A ninja must see underneath the underneath

Chapter 7 - Naruto's doubt, hate, and chakra control

Of course, Kakashi was right. Not long after, both shinobi were able to enter The Land Of Rivers unnoticed. "Alright, Naruto. We are no longer within Konoha's borders. It's important that we become more careful from now on. Other nations are not very fond of unknown shinobi's within their borders, even if they are just travelers."

"Right." Naruto nodded.

"Furthermore, if we want to be inconspicuous, you really should try harder on keeping your chakra levels low."

"Easy for you to say," Naruto muttered.

Soon enough both men found a small secluded cave behind some big trees and bushes. Just in time as well, as thick raindrops started falling from the skies. Kakashi put a cooking pot outside so they could catch some fresh water to cook and to fill the canteen. He also used a fire jutsu technique to get a fire going with the dry wood he picked up earlier that day.

After they got settled in, Kakashi got started on preparing them some food. Naruto was resting on a rock nearby. He couldn't help looking at Kakashi. He'd never seen his sensei do such a menial thing. They had traveled before as a team under Kakashi's leadership, but Sakura often volunteered to prepare the food. Kakashi usually kept busy securing their camping spot with traps or barriers, as he did not too long ago as well. Naruto was mesmerized by his sensei's movements.

"Are you afraid that I'm going to poison your food or something Naruto?" Kakashi brought the boy back from his daydream. "You keep staring at me..."

"Sorry sensei," Naruto replied. "I just enjoy watching you do stuff."
"Oh jeez, did I really just say that?" Naruto thought within himself as he started blushing.

"Really? Why is that Naruto?" Kakashi genuinely wondered.

"I- I don't know... No reason I guess." Naruto replied embarrassed by his previous confession.

"Well, if you watched closely, you would have noticed that were having boiled vegetables and rice this evening. So, no ramen."

"Mhm," Naruto replied uninterested. He was staring at his sensei's mouth moving behind his mask. "Why do I feel so strongly about wanting to see his face...?" Naruto pondered.

"You want to see what his mouth looks like." Kurama intervened his train of thought.

"What? Why would I want to see his mouth you dumb fox?" Naruto answered the voice in his consciousness.

"Because you want to kiss that mouth you stupid brat." Kurama sneered.

"Tsk, that's ridiculous," Naruto replied out loud.

"What's ridiculous Naruto?" Kakashi suddenly asked.

"I- it's - no - it's nothing Kakashi-sensei." I was talking to Kyuubi."

"I see," Kakashi replied hesitantly. "When you talk to him Naruto... I think it would be good if... well... don't trust him too much okay? You need to be careful around him."

"I know Kakashi-sensei," Naruto replied while trying to ignore Kurama's angry growls in his mind. 

The two shinobi ate their dinner and sat in silence for a while when Kakashi suddenly started talking again. "I'm sorry Naruto."

"What? What do you mean Kakashi-sensei? Sorry for what?"

"It's wrong of me to try and tell you how dangerous Kyuubi is. You have been living with the demon that killed your own parents your entire life. It must be horrible for you... I'm sorry you have to go through that." Kakashi said quietly.

"It's..., it's not easy sensei. I know Kurama killed tons of shinobi and innocent citizens." Naruto mumbled. 

After an uncomfortable silence, he continued. "But the worst part is that there are still people who look at me and see the fox that killed their family and friends. I don't know why the fourth hokage chose me to seal the demon in. Maybe it was a coincidence, or maybe he chose me because he knew I was an orphan. But I hate him for doing so. He chose to make me an outcast. Someone the entire village hates and despises. I know why he decided to seal the demon. It was the only way to save the village. But nonetheless, all the crap I had to go through was because of him." Naruto said with a suppressed voice.