A/N: After many encouragements from my readers, I've decided to start this fic. I understand that some of you new readers may not be used to my style of writing, but I'll tell you first, that I'm detest idiotic scenes during serious occasions and rarely ever use any of those unless I have to.

This story details of how Naruto perseveres through his life, overcoming obstacles and gaining power as he moves along. I honestly and sincerely hope that you guys will be able to enjoy it as much as I do. He will not be ultra powerful, but definitely more sensible and somewhat stronger than the manga. This fic goes under Romance/Angst, with action as a third genre. I usually add Humour as well, so I might put that as fourth. Meh.

Pairing is SakuNaruIno.

Well, without further adieu, enjoy.

Latest A/N: Gave this a one over. Got way too many people nagging at me. Anyway, overall feel should be more smooth now, instead of slightly jarring.

Disclaimer: Apart from my computer and softwares and games and stuff, I don't own anything else actually, so yeah, I'm like five hundred light-years away from owning Naruto.

I Will Believe

Chapter 1: Life

I want to run.

GET THE DEMON! DON'T LET HIM ESCAPE!

I want to hide.

HE'S RIGHT OVER THERE! CORNER HIM!

I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside.

ALRIGHT! WE'VE GOT HIM NOW!

I want to reach out, and touch the flame.

Oi kit, you're gonna die if this keeps up.

KILL HIM! KILL THE DEMON!

Blue eyes brightened with intensity, glaring at all those who dared come near him. His muscles tensing, his whole body filled with chakra, rage was clearly felt throughout the street.

I want to feel, sunlight on my face.

Yet, why? The mob were confused. Why was the face filled with sorrow?

I watched the dust cloud disappear, without a trace...

Some in the crowd left, apparently overwhelmed by the pain emitted from the boy, and guilt filled their hearts, making them reconsider their opinions and thoughts…

I want to take shelter, from the poison rain…

But the rest of them, consumed by hatred and anger, attacked me.

Kit…

It's October the tenth, my birthday…

Kicks and punches rained down on the poor kid, villagers beating him from all directions, some even used iron pipes and the chuunins involved had gone as far as using brass knuckles…

You bastards! Kit! Hang in there!

Why? Why is this happening to me?

YOU DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE YOU FILTH!

Just because the Kyuubi is sealed within me?

YOU'RE A DEMON!

Or just because the whole village is too ignorant to look past the basics?

DIE!

I'm just a kid, a seven year old kid…

Some of the mob had turned their attention to the kid's apartment and began to vandalize it, destroy it…

And they dare call me a demon? Foolish mortals!

Should I feel sad? Should I feel hatred? Should I feel anger?

They had broken into his house, and began smashing up the interior…

Yes... I should, but I won't. I will not give up…

All of a sudden, gasps were heard and in front of them, stood a livid old man, wearing a hat with the kanji 'shadow' on it.

I will believe, in those that are precious to me, to save me, and accept me…

Hokage-sama! We're just…

SILENCE! You, you, how could you? How could you do this to a mere boy! HOW COULD YOU?!

I trust them, with all my heart…

Look at him?! Is he the demon you are so afraid of? Is that the state of the almighty Kyuubi? LOOK AT HIM!

I will overcome this…

You insolent fools! Taking out your anger on a child and disrespecting the legacy of Yondaime! DESPICABLE!

I will become Hokage, and protect everyone…

Take them away, lock them up for a week, and send the chuunins to Ibiki for punishment. Strip them of their Shinobi titles. Now go!

Hai, Hokage-sama.

Because I am Uzumaki Naruto…

And that was the last thought that came to mind as the blond-haired boy fell into a blissful darkness. He felt calm, and peaceful, something he had not felt for a long time. He had decided, ever since the old man told him what Hokage stands for, he has vowed to work as hard as he could to protect the village……

This village…

Konohagakure!

I will believe!

Scene change......

Where am I? What...no...

"What, what did you say?" stammered the girl with pale blonde hair…

"I'm not your friend anymore. Goodbye…"

Her lips quivered and she rushed at him, grabbing his arm, "But why? Why won't you play with me anymore? Did I do anything? I'm sor…"

"No, you did nothing. Don't ask why. I just can't…"

No… NO!

The girl could do nothing as she watched her best friend dash away from her, running down the streets. She didn't understand why, and tears were flowing freely as she dropped onto the ground, on her knees and cried…

NO! That's not what I wanted! NO!

"Where are you going?" asked the pink haired girl, whom he had just saved.

"I can't tell you, but just remember, always treasure your friends. Come on, there's a girl that really needs you!"

Don't, please don't… Not again…

"But, but what about you? I want to be friends with you!"

The boy merely shook his head sadly as he ran off once again, leaving the dumbfounded girl on her own, with another girl, who was playing with the slides all by herself…

I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm SORRY!

"Naruto-kun! Naruto-kun! Are you alright?!"

A white ceiling came into view as his eyes flashed open, his breathing rough and his heart beating at a ridiculously quick pace as he took in his surroundings.

So, I'm in the hospital again…

He took in the worried face of the Hokage and the tense stances of the Anbu behind him and gave a genuine smile, before calming himself down.

"Oji-san, I'm fine."

Sandaime Hokage breathed a sigh of relief. Guilt and pain tore through his heart as he remembered the desperate cries of the boy, begging for forgiveness and yelling that he was sorry. What kind of a Hokage am I if I cannot even protect him?

Naruto examined himself and chuckled bitterly, "Well, looks like I'm back to normal. When can I be released?"

The old man sighed as he took another puff out of his pipe and replied, "You're free to go anytime you want, but given the state of your house…"

"I'm fine with it." Those words flew out of his mouth, causing shocked looks to be sent at him.

But he didn't care. He just wanted to be alone for now. The guilt was wrecking him, and he didn't want to worry the Hokage over trivial matters like this.

Sarutobi looked at him, before giving a slight nod, "Alright then. But Naruto-kun, please be careful. And also, could you drop by my office tomorrow, there is something I want to give you."

Naruto gave a slight grin, before edging himself off the bed, and as painful as it was, forced himself to limp back towards his house, or what's left of it.

The dog-masked Anbu made a motion to help him, but was stopped by the Hokage, "No. Leave him be."

"But Hokage-sama! The state he is in, surely he should stay…"

"I know, I know Kakashi. But what he needs right now, isn't rest. He wants to be alone, he needs time to think and forget…"

Half an hour later……

Naruto arrived in front of his apartment, ignoring the graffiti and the broken door. He made his way in and stared at the scene in front of him, before he made his way into the bedroom. Gently prying away the debris on the floor, he reached under his bed and pulled out a small box.

He bit his lips and slowly opened it, taking out a scarf and a fox plushy he got for his birthday last year. It was one of the best ones he had. He chuckled as he wrapped the scarf tenderly around the fox plushy, then, he carried it in his arms and sat on his bed. Tears were brimming in his eyes, yet it wasn't because of all that he had been through an hour ago. No, it was because he had broken a promise.

Kit……

Naruto gave a sigh, before placing the plushy down and got into his meditation position.

Alright, I'm back fox, what do ya want?

Hmph, this is the tone I get after healing your injuries?

It was your fault that I'm even getting injuries in the first place.

Tch, whatever. Look, I don't usually do this. But I want you to know… That I… Alright, I sympathize you…

Hm……

Just… Take it easy, kit. I mean... Never mind. Never was any good at this kind of stuff anyway…

Thanks fox. I really appreciate it. Well, I would be dead if it weren't for you…

Now, as we agreed, you shall now be able to work on your chakra nature manipulation. But for now, just rest kit. Don't want you to overstress yourself. The old man must have something to give you. Might even be a good birthday present. Grrr… What the hell do I care?! I swear you've been rubbing off on me…

Well, next time then. Bye…

Wait, kit.

Huh?

Happy seventh birthday.

... Thanks… Fox……

And with that, Naruto left the cage and returned back to reality. He sighed as he got up, knowing that he was going to have to clean this all up. And just like before, he searched out a snapped broom and a dustpan, and began the tedious cleaning procedure.

Welcome to my life...

Yep, that's that. This is sort of prologue, giving you an idea of what's going on. Later on, Chapters will be longer. I hope I did okay. Kyuubi is neutral here, not too nice, not too evil……I hope. Anyways, review and tell me what you think. Thx guys!