Many people were upset that I deleted the original 'Panther," but I felt the story wasn't going the way I wanted originally. So here is the new version of it. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
/thinking and communicating between Kyuubi and Naruto/
"talking"
Panther's Return
Long ago there was a boy. He was as beautiful as the sun and never seemed to stop shining. Sure the clouds would hover over and block the shine, but like ever storm it would pass. After his friend's betrayal and the pain it caused him the sun angel needed to leave. Too many people looked at him with hate; too many suppose friends didn't see the strengths that he had. They almost broke the sun. Yet, the sun can never stay hidden. It will always find a way to come back.
It has been six years since the sun angel was last seen. He asked the Hokage of Konohagakure if could leave. The Hokage at first was reluctant to let her adopted 'son' leave his home, but she saw in his eyes the tiredness. He was at his breaking point. He left into the world, with no one but his 'mother' and adopted 'father,' a perverted man, saying goodbye to him.
Six Years Later
Two men are walking towards the giant doors that lead into Konohagakure. The Leaf village is famous for being one of the strongest hidden villages in Japan.
"So, Panther are you ready to go home?" asked the taller of the two men. He had dark wine red hair, golden eyes, tan skin, and a strongly built frame. He wore a white long sleeved shirt with a red kitsune on the front. His pants were black and tapped from his right knee up to his thigh; the kunai pouch was located on his right thigh. The man wore gauntlets and had a set of daggers on a belt around his hips.
"…," was the answer given to the question asked. Panther was different from the taller male. He had blue eyes, smooth creamy skin, a bandanna covering his hair, and a frame of a well toned athlete. His shirt was a dark blue with a shadow of a large cat on it, dark pants with tap on both legs, and no shurikan or kunai pouch. His hands were covered with black fingerless fighting gloves and an odd looking sword was strapped to his back.
"You really need to work on your people skills. You're almost like that Uchiha brat." Panther still didn't give an indication that he was listening to the other male.
The two arrived at the gates of Konoha and waited to be noticed by the two chunnin guards. What a joke when the two males saw who was guarding the gates.
/Well, well, well…looking at who is guarding the gate kit./
/Che. Why am I not surprise/
At the gate was the one who betrayed the village many years ago and another who tried to crush the spirit of the shorter male. Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura were standing and waiting for the men.
"Who are you and what is your business with Konoha?" asked the ever arrogant Uchiha. He had not really changed. Sasuke still had dark eyes, blue black hair, and porcelain skin. The only differences were the change in height and clothes.
"We are shinobi from Hidden Mist and we wish to speak to your Hokage. I believe she is expecting us. We are Fox and Panther."
"Hai. Follow us please," said Sakura. The young woman had grown her pink hair longer again and like Sasuke hadn't changed much.
Fox and Panther took off after them silently. It was like they were ghost. Both Sasuke and Sakura were disturbed by the lack of sound and presence the two gave off.
/Kit are you ready to face the past/
/No, but it would have happened sooner or later. I'm only her to see mom and dad. Do you think they finally got together/
/Not if your dad keeps his perverted ways. Your mother would crush him first./
A small smirk appeared on the shorter male's face. It was true. Jiraiya was a pervert to end all perverts. Tsunade didn't tolerate those ways too much. The younger male took a deep breath and listen to the sounds of nature around him. Nature was letting him know everything that was and has gone on in the village since he left so long ago.
/The taint of hate is still here Kyu-kun./
/Hai, it will never go away. That is one of the many faces ningens seem to never be rid of./
At the tower the two males were being inspected by everyone that they passed. Shinobi and villager alike took in the looks that they had. One in particular was staring hard at the shorter male. He seemed familiar, but at the same time not.
"Wait here while I inform the Hokage of your arrival," said Sasuke. Surprised yelling could be heard within the office. Sasuke came running out and ducked when a paper weight was thrown at his head.
"You can go in." He felt almost sorry for them. The Hokage was brooding again. It was the same time as each year. The time when Naruto left the village. None of the Rookie Nine, or Gai's team knew what happened to the blond boy. Iruka was devastated to find the empty apartment and a few were found in the forest destroying it out of anger over the blond's quiet leaving of their lives.
"Thank you." Fox and Panther entered the room. People outside of the office waited with baited breath. It was eerily quiet inside. There was no crashing or yelling. Did the Hokage kill them already?
Inside the office three people were having a stare off. Tsunade couldn't believe her eyes. Her son was home and alive. The once loud and clumsy blond was now a beautiful and quiet man. She got up from her desk and embraced the one person she missed above all others.
"You're home," she whispered. She stood back and looked at him closely. The pained filled eyes were replaced with a calmness that could rival a monk and the whisker marks seemed to have disappeared.
"I miss you kaasan," said the shorter male. Naruto was home in his village. The most feared shinobi Panther, once known as Naruto, was home.
"Hello, Tsunade-hime," said the other male. She knew who he was. In some secret scrolls left by both the Yondaime and Sandaime, Tsunade learned that Kyuubi would be released sometime around Naruto's eighteenth birthday.
"Kyuubi-sama. I see you were released from the curse that made you attack our village."
"It was thanks to my kit here. He is just like his father, a master of seals."
Tsunade was overjoyed to have both here. Then she saw the scroll they brought from Hidden Mist. Inside the Mizukage lets Tsunade know that she can have her son back and hoped that she is proud on how strong he has become. He also gave her a list of both Kyuubi's and Naruto's missions and leaves a small side to ask about their many new techniques.
"Are you ready to be a Konoha shinobi once again?" she asked the two figures.
A silent communication went on between Kyuubi and Naruto. After a moment Naruto turned to his mother and uttered the words she was wanted to hear.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." He and Kyuubi bowed to their leader and waited to have their leaf hitaite be given to them.
"You know that your old teammates and the rest of the rookies are going to find out who you are." Tsunade knew the reason behind Naruto's leaving. She saw with her own eyes the pain so many of his 'friends' put him through. Sure Iruka loved the gaki like a brother, but he truly could not understand the boy's pain. Kakashi just ignored him and favored the Uchiha heir and Sakura. The blond male deserved to have some peace. She could see it in his eyes. He was whole again.
"Aa, maybe so…but they should learn that I am no longer their physical, nor am I their emotional punching bag anymore." Naruto's eyes harden to show that he meant it and those who crossed his path will pay the price.
"My kit, no longer tolerates those who look down upon others. He is strong and the rest will learn soon enough," said Kyuubi with a predatory smirk. He helped raise the younger male and knew the true power behind those blue eyes. Naruto was no longer the dobe. He surpassed even the legendary demon himself because of his code.
"Tsunade-hime, may we go and have some fun?" asked Kyuubi.
Smiling the Hokage could only nodded her head and watch her two favorite people (well, one is a demon) go out and shine above the village.
/My son has truly grown./ she thought.
Outside the two males went to look for some food. Naruto had gotten over eating ramen day in and out. Truth be told, he never truly liked it, but it was cheap and easy for a young boy to make besides cereal.
"Panther, what do you want to eat?"
Before he could reply the shorter male felt an unwelcome presence. It was one of the many who betrayed him and almost shattered his very soul. Behind them stood Hatake Kakashi, the Copy-cat Nin.
"Yo. You're new here, but I see you have the Leaf symbol."
"Ah, we were transferred from Hidden Mist to here by the Mizukage. Your Hokage was delighted to take us." Kyuubi knew that Naruto was closing up all locks on his emotions in order to face his old sensei.
"I'm Hatake Kakashi." His one visible eye closed up in his version of a smile.
"Yes, I've heard of you. I'm Fox and this is Panther." Kyuubi smirked when he saw Kakashi give a wide eyed look at the names.
"The Fox and Panther? Famous for being known as the ghost shinobi?"
"Hmmm…that would be us."
Kakashi didn't know what to think. The two deadliest nins were in Konoha and allies at that. He looked at Panther closer and felt as though they have met before. Maybe the kid had been in the chunnin exam long ago.
"Well, I did hear you say that you are hungry. If you want I can take you to a non-expansive restaurant that still tastes good."
"Domo, Kakashi-san."
The trio went to one of the places Naruto knew very well in his youth. Ichiraku Ramen stand was still going. As they walked inside they were greeted by the sight of the Rookie Nine and Gai's team with all of the old senseis.
"Hey, you're late!" yelled Sakura. Before she could yell some more she noticed the two other males. Sakura couldn't help but blush. They were both very good looking.
"He was showing us a place to eat," said Fox.
"I'm sorry where are my manners. Hello, I'm Haruno Sakura."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Fox and this is Panther." Once again many eyes grew wide at the names.
"Wow, the famous ghost shinobi?" A boy with a feral appearance asked. It was Kiba and he seemed to have grown wilder looking. His companion, Akamaru was no longer a puppy, but a fully grown dog, big enough to ride on.
Kyuubi didn't get a chance to answer before Akamaru jumped onto Naruto. The others were surprised, but it seemed as though the dog knew this person.
/Akamaru, I know you can here me. Don't let them know who I am. It is a secret for now./ Naruto let the dog know not to tell anyone.
"What the hell! Akamaru, what's wrong?" The white dog barked and whined a bit in answer. Kiba just nodded his head and laughed.
"He said that Panther smelled really nice and he already likes him." The rest of the group smiled and knew that the two weren't a threat if Akamaru liked them.
"To answer the earlier question, yes we are the ghost shinobi."
"A what shinobi?" asked the blonde girl Ino.
A smoky voice answer this time, "We are like ghost. You don't see us or hear us. We strike swiftly and surely. Like a ghost we can cause your worst fears to come to life." Everyone looked at Panther. He was eerie in his telling of their skills.
The Uchiha and Kakashi both felt as though they knew him. From where though?
/I swear I know that slight bit of chakra he gives off./ thought Sasuke. He hated not knowing something.
"Wow, that is some skills," said Kiba.
The group decided they could talk more while eating. No one really paid too much attention on how little Panther ate, nor did they notice the assessing eye of Fox. The people were happily telling stories about different missions and the events of their lives. Sakura finally asked one of the many dreaded questions.
"Have you two ever met a blond boy name Naruto?" The Konoha nins stiffened at the name. It was almost a taboo to say anymore. Last time someone mentioned the blond's name Sasuke had nearly burnt down parts of Konoha's forest in his rage.
"Hai. A few years ago. He stopped by on his way to the Continent. He was telling us about gaining a new perspective on life. Really great kid and smart too." Fox was grinning, but on the inside he was laughing his head off.
"Huh? Naruto smart? Are you sure you have the right person?" asked Sakura and Kiba at the same time.
"He was blond, bluest eyes ever, with a spiral on his back?" Sakura nodded her head at the questions. "Then we have the right person. He learned every jutsu that the Mizukage knew and changed them to suit his purposes. Not only that, but he was able to outsmart most of the ANBU of our village."
"Did you ever hear from him?" asked the quietest person in the group, Hinata. She missed him a lot and pretty much knew why he left. She may not have a crush on him anymore, but he was a precious person and many of these people nearly shattered him before her eyes.
"Naruto, was last seen in China training with a sensei." Fox made a thoughtful look and then turned amused eyes towards the Konoha nins. "I was told he was getting ready to travel once more. The sensei there said he was a powerful person, not only physically and chakra wise, but mentally too."
Everyone could only sigh. The search for the blond was in vain. He wasn't even in Japan anymore. Sasuke left after he heard the news. His face was darkened with anger and many scuttled away from the Uchiha.
/That dobe! He's too far away for me to find now./
"Sorry, Sasuke gets like that every time he hears about Naruto," said Sakura with a bow.
"Ah, he isn't the only one. Kazekage-sama, was the same way also a few months back, as was a boy named Inari. Naruto must be really important to them."
"Hai, he was the pillar for many people," said a new voice. A man in his thirties walked inside the restaurant. Umino Iruka has not changed one bit. He still had his hair in a ponytail and his scar across the bridge of his noice, as always, stood out.
"You knew him well?" asked Fox.
"Not as well as I thought I did. He was like a brother to me and his leaving without a goodbye was hard." Iruka gave small smile. Many haven't seen him truly smile in a long time.
"Did he know how important he was to everyone before he left?" asked Panther. His voice still surprised everyone, even after the first time they heard it.
"What do you mean?" asked Sakura angrily. "Of course he knew how important he was to us!"
"Haruno-san, how could he? You used him as a punching bag, Sasuke-san would call him names, Kakashi-san ignored him, and others abused him or tried to kill him." Hinata finally told the pink haired person the truth that had been building for years.
Shino and Neji nodded their heads. They too noticed the abuse, but never tried to help the blond. How could Naruto know how important he was, when no one really showed it all?
"Hn, Panther, do you think this village is still tainted with hate?" asked Fox.
Panther raised his head from looking at the counter. Bluest eyes to ever grace anyone's face looked at a surprise group of people.
"Hai."
TBC
I hoped you like this remake of 'Panther.' Those who are a slight bit confused. Panther is Naruto and Fox is Kyuubi. Kyuubi is no longer in Naruto. Next chapter out soon! Please Read and Review