Thanks to everyone who left a review. I had many request to make certain pairings and a couple to not make a yaoi. Here are the results:
Sasunaru: 12
Itanaru: 1
Nejinaru: 3
Shikanaru: 3
Kyunaru: 1
Naruhin: 1
So far Sasuke is winning. Many said he wasn't worthy of being with Naru, but I still haven't made up my mind yet. Enjoy this next chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Panther Chapter III
They were near. The people who were drawn to the sun have arrived to the village of Konoha. Each person was different, but had one great common bond. They all loved and were willing to die for the blond male. He was their light in the darkness and now they will be his light.
Two people were probably the most familiar out of the group to those that lived in the village. The Kazekage with his infamous gourd was near the front. His red hair was dark under the moonlight. No longer tired all the time, thanks to the death of his inner demon and from the help of Naruto, Gaara of the Sand was for once in his life at peace. The blond was like a brother to him and he wanted his brother to be happy.
The second person was the most surprising, Uchiha Itachi. The missing nin of Konoha had once again returned home. Why? For he was never a killer but an avenger like his brother. The former Akatsuki member had followed the blond back to his home in order to protect him from the hatred that would come. He loved Naruto and wished that he still had some of his innocence left, but the bastards in the village made sure to destroy it slowly over time.
There were three other people in the group. One man was unusual in looks. He was tall and muscular like Asuma-sensei, but he had dark green eyes and dark blond hair. His coloring was also tan, but tan like he was always out in the sun. His name was Hawk and he was a berserker from Scotland. A berserker was a person who went into battle mode and did not stop until all enemies were destroyed. He too carried a sword like Naruto and he had traveled far to see the blond.
The next was a woman with blue black hair and dark honey colored eyes. She was not tall or curvy, but one could tell she was strong by the muscles seen in her arms. She was called Faye and her home was in the mountains of Italy. Her specialty was the ability to adjust to any battle situation and scan for an opponent's weakness. She preferred to not use any weapons, but if she had too her choice was the bow and arrow. The only person she has yet to defeat was Naruto.
Lastly there was a young man that was from the land of China. He had dark brown hair and golden eyes. Going by the name of Aries (like the consolation); he was a sword master with abilities above those of a samurai in Japan. He moved like the wind and was one of the best sparring opponents in the group. Like Faye, he too couldn't beat Naruto in a sword fight. In a game of chess he barely wins.
"Hello, mio piccolo," said Faye with a small smile.
"I'm taller then you, yet you still call me little one." Naruto could only let some warmth shine into his eyes. How he missed these people. This was his family, and though it was small it was a good family.
"It's cause I'm older then you still." Faye stuck her tongue out at the blond.
"Hai, I know. Now are you guys ready to face down my kaasan?"
Everyone nodded. Gaara already knew Tsunade, so he wasn't worried about being yelled at. No, he was only worried about being interrogated when she found out he knew where the blond was all these years.
Before the group left a spell was placed on Itachi. In China and Scotland, Naruto learned magic and decided it was the best course to use to guard against any blood line limit within the village. In Itachi's place was a young man with dark hair, brown eyes, and nothing that made him stand out in a crowd.
The small group traveled into the village and towards the tower. Tsunade was waiting inside with Jiraiya, ready to meet her son's other family members. She knew that they were good people if Naruto could let them in beyond the mask he normally displayed to the rest of the world. So few had gained his trust and many had never gained at all because of their actions.
The knock at the door announced that they all had arrived. It was time.
"Hello, kaasan. Otosan. I would like you to meet some special people." The rest of the group walked in. Some how she was not surprise to see Gaara. She knew he was always close to the blond.
"Ah, it is nice to meet you. Sit and let me know about yourselves."
"First there is one person you should know about before you get angry," said Naruto. He released the spell on Itachi.
"What is he doing here!" yelled both Tsunade and Jiraiya.
"Itachi is not what he seems. He didn't kill his family like everyone was lead to believe. It was another Uchiha using henge. Itachi left to go track him down."
"So, he went missing to stop another Uchiha? That means I'll have to reinstate you, if you are going to stay."
"I'm staying. Naru-kun needs us all here. Plus, knowing the council they will want the oldest Uchiha back."
Tsunade and Jiraiya nodded their heads at the fact. The council would take back the Uchiha and the village will greet him with smiles. Just like when Sasuke left and turned traitor towards the Leaf, he was handed smiles and welcome backs from everyone, except Naruto.
"Now, the lovely lady is Faye. She is from the country of Italy far to the West. The big guy is Hawk. He is from the beautiful lands of Scotland. Lastly the quiet one is Aries. He calls China home."
Each person smiled at the two that the blond male called family. They each could see how strong and good in heart the people were. Like Tsunade thought before, they had to be good people for Naruto to trust them.
"Naruto, I don't want to ruin the good mood, but there is a problem. The council wants to announce your return. Hyuuga-sama, Nara-san, and a couple of others tried to stop them, but they were outvoted by the rest."
"They are only doing this to torture me. Still it will be amusing to see everyone's reaction. How far did the dobe really come?"
The rest at first stared at Naruto, but soon laughed because that was how he was. He took everything in stride and somehow always made it out on top. So, the council wants to hurt him, then they will see how it backfires.
Before the group could come up with a subtle way to announce his return a knock was heard at the door. They quickly redid Itachi's spell and waited for the person to enter. While others were shock to see Hinata come in, Naruto was not. He knew she was here to see him.
"Sorry, Hokage-sama. I wanted to talk to him."
"Who?" asked Tsunade
"Naruto-kun of course. I knew it was him the minute I saw the eyes. Unlike Sakura I would recognize them anywhere."
"Hinata-chan, I knew you were smarter then all of them put together."
Hinata looked at the man who was once a boy with big dreams. In that boy's place she saw confidence but not arrogance, power but no greed for more, and a soul that has seen and done much but was still willing to care on all burdens. This was someone she trusted to lead her into battle and stop all enemies ahead.
The young woman walked up to the blond and hugged him like the long lost brother he was. He was home and she was happy.
"Welcome home Naruto-kun."
"Thank you Hinata-chan."
The family of the blond smiled. It seemed that one more person was added to the group. They had another sister to help watch over their brother.
/ Kit, let's commemorate your return by using one of your older and most famous prank. /
/ Ah, yes I know which one. /
The sparkle of mischief in both Kyuubi's and Naruto's eyes had everyone wary. They knew it had to be a prank. It was rare for them to cause one, but when they did it was always something big.
That night Kyuubi and Naruto planned their prank. It was their way of saying that he was back. Their jaws will drop and shock will be shared all around. It was perfect.
On the day of the announcement many shinobi were gathered outside the tower. None knew what soon the sun will shine upon them again. But will the sun with hope or give off a glare of disgust?
"People of Konoha I'm please to announce that one of our own has returned. He and his family will be staying and helping us…" before Tsunade finished there was a loud poof near the Hokage Mountain.
Everyone turned their attention towards the mountain and was shock to see all five faces covered in paint. Wait paint! Only one person ever had the nerve to decorate the mountain. No way! He was back!
"As I was saying Uzumaki Naruto and his family have returned to Konoha." Tsunade didn't know whether to laugh or get mad. In the end she couldn't hold it in anymore and laughed her head off. The village had been very boring with out the blond male and now it will be exciting once more.
"Hmmm…I think we over did it Fox," said Panther.
"Maybe." Kyuubi was trying not to fall on his butt because of how much he was laughing. The rest of their group could only sigh. It was good and daring. Only those two would do something like that.
"You two go and talk to the rest. I'm sure their will be more explosions today if you don't" Tsunade walked back into her office after the order.
Outside the tower the former Rookie Nine, all the senseis, Gai's team, and others who knew the blond waited for his arrival. When Fox and Panther exited they were disappointed, until Shino looked into blue eyes. Though he was the quietest person in the group he was the most observant.
"Welcome home Naruto," he said quietly to the shorter male.
"Huh!" said several people. Looking at Panther again they only saw the blue eyes. That couldn't be Naruto. He had no whisker marks and was very calm, compared to the loud and obnoxious boy they knew in the past.
"I wondered what took you so long Shino."
Naruto pulled his bandanna off his head. For the first time they saw his hair. The spiky locks of blond were now longer and less wild. They were heavily streaked with a wine red color.
"Sorry, my bugs said you tasted familiar, but they couldn't remember from where though."
Before Naruto could reply he was hit across the face by Sasuke. The hit didn't faze him and he looked back to see the heavily breathing Uchiha.
"Where the hell have you been? Dobe, do you know how worried everyone has been?"
"Really? Only one person from this village figured out who I was the minute I returned. Isn't it strange that only that person could see me and not the mask? You're angry because I did not act like an idiot leaving and coming to this place."
Sasuke's Sharingan had started to come out during the conversation. He was pissed beyond anything.
/ He acts like we aren't important to him anymore! I'm not important to him anymore/
"Naruto!" shouted several voices. They had finally gotten over the shock and each were trying to talk to him. Most were angry and a few understood why he needed to leave the village.
"Enough!" shouted Kyuubi. He saw that his kit was becoming agitated by the different people surrounding him. "Naruto, will answer some questions, but not all. His training is a secret, as is some of his jutsus."
"Thanks, mio bello." Naruto smiled a small smile towards Kyuubi. He didn't like being around many people anymore.
"Mio piccolo, you have many unusual people here in your village," said Faye. She and the rest had just left the tower and saw the confrontation.
"I doona know why they are acting this way, but I think they might not be all there." Hawk's eyes were laughing from all the commotion the shinobi were making. He knew what had happened to the younger blond and felt that none of these people were fit to be around his brother.
"It is because they are angry for being fooled again by Naruto-kun," said Hinata. She had joined the small group inside when the announcement was made.
Everyone looked at the group behind the blond. Each person was different in looks and origin. They stood out from the people of the village. Sasuke was not happy to see how close Naruto was with people who were complete strangers to him and the rest of Konoha.
"Naruto-kun, let's show your family around the village. I'm sure they would like to see your old home," suggested Hinata.
Naruto looked at his old group and then towards his new family. These people were true to him. They knew what he was and who he was. They would not turn their backs on him and leave him in the dark.
"Hai. I have much to show you. Kaasan, has given us my birthright, so…we can move in there later on."
The family was getting ready to leave when Sasuke, who was still angry, went to tackle the blond. Naruto sensing the attack twirled on the balls of his feet and tapped the body of Sasuke as he flew past the blond. The tap caused the Uchiha to loose his control and fling his body towards the ground hard. The impact knocked the air out of the brunet and left him in a daze.
"I'll tell you this only once Sasuke. Leave me be. I'm no longer your friend."
Naruto and his group left. Shino decided to join them since the younger blond male did not seem angry towards him. In truth Shino was one of the few Naruto actually got along with in Konoha. Many did not know it though because the friendship was stopped by some many events in their short lives. Now the friendship could be renewed and maybe, like with Hinata, a new person could be added into the family.
TBC
So, I hope you like this chapter so far. Shika and Neji will play bigger roles later. The relationship between Naru and Sasuke is still in the air. Plus Itachi will come out of disguise soon. Please Read and Review!
Italian Dictionary:
mio piccolo: my little one
mio bello: my beautiful one