Chapter 48:
Weeks had passed and Kakashi was plotting. He was quickly stuffing their packs full of gear while his blonde love showered. Everything packed away for an overnight trip, he made his way back into the kitchen. Preparing their breakfast, as if nothing was amiss, Kakashi greeted a sleepy eyed Naruto. They sat and ate comfortably, Naruto still as over enthusiastic as he had been since the first time Kakashi had cooked for him. The nin smiled, more than happy to cook for his love but appreciating the praise, nevertheless. Making sure that Naruto had finished his meal and wasn't going to choke this time, Kakashi spoke, "I have a surprise for you, love." The blonde stopped what he was doing and looked to his nin in question. Kakashi gave him a light smile and continued, "I remembered you telling me how disappointed you were that you never got to see the Fire Temple when you fled Konoha…" Kakashi trailed off, gauging the reaction from his love before continuing, "I have contacted Chiriku, the former head of the Twelve Guardian Ninja and the present leader of the Fire Temple monks. He has agreed to let us visit the temple for the day…" Kakashi sat silent for a moment, waiting for Naruto's reaction. He could see the blonde struggling to compose himself, his love always so responsive in emotion. Naruto smiled at him brightly, fighting back the happy tears tugging at his eyes, "That sounds amazing!" Kakashi laughed and replied, "Good! Everything's already packed, we can leave as soon as you're ready." Naruto's eyes went wide, quickly finishing rinsing off his breakfast plate and sprinting down the hall to their bedroom to get changed. Chuckling to himself, Kakashi quickly met with his hounds to let them know they would be gone until the next afternoon, adding extra kibble to their dishes and propping the back door open for them to have free reign of the house and yard.
They set out on their travels, Naruto with his usual happy leap in his step. Kakashi smiled brightly at the blonde before speaking, "Now that you are no longer on the run, the trip to the Fire Temple should be pretty straight forward. You and I aren't wanted nin's so there is no reason for us to use disguise jutsus. The trip shouldn't take more than four hours. Are you excited, love?" Naruto smiled at the nin so brightly that it tugged at his heart strings, Naruto replying, "I was so sad the first and only time I had traveled through here. I knew the area was rich in history and so beautiful but was well aware I couldn't linger or enjoy my time here. Thank you for remembering this, Kashi. You know me better than I know myself." Kakashi stopped their forward travel to hug Naruto close to him, "I will give you everything and anything you could ever want that is within my power, love. I listen to every word that leaves those beautiful lips of yours." Naruto blushed at the sweet words, letting the nin kiss him softly on the cheeks, before speaking, "Show me…" Kakashi smirked at him, pulling at his wrist as he led him in the direction of the Fire Temple.
The area was much as Naruto remembered, the region surrounded by mountains, the only way in being the deep forest they had just traversed. Kakashi didn't hesitate as they made their way up the daunting staircase to the main entrance of the temple. Reaching the top of the staircase, they were greeted by two imposing figures. Kakashi greeted them with a deep bow, Naruto mimicking him instantly. "My name is Kakashi Hatake, I sought permission from Chiriku to come to the temple, which he has granted. I assume he is expecting my arrival." The two monk guards bowed low without words, leading them further into the temple. Naruto was awestruck by the high, vaulted ceilings and beautiful artwork that flanked the walls and ceilings. They walked through to the back of the temple toward an enclosed rear garden. In the garden, dozens of monks were in different stages of meditation or taijutsu. Kakashi pulled his blonde up tight to him, whispering in his ear, "These monks are well trained in the art of fighting. They are highly religious like most monks, but would definitely kick both yours and my ass." Naruto snorted at Kakashi's words, earning some scowls from nearby monks. Meeting the eyes of the nin in anger, Kakashis just laughed loudly, squeezing the blonde a little tighter to him. Naruto's cheeks were blazing with embarrassment now, as they followed the guards further through the temple. Chiriku met them at the stairs leading down into the enclosed garden, Kakashi and the monk bowing low to each other in greeting. "Kakashi-sama, it has been a long time since I have had the pleasure of seeing you. How have you fared?" Kakashi smiled politely at the monka, bowing low once more, "I have fared quite well and appreciate your thoughts. Thank you for allowing us your audience. This is Naruto Uzumaki, he was curious about the temple and the monks who reside here." Chiriku bowed low to Naruto in respect, a flustered Naruto mimicking his actions, "It is a pleasure to meet you Naruto." "Pleasure to meet you as well Chiriku-sama." The monk laughed at the formal salutation before leading them into the gardens and saying, "So, Kakashi mentioned your interest in the history surrounding the Fire Temple. We were originally a training ground for guards to the Fire Country Daimyo, twelve well trained monk ninjas took up that guard position for well over a decade. Their numbers were sadly cut in half during the nine-tails assault on Konoha. After said assault the group was mostly disbanded, the Daimyos well-being falling into the hands of a different squad. Our training and lifestyle has not changed much since then. We still train and vet monks to be possible elites if ever Konoha or Fire Country need worthy ninja." Naruto nodded, taking in every word the old monk had to say. Looking over the open gardens at the strong monks training in the sun, he felt less than adequate in his current form. They walked through the garden in blissful silence, taking in the beauty of the grounds and the strength of the monks. Deeming the tour done and not wanting to take up any more of Chiriku's time, Kakashi bowed low once more to the monk, thanking him for his time before bidding him farewell, leading Naruto back out of the temple. On the way out, Kakashi made sure to point out interesting carvings and paintings adorning the walls and ceiling. Once back on the stairs Naruto felt like he could finally breathe, "That place is amazing, but I don't think I have felt that inferior since I was a child." Kakashi laughed lightly, pulling the blonde into a side hug as they hurried down the steps, "They are a very well trained group of men, the leader, Chiriku, being one of the most powerful people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting."
They continued on in silence quite a ways before Naruto realized they weren't heading back in the direction of the farmhouse. Tugging at Kakashi's arm to gain his attention, the nin spoke before Naruto could get out a word, "Another surprise, love. Just follow me." They continued traveling for quite some time in the deep forest until eventually a very familiar smell filled Naruto's lungs. The blonde gasped out loud, Kakashi looking back at him with a bright smile, "You know that smell, don't you, love?" Naruto nodded his eyes wide with excitement. They breached the dense forest shortly thereafter, before them stretched a beautiful, vacant, sandy shore overlooking the ocean. The sun was setting over their shoulders to the west but the ocean was still sparkling before them. Its vastness and beauty still leaving Naruto awestruck. Kakashi watched over the blonde adoringly, collecting their hands together, "We were close enough to the ocean that I thought you would like to see it once more." The blondes' eyes twinkled in the dying light of day, the young man fighting back the tears that were forming in his eyes. Naruto looked at Kakashi, before grabbing him tight around the waist for a hug. Kakashi laughed and hugged him back, "So you're pleased then?" The blonde nodded against his neck, sniffing back his emotions as best he could. Kakashi let the hug linger, allowing his love to compose himself before finally pulling away, "I packed our tent and some gear. We need to find a place to sleep tonight before it gets too dark." Naruto quickly wiped at his eyes, beaming brightly at Kakashi, nodding his ascent.
They traveled a short way down the beach before finding a suitable place tucked into the treeline. They set up the tent hastily, Kakashi starting a small fire for them to huddle by while they ate dinner. Kakashi watched over the blonde as he ate, the young man looking longingly over the ocean as daylight slowly dwindled to the point where the water was no longer visible. Even once no longer visible to the naked eye, Naruto continued to look out in its direction, a small smile tugging at his lips. Finished with his meal, Kakashi draped his arm over the blonde shoulder, asking, "What's going on in that head of yours, love?" Naruto turned to smile at him, shaking his head, "I will never understand how you can read me so well…" Kakashi squeezed gently on his shoulder, unspeaking, waiting for the blonde to finish his thoughts. With a sigh, Naruto continued, "It's just… don't get me wrong, Kashi, I appreciate you bringing me here. It's beautiful but… It makes me miss the Land of Keys and our gully so much…" Humming thoughtfully, Kakashi pulled the blonde in for a tight hug, placing a soft kiss on his forehead before whispering, "Then let's go back…" Naruto was stunned mute, his eyes wide and searching Kakashi's, as the older nin pulled back from him. Kakashi gave him a bright smile, repeating, "Then let's go back." Naruto quickly shook himself, trying to collect his thoughts before speaking, "We … we can go back? We can travel that far?" Nodding, Kakashi collected the blonde's hands, rubbing his thumbs along the backs of them, "Yes, love. We can go wherever you want. Anytime you want. I will take you wherever you want to go." Biting at his lip to prevent tears from filling his eyes once more, Naruto launched himself into Kakashi's lap, the nin laughing loudly at the embrace. "You don't need to be so surprised, love. I told you from the beginning that I would do everything I could to make you happy." Naruto buried his face into Kakashi's neck, weeping freely now, "I know that… it's just…I… thank you, Kashi." Kakashi rubbed at his back, gently lifting him up and leading him into the tent for the night. He helped the blonde undress, pulling him in close to lay down as happy tears continued to run down his cheeks, "Tomorrow when we are back to the farmhouse we can plan it out. We will pick our best route and pack up appropriately…" Kakashi laughed, reflecting on both of their unpreparedness the last time they had traveled through the regions. "...by early next week we could be ready to head out west." Naruto laughed, his wet cheek pressed tightly into Kakashi's neck, "I would like that, Kashi." Kakashi hummed, squeezing his love in close, pressing soft kisses to the top of his head, "Then consider it done." Breathing heavily of the blonde's scent, he continued to press soft kisses to his neck and chest, waiting patiently to hear his love fall asleep.