THE GLADIATOR

I do not own Naruto or any characters…sadly.

Chapter one: enter the gladiator

Ancient Rome, the oldest and most famous empire in all of history, home to modern democracy, philosophy, and art. But what makes Rome so well renown is the mighty coliseum, the grand stage of all stages, a place where plays, public executions, and the Olympic games. However, what truly makes the coliseum so entertaining is the legendary gladiators.

The excited crowd clapped and cheered as the wrought iron gates opened to allow a single young gladiator dressed in a thick cotton knee-length toga stepped into the circular arena flanked by two Roman guards.

The only armor the boy had was a helmet and face mask, a single metal shoulder guard was the only protection for his lithe body.

"Get ready boy" said the guard to his left, handing him a gladius "You're fighting two bears today" the boy said nothing, just nodded and gripped the gladius's handle tightly and took his position at the center.

Up high in the emperor's viewing box, the emperor rose from his throne to signal the start of the day's events. He was a pale man with long black hair and strongly resembled a snake, his golden eyes gleamed with anticipation for a blood bath. His kingly attire consisted of a silvery toga with a rich purple sash, atop his head rest a gold laurel wreath.

The emperor stretched out his white hand, sending shouts and cheers through the vast audience.

"Let the games begin!"

The coliseum's hidden trap doors flung open two angry large grizzly bears stomped out. The young gladiator spread his feet and eyed his opponents, he recognized the one with the blind eye, he'd watched the hulking beast maul a gladiator like him to death, he had to watch that one.

The audience watched with baited breath as the battle for survival commenced, the boy dodged and lunged agilely through the two bears massive hairy paws, just one swing could easily fracture or break his bones. Once or twice the onlookers would laugh as the young gladiator caused the wild brute to head butt one another, they then turned on each other with indignant roars and furious scratching until they remember who it was they were trying to kill.

"Man, what do I do now?" the boy thought to himself "How can I take on two grizzlies at the same time?" an idea struck him, it would be risky but he'd have to try.

Picking up a rock that happened to be laying at his feet, the young gladiator threw it hard at the bear who still had both eyes. The enraged bear charged like a bulldozer towards his human quarry; the boy charged as well, meeting the beast head on. Just as they were nearly on top of each other, then he slid baseball style under the bear with his gladius raised to slash at the belly. The poor creature gave an anguished gurgle and collapsed in death, no longer would it suffer for the sake of cruel entertainment.

However, the daring young gladiator's efforts left him vulnerable to the second. The blood thirsty crowd let out cheers, boo's and yells as the one eyed bear started mauling the defenseless boy. The boy knew he was in serious trouble, the bear had cracked one of his ribs and probably would break even more if he didn't put it out of its' misery now.

Through the pain, and the animal's furious snarls the young gladiator saw an opening, and rammed the flat blade of the gladius into the beasts neck, killing it instantly.

The young gladiator lay on his back and removed his helmet to reveal his sun kissed face, he had bright blonde hair and eyes the color of sapphires, he weakly lifted his head to inspect the damage done to his body before he felt himself grow faint; The entire coliseum whooped and hollered screaming his name.

"Naruto!Naruto!Naruto!Naruto!"

End Chapter

Well that ends the first thrilling chapter of The Gladiator. Everyone please review, and no flames!