This is more of Naruto's POV.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter the seventh

Naruto walked aimlessly around Konoha. His mind was filled with one person. Tsunade. Not that he still wanted to relive on what happened before he went away on his 'mission' but what he dwelt on mostly is on the happy memories they shared even though it mainly consisted of them bickering at each other. Naruto was relieved when he saw Tsunade doing fine but there is something in her eyes that shows all the pain she had in her heart. He continued to walk until he finally came to a stop on his favorite ramen stand, Ichiraku's. He took a sniff on the air and the scent of boiling ramen kissed his nose and as if on cue his stomach grumbled. Seeing that he has nothing to do he took a peek inside the stand and saw that there were no customers eating. He took a seat and saw the familiar lady at the counter her back faced at him.

" Welcome, how may I help…" Ayame, the daughter of the owner of Ichiraku's finally turned around when she sensed a customer came in. Surprised that she didn't expect the customer was gone for a year without even saying goodbye.

" Ahh, nice to meet you… Ayame-neechan." Naruto said while grinning at her completely oblivious of Ayame's impending crying. When Ayame heard his voice, she snapped out and took a ladle and whacked it on the blonde.

" Oww, what was that for?" Naruto said as he comforted the newly bulge on his head.

" That was for leaving for a year without even saying goodbye!" Ayame shouted as she contained the happiness she felt inside her seeing his foster brother again. Of course she was worried. He suddenly disappeared for a year, without goodbyes, even a single note saying that he would be away.

" Oh… that… I'm sorry. I should have told you and old man Teuchi." Naruto said in his apologetic tone. Ayame knew that something was wrong but decided not to push him to tell her as she sensed that it was sensitive. She trusted Naruto that he would tell her once he is comfortable about it.

" Yes, we were worried sick. But you are here now and tou-san will be delighted to see his favorite customer back again." Ayame said as she gave him a cheerful smile. Naruto smiled too and placed in his order.

" Tou-san, guess who's back!" Ayame shouted while she prepared Naruto's extra-large Miso ramen.

" What?" Teuchi answered back as he appeared at the kitchen answering his daughter's calls.

" Look whose back." Ayame said as she placed the bowl infront of Naruto.

" Naruto?" Teuchi said as he blinked again to see a clearer look.

" Old man, it hurts for you not to remember who I am." Naruto playfully said.

" Well damn you for going away without goodbyes." Teuchi said as he laughed whole- heartedly. Knowing it was a joke, Naruto laughed as well as he broke his chopsticks and took his first slurp of his hot miso ramen. After 30 seconds of wolfing down the ramen he ordered another and another and another until he ate 46 bowls of ramen.

" Well Naruto, I hope you had your fill because I swear you almost broke my arm in making noodles for you." Teuchi said as he stretched out his arms relieving of the tiredness of making noodles.

" Thanks old man. I had my fill and as always the ramen is great." Naruto said as he stood up and paid his bill.

" Don't mention it son. Come again anytime!" Teuchi said as Naruto went out of the stand. It was already late in the afternoon when he took another stroll around the village. Nothing has changed except the new houses and infrastructures repainted. It was like the village was never destroyed. He took more time on strolling when he bumped on a familiar site.

" Naruto?" said the lazy chuunin.

" Shikamaru? Finished your report?" Naruto snickered as he knew that Shikamaru always take all things as 'troublesome'.

" Shut up. Well what's with you?" Shikamaru asked of course noticing that not only he just ate his favorite dish in the whole wide world but the fact that there are conflicting feelings he is going through.

" Nothing just… yeah, nothing.' Naruto replied as he looked up at the clouds. Shikamaru looked up as well and couldn't help but to get sucked in his most favorite past time. But cloud watching isn't the best thing to do right now especially when a friend is in distress. As troublesome as it may for him, Naruto is his friend and he wants to know everything and do anything in his power to help him.

" Naruto, as much as I don't want to get in between of troublesome things, whatever it is, I can sense there is something bothering you." Shikamaru said.

" Yeah, I mean… who am I kidding? Well… since you are here and I trust you not only as a comrade but as a friend, I'm gonna tell you." Naruto said as he gave out a deep sigh.

" Why don't we go to my favorite place?" Shikamaru said.

" The rooftop? We might end up watching the clouds… but hey, what the heck." Naruto said feeling a little happy because he knows that a heavy burden may just be lifted a little from his shoulders.

Shikamaru lead the way to the rooftop. Naruto followed trying to form the word he is going to say. He didn't want for Shikamaru to misunderstand all the things he has to say. He mentally thanked Kurama for the advice of talking to someone first before the object of his confusion. Of course Shikamaru being a good friend sensed his uneasiness. He chuckled getting his attention.

" What?" Naruto asked.

" You don't need to be nervous. It's not like you're going to give me a speech." Shikamaru said.

" I just don't want you to get the wrong idea." Naruto said.

" Hey, whatever it is, I won't judge." Shikamaru said and gestured at Naruto to start.

Naruto took a deep breath and started.

" Well it started right after I fought Pain…" Naruto retold whatever happened after the fight not leaving anything especially his feelings about the blonde Hokage.

To say at the least Shikamaru was shocked when he learned about his true feelings for their Hokage. Of course he didn't expect the part where Naruto blames himself for everything that happened but the part where his heart lies that he didn't. Shikamaru never interrupted Naruto as he poured his heartache out. Shikamaru knew that he needed someone that will listen to him not judge him in everything he says. Shikamaru listened intently making gestures in the middle for Naruto to continue.

Naruto on the other hand can't stop the words flowing from his mouth. All the burden he has he poured it out to Shikamaru. Naruto was also appreciative of Shikamaru's action. He noticed that he didn't interrupt and kept an open mind of what he is saying. He was grateful of him because if it was either Sakura or anyone else they might have misunderstood him. Not that he didn't like his other friend like Iruka or Kakashi. Naruto stopped his story at the part when he left Tsunade. Shikamaru took notice and asked.

" Naruto, what happened to during your mission?" Shikamaru said looking him dead in the eye. At the mention of his mission his eyes darken more. It showed the pain he'd been through not because of the training but his whole life. He looked at Shikamaru and sighed.

" Well…" Naruto started.

~FLASHBACK

Naruto was trudging down the way towards the mountain called 'Akuma'. The forest was too thick on the way to the mountain. No traveler or any shinobi wanted to trudge the ways to the mountain because of its dangerous terrain and of course by the name itself the Demon Mountain. There were some who tried to explore the mountain but didn't get back because either they died on stepping a foot on the forest or got lost and eaten by carnivorous animals living in the jungle. Of course before Naruto set a foot towards the forest Kurama, the Kyuubi no Yoko, told him about this. Upon hearing this Naruto wanted to give up and go back but Kurama told him not to worry since this is basically his rest house besides his original home the Nine Mountains.

As he was nearing the end of the forest Kurama talked to him.

Kit, what you are about to see are for yours only. When you finish your training you can tell anyone you trust about this mission. You are not to speak of it or give a hint about the existence of life in it. Do you understand?

" Yes. I understand." Naruto said as he continued his way out of the forest. That's when he saw the lady with orange hair and a kid with her. (Please refer to chapter 4 for the meeting of Naruto and Kyuumi)

" Well Naruto, I'm afraid I haven't properly introduced myself…" Kyuumi said as she transform into an elegant vixen. Her orange fur and nine tails bloomed magnificently and there is an aura of power, strength and love.

" That's okay… I haven't properly introduced myself either." Naruto said respectfully bowing to the vixen before her.

" You don't need to bow Naruto. I am Kyuumi, wife of Kurama, the Kyuubi no Yoko. This is my kit, Kyofu, the one who took a sniff on you. My apologies." Kyuumi said as looked at her son. Kyofu afraid of getting scold bowed as well and transformed into a kit. Of course with his orange fur and two tails wagging. He looked like a plush toy and Naruto wanted to hug him so much because of the cuteness the kit is emitting.

" It's okay. I came here unannounced anyway. Nice to meet you Kyuumi-san, Kyofu-san. I'm Uzumaki Naruto, Jinchūriki of Kyuubi, Shinobi of Konoha, or at least I was." Naruto said as he plastered his fake smile Kyuumi being wife of Kurama can sense negative emotions. She was saddened when she felt Naruto's sadness and she pulled the young boy into a hug with her tail. Naruto surprised of the action couldn't help but to let his tears run down from his eyes. Kyūmi just waited until he calms down but didn't break the comforting hug she was giving him. Minutes later, Naruto calmed down and apologized.

" Naruto, stop apologizing. I should be the one. Being a Jinchūriki is tough. You of all people should not be going through that." Kyūmi said.

" It's fine. True that the life of a jinchūriki is hard but maybe being one isn't bad at all." Naruto said. Kyūmi surprised of his words asked why.

" Well now that I know that Kurama didn't mean to attack the village before, I think he was just misunderstood by people. I think all of the Bijūs are. But I wanted to help him just as he helped me survive the shinobi life. Without him, I'm far gone now." Naruto said as he smiled. Touched by his words, Kyūmi pulled him again into another hug and led him towards their home. Inside, Kurama was thankful though he wouldn't admit it in front of Naruto he really cared for the boy.

Kyūmi introduced Naruto to the whole clan. Though it wasn't as big as before they welcomed Naruto and of course celebrated the return of their leader, Kurama. Kyūmi introduced him to the teachers that would teach him all about the things he should know. Naruto wasn't surprised that all of them are foxes but didn't mind since he already had experienced it with toads. Speaking of toads, he already talked with the elders and Fukusaku and Shima. He didn't really want to let go of the Toad Summoning Contract but the situation calls for it. The entire toad from the Mt. Myoboku will miss him as he would too especially this is the remaining link of him and Jiraiya. Naruto promised them that the toad contract would not go to waste as he will pass it down to whom he seems to deserve it. The ending of their contract wouldn't be the end of their friendship, Naruto will always make sure of it as the toads would too.

After a day of celebration, Naruto woke up by the call of Kyūmi.

" Naruto, let's start your training." Kyūmi started as the other five teachers stood behind her.

" You are going to spar with your teachers first for us to assess on what we will train you." Kyūmi said. Naruto looked at each of his teachers and swallowed a huge gulp. They all saw him nervous and smiled at him. Not the sadistic but the reassuring smiles that everything would be okay.

" Don't worry Naruto, we won't kill you." Said the fox with fiery red fur and nine tails. She had violet eyes. Judging by the voice, very motherly, Naruto guessed that she was a vixen. Naruto just went to his taijutsu stance.

The vixen with violet eyes and fiery red fur and another vixen with fiery red fur and violet eyes but with some kind of seal tags attached to each ears looked at Naruto curiosly. Naruto sensed their stares and felt uneasy.

" Naruto-kun, is that your natural stance?" the vixen with fiery red eyes and seal tags on both ears said curiously.

" Yeah, why? Something wrong?" Naruto said as he lowered his stance.

" No, nothing. Does it come natural?" the vixen asked again.

" I don't know. This is my stance ever since. Now that you mentioned it, this is always my stance." Naruto said bringing his hands up. Naruto's stance was kind of different from any other stance. His left foot forward and right foot back. His left hand stretched out to a palm, like the Hyuuga's and right hand near on his other side on a fist.

" Well then, let's get started shall we?" Kyūmi said. The rest nodded and Naruto on his stance ready for a fight.

As soon as Kyūmi announced to start Hina, the fiery red furred vixen with nine tails and violet eyes rushed to him ready to land her first hit. Naruto dodged not noticing the similarity of their taijutsu. Then Naruto heard someone shout out.

Wood Release: Wood Fetters Technique

Suddenly spiraling pillar of wood rose up from the ground targeting Naruto. The wood pierced Naruto shocking everbody. Naruto spit out large amounts of blood and the teachers stopped attacking him. Kyūmi also activated one of her tails to prepare to heal him. Hina being infront of him was about to scream in agony when Naruto puffed out into a smoke. Everyone was dumbfounded. They didn't know where Naruto went when suddenly…

Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu

Suddenly the clearing was filled with Naruto clones. The teachers even Kyūmi was impressed of him.

" Well, that's interesting." the white furred fox said completely stunned.

" Normally producing what could be hundreds of clones should have killed you but I'll say I'm impressed." Bito, the white furred fox continued.

" Well having large reserves because of Kurama, I wouldn't be surprised!" Naruto said as he gave his fox grin.

" Let's dance, shall we?" Naruto said as he ordered his clones to attack them. Of course the five teachers evaded the attacks. Dispelling the clones one by one.

" This is too easy don't you think?" Bito mocked Naruto inviting him to be more serious. The real Naruto just smiled as most of his army shrunk into three. Getting information from the clones dispelled he formulated his plan. Naruto then threw one shuriken at them and yelled

Shuriken Kage Bunshin

The yellow furred fox, knowing what would come next yelled at Ashi, the brown furred fox to build a wall around them.

Mokuton: Mokujōheki

A dome shaped wall engulfed the five of them protecting them from the hundreds of shuriken flying at them. Naruto expected this to happen and waited for them to disable the technique. Ashi disabled the technique when he knew that no more shuriken are coming at them.

Minaze, the yellow furred fox went forward. Naruto saw this and fell on his stance. Suddenly Minaze disappeared from his spot. Naruto blinked twice and looked around. He's fast! I didn't even see him move from his spot! Naruto thought. When he turned his back he saw Minaze attempting to punch him. Naruto jumped back to avoid the punch when someone yelled

Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu

Then a huge current of water shaped into a dragon came at him throwing him like a piece of trash. As soon as the technique died down Naruto puffed out into a smoke.

" What the?" Bito said. He didn't expect that it was a Kage Bunshin. Even everyone didn't expect it. Suddenly they heard a whirring sound. They looked everywhere for the sound. When they looked up they saw Naruto coming at them with a spiraling big blue ball in his hand.

Oodama Rasengan

Seeing Naruto coming at them, they didn't have the time to move away from the impact. They just braced themselves for the impact. Then suddenly nothing came. They waited for more then nothing came. They opened their eyes to check out what happened then they saw Naruto looking at them smiling. The smile he gave off is something that he was up to something and somehow it gave them chills run down their spine.

" heh… HAREM NO JUTSU!"

Suddenly the shuriken scattered through out the field transformed to naked ladies and gentlemen only for their privates to be covered. The five teachers upon seeing this almost died of blood loss. Even the ladies who shouldn't be affected by the Kinjutsu passed out from the scene.

" Yeah! It worked!" Naruto said as he jumped for joy. Then he felt a killing aura from somewhere. When he turned to look he saw Kyūmi already charging her tailed-beast ball at him.

" Uhm… I'm sorry?" Naruto said as he braced for impact.

~END

Naruto continued to tell him the story of what happened during his mission. Shikamaru wasn't surprised when Naruto said the abilities and the names of his teachers. He already guessed who they were but kept silent about it as it wasn't in his place to tell him. He knew that it was kept a secret from Naruto for a good reason. After Naruto told him everything. Shikamaru nodded and promised not to say anything. Naruto thank him for listening and being a friend. Naruto somehow felt that the weights were lifted off from him and gave Shikamaru a smile of true happiness and gratitude to him. Shikamaru paid also him a smile and both went home.

Naruto was walking towards his home when he decided to go to his sanctuary. Even though it was a painful place he still found peace in it. As he inched closer he saw a figure and figured the person was so deep in thought to notice he was there. He came closer to the person to comfort him/her but what he saw is the last person he wanted to see. Even if he told everything to Shikamaru already his dilemmas he felt that it was so soon to see after that. But when he saw Tsunade battling herself he found the strength to comfort her. He looked at her and still was amazed by her beauty even troubled. He mentally smiled as he missed this. He missed him dearly. He just wanted to hug her right there and then but elected against it as the events of the past came rushing to him.

" Tsunade-sama?" he called out snapping Tsunade out of her thoughts.

" Naruto?" Tsunade said shocked to see him. (Refer to chapter 6 for their story)

Then their lips touched.

It was a fresh morning in Konoha. During this time the villagers and shinobis are getting ready for the day, well most of them but the Rookie 10 and their respective teachers. They were already on the ANBU training grounds waiting for Tsunade and Naruto to arrive.

" Good morning, Tsunade-hime." Naruto said as he kissed the forehead of the blonde Hokage in his arms.

" Good morning too, Naruto-kun" Tsunade said as he nuzzled her head to his neck.

" Did you sleep well?" Naruto asked intertwining their fingers.

" Yes, better than any other sleep that I had." Tsunade said as she looked up at Naruto.

Both stared at each other for a while thinking of what happened last night.

Techniques aren't mine, i just looked it up in the internet...

The taijutsu of Naruto, i just made it up:)

The flashback part is just a part of it, wait for others...

reviews please:)