Not knowing exactly when Naruto was returning was starting to stress the usually composed Nara. He was with Kakashi, as he had been all week in hopes that Naruto would come to find one of them or Iruka first and not their friends. They stayed near the training ground closest to the gates.
"What if he sees Ino first? Or Kiba? He's a bigger gossip than Ino and you know he would tell him"
"We can only hope he sees you first, and if he doesn't all you have to do is explain. He will understand"
"I wish we could have wrote to him" Shikamaru groaned
Kakashi was glad his smile was hidden under his mask because he didn't doubt the boy would strangle him out of frustration. But the entire thing was hilarious to him he had never seen him so anxious before.
"Naruto can sense us, if he feels for you as strongly as he did before he left he will seek you out first, you don't have to worry" Kakashi said only to see the boy look pained, what did he say?
"I've thought about that too. Another reason I'm nervous" he said
Ah, I put my foot in it, Kakashi thought upon realising what he had said. There was no way to know if Naruto still has those feelings, or that he hadn't moved on to someone else. But Kakashi was sure that Naruto probably had those worries too. And Naruto was loyal, to a fault. He truly didn't think he would forget about Shikamaru, but he had no way to know that for sure. He didn't want to use that as a comfort and get Shikamaru's hopes up and have that highly unlikely scenario happen.
"He's probably thinking the same" Kakashi said which made him groan and put his hands in his head. He wasn't very good at comforting this boy.
"And that's exactly what he's returning to! At the very least it will seem like it. I wish I could talk to Choji and Ino about this"
"You'd tell her?" Kakashi asked before he could stop himself.
"She has a right to know" he shrugged simply. That was true, but Shikamaru had kept his word and hadn't even told his Father about the last conversation he and Naruto had. There was yelling from the distance and Kakashi couldn't help the smile. The voice was deeper but it was his. The phrase 'loud enough to be heard a mile away' was probably made for Naruto. Turning to find him only to hear
"Shit" from Shikamaru. Turning to follow his gaze there was Naruto. With Sakura, Ino, and Choji.
"Look who we found at the gate!" Sakura yelled waving. Naruto came charging over leaving the other three behind. He halted at Kakashi and it had his eye widening at how he was almost as tall as him. And irrationally felt like he missed Naruto's childhood.
"Kakashi!" He said excitedly bouncing on the balls of his feet "you haven't changed a bit! I missed you, I'm almost as tall as you now"
Kakashi felt as if something he couldn't place had been returned to him and his body felt relaxed the more he heard him. Kakashi smiled his eye closing as he put his hand on the still messy blonde head
"It's good to have you home" he said opening his eye. Naruto looked behind him and his smile froze for a moment.
"Shimamaru! Wow you got tall!" He laughed and ran over to him measuring their heights "hoped I'd be taller than you"
"Never happen" Shimamaru said forcing his usual drawl out but Kakashi noticed.
"Oh we didn't tell you!" Sakura said pulling Ino over Naruto turned to look at them, Ino blushed as she was pulled next to Shimamaru smiling shyly
"What?" He asked looking between them. Kakashi thought Shikamaru might throw up from the look on his face. Spending the week with his increasing anxiety over this, he knew the slight furrow in his brow, and tightness of his mouth was him panicking.
"Tell him!" Sakura smiled nudging them both when Shikamaru failed to even respond Ino cleared her throat and lifted her hand to show the ring band with the engraved Nara Clan symbol
"We're getting married"
Naruto's eyes widened as he looked between them his mouth falling open slightly. Forcing out a laugh and smiling he shook his head
"Wow! That great news I didn't think any of us would be getting married this soon. Congratulations! Do I have to get a gift? Cause I'm broke"
"It's not for a while yet!" Ino smiled waving her hand dismissively.
"Oh good! Gives me time to think. Sakura you'll help me right?" He asked looking to her. She squinted at him for a moment before agreeing. He avoided looking at Shikamaru and Kakashi could see the pain Shikamaru and Naruto were both trying to hide.
"How was training with a Sanin?" Choji asked stepping up
"Hard, but amazing he had jutstu I'd never heard of before" Naruto grinned "I've really improved though. Where are the others? On mission?"
"Guy has his team training so you probably won't see them till later" Kakashi said and he pouted
"Kiba, Shino and Hinata are probably training on ground four" Ino said
"Cool, we should head over. I wanna see Kiba" Naruto said
"He has been excited to see you again" Sakura said
"Are you guys coming?" He asked team Ten
"We have our training. When Shikamaru isn't taking his own missions we try to keep our teamwork sharp" Choji said
"We can catch up later then, Ichirakus tonight?" He asked not even looking at Shikamaru.
They nodded and he took off with Sakura. Shikamaru fell onto the floor and groaned
"Fuck" he breathed
"Just being near him wore you out huh?" Choji asked. Shikamaru looked at Kakashi in devastation.
"Something like that" he sighed
The catch up with team Eight ended in a spar between Kiba and Naruto but Kakashi was both saddened and pleased he could see the tightness in Naruto's smile, the way it didn't really meet his eyes. The way he hid how he really wanted to cry. Because as bad as he felt for Naruto he was glad he could still see his true feelings. They caught up and Sakura had to go to work then eventually team Eight always left so it was just Naruto and Kakashi.
"Anyone around?" He asked softly and Naruto shook his head. Letting his shoulders fall before sitting on the grass.
"Didn't see it coming" he chuckled sadly "I feel stupid now"
Putting his hand on his hip Kakashi debated how much he should say. Because even after speaking to Shikaku it became clear this was still Shikamaru's doing.
"You should talk to him" Kakashi said
"What's to talk about? He is getting married. When is it?" He asked
"Ino wanted you to be here. She knew how close you and Shikamaru were" Kakashi said "so now you're home I'm sure they'll make a date" he sighed "there's more to it, you should let him explain it"
"Do you just always know what's happening?" Naruto asked "Are you shadowing the whole village like you do me?"
"I promised to keep an eye on him" Kakashi shrugged "does it bother you I'm watching you?"
"No. Makes me feel cared about when you hover, besides if I wanted to hide something from you I wouldn't talk about it" he answered. Biting his lip, looking torn. Kakashi waited for him to work up to asking whatever it was "is he happy?"
"No" Kakashi deadpanned and Naruto looked up confused "Go talk to him I'm gonna come and spy anyway" he shrugged and dissapeared. He could tell him about Team Seven later. This would only bother him if he didn't get the full story, and the test wasn't until he was settled anyway.
He watched Naruto sit there worrying and being stubborn. But he knew he'd give in, he needed too. Kakashi could only hope he would do it sooner rather than out it off.
After a hour had passed Naruto got up and stalked off toward the Hokage tower he reunited with Tsunade who gave him him keys and told him to ask Kakashi to show him his new place. He then went to the academy and saw Iruka for a while. After that he looked towards the Nara forest and took off. Kakashi kept his distance, until it looked like he was actually heading to the forest and not Shikamaru's. He was mid jump when Naruto halted at the edge. Landing next to him Kakashi sighed
"You worried me then"
"It's been too long for me to just go in" he said
"You've been in alone before?" Kakashi asked surprised and was only answered with a nod. Silence stretched out for a while "Why are you here"
"I feel like... if I can still go in I have some connection to hold onto... does that make sense?"
"I get it. But you do-" he cut off as a giant stag as tall as himself approached. Kakashi had never seen one of the deer but it seemed... intelligent, like it was reading into your soul. It made him feel exposed until it turned to Naruto and slowly bowed its head down to nudge his hands and stomp its front hoof before pushing his hip. Naruto laughed and took its face in his hands
"I know, I know" he smiled "I'm sorry its been so long" he scratched its ear and after a bit of a fuss he looked back to Kakashi "this is Kakashi" he said and it stood back up to his full height "he knows not to come in, he's just keeping me company. You sure got big" he sighed and the stag huffed shaking its head
"Do they talk to you?" Kakashi asked wondering how this worked
"Um... no, its like I can grasp what they want, I just talk back. Shikamaru thought it was something from Kurama. The animals being the way they are with me"
Kakashi nodded, he had thought that too. But not to this extent.
"I'll come in soon" Naruto chuckled as the stag pulled on his sleeve forcefully "I haven't even introduced myself back to the village. It'd be rude to come in without getting permission from Shikaku"
The stag only pulled harder
"Soon" he said pushing its head playfully "promise"
It let him go and looked to Kakashi again and he would swear that it nodded to him before leaving.
"Think he likes you" Naruto nudged and they stepped back from the forest. Naruto tensed and sighed next to him
"Naruto"
Kakashi nodded as he turned to see Shikamaru approaching and made himself scarce. Neither spoke, they avoided each others eyes and Kakashi shook his head glad he never had this issue.
"I didn't want you to be ambushed with it like that" Shikamaru finally said and Naruto sighed
"Well hey, not my place to get upset about it" he said forcing cheer into his voice "I really ho-"
"Don't do that" Shikamaru said stepping closer which in turn had Naruto stepping back. "Don't pretend. I saw your face, you aren't okay with this"
"Did you think I would be?" Naruto asked dropping his facade
"I worried you would... Three years is a long time" Shikamaru shrugged "But its not... I didn't ask her. Its a clan thing" he sighed and Naruto looked up sharply, anger simmering beneath him so Shikamaru sighed holding his hands up and shook his head "Dad was ready to fight it. Believe me. And I don't think Inoichi would need much convincing but..."
"What?"
"I told him to leave it be... we aren't in a rush to have to get married. I couldn't fight it without giving them a reason" he ended
"Because I said not to tell anyone" he nodded
"I understood why" He shrugged "I still do"
If the Akatsuki discovered just how important Shikamaru was to Naruto any fight would be over. They could try to rescue him but Naruto would not be stopped he would go with them.
"So... there's nothing..."
"Not even a bit" Shikamaru said "she isn't too happy with it either but she has no reason to fight it. She hoped I would"
It was like a switch went off in him, he straightened up and smiled at Shikamaru properly for the first time.
The catch up went well and Naruto had eaten his fill. Teuchi had even given him some free bowls to say welcome home. Kakashi had taken him to his new apartment and he stood in the entryway mouth hanging open as he looked around. It was a great improvement from his apartment I was true. Tsunade made more of and effort to make sure his accommodations were up to standard, and allowed Kakashi to find a reasonably priced home with a lovely landlady. It would be a big change for him.
"Think Gradma gave me the wrong keys" Naruto mumbled as he took another step.
"No this is the place. Picked it myself" Kakashi chuckled kicking off his sandles "need to stock up on food and cleaning supplies now you're home but everything else is ready"
He moved to look around, having more than two rooms must be a little jarring for him. Everything was separate for him, his bed on its own room instead of behind his living space and next to his kitchen. In fact even they were separated by a breakfast bar.
"Are you sure this is okay?" Naruto asked causing Kakashi to turn to the hallway leading to the bedroom and bathroom "and I'm not sure I can afford this"
"It's a good price, we made sure it's affordable don't worry"
"But Kakashi, I could barely afford my last place when the Old Man died" he said which was news to Kakashi
"What are you talking about? The payments on the apartment were to continue until you turned sixteen" Kakashi said he began to feel unseasy the way Naruto's face frowned in confusion. "Naruto were you paying rent?"
"Well, yeah. Id become a ninja and had a job, the landlord said that meant I would be paying from then on. The allowance helped but..." he looked sad. Damned Landlord pocketed the rent and made Naruto suffer with making him pay. No wonder he wasn't bothered about the fire he'd made a fortune. The rare flare of anger made its way up and Kakashi had a hard time keeping himself calm, yet again thankful he had his mask and headband covering most of his face because he wasn't sure he'd hide it well. This made sense about how he wanted to always have higher ranked missions, not to show off but to pay for his home. Annoyed at himself, how did he miss this? He was going to find that damned Landlord tomorrow and inform Tsunade. In the transfer of power the elders seemed to have neglected to tell her everything.
"Don't worry this isn't the same" Kakashi assured him "the rent is reasonable and its in Tsunade's name, nobody is going to try anything here" Kakashi said "get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow" he said softly "I'll drop by with breakfast"
Naruto nodded and Kakashi dissapeared
Sakura and Naruto stood in the clearing, Tsuanade had suggested a isolated area. Tsunade and Jiraiya stood in the brush of the trees a distance away. Kakashi wondered what they had taught them for them to push for such a big space for a simple test.
They worked together much better than they had five years ago. And it concerned Kakashi how they did it without even using jutsu. All it took was for Naruto to start talking about the ending the the next Icha Icha book. As a seasoned ninja he was a little disappointed in himself for falling for it, but also proud that Naruto had taken the initiative to use it against him. But before resorting to that cheap shot they had brought him to the need of his Sharingan, which he had not expected. Not to mention how far Sakura had come, she didn't hide, she stayed strong and even found him. Granted by demolishing the area. Tsunade had made a replica of herself. It was a little terrifying.
The team was set up and waiting for a new mission. Kakashi suspected that Tsunade was giving Naruto time to settle at home. She looked at him across her desk, fist u der her chin.
"He will be fine" Kakashi said and she nodded
"I don't doubt that. But he's been through a lot and after hearing about his living situation I want him to settle in a bit, see it's not the same"
"It is a shame you weren't Hokage after Minato and Kushina died... I truly believe his life would have been much different were you here" Kakashi said and the woman actually blushed.
"Nonesense. Jiraiya would have been better" she waved her free hand dismissively. She didn't take praise well Kakashi noted and before he could speak a bird landed on the desk sand spewing everywhere. It flapped and squawked agitated and scared. Kakashi caught it in his hand so Tsunade could take the message clearly from Suna. Before he could take a step Tsunade gasped
"Shizune!" She yelled and then focused on Kakashi. This wasn't good. "The Kazekage has been kidnapped, the Akatsuki have made their move" she said. He released the bird
"You know he will want to go"
"It'll be walking right into their hands. I cannot-"
"He won't forgive you if you send someone else"
"Shikamaru would be best, the Intel he would catch alone would be vi-" she cut off at the look of Kakashi tensing and cle ching his fists. "Is it wise I send him?" She asked carefully and Kakashi only shook his head. Shizune ran in
"Go. Immediately, we will send others to come help the injuresd" she ordered and Kakashi nodded and left for his team. He was excited to work with them again, especially since they got on much better now. But with it being Gaara... this wasn't going to be a easy mission, he thought.