AN: I won't give away too much about where I plan on going with the story. Kurama will be a bit out of character and the shinobi might be a tad darker but other than that the world should be about 90% canon compliant.

"Speech"

'Thought'

Oh and I don't own Naruto. That should be obvious I hope.

Final Warning: This story is rated Mature for a reason. If certain things like death, rape, torture and bad things happening to good people aren't your cup of tea please don't read.

**As of 03/15 my beta GJMEGA will be polishing up this story. Special thanks for GJMEGA for doing an awesome job of fixing all of my typos!

Chapter 1: Tragedy and Death

Naruto Uzumaki hated the looks of scorn he received every day. He could practically feel the hate as they glared at him as he went about his day. Those that didn't glare at him ignored him completely as if his existence was something they wished they could ignore.

At the age of 11 he had one more year in the Academy. He had hoped that he would make friends in the Academy but it wasn't meant to be. At least he wasn't ignored. Some of the other kids weren't too bad but none of them were what he would consider a friend. The girl of his dreams was in class but she hit him more often than she actually spoke to him.

Iruka-sensei wasn't bad, he was awfully strict but he did sometimes buy ramen for him. Ramen Ichiraku was the best place in the world and he loved to eat there every chance he got. The old man Teuchi actually treated him nice and Ayame-chan always smiled at him.

Sadly he didn't get to eat there too often. He didn't have a lot of money and he felt guilty eating for free. But he did go as often as he could and jiji treated him sometimes too. Right now as he walked back from his day at the Academy he could feel those angry glares.

Sometimes he worried that they would take it further then glaring and making snide remarks. It had happened once, a drunken man had tried to attack him one evening but in a flash the man was gone and Naruto was unharmed. Naruto figured having ANBU watching him to curtail his pranks had an unexpected bonus of dealing with any violent individuals.

What Naruto didn't know was that the ANBU protectors had saved his life on numerous occasions. If possible Naruto would have been tortured and killed many times over, but the ANBU served the Hokage and regardless of their personal feelings they would fulfill their mission. This frustrated many of the citizens of Konoha who longed to lash out at the demon container.

Some had tried poison, others explosives or hurled weaponry but the ANBU guardians were a shield like no other. Most of the time the young jinchūriki never even realized his life was in danger. It had gotten to the point that most of the shinobi and civilians who hated the 'demon brat' had given up on doing bodily injury.

That didn't deter them from making Naruto's life miserable. Shops sold him overpriced goods or spoiled food. Some refused to even take his business. The places that had originally tolerated his business were soon pressured to follow suit. All except the small ramen stand of Ramen Ichiraku.

This did not sit well with those that hated Naruto and business had suffered. It wasn't until well into his last year at the Academy that someone decided to arrange a more permanent solution to the demon loving father and daughter shop owners.

***BREAK***

Naruto was happily eating a bowl of miso ramen chatting away happily with the Teuchi and Ayame.

"I almost had Sasuke-teme in our spar. Well maybe not almost but next time I'm going to get him, believe it!"

Ayame laughed, "Why do you dislike him so much?"

"He's a bastard! All the girls are like 'Sasuke-kun' this and 'Sasuke-kun' that. I don't see what's so special about him anyway!"

Teuchi served another fresh bowl of ramen for Naruto. Naruto hesitated a moment but the kindly man said, "It's all right Naruto. We enjoy hearing your stories about the Ninja Academy."

Naruto gratefully helped himself to another bowl. He hadn't had breakfast or lunch since his pantry was empty. Naruto continued to chatter on until another man entered the ramen stand.

The man wore a chūnin vest and had a burn scar across the lower part of his face. He glared at Naruto who ignored him and continued eating the food of the gods.

Teuchi frowned, "What can I get you shinobi-san?"

"Why do you let this wretch eat here?"

Teuchi narrowed his eyes, "Naruto is welcome any time. If you don't like it you can leave."

Naruto felt a warm glow radiate from his gut that had nothing to do with the food he was consuming.

"You're a disgrace to Konoha. How can you serve this demon spawn? If you keep doing this you'll go out of business… or worse."

Teuchi was angry now. The poor boy did nothing wrong. He hadn't asked to be given this curse and it was cruel how the village treated him.

"Get out now. You aren't welcome in my shop ever again."

The chūnin smirked, "You're making a mistake Teuchi. A big mistake. I'll be seeing you."

The man left the ramen stand. Naruto was nervous, "Hey old man he isn't going to make trouble for you is he?"

Teuchi shook his head, "No Naruto, some people just like to act big. There isn't anything to worry about just eat your supper."

Naruto did just that and soon he was lost in the comfort of a full belly surrounded by the few people he cared about. The young Uzumaki had never known what it was like to have a family but he figured this is how it would have felt like.

***BREAK***

Three days later Teuchi and Ayame were closing shop. They made their way home without incident but as soon as they stepped foot inside they were assaulted. There were three assailants and they struck with brutal efficiency for they were shinobi.

After they tied and gagged them, the scarred chūnin from the other day smiled wickedly at the pair. "I told you old man. You had plenty of warnings."

Teuchi yelled in his gag. The chūnin took out a blade and pressed it against Ayame's throat. "So was it worth it ramen man? Was it worth feeding the demon?"

Teuchi was terrified. He loved his daughter more than anything. He vainly struggled in his bonds, desperation giving him strength, however it was futile.

Their captor pushed the blade down slightly drawing blood. Ayame had tears in her eyes; she had never been so frightened in her life.

One of the other captors said, "It sure would be a waste to just off her now. Can't we have some fun with her first?"

The chūnin shrugged, "Fine but I'm not touching the demon loving whore. She might be infected with the fox's taint."

The lecherous grin on his companion made it clear he had no concerns. Teuchi screamed himself hoarse and struggled like a madman trying to free himself. The chūnin laughed at kicked the helpless ramen chef. The chūnin's kicks were designed to be painful but not outright kill the man.

Soon he was a crippled and broken man, forced to watch his only daughter be raped.

When they were done the chūnin said. "All right let's kill them get out of here."

They simply slit their captive's throats and watched as they died. At that point in time both Ayame and Teuchi welcomed death in order to escape the depravity of their captors.

***BREAK***

Sarutobi Hiruzen was furious. Word had reached him about Teuchi and his daughter. That they were targeted by those who hated Naruto was obvious. The killing intent from the Hokage tower reminded the village that he more than earned the title Shinobi no Kami.

"I want them found and made an example of. They tortured and murdered two innocent citizens of the Leaf!"

The Sandaime barked out orders and a full investigation was launched. Hiruzen vowed that he would have every single shinobi interrogated under Inoichi's supervision until he found the culprit.

'Oh Naruto, how can I explain what has happened?'

His orders given Hiruzen sat at his desk, his head was bowed under the weight of responsibility. How could it have come to this? The Yondaime had wished for Naruto to be viewed as a hero and now the village had gone so far in the opposite direction that they had murdered a family just for associating with him.

An ANBU entered into the office. "Hokage-sama, Naruto has been taken to the hospital."

Fear clutched the old Hokage's chest, "What happened?"

"Naruto saw the ramen shop had been closed down. He asked a villager what happened and… they told him."

Sarutobi sighed, "What is his condition?"

"Catatonic. He is completely unresponsive."

'The poor boy must be in shock. He needs to be around people he knows.'

"Tell Iruka to cancel class today and go to the hospital. I will go there now."

"Hai Hokage-sama."

***BREAK***

Naruto had learned of Teuchi and Ayame's fate. He had learned that it was because of him that they had died a horrible death. He had withdrawn into himself completely. He refused to face a world that could do this.

Inside Naruto's mindscape the Kyūbi sensed something was different. He was still behind the accursed seal but it felt weaker somehow. Kurama pressed one of his claws against the bars and to his shock it passed right through. The seal was still there but he could move out of the cage!

Kurama was delighted. He could finally be free. He could wreck vengeance on all. But he did not. Not yet at least. Kurama was many things but stupid was not one of them; he possessed wisdom gathered from long years of life. He had been aware of the world through the eyes of the jinchūriki that had imprisoned him.

One shinobi had enslaved him with the hated Sharingan. Another shinobi had sealed him again. That shinobi's teacher was still alive and could probably seal him again. The current Hokage was also one who could use that accursed seal. No, if he burst free now from his host he would thoroughly enjoy punishing the village for imprisoning him but he would soon be confined once more.

'But there is another way.'

Kurama tried to speak with Naruto in his mindscape but there was no sign of the boy. No response. It was like the boy was brain dead. With no one to interfere within the body of Naruto he took over. He looked out into the world with Naruto's eyes. He took control of Naruto's body and raised his hand.

'I can't use any of my own chakra or they'll suspect something. For the time being I'll have to learn how to use Naruto's chakra.'

A nurse said something and he listened, "The patient has regained consciousness, bring the doctor in."

The doctor came in and asked some questions.

Kurama knew he had to pretend to be Naruto but he refused to be the ball of sunshine that Naruto showed the world. The death of two of his precious people would be the perfect cover to become more serious and less idiotic. His response to the doctor's questions was minimal and listless.

After a few minutes the Hokage came in. Kurama had to force a vicious smirk from manifesting on his features. How he enjoyed the pained expression on the old man's face.

"Naruto I'm glad to see you awake."

"Jiji, is it true? Did they hurt them because of me?" Kurama was careful to use Naruto's speech mannerisms.

Hiruzen's face was absolute priceless. Such sorrow and remorse!

"We are still investigating the incident but I know we will find those responsible."

'Hmm, clever old man. Let's up the ante a bit shall we?'

"Jiji I'm scared! What if they go after Iruka-sensei or you next? It's all my fault; it would have been better if I was never born."

The stricken look on Sandaime's face caused Kurama to cackle internally.

"None of that Naruto. What happened was a tragedy but it was not your fault. As for Iruka he is a shinobi and I am the Hokage. No one will harm us."

'And now I need to start forging a new identify.'

Kurama forced tears into the eyes of his host. "Even if I was there all I would have done was get in the way. I'm useless."

Hiruzen sighed, "Naruto you are still young. You aren't useless, I'm sure you will be a great shinobi."

"No you're wrong. I'm the dead last of the class. I barely understand the things Iruka-sensei talks about. I'm just a burden to you and everyone else." Kurama was enjoying himself but he had to be careful not to lay it on too thick.

'I hope this village hasn't scarred him for life. Kami please let Naruto recover from this tragedy.'

The Hokage tried again, "Naruto I know you feel useless after a tragedy but you will get past this. You will be a great shinobi and everyone will come to see that in time. I believe it Naruto and deep down I know you do to."

Kurama internally rolled his eyes. The Hokage's heartfelt garbage was starting to nauseate him. He debated with himself on where to take the conversation from here. If he was to use Naruto's body as his own to learn how to get around so many shinobi who had the use of fuinjutsu that could seal him again he would need to actually have this body become a shinobi. Based on his current skill set it was a dismal possibility. Something had to change and he needed a catalyst for it.

"Jiji… I want to believe but after today I don't know if I can. Is there some way I could get extra lessons? Just to catch up with the other kids?"

The Hokage in his guilt ridden state was anxious to grant such a request. He smiled at the boy and said, "Of course Naruto. I'll make sure you get extra training. I promise I'll do whatever I can to make sure you become a fine shinobi."

Kurama thought it was better just to cry and hug the old man than to actually thank the decrepit bastard. Surely those words would have stuck in his throat.

Shortly thereafter Iruka arrived on the scene.

"Naruto, I heard you had collapsed. I'm glad you're awake now."

Kurama looked at Iruka and saw the resemblance to one of the many villagers he killed while under the genjutsu. It was interesting that the instructor could see past the hatred for the Kyūbi when so many other people couldn't. Kurama chuckled internally at the irony that the other villagers were now right and Iruka was the foolish one.

Naruto's normally shining cerulean eyes seemed so dull now. Iruka forced tears from his eyes. Naruto had it bad enough, but now to be forced to endure this tragedy? It was too depressing for words.

He looked up and allowed his host's eyes to harden a bit with apparent determination. "Iruka-sensei, jiji said I'm going to get extra training so I can catch up. I'm not going to let what happened to the old man and Ayame-chan happen to anyone again. I'm going to be a shinobi and protect the whole village." He looked down and said, "I'll even start paying attention in class."

Oddly enough the nine tailed fox had paid attention during Academy instruction. Being in a cage he had only his own thoughts for company. A window to the outside world was a blessing. The seal on the previous jinchūriki had muted out all sight and sound could only pass through muffled. He would have to fake ignorance about a lot of things but to a being of his intellect it should be child's play.

Iruka forced a smile to his face and drove away the lump in his throat so he could speak. "Good Naruto. That's a promise that I think they would have respected."

Iruka and the Hokage stayed with Naruto a while and Kurama became irritated with their presence. It was beyond aggravating to have to pretend to be a weak grieving little boy when he was the most powerful bijū.

But for his freedom he would endure it. He would endure anything to avoid being trapped and caged like he had been for almost three lifetimes. He would master this shinobi art they call fuinjutsu and ensure he was never trapped again.

***BREAK***

Kurama was becoming more used to operating Naruto's body. Being a chakra construct he had no problems controlling his own abilities but the boy had atrocious charka control. In a real fight he would be dead until he used his own chakra and if that occurred he would be sealed again. He had to get stronger, not as the Kyūbi but as Naruto.

He had been forced to spend time in the hospital under observation before he was allowed to return home. The boy's apartment was confining and he disliked it immensely but again he would endure. Kurama had been anxious to get started on making his host's body stronger but was keenly aware of the ANBU shadows that followed him everywhere.

His home provided some privacy. He knew that a certain clan could see through walls. There was a girl in his class from that clan and he did not feel a similar chakra signature among the ANBU outside of his apartment. Through his attention in the Academy classes Kurama knew about chakra control exercises as well as what was essential to taking care of a shinobi body.

He began by attempting the leaf exercise. He substituted paper in place of a leaf. It was slow going. Trying to use someone else's chakra made it difficult in the extreme. It would take time and patience to master Naruto's chakra network. All of the time trapped within his hosts had given the demon fox patience. He thought nothing of sitting there for hours trying to manipulate the piece of paper on his forehead with pure chakra.

The second thing he knew that was critical was the physical body itself. He needed appropriate exercise and nutrition. The exercise part was easy and in a desire for efficiency he began to use the leaf exercise while doing a variety of calisthenics. He also did pushups, sit-ups and lifted his Academy text books in repetition.

Nutrition would also be important. All of his hosts had been blessed with rapid healing due to his unjust confinement within them. Naruto would not die without proper food but his growth would be stunted and his body would be slower and weaker than it otherwise should have been.

The solution to this was obvious. Simply tell the Hokage that he didn't have food and that the store owners wouldn't let him purchase their food. And Kurama did just that. He walked to the Hokage tower and waited until he could see his 'jiji' and told him how hungry he was. He tearfully told the Hokage that it was only because of the ramen stand that he got regular meals and that he was terribly hungry.

Kurama couldn't help but laugh every time the Hokage had another look of utter sorrow plastered on his face.

'This is never going to get old.'

Naturally Hiruzen, who was still filled with guilt, acted immediately. He took Naruto personally to get groceries and scared the owners out of their wits with a blast of killing intent promising retribution if he ever heard that they were overcharging or selling bad food to Naruto again. Kurama had to suppress laugher when he sniffed out the scent of urine. The terrified shop owner had wet himself under the Sandaime's wrath.

Kurama was careful to avoid acting out of character. Naruto didn't eat much beside ramen and cereal. He made certain to avoid picking any vegetables or fruit which made the Hokage comment on it.

"I never eat that stuff! It's gross!"

And thus another lecture about how if he wanted to be a shinobi he would need to fuel his body with appropriate foods. Kurama played the old man like a fiddle and solemnly agreed to do better and to eat well balanced meals in the memory of poor Teuchi and Ayame.

After their shopping trip the Hokage announced he would be back in the Academy the next day and his tutor would be waiting for him immediately after. When they parted company Kurama kept Naruto's expression locked. The ANBU were always watching and he refused to give them any reason to be suspicious.

It was a good start; his diet had been improved, he had begun chakra control exercise and he was working on molding his host's body to that of a real shinobi. The only real problem he could foresee was that keeping his mask up while dealing with pre-teens would tax even his patience.

'Hopefully the little brats won't be too irritating. Having my plans ruined because I ripped the arrogant Uchiha brat's face off would be pathetic.'

AN: I hope you like the first chapter. My intention is to work primarily on my other story so updates may not occur very quickly. This is a fun side project though and I'm really enjoying writing Kurama. Feedback and reviews are always appreciated!