Disclamer: I don't own Naruto nor any characters or abilities created by Masashi Kishimoto. Original characters, abilities and bloodlines in this story (there will be) are mine. If someone out there thinks an ability or character of mine is cool and wishes to use it, feel free. I only ask that you give me credit.

Date: 4/24/08

Summary: While running from an angry mob on his birthday, seven-year-old Naruto finds himself in a strange land where a shinobi turned priest offers to train him as a ninja. Naruto eventually discovers there is more to the world then just shinobi when he unlocks his spiritual power. Not a super Naruto fic (I hate those ones) but more of a smart and wise naruto fic.

Spiritual Fox
Chapter 1: A Beginnning

It was a beautiful festival day, and the inhabitants of Konoha were enjoying every minuet of it. It marked the seventh year since their leader, the Fourth Hokage, had sacrificed himself to save the entire village from the nine-tailed demon fox Kyubi. By sealing the demon into a newborn child, he had ensured the entire world would be safe from the vicious creature. Their savior had hoped his people would see the sacrificed boy as a hero, but he had forgotten an important and dark part of humanity.

People had trouble letting go. Many held their pain close to their hearts so they didn't forget the loved ones they lost. It was easy for people to hate then to accept their losses; easier to hate the demon who had caused the destruction an death. And it was the easiest thing in the world for the people to see the Jinchuriki as the demon itself, giving them a tangible and weak being to not only hate, but attack. Laws had been put into place to protect the child, but there were some days the laws were ignored even by the police force. Days like the Kyubi festival when the adults remembered being attacked the best. It never took more then a couple of drinks before someone suggested a demon hunt. In truth, it wouldn't have taken any drinks but the men were smart enough to have a plausible alibi. Which brings us to the current situation: A young seven-year old boy with messy blond hair wearing an orange jumpsuit running from a mob of ten or so men. All half drunk, all wearing tattered cloths, all childishly blaming the demon for their current life.

Naruto was running as fast as he could, he had to in order to avoid being beaten by those drunks. Being chased half his life had made him as fast as a grown adult, but those adults had some ninja mixed into the group so he know he'd be caught if he didn't do something quick. The one advantage he had was his knowledge of the streets was better then most of the adults chasing him. He'd never get caught in a dead end so the chase would be over when they or Naruto got too tired to run.

Just wait till I become Hokage, the blond thought. Then they'll have to respect me. Just another year, then I'll be in the academy. I'll learn all the jutsus I can and take the title from the old man. The mob seemed to be gaining some distance so Naruto had to increase his speed slightly. Once I become a ninja I'll be skilled enough so these chases won't happen.

This of course didn't help the current situation of having a mob chasing him. A mob that was somehow catching up. I never did get my breakfast. These bastards started chasing me before I could get to the ramen stand. Ojii-san gave me extra ramen coupons today too. I have to lose these clowns somehow, then get to my ramen. The hyper blond knew there was a few places to hid just around the corner so he sped up slightly. However, when he rounded the corner he didn't expect to run into… fog of all things. A fog so thick he could barely see his hand in front of his face.

It wasn't steam because it didn't hurt him at all. Naruto had stopped to wonder for a moment, but remembered the mob was chasing him. Even if that group couldn't see through the fog, they'd still run into him if he stayed in one place. The boy started walking while wondering what was going on. Is this some jutsu? It was too warm out for this to be natural. Only a few moments passed until Naruto figured something else out. I can't hear anything. Sure, the area hadn't been too loud or crowded but it wasn't silent like this fog. What was that one type of jutsu called? Oh ya, genjutsu; the one that makes people see and hear things. One of the ninjas could have used one on me, but they've never done that before so why now?

After a few moments the scruffy blond finally walked out of the mist and found himself at the edge of a forest. Said forest was huge, and seemed to be on a small mountain. A sphere of fog seemed to enclose the whole area, or at least the area Naruto could see. The child simply looked around, brought his hand to his mouth, and bit his thumb as hard as he could. When he felt pain, he decided he wasn't experiencing some dream or jutsu. That, however, left him with more questions then answers. Granted, he had run through some fog, but he hadn't been on the village border. And I didn't go over one of the walls so this couldn't be outside the village either. Besides, the only mountain around here is the Hokage monument and there aren't any trees covering that.

Naruto didn't know where he was, but his curiosity got the better of him and he went investigating to figure out his location. His options were limited in that the only place he had to go was into the forest, but he did find one good sign; a path which led inwards. The blond wasn't the smartest kid in the world, but he knew that if there was a path then there had to be people somewhere too. True, not all people were nice, but he was willing to risk it to find out just where he was.

The pre-ninja started on the path, but soon found something disturbing; the forest was silent. Naruto had been into the forests around Konoha and he knew what a forest should sound like. Where are the birds, the insects, and the animals? There are trees growing and flowers blooming, there should be dozens of sounds. Why can I only hear the sound of my own footsteps? Naruto walked for about five minutes, the scene never changing too much. He tried not to let it show but the forest was making him nervous. There weren't many people who wouldn't be disturbed by a place so completely unnatural. Just as Naruto was about to turn back the path began to incline and he came upon a set of stairs. Said stairs were lined with statues of animals, one about every five steps making a total of six statues for the thirty steps.

The top of the steps lead to an open space containing the strangest building Naruto had ever seen. It was an old fashioned, tall, one story structure raised off the ground, complete with an archway before the entrance and sliding doors. The path to the building split off and went around the structure both ways, leading to smaller but still ornate storage rooms. Naruto walked about halfway to the building when the door opened and out stepped a man. He looked to be about 30ish, 5 foot 11 with chestnut brown hair and green eyes. His build was average but the blond boy could tell the man was well muscled and carried himself like a fighter. Dressed in white robes, he was studying Naruto with curiosity in his eyes. It felt strange for the boy, he was used to being looked at with anger or hate.

This man just seemed to find him interesting as he gave Naruto a kind smile and said, "What an unusual guest to have. Welcome young one, to my forest temple."

Naruto just guessed he didn't have many kids drop by, making him unusual. The other stuff, however, was even less revealing. "What's a temple, and where am I exactly?"

"Good questions, but we seem to have overlooked some details. My name is Yoshi Ichihara (1)." He proceeded to give Naruto a small bow, and looked at the boy gently.

The man Yoshi didn't seem to bear any ill intent to Naruto, not that he could feel anyways. So he decided the truth wouldn't hurt too much. "Naruto Uzumaki from Konohagakure."

"A Konoha resident huh? May I call you Naruto" In truth, Naruto wasn't used to addressed so kindly but it was better then Demon Brat, so he nodded. "You may call me Yoshi if you'd like." He stepped to the side and opened the door more. "I'm currently making some tea if you'd like to sit and relax while we talk."

Naruto entered with little hesitation. He'd grown accustomed to sensing danger, and didn't feel any from Yoshi or the temple. As he entered he found himself in a hallway which seemed old fashioned like the outside, a few of sliding doors, pictures on the walls, and a table with a potted plant on it. The man opened the first door on the right and led Naruto into a sitting room with more artwork on the walls and a low table. A window opened to the front yard area Naruto had just left. The room also opened up into a kitchen, which seemed to be more modern then the rest of the building. "Wait here while I get the tea."

While waiting, Naruto couldn't help but relax. The forest had unnerved him, but this place felt safe and secure. It was really nice to unwind outside of his apartment, not having to worry about attacks. When Yoshi returned with the tea, Naruto's body showed his relaxed state. He was even smiling slightly. As the brunet man pored their drinks, be began talking.

"Well Naruto-kun, I believe your first question was about temples." Naruto nodded, glad to be getting some answers as well. "The easiest explanation is that it's a place of worship. Monks and Priests are usually heads of temples and shrines, leading followers in worship, performing exorcisms and other tasks. Your second question was where you were. I assume you're referring to where this forest in general is, correct?"

"Yes sir." Naruto was bouncing up and down, barely able to contain his excitement. Where ever he was, it wasn't normal or natural.

"Good question, but I don't know myself." Yoshi gave a mischievous smile as he watched Naruto fall on his back. Granted, he hadn't lied, but it was still fun to watch peoples reactions and he thought Naruto would be fairly comical. He wasn't disappointed.

The blond got up quickly and yelled, "How the hell could you not know something like that! You live here don't you?!" The pre-genin was pissed. He figured the brunet was just lying to him just for his own amusement. Naruto didn't seem to realize he was giving the man exactly what he wanted.

Yoshi let his smile drop slightly and looked at the boy. "Yes Naruto, I do live here. But you too are in this place. You entered this place, I assume, by walking through a thick fog that suddenly appeared?" Naruto nodded. "When I first came to this place, it was in the same manner. I stayed here for a week then left, but I found I could return here. Anywhere I was, if I wanted to return I would find myself walking through a fog which lead to the trail." Yoshi stopped to take a sip of his tea, then continued. "I searched for the true location of this place for a time, but I could never find a clue. No tales about a dome of fog, no strange forest mountains. Not even sailors could tell me about an island trapped in fog. The only records I've found were stories of people who, like you and I, found themselves walking through fog which eventually emerged here." He stopped and looked out the window. "It is a place which is everywhere, yet nowhere. A place that is impossible to find if one tries to look for it."

Naruto had been listening, but still, "I don't get it at all."

While smiling at the young boy, the priest said, "That's ok." The blond still seemed agitated, so Yoshi added, "it's a hard concept for an adult to grasp, I wouldn't expect a child to understand. However, even if you don't understand this place, it doesn't change the fact that it exists. What is, is. That's all there is to it."

I think I get that much. Naruto thought. I don't understand why people seem to hate me so much, but that doesn't stop them from hating me.

"Understanding doesn't changed reality, but it can help people accept reality, right?" Naruto wanted to know if he'd gotten that part of the conversation right.

The older man showed Naruto a joyful smile and continued. "In most cases, yes." Yoshi's look became more inquisitive and he asked, "Would you like to tell me how you got here?"

"What do you mean, you already know how. Through the fog." The blond was annoyed by the repetitive question.

Yoshi just gave a blank look, then smiled and shook his head at himself while clarifying. "Forgive me, I meant, did you want to discuss the events leading up to the fog?" Naruto just gave the brunet a look, prompting the man to continue. "People don't come to this place under the best of conditions. This mystic mountain is more of an escape then anything else. When people enter here they're usually in danger or just usually need to escape from something."

Unable to help himself, Naruto asked, "If that's the only condition to come here, wouldn't more people show up?" The boy couldn't help but remember all the times when he'd been chased and beaten, but had never entered this place.

"I never said that was the only condition necessary, just one of them." Yoshi's expression saddened considerable and continued. "There seem to be many variables, the will of the traveler, and the actions of the traveler to named a couple. An example being if someone is in a life or death fight and does not wish to leave said fight, then they will not enter. Another example being if someone instigates a fight then tries to back out, they will not find themselves in this place. What it truly seems to boil down to is that if someone is suppose to be here, then they'll enter this place."

Naruto gained a sour expression and began to say, "I don't get it at all." However, he stopped himself and squinted at Yoshi. "This is another one of those 'What is, is. That's all there is to it' thing, isn't it?"

The priest seemed to be happy with that statement. "You're catching on quickly. Life is full of those things. It can get annoying, but its true. So back to the original question. What happened that caused you to find this place?" Naruto started to look uncomfortable so Yoshi added, "You don't have to tell me if you don't want, but its good to get stuff like that off your chest sometimes."

Naruto thought for a minute but only answered, "Nothing really unusual. I was being chased by a group of half drunk idiots trying to beat me up."

Yoshi and Naruto simply looked at each other. The man could only think, His life must not be very stable if he can talk so casually about being beaten.

The boy's expression brightened as he added, "But once I'm Hokage everything will be different. I'll be the strongest in the village so no one can hurt me, and I'll have a name that everyone will respect."

Naruto may have been smiling, but Yoshi wasn't fooled. He could tell how sad and angry the child in front of him was. "Naruto, if you don't like being in the village, why don't you just leave?" It was an important question since the answer would greatly effect the decision of the priest.

"What do you mean?" The thought had apparently never occurred to Naruto.

Yoshi sighed. "The people of Konoha seem to unjustly hate you, so why do you stay? It would be far easier to just move to a different city and earn respect from strangers then to stay in Konoha and work against their hate." Yoshi could tell what Naruto was. It was clear as day to one who could see spirits and exorcize demons.

Naruto's answer was quick and filled with conviction. "That would be the same as running away! I'd never be that much of a coward. It won't be easy, but I'll show everyone just who I am. I'll become Hokage and gain everyone's respect if it's the last thing I do!"

The boy's attitude made Yoshi smile. Everything about him screams confidence. His eyes, his body, his soul; he'll give everything he's got to try and compete his goal.

"Those are some big plans, especially for someone so young to have. It doesn't seem like you'll give up on your goal, so why don't I help you."

Naruto just squinted, folded his arms and asked, "What do you mean help?"

Yoshi was worried that his initial assessment of the boy's intelligence had been off, but that ebbed as he watched the emotions play across Naruto's aura. Surprise, hope, happiness, and most of all suspicion. He's probably had others offer to help him in the past but ended up being betrayed. "I mean that if you want, I can train you in the shinobi ways." Naruto eyed Yoshi's clothing so the man elaborated. "Despite my current profession, I was originally a ninja. Events in my life left me with questions the shinobi way couldn't answer, so I became a priest instead. However, I still practice my jutsus regularly and still quite skilled. Though you seem too young to take part in any extreme forms of training, there are still ways to train and become stronger."

The Jinchuriki looked at the strange man in front of him. He said that priests lived in temples, so if this place is a temple like he said then he must be a priest or Monk. I don't know what they do, but he does move like a shinobi so maybe he can help. "How long would you train me?"

Yoshi studied the boy before asking, "How old are you?"

"Seven today, sir."

"Seven huh?" The former ninja thought for a moment then said, "Four years." Naruto thought Yoshi must have been joking until he continued. "I will train you for four years. After that, you'll return to Konoha and spend a year at the ninja academy for formality's sake and then be become a genin of Konohagakure."

Naruto didn't know what to say. He rarely met someone who would be kind to him, yet here was a man who was not only kind but was willing to help him achieve his goals. The blond was happy, but still had reservations. "Why are you so willing to help me? You don't have anything to gain by it, and we only just met. How can you just help someone you only met by accident?"

With a sly smile Yoshi replied, "Because we didn't meet by accident. A wise woman, the priestess who trained me, once said 'There is no such thing as coincidence in this world, there is only Hitsuzen (2). All events in life have meaning, even if you yourself do not remember the event it still doesn't change the meaning behind it.'"

Naruto felt something as Yoshi looked into his eyes, like he was being looked through. Like the priest could see everything about Naruto. "Your coming here was not mere coincidence Naruto, nor was our meeting. There is a meaning behind your arrival and also to our meeting. No event in one's life is meaningless.

"I am simply offering you a choice Naruto, you may be young but one eventually must learn to make his own choices and accept the consequences of those choices. I can tell you that I will not be a cruel teacher, but my training will not be easy or pleasant. You will be pushed to your limits, then past those limits. It will be hard, painful, and rewarding."

Yoshi got up from the table and continued. "There is no need to answer now, walk around this building and the forest if you like. Time flows normally here and there is day and night too for some reason. Please think this over and tell me your decision by nightfall, in about six more hours." Night and day on the mountain seemed to be at the same time as in the Elemental Nations with slight variation in some places.

With a slight nod, he left Naruto with his half finished tea to think about the offer. Naruto did have a lot to think about too. He's willing to teach me ninjutsu and it doesn't seem like he's out to hurt me. Ojii-san might miss me, but he'd get over it. Naruto gulped down the rest of his tea and got up ready to explore. He found the kitchen to be more modern then the rest of the house seemed, complete with running water. The question bubble into his mind, but Naruto doubted he'd get an elaborate answer to, "How can there be running water in a place like this." The answer would probably just be "What is, is. That's all there is to it." I get the feeling that will be the answer to a lot of questions about this place.

Further searching showed there wasn't much along the ways of modern convenience. No electricity, having an old wood stove and an old style bath. The toilet and sink had running water, but the sinks only ran with cold water. There were three bedrooms, the largest seemed to be used by Yoshi, giving Naruto the choice of room of which two smaller rooms he wanted. They both had the same minimal furnishings: a bed, desk, small closet, and an oil lamp.

The only other room in the house held what Naruto would later know to be a shrine. In front of the shrine was a small pad for one to sit or kneel before. At the time the boy didn't know what the room was for, but he could tell that it was something of importance so he wisely decided not to mess with it.

Completing the investigation of the inside of the house, he went out behind the temple to see what was inside the back sheds. Starting with the right building, he found books and scrolls. Not just a few, but hundreds. The entire room seemed to be filled with written material of all different kinds. History scrolls, books about priests, cook books, fiction novels; Naruto couldn't believe just how much was there.

Then Naruto found what he'd hoped to find, jutsu scrolls. An entire wall was dedicated to various jutsus: different forms of taijutsu, various genjutsu, ninjutsu of every element, something called elemental chakra. Sealing jutsus, doujutsu, the list just went on till Naruto began drooling. He reached out to grab a scroll labeled Ninjutsu-Wind but found he couldn't grab the item. There was a barrier of some kind which stopped Naruto two inches before the scroll. He tried grabbing other documents from the Jutsu shelf but was met with the same resistance. Curious, he went to the history self but found no resistance as he took a scroll labeled Rain Country. The same went for the other categories leaving Naruto with a clear message; no jutsu scrolls unless he stayed and trained. The boy assumed that even if he did stay and train under Yoshi that he wouldn't be given free reign over the jutsu scrolls.

Disappointed, yet at the same time hopeful, he left the library to look into the other shed and found it to be a simple food-storage shed. Anticlimactic, but it was proof that Naruto wouldn't starve to death if he stayed. Rice and beans seemed to be the main foods Yoshi had, but there were also noodles and various spices to choose from.

He finally noticed the most important thing and it made his blood run cold. There was no ramen in the storehouse, not one cup. Four years without ramen, can I do that? The blond ran outside, and into the house to find Yoshi in the shrine room. He was sitting cross-legged and had his hands in his lap. Eventually Naruto would learn he was meditating but at the time the blond didn't seem to care. "Yoshi-sensei!"

The man turned around from the shrine with a concerned look. Naruto was worried, almost to the point of hyperventilating. "What is it Naruto?"

"RamentheresnoramenherehowcanIstayhereforfouryearswithnoramen?"

With a blank look on his face, Yoshi asked, "Naruto, how can I answer your questions if I can't understand it in the first place. Slow down and tell me what's wrong." The kid had definitely said something about Ramen, but beyond that he wasn't able to understand.

Naruto, for his part, tried to calm down and finally said, "Ramen. There's no ramen here. How can I stay here for four years with no ramen?"

"This is just about not having ramen?" Yoshi couldn't really believe it but it seemed to be true.

Hearing his favorite food being talked about so dismissively only made Naruto mad. "What do you mean 'just' about ramen? Ramen's the best thing in the world, how dare you talk about it like its nothing!"

"I suppose I could get some ramen for you if you really think you can't go without. If you're going to stay and train then I'd have to go and buy some supplies anyways." Naruto was about to jump for joy when Yoshi added, "But you won't be eating it every day. At most you'll only get ramen twice a week."

"What!? Why?!" Naruto was pissed. True, ramen twice a week was better then no ramen at all, but the boy was hoping for more.

"Ramen may taste good, but its not good for you. If you wana grow up strong then you'll need to eat a more balanced diet." Yoshi turned away from Naruto to resume his meditation but was interrupted again.

"Can I at least have it more often, like four times a week?"

"Two times only, Naruto." The priest didn't even look at the boy to answer that time.

"Three?"

"Two."

His anger rising, Naruto yelled, "Why can't we reach a compromise, damn it?"

"Because I've already compromised." The blond gave the man a questioning look so Yoshi continued, "Normally I wouldn't let you stray from a healthy diet at all. I've already given you ramen twice a week, which is more then I should be giving you. In truth, ramen will be more of a treat for you then anything else, and treats are best when eaten occasionally."

There was one other reason Yoshi why wouldn't move on his decision, the fact that he would be Naruto's sensei. If he let the boy have his way then it would mean the blond was in charge. It would be impossible to train Naruto with a system like that. That kind of attitude, that he could do whatever he wanted, would only lead to ruin, especially for a shinobi. Ninjas needed to follow orders, not go off and do whatever they wanted. There were a few situations where disobeying orders was acceptable, life and death situations, but that had nothing to do with ramen, despite what the blond thought.

Naruto was running the positive side of the situation over in his mind. Training, jutsus, private tutor, and four years beating free. I guess ramen only twice a week isn't too bad. "So, when do I start training sensei?"

Smiling, Yoshi replied, "Tomorrow Naruto. I need to get some supplies first, such as weapons and gear."

The Jinchurichi was trembling with excitement. He threw one fist in the air and yelled, "Just wait Konoha! I'll become supper strong then I'll show everyone what I can do." The priest proceeded to get up and knock Naruto upside the head. "Oww, what was that for, damn it?"

"Lesson one, brat. Ninjas are beings of secrecy, they do not go around showing off what they can do."

Yoshi's punch wasn't enough to seriously hurt Naruto, but it did cause a fair amount of pain. I get a feeling that he'll use my head as a punching bag a lot over the next few years. "I thought lessons didn't start until tomorrow."

The man didn't hit Naruto this time, but simply said, "Lesson two, all things change. From people to jutsus to the world itself, everything is constantly changing. Plans are good to have, but they have to be flexible or they'll just be used to work against you."

The blond hadn't seemed to understand or accept what his sensei had told him, causing Yoshi to frown and think, If I teach this kid nothing else, it'll be that a ninja who's a showoff quickly becomes a dead shinobi.(3)

A/N: All right, first chapter is done. If I didn't make it clear, Yoshi is styled after a shinto priest, not western.

(1) No, Yoshi is not related to Yuko of xxxHolic. There are many things in this story which I will base off Clamp's xxxHolic because I wish this story to be unique. I find ideas from xxxHolic to be deep and unique, so here we are. In addition, I just liked the name.
(2) Yoshi's sensei was not Yuko, I'm just using the idea. Hitsuzen is a concept used by Clamp in Cardcaptor Sakura, Tsubasa, and most notably xxxHolic. According to Wikipedia and my own understanding from reading xxxHolic, Hitsuzen is not the same as fate. According to Wiki, "In the context of the story, 'fate' is implied as something that is immutable and definite, giving the idea that whoever is bound by fate is nothing more than its puppet. Instead, hitsuzen is the idea that an action is inevitable because without it, other related events in the future could not happen. Therefore all decisions and actions are related, and there can be no coincidence, only hitsuzen." My understanding of Hitsuzen, and the way I'm using it in the story, is that all events in ones life have meaning. Unlike with fate or destiny, one has the ability to choose their own path but whatever choice they make the events which will unfold will have meaning behind them.
(3) This is my personal belief for why Naruto sucks in the first half of the story. He's always so busy trying to get people to notice and respect him that he can never get his act together. If he wasn't so focased on being impressive and noticed, he'd be great.

Slight spoiler, Naruto will eventually gain spiritual powers such as the power to see ghosts and peoples Auras.