I have a lot of explaining to do, but before I drone on about that, I'd just like to thank all the people who reviewed, favourited and followed - you all are wonderful, you know that? You're awesome, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise :D Have an Itachi plushie~ *throws plushies*

If you don't read this explanation, then I can assure you that the chapter will make no sense at all. For one thing, the last chapter wasn't a chapter, it was a prologue. As in preceding the actual story. The actual fic is not based on his training (I suck at stuff like that) it's based on his return to Konoha and whatever happens in succession. The story will purposely be a little quick paced in the first few chapters, but will slow down. Whatever random jutsu you've never seen in the manga or anime is just the fabrication of my delirious mind ;) Also, Over the course of his training, I expect that Naruto would have learned that the Kyuubi's real name is Kurama, so from now on he will be addressed as such. This is seven years after Tsunade became Hokage, so everyone is 16-17-ish.

"Naruto's thoughts"

Kurama's thoughts

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot~ (I think)

That I May Protect

Chapter 1: Welcome Home

Time had passed ever since that day where a young boy had decided to flee the village. Many things had happened over the time when he had left, including the Kyuubi drawing his training to a temporary close so that he could assess the child.

Naruto had returned to Konoha seven years ago, and had become a genin, before leaving to train once more. It had been seven years since he had seen the village. It had been seven years since he had seen all his friends back in the village.

Long gone was the obnoxiously loud child that the village had once known, replaced instead by this silent killer. Blonde hair fell just to the base of his neck, and clothes had gone from a bright orange to a more subtle black. He wore a typical black shirt and pants with the customary fishnet shirt.

Unadulterated blue eyes were now slightly tinged with purple from the merged chakra of the Kyuubi with his own. Naruto stepped up to the possessed shadow-clone that was his sensei, and bowed deeply. The clone merely smiled somewhat proudly, before pulling him back into a standing position.

"You've grown, kit. Use your wisdom in all your actions. I will be with you if you need me, but I strongly doubt you will." The red-haired man smiled slightly, but it was open and fond. Naruto felt gratified that he was able to learn from Kurama. He smiled slightly in return.

"You know I will always need you, Kurama-sama," he chuckled slightly. "Both of us don't have much of a choice in the matter." Kurama reached up and ruffled his hair fondly, before lowering his hand, a serious look crossing his eyes.

"Go now. Your time away from Konoha has stretched for long enough. Your friends have all believed that you were sent on a long term mission. Being away for longer might make them suspect something." Kurama paused.

"But first, I wish to give you something." Naruto gazed up at him, the slightest hint of question in his eyes. Kurama reached up and laid his hand on Naruto's forehead, speaking as he did so. "As lord of the demons, I have been blessed with this. It is my duty to pass it on to my heir. I have no heir and my realm is near extinction. You are the closest I've ever had to a son, Naruto."

Naruto's eyes widened at the statement, and he could not stop the overwhelming emotion that flowed through his body. Not because of whatever was to be bestowed upon him, but because of the Kyuubi's statement. Never would he ever have thought that Kurama of all people would think of him as family.

"The secrets are for I to know, and you to discover. It is only customary for you to unearth the secrets of this yourself. I can only tell you how to use what you have discovered. I give you the Hakaigan, Naruto. Use it well."

He removed his hand from Naruto's forehead to reveal a jewel quite similar to his own, embedded in the blonde's forehead. Naruto reached up to touch it, before smiling slightly, and bowing once more. "Thank you, Kurama-sama."

Kurama merely bowed his head in response, and Naruto allowed the shadow clone to dissipate as the Kyuubi returned back into him. Naruto then began to run back to the place he still called home at a faster speed. He knew that at that rate, he would make it there by sundown. Was it just him, or did he see a strange light within the demon lord's eyes before he dissolved the clone? He shook his head.

A sudden thought came to mind, and he changed his course midway. He hadn't seen them for over a year now – he supposed he owed them a visit. He dashed quickly through the trees, due southeast, and soon made it to his destination.

Performing a series of seals, he deactivated the one protecting the hideout, and entered in. He knew he would not be stopped, even as he looked around for the people who he had called family, and the people who had taken him in as family.

"Welcome, Naruto-kun." Naruto allowed the smallest of smiles to slip onto his features as he caught sight of a certain raven. He walked over to him, and dipped his head in greeting.

"It's been a while since I've seen you all." He stated calmly. Itachi stared at him, and shook his head slowly, the barest hint of remorse in his eyes.

"I wish you didn't have to grow up like this. When you act this way, it only makes me think your childhood was stolen." Naruto shook his head.

"No, Itachi-san. I chose this. Even if the village doesn't want me, I will still give my all to protect it. You of all people should understand how I feel." Itachi stared at him for a moment, before looking away, and not replying. Naruto's smile disappeared, and he continued to walk in.

"How is everyone else?" he questioned. Itachi glanced over to the kitchen.

"Konan-san is trying to see if there's anything she can pull out of the refrigerator for you, Pein-sama is in his quarters going over our missions. Kisame is paying a visit to Kirigakure – I personally doubt that will go well. Sasori and Deidara are in their repective workshops progressing on their art. Zetsu is currently watching for anyone nearing the hideout, Kakuzu has gone bounty hunting, and Hidan is downstairs. I don't recommend going down there – he may be in the middle of a ritual."

Naruto nodded, and inwardly smiled. Even if they didn't want to admit it, they really did operate much like he thought a family would. Excluding all the eccentric behaviour. He had to admit, although he loved Konoha, it was not as much of a home to him as the Akatsuki Hideout.

It had become evident to them that having such a powerful person as an ally was better than obtaining half the power, and have the demon unwilling to let them use it. Although that was their initial response, they soon grew close to the blonde, and he grew close to them as well.

The blonde was about to head for the kitchen, when he caught Itachi's Sharingan activate. Quizzically, he turned to look over at the Uchiha. Itachi stepped up to him, and stared at him. Not quite at him, but at his forehead.

"Ah...Naruto-kun, I do believe you are able to explain this?" he ventured, motioning at the blonde's head. Naruto reached up for the jewel, and his eyes softened as well as temporarily lowered to the ground, although his other features remained the same.

"It is a precious gift from Kurama-sama," he answered. "He told me it is called the Hakaigan." Itachi stepped back, a contemplative expression within his eyes as he allowed his Sharingan to rest – something he did a lot more often nowadays.

"Hakaigan...that is no dojutsu, Naruto-kun." Naruto shook his head.

"It is not. He told me that its uses are for me to discover. I have a feeling he may have given me immense power – I can only hope I use it wisely." The edge around Itachi's eyes softened ever so slightly.

"If Kurama-sama can give it to you without a second thought. He knows you will have the wisdom to use it as it is meant to be use. He has faith in you, Naruto-kun. All you need is faith in yourself." Naruto nodded. Itachi was right – he had trained to become the best that he could be, so why should he doubt himself? When one was a shinobi, doubting oneself was an extremely dangerous thing to do.

"I'm going to pay Deidara a small visit," he announced. "There's something I need from him." Itachi nodded, and made to head out of the hideout. Naruto watched him go before, walking over to a set of stairs by the wall, and beginning his ascent.

He knew he wouldn't be able to put up the obnoxious blonde façade before his friends – that was beyond him. He had tried, but somehow, his training combined with his work with the Akatsuki, had destroyed that personality. He couldn't kill mercilessly with a friendly demeanour. He didn't know how he would be able to explain himself once he reached Konoha.

Walking down the hall, he rapped his knuckles against a door that was immediately adjacent to another one. He heard the yell of, "Wait a moment, un!" and the alarming sound of a crash and a curse or two, before the door clicked open.

It was pulled back, and Naruto blinked as a dust covered Deidara appeared before him. The long-haired blonde didn't seem to be expecting him, and upon sight, grinned in greeting. "Hey, Naruto! Long time no see, un," he greeted, inviting him in.

Naruto stepped into the workshop, which was laden with many an elaborate sculpture. Naruto had often watched Deidara and Sasori's spats about art, and in his opinion, both of them were extremely talented in their respective work.

He eyed a detailed sculpture of an owl that had yet to be painted. Or maybe Deidara would leave it as it was. Whatever the case, he had not seen it before, and it did not look like an easy sculpture to model. Naruto wasn't one for art, but he could admire talent when he saw it.

"You know, you've really grown, un. The last time I saw you, you were at least a foot shorter than me, un," Deidara pointed out, staring at him. Naruto glanced down at himself, and shrugged lightly.

"I suppose I have. I didn't really notice," he replied. Deidara nodded absent-mindedly.

"I take it you came here for what you requested last time? I had plenty of time to work on it because Pein-sama didn't send me on any missions." Naruto nodded, a smile playing on his lips. Deidara caught it, and elbowed him mischievously. "Finally – a smile on mister serious's face. For a moment I was worried we were going to get a blonde Itach- un!" Naruto glanced at Deidara, who was looking intently at him.

"Is there a problem?" he questioned. Deidara shook his head.

"I don't think so, un. I just what to know what that is; you didn't have it the last time I saw you." He pointed, and realization dawned on Naruto. Inwardly, he sighed. He'd have to somehow hide that when he returned to Konoha if he wanted to avoid any questions. His thoughts soured somewhat. But then again, Byakugan would still be able to see it, hidden or not.

"It's a gift from Kurama-sama," he explained once again, leaving it at that. Deidara scrutinized it for a moment before shrugging.

"All right then," he responded. "Whatever it is, I'm sure he gave it to you for a reason, un." Naruto nodded in silent agreement. Kurama had already explained to him why it was being given to him, but the blonde still had a feeling that the demon was still hiding something from him.

Deidara glanced over his shoulder, before disappearing amongst all the clay sculptures. "Wait here, un," he called over to the blonde. Naruto nodded in response, and stood there, knowing better than to move. He didn't want to break any of Deidara's artwork and have to face the sculptor's wrath.

A few moments later, the long-haired blonde reappeared with something in his hands. It was held out to Naruto, who took it, and looked over it. In his hand was a mask that was fashioned to cover his entire face. It was painted purely in black, and contrived to imitate the face of a fox.

The entire creation was elaborate and flawless in the blonde's eyes. But then again, he wasn't that much of an art critic. It could have been nothing to Deidara. But the details that were put into that piece alone amazed him, even though it didn't show very much on his features.

"Amazing," he complimented. "Just like all your other work," he added, looking around the room. Deidara grinned proudly.

"Much better than Sasori-no-Danna's, un," he bragged. Naruto breathed out a huff of amusement.

"Perhaps, but as a fellow artist, you should still respect him, right?" Naruto queried. Deidara raised his eyes imploringly to the roof, before his grin took on a slight smirk.

"I do respect him as a fellow artist, but that doesn't mean his art is better than mine, un," he replied. Naruto didn't like the sound of that. He resolved to leave the hideout before they started another argument. Hopefully it would not branch to a fight. Their fights could be 'artistic' in both style, and language. The latter was only a matter of opinion, though.

Naruto slipped it on to test it for comfort, and to his surprise, found that it was made exactly to his face's proportions, and fit perfectly. Deidara was definitely skilled if he could make something like this without taking direct measurements. Then again, that scope may have had something to do with it.

"Don't worry about taking care of it, un. I infused it with chakra to strengthen it – it's virtually unbreakable, un. If it does break, then you can just take it to me and I'll fix it for you. Is that all right with you, Kitsune-san, un?" Deidara asked teasingly. Naruto gazed at him with mock-seriousness.

"Indeed, Deidara-san. If anything happens to this product of yours, I will bring it directly to you, trusting your expertise." The windblown comment earned him another elbow to his ribs. At least it wasn't a slap. He had, roughly put, freaked out when he first saw those mouths.

He turned, and made to leave, his smile widening somewhat as he turned to face Deidara. With genuine honesty in his eyes, he assured, "I'll take good care of it. If I break it, I'll only be taking away more of your time working on your other projects." Deidara rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Don't worry about that – true art lasts only a moment, doesn't it?" he countered. Naruto shrugged and placed his hand on the doorknob, his smile dissipating to a neutral expression.

"That may be so, but there are moments that can last forever." With that, he opened the door, and exited the room, closing it carefully behind him, and leaving the long-haired blonde staring after him, the vaguest hint of surprise and amusement in their blue depths.

Naruto slipped on the mask, and positioned it at the side of his face so that he didn't have to carry it around. It would be nothing but a burden if he had to carry it all the way back to Konohagakure. He ran his fingers through his hair, and sighed as he continued to walk.

He descended the stairs, only to be caught dead by Konan. She smiled, and grabbed his wrist, pulling him into the kitchen. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, although he did allow the smallest of smiles to appear on his face. Konan could be such a mother at times, although he thought of her as more of a big sister, if he would be honest.

"You haven't visited us in so long, Naruto," she chided good-naturedly. He simply stood there and received his reprimanding. She could scold him as much as she wanted – her voice wasn't annoying to listen to. As a matter of fact, she didn't sound angry at all – just amused.

"My apologies, Konan-san. I've been very busy lately, and I just thought I'd stop by before I head back to Konoha." Konan motioned to the table, and he sat down. He knew it was more of an order than an invite, but he didn't mind. His insatiable thirst for ramen could complete only with Konan's food. She cooked very well. There were some things about Naruto that still remained Naruto no matter what he acted like.

"I got such short notice that you were coming over, so I just whipped up some vegetable tempura and yakitori for you," she listed. "Enjoy!"

He nodded, and reached for one of the sticks of yakitori. She sat down across from him as he began to eat.

"How has your training with Kurama-sama been progressing?" she asked. He swallowed what was in his mouth, and thought for a moment.

"It's what you can call the end of the beginning, I suppose," he answered. "Kurama-sama has told me that he has finished teaching me one on one. I have much more to learn, but he will not be directly teaching me, just guiding me." He took another bite.

"I see..." Naruto could see her eyes trail to his forehead, but he was thankful that she made no question towards his gift. It was becoming a little tiresome to have to repeat an explanation every time someone saw him. Although he would probably have to do so with the Godaime. "Use your power wisely, Naruto. And never forget that you cannot do everything alone."

Naruto nodded at the statement. Even if he may not be able to reveal this to his friends in Konoha, he could still trust that Kurama would help him if he ever needed it. He would trust the Kyuubi with his life. He was sure that Kurama knew that as well.

"I will, Konan-san," he reassured. She shook her head, the gentle smile still on her features.

"And you don't need to be so formal with me. Konan-chan or just Konan is fine," she said, amused. He nodded, a small smile appearing around his eyes.

"All right then, Konan-chan," he agreed. She laughed.

"I assume you got that from Deidara?" she asked, motioning to the mask on the side of his head. "The craftsmanship is exemplary, and I do not know of many other sculptors in the area." Naruto nodded, in answer.

"Yes, I did. I do not intend to enter the village as Uzumaki Naruto and be recognized immediately. I need a private audience with the Godaime Hokage," his eyes glinted as he thought about the events. He knew that his friends, the Rookie 9 and Team Gai did not hold any animosity towards him any more – none of the shinobi did, really – but that didn't mean the townspeople didn't.

"You've grown quite a bit as well, so with your face covered, you should not be all that recognizable," Konan agreed. "Even your voice has changed." Naruto realized that it was true. Long gone was the boisterous and even somewhat high pitched voice he once had. It was now replaced by a more brazen timbre. He hoped that no one would recognize him immediately.

He had only eaten a small portion, but ate no more, as he could not. Another result of his training had been the braving of hunger. He had survived years with only supplementary food before he ran into the Akatsuki which, ironically enough, was just before he returned to Konoha to become a genin. It wasn't too hard, seeing as he had received three years of rigorous training and he was far beyond his age in knowledge and power. But after eating so little for so long, his appetite had diminished considerably.

He stood up, and glanced down at Konan who was still seated. "I will go have a quick talk with Pein-sama before I leave for Konoha," he announced, nodding at her, before he left the room. She stared up at him, before her eyes drifted to the food that had been left behind. There was still quite a bit of it.

"Ah, I just missed the brat." Konan glanced over at Sasori as the redhead walked up to the table, staring at Naruto's retreating back. She shrugged slightly, and motioned to the food.

"Are you hungry?" she questioned. He stared at her for a brief moment before sighing, and making his way up the stairs.

"I'm a puppet. I don't, won't and can't eat," he stated. She blinked, before biting into a piece of tempura. When he wore his cloak, she always forgot that, as she could not see the joints. When he was wearing his cloak, Sasori did look like a real human.

Naruto headed over to the door on the farthest side of the room. Thrice, he knocked on the door in rapid succession. He waited until he was given permission to enter before he did so. Opening the door, he stepped into the room, and closed it behind him.

The room was a medium sized one with more doors that Naruto knew were bedrooms. Six doors to be exact. The room was fairly simple in terms of furnishings, the main chattel being bookshelves to keep records and other things.

There was a desk in the centre of the room, and upon it sat many open scrolls, a pot of ink, and a brush. Naruto waited until Pein lifted his gaze, and spotted him. Naruto could remember the time where he first saw the Rinnegan – much like Deidara's hands, it had unnerved him due to its abnormality when compared to the Sharingan or Byakugan.

"Ah, Naruto-kun." Naruto bowed briefly in greeting, before walking over.

"Pein-sama. I just dropped by for a small visit. I am headed to Konohagakure and most likely will be there for a long while. If there are any concerns..." he drifted off. The orange-haired shinobi shook his head.

"You are a trustworthy person, Naruto-kun. But there is one thing I will have to check into. Here." Naruto easily caught the scroll as it was lobbed over to him, and unrolled it, reading over it. His eyes narrowed slightly.

When he finished reading, his eyes had gone from blue with hints of purple to a vibrant shade of the secondary colour. He frowned. "I should have known that something would be done. But I still cannot allow it. I will go to Konoha as soon as I can."

Pein nodded, and rolled up the scroll, tying it closed with a black and red strip of cloth. He handed it to the blonde, who accepted it. "Give this to Tsunade-sama, but do not tell her who it is from. She will be able to guess, but her reaction is indefinite." Naruto nodded, and slipped his mask onto his face, before bowing.

"I will. I am to leave now, and hopefully make it back by or before sundown. If not, then tomorrow morning." Pein propped his elbows up on the desk, and nodded.

"That sounds reasonable. You may go, but after you explain to me the jewel in your forehead." Behind his mask Naruto frowned, but luckily for him Rinnegan did not grant the user the ability to see through solid surfaces.

"It is a gift given to me by Kurama-sama. He called it the Hakaigan, and told me that its uses are for me to discover. I have yet to know the extent of its ability." Pein nodded, a somewhat interested look in his eyes. He sighed.

"You may go," he stated, and waited for the blonde to leave the room. He then stood up and walked over to one of the shelves, searching through the many scrolls that littered the article of furniture. He frowned in thought. He was sure he had had heard about the Hakaigan somewhere. Or maybe he was wrong...

Naruto exited the room, and walked back through the living room. He paused by the kitchen, and lifted his hand in a wave to Konan, who merely smiled and waved back, before shooing him off. He nodded in assent, and headed out of the hideout.

Once outside, he looked around to make sure no one was watching him. He stretched his arms, and walked a few steps before beginning to run. He jumped into the trees, and leapt from branch to brancnh at a speed that could not possibly be maintained by an ordinary human being.

The leaves rustled and branches whipped after him in his wake as he ran through the forest. He sighed softly, and allowed his gaze to drift upwards. It had been seven years ever since he had been in Konoha. He wondered how much everyone else had changed.

"Kurama-sama, did you know about this?" he questioned in his mind. A soft growl was the immediate response in his head.

Kit, I made no attempt to read the future, but it is inevitable. Humans have a habit of interfering in places where they do not belong. I do not put this past them, and as a matter of fact, I'm a little surprised it has not occurred earlier.

Naruto blinked slowly, his face still emotionless. "Do you think they know about my training?"

I will look into that. They may, but I did not sense them in any way during our eleven years. You did not sense them either. It is impossible for the chakra of anyone to be hidden so well that it is undetectable by me.

"Kurama-sama, I think you may have to speak with Tsunade-sama as well." He could hear a small noise of disapproval.

Are you sure about that, kit? The woman is unpredictable. Naruto rolled his eyes.

"But she is also a very trustworthy person. I know she will not act out of haste. She trusts me as well, so if I explain to her at first, she will listen." Kurama sighed.

If you insist, kit. I'll hold you to this one.

This is probably too much to register in one chapter alone XD Naruto will be extremely out of character for part of this story, by the way. But that's on purpose (yes, I can write him in character, but that defeats the purpose of this entire thing)

Your comments are greatly appreciated. Cookies will be given even if you don't come to the dark side~