Third Person POV ~
Naruto walked out of his tent, dressed in his mission garb indicating he hadn't tried to sleep yet. He walked towards where Kakashi was perched and sat beside him. He looked at Kakashi's visible face and sighed too. As if taking that as an indication to talk, Kakashi drawled in his bored voice. "Why are you so early Naruto-kun? I'm not even half way on shift."
"I wasn't sleepy, thought I'd retire you and take your shift as well. You can go if you want to ttebayo." He replied just as bored.
Kakashi hid a smile behind his book at the tone. Sai was indeed correct, Naruto did talk a little like him.
"Maa, I think I'll stay, so if you want and try to sleep, you can." Kakashi replied.
Unknown to Kakashi, Naruto had felt silver haired man's chakra going a little array and he could feel the Jounin drifting in sad thoughts even when the team was sitting together. He hadn't known how to approach or what to say to him. After all it was no secret that Kakashi was a private person and how would he even explain without giving much information that he had felt his distress. So when he felt Kakashi's never ending turmoil still not settling he just came out and sat beside him on a whim.
He took a deep breath to brave himself and regarded the Jounin, "Sensei, trust me 'kay?"
Kakashi tilted his head and rose an eyebrow questioningly.
Naruto without wasting a moment grabbed Kakashi's Icha Icha and snapped it close to put beside him with one hand, he pulled the Jounin by the vest and put his head on his lap with another.
Kakashi blinked because what? How had he gotten into this position? How fast had Naruto become exactly?
He would've complimented Naruto, because that really was an impressive show of speed, but he was busy being embarrassed.
Naruto kept one hand on Kakashi's shoulder and other on his head. He tugged his, surprisingly soft, thick silver hair. He observed the resemblance of Kakashi's hair and a wolf's fur was identical. He massaged his sensei's scalp with his nails and Kakashi nearly let out a purr at the feeling.
Kakashi didn't know what to say, he was embarrassed that his student had just got into his personal bubble without effort and he hadn't even complained but in his defense.. Well, he couldn't defend himself at that moment, he was enjoying Naruto's sweet torture way too much.
There were no words spoken, no tunes hummed, just the voice and smell of nature and sunshine that was Naruto and those damn sinful fingers on his head, as if Naruto knew Kakashi was trying his best to smother his embarrassment he kept quiet and allowed a sense of security to the silver head.
They sat, more like Naruto sat and Kakashi lied on Naruto's lap, like that content in each others presence for a while and Kakashi had all but forgotten his earlier turmoil and was ready to sleep but that would mean Naruto won't play with his hair so he stubbornly didn't give into sleep. Maybe that was childish of him but he didn't remember the last time someone had soothed his nerves, at least not someone alive that is. He also didn't remember being calmed by someone touching him physically. It was like a foreign concept to get touched.
"C'mon sensei, let's get you to sleep. You wouldn't want Sai to see you like this ne?" The blonde regarded him whispering softly.
Kakashi got up, reluctantly. He could barely contain his whine and pouted lightly at the loss of those fingers but didn't voice his complain. The boy had turned him into mush in no time but he wanted those fingers to pat him and massage his head more.
Naruto's presence was, like always, warm and comforting. Naruto, as if reading his thoughts gave a small smile and created a Kage bunshin to take watch. He picked Kakashi's Icha Icha and led the owner of the book towards his sleeping bag entwining one of Kakashi's pinky with his own. "Let's go."
They both changed into their night clothes and Kakashi settled in his sleeping bag, too embarrassed to say or do anything else.
It looked like Naruto just knew what he was feeling or thinking tonight and settled beside him and resumed the sweet torture. Tugging his hair lightly and scratching scalp with nails occasionally, this time he was humming a light tune too. Kakashi soon gave into the peaceful pull of unconsciousness.
Unbeknownst to himself, he purred in content. Naruto will not tell Kakashi or anyone else for the matter that he did so though, the jinchuriki of Kyuubi savored the moment for himself with a bright smile and light blush. He chuckled silently, seriously a deadly Jounin such as Kakashi could be so cute, who would have thought?
He settled into his own sleeping bag and fell asleep soon after. His clone will handle the watch tonight.
Third Person POV ~
Next day ~
After each member completed their morning routine respectively, the team leapt in speed. They had arrived at the borders of Suna and were so not looking forward to stay in the sand (and make sand castles or sand dunes out of themselves) more than necessary.
Kakashi had schooled his expressions and Naruto was behaving like nothing had happened.
'Maybe it was just an imagination and nothing actually had happened?' Kakashi asked himself 'or maybe they were playing 'I won't talk about it, you don't talk about it so it never happened.' Like a drunk accidental one night stand with a colleague.' He snorted inwardly at his own joke.
He shook his head fondly, he had so missed the blonde. He just wished this mission could get over and done with soon and the blonde would be back in the team again already. He might even try and manipulate the blonde into giving him a head massage again. Yeah, that sounded like a plan!
They had just arrived at the gates of Suna and were being escorted to the Kazekage tower. Naruto was basically bouncing on his heels all the way from the gates, ready to bolt towards Gaara but somehow managed to stay with the team. The team eyed him partly relieved partly exasperated seeing the blonde's renewed hyperactive enthusiasm that they were used to seeing.
They were escorted to the Kazekage's office in which Kakashi, being the leader took lead of the formalities. He made small talk with the Kage and the team stood behind him obediently. Even Naruto.
Gaara read the scroll once over and took a look at the team. His eyes lingered to Naruto's form a little longer than the rest but nobody questioned the Kage. Naruto didn't seem to notice or didn't bother to voice his discomfort, if he was any at all in the first place.
"I see. Apart from the ambassador, exchange of another team to strengthen the alliance." The Kazekage concluded from the scroll.
A slouching Kakashi nodded once.
"You will be escorted to one of our inns. Enjoy your stay. I will be writing a reply soon." He continued.
The team nodded waiting for an escort or a sign of dismissal but were taken back in surprise when Gaara spoke again.
"Uzumaki." The Kazekage addressed.
"Just Naruto would be fine, Kazekage-sama." Naruto said with a straight face but one could see the sparkle of amusement in his blue eyes.
The team noticed Temari and Kankuro, the siblings of Kazekage, sharing a grin.
Gaara's lip twitched in a small smile and Naruto grinned. Just as quickly the smile came, it vanished. Gaara didn't say anything just looked at him once again from head to toe and leaned forward with an impassive face again. Naruto seeming to understand what the look meant rolled his eyes and snorted. He rubbed his neck, face sheepish and shrugged one of his shoulder.
This time Gaara's smile was more visible.
"Naruto." Gaara addressed.
"Gaara." Naruto smiled.
"It's been a while." Gaara stated.
"Yes, it has. Maa that's why I was wondering if either Kazekage or Gaara could lend me a private meeting." The statement was more like a request.
Gaara stared at him. Temari and Kankuro exchanged a look. The team looked perplexed apart from Kakashi and Sai who kept their expressions neutral. Sakura readied her fist and opened her mouth to fix some manners in the blonde's head in one way or the other. Apparently the Hyuga had not done a great job. She was about to punch or speak but Gaara spoke in his usual monotone.
"Rest for the day, you will be summoned tomorrow." Gaara agreed.
Naruto gave a charming grin, "Thanks Gaara."
Gaara nodded, "Escort them Kankuro, Temari."
Kankuro nodded and the team left with a bow but not before Naruto throwing a cheeky wink at Gaara.
They stepped outside with Kankuro leading them towards one of their expensive inns.
"It's festival time, you might have to make adjustments." He warned the team.
"No problem." Kakashi agreed smoothly.
Kankuro got Naruto in a headlock and messed with his hair and said blonde tried to push him halfheartedly.
"What's gotten into you brat? The letter is two weeks due!" He snarled playfully but his face somehow made it look scary? Funny? ... Aa, hilariously frightening.
"Careful. One might think I'm writing love letters to you." Naruto replied cheekily.
"As if I would want one of those." Kankuro snorted still leading and keeping the blonde captive.
"Bleh. Where's Subaku-no-blonde? I thought she was coming along." Naruto whined.
"Miss me already Uzumaki-no-blonde?" Temari appeared out of nowhere as if she had just been summoned.
"Of course. I have to check if you aren't dying from the lack of my letters too." Naruto said with straight face.
Kankuro held him tighter while Temari snorted falling into step with her brother and his captive.
"Tch. You wish. Why were you late anyway?"
"I was going to send you guys one this week but I got a mission here. So I thought why write when I was going to meet you all."
"Yeah yeah." Kankuro muttered and finally let him go.
The team watched the exchange carefully. They had an idea, of course, of Naruto being close to Gaara but when did his siblings become Naruto's siblings too? They sure acted like that.
Kankuro talked to the inn receptionist and arranged for rooms. He returned to the team, "We're here. I could only arrange three rooms. Don't worry all three have double beds."
"We'll be fine." Kakashi said cheerfully.
"Go take a shower or go to an onsen, you stink." Temari ordered.
Naruto scrunched up his face adorably and sniffed in mock offense. "Liar. You just want to see me shirtless."
"Such misconception you have brat." Temari snorted but had a light blush on her face.
"Calls me a brat. Is apparently dating another brat." Naruto whispered to Kankuro silently. Kankuro snickered.
"I didn't hear you correctly." Temari growled, a blush more apparent this time.
"Maa Temari-chan. I said you were trying to see me completely naked." Naruto stated as if reporting the weather.
"You want to repeat that brat?" Temari's face had gone a nice shade of red by now.
"You sure you don't want a peek?" Naruto continued with a playful smirk, Temari shot him a withering glare.
"Hai hai I'll stop Lady Temari." Naruto said cowering comically and using Kankuro as a shield to protect himself from the wrath of a woman.
"Humph! That's what I thought." Temari said with smug satisfaction.
"Anyways, do you have any business to attend in these few days we'll be staying? I had wanted your help with certain things." Naruto asked her unconsciously using puppy dog eyes.
"Depends. What will I be getting from that?" Temari answered not missing a beat and not giving him a single glance, so she wouldn't fall for the ultimate trap.
"Aa ... Chocolate sprinkled cookies?" The whiskered blonde offered.
"You have a deal." The eldest Subaku shook hands with the Uzumaki as if they had just signed a new peace treaty.
"Hey! What about me?" Kankuro asked feeling left out.
"Hmm? Did you say something?" Naruto asked in what Gai would have referred as 'hip and cool' Kakashi fashion. Kakashi chuckled, the blonde was so kawaii. On the other hand, he added Naruto's cooking/baking on his mental 'Why To Manipulate The Blonde' list. He had tasted Naruto's cooking twice and as painful it is to remember, he could remember all the time Kushina-nee-san would forcefully make him sit and eat her homemade food. He chuckled again, 'Come to think of it, whenever he asks to join him for his food, he never really questions it's simply an order with a question mark for formality. He is so much like them... It hurts.' Kakashi shook his head to get rid of these thoughts.
"Brat!" Kankuro got him in a headlock again.
"Hai hai Vanilla cupcakes should do for you." Naruto said with a resigned tone but his face held a small smile.
"Now that's something!" Kankuro freed him and patted his shoulder once, hard.
"Go now. See you later." Temari waved and both the siblings took their leave.
"I wasn't aware you were close with the Kazekage's siblings" Yamato commented conversationally. They were walking towards the elevator.
"I'm close to all three of them actually." Naruto replied honestly.
"All three? Since when?" The wood user questioned, surprised. Seemed like Naruto was always full of surprises. Like always. Why would he be still surprised he didn't know. Like seriously, Naruto's moniker in Konoha is "The Leaf's No. 1 Most Unpredictable Ninja" for a reason.
"I think we established a friendship after the fight after Chunin exams but weren't close. Hmm, but we got close... when I returned from the training trip with Ero-sennin and heard that Gaara had become Kazekage I wrote him a letter to congratulate and since then we kinda write letters once in a while. Haven't written to them in a month though." The whiskered blonde confessed scratching one of his cheek with a finger.
"Ah. Is that why you asked for a private audience with the Kazekage? To catch up?" Kakashi asked, adding his two cents in the question jar.
The jailor of Kyuubi blinked, "Not entirely tteba."
"Then?" Sakura questioned frowning. Why and how did Naruto have so many secrets so suddenly?
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Private matter Sakura-chan." He said softly, trying not to offend her.
"You are being awfully a lot private." Sakura said scowling, the scowl not suiting her pretty features.
"Not every secret is meant to be out for the world eh?" Naruto said with a nervous laugh, trying to lift the mood.
"You say that as if I'm keeping a secret from you!" Sakura snarled offended. Because. Because he was her teammate and she deserved to know things about him. Why was he being so private!? When did he have secrets to begin with!? This is Naruto we're talking about! He has not hidden anything before! She knew almost everything about him before he left and now...! Like his favorite food - Ramen, color - Orange, tales from his trip with the Gama Sennin, and... and.. A sudden realization struck her and she paused.
She didn't know his birthday.
"Huh? No, I never implied that. And even if you are I don't mind. It's yours to keep ttebayo." Naruto said hastily.
"As if I would care what you would mind!" Sakura was ready to punch something, that something being the blonde in front of her. She was so angry. She didn't know, who should she be angry at. Naruto or herself?
Trying to cool her heated mind, she took deep breaths. She decided she'll try to get close to the blonde again, she didn't like the distance between them.
"Well, that's... rude." Naruto said with his head cocked on one side, he looked so much like a kid at the moment. Before she could continue, Naruto turned towards a slightly twitching Kakashi and bit back a smile. The Jounin, like always, wanted to do something, say something but didn't know what to do. He remembered Kakashi being a little restless like that during his Genin team time, when either of the three would fight or argue, the silver head was always twitching, shifting weight from one foot to another, wanting to do anything but didn't know what to. He couldn't help but think how kawaii the Jounin was even then and also now. "Anyways sensei, what are the room arrangements?" He asked politely.
"Ah hai, ahm we can be roommates like we were tentmates, Sai and Tenzou in another and Sakura you can enjoy a whole room to yourself." Kakashi, thankful of Naruto at the sudden question and breaking the tension, answered him and addressed the other teammates.
"Sounds good to me. Shall we then?" Naruto continued talking politely, "After you."
"My, Naruto-kun. How polite of you." Kakashi spoke amused by the blonde's antics.
"Why of course, nothing less for a gentleman like yourself." Naruto winked cheekily. Kakashi chuckled.
"Are you flirting with me Naruto-kun?" Kakashi asked, amusement clear as day in his eye and voice.
"Flirting? I am just being honest." Naruto said innocently.
"Oh Naruto-kun, I am flattered." Kakashi batted his eyelash continuing playing along.
"These lines seem so familiar." Sai said to himself. Suddenly he smacked a closed fist in his open palm in realization, "Oh! Dickless and Kakashi-senpai are using Icha Icha lines."
"What!? Really?" Yamato asked horrified that the blonde had read the books.
"After this comes the sexual intercourse as soon as Mina-chan and Kayo-kun enter the same room." Sai informed.
Sakura's face had taken a comical purple color, she was mortified.
Naruto and Kakashi blushed simultaneously.
They entered the elevator, "So what do you guys want to do? It's our vacation of sorts here." Kakashi cleared his throat and asked, for once eyes out of his porn- I mean romance novel.
"I just want to dissolve myself in a soft flat surface today. Most likely a bed. No plans for me." Naruto said with longing.
They reached their floor and were now talking in the corridor.
"Yeah let's do that." Kakashi agreed nodding, eyes back to his book. Other three nodded in affirmation.
"Okay then, we'll meet tomorrow and discuss if you have any plans. You guys are free to do anything you like just don't get into any trouble. Ja ne!" And Kakashi disappeared in his room.
"Bye!" Naruto said cheerfully and disappeared right behind him.
The other followed suit and left in their respective rooms.
*-*
Gama Sennin - Toad Sage