Naruto was sitting next to Jiraya under the same tree Jiraya occupied before where as Kakashi and Akio where in the middle of the field. Kakashi was currently sitting in a meditative pose, deep in concentration, Akio likewise. Naruto took a glance at Jiraya and saw that he too adorned a look of concentration, eyes glued to Kakashi.

Naruto turned to face his sensei once more. One moment there was nothing really happening but at the next moment white chakra exploded from his sensei and took the form of claws. There were three at the moment but Naruto noticed that a fourth was beginning to form in the back.

Naruto was fixated on Kakashi, he abandoned the meditative pose and was now crouching on all fours panting hard with sweat rolling down his face yet he was still focusing hard on the task at hand. Once the fourth claw sprouted the chakra went even wilder trying to take the form of the wolf inside of his sensei.

Yet before that could happen Akio was suddenly in front of Kakashi suppressing the demon's chakra and it slowly dissipated away. Naruto was so absorbed with what was happening that he didn't notice Jiraya move from his spot under the tree until he was close to Kakashi who had righted himself up and was sitting down trying to get his breathing under control. Naruto got up and rushed towards his sensei as well.

"What went wrong?" Naruto heard Jiraya ask Kakashi who stood up.

"The Wolf's chakra is overwhelming mine" Kakashi told him, his face void of any emotion.

"So it's a physical problem not a mental one?" Jiraya asked suspiciously

"Guess so" Kakashi shrugged

"You do know that I know that you are lying, right?" Akio deadpanned

"Figured as much" Kakashi shrugged not really caring

"Care to tell me what these problems are?" Akio demanded. When Kakashi didn't reply Jiraya intervened

"We need to know so we can help you overcome the demon" Jiraya explained

"I'm not a child, I know where my problem lies and I'm working on it, just give me some time" Kakashi replied

"We don't have time" Jiraya countered. Nobody said anything so Jiraya continued "How about you guys join Naruto and I at the Pools of Naguri, help Kakashi overcome his own demons. That way Kakashi doesn't need to tell us a thing if he doesn't want to"

"I like that better" Kakashi nodded in assent "If Akio doesn't mind of course" he added quickly.

Akio mulled it over, sighed then nodded. He knew that Kakashi needed his own way to deal with the demon so if this was what he wanted it might be best.

"Yes" Naruto cheered "We'll beat those demons"

The next morning found Izumi packing some food for all the men in the household. She packed Naruto some instant ramen as well knowing he had an obsession over it. Once she slipped some bento in each bag she piled them in front of the door and started to make breakfast before they set out on their journey.

Akio came into the kitchen a while later and smiled as he saw Izumi making some grape pancakes and omlets. "Need any help?" Akio asked her. Izumi first whipped around in shock but then smiled widely.

"Good Morning!" she replied happily "Maybe you can set the table and get the drinks ready. I was going for orange and apple juice and maybe some tea."

"Thank you" Akio smiled, pecked her on the cheek and resumed with his task. After a few minutes Kakashi came in all dressed and ready to go apart from having breakfast that is. HE greeted the pair and asked if they needed any help.

"My my, you're all so active today" Izumi smiled "Maybe it's because you have a journey ahead of you. Do you know how to cook anyway?"

Naruto and Jiraya chose that moment to enter, both still sleepy and in their sleepwear.

"Man, you're still as lazy as ever Jiraya." Akio sighed as he saw his long time friend plop down on a chair and stretch.

"I'm not lazy, I'm just conserving my energy" Jiraya waved his complaints away. Naruto sat down as well, covered his mouth and then let out a loud yell.

Izumi chuckled while Kakashi sighed in annoyance. He shook his head in defeat and turned towards Izumi once more, "Sure I can cook,"

"Really?" Izumi was shocked "Most male ninja only know how to gut fish and animals and cook them over a campfire. I'm impressed."

"Thank you" Kakashi chuckled nervously "Anyway what do you want me to do?"

"Can you take over the pancakes while I start working on the omelets?" Izumi asked

Kakashi headed towards the pan in reply and soon found Naruto standing next him

"You can cook?" Naruto asked him suspiciously, eyeing his sensei with doubt.

"I wouldn't have said so if I couldn't" Kakashi told him as he flipped the pan allowing the pancake to cook from the other side.

Soon after all was ready and the ninja plus Izumi began to eat contently.

"Where is Misami?" Kakashi asked

"Since we were going away she asked me if she could visit her family" Akio replied as he added some syrup on his pancakes

"Won't you be lonely, Izumi san?" Naruto asked her

"I'm quite alright Naruto kun" she smiled reassuringly "I'm going on a trip to the hot springs for some time by myself."

Naruto smiled widely in response and resumed to dig in.

"Since when do you enjoy omelets so much brat," Jiraya asked "Last time I remember you hated vegetables. On our training trip two years ago he made quite the scene whenever I ordered a meal with greens in it."

"I had some with Kakashi sensei on the day he told me he wanted to train me in combining wind nature with my rasengan" Naruto replied smiling at his sensei

"I'm not your sensei anymore" Kakashi sighed at his antics while Jiraya looked at Kakashi in shock.

"How'd you get him to do that?" Jiraya asked in amazement

Kakashi shrugged "I really didn't do much to tell you the truth. I ordered them against his will and he just ate them."

"Kakashi sensei is scary when he just wakes up" Naruto answered the unspoken question when Jiraya turned to him inquiringly

As the occupants around the table laughed Kakashi muttered something that sounded like 'drop the sensei'.

After everyone was fed they headed out and after three days they found themselves in front of a swamp.

"There is a cabin inside led by an old woman who looks after the pools." Jiraya explained "she has three rooms for two but not a lot of people come since not the pools aren't exactly common knowledge."

"Then how did you find out about them?" Akio asked curiously

"Well I am amazing at finding information" Jiraya laughed

"He got lost" Naruto added underhandedly yet everyone heard him. Akio and Kakashi laughed where as Jiraya glared at Naruto with all his might.

"Let's go then" Jiraya said and led them inside with Akio and Kakashi still laughing.