crossing his face.

"That's why you will never be accepted in this village! Even your beloved sensei hates your guts!"

Iruka clutched his leg, a painful noise escaping his lips as he thought about what the Hokage said to him.

Mizuki raised one of his larger shuriken, spinning it around his hand before throwing it. "Die, Naruto!"

"Naruto!" Ayakashi exclaimed, reaching out towards him as the weapon flew towards him. He fell backwards, scrambling away from the flying weapon.

"Naruto, get down!"

Naruto's face showed fear as he curled on the ground, raising his arms over his head. A shadow loomed over him as the sound of impact rung out, causing him to look up at the person above him, staring right at Iruka. He let out a grunt of pain as he held himself up over Naruto. Mizuki inhaled in surprise, glaring at the Chunin in anger.

Naruto looked up at Iruka, confusion written all over his face as blood dripped onto his cheek. "W-Why?"

"Because, we're the same. When I lost my parents, no one seemed to care. They didn't have time for me. They just forgot I was there." Iruka said, his tone laced with anguish. "My grades dropped, I became the class clown. I just wanted them to see me, and to know my name. My schoolwork wasn't good enough to get their attention, so I did crazy things. And then I had to pay for it. It was hard."

Ayakashi's ears flattened against her head as she remembered her parents after they were killed when she became different. Iruka continued on, tears forming in his eyes. "I know how you feel, Naruto. You feel lonely and it hurts inside. And I could've been there for you more. But I let you down. I'm sorry. No one should have to suffer that much. No one should be alone like that."

Mizuki laughed quietly, grinning. "Don't make me laugh! Iruka always hated you. He was orphaned because the Nine Tailed Fox killed his parents. And that beast is now inside you. He'd say anything to get the scroll from you."

Naruto lowered his head, taking off in the opposite direction.

"Naruto!" Iruka shouted after him, reaching out for him. "Naruto!"

Mizuki dropped to the ground, chuckling as Ayakashi looked down at her wound, reaching out to grab the kunai. "You know, once he makes up his mind, nothing can change it. He's going to use the scroll to take revenge on the village. You saw that look in his eye, didn't you? Those are the eyes of a beast."

Iruka pulled the weapon out of his back, standing up. "No. Naruto isn't like that!"

He hurled the weapon towards Mizuki, causing him to sidestep and dodge it. "You're a joke. As soon as I eliminate Naruto and get the scroll, I'll be back for you."

Mizuki jumped into the trees, chasing after Naruto. Iruka groaned as he stood up straighter, looking at Ayakashi who was doing her best to cover her wound. She glanced up at him, a determined look on her face as she motioned him along, attempting to get up.

Naruto jumped through the trees, trying to as far away as he could. Iruka caught up with him, jumping alongside him. "Naruto! Everything Mizuki said was a lie! Give me the scroll, now!"

He jumped in front of Naruto, attempting to stop him. Naruto jumped at him, smashing his shoulder against his chest and sending him flying. He landed on the ground, sliding across it before coming to a stop. Naruto skidded to a stop as well, glaring at Iruka as he attempted to catch his breath.

"It can't be." Iruka said as Naruto pulled the scroll off of his back, clutching it to his body as he fell back against a tree, sliding to the ground. "How did you know, Naruto? How did you know it was me, and not Iruka?"

Mizuki released the transformation jutsu, glaring back at the boy who just grinned and chuckled before a cloud of smoke surrounded him, leaving Iruka in his spot. "Because I'm Iruka."

Mizuki stood up, smiling. "You're a fool. Why are you protecting that freak? He's the one that wiped out your family."

Naruto sat against a tree, out of sight as he listened to the conversation unfold. Ayakashi stumbled out of the trees, landing on the ground before falling to her knees at Naruto's side. He let out a small gasp as she pressed a finger to her lips, wincing in pain.

"I don't care what you say. You're not getting your hands on that scroll." Iruka said, looking up at Mizuki. Naruto's face twisted into a snarl as Ayakashi continued to treat her wound, her ears perked in case of danger.

"As if you could stop me. Don't you get it? Naruto is just like me."

"How's that?" Iruka asked quietly.

"He wants the scroll for his own power and his own vengeance. That's how beasts are." Mizuki said, shrugging. "He'll pour all his rage into the scroll and then destroy everything."

"You're right."

Naruto's face fell into shock as Iruka's words reached him, causing Ayakashi to glance up at him as she held part of her bandage tape in her mouth. He lowered his head, resting it against the scroll. "So it's true. Iruka-sensei never believed in me. He thinks I'm some… beast! Some kind of freak!"

"That is how beasts are. But that's not who Naruto is." Iruka said, a knowing smile on his face. "He's nothing like that. Naruto's one of a kind, works hard, puts his whole heart into it. Sure he messes up sometimes and everyone jumps on him. But his suffering only makes him stronger. That's what separates him from being a beast. So you're wrong, he's nothing like the Nine Tailed Fox. He's Naruto Uzumaki of the Village Hidden in the Leaves!"

Naruto clutched the scroll to his body, tears running down his face as Ayakashi sat back, watching him with worried eyes. Mizuki stared at Iruka, his face showing confusion as he reached for his other weapon. "You really believe that dribble? Iruka, I was going to save you for later but I changed my mind. You're finished!"

Mizuki ran at him, weapon poised. Naruto jumped out from behind the tree, running at him and tackling him head-on, causing him to lose his weapon and be sent flying backwards. Naruto landed in front of Iruka as Mizuki landed on his back a ways away. Naruto set the scroll on it's end, holding the other side as Mizuki got up, turning around. "Not bad, for a little punk."

"If you ever lay a hand on my sensei, I'll kill you!" Naruto said, a menacing look on his face.

"Such big words. I can completely destroy you with a single move!" Mizuki said clenching his fist.

Naruto raised his hands, making a new hand-sign. "Take your best shot, fool. I'll give it back to you a thousand fold!"

"Let's see you try!" Mizuki yelled. "Show me what you can do, Nine Tailed Fox!"

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto exclaimed. He produced solid clones of himself as they grouped around them on the ground as well as in the trees. Mizuki stumbled backwards as the many clones talked as they tried to confused him.

"What is this?" Mizuki exclaimed, falling to the ground as he pushed himself backwards.

"If you're not coming."

"Then we're going to come after you."

Mizuki yelled as they all jumped at him, attacking him and beating on him. Afterwards, Mizuki laid frozen on the ground as Naruto stood above him, staring down. Ayakashi pushed herself out towards the open, leaning against the tree on one foot to relieve the pressure on her wound. Naruto rubbed the back of his head, laughing softly. "Sorry, I kind of got carried away. You okay, Iruka-sensei?"

"Yeah." Iruka replied, smiling at him. "Naruto, come here a minute. I've got something I want to give you. Here, close your eyes."

Naruto walked over to him as Ayakashi watched, smiling as Naruto closed his eyes. Iruka looked over at her and grinned before taking off Naruto's goggles and untying his own headband.

"Sensei, how much longer?" he asked as Iruka put the headband on Naruto.

"Okay. You can open your eyes now." Iruka said as he did as told. They stood quietly for a bit as Naruto took in the sight of Iruka holding his goggles. "Congratulations. You graduate!"

Naruto took a moment to let it sink in as Ayakashi smiled, proud of her friend's accomplishment.

"And to celebrate, I have a surprise! We're going out for ramen tonight!" Iruka announced as the sun rose, shining brightly between the trees.

Naruto bit his lip, fighting back tears as he jumped at Iruka. "Iruka-sensei!"

"Hey, that hurts!" he exclaimed as they fell back, both laughing happily. Ayakashi looked up towards the sky, the smile never leaving her face.

"Let's go, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto said, jumping up as Iruka pushed himself up. They looked over towards Ayakashi, who was lost in thought.

"Kashi!"

She grunted in surprise, her smile faltering as she looked down, her ears perked. "Yes?"

"Did you see? Look! I graduated!" Naruto ran over to her, holding the headband on his head between his thumb and index finger.

"I saw, Naruto. Congratulations. You're finally a ninja." she smiled, keeping an arm on the tree she was using while giving him a thumbs up and a smile. "Let's get back to the village. I think we all need a break."

"Right! Let's go!" he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her along. She let out a cry of pain as she landed on her bad leg, putting too much pressure on it. Her legs gave out as she stumbled to the ground, letting go of Naruto's hand.

"Kashi!" he turned around, seeing her on the ground. "What's wrong?"

"I got hit when Mizuki threw the kunai at us." she said, sitting up and clutching her leg.

"Why didn't you say something? Come on, I'll carry you! You can't be walking like that!" Naruto exclaimed, pulling her to her feet so she could climb onto his back. Ayakashi hesitated as Naruto waited for her, looking up at Iruka. He nodded, a smile on his face as she sighed.

"Alright, Naruto."