Sage

Ch.35

The trio would have been an odd one to most who passed by, not that any did Naruto noticed; in fact many people got one look at Roushi and immediately backtracked, or at least moved to the other side of the street. It didn't last long as they were soon passing the outskirts of the town but it made Naruto wonder. They weren't like the looks of scorn and hatred he remembered from his time in Konoha but more along the looks of slight fear or unease; as if they didn't mind the man but still wouldn't prefer to be near him.

Naruto didn't see anything immediately wrong with Roushi apart from the obvious fact he was a Shinobi, an undoubtedly powerful one given his Chakra levels. There was also his rather outlandish appearance; he wasn't exactly wearing the standard Iwagakure uniform despite donning their headband. In fact his clothing looked more like it belonged on somebody who had fought before the First Shinobi War.

He also noticed the occasional raised eyebrow he got when he tried to get a read on the man through the moisture in the air. His range was much lower when he moved, only around a hundred feet, but with Roushi walking right next to him that wasn't much of an issue. There was something about the man's Chakra he found strange, almost familiar; yet he still couldn't place it. He noticed Fuu giving the man a few discreet looks as well but most of the time her face was unreadable so he had no idea if she felt the same or she was just naturally suspicious; he was inclined to believe the latter.

Finally they reached a small campsite set up in a clearing quite a way out of the town. It was fairly simple, a small tent that looked like it could house two people at the most and a small but cosy fire enclosed by a ring of rocks. He could hear a stream not too far off which would explain the pot of stew hanging over the fire, happily boiling away. In all it looked like the kind of camp you could tear down or set up on a few minutes' notice; faster if you were a ninja.

"Eh, it's not much but make yourself at home." Naruto looked up at the man as he walked to the other end of the fire, peering into the pot to check on what was probably his dinner. The blonde wasn't sure what to think but he was anything but rude so quickly made himself comfortable on a small log that seemed to be there for the express purpose of sitting, Fuu quickly joining him in the spot besides him. His cheeks flushed a slightly darker hue at how close her body was pressed up against his but he said nothing.

"So, how can we help you Roushi-san?" The red-haired man smiled congenially at the pair as he leaned back from the pot of simmering stew.

"Eh, don't bother with the whole honorific crap, you'll make me feel like that old bastard." With that he smiled pleasantly, seemingly satisfied with the stew as he ladled it out into three bowls he procured from seemingly nowhere. Of course Naruto's eyes had seen him unseal them from a pouch beneath his purple kimono but it was almost so fast he missed it, impressive indeed.

"Alright then Roushi." The redhead just nodded once happily before handing the two the bowls of stew, quickly digging into his own like he hadn't eaten in weeks; given his bulky frame though Naruto found that unlikely. He was already finished before Naruto had finished his first mouthful, smacking his lips appreciatively in a way that told Naruto he wasn't exactly used to company.

"Ah, nothing like some warm stew at night to keep the chill away." Naruto just nodded his quiet agreement as he continued to sip at the admittedly delicious meaty broth. Somehow Fuu managed to keep her expression completely blank even as she ate, although a healthy colour had invaded her cheeks as her body unconsciously reacted to the warm meal.

"So, what are two Jinchuuriki doing wandering in this part of Tsuchi no Kuni?" Naruto swore if he hadn't had years of training in a monk's temple he might have immediately spit out a good portion of the stew he had just taken into his mouth. He envied Fuu for her ability to never show any emotion if she didn't want to; she merely continued to demurely sip at her own meal, the only indication she heard anything being her hands tightening slightly. The redhead had to chuckle at their reactions even though he had hoped for something more along the lines of shock.