Chapter 6: Festivities

The Konoha ninja's looked around the village in awe. Stalls filled the streets and lanterns and fairy lights were hung above the streets and on buildings. Streamers and banners were shown hanging from nearly every surface. Confetti and flowers were strewn about the area, all of it consisted of oranges, reds and yellows mixed together. It looked like a bright sunset. Music played in the background, loud enough to hear but, not so loud you couldn't have a conversation. The streets were crowed with people from everywhere and nowhere. Everyone had large smiles as they shopped or talked. The atmosphere was just filled to the brim with joy and excitement. People were dressed in kimonos or ninja gear and children were happily playing between the crowds. All in all it was happy and breathtaking. The group themselves weren't dressed much differently than normal except Sakura who was dressed in a rather over the top lavish pink kimono, telling the other girls it was necessary to show case herself because she was the matriarch of the Uchiha Clan, Hinata was dress in an elegant yet casual light lavender and white kimono, Ino was dressed in a light blue and grey kimono which was a similar style to Hinata's and finally TenTen was dress in a soft yellow kimono. The guys and Kurenai were dressed as they normally would.

"It's beautiful!" Exclaimed Ino as she looked around at the decorations and lights.

"I agree, it looks so different then before." Said TenTen with slight awe in her tones.

"Well, everyone knows what to do, However right now the most important thing to do is enjoy!" Said Kakashi eye-smiling at everyone. With that said everyone took off to enjoy the festival, not realising this is when they should have had their eyes open the most.

Meanwhile….

A tall lean man arrived at the gates. The man was wearing black ninja combat boots on his feet, above which was black ANBU style pants with more pockets than anyone had seen before. He wore a shuriken holder on his right leg and a kunai holder on his left hip, tape was wrapped around his left leg. On his hands wear black fingerless gloves. The man was wearing a dark red muscle shirt which showed of his broad chest and sculpted abs. If it wasn't for the shirt you would think he had the body of a runner. Over the shirt he wore a black trench coat, on his back a red and white handle katana sat its midnight black sheath matching the blade itself, if it was unsheathed. The blade was easily recognisable as the famous Eien no kizuato (Eternal Scar). The man had a single silver earring dangling from his right ear and had a green gemstone attached to a black cord sat around his neck, if people knew their history and jewellery they would realise it was the first hokage's necklace. The man was wearing a red patterned ANBU mask which hid all but his dancing with life sapphire blue eyes. Finally the man had a mop of long shoulder length spiky blonde hair. This man was Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze (completely still unaware he is a Namikaze). Naruto lifted his mask and placed it on the side of his head, showing the telltale whisker marks.

"Man, its good to be home! Even if she's gonna kill me for being so late." He smiled before putting the mask back in place and jumping through the gate vibrating in happiness and excitement to be home.

As he moved through the village and crowds he looked at all of the changes. He eyed the beautiful decorations, but didn't spend much time looking, since he was looking for something else entirely. People waved, nodded, smiled or all of the above to him in greeting. He moved swiftly through the crowds, eyes darting over everyones faces. He kept moving and glancing, until he finally found what he was searching for. Or more appropriately, who he was searching for. He was looking directly at her back so he couldn't see her face, but he didn't need to he already knew she would have a small smile and warm eyes. Her hair was straight and down as always, it went to the back of her knees as she refused to have it any shorter. It was a tradition in her family that all the family heads had long hair, including her father. The only thing different about her hair was the tiny clear and blue gems which glinted in the light of the lanterns matching her kimono. Her kimono was white with a black trim, the bottom of her kimono was decorated with sapphire blue lilies which looked like they were made from fire and her sash match the colour of the lilies. All in all she was a vision. He slowly made his way towards her already knowing that she more than likely sensed him already. As soon as he was three steps behind her she turned her head to face him with a warm smile. She went to speak but before she could get any words out, Naruto felt something heavy impact his legs with a loud cry of "Otōsan (Father)". He looked down and smiled as he looked at his four wonderful children. Atsuko was dressed in a peach coloured kimono with a white coloured trim and sash, the kimono was covered in aqua coloured dragonflies and her sliver-blonde hair was out of its usual ponytail and was instead laying straight down to her lower back. She wore a peach colour flower in her hair to match her kimono. Miyu was wearing a light green coloured kimono with a purple coloured sash and trim, her kimono sported two white foxes chasing each other. Her hair was in its customary braid but, it was over her shoulder and had a white fox clip at the top. His first son Ryuu was dressed in a black kimono which had a gold trim and sash. His kimono was decorated with a large golden dragon and his hair remained the same. His second son Hikaru wore an orange kimono of course. It was adorned with black rising flames leading into a black flaming wolf. His hair as always matched his own. He couldn't help but give a large grin even if his children couldn't see it didn't even matter, before being down and hugging them all despite a few protests from Ryuu and Hikaru.

"I'm home and I'm sorry I'm late." He said with a small grin. This had been a tradition for a long time. Back to when he was first found by his beautiful wife. If one on them left, the other greeted them back it may seem small but, to someone as lonely as Naruto it was everything.

"Welcome back." She said in her soft voice giving a gentle smile, continuing to stare into his eyes. Naruto pulled her into a soft embrace, lifted his mask to the side of his head and tilted her chin upwards towards him.

Meanwhile….

Ino was looking at all the different stalls along with the rest of the girls, while the boys simply trailed behind. As Ino was looking at a particular pretty flower sculpture, a flash of yellow caught her eye. When she took a full look in the direction of the bright colour, she froze.

"Guys!" She called loudly, in order to make sure everyone heard her. Everyone turned their attention to Ino and followed her line of sight. There was their target they all continued staring as he approached someone.

"Is that…?" Said TenTen lost for words, Hinata was standing in a quite shock along with Shino and Kurenai. Kakashi had covered Sakura's mouth when it looked like she was about to screech. Sasuke looked irritated Asuma had his lighter in hand ready to light a cigarette, Shikamaru having almost dropped the one in his own hand. Kiba's mouth was gaping, giving a perfect imitation of a fish. Lee and Gai looked confused. Neji just blinked. It was Sai who saved them from their current states.

"It seems we have found the Kōshoku no kage (Crimson shadow)." Sai said in his usual monotone.

"We should just go get him now, so we can end this farce of a mission" Said Sasuke annoyance and arrogance laced his voice like usual. As he started to walk towards them before Kakashi grabbed the back of his collar.

"Wait." Kakashi literally hissed at him. As the all remained staring as the person he approached turned so that they could see their face. They were all surprised to see it was the woman from the park. They all watched as the kids cried out and hugged the main. They were all taken back when the children called him Otōsan (father).

"See, Naruto isn't their father. There is no way Naruto could ever be someone as strong as the Kōshoku no kage (Crimson shadow). He was nothing but a no good orphan." Said Sakura, Kakashi let go of her in order to grab Sasuke. Everyone glared at here and was ready to throw some very poisoned words in her direction. However, Hinata called them all to a stop when she gasped.

"Naruto!" Was the gasp that she spoke. Everyone confused turned back to the Kōshoku no kage (Crimson shadow), only to see his mask was no longer on his face, but on the side of his head giving a good view of his face. No one dared move. They simply stared as Naruto, their Naruto kissed one of the most beautiful woman they'd ever seen.

"Kakashi-sensei, What do we do?" Asked Choji unsure of how to react. They all felt joy at seeing him once again live and well, happy that he had a family of his own, sad knowing that deep down he wouldn't return to the village now. Kakashi grimaced, running a bunch of different scenarios in his mind.

"Tomorrow we will speak to the head of the Osorubeki (Grim) clan. Then if we make no progress, we call in Lady Tsunade." Said Kakashi having an ominous feeling that things were not going to go well.