A Hero Returns

Sundown was approaching fast. Naruto was so close. His body ached. His heart was filling with excitement. His legs were shaking wanting to give up so he could rest. He'd been running for days straight without sleep. He finally was able to achieve what he wanted. He was able to protect everyone. He had kept his promise to himself. He was able to protect all his precious people. He smiled as he ran. He kept everyone safe...he changed everything.

He felt chakra signatures and he soon found himself surrounded by Konoha's ANBU team. He held up his hands, well clawed hands. "I will not resist." He stated knowing that he was still an S-Class missing nin. He looked around the masks and he couldn't help but inwardly smile. He knew who someone of them where by their masks. He really had changed the future.

They cuffed him with binding chains to keep him from using his chakra but even then that wouldn't help. But Naruto wasn't there to fight. He was there to surrender. To finally be able to regain the peace that had been misplaced and for once he didn't care for the looks he received when he walked towards the Hokage towers. He looked up to see his father's face and smile. "I finally did it dad...I hope you and mom are proud of me..." He looked down to the ground smiling brightly as he tried to keep the tears from falling. The ANBU around him were confused at his behavior and even more so when the Hokage herself ran towards them. "Naruto!"

The blonde male looked up and smiled at her. "I'm finally back granny." He gave a shit eating grin and Tsunade just shook her head pulling the younger boy into her arms. "You idiot. After I heard that Orochimaru was killed along with Kabuto I thought someone killed you...you killed them finally?" She asked and Naruto nodded pulling out two scrolls. "I have their bodies in these scrolls. I wanted to make sure you had them so you can burn their bodies." He wanted to make sure they wouldn't come back.

While everyone around them were confused. Tsunade realizing where they were she began walking back to her office with the ANBU following and Naruto still in cuffs. Though despite the confusion whispers were quickly spread.

"Naruto is Konoha."

"They finally caught him?"

"I hope they execute him. He did betray the village."

"I still understand why they don't kill the demon already."

These whispers didn't slip by a certain pair of brothers. They were training when they heard the news from Sakura who seemed excited to finally be able to have Naruto pay for his crimes. Itachi was the first one to take off. Sasuke being second as both brothers raced to the Hokage towers. "Do you think it's really him?" Sasuke asked glancing at Itachi who nodded. "It has to be. Who else would come to Konoha, risk their life, surrender and have the Hokage hug him?" Sasuke couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Of course."

Both brothers still didn't remember everything but they knew and remembered enough to know that Naruto wasn't who pretended to be. Having seen their father and having seen Sai's brother gave them that much. Speaking of Sai when he heard about Naruto he had also took off to see if it was true. He had begun to have dreams of him and he knew they were too real to have been dreams. But he also began to dream of the past. Of whom he was in the past.

Soon the three were in the office staring at Naruto who was sitting on the window sill staring out into the sky. Tsunade wasn't surprised to see them. "That was quick." She muttered shaking her head. "I thought you said they wouldn't be able to access their memories." She asked the blonde boy he looked to her and then to the other three. "I didn't think so either...Sai. You remember more don't you." It was a fact. He saw tears welling up in Sai's eyes and he knew. It was obvious.

"You idiot! You know how dangerous it was to do what you did?" Sai asked as he tried to stop his tears. "Look out this window Sai. Do you remember what happened to Konoha? How the war started?" He questioned softly and Sai looked down quickly his shoulders shaking. "You were a hero Naruto. You still are. You saved us from Pain and finally people saw who you were. Why did you give it up? Why?" Naruto smiled sadly looking at his hands. "It wasn't worth it. We still went to war...I saw you die Sai protecting our people. How could I be a hero if I wasn't able to prevent that?" He stood up walking to Sai and pulled him into a hug. "I'm sorry for leaving you confused and hurt. But I had to do it. I was being given the chance to change everything and I did! Look Sai everyone is alive!" Naruto smiled brightly and Sai just cried harder and Naruto just laughed softly. "You're such a crybaby now you know." Sai punched him slightly and Naruto only smiled.

"Naruto..." It was Sasuke's voice. Naruto didn't want to face the Uchiha's but he couldn't help it now. "What are you talking about? What war?" Naruto shifted and Sai looked guilty. "They don't remember..." Naruto just nodded knowing. Some people did remember like Tsunade and Shizune along with Tonton and now Sai. "Sasuke...I guess we need to talk huh?"

Sasuke wasn't sure how to feel. He felt like he shouldn't but Naruto looked at Tusnade who nodded. "You want the Konoha eleven." Naruto nodded. "I also want their teachers and along with my team." He added and Tsunade nodded. "You will stay with the Uchiha's until I can get them assembled. Because of the circumstances you will be placed under house arrest. I would put chakra binds on you but I already know they were useless." Naruto only grinned.

Tsunade was just happy to have him back. "By the way brat, how was going through puberty twice feel?" Naruto's face went red as he glared at her. Sai held back a snort as he covered his mouth to stop from laughing. Naruto glared at him too. "It was fucking great." He muttered causing Sai to cough into his hand still trying to stop laughing.

"Naruto."

The blonde instantly stilled looking nervously behind him. Itachi. Though he was suddenly found himself on the ground as his cheek stung. His eyes wide. Itachi looked down at him angry as hell but his gaze softened as he pulled the shocked blonde up and pressed his lips against his. Tsunade's eyes widen as her face turned pink, Sai having the same reaction. Sasuke just looked grossed out. "My brother and best friend are kissing. I'm going to have nightmares." He muttered though smiled seeing Itachi finally be able to hold the one person who could get a reaction out of him. Even if he was an idiot for leaving them like he did. He would never understand the blonde boy.

But even though it was a rather happy moment within the office outside it was a completely story. Everyone wanted to know what punishment the demon child was going to get for killing their Third Hokage and for betraying the village along without crimes that just added to his criminal charge. They felt safer knowing Naruto had been 'caught' but they needed to make sure he was going to pay.

Inochi had heard the news and Naruto's words kept echoing in his head.

"To make sure they all grow up to have families. Grow old. Live happily...to love as much as possible."

The day he promised that Inochi would see his daughter grow up.

"Do you believe in me Inoichi?"

"A better future...I believe, Naruto. I believe in you."

He knew the actions that led up to his return were to keep them all safe and here they were. "Dad! I'm going out to eat with Choji and Shika!" Called out his daughter and he couldn't help but smile. "Alright Ino." Though he was still going to have to talk to Choji about giving his blessing to his only daughter when the time came. Oh yes. Daddy mode: on.

"Thank you Naruto. For everything you've done." He whispered bowing his head in respect as he gave a moment to thank the one boy now turned man the respect he well deserved.

Days passed since Naruto was relocated to the Uchiha compound. He was given his own home, one because he was still considered dangerous to live with another family, two because Naruto knew if he lived with another family they could be targeted by the people to try and 'scare' him. Even then the Uchiha clan was not happy to have someone living in their compound suspecting in killing some of their members. Of course no one ever proved he did it and only four people knew the truth. So he had to worry a little about Sakura running her mouth.

Itachi had been over each day too. Naruto knew they were still...in a hard place. Even though he prevented a god damn war, he was still scared of his feelings for Itachi.

Currently Naruto was cutting his hair. It was still too long and it was hot. He grunted in annoyance as he kept trying to cut but he was no good and the mirror couldn't let him see the back of his head. Though finally he got an idea. He summoned a shadow clone. One of his best ideas yet!

When he was done Naruto ran his hand through his hair as he let the clone go. He couldn't help but feel nostalgic. His hair was almost like before but now he had some bangs. At least it wasn't long anymore though. That's all he cared about.

Hearing the door open Naruto stood up and saw Itachi with groceries and Sasuke. "Oi, what are you two doing?" He questioned as he came down while he made sure he didn't have his hair on his shirt. He probably should have taken a shower but he can do that later. "What does it look like? Huh, finally cut your hair. You were staring to look a little girly." Sasuke smirked and Naruto's eye twitched. "Bastard." Sasuke smirk turned into a smile hearing the familiar nick name. "Whatever, dobe."

Itachi felt pleased seeing his younger brother and lover -no matter what Naruto would always be his- banter. In the memories Naruto shared with him, it didn't turn out like this. He was happy it finally did. "Anyways, according the elders, your trail will be set a month from now." Naruto just nodded sighing. It was funny, the elders still hated Naruto but Tsunade wasn't going to let anything to happen anymore. She let the council did so before and things didn't go right. So many times they made her risk Naruto's life. So many things she regretted it but they had too much power. So in the end she did what was best. The council no longer had that much power. In the years she was Hokage she made sure everything went through her. For what was best for her people and the world. She was given the second chance to better things and she was going to regret anything anymore.

She remembered how he looked so grown up when he fought against the Pain's. How grown he looked. How he had to grow up so fast. He ended up saving their village. He lost himself and he found himself in that battle and Tsunade was going to be damned to see him hurt again. She was Hokage. She was going to fight alongside with Naruto from now on.

Looking up she looked up at Shizune who smiled gently. "We have a better future. He kept his promise." To think it would be achieved like this though who would've thought?

"It's our turn to keep our promise now. He can stop fighting..." Tusnade just looked out the windows of her office. In the end Tsunade already came up with a story to prove his innocents but the irony of the story was it was all true.

"Stupid brat. I love you." She muttered shaking her head.

She would never understand him and his will. But that was his will; he learned everything from the Toad sage who believed in him so much...which she needed to talk too. He was still holding a grudge and she knew it was hard but she and Naruto needed to face him. Before the trail encase he does something rash.

Here's another chapter!