Chapter 2: Traveling…

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Rating: Undecided

Pairing: Kakashi/Naruto

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It was quiet today much like every other day, but it was a little to quite, strolling around Konoha as usual with his orange Come, Come Paradise book held loosely in his hands. His uncovered eyes hung low and lazy as usual nothing new there. While the blue mask clutched tightly around his face, over the bridge his nose. Nothing showing but his left eye and the skin around it his silver spiked hair swayed to the side as he continued to walk paying no attention to anything around him. Sighing came from behind the blue cover as he looked up; his so called long time rival was in front of him talking about youth once again, time to take it out smoothly. "Did you say something?" he asked in a monotone voice, looking back down at his book just as the Taijutsu Jounin began cursing of god knows what. The man yawned and continued on, there was nothing to do anymore or so he thought.

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"How in the hell do you open this thing..." He stared down at the package with a confused look. He tried many ways, on opening this pack of food it just wasn't working with him. It was mocking him because he hasn't eaten in two days. How he survived was beyond logic knowledge. Sighing he picked it back up and looked it over, "Must it be so hard to eat some chips..." He muttered silently. Focusing on the plastic bag, he gawked, "...Cut...Here..." He dropped the chip bag and flopped backwards. He could feel his stomach pinching and twisting around, he was so hungry. Why on earth would the sells man give him a bag which says 'cut here?' Certainly he would have been at least smart enough to give him chips that you just pull apart with your hands. His eyes zoned out as he watched the white fluff of clouds drift by, this was just too much for him. He was so hungry he could hardly stand it.

His grasping rocks and throwing out of boredom, each one going in different direction, he took hold of another, this one was long and smooth like. He brought it to the front of his face, staring at the object for moment. It was like a moment of pure dumbness. He was so hungry he didn't even know what the object was. It struck him after a other second or so, his eyes widened. Sitting up, "KUN-..." he ducked his head looking around quietly. That was a little too loud for comfort. Reaching down he picked up the bag again giving it a hard look, then cut it open with the Kunai. He watched as the chips slowly fell to the floor, it was like a moment of slow motion at hand. He watched the thin layer of food make small movements in the winds, and then flopped back down on the bank of the river.

Ramen, a fleeting thought. It had been so longer since he had his occasional Bo of pork ramen. His mouth merely watered at the thought. He knew the first thing he did when he got back to Konoha was go to the Ramen Shop for however many bowls of ramen he could afford at the time. Then he would stop by baa-Chan office. He let out his goofy grin as he stood; walking over to the branch he left his clothes on. His appeal had changed somewhat, but he still wore his traditional orange he had to have his orange no matter what he wore. The jacket and pants were orange as usual, but they had black strips going down. The jacket stopped just below his chest and kept it unzipped. He wore a black shirt underneath that traveled down just below his belt. So on, so on, getting dressed as quick as possible he began he way back to Konoha.

Not only was he excited about his food, but also about seeing his friends again. He just hoped that they would be as thrilled as him. It after all has been forever. Then again he almost forgot, he was supposed to be dead. A groan escaped him as he thought about this. His hunger seemed to have subsided because of the pervious interaction for disturbing thoughts. Seriously if they knew him well enough they know that the great Naruto Uzumaki couldn't die and by the hands of Orochimaru, no. There was no way in hell; the fox would ever die at the hands of his enemy. Another thought came to mind, Sasuke Uchiha. When he saw that idiot he was going to give him a good lecture on who to be friends with and what not.

Now that he gave the chance to think all of his friend's names began to flow. He was so busy with the mission he completely forgot all about them. He closed his eyes and grinded his teeth. How could he be so stupid as to forget about the people that cared about him the most? Even Gaara and Temari came floating in his mind. The Sand ninja's, Gaara had become a good friend of his although you couldn't really tell. He chuckled and continued on, he was close now, just a little bit further and he would be at the village he both loved and despised.

So, now his longtime rival was dead. His teammate, his enemy, the same Orochimaru from back when he was a genin, to now was dead. Finally dead. In the long, strenuous battle, Naruto had delivered the last, killing punch that Jiraiya wanted to execute Orochimaru with; but hey, beggers can't be choosers. Jiraiya was proud that he did do some crucial damage and that's ALL that mattered to him (well not really). Orochimaru was dead and now all they had to do was go back to Konoha, as easy as it sounded. But it was going to be really hard since Tsunade and him kind of lied about Naruto dying.

But now, Jiraiya didn't find any importance in that, because the fully recovered old man had FINALLY gotten the cheap sake he longed for. The scent was relaxing and reminded him of all the young, beautiful girls with the seemingly always perky bosoms that made him grin at those bars. Oh, and those cute little butts! He wasn't slapped when his hand went astray to go grab something. If only Tsunade was that lenient with him! ...At any period in his life!

He had gone out to grab some food as Naruto did, but Jiraiya, as usual, took a very long time at choosing what he wanted. There were so many distractions! Like the bars he really had the urge to go in, or the young ladies that walked by he went to go flirt with. But all that time, he just got two hand-sized grounds full of cheap sake because that's all he needed. Life was good right now! Time to celebrate! With that vacant grin he wore on his face, he uncorked one of the gourds and took a nice refreshing swig. After he swallowed, he let out his breath in a satisfied "aah!" the perverted hermit continued on his way to find Naruto again. He had to find some way of

It was so boring here, he just wanted to hurry up and get back to his village it was the only he thought about. When he was way he was getting into so much trouble it wasn't even funny because of the god damn pervert hermit. The nickname stuck after once given, then again he was occasionally calling him Ero-sensei. That was also a given, quite interesting to boot. Sighing he brushed at his short jacket, he would at least like some fun or excitement to spark his interest, besides going along with Ero-sensei's data gathering. Last time he did that he got hit so hard on the head he passed out for a day. A day wasted because of a hit from a woman, could he sink any lower. Well with Sakura it was different, she was a friend, a teammate, hell she was even a crush. What made it different was because he knew her, not all the other women.
(XD for a moment there I thought I was writing about sex...)

Naruto snapped his head to the side; a grunt escaped him when a snap came forth. This was just scary and he was a strong ninja. Staring at the bush for a long moment, maybe it was ninja coming to get him and cut to piece because he killed their master. He hand twitched towards his kunai's. Just wait he was ready, they could attack and he would attack back no big deal, or was it. The bush rumbled again, wait rumbled. His brows rose in confusion since when do bushes rumble and squeak. His gawked open as the cause came out. He almost fainted from both fear and surprise.

Blinking he stopped after spotting was causing the noise and his cold run of blood. It was a squirrel, god he hated those devil little creatures. Stalking closer he leaned down. "So it was you who was making all that noise and scaring me half to death." The brown ball of fluff looked up at him and he looked down at the squirrel. It made some kind of growl like coo. Pointing a finger at him, "Hey don't you make that sound at me what do you know anyways, you're just an animal." The squirrel flung forward biting onto his shoe. "Aaah!' He jumped back his leg in the air as he tried to swing the squirrel off. "Let go of me you rabid pork-bun that hurts!" He screamed his heart out.

He shook his leg like crazy until finally he grabbed the tail and flung it into a tree. This one really hurt him unlike the time he was chased by a pack of boars for some odd reason reminded him of Ino. Shrugging he kept his eyes open for any other animal attacks. Where was that perverted teacher of his anyways? He was always late, just like Kakashi. The thought of his past sensei made his mood lighten. He was a good teacher, a good man; he smiled at all his excuse. The one with the black cat made him laugh inside, but he didn't show it. Speak of the devil Ero-sensei has returned, he turned around. "Nani?" He asked facing his Jiraiya. A bath? His eye twitched; there was nothing better to do. Sighing he lowered his head, "Okay..." He said as a final answer.

"Good." Jiraiya stated, and started leading the way again. He put up his hand in a little wave again, accentuating his next sentence before he dropped it. "You're beginning to smell again."

Even if that wasn't true, he just wanted to have a reason so it didn't look like he was just going to peep at women who were on the other side of the male bath. But Naruto knew him quite well, so it wouldn't be a surprise to Naruto if he did just wash himself off, drink, and then go decide to carefully look over the bamboo wall that blocked the taboo area off. He was already beginning to break the three deadly sins of a shinobi--but hey. He could let it slide since he was a GREAT Sannin. The man who could make a baby stop crying! Yes! Those weren't so deadly to him anymore. But Naruto was still a sprout, so he was allowed to tell Naruto that those were still deadly to him!

The super pervert was wearing a confident, amused grin on his face. Although he was aging, he was aging rather slowly, so he didn't gain a lot of wrinkles as of late. Even if he was pushing sixty (he will be expecting those in his mid to late-60s, then his handsomeness would go downhill from there). The bath of the town was nearing, and he had hopes that maybe, like the gambling village, this one had a mixed bath. But to the old man's demise, it was like any normal town. A separated bath.

This meant he was resorting to his mad peeping skills!

Smell! What the hell is his problem, what did I do to him! I'll show him who smells and who doesn't. Ha! Why does it matter anyways, I took a bath this morning so he shouldn't be complaining. He huffed and looked towards the bush, his eye twitched maybe it was the animal. They did carry smell and what not. Sighing he began after his teacher. He was going to endure pain he could already tell and feel. Lagging behind wasn't such a good idea either. He looked down when he felt his shoe landed into something soft. "Nani..." He muttered staring down at the pile of poop he stepped in. "...Eh..." He lowered his head and sighed. He was having such a bad day, first the squirrel, then Jiraiya, and now the poop. Yes this was a day.

After what he thought had been on his show was gone he came up to walk beside Ero-sensei. The tall, old, white haired male looked like he was about to burst which kind of scared the tamer. Since when was he like this, wait...never mind he's always like this. How did I get stuck with someone like this? "Are we almost there..." He whined looking up at the old Sannin. Shaking his head, the old super pervert was getting way over his head. Women this, women that, didn't he have better things to do then gather his so called 'data'.

Naruto sighed, "Ero-sensei, I really want to get there as soon as possible. I don't want to play this game any longer. It hurts people and make them think negative things." He muttered, hoping, just maybe the elder was listening, if not then oh well he tried

"Yes, we're almost there," Jiraiya said. He was too listening a bit. He just took a pause for a couple moments before replying to Naruto. He looked over his shoulder, peering Naruto in the eye when he said this. "Naruto, if people think you're dead, what's there to think about except you're dead? Don't worry about it. I have it all planned out."

That last part was a lie, but what better way to reassure the blonde-haired man? He was gonna plan it out sooner or later, when he wasn't busy gathering his very important data. And now the great Jiraiya shall perform his art of peeping! The old man tried not to look eager or seem eager to undress and get in the bath after entering the men's changing room. After clothes removage (is that a word?), he didn't wait for Naruto, or even glance over to see how he was doing. After wrapping the dry towel around his waist, he stuffed his clothes and his sandals in one of the cubby holes, and left to get in the bath. He also brought one of his gourds of sake.

First he did what he usually did and made it seem like he WASN'T going to peep. Also to wet down his hair and everything (but it never really worked). He stayed at the edge, putting his arms out and grasping onto it while relaxing. Then he reached over to his gourd nearby, uncorked it, and took a long swig. Then he pulled it away from his mouth, corked it, and let out a sigh.
"Aah!" He said, mainly to himself. "Now time to "check on" the young ladies..."

And so, Jiraiya lifted himself out of the bath, wrung some of his hair dry, and proceeded to walk to the bamboo wall. He stood on his tippy-toes (because it was some large wall), grabbed onto the wall, and looked over. There wasn't as much girls in there as he expected, but the steam from the hot springs made them look extra sexy!
"Kyahaa"

Ha! Like I'll believe that you have it all planned out. Last time you said that, we nearly go eaten by hungry bears. He sighed as they made their way into the bath house. This was going to be a long day, he could already feel it. He could also feel the pain that was going to come, unless Jiraiya smooth the ladies or something. Slowly discarded the clothes that he was wearing he followed pursuit and grabbed a towel as well, tucking it around his waist. He walked into the water and sat down. Staring down at his reflection, he didn't change much. Well the way he looked, like color hair and skin also the whicker scars on his cheeks those didn't change. Only thing is he looked older and mature, also his hair grew out more. Ero-sensei changed, yep! He got older. The tamer snickered, but quickly covered his mouth.

Hearing the movement of water and a splash he looked up. His mouth parted somewhat as he watched his sensei walk over to the parting wall. "What are you doing...?" He stood up a fist clutched in front on him. "You're going to get us in trouble. He looked away, not like its the first time. He continued to stare as he rose to look over. "BAKA!" He screamed, "I hope you slip and fall...you old perverted man!" Plopping back down into the water he closed his eyes. A small smile came forth, the word baka' brought back memories, mostly of him being screamed at and getting hit for doing something wrong or stupid and likely Sakura was the one who dealt the blow.

Naruto raised a brow, no screams yet. He shrugged it was only a matter of time now. Unless, they liked old pervert men. He shivered at the thought, it was just disgusting he felt like he was about to throw up.

Jiraiya lowered himself and crouched down by the water, glaring at his pupil. It was one of those glares that look funny, but make you mad all at the same time. He raised his fist and brought it down to harshly collide with Naruto's head.
"Shut up!" He sneered. He tried not to make it too loud, or the lovely ladies on the other side might hear him and get suspicious. Not like they probably already were thanks to Naruto's big trap! "I'm collecting very important data. So stop calling me a pervert so LOUDLY! Just don't talk, or come appreciate God's perfect creations with me!"

And with that, the old pervert stood up again and paced towards the wall again. He hitched himself on his toes and looked over the wall, man-giggling ever so slightly to himself. So... none of them heard him? Jiraiya shrugged. OH WELL THAT IS BETTER FOR HIM! But it was only a matter of time before the giggles died down into low murmurs, then loud shrieks. And it didn't take that long either. Damn. Damn you, Naruto!

"Uhh... hehe, no hard feelings, ladies?" He said apologetically, trying to convince them NOT to throw stuff at him and yeah. But that didn't convince them. They were already throwing soap bars, rags, rocks, bath buckets, and hard stuff at him. As usual, they hit face right on mark, which made him lose his balance and fall on his butt. He went to go rub his face where the items hit him, which were red. "Aah... Jeez! They throw hard!" He complained, angrily tightening his free hand into a fist, and clenching his teeth together to try and dull the stinging pain in his face. And after groping around and getting his sake, Jiraiya was retreating to the safety of the bath, way on the opposite side of the wall.

"It's your entire fault, Naruto!" He hissed.

A sigh came forth from his mouth as he moved the water around with his hand. They were wasting time, even if they were to return to Konoha what was baa-chan suppose to tell the people. He grunted and ran a hand over his face. What would she expect; they didn't even send her a message saying that they had defeated Orochimaru. He gawked he knew he forgot something, he just shivered at the thought of what the old women was going to do to him when they get there. He could all ready hear it, Naruto you dimwitted idiot you forgot to send us a message again, just like last time. Making us worry like that! His face scrunched up at the thought of her face in front of his. His hand came up fingering the necklace around his neck. "Blah, blah...woof, woof..." He whispered.

Jiraiya was really starting to get annoying, his eye twitched, "Ero-sensei can't we jus-...OW!" His head planted into the water muffing the curses words that followed after. Lifting his head back up he quickly turned around about to yell, join him! Ha! He wasn't about to get fooled again. Last time he went with him and the female started yelling and throwing things at them he blamed it on the tamer and ran off the same happens with food. He eats then leaves without a trace making Naruto pay the bill. He growled roughly placing his hands behind his head. Idiot, he would stop if he knows what's good for him.

As if cued by his thoughts the loud roars of angry women filled his ears. He merely closed his eyes and waited for it to be over with and sure enough it quiet down.

Naruto opened his mouth to say something, but slowly closed it waiting to see his sensei to come back. He tried his hardest to keep his laughter in when he heard the perverted hermit mention something about throwing hard or something else along those lines. Opening his eyes once again as he heard the water shift around. He stared at the old man far across from him. His arm drifted down to hold his stomach as the rather harsh laughter exploded from him. He pointed a finger at Jiraiya's face while tears gathered at the corner of his eyes because he was laughing so hard. "Y-you...Should s-see the look o-on y-y-y…our face. N-not to m-m-mention the read m-mark!" He managed to gasp out while slapping his knee and holding his stomach all of his laughter was giving him cramps in his sides, but he couldn't stop, it was just too funny.

Jiraiya just contorted his face in an annoyed look with Naruto. LAUGHING AT HIS PAIN AND HARD WORK! Those were the sexiest ladies he's seen all month, and now they're long gone. He could have gotten away with peeping, too! If it weren't for that meddling kid and his big mouth. The old man just glared quietly at Naruto until he was going to burst... And he looked like it, too, with his face red hot with anger. He sunk in the water, until only his eyes were out and let out a big, heavy sigh, which resulted in lots of bubbles rising and popping against the watery surface. He waited until Naruto stopped laughing...

...But after waiting a minute (Jiraiya is impatient sometimes), he just wouldn't stop! He clenched his teeth. He wasn't afraid to yell at Naruto, since he was the loud and typical stupid guy of the three-man team. So he did. He rose out of the water, until his waist on up was out of the water. He pointed at Naruto and roared at him. LIKE A LION.
"YOU SHUT UP!" He yelled. That pretty much vented him. "If you saw what I saw, you'd know it was worth the pain!"

And then, he just crossed his arms, and looked away like he was pouting and sat back in the water for a little while. What's the point of being here when there's no girl? Besides, it was his little getaway to procrastinate because he was actually planning on reporting to Tsunade and ask her if she had any special plan for him to hide Naruto and bring him to the tower without anyone noticing him finally returning with unknown luggage. Because if Tsunade didn't have a plan--that mean he'd have to think. What a bore fest. --;

"Hmph... Well since there is no reason to be here anymore; let's just go." Jiraiya stated, sounding really disappointed, He slouched and dropped his arms and began making his way out of the water, out of the bath area, and to find a dry towel to dry his body with and get some of the moisture out of his hair. He was gingerly drying himself off with a clean, fluffy white towel that one of the staff had just put out. After wiping off his face, he looked at himself in the mirror at the red marks on his face and frowned. They ruined my beautiful face! Ooh, if only he were 30 years younger--they would so have let them peep on him since he would have been waaaay more handsome and sexy than he is now.

After drying himself off, the Sannin got rid of his towel and dressed himself at a usual, simple pace. He was relieved that the girls he was peeping on didn't tell any authority, or any other men in the bath when he was looking. Just Naruto. But he knew Naruto and knew that Naruto probably wouldn't report him or anything... Right? Right.
When he pulled on his jacket, stepped into his red zori, and grabbed his backpack full of stuff, he walked outside and stood by the door, waiting for Naruto to finish up so they could just head down the road.

He reached into the back of his bag, and pulled out a pad of regular, light blue stationary and a pen. He quickly scribbled down quickly and neatly onto the pad.

"Tsunade-

Naruto and I have completed our mission of killing off Orochimaru. Now we're heading back to Konoha- not too fast, though. I'm taking my time, just in case you don't want Naruto at the village this moment. But when I reach the village, I don't know if you have any special plan for bringing him in without notice. I would ask you to send me a plan, but I don't know where we'll be when you get this. But I know I'm gong to make him put on a hinge when we get into the village (if you were wondering). But for some reason, if you know where I am, you should send me a plan. You know, in case I get too lazy and careless... : )

- Jiraiya -

P.S. Ever try finding old man Sarutobi's crystal ball?"

Hey, that wasn't so bad, he thought, and stuffed it back into his bag, along with the pen. Now he would just have to find a manila envelope(or a normal one; it didn't matter) and a courier ninja in the next small town.

The mouth snapped shut once the lion released its roar. Naruto stared at the old man with a confused look, "I..." He shook his head and closed his mouth once again. Seeing as the time to speak was clearly not at this very moment. He was really mad and it was directly towards him, he sighed. Oh well he had it coming anyways, Ero-sensei was a naturally good person he just showed in different ways. Like one time he tried to explain the arts of ninja to help him out it ended out being some thing stupid and he remembered it. The three taboos of a ninja that he told to him were alcohol, women, and money, and the old man loved them all. And the time that he had spent with him traveling when he told him the three taboos is a time he will never forget. He chuckled to himself as he heard the water shift around again. It seemed like he was done with his bath. Well he had to get out sometime as well before he scribbled up into a plum.

Sometimes he even had weird dreams of Jiraiya, this one with Orochimaru and Sasuke in it as well. Well it was more Orochimaru, but it scared the living hell out of him, then again at the same time when he woke up he laughed the hardest he had. It made fighting Orochimaru not that hard to think about, because all he had to think about was seeing the snake guy drunk and dumb.

Naruto started to randomly laughing at thinking over the short dream. It was funny, but had to get out now. Rising slowly he walked over to the rocks and pushed himself out. Brushing his hands over he returned to where he left his clothes. He felt as when they traveled, Konoha was getting further and further away from him and he didn't like it to much. The thought made him angry and sad at times, but he knew they would get there sooner or later. Getting dress after drying off he made his way out to where Jiraiya sat. "Well lets start again?" He asked with a brad grin plastered on his face.