Chapter 3:
As dawn pushed its way over the horizon, Kakashi strode back through the gates of Konoha. Just under three years had passed in a blink, the mission was complete and he was in the village again, hopefully not for too long. He turned in his mission report at the Hokage tower and quickly set off for his apartment to shower and catch some much needed rest. The time spent away wasn't as much of a reprieve as he had hoped. His mind was constantly replaying the incident with Naruto, the young man who had unfairly matured way past his years. It dawned on him that Naruto probably didn't even know who he was that evening since he was clad in his ANBU mask. He wanted to make things right with the young man but had no clue where to start. The years of damage would not be quickly healed but he had to start somewhere. He resigned that tomorrow morning he would seek out Naruto and try to make things right.
Dusk was setting over the village and Naruto couldn't help but grin, it was so close. He was so close to being free. Checking his gear for the one hundredth time that day, he tossed his pack over his shoulder. Giving his old apartment a passing glance, there was nothing here he would miss. No photos, no souvenirs, just memories of pain and loneliness. Deciding it was about time, he headed out making his way quietly out of his apartment and down the street toward the wall, sticking to the shadows. He made quick work of scaling the wall, sending chakra to his feet. He glanced back once more over the village and whispered a quiet "good riddance". He sprinted gleefully through the forest surrounding the village, elated to finally be on his way. He started heading south west, toward the direction he thought the Fire Temple was in. It would take him a good day or so to reach it, if he didn't get lost along the way. He hoped he would find some discrete shelter and possibly a hot meal there before continuing his journey further west.
After a few hours of sprinting through the darkness, he slowed his pace. He was a good few miles from the village now and needed a place to rest for the night. He spotted an uprooted tree in the distance, it provided decent cover and protection from three sides. It would suffice for this evening. Pulling on an extra layer of clothing and having a quick meal, he curled himself up in the root ball of the fallen tree, kunai clutched to his chest.