Naruto: A Different Life

Chapter One: The Whispers

This is my first story so please comment any advice!

Prologue

Six-and-a-half years ago the nine-tail fox demon attacked the Hidden Leaf Village. Its destructive power was incredible, obliterating a fair sized portion of the village and surrounding forest before the fourth Hokage managed to seal it away inside of a new born baby. In doing so the fourth Hokage lost his life. The child's name was Naruto.

It took some time before the village went back to normal. The construction was only part of it. The more pressing issue was the matter of the 'demon child'. The little boy, containing the monster that caused such damage, was still in the village. Everyone was terrified of the power that could be released at any time.

As time went by and Naruto grew the truth of what he was became a secret among the adults. The re-elected third Hokage had decreed that Naruto was not to learn the truth of what he was.

Parents kept their kids away from him. He grew up all alone with the grownups in the Leaf watching him distrustfully out of the corner of their eyes. They'd whisper darkly about himwhen the thought Naruto couldn't hear. They were wrong.

"Monster"

"Demon child"

"I wish he would be taken away"

"Why is something like him allowed near our children?"

Every word of the murmurs reached his ears and every poisonous glance was noticed ever since he could remember. Their harsh words would swirl incessantly in his head. Refusing to let up, darkness gathered in Naruto's heart. Unbearable pain clawing inside of him until he would burst into quiet tears.

One day no tears came. A startling calm washed over the six-and-a-half year old boy instead.

If they want me to disappear that much then that is exactly what I'll do, He thought to himself. With this new resolve he made his way through the village until he came to his apartment. He opened the door and began packing. He filled a small orange knapsack with the necessary supplies: cloths, his meager savings, a water bottle, granola bars and a few packages of instant ramen.

Naruto walked out of his room for what he hoped would be the last time and headed towards the edge of the Leaf Village.

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He reached the entrance to the village as the sun began to set. Naruto ducked into a dark alley and studied the two who were guarding his way to freedom.

He knew sneaking past two ninja who were probably jonin would be extremely difficult if not impossible. Someone with as little training as Naruto needed a miracle.

Just then another ninja made his way down the road past Naruto, who was cloaked in shadows, and to the two others at the gate. He struck up a conversation with the others, making them laugh.

Now's my chance he thought. Naruto crept forward quieter than a mouse and stared weaving past the buildings to stay hidden. A cloud crossed in front of the moon and Naruto skirted past the last building and, staying close to the wall, slipped out of the village. And without a sound he walked into the inky blackness of the forest,

Free was the only thing Naruto could think at the time. He eventually came to a small clearing. As the little boy looked up at the sky the cloud was blown away and he was bathed in the soft moon light.

"I'm finally free," he whispered looking at the moon in awe. "Free."