So far so good. Only one complaint. First of all this an AU story, so I can have Naruto travel wherever I want. Second, I didn't want his family to be just from Japan. That would be too boring. So, nah nah. Here are the newest counts for the pairings:

Sasunaru: 17

Itanaru: 7

Nejinaru: 4

Shikanaru: 4

Kyunaru: 4

Naruhina: 2

Narutemar: 1

Itakyu: 1

Itagaa: 1

I'm going to keep off pairings for awhile. I don't want them to take up too much of the story. It is more focus on Naru's return and how he handles those he knew from his past.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Panther Chapter IV

After Naruto and his family left the Hokage tower the rest of the shinobi still could not comprehend what had happened. The once loud and cheerful blond, was now the opposite of everything he was.

"Are they sure that was Naruto and not an imposter?" asked Sakura.

"I'm not sure. My Byakugan only sees his chakra and it is different, but at the same time familiar. It is like his old pathways, but the one that he use to use is gone."

"How is that possible?" asked Sakura.

No one in the group could answer the question. Shikamaru stood off to the side thinking over everything that they thought they knew about Naruto and the Naruto that had returned to Konoha. The two personalities seemed to clash with one another. Next was also the odd group he was seen with. Sure they knew Shino, Hinata, and Gaara but they had no clue who the other four were. Shikamaru felt he needed to lie down and think this over more.

While the lazy genius stood away from the group thinking, Kakashi went to check up on Sasuke. The Uchiha looked to be stuck in a trance. The words must have hit hard to the brunet. He had been so angry when Naruto left, but he had always assumed it was because no one, not even he could bring Naruto back. The blond had brought Sasuke back, but none of them could return the favor.

"Sasuke are you okay?" asked Kakashi. He knew it was a stupid question to ask, but it was needed to be said. Kakashi was also hurt by the coldness Naruto had displayed to all of them and was confused by the power that he and his partner, Fox, had shown to them during the test.

"Hn." Sasuke was ready to go after the blond again. He would keep following Naruto, like when Naruto kept following him. This was his silent vow to the world.

Iruka was just beyond shock. The one he loved like a brother turned his back on him. Why? Was it as Hinata said, and he truly didn't see the mask the blond had worn all those times? The academy sensei was determined to find out.

As each person walked off, either together or alone, all of them wondered what happened in those six years. Not only was the blond stronger then them combined, but his personality was completely different.

Naruto

As the blond and his friends showed his family around the village, whispers were heard. The cold stares were given and the old taunts started again. The only difference this time around was the return of the cold stares. The villagers were not shinobi, but the aura of power that surrounded the group did not go unnoticed.

"This place has some bad chi. These, people are still full of hate towards you Naruto," said Aries.

"Aye, I don't like it one bit." Hawk was giving the icy glare of the berserker causing some of the people to shrink under the gaze.

/ Kyu-kun, I can feel your anger. Don't let them bother you. /

/ I know that you are strong, but I hate to see those eyes land upon you. You are an angel in disguise and these fools don't see it. They don't see the goodness of your soul. /

"Hmmm…They don't understand who or what I am, so they will hate and fear me. That is the way of people who have not really seen the outside world. All they could do is follow what they know based on others opinions."

"They are weak then," said Gaara. The Kazekage had decided on also walking with the rest through Konoha, even though he had been there many times.

The group were soon found themselves by Ichiraku. Since they were all hungry they went inside and were happily greeted by Ayame and the owner. They were some of the few that generally like Naruto.

"Hey Naruto! I'm happy to see you again," said Ayame. The young woman had always seen him as a younger brother. The blond male had used the small stand as a haven from the harshness of the villagers.

"Hello Ayame. I hope you and the rest are well."

"Hai. Now what would you and the rest like to eat?"

As the group ordered and talked among themselves, anyone passing by could feel the aura of happiness that surrounded them. Shino was told about the test the council had Naruto and Fox go through. He was not there because he just left for a one day mission. No one could tell, but on the inside he was laughing about the techniques used on the strongest shinobi in the village.

"I'm impressed Naruto-kun. Your skills were always amazing, but your new ones are just as great."

"Thanks. I hope to spar you one day as well."

Shino nodded his head in agreement. To spar someone on Naruto's level would be an experience that could not be compared.

The food was eaten and stories were told. The small family was happy and content to be around one another, until the presence of someone watching them was felt by Naruto and Kyuubi.

/ Kit, I think you need to talk to him. He wasn't one of the many who had hurt you. /

/ Hai. Kyu-kun, distract everyone for me. /

While everyone was listening to a story that Kyuubi was telling them about, Naruto faded into the shadows by the bar. He reappeared a yard behind the watcher.

"Really Neji, I didn't think you were one to spy on people."

Neji turned around and saw the object of his watching to be right behind him. It still surprised him on how well Naruto covered up his chakra.

"We need to talk." Neji wanted to know everything.

The two walked off heading towards the woods. It gave Naruto a sense of peace being surrounded by nature and Neji felt more at ease knowing that it would be hard for someone to listen upon the conversation.

"Where have you been for the last six years?"

"I have been to the far West and all over Japan. For the first four years I lived in China, Italy, and Ireland. Those are countries that are bigger and quite different from our own. In the last two years I lived in Wave Country. There I became a member of the ANBU."

"Why did you leave?"

"To protect my sanity and preserve what was left of my soul. Tell me Neji, how many years can you truly live when the eyes of those around you only look through you, but at the same time they are looking at you?"

"What do you mean?" Neji was confused. Sure he has seen people glaring at the blond and some even give him the cold shoulder, but he never knew why.

"Do you want to know my greatest secret? I'm a vessel just like Gaara was. I held the strongest of the tailed demons in my body. I was chosen at birth to carry the burden for this village. That was my lot in life. Why do you think I live alone and people hate me? Why do you think I fought so hard against everyone that wanted to hold me down?"

Neji was stunned. Naruto was a vessel like Gaara, but he was different then the Kazekage. He didn't kill for the pleasure, nor did he ever go on a rampage. He was always cheerful and kind. Determination and love were part of Naruto's vows when they were younger.

"Why didn't you tell any of us sooner? Why carry the burden alone?"

"Would you trust anyone after being alone for so long? It was a burden given to me alone. None of you could be strong enough mentally or emotionally. I know you have the seal on you also, but at least you have a family. I didn't at the time."

A quiet filled the forest. It was true. Neji had the love of his father, before he died and he still has the love of his cousins and uncle now. Naruto had nothing until Jiraiya and Tsunade came. Sure Iruka tried, but he could never understand the burden in Naruto's soul. Many did not wish to see how fragile the blond was. He was thrust into the light as the pillar of the Rookie Nine and Gai's team. Too many things were placed on such young shoulders.

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

Neji now knew what Naruto meant. A person could only last so long with icy looks before they are driven insane. He took the best path and left. He left to become stronger mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. These people that arrived with him were the ones who helped heal the blond over time.

"I want to join your family. I want to help you now, since you helped me all those years ago."

"It is always nice to have a real friend. I'm sure you'll like everyone else. Oh, I forgot. Fox is really Kyuubi. He isn't that bad. One day he might tell you why he attacked the village."

Naruto left Neji in the forest after that last bit of news. Really who wouldn't be shock to know that the famous Kyuubi was also known as the Fox?

/ I should have known. Only Naruto is surrounded by such powerful people. /

As Naruto went back towards the village he had many thoughts in his head. He was happy that Neji still looked upon him as a friend and not a monster, plus it was nice to have someone else know about his secret. The blond knew that not everyone in the Rookie Nine could handle such truths. Such as how much stronger he had become compared to the rest.

/ Kit, are you ready to see your home/

/ Hai. He would have been happy to see his family once again in the ancestral home. /

/ He would. /

The Yondaime had left a beautiful home for his son. Though it was hidden, the house was huge. A garden like no other surrounded the house. It was full of trees with Sakura blossoms, roses, lilies, and other flowers. It was breathtaking.

"It is beautiful, mio piccolo."

"Aye, I just hope there is a training area nearby."

Everyone else could only nod there head. The small group walked into the house and knew this was a good place. The atmosphere inside was homey and had a warmth to it. The high ceilings and vast rooms did not deter from those feelings.

"Well, let's all pick a room to stay in. Shino-kun and Hinata-chan, you guys should pick one too. So, if you ever want to stay the night you have a place."

Shino and Hinata were happy to be welcomed into the family. They knew that they might just stay there a lot. It was greatly different from their homes. They were not stifled by rules because they were heir to their respected clans. No here they were shinobi, brother/sister, and friend.

"Yeah! There is a pool outback and a training ground not to far away!" yelled Kyuubi. He was one happy kitsune. He could feel the goodness here and was happy that his kit was surrounded by it all.

Naruto stood around and listened to all of the cries of joy and surprise by each new discovery. As the blond looked upon his family, he knew that he would tell Shino and Hinata about his secrets and about Itachi. In his gut Naruto knew he could trust these two, just like he could trust Neji.

As night fell and the people ate dinner, Naruto called them all into the main sitting room. Only Kyuubi knew what he was going to do and supported his kit all the way.

"Shino-kun and Hinata-chan, I'm going to tell you why I left and the main reason why everyone hates me."

Shino and Hinata both held their breaths. The look in the blond's eyes were the most serious they have ever seen. What made him so hated by the villagers and many of their fellow shinobi?

"About twenty-two years ago you know that the Kyuubi attacked our village. What you don't know is that the great demon was not killed, but sealed. Our Yondaime chose a child born on that day and used them as a vessel. He sealed the kitsune into the child and died that same day because in sealing the demon he made a pact with the shinigami."

The two Konoha shinobi were shock. A child was picked to be the vessel of such a powerful demon? That was horrible.

"The child grew up not knowing why they were hated and cried out each day for someone to love them. Eventually they grew to be a shinobi, but no matter how many times this person tried to help or do good they were looked down upon. Soon even those they thought were their friends used the shinobi as a punching bag."

They knew the minute the blond described the child's life, whom the vessel was. How many years did each of them overlook the hated glares the blond received?

"After the child left they met many new people and learned the reason why Kyuubi attacked. A curse was placed upon the great demon, not because he was evil rather because he was good. The child learned how to release the curse and soon the demon was released upon the child's eighteenth birthday. The child made a family upon their journey and now stands before stronger because of leaving."

Naruto waited for the two's reaction to his story. He was slightly nervous, but was ready for rejection.

"Naruto-kun, you are the reason I wanted to become stronger. You have faced many hardships and grew up because of them. For that I thank you for inspiring me. I do not hate you. I pity those that do not know the real you." Shino nodded his head. He too respected the blond throughout their younger years and hoped that he had healed on his long journey.

"That is good. My kit is precious to me and to others. We hate to see him hurt."

"Kyuubi-san, we would never hurt him. He is precious to us too." Hinata figured out who Fox was based on the story. She knew that once the demon was freed he might not leave the one person he had been with for so many years.

"Ah, there is one more thing. This will shock you almost just as much. Along my journey I met up with Itachi, Sasuke's brother, and well it has been proven that he didn't kill the Uchiha clan."

"Oh dear, that might be awkward for Sasuke then if his brother shows up," said Hinata.

"That's another thing…he kind of is already here." Once he finished that statement Naruto released the spell that was put upon Itachi.

The two Konoha shinobi blinked at seeing the infamous missing nin of Konoha and Itachi could only look back at them with a bland look.

"Hello, Hinata-san, I haven't seen you since you were small."

"Hai. It has been a long time. I'm happy to hear that you are an innocent man."

The tension in the air grew less as everyone talked. The warmth returned and Naruto smiled on seeing his precious people together. He knew it was a small peace before the storm struck.

TBC

Yeah, another chapter down. Sorry, there is more talking then action in this one, but I wanted Hinata and Shino to know certain things first. Please Read and Review!!!