Third Person POV ~
The next morning wasn't so different from usual for Naruto. He woke up, did his morning routine and exercise, some studying, meditation and packed what little was left to pack and as it was almost 08:00, he dashed off to the main gate.
Naruto was the first to arrive, he chatted a little with the gate Chunins effectively brightening their day with his contagious smile. Then arrived Yamato, shortly followed by Sai and then came Sakura. One was quizzically observing Naruto with a blank face; Sai while the other two were in a shocked/surprised stupor by his appearance and demeanour. The three of them observed how visibly different and relaxed Naruto looked and how nicely he was conversing with the Chunin. They also noted how the Chunin were not treating the situation or his change in appearance or behavior as a shock, it looked like they were used to seeing Naruto like this.
And finally after 15 minutes past the meeting time, Kakashi arrived in a normal leaf shunshin.
Briefing their positions and planning their traveling and resting time, Team Kakashi plus Naruto leapt off.
Naruto waved to the gate Chunins, Izumo and Kotetsu bye with a cute smile. Team Kakashi noticed how they sighed dreamily and waved back.
Sai tried to pull a confused face but ended up looking constipated. Yamato was awkwardly observing, Sakura was surprised and Kakashi blinked amused, smiling under his mask. His sensei's son was attractive alright.
Surprisingly Sakura was just observing Naruto and hadn't punched or screeched her questions out of him.
Yet.
The travel would take 4 days with resting time included.
Traveling was going smoothly, dusk broke and the time for first break came.
Kakashi signalled his team to halt and start a camp. He distributed duties, "Sakura prepare dinner, Sai and Tenzou set the tents, I'll collect firewood make fire and Naruto go scout the area and set traps."
They all nodded ready to leave the area and fulfill their assigned duties.
That is when Sakura finally lost control.
"Wait a minute Naruto! What is wrong with you? Why are acting so different? Are you trying to be like.. like..." she trailed off, clearly confused about Naruto, his intentions and her feelings.
Naruto blinked, not understanding where this came from and why would she accuse him of such actions, he understood what or more specifically who she was indicating to but he was sure he wasn't acting anything like the emotionless Uchiha.
Clearly confused why would she think so, he smartly replied with a "Huh?"
Sakura was about to snap again, Sai interrupted, "You look different, act different from when we were on a mission together last time. Are you courting someone, dickless?"
All eyes were on Naruto, he blinked, once, twice and spluttered, "Ehhh!? What gave you an idea like that? And would stop calling me that!"
Sakura snorted, "Like he said idiot, you act different, work different and you are dressing different. Are you really?" she didn't show but was internally hoping Naruto was doing all of this to impress her.
Naruto shook his head, "Whatever gave you the idea I'm different. I'm not courting anyone. And Sai why would you think, 'me dressing and behaving different' as you both are referring would mean I'm courting?"
Sai spoke giving his fake and skin crawl worthy smile with a much matching tone which made Naruto shiver, "I read it in a book. People tend to change their behavior, attitude and clothing style to impress someone they are trying to court."
Naruto snorted, "If I could I would ban you from reading books as such. Kami you are creepy." he shook his head.
After a brief pause he continued shrugging, "If I were trying to court someone, I wouldn't change myself and honestly, I wouldn't approve of anyone who would want to do so just to simply impress someone whose position is uncertain in your life. That's just an unhealthy 'relationship'."
Team Kakashi, apart from Sai, who had a thoughtful gaze, stared bewildered at Naruto and said young man proceeded to walk away towards the depths of trees, now looking ever so nonchalant and graceful that he tended to be. He looked so badass at that moment, it was unbelievable.
Naruto checked the whole area, set basic traps and left a couple of Kage Bunshin as guards and returned to the camp.
By the time Naruto came back, the tents were set and the food was almost done.
They all did small talks while eating.
Sakura spoke, "So Naruto, we don't see you anymore. At least I haven't seen you after that mission report. Do you not meet anyone or go somewhere? And how are your solo missions going?"
"I do meet a few people and go places. My solo and also as a plus one missions are going really well Dattebayo!" Naruto replied with a grin.
Yamato kept a passive expression, Kakashi rose an eyebrow, Sai blinked Sakura frowned at that answer, "Really? Who do you meet? Where do you go? I never saw you neither alone nor with anyone or anywhere."
Naruto tilted his head and replied shrugging, "A few places that I like or have work with. I meet Iruka-nii-san, Shikamaru-kun, Lee-kun, Neji-kun, Hinata-chan, sometimes Tenten-chan and have met Ino-chan twice or thrice and of course Tsunade-no-baa-chan and yeah, Konohamaru-kun and gang."
Sakura widened her eyes in surprise, "You meet Shisou? What for?"
"I help her with paperwork." he answered nodding.
"Why would she take help from a baka like you? Why didn't she ask me? I'm her apprentice." Sakura questioned half furious half curious.
Naruto rose an eyebrow, totally unimpressed. All while thinking, why did he ever like her. Sighing he rolled his eyes and replied in a duh tone, "My dream is to become Hokage, yours isn't. She is helping me to understand what really means to be a Kage."
Kakashi nodded in understanding, he questioned this time, not liking the way Sakura was 'oh so subtely' insulting Naruto, "Other people? Iruka is pretty obvious but Team Gai? Also it's like you are talking to at least one person from other rookie teams apart from this one. Any reason?"
"Eh? You're right, I didn't notice before though. Well they're all so cool! They helped or keep helping me some way or the other or I just like to hang out with them. I even hang with their senseis sometimes, it's nothing much tteba."
"You mean Asuma and Kurenai?" Kakashi asked surprised, why wasn't he aware of this? Then he remembered he hasn't really been much social, he had been busy with constant Jounin and ANBU missions lately.
"Asuma-sensei, Kurenai-sensei and also Gai-sensei." Naruto answered.
"What! Gai-sensei? What do you do with him?" Sakura asked shocked.
"He's inspiring. Their team is good to work with. I like to workout with him and Lee-kun sometimes. They are so.. eh.. 'youthful' and with my chakra reserves I can do exercises almost the same amount as them." Naruto shrugged one shoulder.
"Kurenai-san and Asuma-san?" This time Yamato questioned.
"Thanks to Kurenai-sensei, I can perform a few basic genjutsus. Asuma-sensei and I have the same primary affinity, he helped me with that." Naruto replied nodding.
"Wow. How about Hinata and Shikamaru?" Sakura asked intrigued.
"Hinata-chan helps with some personal things and Shikamaru is just my favorite man in the village right now. Me and him hangout the most together dattebayo." Naruto answered with a slight smile.
Kakashi frowned underneath his mask. 'What personal things?' He scowled at the favorite man comment.
"And you must be doing dumb stuff with Konohamaru and his gang then." Sakura said snorting.
"I train or spend time with them. They like their 'boss' or 'nii-chan' as they like to refer it. Konohamaru stays with me more though." Naruto said nonchalantly, a smile more clear this time.
"Don't tell me you waste Iruka-sensei's time then." Sakura questioned more like stated, eyes narrowed in accusation.
"I hope I don't. We are at the academy or just chilling together." Naruto answered earnestly.
"Academy Naruto?" Yamato questioned.
"The kids in the academy like me. I accompany Iruka-sensei sometimes and teach the students or just play with them ttebayo." Naruto answered with a chuckle.
Kakashi smiled underneath his mask not so surprised, Yamato blinked surprised still a small smile on his face, Sai just observed the interaction and Sakura sitting with wide eyes.
After this light interrogation, though Kakashi wanted to talk more too after all he missed Naruto, his presence, talks and everything about him greatly but duty calls. Sighing inwardly Kakashi ordered with a fake cheerful voice, "Well if we're done with our food we should take rest. We will share tents. Sakura can have one. Hmm, Tenzou you are with me, Naruto and Sai can share. I'll take first watch, Naruto second, Sai third, Tenzou fourth and lastly Sakura fifth. Sakura you will be the last so technically it will be morning so it will be your duty to prepare breakfast and wake us all up."
"Hai!" the five replied in unison.
Everyone except Kakashi changed and settled in their respective tents.
Sai and Naruto were in their respective tent, Naruto needed to see the seal and he decided to be blunt. Thinking that showing more friendliness than usual will alert him and he would not trust him. Taking a deep breath he started talking, "Sai, I need to talk to you. It's serious."
Said boy gave his attention to Naruto, "Hai."
Naruto marked a square around them, activating his personal silence seal.
"I am going to be honest with you and let me tell you I trust you, that's why I'm asking for assistance. If you aren't comfortable, voice it but I will be able to hopefully help if you help me."
Sai nodded his head, not sure where this is going.
"I came across a ROOT member." Naruto voiced solemnly.
Sai stiffened slightly in alarm.
"Don't worry, I won't tell any of the team members. I was told you were assigned by Danzo and I'm somehow certain that you are a part of the organization too. I know there is a seal that prevents you from talking, so I won't question you. However, I want to see and study the seal and hopefully make a counter seal. Please, I only want to help you and other people like you."
Sai stared at Naruto who stared back determinedly.
Sai, seeing no deception just honesty hesitantly nodded.
He opened his mouth wide and rolled his tongue out showing the seal and it's placement clearly. Naruto quickly retrieved a blank scroll and brush, he drew the seal on it delicately noting every single detail. He observed a little more and nodded his thanks to Sai.
Sighing Naruto spoke again, "Sai, I'm going to give you a job. I want you to collect information on Danzo. I will infiltrate their base but that comes much later. For now I want you to collect as much information as possible and write reports for me. You need not talk to anyone about it. I see why the placement is done on tongue. I want you to be careful with this."
Sai nodded, "I am not sure about it but I may be able to do that. But when or how are you going to infiltrate?"
"Not soon. I needed to take care of some things before we proceed with the main part and there is also the fact we cannot not raise any suspicion whatsoever, so we have to take it slow. This information is just with Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya-sama. Though they are not aware of the plan or members of the team I have selected as of yet. I'm thinking about including Shikamaru. Soon after this mission is complete I'm leaving Konoha to travel for a while. So, I'm going to assign this mission to you and Shika. Think you'll be able to work with us?"
"Hai, I don't mind. A question, any reason behind choosing Shikamaru-san and not Kakashi-senpai?"
"Actually Kakashi will be a part of this too, not right now though. For now I want the three of us to focus on doing our parts best, Kakashi is an experienced ANBU, he will come in the equation later. I want us to be prepared for being able to work with him."
"I am curious how you received such vital information on ROOT but I think I'll save it for later. When will you be leaving though?"
"One or two weeks after we return to Konoha."
"I see." Sai nodded.
"In that period I'll explain this plan to Baa-chan and Shika-kun. By that time if you have something to add or say you are free to. We may spend some time together." Naruto finished with a grin.
Sai nodded again with a slight smile, this was a genuine one.
"It's time for my watch. Take some rest I'll see you when it's your turn. Ja ttebayo!" Naruto said and deactivated his silence seal.
Packing back his possession and retrieving a book about body anatomy and massage Naruto stepped out of the shared tent and walked towards Kakashi. He was watching the moon silently his customatory Icha Icha book in lap. Naruto stepped on a twig nearby to announce his arrival and sat beside him on the branch that the Jounin had occupied. Kakashi side glanced him in amusement.
"Maa Kaka-sensei, I'm here for my turn." Naruto spoke lazily.
"Naruto-kun? It's still early. You still have some time left." Kakashi drawled looking at his book.
"I didn't sleep yet, you can go. I'll take the watch." The blonde offered with a smile.
"Maa I'll stay for a little while to accompany my kawaii little genin." Kakashi eye smiled.
Naruto chuckled softly.
"Maa what is the book about?" Kakashi questioned genuinely interested.
"Body anatomy and massage? I didn't know you were interested." Kakashi observed surprised.
"One of the things I'm learning. I read that massage helps relieve tension and stress and also to let the flow of chakra in your body much easier. I'm just trying to learn 'ttebayo." Naruto answered nodding.
"Who are you going to try it on? You will have to practice ne?" Kakashi teased.
"My clones tteba. Duh sensei!" Naruto answered with an eye roll.
"Maa when we get back home. Do give me a massage hmm?" Kakashi countered with a smirk.
Naruto was involuntary reminded of Kakashi's naked body from hot springs and he felt his cheeks heating up.
Kakashi seeing Naruto slightly red and dazed eyes called Naruto's name in alarm, "Naruto-kun!"
"H-hai sure. When we get back." he promised rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"Hmm. So when are you coming back to the team? You know I miss my kawaii little kitsune." Kakashi spoke sweetly a smile underneath his mask and the visible eye turning in a familiar crescent.
Naruto blushed harder, surprised by the seemingly genuine confession.
"S-soon I g-guess." he replied lowering his gaze.
Noticing the stutter and redness on Naruto's face Kakashi grew concerned.
"Are you okay Naruto-kun? Your face is growing red and you are stuttering. If you are ill I can take your shift as well." Kakashi voiced in a concerned drawl.
"N-no." He cleared his throat in an attempt to calm himself.
"I mean no. I'm fine, you can take rest sensei. Dattebayo!" Naruto spoke smiling brightly.
Kakashi still worried, he could still see the pink on Naruto's face in the moonlight, he nodded slightly.
"See you in the morning then. Ja ne!"
Kakashi pocketed his Icha Icha, waved and started to walk away.
"Good night sensei." Naruto replied softly.
Naruto observed the retreating back of Kakashi. How graceful his sensei was. The man didn't even need to try. Little visible beautiful light skin glistening in the moonlight. Jounin outfit on his body in a lazy fitting. His silver hair in an angle constantly challenging gravity. The way his hips slightly sway with every step, hands in his pockets, his walk lazy and smooth. The man was perfect in every way.
Kakashi feeling an intense gaze on his back, smirked to himself, 'Kawaii little kitsune indeed.' and chuckled softly.
Naruto sighed dreamily, not even bothering to acknowledge or realize that he had just checked his sensei out. All while Kurama was chuckling inside in his mindscape. Naruto didn't question his biju figuring Kurama had finally gone senile.
Naruto read his book until Sai came for his shift. He retreated in his tent, changed his clothes and slept peacefully in his sleeping bag.
kawaii - cute
Kitsune - fox