For those of you wondering why I didn't include everyone's reaction of Naruto's return, it's because no one had the time. Why? Because Tsunade, the twelve Jounin of Konoha, Akatsuki, Naruto and Tsukiyomi were busy over the past day or two figuring out a certain someone's moves.

Chapter 24: Masks

While it was nice to be back, it was also...difficult. People stared at him as he passed by them, some either whispering gossip, or internally shouting insults that he could literally just hear.

Not to mention, with a certain someone not around anymore he felt a little bit colder and way more distant than ever.

Although it was true he smiled, laughed and showed emotions, a mask is a mask; something to hide behind to stay away from being touched by anything and everything. But the mask can still be broken.

Wood can be cut down, burned and smashed to pieces. Metal can be melted by heat. Stone will just burden you and eventually crack underneath pressure. Glass is see-through and too predictable. Plastic will just suffocate you. Porcelain is far too fragile to even put on without doing anything reckless.

So...what can you hide behind...?

Naruto has come to love his peace and quiet. Being around a certain someone for three years straight, he can ignore many things.

Like Sakura bashing Hidan's skull fifty times an hour, Sasuke telling off Itachi every time the older Uchiha approached, Tsunade creating an earthquake to shut the Akatsuki up and Tsukiyomi's shouting—which is very hard nowadays.

Currently, the blonde was meditating next to Itachi, who was sulking over Sasuke's rejection. The rest of Akatsuki were discussing some thing's with the Hokage and Jounin of Konoha about Tobi.

Genma noticed, and was intrigued. He glanced to Konan, who was sitting across of him. "What's Naruto doing?"

"Meditating," she responded. "He does that to maintain his sanity because everyone around him is so loud and crazy. He has an extremely clam demeanor, but fourteen is his limit."

"Fourteen what?" Kakashi asked.

"People. She means people, un," Deidara said. "Counting the three mutts over there, that's twenty-three." He sipped his tea. "The last people who dared to disturb his meditation was Hidan, Tobi, Tsukiyomi and Kisame, I believe, un."

Tsukiyomi looked up. "What?"

But he was ignored.

"Didn't go very well," Sasori added. "That gaki made a high score of sixty."

"Sixty what?" Tsunade asked.

"Sixty stories high," Kisame muttered. He sighed, slightly sulking. "I went up and could touch the clouds, and then I fell to my doom. Luckily there was water nearby so I landed safely. Tobi and Tsukiyomi landed like morons and Hidan just splat everywhere."

The Hokage and Jounin cringed.

"Not the first time that has happened, though," the shark demon added underneath his breath. "Funny story, actually. There was this one time when I shaved Hidan with my Samahada and he was every—"

"Let's not go there," Konan snapped. She lifted up a paper pan. "Or must I hit you, as well, Kisame?"

"N-no...I'm good," he stammered. He put his hands up in defense.

Her golden eyes narrowed, a cold expression carving out her face. "Wise choice, little shark."

"Anyway, let's move on!" Kurenai interrupted. She smiled nervously. "We don't want blood on the table, now, would we?"

"Uh...don't worry about that, un," Deidara muttered. "She's a clean fr—I-I mean, a clean woman...un."

Konan let go of the pan, hitting Deidara's toe. He shrieked in pain, holding his newly bruised toe.

Almost everyone of Akatsuki jumped up—excluding Itachi and Kakuzu—slapping their hands over his face to shut the blonde nin up.

The Jounin stared at them awkwardly, not sure how to comprehend this situation.

"Oi, Itachi..." Tsukiyomi whispered. "Is Naruto still meditating...?"

Itachi glanced over his shoulder, around Kakashi and towards Naruto. He sighed in relief. "I think s—"

But he cut himself off when Naruto let his position go with a heavy sigh.

Everyone froze, feeling their skin crawl out of fear as he opened up his eyes.

Naruto forced a threatening smile on his face. "Sit and shut up before I make you."

All twenty-three occupants of the meeting froze in shock, paling and slowly—but surely—inching away.

"Sorry, Naruto," Konan apologized. "My hand slipped and something heavy hit Deidara's foot."

"Whatever," he grumbled. His eyes closed again, and he got back into his position, only to open his eyes again and 'stare' at Konan. "…You always say that."

"I only speak the truth."

Naruto sighed again. "Is the meeting over yet?"

"Naruto," Kakashi said. "It's only be fifteen minutes. The meeting will likely last for an hour or two."

His brow twitched in annoyance and a tick appeared on his forehead. "...God dammit..."

This last part of the chapter is a FILLER...ish. Yeah, filler.

However, the first part IS a filler.

ALSO: I will be adding KINTON, the metal release. It is from NARUTO FANON. I do NOT OWN IT! OK? Okay.

Peace! :3