So, I have quite a bit of free time right now and reread this from my old postings. I've decided to spend some time revamping the story. When I first wrote this I was in high school. Now I've graduated college so my writing's better. However, I haven't written for fun since high school. Being forced to write essays for college saps all the creativity out of you. Hopefully I can get back into writing for fun without worrying about it being good enough to pass the class.

Power of Will Chapter 1: Fear and Power

"In order to get the bells you have to come at me with the intent to kill," Kakashi explained as he talked to his newest team of genin. The three preteens worked hard to get the bells, never getting up despite the bruises they no doubt were obtaining throughout the test. Sasuke even went so far as to use a fire jutsu, no fear for killing his sensei clouding his judgement.

Harry watched the show with rapt attention from his place on the stairs. Dudley had taken to the show a few days ago. It was one of the few shows that Harry found interesting, even if he wasn't allowed to watch it on the couch. His relatives thought he would infect their Dudykins if he was too close or possibly break the TV, but he found he didn't mind when Naruto came on. He could see clearly from the stairs and listened to Naruto's words like a lifeline. Naruto's life was worse than even his, but Harry couldn't help but be slightly envious of the boy. He had a reason to live, a dream; all Harry had was a cupboard under the stairs and chores. Harry had no precious people he wanted to protect. Everyone hated him. His family called him a freak, the other students at school bullied him, and the teachers didn't care enough to stop it. They believed the Dursleys when they explained that Harry was a troubled child and Dudley was the good kid. Not that he'd want Naruto's life, but there was something about ninja life that he yearned for. As the episode ended Harry crept into his cupboard. If he was quiet enough the Dursley's would forget about him and he could have some time to himself. He pulled on the chain to his light and let his mind wander. His mind flew through the episode, trying to form the hand signs of the newest jutsu he had seen, the fire ball jutsu. He knew it wasn't real, but it was a way for his mind to find freedom when his reality was a prison. Anytime he could get away from the Dursley's prying eyes, mainly when he was stuck gardening or in his room, he would work on the hand signs and pretend to fight, albite very clumsily. He knew the hand signs for the transformation, clone jutsu; and with any luck he'd soon know the fire ball jutsu. When he was forced to be quiet and pretend he didn't exist, Harry would close his eyes and try to feel the energy around or inside of him, how it moved and changed. He thought he could feel it last time. His childhood brain said so, but his Dursley infected thoughts told him it was impossible, that energy like chakra didn't exist. Yet, even science class told him energy was everywhere and constantly changing form. It was then that he resolved to believe his own thoughts, not those of the adults.

As school started up again, Harry hunting became an everyday occurrence. Most of the time Harry would run anywhere the others couldn't follow, even if that meant going to the Dursley's earlier than he wanted. However, after the first month the Dursley's started locking the door, not wanting to see the freak any earlier than dinner. He would run until he was safe, steadily getting faster. Soon, his mind was free to wander while he ran, cooking up stories about how he was training with Kakashi-sensei. No matter how much his muscles ached, he had to go faster, longer; had to grow stronger so he could protect his precious people. Even if they didn't exist yet.

Unfortunately, his luck in escaping came to an end on Friday. Harry's back was forced against the brick wall, hands skimming it for any escape frantically.

"Can't run away this time, Potter." Dudley sneered.

"Get away Dudley" Harry yelled, his eyes determined, refusing to show his fear.

The group laughed at the scrawny boy trapped in front of them.

"Does baby Potter think he can get away?" Malcolm, Dudley's friend asked snidely.

Harry ran forward trying to push his way through the mob. Strong arms forced him back again. His body slammed into the wall, knocking his breath from his lungs. Harry took a few moments to get his breath back, his mind spun, flying through any possible way to evade the coming beating. If only he could scare Dudley enough to back away. He took a big breath and glared at the boy.

"Hey Dudley, you know that show you always watch? Well let's see how much of that is real." Harry focused on the energy he always felt moving throughout his body before he went to bed, trying to force it to his mouth while he went through the hand signs.

"Yeah right. Like that's gonna work, freak" one of the boys laughed.

"Fire style: Fire ball jutsu." Harry yelled. He breathed out hard forcing the energy with it. Very slowly a flame formed, only the size of a baseball and mostly smoke, but still, he was able to form something. The group of boys screamed and backed up, scrambling to get away. Their faces covered in terror.

"Potter's not human!" "Get away from the freak, he'll light you on fire!"

The gang ran away, their screams fading with distance. Harry stared at his hands. He couldn't believe that that worked. His legs gave way as he fell against the wall. It took a lot of energy to do the little he could. Absentmindedly, he rubbed his throat. It was warm and a bit sore. He really hadn't expected that to work.

Sighing in relief, Harry let his body relax slightly before getting up and deciding to go to the library. It was the only place he could go where they wouldn't throw him out thanks to the Dursley's bad mouthing him, and if this was real there had to be information on it, if not, he could always read or watch Naruto and hope they explained how to use chakra, how to gain power. If he could gain enough power then he could protect himself, and maybe, just maybe, he could also form a bond with someone. He could have a real friend, not just the Naruto characters he kept in his head to talk to when he was alone.