Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto... That would be a bad thing.

***To the people waiting for Five Beating Hearts, read the AN at the end of this chapter!***

AN: Hey everyone! Welcome to one of my stories, or if you are a repeat reader of my works, welcome back! This will be my first Naruto fanfic. I don't know how it will turn out, but I'm hoping for some good feedback. Feel free to leave any constructive criticism in a review or PM.

It's not easy to judge a story off of the first chapter alone, so could you stick around a bit if this one didn't make the cut? It might not be for you, and that's cool, but you might find it more enjoyable after this chapter.

FYI, I enjoy the Sakura bashing. If you like Sakura, you probably won't like me when I'm done. Ku ku ku!...

Please forgive me ahead of time for the opening scene. Only 80% of all Naruto fanfics start with something like this, but it is crucial to the plot. Also I can not remember how old they are as Genin, so for this story, they are 13.

Without further ado ( now that I'm done talking) welcome to Deafening Silence! R&R!

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

"Tailed Beast Speaking"

"Tailed Beast Thinking"

Chapter 1: Again

"Demon!"

"Come back you little shit!"

"Get the monster!"

Naruto was running. Not for fun, or to get exercise. No, he was running for his life. This wasn't like the other times he was chased, he was older and more experienced. He was supposed to take his Genin Exam the next day and become a ninja!

"Leave me alone! I didn't do anything to you!"

Of course, yelling at them didn't make them stop. If anything, it spurred them to run faster. It didn't help that the civilians quit chasing him and were replaced with ninjas. Six Chunin this time.

Hopefully he can get away.

"Damn it demon! Get back here!"

Naruto sighed. They just never learn.

He was about to yell an insult back at his pursuers when his foot hit a wet patch on the branch he landed on. He slipped and crashed to the ground.

All of the Chunin soon surrounded him.

"About time you little fucker! Time to make you pay for what you did!" He drew his fist back and slammed it into the blondes face. His head snapped back at the collision.

A foot intercepted his downward decent. Naruto's body was flung forward, hitting the packed dirt.

The proceeded to kick, punch, and stab the boy to their hearts content. The leader held a kunai above the boys head, standing tall and proud.

"Now you die, demon scum."

"Please stop..." The emotion in his voice caused the group to hesitate. "I don't know what I did, but I'm sorry... Please just don't hurt me anymore..."

The Chunin looked amongst themselves. Were they really just beating a poor kid senseless? One of the group knelt down and offered his hand to the blonde. Smiling weakly, he reached for the hand.

He missed the evil smirk.

In a flash, a kunai pierced his hand, pinning him to the ground.

"Ha! Did you really think we would fall for that fox? You know exactly what you did demon! You killed our family! Our friends! Our loved ones!"

"Tetsu, you aren't supposed to talk about that-"

"What does it matter Ozaki? He will be dead in a minute." Tetsu swiveled back to face 'the demon'. "All our lives we have lived in fear of the Kyuubi. The 9 Tails. That fear ends today!" He raised his kunai. "I will free us from the demon!"

Naruto's eyes widened in horror as the kunai approached his neck. He watched in slow motion as it descended. The moment it touched his flesh he was gone.

-?-

The blonde awoke with a start. Once his momentary drowsiness left, he shot to his feet. Where was he? The surroundings were not familiar.

The leaky pipes, the ominous sound of water dripping in the darkness, the damp concrete. It was unfamiliar... therefore not safe. His eyes widened in realization. He spun around looking for his attackers. This could be a sort of prison for him.

A dark chuckle was heard from the darkness.

Naruto wheeled in the direction of the laugh, eyes wide with fear, and approached cautiously. The steady dripping in the distance grew louder.

After a short walk, he came face to face with a set of bars. He marveled at them, as the traveled upwards for what seemed forever.

"How appropriate you call this place a prison kit... It most certainly is..."

A pair of blood red eyes appeared in the dark behind the never ending bars. They gave off an aura of power.

"W-who are y-you?" Naruto tried to act brave, but when something has eyes the size of you, you tend to be a little freaked.

"I am... many things... Destroyer of Mountains, Maker of Hurricanes, Lord of the Biju... You might know me as the Kyuubi." Naruto's jaw dropped as the massive beast came into full view. Several stories tall and wearing nine tails of red fur. A giant fox. "You may also know me as the cause of your pain and suffering. I am the reason you are hated and despised in the village. The ignorance of civilians is truly pitiful. They believe that you and I are one in the same. They believe you are the Nine Tailed Fox."

"W-what!?" Naruto found it in him to speak. "How can I be a demon?"

"Kit. Do you know how I was defeated?"

"The 4th Hokage killed you when you attacked Konoha."

The fox glared at Naruto. "Wrong. A mere pest like you humans could not hope to kill a tailed beast. No, he used a seal. By sacrificing his life, he was able to seal me into a newborn baby. I became a part of this child's life and he became a part of mine, for better or for worse. If the kit dies, I will as well. Of course I'll be reborn after a small period of time, but it will not be a pleasent experience."

"Why are you telling me this?" He was confused. "If you are imprisoned in a kid, then why can I see you?"

"You truly are stupid."

"Hey!"

"Think kit. I was sealed in a newborn baby on October 10th, 13 years ago."

"Wait, that's the day... I... was..." Naruto fell to his knees. Kyuubi growled in delight.

"You see now don't you? You were the baby I was sealed into."

"N-n-no! You're l-lying!"

"Kit, I will not lie to you. I may weave my words in riddles and mystery, or refuse to answerspeakI will never lie. Not that you would trust a demon anyhow."

"Why..."

"Why what kit?"

"Why was I chosen to be the baby you were sealed into."

"That's a good question. You are obviously unfit to be a Jinchuriki, a container of a tailed beast. You are weak and lack the will power to better yourself. As for your question, I do not know. Perhaps you were the closest available kit in the area. Or perhaps you had no parents of your own."

"Shut up..."

"What did you say kit?"

"I said shut up!" Tears flowing down Naruto's face as he looked into the fox's gaze. "I can't believe that you are here! This is some messed up genjutsu or something! You aren't real!'

"Kit..." The fox bared it's fangs and growled. "I assure you. I. Am. Very. Real. Where you you think your incredible chakra reserves came from? Me! Where did your accelerated healing factor come from? Me! Why aren't you dead yet? Me! Trust me when I say I am physically I'll by the thought of being inside of you, a weakling! Without me you would have died ten years ago when the mobs first started attacking you! I only saved your pathetic excuse for a life to keep my own, even if it is with scum!"

Naruto kept his glare up. "You... you piece of shit!" Even Kyuubi was slightly taken aback by the blondes language. Never before had he cursed with such rage, with such venom in his words. "Just let me die then! You can be free and I won't have to deal with this shit anymore! I'm tired of being treated like crap! I am tired of being a worthless piece of trash in everyone else's eyes. I want to be normal, but since that can't happen, just kill me now!"

Never. Never in the long existence of the fox's life did he think he would reach a day where a mere kit would ask for death... and where he would refuse.

"I will not. Contrary to what many believe in, I am not a soulless monster. I would never raise a claw willingly against a kit. No matter how annoying they may seem." Naruto looked ready to scream again, but a roar from Kyuubi kept him quiet. "Since you seem so hellbent on dying, I will take away something of yours. One of the few things you cherish. Whenever you feel like you can truly become strong, I will judge to see if you are worthy of having it."

Naruto tried to ask what it was he took away, but the Kyuubi was vanishing before his eyes. "Now that we have met, you need only think, and I will hear you. It will be much easier to communicate without having to drag you here."

A flash of light later, Kyuubi was gone.

-Konoha Hospital-

"...alive, but we have..."

"...never seen something like this..."

"...it won't let us Lord Hokage. It's not repairing...

Naruto opened his eyes only to shut them again in the presence of a blinding light. A few moments later, had turned it off. When he cracked his eyes open again, he saw a familiar figure standing before him.

"Hello there Naruto. Glad to see you are doing better." Naruto nodded. "Tell me, how are you feeling." The blonde opened his mouth to reply...

No sound came out.

He shook his head and tried again, only to receive another failure. He started panicking. His voice! His voice was gone! But how could it...

"Miss me kit?" The blonde flew out of his hospital bed and onto the ground, looking around in a panicked manner.

'...Kyuubi?'

"Yes kit. Now stop flailing about before you give this old man a heart attack... Not that I would mind."

"Naruto! Are you alright?" The old man was kneeling at his side in a moment. Naruto shook his head. The Hokage couldn't help but wrap the poor kid in a hug. The shaking of his body told him all he needed to know.

"Naruto I know you are a smart boy, so you understand what I am about to say. After ANBU found you unconscious and apprehended those involved, they brought you here for medical treatment. Do you understand so far?" The boy nodded. "After your wounds were healed, one of the medics found that your vocal cords had been rendered useless by... a dark chakra. They tried to heal them, but the muscles wouldn't respond to their attempts... I'm afraid you won't be able to speak again..."

The blonde stiffened. 'This is what you took?"

"Yes. Unless you have the will to live, your voice means nothing. Your opinion means nothing. You mean nothing."

"Give it back! I want to be able to speak again! It's not fair!"

"Life isn't fair kit. Deal with the consequences."

"Naruto?" The Hokage shook the boy out of his stuper. The blonde looked up at the old man he considered one of his friends. "Good, I thought I lost you. Now I know it is a bit late, but if you would like, since you are all healed up, you may go to the academy. Today are your Genin Exams."

Naruto nodded slightly. He would like to go still.

"Great! Now let me write a letter for Iruka and I'll let you go." The Hokage left the room, and Naruto felt sad. He was always known as the loud and obnoxious boy. Maybe, just maybe, he had a chance to change his image. To be more than just an annoyance.

The door opened to reveal the Hokage with the letter in hand. "Here you are Naruto. You better hurry though, the examination is about to begin." He held the letter our for the blonde. Naruto took it and left quickly.

As he was running down the hall, Hiruzen sighed. It was a sad day indeed to see a mere boy attacked by Konoha ninja.

Naruto was standing at the classroom door, staring at it. He wanted to go in. He wanted to be a ninja, but the kids in the room were hateful. It might be better to just... No. He had to do it. Deciding all finished, he pushed the door open.

Everyone turned to stare at him. Looks of hate and disgust. Iruka smiled.

"Hello Naruto. Glad you decide to drop by. You missed the first-" He was cut off when a letter was handed to him. Iruka opened and read it. His face dropped into a frown. "I'm sorry that happened Naruto. Please take a seat. I will speak with you before you take your test."

"Hey Iruka-sensei, why does Naruto get to stay! He was late!" A pink haired girl yelled out, a few others muttering in agreement.

Iruka looked at Naruto, asking a silent question. Naruto stiffened and nodded slowly. He really didn't want to be the center of attention over the incident, but it might keep the others off of his back for a little while.

"Naruto was attacked by ninja last night and was in the hospital until just a while ago. He had lost the ability to speak due to the ninja and it can not be fixed by any of our doctors. Now if you are done miss Haruno, I would like to finish what I was saying."

The other students gave him looks of pity, some just smirked. Naruto toned them out and set his head down.

An hour later Iruka was calling kids down for the exam. The blonde didn't even realize half of the students had gone already.

He layed his head back down, but a finger poked his shoulder. Naruto ignored it, but it poked him again. The blonde turned towards the offender. Kiba was staring at him.

"Is it true what Iruka-sensei said? You really can't talk anymore?" Naruto nodded slightly. "Man, that sucks. Do you know any sign language?" Naruto shook his head.

"Troublesome. Well you don't have to answer anymore questions in class now." Shikamaru, sitting next to Kiba, sighed. "I wish I never had to answer questions in class."

Before long they too were called down, until Naruto was the last one in class. Iruka came into the class and looked up at the boy.

"Come on Naruto, let's give you a hitai-ate." Naruto smiled and left his chair for the exam room, Iruka in tow. Once inside the classroom, Iruka placed a hand on the young boy's shoulder, halting him.

"Naruto... How did this happen?" Naruto pointed to his throat and Iruka mentally smacked himself for forgetting so quickly. "You can write on the chalkboard if you like." Naruto nodded and walked up to the board and began writing. Iruka turned from sad, to angry and disbelief.

I was attacked by 6 Konoha Chunin yesterday. Before one of them could kill me, I passed out. When I woke up, I was inside a prison-like place. After exploring it, I met Kyuubi. He told me about how he was sealed inside me when I was a baby and that's why I was hated. I told him to kill me so I didn't have to be hated anymore, but he refused. Instead he took away my ability to speak. Until I give up this mentality, I won't be allowed to speak another word.

Iruka was angry, at both himself and the villagers. This boy was treated badly because of what he had no control over. Worse yet, he now knew about the Kyuubi. If he asks the Hokage about it, Naruto might never speak again because they already knew. He raised his head at the sound of chalk scratching the board.

Why did the 4th Hokage pick me?

Iruka stared at the question a long time before answer. "Naruto I... I don't know why you were picked. If I did, I would tell you." The blonde seemed to buy it and nodded. After a second he started writing again.

Did you know my parents?

Why did he have to ask these questions? Iruka could very well just tell the boy and hope he doesn't get mad, but an order is an order.

"No I did not. I'm sure they were wonderful people to have such a wonderful son." Naruto couldn't help but smile at what Iruka said. He continued to write.

So can I be a ninja or what?

Iruka laughed at the boy. "I'm sure you will be, but first is the test. Let's erase this first then we can get started." He gave an eraser to the boy and they began cleaning the board.

Once all was finished, Iruka turned to Naruto and grew stern. "Okay Naruto. I want you to do a Kawarimi, a Henge, and a Bunshin. Do those three and you'll pass."

Naruto's face fell. He couldn't do a bunshin. He reached for the chalk and hastily wrote.

I can't do a bunshin.

"You... can't do a bunshin?" Naruto shook his head. "I'm sorry then Naruto, I can't pass you unless-" He was interrupted by the sound of frantic writing.

But it is not my fault! The Old Man said that I have so much chakra that doing a normal bunshin just kills it. He taught me how to do a different type of clone though. Please let me do that instead!

Iruka raised his eyebrows at this. "What kind of clone?"

Kage Bunshin no Jutsu

Iruka's eyes widened. Naruto can make a shadow clone!? "If you can do Kawarimi, a Henge, and make two shadow clones, I will let you pass, but only after talking to the Hokage. I don't want to find out you lied and actually Stoll the forbidden scroll or something." Naruto nodded happily.

He took a deep breath and switched himself with Iruka.

"Good Naruto. Next the henge."

Naruto transformed into Iruka. Iruka inspected the henge closely before nodding.

"Very well done. Finally the bunsh- kage bunshin."

Naruto closed his eyes and focused his chakra. He called out the jutsu's name in his mind. Suddenly twenty Naruto's appeared, scaring Iruka.

"Naruto... That's incredible!" He turned his gaze to his sheepish student. "You deserve this." He handed the blonde a hitai-ate. Naruto's eyes widened as he held it, gazing at it's beauty.

He looked up to his teacher with tears in his eyes. Iruka smiled and hugged his student. He pulled away after a minute and patted his head. "Now don't forget to be here tomorrow at 9am for team selection tomorrow. It would be a shame if you missed that after becoming a ninja." Naruto nodded. Today was the start of a new life. He was a ninja.

***AN: sorry about not making Five Beating Hearts first. This popped into my head and I had to do something before it went away. This will give me some time to work out the kinks FBH has anyways. I'm sorry if you don't like it, but I can't please everyone. Hopefully I'll be writing FBH after I finish this story.***