Truth…

Chapter 1 – Returning

Naruto and Konoha 12 will be 18 and Kurama and Team Guy will be 19.

Jiraiya sighed as his pupil and her partner reached the Konoha gates, Tsunade was going to kill him. The 3 year training trip had turned into almost a 5 year escapade, making his pupil 18 and her partner… Well that was another story.

The guard at the gate bowed to the Toad Sannin but looked suspiciously at the two cloaked figures before him. Jiraiya coughed and muttered something about picking the two up on his way home and that they would cause no harm.

As they walked towards the Hokage Tower, the slightly more chested figure giggled and the taller one snorted. Jiraiya looked at them incredulously, they motioned towards the Hokage Mountain and Jiraiya began to laugh hysterically.

There was Tsunade Senju's face carved into the face of the mountain, her expression was slightly drunken, angry and bored. The architects had got it spot on, they even included a tick mark on her forehead. Oh boy, he was going to milk the humour.

Jiraiya looked nervously at his apprentice who grinned in reply, she knew this would undoubtedly be blamed on him. On his best behaviour, Jiraiya did something he had never done before, knocked on his old teammates door before entering.

He heard an irritated 'Come in' so he slowly opened the door and peeped his head around 'Hello, Tsunade-Hime, I know we're a little late but-' Suddenly a sake bottle was violently thrown at his head, he only just managed to duck in time.

'Where the hell have you been?!' Tsunade screeched 'If anything has happened to my Naru-chan, you know I'll bloody skin you alive!' Another head popped around the doorway 'Baa-chan, I'm fine!' Naruto exclaimed 'In fact I have a perfectly good explanation for this.'

As she had be standing, shaking with anger, Tsunade sat down with a thump 'Well then, you have some explaining to do missus'. Appearing in front of Tsunade for the first time in 5 years, Naruto Uzumaki stood before her Hokage, her hood down.

The loose cloak slipped from her shoulders and onto the floor before disappearing into thin air, most probably into a seal somewhere. Tsunade drunk in her Goddaughter's adult looks with envy and pride.

Messy gold locks flowed to her shoulder blades, the only oddity was there were blood red streaks running through her hair 'Sorry' she said sheepishly 'I guess I forgot to wash my hair from dinner last night' As Naruto said this, she noted Jiraiya grimace but quickly compose himself.

Her complexion was still a light tan and her facial features weren't that much different to that when she had left, her wide eyes were now purple, a mix of blue and red, her whisker marks thicker, plumper and fuller lips, higher cheekbones and no more baby fat on her cheeks. Overall, from her neck upwards was a gorgeous face framed by dirty blonde bangs.

Her torso and lower body however, were something to be proud of… Perky D cup breasts held down by bandages, a muscled but toned and lean body, small waist, a perfect round butt and firm thighs. Now Tsunade was no pervert but she couldn't help but gawk at the young girl's fitness level.

Her training had to be vigorous to achieve such a perfect and well-toned body. Tsunade reached out to hug Naru, to which Naruto replied by tensing and a whimper escaping her lips. Jiraiya put a hand on Naruto's back and began to rub in soothing circles as she shook slightly.

After Naru had calmed down to deep breathing, Jiraiya spoke 'I guess I should have explained beforehand, Naruto has Haphephobia, fear of being touched. Although she has become accustomed to being touched by myself and other frequent acquaintances. It's only because it's been 5 years, Tsunade-Hime' Jiraiya comforted.

Naruto shivered 'I'm sorry Baa-chan, but I will explain later…' the fearful girl smiled shakily. Tsunade nodded, accepting that her goddaughter would come to her in time. Tsunade was still worried about what had caused the phobia though.

Regaining her composure, she motioned for the two to sit but Naruto remained standing as a light blush dusting her cheeks. 'Erm…' she struggled for words so Jiraiya came hurriedly to her rescue.

He coughed 'Actually, we have another companion standing outside the door.' As he said this a redheaded man poked his hair around the corner 'Er hi!' the man said unsurely. 'And who are you?' Tsunade asked suspiciously. 'Well, I, er, you see-' he was cut off by Naruto blurting 'He's my fiancé!' she blurted, instantly covering her mouth after.

'What!?' Tsunade cried 'But how?!' Naruto, expecting this reaction, calmly walked over to her fiancé and tugged him to sit with her in front of the Hokage's desk, leaving Jiraiya to stand. 'Let me start from the beginning baa-chan…'

Flashback

A 13 year old Naruto was about a mile from the Konoha gates with Jiraiya, her mentor, when she looked up at him and shifted uncomfortably 'Erm Ero-Sennin?' 'Yeah, Kiddo?' He replied gruffly. 'Well er-' 'Spit it out, Brat!' 'Well… ItalktoKyuubiallthetimeandhe wantstocomeoutnow! She said extremely fast.

'Er Brat, can you repeat that please… Slowly!' Jiraiya said to his flustered apprentice. 'Okay, I've been talking to Kyuubi-' 'Wait, you've been doing what!?' 'Get over it Ero-Sennin, he's been keeping me company since I found out about him…' 'Why didn't you tell me?'

''Cause I knew you'd freak out, duh! Anyway, Kurama-kun says I should let him out so he can teach me some cool jutsus, please…' Naruto's eyes widened and went all glossy. 'Oh, all right Naru but I want to talk to him first. Is that possible?' Jiraiya caved at the puppy dog eyes.

'Yay! And of course that's possible, hold on tight' Naru squealed excitedly. Jiraiya felt a tug at his core, then a blinding light caused him to shut his eyes tight. When he opened them, he was in a disgusting sewer 'Where are we?' he asked Naruto.

'This is my mind!' she said twirling around happily, like this wasn't a place filled with shadowed corners and clouded water. Jiraiya was pretty sure he heard the scuttling of tiny feet too. Rushing off down one of the many corridors, Jiraiya followed the skipping girl.

Jiraiya then realised that her mind was the reflection of her true feelings, it was ironic really. That a girl so cheerful and happy-go-lucky could have such a sad and slightly insane mind. It was from all the cruelty she received, he supposed. He was surprised to what extent her awful life had affected her, not that he could blame her. It was amazing she wasn't completely insane.

They came to a large room with a cage filled with darkness. 'Naru?' A young man's voice drawled sleepily, it had to be Kyuubi. Jiraiya was surprised when a 6 ft. man with blood red hair stepped out of the shadows. 'Kura-kun!' Naruto smiled and ran to her prisoner.

Jiraiya was a little unnerved at being in the presence of the strongest of all bijuu, wait no scratch that, he was pissing his pants. 'Jiraiya of the Sannin-' Kurama, the Kyuubi addressed him '-You smell of fear…' Jiraiya bristled then.

'Ahh, I have angered you, Jiraiya' Kurama smirked 'Kurama!' Naru warned 'Alright Naru-chan' Kyuubi said affectionately. Jiraiya wondered how she could speak to such a high being with authority, he supposed he could try it as well.

'Kyuubi, I have-' 'Kyuubi' interrupted him 'My name is Kurama' 'Fine… Kurama, Naruto has informed me that you have offered her a deal of some sorts and I would like to know all the specifics before she makes her final decision'.

Kurama sighed and told Jiraiya how that he would, if let out permanently, would train Naruto and help her in anyway possible. This also had some serious effect on himself and Naruto as she would have some physical changes and would hold half of his power.

Kurama, himself, would lose half of his power, lose his immortality (He would become 1 year older than Naruto) and give up his title as the king of all bijuu and pass it on to his younger brother. He assured Jiraiya that his younger brother, Zurui was not stupid enough to wreak havoc on the human world.

Both Naruto and Kurama would have fast paced healing abilities and other immunities such as resistance to poisons, illness and disease. Another gain would be that Akatsuki could never complete their quest to control the Juubi as Zurui was the new nine tails and would stay in the demon world indefinitely.

Kurama also explained that he attacked Konoha unwillingly as he had been peacefully living in Konoha's forest until Madara used his sharingan to control him. He was remorseful until he discovered what people did to Naruto at a young age.

'Can I get all that in writing?' Jiraiya asked jokingly 'Of course' Kurama laughed 'Hey, guys! I'm kinda bored over here!' Naruto cried desperately. The two chuckled and Kurama walked over to Naru, stroking her hair.

'Now, I'm not going to lie Naru, this is going to really hurt us both' Kurama sighed. 'Eheheh, I can deal with it! She brushed his warning off and Kurama gave her a long hard stare. 'Oh alright, I'm pretty scared but we'll get through it together, right?'

If her adoring eyes and his soft smile were anything to go by, Jiraiya would have said they were made for each other. 'Of course Naru-chan, we'll get through this together' he replied and with that, Naruto scrambled towards the seal and scribbled another seal over the top of the seal.

She then proceeded to forcibly rip the seal of the cage and Jiraiya felt the now familiar tug, only stronger. He was being pushed from her mind. When the light had faded, Jiraiya saw Naruto lying on the ground, writhing in pain. It looked like she was having a fit but she also had her stomach exposed and the seal was baring a red glow.

For many days Jiraiya nursed Naru's fevers and chills while she screamed in pain and he had just begun to wonder if she was going to make it when the seal stopped glowing and disappeared altogether. Next to Naruto's still but sweaty body appeared Kurama looking slightly dishevelled.

'I'm free!' He laughed darkly and the skies began to blacken. Jiraiya stumbled back and looked at Kurama in fear. 'Awww, I'm just messing with ya, Jiraiya!'. The skies returned to their usual blue and Jiraiya sighed but then glared at the Fox-like man.

Kurama laughed at Jiraiya when suddenly Naruto began to stir 'Uuuh uhhhhh…' she mumbled sleepily. Kurama then doubled over in pain and began to shrink until he was just a head taller than his ex- jailer. When the Kitsune had recovered it was Jiraiya's turn to laugh.

The man turned boy had no idea that this would happen and was quite shocked. Naruto was now sitting up and when she saw Kurama she burst out laughing. 'Yeah, yeah, Naru. I had no idea…' Kurama grumbled.

She blushed lightly 'I think you look quite cute actually…' Kurama blushed as well, curse these teenage hormones. 'Hehehe…' Jiraiya giggled perversely. 'Don't you dare get any ideas, Ero-Sennin!' Naruto growled.

Over the years, with the training of Jiraiya and Kurama, Naruto became fitter, stronger, faster, mastered nature manipulation and soon enough had a huge range of jutsus. Kurama and Jiraiya even learnt a new trick or two.

And with all of this, Kurama and Naruto's relationship grew and so did the amount of times Naruto had to beat Jiraiya up for using them in his new books. Kurama's mind became in tune with his new body age and the two teens enjoyed constantly pranking the 'super' pervert.

End Flashback

Tsunade sat agape and took a LARGE glug of sake. 'That still doesn't explain why you spent two extra years away from the village!' she exclaimed. It was Kurama who replied 'Well, some of our jutsus are a little too… Extreme for the village's space'

Tsunade nodded suspiciously but didn't press 'Well, I'm just glad you're back, Naru! Although there is one thing, we have managed get Sasuke Uchiha back' She said the name with distaste and waited for a reaction that never came.

'So?' Naruto asked, genuinely confused. Tsunade was shocked, she was expected tears of joy and relief or angry rants but nothing, that was odd. Naru smiled softly at the woman's confusion 'Baa-chan, maybe he was my best friend once upon a time but I'm older now and have come to realise that he was just not worth my time'.

Tsunade stared at Naruto in awe, that kind of emotional detachment was very difficult and she was worried about her god-daughter. Even so, she despised the Uchiha and Naruto not acknowledging him as anything more than a teammate was hysterically funny.

She knew for a fact that the Uchiha had developed feelings for Naru but her no way in hell returning them was going to irritate him to no end. Sadly, the council were allowing him to choose a female to impregnate, and she knew just who he would choose…

Tsunade would deal with that later though as Naruto was forcing a bittersweet grin 'He punched a hole in my heart, Baa-chan… Literally!' She was obviously referring to their battle at Valley's End.

Tsunade decided that that was enough sadness for one day and spoke cheerily to Naruto 'Why don't I gather all you friends and precious people and you can tell them about your fiancé' Tsunade smirked when Naru blushed, nodding and latched onto Kurama's arm.

Within minutes every person who Naruto cherished was standing outside the Hokage's door, wondering what 'emergency' needed them all immediately. Tsunade leaned into Naruto and whispered 'Oh, by the way, the law about Kyuubi was lifted, they all know…'

Naru gawked and shrunk into Kurama, who instinctively wrapped his arms around her. Tsunade took a deep breath, looked to Jiraiya, who nodded and shouted to the crowd outside 'Come In!'. Which they did…

Naruto stared and a room full of people stared back. 'N-naruto?' A voice broke the silence 'Naruto! Where have you been?' A pink haired woman cried, rushed towards the girl, who in return muffled a scream and wrapped her around herself protectively.

Stopping just inches from Naru, Sakura reached out and held the girl's hand. Sakura was a medic and could easily tell that Naruto had Haphephobia. Smiling warmly Sakura settled for a gently squeeze to the hand she was holding.

Naru was thankful that Sakura understood her condition and squeezed her friend's hand in return. Sakura ushered Naruto out of the room, followed by Kurama, who was only now being noticed.

Tsunade explained that Naruto would warm back up to them all in time but for now they should help her get over her phobia. In turn, to prevent an emotional overload to Naru, everyone came to see her one at a time with little to no contact.

The only memorable meetings were Iruka, who broke down at seeing his 'daughter' all grown up and Sasuke who grunted and glared at Kurama who stood by his fiancé's side the whole time.

After a good half an hour or so Naruto now stood in front of her precious people knowing many new things. Ino and Temari were fighting over Shikamaru, while Chouji was too shy to ask Ino out. Sakura still liked Sasuke, and Lee still liked Sakura…

Tenten and Neji were dating, Neji was soon to propose though. Shino was married to another clan member and Kiba and Hinata were engaged. Kakashi was married to Anko, who was expecting and Iruka had hooked up with Ayame from the Ramen stand.

'Phew' A gush of air rushed from Naru's mouth, as she grinned, showing her sharp canines that were more like fangs. She realised that none of her friends resented her for the Kyuubi, so she was confident they would accept Kurama too.

'Erm, well… I have been indulged, generously, into the affairs of all you guys, so I will let you know about mine." She noted Sasuke was smirking smugly, like he had won a prize or something. Quite frankly, it disturbed her.

'I am engaged!' There were gasps and squeals, mainly from the female population… and Iruka. Sasuke was scowling angrily, she was well aware by now that he liked her. She wasn't stupid, oh of course not. Well, only sometimes.

'So who's the lucky guy, Naru?' Ino screeched from where she stood, clinging to Shika. Before Naruto could answer, everyone had turned to stare at Kurama, who squeezed Naruto's waist. He was completely unsure of how to proceed.

Luckily Naruto had a plan 'Well you guys all know about the Kyuubi, right?' Everyone nodded sadly, expressing their knowledge of her attacks 'Well, you'll be pleased to know I am no longer a Jinchuriki!'

No one said anything nor did they move and Naruto began to wonder if she had sprung it on them too soon. Suddenly, as if a trance had been broken there were shouts of 'What?!'. Naru sighed in relief when everyone showed their confusion.

'Well, my tenant has been released and is no danger at all. In fact he is no longer the King of the Bijuu as he passed his title to his younger brother. And no he did not bribe me, I trusted… trust him, implicitly.'

'How can you be so sure?' Kakashi asked. 'Why don't you ask him yourself, Kakashi?' Naru spoke firmly and in all seriousness, Kurama stepped forward 'I am the former Kyuubi no Yoko (Nine tailed Demon) and Naru-Chan's fiancé'.

There was a shocked silence and then claps and cheers, except from Sasuke of course. Naruto began to cry tears of relief, even though she had put up a front of bravado, she didn't know what she would have done if they had of rejected her.