They Were Wrong
After Naruto sufficiently calmed down, Iruka carefully stood and placed him on the edge of the bed. Naruto pulled up his legs and crossed them, placing his hands on his ankles with a sniffle. He stared at his feet for a moment.
“I can’t forgive you right now… but I will.” He looked up at his Sensei with red rimmed eyes, determined but guarded.
Iruka’s face lit up and he smiled. “I’ll take that any day.” He ruffled Naruto’s hair gently, sighing in relief. He sat back further in his chair and considered the child. “You know Naruto… the younger kids don’t know. Including your classmates.”
Naruto couldn’t help the shocked expression that fell over his face.
Iruka continued. “The Hokage forbid talk of it. If you didn’t already know, you weren’t to be told.”
Naruto scrunched his face up. “Then… why do they hate me? And why did the Hokage forbid it?”
Iruka flinched at the word, feeling the weight behind it. He sighed again. “Just because it couldn’t be discussed, doesn’t mean that the sentiment couldn’t be passed down. They were warned and told to stay away from you. It festered until it became what it is today… I tried speaking with parents but they wouldn’t listen.” He closed his eyes tightly and pursed his lips. “As for the Hokage, I’m sure he did it for your sake, to protect you.” Though even as he said it, a glimmer of uncertainty flashed in his eyes.
Naruto huffed in annoyance, the initial shock and grief washing away into anger. “Hmph. I don’t care either way! When I become Hokage, they’ll all have to respect me.” He crossed his arms and scowled at nothing in particular. He doesn’t think that the Third Hokage would do something he knows would hurt him on purpose, but he can’t help but suppress the suspicion that crept around the back of his mind. He chastised himself for the thought. Naruto startled minutely at Iruka’s sudden laugh.
“That’s right Naruto.” He beamed and then shifted to something more lighthearted. “You know, I think they’ll come around eventually and see what a good kid you are.”
Naruto grinned and straightened his back in pride. Then his heart dropped in remembrance. “Ah! The exam! How many days has it been? Is it over? Can I still take it?” He sputtered.
Iruka’s eyebrows shot up. “Ah, that’s right.” He put a hand on his chin thoughtfully. “I believe that’s… today.” Iruka blinked. “I suppose I lost track of time!” He rubbed the back of his neck and laughed.
Naruto stood on the bed and roared. “I have to train!” He turned and jumped off the bed, feeling the cold tile under his bare feet, and rushed for the window.
“Oi! Wait!” Iruka yelled.
Naruto paused to look back at his Sensei, who was holding up a plain canvas bag.
“Your clothes?”
Naruto looked down at himself and realized that he was wearing a standard hospital gown, the breeze flowing easily through it, and sending a shiver down his spine.
“Ah.” He replied dumbly and pouted in embarrassment.
He walked forward and grabbed the bag, muttering reluctant gratitude to the man. Clothes were flung across the bed, and haphazardly pulled on as Naruto rushed through the process, earning an unimpressed look from Iruka.
Iruka sighed exasperatedly. “And what am I going to tell the nurse?”
Naruto looked at him sheepishly as he pulled his head through the top of his jumpsuit. “That my… dog’s… cousin died?” He supplied uselessly.
Iruka glared at him.
“Alright!” Naruto yelled, dodging the lecture. “It’s training time.” He beamed at the man and jumped up onto the window sil. “Thanks Iruka Sensei!”
“The test’s this afternoon!” He called back.
Naruto only paused long enough to take in the gentle look Iruka had locked into. He seemed more relaxed now that Naruto was back to his usual behavior, and Naruto was happy to provide that relief. He didn’t want to shovel his problems onto his precious people, no, he didn’t want them to pity him, nor become uncomfortable or upset on his behalf. So he easily slips back into the facade that he uses to hide just how broken he is from others…and maybe even himself.
<+>
Naruto had long since learned not to use the public or academy training grounds after one too many incidents of harassment and outright attacks. So he settles for the ocean of trees that surround Konoha, being careful not to venture too deep, but deep enough to avoid notice. He tried to push away the memories of his last visit to these woods. The flashes of pain and anger, swirling dangerously at the forefront of his mind. He pressed the palms of his hands into his eyes and took a deep breath. After a moment, he shook himself and got into position.
The moment Naruto made the hand sign and began to focus, he gasped sharply. Chakra raged through his channels like a surging river. It gathered so quickly that it sent a wave of energy in a five foot diameter around him, knocking him off balance. What the hell was that? Naruto planted his palms on the dirt floor and blinked. He shifted himself into a sitting position this time, and tentatively dipped into his chakra. It was odd, more than odd. His channels seemed different. They were larger, allowing for more chakra to flow through. Though that wasn’t the most startling part. It was as if his entire chakra system rewired itself, making it viciously effective and negating any unnecessary functions in place prior. Chakra flowed into places Naruto never even considered that it could before. To make matters worse, Naruto did a double take as his eyes fluttered open, his hands looked larger, stronger. He pushed back his sleeve in a panic to take in the sight of muscles he knew had not been there before. He quickly pulled up his shirt and blanched at his now toned physique. He was stunned. He wanted to be happy, to say it was a miracle and rejoice in his newfound strength. However, even he could put two and two together. The feeling of tearing and burning as his body morphed and stretched to hold the overwhelming power that surged through him.
The fox.
That…chakra had done this to him, forcibly tuning his body to perfectly home it’s presence. He grimaced. He didn’t know how to feel about the demon living within him. The creature was devious and malicious, the beast responsible for the attack on the village 12 years ago and the death of the Fourth Hokage. Then on the other hand, Naruto was stuck with him. If he could learn how to harness that power as his own… Regardless, the feeling ate at him, forming a pit in the base of his stomach and he clenched the fabric there. He rubbed the spot between his eyebrows and pinched his eyes closed at the painful warning of an incoming headache.
He sighed and stood. He didn’t have time to be worrying about this, he had to get a handle on his chakra and the clone Jutsu as quickly as possible or he’d never become a Shinobi. Naruto put his hands together again, trying to carefully draw from his reservoir without flooding his system. He envisioned his clone clearly, and activated the Jutsu. The sound of a clone appearing beside him made him close his eyes. He didn’t want to see another failure, to experience the dread of knowing that he’ll never be good enough, again. He might as well get it over with, he figured. He snapped his eyes open and turned to his side.
His breath caught in his throat.
A clone? Yes, a clone obviously, but… it was…him. He moved around and the clone mirrored him, he turned back and forth, observing the detail on the jutsu. He couldn’t believe his eyes. In fact, he pinched himself to ensure he wasn’t still dreaming. He had succeeded. A perfect clone stared back at him as his eyes grew wider. He cried his triumphs out loud, jumping and punching the air with glee. It had to be because of his new chakra system, the change also translating to his Jutsu. He eagerly conjured more clones, watching as a crowd of flawless copies filled out the area. He laughed. They were all wrong. He was never useless, or stupid, or weak. He just needed a kickstart, a catalyst. He almost felt bad that Mizuki nearly died for him to finally get one.
By the time Naruto had finished marveling over his immaterial clones, a chime rang out, indicating the transition into afternoon. He gazed back towards the direction of the village and grinned broadly. He couldn’t wait to see the looks on his classmates’ faces. The academy wasn’t far from his training spot, so he managed to make it in time to see the kids filtering into the building for the exam. He quickly joined them in line, not missing the glares that questioned his presence there to begin with. They likely expected him to skip the exam to save himself from the embarrassment of failing. Oh how wrong they were. As he breached the doorway, he caught the gaze of Kiba, who was leaning against the adjacent wall, looking bored. Akamaru stilled on Kiba’s shoulder when he caught sight of Naruto. He shuffled closer to Kiba’s neck and Kiba’s brows furrowed as he turned his attention to the pup. Akamaru let out a series of whines and quiet barks as Kiba’s eyes widened in horror. He pushed off the wall and stood straight to look at Naruto. His shoulders were tight with apprehension and confusion. Naruto returned the look with his own, and then shrugged as he found his seat. Kiba’s eyes didn’t leave him though, and Naruto clicked his tongue in annoyance. The last thing he needed was another asshole boring holes into the back of his head all day.
Speaking of assholes, Sasuke walked through the door with his hands in his pockets, greeted by a hushed choir of girls giggling and squealing. He saw Sasuke grimace slightly at the sound as he quickly scanned the room. His eyes stopped on Naruto for a moment, narrowing in the same assertion that his other classmates made. The unspoken ‘you don’t belong here’. Then his gaze flicked away as he made his way to his own seat. Naruto’s blood boiled in his veins. Sasuke had a natural talent to piss Naruto off, his ire a different kind of annoyance. Naruto couldn’t understand how Sasuke could display such cold indifference to his face, and then bold intrigue behind his back. It would never cease to infuriate him.
Before Naruto could leap out of his seat and clock the other child, Iruka strode into the room and tapped a stack of papers on his podium to level them, before setting it aside. He turned his attention to the class and cleared his throat, prompting the low chattering to cease. He leveled a stern gaze at his students before continuing.
“As you’ve been informed this morning, the final exam will be taking place now.” He paused to let it sink in. Naruto tensed despite himself, his nerves overpowering the confidence he had built up. “When I call your name, come up to the front of the class and perform the clone Jutsu. You will be graded on accuracy and efficiency. Good luck! This will determine your future as a Shinobi.” Iruka glanced pointedly at Naruto, a hint of worry in his eyes.
Naruto suddenly felt determination rise up from within him. The thought of his Sensei’s shocked and impressed face at his success excited him. He couldn’t help but fidget in his seat as he watched his classmates go up one by one and receive their results. Finally, it was Naruto’s turn. He was the last to go up, the weight of the implication heavy on his shoulders. Saved the best for last he supposed. He stood up straight as a board and stiffly strode to the front of the room, trying to ignore the snickers and whispers that followed his approach. He stopped in-front of Iruka, a scowl on his face. Not aimed at his Sensei, but in intense focus to keep the situation from overwhelming him completely.
Iruka raised an eyebrow and continued gently. “You may begin.” He leaned forward onto his elbows to watch Naruto closely.
Naruto sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly as he made a hand sign. Naruto was always the type to make an impact, regardless of it’s impression. This time was no exception, he planned to do something his classmates would never forget. With the memory of his successes fresh in his mind, he followed the same process and closed his eyes. He felt the mass of his chakra burst forward as the room filled with clones, all perfect copies. He turned and admired his work, reveling in the chorus of gasps and surprised yelps that echoed around the room. He took the time to take in each individual expression from his classmates. Kiba looked almost sick, eyes darting around at the clones feverishly. Shikamaru had sat up, startled out of his nap and looked around in confusion, his eyes finally landing on Naruto. His gaze was analytical, trying to come to some sort of conclusion but falling short, his brows furrowing in frustration. Naruto grinned like a cat and looked to Sakura, eager to see her reaction. Shock would be an understatement, she was standing, her jaw slack as she looked around the room. Naruto giggled to himself, obviously she was impressed. Then he looked to Hinata, who, looked as she usually did, her face red as she looked at Naruto in wonder.
Reluctantly, Naruto finally dragged his eyes to Sasuke. He startled at look of sharp intensity that Sasuke leveled at him. It didn’t seem malicious, but rather, fascinated and confused. Like everything he knew about Naruto shattered into a thousand pieces. Naruto held his gaze, the same sentiment keeping him captivated at the sight. Then he was sharply whisked out of his trance when a clatter came from behind him.
Iruka had dropped his clipboard as he processed the situation. His eyes were wide in shock. Naruto beamed at him, pleased that he got the reaction he wanted. Iruka looked at Naruto for a moment before he let out a small, nervous, laugh. He smiled crookedly at his student, pride and disbelief fighting for dominance.
“P…pass!” He finally breathed out. “Naruto, you passed!”
Naruto laughed then, letting all of his clones dissipate at once. “I did it! I really did it!” He jumped around and celebrated loudly, as the entire class watched on, mortified. “I’m gonna be a ninja!”
Naruto only barely managed to write off the low, foreboding cackle that echoed in the back of his consciousness.