The votes are in and those who don't like yaoi should stop reading later on. The pairings will not happen for awhile. It is all about the action first. Plus it was a close contest between two characters in the end. I might have to flip a coin to see who wins. One with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Panther VI

The three men entered the home to a silent group. It was going to be decided if the newest editions were friend or foe. If Naruto deemed them friend then there would be no problems coming from the family. If deemed foe, there would be some memory changes.

"What have you judged them? Are they friend or foe?" asked Hawk. The Celt was worried that the younger members were asked to do so much. In the eyes of many people they were still children, no matter how much they have experienced.

Naruto had a silent conversation with Itachi, Gaara, and Kyuubi. No words were needed. Each nodded their heads and looked at Neji and Shikamaru. The two Konoha shinobi held their breaths as they watched the four powerful men approached and surrounded them.

"You have been weighed," said Itachi.

"You have been measure," said Gaara.

"And we find you…," began Kyuubi.

"Worthy of learning who and what we are," finished Naruto.

There was a small rush of relief as the newest members of the group were brought into the living room. Everyone seated themselves as Naruto and Kyuubi told their story once more. Neji and Shikamaru were surprised on how strong each person was and why it was Hinata and Shino that were allowed to be part of the group since the discovery of who Naruto was. They felt ashamed of their actions towards the blond before his departure of Konoha and were glad to once again be apart of the sunshine.

"Now there was another reason why I'm back in Konoha. A darkness greater then a bijuu is coming. It knows no feeling of joy or life. It will drain everything of their spiritual energy and life energy. It is colder then the northern mountains and hotter then the sun. I want to help as many people as I can on stopping it. Innocents will be hurt if we don't do this." Naruto's face was set into his most serious of faces. All of them could see that this was an important matter and things must be prepared.

"Ano…Naruto-kun how do you know about this?" asked Hinata.

"Since I'm Nature's Heir I can sense things. I am in tuned with Nature and she is crying out against this darkness. It was not born of this world, but rather from a world were power is key and life must be destroyed."

"Do you hurt too because of this darkness?" asked Shino.

"Hai, it is like being stabbed over and over with a blunt kunai. My soul is being torn to pieces by this darkness."

Determination was what everyone felt. They wanted to help their friend and would do anything to make sure that the blond was saved. He was the link to them all and was one of the purest people to walk this realm. Not matter how much the villagers in Konoha hated him he still kept going and helped those in need. Very few ever looked beyond the shadow Kyuubi had left over Naruto's life. To many he will always be the demon that destroyed their village so many years ago. Kyuubi felt as though he could never repay the person he has come to view as his most precious being.

"There is a way to beat it, but for now I just want to be with you guys. So, let's leave the topic and get ready for dinner. Tsunade-kaasan and Jiraiya-tousan will be over also, so we can use the larger dinning room to eat."

The family had a good time eating dinner. It was full of laughter and stories. Naruto was told about how Neji was beaten up for using his eyes to spy in women's bath during a mission. Their target was a female missing nin and was in there at the time. The only problem was a young woman on her way to the baths saw him and screamed. It caused the rest of the women to rush out and beat the Hyuuga to the dirt, like Jiraiya when he is beaten by Tsunade.

Naruto left his family to their own devices because he had a mission to prepare for tomorrow. It was to be only him, with no back up. The council, with a small exception, were bastards. To hate someone to the extent of how they hated Naruto was truly beyong the scope of human understanding.

"Kit, don't worry. The council will soon be replaced by a new generation. Maybe this time around things will change. We can only hope."

"Hai. We can only hope," whispered Naruto. Kyuubi came and hugged the blond from behind. He too worried, but it wasn't something that the younger would fail at. Orochimaru was no match for him anymore. The snake would fall from power. "Kyu-kun, you know I love you, right?"

"What brought this on kit?"

"Just in case. You know that Orochimaru can be very cunning. I wanted you to know how much you mean to mean. You were the first one to be with me and I know you'll never leave me. If something happens to me I want you to help push the darkness back. I have already started up the new contract for the next Heir to Nature. Promise me you'll do this." Naruto had such a serious face that Kyuubi knew that the blond was not joking.

"You are my precious person Naruto. I'll do everything in my power to stop the darkness until the next Heir comes forth. I hope it will not come down to that." The kitsune hugged the younger male from behind. "All I can say is, be careful. I don't want to lose you."

Later that night Naruto was still awake. The mission was a test. Would the Kyuubi vessel survive or fail. If he failed then he was dead, either by the Orochimaru or the counsel. If he succeeded he still would be under scrutiny. No matter how hard he fought or worked, Naruto knew that the older generation was set in its ways. The younger one was not any better at times, but there was a small light of hope. People like Hinata and Shino were the ones who would be best to take over as leaders. They had open minds and hearts. Both shinobi knew not to judge based on one's appearance because they too were judged before being met.

"Naruto-kun, why are you awake? You need to sleep some before the mission." Itachi was an insomniac like Gaara, and did not get much sleep at night.

"I'm just thinking and remembering. How long has it been since we became family Tachi-kun?"

"Since you were a young child, almost 16 years. Back then you were so innocent, with eyes that shined onto the world. This place had almost killed you. I wish I could have been there for you." Itachi normally did not express this much outside of himself, but tonight he felt the blond needed to hear those words.

"Hmmm…it has been that long. Man, you're old Tachi-kun," grinned the younger male. He jumped swiftly away from the shuriken that was thrown where he once stood. Naruto laughed quietly. Very few people could make Uchiha Itachi react. The young male moved down the hall and towards his room. He really did need the sleep.

Morning

"Be careful gaki. I can't have you dead. It's so hard training another student," Jiraiya dramatically sighed. He yelped when Tsunade hit him on his head. "No one appreciates my humor," he cried.

"We do love you gaki. Come home to us that is all I ask of you."

The blond male looked at the Hokage and smiled a gentle smile. It was one that none of the Rookie Nine, bar Hinata and Shino, have ever seen on the whiskered face. It was as though the young male was at peace.

"I promise you kaa-san and tou-san, that I'll come home to you all. I can't leave my family behind." Naruto hugged Tsunade and Jiraiya before turning to the rest of his family.

"God's speed to you lad," said Hawk. The beserker had trained the blond a few days ago in the art of swords. Be it a broadsword, like the one on his own back, or a katana, Hawk wanted the younger male to master them all.

"Mio piccolo be safe. And don't be reckless." Faye kissed the blond on his cheeks and let Ares have his say.

"Remember brother that we are all behind you. No matter what happens we believe in you." They clasped their hands together at the elbows in a warrior handshake.

Gaara walked up to Naruto and looked him in the eyes. With a nod to each other, that only the two could understand, the red head stepped back. It was a nod of acknowledgment and caring. Gaara was not one for words, but Naruto always could understand him.

"Well, aren't you going to give me a hug Tachi-kun," laughed Naruto. The raven gave Naruto a glare, but it was in a dramatic way. The older Uchiha knew that the blond understood him just as well as he understood Gaara.

"Hn. Don't do anything stupid."

Laughing Naruto turned to the last person in his group. Kyuubi and he were connected on a whole different level. It went beyond being the jailed and jailor. They have seen each other's souls, their hearts, and their minds. Many would think that it would be the same for all of the vessels, but it couldn't be. Kyuubi and Naruto found a balance and a special relationship.

"Remember Kit, I can get to you no matter what. Just come home to us."

"I will come home. Now you be good and no pranking Itachi and Hawk. Last time it took a week for them to calm down and not kill you." The family laughed at that last comment. Kyuubi somehow got both men covered in blue paint from head to toe. It ended with the kitsune hiding in Naruto's room under the bed.

"I'll be good. Can't guarantee if the rest of the village is safe though," said Kyuubi with a sadistic smile.

Chuckling Naruto looked at them all. Hinata, Shino, Neji, and Shikamaru were already sent on another mission earlier that morning. They had said their good-bye's and made him also promise them to return home. The group was quiet angry with the counsel and promise to someday change it for the better. For now they would continue to do their duty and protect the village.

With one last glance at them all, the blond disappeared into the trees. He was leaping towards danger and possible his death, but this was an important mission. Despite what the counsel thought, he would go and take out Orochimaru. His precious people would not be threatened by that snake anymore.

"I call upon Mother Earth to let me see the unseen. Show me please what is hidden." He closed his eyes and opened them back up. Instead of the dazzling blue that was the norm they had become a deep forest green. The eyes were showing the blond what was ahead of him and what to expect from the monster he was leaping towards. While strategically place against other nations, Oto was not the place for those who could use earth.

Within the darkness of the village laid creatures that were not part of this world. Many were so horrid to look at. The demons, while weaker then the bijuu, made up their power from sheer numbers. Thousands upon thousands were in the village.

"So, he was the one who summoned the darkness. Baka thinks he can truly control the demons of another realm?" Naruto snorted at that. Orochimaru truly did not know what he was getting himself into. The demons would turn on the snake and destroy the world, covering it in darkness.

Konoha

Back in Konoha the small family went home or to work. Tsunade headed towards the Hokage Tower. Paper work always seemed to be piling up on her desk the minute she turned away. Shizune would have her head if she didn't get back soon. She took a step but then remembered something. Turning back around she pinned a glare upon Jiraiya.

"I do not want to hear any complaints about a pervert in the hot springs today you baka."

"I have to do my research. Come on just one peek?" begged Jiraiya.

The rest of the group left. They wanted to be far away when Tsunade puts the beat down upon Jiraiya's head. Kyuubi, Itachi, Faye, Gaara, Hawk, and Aries went back to the Uzumaki home. Since they had no missions themselves that day the family decided on training instead. It would be an every man ( and woman) for themselves match. Kyuubi was told he was not allowe to use his demon powers, otherwise he would have won hands down.

The village was going on in a peaceful hum when explosions were heard. While the shinobi knew what was going, since they have caused similar explosins before, the villagers were in a slight panic. Were they under attack?

"Sasuke-kun, who do you think caused that much destruction?" asked Sakura. She and the rest of the Rookie Nine, plus the senseis were getting ready for their own training that day. It was to be a combined work out for them. It was also good since four of their members were away.

"Probably the dobe's so called family."

"Wow, the power of their youth must be great!" shouted Lee. This proclamation caused his favorite sensei to loudly agree with them. Everyone tuned them out after years of practice.

"Can we check it out?" asked Ino. She was very curious about Naruto's family. While to the others they were interloping into 'their' territory, she felt that it was fitting. They never truly accepted the blond male and should not have been surprised when he came back with people who truly loved him.

With a shrug the senseis agreed to it. No one wanted to actually say that they really wanted to see the people who replaced them more closely. No one wanted to admit they were jealous of how close the new people were to the blond. Naruto was also still a mystery. How did he become so powerful? What attracted these people to him? It was confusing and in many ways painful.

There was one problem that didn't come to mind to the group until they were almost in the middle of the village. Where was Naruto's home? When Sakura voiced this the rest looked hopelessly at each other.

"You want to know where Naruto-kun lives?" asked a gentle voice.

Turning around they saw Hinata, Neji, Shikamaru, and Shino. They had just gotten back from their mission. It was a small one about retrieving a scroll from a house that was on the outskirts of the vast forest.

"Hai, do you know where it is?" asked Kurenai.

"Ah, we do Kurenai-sensei. We in fact stay there quiet often," explained Shino. The bug-wielder took in the jealous glare he received from a few.

/ How do they know where the dobe lives? Why can't I be a part of this family of his?/

"Eh, that's not fair!" shouted Kiba. He gave his teammates an angry glare. They were supposed to be comrades, and yet they chose the blond over him. He was not a happy beast fighter. Kiba calmed down when Akamaru barked up at him. The once puppy, now giant dog, was not happy with his master.

"Come and follow," ordered Neji.

"Troublesome," sighed Shikamaru. The group followed the newest member of the family to the home of one Uzumaki Naruto.

TBC

I hope everyone is happy I updated. Sorry, it's just hard with 5 stories going on. For those who like Prince of the Sun, I'm going to rewrite it. So, don't be mad when it disappears for awhile. Well, Read and Review! Thanks