Prologue

Night had come for the village of Konahoa and for many it was peaceful. No one could have ever predicted that this very night would change one little boy's life forever. His name was Naruto Uzamaki, and he was only four years old.

The small blond boy was running as fast as he could, his heavily bruised body already struggling to keep up the pace. This was not the first time he'd had to run for his life, but something about tonight seemed even more sinister that usual. Tripping over an overturned garbage can Naruto let out a frightened yelp. "Finally got you cornered DEMON!" a burly drunkard sneered as he approached the small boy along with two other men. I'm going to die… Grabbed by his tattered shirt Naruto was yanked into the air struggling feebly. The first man smirked, an evil glint in his eyes. "Well well well, the kid doesn't look half bad." The second man groaned, "What are you planning this time Kento? I thought we were gonna kill the brat." Kento just shook his head. "I've got a better idea boys," Kento laughed as he pinned the struggling child to the ground, "Why don't we see what it is like to fuck a fox!" It wasn't long after he'd spoken those words when agonized screams split the air.

-Mindscape-

Two large crimson eyes shot open. Peering through a large gate held shut by a seal paper the giant fox known as the Kyuubi searched for the source of the chilling sound. It wasn't long before he spotted Naruto. He was curled in a tight ball as blood-curdling screams ripped from him. His body was severely bruised and cut, blood pooling underneath him and spreading through the shallow water. This was bad. Slipping one of his tails through the bars the Kyuubi picked up the screaming child and cradled him close, using a small amount of chakra to stem the bleeding while slipping into the boy's memories to see what had happened.

Almost immediately after starting to look the Kyuubi recoiled in sheer horror. He could feel the bile rising in his throat as killer intent rolled off of him in almost tangible waves. The mere fact that the villagers beat him on a regular basis was infuriating enough as it was, but this was a whole new low. He wanted to kill them… no… torture them until they begged for death. Of course he wouldn't be able to do that though, not like this. Gazing down upon the unconscious child's tear-streaked face the Kyuubi whispered a silent promise, "I will protect you."

000000000

Something soft and warm was wrapped around him, soothing away the pain. Letting out a soft groan two deep blue eyes opened. Nine fiery-orange tails were wrapped around him, cradling him in a soft protective embrace. He felt safe. "You are finally awake kit," a giant fox said in a low rumbling voice while shifting to look Naruto in the eyes. Nine tails, giant fox, it didn't take much for the five year old blond to figure it out, "Are you the Kyuubi?" A sad chuckle came from the fox, "Yes kit, I am the Kyuubi. My name is Kurama." "I'm Naruto… Naruto Uzamaki."

Wincing In pain Naruto sat up and looked around, "Where am I?" "In your mind." "Oh… does that mean…" Kurama nodded, "I am sealed inside of you. I am sorry. It is my fault that the villagers hate you." Something about the way Kurama said that raised a small question in the boy's mind, "Kurama-sama… Why did you attack the village? You don't act like a demon." Naruto's words were touching to Kurama. The boy was so pure and smarter than he was given credit for. "A genjutsu," he sighed, "A man known as Madara Uchiha attacked the day you were born. He cast a powerful genjutsu on me that sent me into a rage which led to my attack. Your mother and father died trying to save the village by sealing me in you." Sealing in me…? Naruto's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "My parents?! Who are they?" The boy was almost beside himself, almost forgetting how severely injured he was. "Your parents were Kushina Uzamaki and the Yondaime Minato Namikaze."

00000000000

Author's Note:

Yes I am a Naruto fan. To clear a few things up, Naruto is going to be strong and smart but not godlike. He will be joining the ANBU Black-ops and become very powerful. This is not likely to follow the cannon and it will not have a romance focus. There is going to be a time skip in the first chapter but unexplained details will be periodically revealed through flash-backs. No Kakashi bashing, but there will be a bit of Sakura and Sasuke Bashing.